Civic Honours Award Ceremony 2014

HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL

Civic Honours Awards Ceremony

26TH MAY 2014

HASTINGS
DISTRICT COUNCIL

Contents

ORDER OF CEREMONY   2

WELCOME FROM MAYOR   3

CIVIC HONOURS AWARDS

Hastings Heritage Trails Society Incorporated Arts and Culture   4
Bob Hall   General Community Service   5
Bert Lincoln   General Community Service   6
Betty Price   General Community Service   7
Glenys Riddell   General Community Service   8
Ross Sweatman   General Community Service   9
Hai Tong Too   General Community Service   10
Norm Treneman   General Community Service   11
Peggy van Asch   Health and Welfare   12
Pauline Vesty   Education and Youth   13

PHOTOGRAPHY   14

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Order of ceremony

Arrival of His Worship the Mayor of Hastings, Lawrence Yule

Karakia
Kaumatua: Mr Jerry Hapuku

Address to the Recipients of Civic Honours Awards
His Worship the Mayor Lawrence Yule

Guest of Honour Speech
Mr Kevin Hansen, Event Manager NRM Horse of the Year

Presentation of Awards

Karakia
Kaumatua: Mr Jerry Hapuku

Refreshments

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Message from the Mayor

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to the 2014 Hastings District Council Civic Honours Awards. Tonight we honour nine individuals and one group, who have all given many years of voluntary service to the community.

Volunteers are the heart of the community – dedicating a tremendous amount of time and energy to help make Hastings a better place to live. The role of the volunteer is becoming more crucial to the wellbeing of our residents as each year passes. As volunteers, you are creating a positive change on many fronts – community health care, sports and recreation, heritage and the arts, environmental protection, disaster relief and volunteer fire fighting – the list is endless.

As a volunteer, you reflect the district’s compassion for each other and your unselfish caring attitude is greatly appreciated.

The award recipients come from a wide variety of organisations and with varied backgrounds. We are extremely grateful to the nominators who have taken the time to put pen to paper and highlighted the amazing work that these people are doing for the community.

I congratulate those of you who have been recognised with a Civic Award. Your dedication is greatly valued by Council and the community alike and this award is a token of our appreciation.

On behalf of the community, I thank you all for your efforts in helping make Hastings a great place to live and raise a family, and I hope that you have experienced the rewards that volunteering can bring.

LA Yule
Lawrence Yule
Mayor

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ARTS AND CULTURE

Hastings Heritage Trails Society Incorporated

The first Heritage trail in the Hastings District was developed in 1991 and since then the dedicated members of the society have continued to create new and more exciting trails. The four original Hawke’s Bay Heritage Trail committees have developed 17 trails that criss-cross the District and offer locals and visitors a glimpse of our intriguing past. Nine of these trails have been developed by the Hastings District Committee, the only remaining committee.

The trails identify places of scenic, historic and cultural significance. The Hastings District Heritage Trails team worked hard to ensure they had the right information before planning the trails and signs, and is considered a leader in New Zealand for the development of trails.

Early trails in the Hastings District covered the Waimarama, Kaweka and Taihape Road areas, with other Hawke’s Bay Committees developing trails in Central Hawke’s Bay and Napier City. Later trails were added, including the architectural drive and village walks of Havelock North, the urban area of Hastings and Tukituki and Ngaruroro River drives.

The trails are aimed at guiding locals and visitors around cultural, historical and other interesting highlights, helping them discover the ‘real’ Hawke’s Bay. They are popular because visitors can do all, or part of the trail in their own time, any time of year, using information brochures and trail signage to guide them. Best of all, the trails are a free activity.

This award recognises the society and its members for the huge voluntary effort they have made in creating trails that highlight the remarkable historic features that can be explored all around Hawke’s Bay.

GENERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

Bob Hall

When Habitat for Humanity began in Hastings, Bob Hall was quick to volunteer. Becoming a board member. Bob organised the house- building projects, with the first family moving into their Flaxmere home in 1997. After the second house was built in 1998, Bob became Chairman of the Board, a position he held until early this year [apart from a brief period during two builds in Napier].

In these 15 years, 12 houses have been completed in the Hastings/ Napier area, a highlight being the prison build in 2011, which attracted the attention of national television. Bob was Project Manager and concept designer of a house built in two parts by Hawkes Bay Prison inmates. When completed, the house was lifted over the prison fence then transported to its Hastings site. The project proved to be a very positive activity for the prison inmates.

