Oliver Smales Memorial Trust

Oliver Smales was a well-liked and well-respected paediatrician and citizen of Hawke’s Bay. Oliver contributed hugely to the health and well being of many children and families during his lifetime. He was a loyal and supportive colleague to many health professionals, with a strong commitment to professional education and development. Oliver died on 2 September 2004.

(Introduction thanks to the HBDHB website. To view the OSMT web page on the HBDHB site click  Oliver Smales Memorial Trust

On March 2005, Caroline & Georgina Evers-Swindell agreed to be guests of honour in a Celebrity Dinner organised by the Rotary Club of Taradale and it was their wish that the proceeds be devoted to child health and so the concept developed of a memorial to the late Dr. Oliver Smales with the fund providing ongoing education and training to technicians associated with this field.  The Trust Deed was completed and seven trustees were appointed.

The event raised $90,000 and this formed the capital fund from which the Trustees have been able to use the interest to sponsor nurses on a variety of training courses or conferences. BUT, there is now an urgent need to increase the earnings from the fund and for this reason the Trustees and planning a major fundraising drive.

For more about the Celebrity Dinner and the establishment of the Trust, click here.

Oliver Smales Memorial Trust

The Oliver Smales Memorial Trust was established in 2005.

The Trust provides for the training and education of nurses and support staff of the children’s services.

This was a Rotary Centennial Project of the Rotary Club of Taradale with the assistance from Olympic Double Scull Gold Medallists Caroline & Georgina Evers-Swindell and the Hawkes Bay District Health Board.

Report from the Bulletin 30th June 2005

"This (our) plaque was unveiled in the foyer at H B Hospital on Saturday afternoon 18 June. There was a good representation of members and wives/partners to witness the event.  The Trust Fund comprises $45,000 raised by the club at the Evers-Swindell twins celebrity dinner, supplemented by a like amount from the Shrimpton Trust Fund which is administered by the Hospital Board.  While the twins were not able to be there (they were at the World Rowing championships being held in Germany), their parents were present. 

Mark Read spoke on the ideas that culminated in the twins’ participation in the Celebrity dinner and it was their wish that the proceeds be devoted to child health and so the concept developed of a memorial to the late Dr. Oliver Smales with the fund providing ongoing education and training to technicians associated with this field.  The Trust Deed was completed and seven trustees were appointed, three from the club, John Aikman, Mark Read and Kevyn Moore with three from the Hospital Board.  Dr. Libby Smales accepted the role of independent trustee.

The Trustees, who include Kevyn Moore, John Aikman, Dr Philip Moore (DHB), Mark Read, John Pine (DHB) (back row)

(Front). Molly Wilson (DPB) and Dr Libby Smales (Independent)

Bulletin 30th June 2005