On Friday morning at the K-Day Reunion Brunch, Sister Eva Junkin was awarded as an Honorary Old Kingswoodian. President of the Old Kingswoodian Club, Mr Chris Hobson read out a citation:
Individuals who have served and supported the Kingswood community with distinction and who are not themselves Old Kingswoodians may be proposed and then accepted as Honorary Old Kingswoodians.
Old Kingswoodians, ladies and gentlemen, it is my honour to have been asked to present one of Kingswood’s greatest Kingswoodians today – Sister Eva Junkin
Eva was born on the 21st of February 1959. She grew up in Pretoria, where she attended school at Loreto Convent School. Called to a life in the medical field, she was unable to study medicine – although not for a lack of ability, but rather due to the then political climate.
She trained to be a nurse in Pretoria at the HF Verwoerd Hospital – later named the Steve Biko Academic Hospital. The political regime of the time made studying as a “non-white” extremely challenging. But this barrier only ignited in Eva a passion to succeed and master her training, which she duly did She completed her Diploma in Nursing and Internal Nursing Science.
Eva met and married Humphrey, who was and is a proud Old Kingswoodian. In 1987 they welcomed their first son, Kyle, followed by their daughter Nadine, in 1989, and finally their son, Cuan in 1994.
In 1994, she began nursing at Settlers Hospital in Makhanda/Grahamstown, where she was the sister in charge. She also worked in the specialist clinic.
In 2002 she moved abroad where she nursed in London for the British United Provident Association. In 2003 – home called her back, and she returned to Grahamstown where she applied for a post at Kingswood.
In 2003, Eva was appointed as the Kingswood San Sister, and thus her Kingswood journey began. Their three children began as pupils at the school, and Eva threw herself into her role.
Eva became synonymous with the well-being of Kingswoodians, both on and off campus. Her no-nonsense, but fair approach to her job have made her a formidable school nurse.
She values manners and encourages pupils to greet her upon entering and exiting the san. She is a stickler for routine and sees to it that medicine is dispensed timeously believing always that this is solely for the benefit of the child.
Eva is especially known for going above and beyond for not only pupils but also Old Kingswoodians and their families. To quote a colleague of hers, “she is fiercely loyal to Kingswood and all who belong to it. When there is a crisis, she is the one you want on your speed dial”. Eva asks no questions and does whatever it takes to ensure health and well-being of those she cares for. Going the extra mile is simply in her DNA.
Eva is a woman of many talents – but perhaps one of her most famous, is her ability to produce great food. She uses this talent to make sure that staff are never alone over the holidays, always making sure that they feel welcome at her table – leaving with hearts and tummies full.
Food is something that many an Old Kingswoodian will remark upon. An Old Kingswoodian recently shared that after leaving school, he had a standing dinner date at the san with sister Junkin! She would see to it that he remained well fed as a poor student, in exchange for a visit and catch up on all his news. This is who Eva is. Her warmth and love for OKs knows no bounds, and she is incredibly proud of the children who leave our gates after they finish school.
Year after year, when reunion groups are asked who they would like to invite to their reunion events, Eva is always at the top of their list. Her recall of their school antics, sharp sense of humour and pearls of eternal wisdom make her a VVIP at every young reunion group event.
Eva is the perfect example of a true Kingswoodian. Her firm but fair, caring and generous nature is one that will live on in Kingswood history forever, and it seems only fitting that we, as a community honour this.
Today, we pause to pay our respects, and thank you for serving Kingswood and the Old Kingswoodian Club so well Eva.
In reading the nurses pledge of South Africa, one cannot overlook how effortlessly this translates to Eva’s dedication to the Kingswood community. For the purpose of this citation, I replace words with Kingswood:
“I solemnly pledge myself to the service of (Kingswood) and will endeavor to practice my profession with conscience and with dignity. I will maintain, by all means in my power, the honour and noble traditions of my (Kingswood). The total health of my patients will be my first consideration”.
You are the embodiment of your oath not only as a nurse, but as a Kingswoodian. You are a worthy recipient of the Honorary Old Kingswoodian Award. Congratulations Eva.
