Mrs O H Hudson (Gladys)

Mrs O H (Gladys) Hudson

President Levin Red Cross 1957 - 1965

Mrs Hudson joined the Levin Red Cross in 1944.

She became the 5^th President in 1957, her service of 8 years being the longest of any President up to her time. During those years we moved from cramped quarters in Adkin's building to the newly-built Red Cross building in Queen Street East, which was opened in 1963. Mrs Hudson remained president until 1965, when she felt it was time for a new president to take over.

Mrs Hudson had the responsibility of all the work in connection with the building, from acquiring the site to seeing the building completed and opened in 1963. With her at the opening were Captain Galloway, for Secretary General of the New Zealand Red Cross and the Rev Kingi Ihaka, who officiated at the dedication of the building and, to crown her achievements as president of the Levin Red Cross, she welcomed guests from Wellington, Palmerston North and Levin.

Mrs Hudson said in her opening speech "that with all the money raised from shop days, garden parties and two legacies, we really felt we were meant to go ahead, so the building was started in 1962."

To mark the opening of the rooms, a presentation was given to Mrs Hudson from fellow members as a memento of the occasion. A framed parchment with the Red Cross insignia and signed by all those who had worked on the new hall. an inscription on the parchment read "with our love and thanks for all the good works you have done."

At the 25th Jubilee she was among those to receive the long service medal for her 22 years service.

In 1967 Mrs Hudson became Red Cross Welfare Officer.

In 1978 Mrs Hudson received Queen's Birthday Honours.

On the 3rd March 1979, Mrs Hudson is shown receiving an Award for Outstanding Service from Mr D G White, the National President of the NZ Red Cross Society.

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