Person:Lizzie Batley (1)

Elizabeth Ann Batley

Elizabeth Batley died suddenly at Auckland Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday, 8th May at the age of 29. News of her death came as a shock to all who knew her. Liz trained at Palmerston North Hospital, graduating as RGON in 1975. She staffed at Palmerston and also worked as a practice nurse before coming to work in Auckland at North Shore Hospital. She gained the Advanced Diploma of Nursing through Auckland Technical institute in 1981 and later took the position of staff nurse in the lnservice Education Department at Auckland Hospital. At this time, Liz undertook a management course in the evenings in Manukau Technical institute. She had been recently appointed permanent re- lieving Charge Nurse at Auckland Hospital. Liz had been involved with the NZNA since her student days as treasurer of the Manawatu Branch of the Student Nurses Association, 1973-1974. As an active member of the Auckland Branch she was currently on Branch Council. She was also secretary/treasurer of the Northern Region of the NZNA lnservice Education Section and had recently resigned as treasurer of the Section. Liz has made a real contribution to an increased awareness of the role of inser- vice education through her membership of the working party which prepared the first draft of “lnservice Education —— a discussion paper." Her involvement in the Association reflects her commitment to the development of our profession and her aware- ness of our unique nursing identity. Liz's funeral was held on May 12 at Moawhango, Taihape. Her family were joined by many local families, schoolfriends, many nursing friends and the local Maori community, in deeply moving ceremonies on the marae and in the family chapel. A memorial service held at Auckland Hospital on Wednesday, May 30 was an opportunity for many friends and colleagues to remember Liz as an intelligent, articulate and resourceful person, full of fun and with a positive approach to life. But perhaps the reason we most admire Liz, and for which we sadly miss her, is that she was a caring person and a caring and professional nurse.

1.   Page 14 -— The New Zealand Nursing Journal, July 1984.