Service honoured with civic awards
Half a century of civic duty by former Horowhenua District councillor and regional councillor Lindsay Burnell was recognised at a Civic Honours ceremony at Te Takere in Levin last week.
The well-known farmer, who was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal in 2012, spent 43 years as a county councillor, district councillor and regional councillor. His 50 years of service to the Horowhenua AP and I Association was recognised at the service.
He was presented with the award by Horowhenua Mayor Michael Feyen.
Civic Honours were presented to Neil Perfect, John Brown, Peter and Vivien Wright and Murray Forward.
Mr Forward organised and initiated the Rotary Charity House project, which raised $100,000 for Te Hinaki Trust, purchasing electronic learning equipment for students.
He donated joinery equipment from his own business, and an oven, rangehood and other items from his own pocket. He also spent “hundreds of hours” working on the house himself.
Mr Forward was also known to coach various sports teams and provide sports gear — sometimes paying registration fees — and also volunteers his time helping the elderly with cleaning, gardening and cooking for those who are ill or needed help.
Mr Perfect was president of the Arts society who had spent countless hours mentoring artists young and old, including a group of young people with learning difficulties. He was a cub leader at Waitarere Beach, and also ran a senior learning programme at Te Takere giving seniors advice on new technology.
Mr Brown had his volunteer work recognised and was described as “a warm and generous man who consistently seeks to foster and promote the well-being of our community”.
He had been known to regularly give people a lift to hospital or the train station, had supported local markets and fairs, organised art displays at Te Takere, and had been a member of Lions for 30 years.
Mr and Mrs Wright were recognised for their work in the Waitarere Beach community, where they set up a land-yacht club and were active members of the Waitarere Beach Progressive Ratepayers Association.
They had a hand in providing reticulated drinking water and vehicle access to the beach. They were founding members of the beach warden group.
Certificates of recognition went to Bob and Jan Saunders, Charles Rudd, Linda Sherlock and the Radio Reading Service.
Bob and Jan Saunders had their services to Foxton recognised, as life members of Mavtech Museum, the Foxton Town and Development Association, and work with the annual Spring Fling and Christmas Parades.
Linda Sherlock had her 28 years of service at Waiopehu College acknowledged, with many years as assistant and deputy principal, as she prepares to step down.
Mrs Sherlock was the driving force behind a Polynesian group and had supervised and provided food and transport for rehearsals.
Once she had sewn 40 lava lava herself for a performance, and the group had performed well at Pasifika Fusion events.
Radio Reading Service was established in Levin in 1985 and was a non-profit organisation delivering news for sightimpaired residents.
Kathryn Taylor, Enid Lowe, Sue Eckworth and Hazel Luckstedt were mentioned for their efforts.
Levin man Charles Rudd was recognised for his efforts in protecting biodiversity with his civic award, with his contribution to waterways, managing waste, improving air quality and protecting coastlines noted.
Mayoral Awards from Mayor Feyen went to Anne Hunt, Vivienne Taueki and Save Our River Trust (SORT).
Former journalist, former district councillor and author Anne Hunt received a Mayoral Award from Mayor Feyen for “contributions to Foxton, Foxton Beach and the wider Horowhenua District”.
Levin woman Vivienne Taueki was recognised for her environmental advocacy work in maintaining ancestral lands and waterways.
She affiliated to Muau¯ poko and Nga¯ ti Tamarangi and was an active member of the Muau¯ poko Co-operative Society.
She received recognition for identifying and researching sites of significance that were wahi tapu to Ma¯ ori and keeping the tikanga of Lake Horowhenua to the forefront.
Meanwhile, the efforts of the volunteers of SORT in planting wetlands, establishing walkways, dredging sediments and mowing lawns was commended.