Congratulations to Kate Reid on her being awarded a Queen’s Service Medal for her services to palliative care and oncology nursing since the 1980s.

Kate is both an Acland and school old girl. In addition to all of the great work she does that has led to her receiving this award, Kate also serves on the Matai Foundation here at school and is the President of the CGHS Old Girls’ Association.

Kate has held numerous positions within organisations that aim to improve the quality of palliative care in New Zealand. She is a Life Member and Chair of the Cancer Society of New Zealand’s Canterbury-West Coast Division. During her time at the Cancer Society, she has been an active member of the Executive of the Board of the local Division and a member of the Medical and Scientific Grants Committee. Her expertise has been sought in a variety of capacities and in 2016 she was appointed to a National Evaluation Advisory Group to distribute Ministry of Health innovation funding to new hospice palliative care services. She has provided governance and support for other community organisations. She is a former President of Hospice New Zealand and has served on the Christ’s College Board of Governors. Mrs Reid is currently a Senior Lecturer in Palliative Care at the University of Canterbury.