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Stalwart community volunteer Margaret Faed was treated to a surprise on her 80th birthday on October 26, when friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate her life of tireless service.
An exhaustive list of Margaret’s contributions to the community began with a stint as assistant Brownie leader in the early 1960s, followed by numerous leadership roles in cub scouts over three decades.
She launched Snells Beach Neighbourhood Support in 2007, chaired Snells Beach Ratepayers and Residents Association from 2008 to 2014, and has been with Neighbourhood Support Rodney since 2014.
Margaret has also been a volunteer at Springboard since 2012, the community organisation working with at-risk youth, both at its former Snells Beach base and after its move to Sheepworld.
The party at the Warkworth Scout Den was organised by friend and Neighbourhood Support Rodney colleague Sue Robertson.
Among those who attended and delivered tributes to Margaret were Neighbourhood Support New Zealand CEO Louise Grevel, Senior Constable Hamish Buick of the Mahurangi East Policing Centre, Springboard founder Gary Diprose and Neighbourhood Support Rodney committee member Christine Bolstad.
“She was over the moon,” Sue said. “I tried to make it a memorable day, and she said that it was one that she would remember always.”
Margaret said it was a lovely surprise and came on top of family birthday celebrations that have been going on for a month. She was made to feel “regal”.
She traced her community spirit back to her childhood, when the family home in Milford was always open to neighbourhood children.
“Being a girl guide, you make a promise to help others,” she said. “My Christian faith has something to do with it as well – always treating people how you like to be treated.
“We’re all part of a community and if we all did just a little bit it would be so much better for everybody,” Margaret said. “You don’t have to volunteer for hours and hours – even just talking to your neighbours. There’s lots of good things we can do.”
