QSM ‘bit of a shock’ for Waikaia woman
Mairi Dickson says it’s ‘‘a bit of a shock’’ to know she’s been given a Queen’s Service Medal for services to her community in the New Year honours list.
But the Waikaia woman is quick to play down her achievements and assistance to the small northern Southland town.
‘‘It hasn’t just happened overnight; it’s been over many years,’’ Dickson said.
‘‘And if I hadn’t have done it, someone else would have picked it up and done it, because it’s that kind of town.’’
Dickson spearheaded a 30-year, $1.7 million fundraising campaign to rebuild the town’s Switzers Museum, which opened in December 2018.
In its first year of being open, it has attracted attracted 5000 visitors.
She has been the secretary of the town’s Red Cross since 2001 and a St John first responder since 2008.
She volunteered her first aid skills at local rugby games, school cross-countries, and the Honda Kids Camp.
She and her husband Ray are Waikaia School’s school bus drivers, but the buses are often volunteered for community needs such as transporting Red Cross or St John members, and she often takes elderly people to medical appointments in Invercargill.
Dickson is treasurer of the Waikaia/Riversdale Returned Services Association, chairwoman of Waikaia Leisurecraft and a founding member of the town’s art group.
She has been treasurer of the Waikaia Progress League, which helped refurbish the town’s camping ground, has been secretary and treasurer of the town’s community centre and a committee member on the squash club, Plunket and cemetery committees.
Outside Waikaia, she has volunteered behind the scenes at Gore’s St James Theatre, and at Balfour Theatre Company productions.
‘‘And if I hadn’t have done it, someone else would have picked it up and done it.’’
Mairi Dickson plays down her assistance in Waikaia