Last year, as part of the Anderson Park Community Group, Bob organised materials, tools and work for a beautification project in O’Connell Place Havelock North under the Hastings District Council’s Street by Street programme. Residents, including children, along with the Fire Brigade came out to help and much was accomplished. Bob is continuing this involvement by helping with the Community Garden/ Family Activity Area in Mangarau Crescent, as well as organising and running the Community Toolbox Project.

Bob and his wife Margaret are active members of the Arohanui Christian Centre, where he is Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the Management Team and the Missions Committee. They have a family of nine children and 18 grandchildren.

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GENERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

Bert Lincoln

Bert has been the co-ordinator of the Flaxmere Community Patrol for the past seven years. The concept of creating a Community Patrol originated from the Flaxmere Community Forum which came together to help implement ideas from the creation of the Flaxmere Community Plan.

The Community Patrol is made up of volunteers who are willing to give their time and energy to help make the streets safer. Patrollers act as the eyes and ears of the Police and note any activity that they believe could be suspicious.

Community Patrol members patrol at any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at their discretion and for the benefit of the community of Flaxmere and the surrounding areas.

While Bert is extremely appreciative and humbled to have been nominated for this award, he is quick to point out that it is the support of various groups of devoted and equally dedicated people that ensures the patrol continues to be successful. Bert also acknowledges the role his very supportive wife and family play in his service to the community.

Bert’s areas of involvement in the community are many and varied including a trustee of the Flaxmere Licensing Trust, a member of the Flaxmere Community Forum, a trustee of the New Zealand Mailbox Bible Club, a trustee of the Good News Charitable Trust and a volunteer Worker for the Department of Corrections.

Bert is an unassuming man who has the community at heart and helps make Flaxmere a safer place for all.

GENERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

Betty Price

Betty has lived in Hastings most of her life and has given an incredible amount of time and energy to protecting our environment and enhancing the lifestyle of girls and young women in the district.

She joined the Hastings Havelock North branch of Forest and Bird in the mid 1980’s, serving as a committee member, treasurer and then secretary/ treasurer of the branch for four years.

For 16 years she was part of a Forest and Bird group that went hiking every Wednesday, wet or fine. The women hiked in the ranges, made their way along rivers and on private property, all the while keeping an eye on the region’s native flora, fauna, habitats and natural scenic values which are so much part of Hawke’s Bay’s history.

Betty and her late husband Paul were also involved in Scouting and Guiding and in 1968 she became a warranted leader of the Frimley Guide Company. She helped setup and co-ordinate the Flaxmere Guide Company and was part of the leadership of the Raureka Guide Company.

Betty spent most of her time training and this proved invaluable when encouraging girls into outdoor pursuits and testing a variety of their skills and abilities.

She played a major part in co-ordinating national and international events for adults and girls and fundraised for Mutual Aid, an organisation which provides financial assistance for the improvement of women’s lives in overseas countries.

Betty was the treasurer of the Frimley Garden Club and has always shown a keen interest in community events including ANZAC Parades, the Hastings Blossom Parade and Conservation Week activities.

Betty has given long and dedicated service to a wide range of organisations around the district.

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GENERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

Glenys Riddell

Glenys began her association with the Girl Guides movement as a Lieutenant in a Hastings unit in 1957. She then became a leader of the Guides in Ongaonga in 1974, when her daughters joined the movement.

During the past 38 years, Glenys has held a number of provincial volunteer positions where she has worked with youth throughout Hawke’s Bay and at a national level. Between 1999 and 2001 she took on the role of jamboree secretary and organised a very successful event at Tikokino in Hawke’s Bay in 1996. She also served on other jamboree committees.

In 1990 Glenys retired from the Guide unit and took up the role of International Advisor. This included hosting many overseas visitors and showing them the wonderful sights of Hawke’s Bay.

During her long and devoted service to the guiding movement, Glenys was the recipient of a number of honours. In 1982 she was rewarded for her work with the Baden Powell award, in 1985 she received the Arataki Service award, in 1990 the Fern Award for special service and in 1996 she received the Kauri Award for exceptional service.

Since retiring from active guiding, Glenys has become a member of the Havelock North Trefoil Guild. This has allowed her to work on projects that bring the spirit of guiding into the community.

Glenys is a member of the St Andrews Church Board of Managers and a past President of Bowls Heretaunga.

The Girl Guide movement throughout the country has benefited greatly from the dedication, knowledge and passion that Glenys has brought to the organisation.

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GENERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

Ross Sweatman

Ross is one of those blokes who never says no to anyone who wants a helping hand. A former Policeman and a talented woodworker, Ross spends much of his time fixing things for people or making useful things to give away to those who might appreciate them.

