A tree re-planting ceremony was held at Otago Polytechnic’s Dunedin Campus yesterday, Tuesday 18 October, to commemorate the late Dr Linda Wilson, founding HOS of Occupational Therapy.

Dr Wilson is well remembered by colleagues, past and present, as the woman who set up the School of Occupational Therapy at Otago Polytechnic in Dunedin in 1990. 

She was passionate about Occupational Therapy and had an extensive professional career before she brought her expertise and wisdom to the new school.

Under her leadership the School of Occupational Therapy flourished and a few years later she was pivotal to the establishment of a second programme based at WINTEC, in the Waikato.

“Linda was always enthusiastic and had a wicked sense of humour,” Yvonne Thomas recalls.

“She was an inspiration and mentor to many who worked with her and to the hundreds of students whom she educated. She was awarded an honorary life membership of Occupational Therapy New Zealand in 2016.

“Linda died peacefully at Pohlen Hospital in Matamata on 9 June 2017.”

A maple tree, originally planted at the northern end of the Quad, was moved to the southern end which, fittingly, is closer to G Block, where Occupational Therapy is based.

 


Published on 19 Oct 2022

Orderdate: 19 Oct 2022
Expiry: 19 Oct 2024