Media Release Aug 05 2008

Memorial service for Rosemary Anne Pirie OAM BSC, AID, 1934–2008

Vale Rosemary Pirie RNSH Dietician for 40 years

A memorial service for Rosemary Pirie will be held in the Royal North Shore Chapel on Saturday 16 August 2008 at 2pm.

Dietitians working in the area of food services are a rare breed but Rosemary was able to ensure that the quality of food services for patients at RNSH was of the highest standard.

She believed that second best was unacceptable for patients, staff or visitors. This principle underpinned the service and work ethic she instilled in all her staff. She was her own person and never compromised her high standards.

Rosemary attended Narrabeen Public School where she enjoyed tennis and swimming and then North Sydney Girls High School. She was Dux of her year from 1946 -1950. She then attended the University of Sydney where she received a Bachelor of Science. She was first in her year in 1951 and received a Certificate of Proficiency in 1952 before graduating in 1953.

She was keen to follow a career in nutrition and completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Nutrition and Dietetics at the Royal Newcastle Hospital. She was described as “diligent and hard working, has a pleasing personality and demeanour and is not afraid of applying herself energetically to the job in hand”.

Rosemary joined Royal North Shore Hospital on 27 August 1955. She worked at RNSH until retirement in 1999. Her focus was food service management. She studied for many years at night at East Sydney Technical College and completed a four year commercial cookery course and Hotel and Catering Management. She was awarded first prize, the John Dynan Medal for Excellence.

Rosemary tended not to show her underlying generous nature. She was happiest when she supported the work of others. She worked tirelessly for the Association of Summer Camps for diabetic children. She attended these camps for many years as dietitian and caterer ensuring that menus were enjoyable while meeting clinical standards.

She was Honorary Secretary for the camps from 1958-1981 and a member of the fundraising committee.

This tireless work was recognised when Rosemary was awarded the Order of Australia in 1984 for Services to the Community. This also recognised her enormous contribution to a quality Food Service for Royal North Shore Hospital where Rosemary spent more than 40 years.

Rosemary’s success and strength in her career was derived not just from her expertise but also from her personality. She was disarmingly frank and always interested in her staff. She cared for them by encouraging them to strive for excellence.

True to form, she declined an official farewell when she left RNSH. She thought it unnecessary. Those who knew her, however briefly, will remember her as the unique and independent ‘Miss Pirie’.

Media Contact: Emily Saker 9926 8313 / 0404 054 160

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