Hurunui’s ‘quiet’ heroes recognised at Community Awards

Selfless service that quietly contributes continues to make Hurunui a district that flourishes.

This was the message from this year’s Hurunui Community Awards, held on Wednesday 2 August at the Hawarden Hall.

Mayor Marie Black officiated at the awards, which recognised exceptional service from Hurunui’s “quiet” heroes, including those who received community service awards and heritage and environmental funding.

"A liveable community is supported by events and green spaces, and much of tonight's celebration is an acknowledgement of members of our district who have stepped up and provide this through their volunteer commitment."

Cr Robbie Bruerton, who presented the Community Service Award (South Ward) to Jennifer Dunbar-Fox, said that if it were not for the stories told by some “little birds” in the community, Jennifer might have continued as “one of our district’s many unsung heroes”.

“Jennifer is the epitome of an unassuming volunteer, quietly toiling away in the background, not seeking reward or notoriety but simply trying to help her community to be a better place to live,” Cr Bruerton said.

Jennifer was recognised for establishing and maintaining the bird aviary at Chamberlain Park, raising a loan from the Amberley Lions Club for the initial construction – a loan she repaid through her monthly market stall in Chamberlain Park.

Mayor Black described the Community Service recipients for 2023 as “genuine, authentic, community-minded people who make a difference”.

The recipient for the Community Service Award for Amuri community is Caroline Eastmond, who has served the Waiau community as Chair of the Waiau Playcentre, with service on the Waiau Toy Library Committee, Waiau Promotions group, Board of Trustees and Waiau Fireworks Committee, as well as being involved in the rebuild of the Waiau Pool, where she still runs coaching classes. Award presenter Cr Ross Barnes acknowledged Caroline for teaching many in the community to swim, including his own children.

Jane Maxwell is the recipient of the Community Service Award for the Cheviot community in recognition of her involvement with Young Farmers, Plunket, Playcentre, Garden Club, Home and School, WEA, Tecorians, St John – where, as Chair, she helped fundraise the building of the new Cheviot St John Station, and her involvement in purchasing the Knox Church and Hall for the community following the 2016 earthquakes. "Jane has been fully involved in the community," Cr Vince Daly said.

Jo Loe was awarded the Community Service Award for the Glenmark community for her service as Greta Valley Township representative on the Glenmark Community Committee, Treasurer and Secretary of the Domain Committee and she is involved with the Scargill Tennis Club, Hurunui Tennis (President and Secretary), Scargill Squash Club and Glenmark Netball. Jo has also been Chair of the Greta Valley School Board of Trustees, is a coordinator of the local sector Civil Defence Team and has taken a lead role in the Birdsong restoration project. "The easiest thing would have been to make a short list of the things Jo is not involved in," award presenter Jock Foster, Chair of the Glenmark Community Committee said.

The recipient of the Community Service Award for the Hanmer Springs community is Graeme Shaw, in recognition of his role as Hanmer Springs Rural Fire Chief and long service to Land Search and Rescue (LandSAR) (current Chair), roles where he is known "for his calm approach and good communication skills", said Mary Holloway, Chair of the Hanmer Springs Community Board. "Graeme is known to go above and beyond in all he does."

Jan and Doc Sidey were the recipients of the Community Service Award for the Hurunui community. Doc has served and held positions on numerous organisations including Young Farmers Club, Waikari Collie Club, Cubs, Mason’s Flat Hall Committee, Hawarden A & P Association, United Rugby Club, Hawarden Memorial Park Board, Hurunui College Board of Trustees, Waipara County Historical Society, and the Hawarden Bowling Club, as well as regional and national organisations; Jan has made a significant contribution to the community in a number of roles, including Country Girls, Plunket, Meals on Wheels and the Pony Club. Doc is also the editor and author of 13 books on local history.

This year’s awards demonstrated that age is no barrier to quiet service.

The Special Mayoral Presentation was awarded to John Stopford, who, at 97 years of age, has not slowed down in making his community a better place. Stopford has been fully involved in volunteer work in the community since his arrival on New Zealand from Britain in 1972, serving with the Amberley Lions, where he is the holder of the prestigious Melvin Jones Award; Amberley RSA; Amberley Community Care group, where he is still involved in delivering and installing equipment for the elderly and infirm; Amberley Menz Shed and, until recently, has been one of the drivers transporting people to doctors’ and medical appointments.

Proving that volunteering starts young, the recipient of the Youth Volunteer Award was Timothy Brown, who was recognised for supporting his fellow youth through his volunteering contributions. Timothy is involved in Inspire Church Amberley as a Youth Leader and has now reached out to the Hurunui Youth Programme with ideas on youth-based environmental work. Timothy is also involved with the Christchurch Boys’ Brigade and, in July 2022, Timothy was awarded the David Mills Scholarship to attend the Boys’ Brigade Queensland Leadership course as part of a staff exchange.

The Volunteering for Youth Award went to Craig Ritchie, in recognition of his outstanding support of youth as a mentor with the Hurunui Community Driver Mentor Programme. Craig has been one of the biggest advocates of the Mentor programme and a key figure in moving it from a pilot scheme to an established programme.

The MainPower Hurunui Environment Fund was awarded to Amanda Bowes and Albie Durand (protecting a riverbank and improving water quality of a creek); Hurunui College and the Hawarden Waikari Lions (establishing parcels of native vegetation within the Balmoral Fire Lookout Reserve); the Port Robinson Reserve Advisory Group (re-vegetaion of areas at Gore Bay) and the Northern Pegasus Bay Coastcare group (to complete the planting of a walking/cycling track at Leithfield Beach and expand the predator trapping programme at Ashworth Beach ponds).

The Hurunui Heritage Fund was awarded to the Weka Pass Railway Inc, to assist with the complete restoration to running condition of passenger carriage A1720, built in 1931; and Port Robinson Informed Citizens Inc, for an information board on the historic importance and unique character of Limestone Reserve in Gore Bay.

The guest speaker was Hurunui District Council’s Principal Governance Advisor, Graham Sutherland, who spoke on adventures taking part in Canada’s Yukon River Quest, one of the world’s most challenging marathon paddle race.