Merv Bayer with board chair Beth Houlbrooke
More than 40 people were recognised by Rodney Local Board last month for their service to local communities at the 2017 Volunteer Awards.
Nominations were sought from a wide range of volunteer and community organisations, from recreation, environment, senior and youth groups to hall committees and residents’ associations.
Recipients at the awards presentation evening at Kaukapakapa Hall received a certificate and a native plant. Board Chair Beth Houlbrooke said Rodney was lucky to have so many willing volunteers who devoted so much time and energy to improving their communities.
“Volunteers make a huge difference to communities and public spaces all over Rodney. Every day volunteers exemplify a can-do attitude and a cheerful willingness to do whatever it takes to help others,” she said. “It just shows that private initiative often results in better outcomes than government or local government involvement.”
This was the second Rodney Local Board Volunteer Awards. The first event was held three years ago, in 2014. Award-winning volunteers were:
Stef Railey, Wellsford Promotions; Jennifer Lambert, Point Albert Wharf and Domain; Robyn Jones, North Rodney Community Arts Council; Vicky Sheriff, Blue Light Wellsford; Merv Bayer, Kauri Bushmen’s Association; Anne Beckett, Grey Power Warkworth; Marianne McCoid, Age Concern Rodney; Arthur & Tricia Gundy, Forest & Bird Community Coast Care Group, Leigh; Michael Gordon, Mahurangi Action Plan Group; Dell McKenzie, Mahurangi East/Goodall Reserve Advisory Committees; Mark Illingworth, Mahurangi Community Sport & Recreation Collective; Trish Allen, Matakana Community Group; Marjorie Blythen, Warkworth A&P Society; Laurence Eyres, Point Wells Community & Ratepayers Association; Heather Reid, Point Wells Halls & Recreational Reserve; Carol Hood, Ranfurly Hall/Bourne Dean Reserve, Kaipara Flats; Richard Papworth, Algies Bay Residents & Ratepayers Association; Steve Harrison, Sandspit Residents & Ratepayers Association; Lesley Leversha, Snells Beach Residents & Ratepayers Association; Margaret Faed, Springboard; John Montgomerie, Highfield Garden Reserve & Donkey Sanctuary; Ray Blackburn, Tawharanui Open Sanctuary & Nursery; Patte and Roger Williams, Warkworth War on Weeds; Lois Burton, Warkworth District Museum; Tim Ellison, Warkworth Forest & Bird; Joe Koppens, Warkworth Rotary; Richard Gerard, Whangateau Hall; Dr Roger Grace, Whangateau Harbour Care; Maria Gibson, Harbourmaster Volunteers; Cimino Cole, Mahurangi Coastal Trail Trust; Denis O’Callahan, Omaha Shorebirds Protection Group; Earle Wright, Integrated Kaipara Harbour Management Group; Elon Bycroft, South Kaipara Landcare; Graeme Hounsell, Kaukapakapa Scouts; Ralph Martin, Kaukapakapa Residents & Ratepayers Association; Andrea Berrington-Humes, Glorit Memorial Hall; Gill & Kevin Adshed, Atuanui Restoration Project, Glorit.
