Community volunteers recognised by Ōrākei Local Board

A special awards ceremony was held last week at St Chads Church & Community Centre for the nominees and recipients of Ōrākei Local Board’s Community Volunteer Awards 2019.

Awards were given for Environmental Enhancement and Sustainability, Community and Social Wellbeing, Arts, Culture and Heritage, Local Centre and Business Area Enhancements and Sports, Fitness and Leisure, with recognition given to those highly commended.

Ōrākei Local Board Chair Kit Parkinson says the local board area has many dedicated, passionate volunteers and local groups who go above and beyond to contribute towards making the area a great place to live.

“Our local board immensely values community-led work and our Community Volunteer Awards is one of the ways we celebrate this good work,” he said.

Dedication to youth

Kaye Hatton of the St Chads Scout Group took out the award for Community and Wellbeing. Volunteering for the group since 2012, Kaye is currently chair of the group’s committee. Despite her children no longer being involved, Kaye continues to dedicate her energy and passion to the group which now has a membership of over 100 youth.

Environmental hero recognised

A founding member of a community conservation group that aims to bring back songbirds to the Eastern Bays, received the award for Environmental Enhancement and Sustainability. John Lawrence of the Eastern Bays Songbird Project was described by one of his nominator’s as a "connector of people, cheerful, motivated and committed to the environment.”

Joint winners celebrated

The Arts, Culture and Heritage award was shared by June Renwick and Deanna Tamaariki. 81 year old June has spent the last 15 years tirelessly supporting local theatre and was instrumental in getting the Selwyn Theatre built. Whaea Deanna is much loved locally; a Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei Taumata and a champion of te reo Māori me ōna tikanga, she has a teaching background and now volunteers her time teaching Te Ao Māori to local tamariki and rangatahi.

Commitment to community

Chair of the Ellerslie Community Patrol, Murray Wells, won the Local Centre and Business Area Enhancements category for his ‘formidable’ support of the Ellerslie community including as the volunteer treasurer of the Ellerslie Business Association for more than 20 years.

Sport a priority

Joint winners Debbie Edwards and Simon Hilton received awards for Sports, Fitness and Leisure for their years of commitment to local sport. Debbie’s involvement in Auckland Netball since 2006 has seen her take on many roles at the centre from umpire to coach to helping out in the café. Simon’s decade-long involvement in the Eastern Suburbs Board has seen him involved in all facets of the club, including continuously holding the position of Junior Chairman, one of the most time consuming roles in the club.

Ōrākei Local Board Chair Kit Parkinson says the Community Volunteer Awards are a highlight of the local board’s calendar and it’s an honour to officially recognise the many fine people and groups which make the area such a great place to live.

Ōrākei Local Board Community Volunteer Awards 2019