Superintendent Graeme Adcock of the South Australia Police presented Lincoln Hospitality Limited with the shield of the South Australian Police in recognition of Lincoln University hosting emergency staff after the February 22 earthquake.
The South Australia Police were among the 285 strong contingent of police, disaster victim identification personal and social workers from New Zealand and abroad who resided at Lincoln University in the days after the quake. Supt Adcock praised Lincoln Hospitality “...decent feed, good bed, and a few drinks was great”.
Heather Watson, Head of Catering at Lincoln Hospitality said “All the catering staff felt it was a real privilege to work with them. Sure, we were working long hours but these staff worked much longer; they were doing it for Canterbury. You never heard them say they were tired. They just kept going.”
The police contingent from Australia left Christchurch on Friday. Supt Adcock said “It’s the right time for us to leave. Christchurch citizens are beginning to talk about the shape the city will take in the future. I’m amazed by the spirit of Cantabrians and the strength of community in Christchurch”.
The shield will be on display in the trophy cabinet in Mrs O’s cafe. 
Photographed: Heather Watson, John Clark, Lyn Fisher, Jo Harris, Julie Clark, Carole Robertson, Janetta Clarke, Fen Yuan, Rosalie Fua, Lorraine Amyes, Hemi Kaka, Evelyne Baumgartner, Sandra Mitchell, Jerimias Catampo, Daniel Buchan, Sandra Allchurch, Grace Quiamco, Anna Buchan, Vicki Clutterbuck, Carlie Catampo, Leslie O’Connor, Marion Aitken, Sharon Mathias, Pophong Lorca and Jan Buckland.