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Community Spirit and Service Honoured at Ceremony
Thursday, 1 November 2012
Many examples of true community spirit and service were honoured at last night’s Waimakariri District Council’s Community Service Awards, now in its 22nd year.
Twelve individuals received commendation for undertaking significant voluntary service in the Waimakariri District in arts, cultural, educational, health, recreational, sport, welfare and youth areas.
Each year nominations are made by other community members and presented to Council. Generally nominees are required to be District residents, although exceptions are made if the voluntary community service was carried out in the District.
Born and bred in Rangiora, Jean Turvey has lived in the District her whole life and received an award for her dedicated work in preserving the District’s history through the Kaiapoi District Historical Society, the Landmarks Programme and other groups and historical projects.
Kevin Brown’s 40 years of service to the District through many community organisations, the Kaiapoi RSA, Kaiapoi Working Men’s Club, New Zealand Cancer Society and various other committees and clubs, saw him acknowledged with an award last night.
Peter Midgley’s community service award acknowledges his leadership of The Pines Beach and Kairaki Residents’ Association and his commitment to various clubs and projects in the area including the Beach Road walkway, Kairaki Beach car park and Cure Boating Club.
Mark Larsen, who has lived in Kaiapoi for 21 years, was honoured for his work with Waimakariri District youth, mentoring the R13 Trust on a regular basis in his sign studio to help these teenagers pursue a positive path in life, as well as his support and sponsorship of local sports groups and events.
Nigel Coates has lived his whole life in Rangiora, committing much time and energy to local cricket since 1970. He provided instrumental support to the establishment of MainPower Oval site as a first class cricket venue and also spent six years with the Rangiora Search and Rescue Group and 10 years on the Rangiora Rugby Club Committee, among many other committees and duties. Nigel’s award recognised these commitments.
Tony O’Loughlin, from the Bennetts/Cust area, received his award for his dedication to local cricket and his work in bringing the Dudley Park cricket pitch up to first class cricket level. Tony also spent 26 years of his working life caring for parks and reserves across the District.
Robin Fisher’s award recognises her 13 year commitment to the North Canterbury Tecorian Speakers organisation – an organisation helping people to gain confidence through public speaking. Robin’s service also involves The Food Intolerance Network (FAILSAFE) - a support system for more than 8000 families in New Zealand and Australia who have family members that suffer from food intolerances.
Jeanette Thomas’ award recognises her work with senior citizens in the District through Rangiora Golf Club and her provision of social and sporting opportunities for this age group. In addition, Jeanette has delivered meals-on-wheels for about ten years in association with the Red Cross and Presbyterian Support.
Former Rangiora Borough Councillor Brent Hassall has also served the District through his involvement with the Rangiora Fire Brigade, Rangiora High School Board of Governors, North Canterbury Electric Power Board, Rangiora Hockey Club and North Canterbury Radio Trust. He has also been or still is the honorary auditor of many local organisations and was recognised last night with an award for this service.
Kate Powell has committed many years of service to local not-for-profit community groups, was a founding Trustee of the Oxford Community Trust (OCT), served as Treasurer of the Cust Museum for eight years and formed the Friends of Cust School (FOCUS) group, among many other commitments which her award recognises.
Co-founder of Mainly Music and Woodend Toddlers’ Group, award recipient Elaine Wiley has been involved in setting up pre-school groups in Woodend, Rangiora and Kaiapoi. Elaine also visits mothers who are sick, delivers baking to them and helps with their children. Within her Church, Elaine has organised ladies’ retreats and a mid-Winter community dinner.
Brent Firkin played an integral role in the establishment of the Oxford Arts Centre and is currently a trustee on the Arts Trust as well as being the Gallery Director. Brent has also worked closely with Oxford Youth and the Oxford Youth Centre and was employed full-time as the Head of Arts at Oxford Area School – all achievements which were honoured last night.
Waimakariri District Mayor David Ayers says the District owes a considerable debt of gratitude for the diversity of service and ongoing commitment to the greater Waimakariri District community demonstrated by these outstanding volunteers.
“Without people like these, our community would not be the community it is.”
Further information:
David Ayers
Waimakariri District Mayor
Phone: (03) 311 8900 ext. 8609
Email: david.ayers@wmk.govt.nz
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