New Plymouth citizens awarded
Riding horses since the age of 2, and recuperating on horses after having polio at the age of 9, has led into Faye Dravitski’s love of Riding for the Disabled.
She was given a New Plymouth District Citizens’ Award at the ceremony on Wednesday night for her 20 years’ service at the organisation.
Eleven other residents were also honoured.
‘‘It’s just such rewarding work, even if it takes me two years sometimes with those who don’t like horses to get them on one,’’ she said.
‘‘I actually had polio when I was 91⁄2. I could barely walk and riding horses got me running and into sports again.’’
Dravitski said she had been on a horse since the age of two.
‘‘I just love helping the kids and working with horses,’’ she said. ‘‘I’m very passionate about both of them.’’
As a volunteer, she leads and cares for both horse and rider, and walks alongside them.
She is also responsible for the sewing repairs for the horses’ gear.
‘‘It’s just so rewarding to see those kids get their confidence and balance in their bodies.’’
Dravitski has also been a committee member and twice president of local Lions Clubs for 22 years, and a volunteer and seamstress for the St Patrick’s School Pony Club for several years.
OTHER RECIPIENTS
❚ Suzy and Jamie Allen have spent the past four years creating ❚ Taranaki Retreat – a community sanctuary and place of healing for those facing extreme stress, struggling with mental illness, or having suicidal thoughts.
❚ Lynn Bublitz has lived a life of service in the community, with more than 30 years’ volunteering spanning local government, arts, education and community organisations. Lynn was awarded a Queen’s Service Order in 2008.
Alison Cole is president of the Fitzroy Surf Lifesaving Club, and has been a committee member, club member and lifeguard for the past 23 years. She is also the current club secretary and pastpresident of the Waitara Kayak Club.
❚ Grant Downes has been an active member of the New Plymouth fire brigade’s operational support team for the past 36 years, and is the senior station officer and team leader – a role he has held for 23 years. ❚ Bruce Findlay was the founding chairman of the Taranaki Air Ambulance Trust, and has been trust chairman for 10 of the last 12 years. He was also a member, vice-president and president of the New Plymouth Aero Club. ❚ Karen Gillum-Green has spent the past 30 years as coach, manager and president of TET Athletics Taranaki and Egmont Athletics. She is also a committee member of the TET Stadium Trust, New Zealand Masters Athletics and Taranaki Masters Athletics. ❚ Jean Hastie has been a member of the New Plymouth Stroke Support Trust team for the past 15 years, a volunteer with the TSB Showplace’s host team since 2006 and at the Jean Sandel Retirement Village since 2014. She was also a past volunteer at both ASCOT @ Temaru and Hospice Taranaki. ❚ David Leask has been involved in civil defence for the past 35 years. He also gave more than 13 years’ service to the Taranaki Scouting movement, plays an active role in the Anglican Parish of St Chad and volunteers at the Marfell School breakfast club. ❚ Erica Perry was born with Millers syndrome, a rare genetic condition, and has been delivering speeches to local school students and other sufferers and their families since 2014. In 2018, she completed her first two-person team relay halfmarathon. ❚ Elise Smith was a founding member of the Nga Motu Marine Reserve Society, project manager for the Pukekura Park Portal Project, and is also a member of both the Friends of Pukekura Park Trust and the Taranaki Kiwi Trust.