18/06/2026
2026 Reefton Volunteer Awards
Congratulations Kenneth Polglaze Essential Services Volunteer of the Year Reefton Hato Hone St John.
We would like to name Sam Polglaze for the Reefton Hato Hone St John Volunteer of the Year.
Everyone knows Sam. Registered Nurse at the Reefton Medical Centre. Practice Nurse, District Nurse and Prime Responder. PRIME meaning [Primary Responder in Medical Emergency]. These are Sam’s primary full time roles, but for Sam this appears not to be enough, as for more than 15 years Sam has been a volunteer for St John Reefton ambulance. He rosters himself on call when he’s available for frontline ambulance, and when he’s not rostered on he’ll back up the PRIME team to assist them or the Reefton team.
Sam will support Helen for training and is happy to pass on his knowledge at all times with much enthusiasm and laughter. He is always available to pass on his expertise when on station.
As if this was not enough, when Sam heard that a Youth program was being discussed and progressing for Reefton, he was one of the first and most enthusiastic to put his name forward to be a leader, one of four required to get the program moving forward. Starting a program with Youth in St John is not the easiest thing to do - protocol and procedures presented can become a nightmare. But with the drive from the Reefton Leaders and thinking outside the box, Sam and the 3 other leaders are moving forward. Six months into the program and around 20 youth attending training every Monday night gives them the motivation to turn this group into future St John and community leaders.
Thank you, SAM, for your enthusiasm you give to the Reefton Area.
