Golden celebration for nurse Helene Fontaine |04 November 2004

Mrs Fontaine met President Michel on Tuesday morning, when he presented her with a large glass trophy and an undisclosed sum of money to thank her for the fifty years she has spent in various nursing roles.

Having entered service with the Ministry of Health in 1954, Mrs Fontaine celebrated her golden anniversary at State House accompanied by two of her three daughters and the Minister for Administration and Manpower, Noellie Alexander.

"I have always wanted to be a nurse by profession, because I believe that a nurse is someone special, who attends to patients, those in need, to care for them and give them reassurance and hope when they are low," Mrs Fontaine told journalists after her meeting with the President.

And the veteran nurse had some advice for youngsters entering the profession, "Keep up the good work and always bear in mind that patients depend on them and that love and care are qualities much needed in this profession."

Mrs Fontaine said that her discussions with the President had been about how medical services and equipment had evolved over the years.