Napier citizens are honoured
A former Mayor of Napier and a longterm local Rotarian have received Napier Citizens’ Civic Awards.
The award ceremony, which took place before an audience of family, friends and colleagues at the Napier Conference Centre last Thursday was hosted by Napier Mayor Bill Dalton.
“It’s an honour to be able to recognise these two dedicated, humble men who have done so much for Napier over so many years,” he said.
Chair of the Rotary Pathways Trust and Whatever it Takes (WIT) John Hennessey, was awarded a Citizens’ Civic Award, while former Mayor Alan Dick was awarded the Freedom of the City.
Between them Alan Dick and John Hennessey have been involved with helping a vast number of people in the Napier community in different ways. The common thread is their dedication and commitment to helping others.
John Hennessey, a long-serving member of the Rotary Club of Ahuriri, has spent over 20 years helping others through the Rotary club, raising money and supporting the community.
He has also spent the last 15 years chairing the Rotary Pathways Trust transforming Napier’s walkways and cycleways.
John has also served on the board of WIT, which helps people access the Lighthouse day centre in both Napier and Hastings, recovery programmes, residential care facilities, return to work programmes and whatever support people with mental health difficulties need to live well in the community.
Alan Dick, who received the Freedom of The City, served four terms as Mayor of Napier, along with tenures on the Hawke’s Bay Harbour Board and as a city councillor.
He is currently a Hawke’s Bay regional councillor.
Alan has been chair of the Napier City Pilot Trust and part of the YMCA movement over many years.
He has been focused on helping find innovative solutions to crime, violence and youth issues in the community. Alan says he is also proud of the youth development projects he has been involved in, including the programme of conservation at the Ahuriri estuary which is continuing.