Fiordland volunteer Abi James recognised for event mahi
A Fiordland volunteer says she is “pretty humbled” to receive an award for her time spent organising community events.
Abi James was recognised by the Southland District Council and Fiordland Community Board this week for her dedication in creating and facilitating events for the children and young people of Te Anau and Fiordland as well as for the wider community.
Her community service award was presented by Southland mayor Rob Scott on Monday, during one of James’ Fiordland Outdoor Playgroup sessions in Te Anau. “Fiordland’s a better place for the countless hours of time and energy that Abi has put into this place,” Scott said. James said she was humbled and grateful to have received the award.
“I know there are other people in the community who are out there doing just as much, if not more. I was just really blown away that I was chosen.”
James facilitated the creation of the Fiordland Outdoor Playgroup, which promoted unstructured free play for families and young children. The playgroup’s participating families also made a small donation that went towards environmental projects in Fiordland.
Other events she had facilitated included last year’s Kite and Kēmu event, where Matariki was celebrated with kite-making and traditional Māori games, and the Pukapuka Party, which got children involved with fun games and activities.
The Fiordland Community Fun Day had become a regular event thanks to her efforts, and James had also volunteered and shared equipment for Te Anau’s Story Walk open day.
“I just really love creating fun events,” she said. “I spent a lot of time living and working in Milford Sound, and in that small community we had to create our own fun and events, so I think it might have started there.”
Te Anau was a place of resourceful people, which made organising events that much easier, she said.
“All the community members are really helpful, and there’s a kind of core group that have the skills you might need or know who to ask to get them. We just all muck in and get it done.”