Local heroes shine at awards
Melissa Vining and her late husband, Blair Vining, of Winton, were honoured last night for their efforts to help all New Zealanders have better access to cancer care.
They were among 10 Southlanders chosen as Kiwibank’s local heroes at a ceremony at the Civic Theatre in Invercargill.
Southland District mayor Gary Tong, who presented the awards, said: ‘‘Each and every award winner tonight embodies the priceless qualities that hold a community together.’’
Blair Vining was diagnosed with bowel cancer last year. He and Melissa went on to petition the Government to establish a national cancer agency.
Blair died in October but Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern acknowledged his ‘‘tireless advocacy’’ when she opened the new independent Cancer Control Agency last week.
Kiwibank chief executive officer Steve Jurkovich said the annual Local Hero Awards were a chance to thank the inspiring individuals who made New Zealand a better place.
A national winner will be named at the New Zealander of the Year gala event to be held in February.
Other Southlanders honoured at the awards included:
■ Melissa Aitken, of Winton, known for her biannual community events that offer beauty services, health checks, food and clothing free of charge to people in need.
■ Jennifer Maree Hogg, from Otatara, who helps families find suitable housing and fills their pantries through her work with Habitat for Humanity.
■ Kevin Wall, of Invercargill, a Lion’s Club member for 45 years who has co-ordinated 37 organ transplant appeals, raising up to $200,000 at a time.
■ John Lambeth, a paramedic from Te Anau, who made headlines when he saved winchman Lester Stevens after a helicopter accident near the subantarctic Auckland Island.
■ Eleanor Ranstead ,of Edendale, known for her work on suicide prevention with the Community Networking Trust in Mataura.
■ Daryl Eason, who is helping to bring ka¯ ka¯ po¯ back from the brink of extinction in his work for the Department of Conservation.
■ Engineering geologist David Rider, from Otatara, who advises dairy farmers on how to manage effluent and and improve water quality. In his ‘‘downtime’’ he promotes responsible deer hunting.
■ Tangaroa Walker, from Invercargill, is the man behind Farm4Life, a social media channel where farmers can discuss rural issues such as mental health and sustainable farming practices.