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Half a century of tireless voluntary work in Pūhoiwas recognised in the recent New Year Honours list when Jenny Schollum was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services to the community and heritage preservation.
Jenny has been involved with the PūhoiHistorical Society (now the PūhoiHeritage Museum) since 1985 – as past president and secretary, and currently treasurer, historian, museum coordinator, archivist and newsletter editor.
Up to four days a week she can be found volunteering at the museum, helping families to trace their ancestry – including descendants of the Bohemian settlers who came to Pūhoiin 1863.
A Pūhoilocal for much of her life, she founded and has led the PūhoiBohemian Dance Group since 1987, and was involved a decade ago in organising 150th anniversary celebrations of the settlers’ arrival in New Zealand.
Jenny was secretary of the PūhoiPublic Cemetery from 1986 to 2004 and has been treasurer of the PūhoiCommunity Forum since 2014.
Other voluntary contributions included leadership positions on the PūhoiCentennial Hall Committee and helping to organise ANZAC Day commemorations.
In 2005 she received a Rodney District Council community award recognising her contributions.
The Queen’s Service Medal and Queen’s Service Order retain those names, although new names for the honours will likely come into effect with the King’s Birthday in 2024.
