Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 36, September 1992
JEAN SCHAARE - 25 YEARS SERVICE
Tribute was paid by members of the Waihi Citizens' Ambulance Society in December 1991 to Mrs Jean Schaare when she was honoured with a presentation for her long years of service to the Society since coming to the town in the mid 1960's. Mrs Schaare had given over 25 years of support to the Waihi organisation and was one of its longest serving ambulance officers.
While thanking Mrs Schaare, the chairman of the Thames Hospital Ambulance Operator's Board, Mr Eric Leadley, also complimented the Citizens' Ambulance as a whole describing it as an "A grade team". Mrs Schaare was special, he said. She had not only been active in her voluntary work with the ambulance service, but had brought up a family of five as well as helping her husband in running the farm.
Over 60 citizens attended the function as well as her husband, Norm, and family members.
NATIONAL FIRST FOR AMBULANCE OFFICER
It was a double celebration when the Waihi Citizens' Ambulance honoured Mrs Jean Schaare. It was announced at the function that Mrs Gale Lockwood had been awarded a national first when she had been asked to become one of the instructors at the National Ambulance Officers Training School annexed to the Auckland Technical Institute.
In making the announcement, chairman of the Thames Hospital Ambulance Operator's Board, Mr Eric Leadley, said that she was the first voluntary ambulance officer in the country ever to be recognised in this way and offered employment at the school. Over recent years, Mrs Lockwood had undergone extensive training and was now one of the highest trained ambulance officers in the country.
As well as her work in Waihi, Mrs Lockwood also represented Waihi Citizens Ambulance on the Operators Board and was a member of the Waihi Health Liaison Committee charged with keeping Health Commissioner, Sir Ross Jansen, in tune with local health needs.