And then there’s Christmas. For the last 13 years, Ross has climbed aboard a sleigh and travelled around the streets of Hastings bringing good cheers and happiness to the community. Santa’s mission is to visit every street in Hastings to bring the spirit of Christmas to the community. Ross has been Santa to thousands of children, parents, grandparents, those living alone, kids in childcare and those who are hospitalised.

From humble beginnings, Ross has worked behind the scenes to help build two sleighs, costumes, decorations, assisted in fundraising and has been an integral part of the annual refurbishment of the sleigh.

The role of Santa is not always easy. For about a month each year, on scorching hot days when the temperatures rise into the 30’s it can make things a little uncomfortable but Ross has been there for the community. It’s only heavy rain that will force the sleigh and reindeer to miss their appointed rounds.

Santa brings a little joy and happiness to the lives of Hastings residents each Christmas thanks to Ross Sweatman. He is a big man with a big heart for the community.

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GENERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

Hai Tong Too

Tong has worked tirelessly in an effort to bring all the ethnic communities in the region under the umbrella of the Multicultural Association (MCA) Hawke’s Bay. During his tenure as President of MCA, he has encouraged ethnic groups to become formal social units and then joined with the regional organisation.

Under Tong’s leadership, MCA has grown and is now heavily involved in many events including the Hastings Blossom Parade, International Cultures Day, the Diwali Festival and the Asians in the Bay awards ceremony

Tong served as President of the Chinese Association of Hawke’s Bay for 12 years and was National Vice President of the NZ Chinese Association for two years.

He is extremely proud of his Chinese heritage and has endeavoured to unite the various Chinese community groups and encouraged their integration with other communities. Tong is a trainer in the art of traditional Chinese Line Dance, a drummer, a martial arts instructor and acts as interpreter for new Chinese immigrants to Hawke’s Bay.

As a past board member of the Hastings District Council International Advisory Group, Tong actively promoted closer relations between China and NZ through the Guilin sister city relationship.  He believed that the sister city relationship was the ideal opportunity for further trade, tourism and educational links between the two regions.

Tong is a humble man who has aimed to harness the collective spirit of communities to enhance social and cultural harmony.

NOTE: These awards are generally presented to organisations and individuals who reside within the Hastings District. Tong is a resident of Napier, but the Civic Awards subcommittee had been made aware that his community development work was mainly focused in the Hastings District. In making this award the subcommittee acknowledged that regional boundaries don’t exist when it comes to true community spirit.

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GENERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE

Norm Treneman

For more than 40 years Norm has looked after the inner workings of Hastings’ town clock. During this time, he has gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the clock stays on time. This has been no mean feat as the mechanism is old and finding replacement parts has become more difficult as the years have ticked by. Norm has worked magic with the skills he possesses to ensure the time piece stays in working order.

The 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake brought devastation to the Hastings central city area. The original clock tower was attached to the Post Office building and both were badly damaged during the quake. In the wake of the quake, it was decided to remove all towers from Post Office buildings around the country and in 1935, a new clock tower was constructed in the centre of Hastings CBD.

The tower continues to stand proudly in the centre of Hastings today. The clock, with its four faces, ensures the structure not only reminds us of the architectural style of the mid 30’s but is useful as well and the chiming bells add a melodious aspect to the city. The tower is in good condition, and remarkably unaltered over its 70 year lifespan. Norm Treneman’s labour of love has ensured that this iconic piece of Hastings heritage will continue to tell the time long into the future.

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HEALTH AND WELFARE

Peggy van Asch

During 1984-85 Peggy van Asch and Caroline Greenwood were showing a group of school children through Duart House. Peggy became so concerned at the deterioration of the old homestead that she decided to approach the Havelock North Borough Council with the idea of forming a society that would look after the building.

Peggy’s drive and persistence led to the formation of the Duart House Society. Her endeavours over the past 30 years have seen the building become an elegant and well-used setting for a variety of community functions.

Peggy worked tirelessly for the Hawke’s Bay Trust for the Elderly for 18 years. This involved dedicated fundraising to purchase vans for groups such as Heretaunga Seniors, Lusk home, Mahana Centre, CHB Age Concern, Alzheimers Napier, the Pukeora Trust, and the Pakeke Centre.

Peggy has been a Trustee of the Havelock North Community Centre Trust since its inception and played an integral part in its growth into the flourishing Function Centre it is today.

Our community has benefited immensely from Peggy’s particular combination of vision, commitment and quiet hard work.

EDUCATION AND YOUTH

Pauline Vesty

Pauline’s involvement in the education sector began in 1998 when her first child was enrolled at Cornwall Park Playcentre. She filled many different roles during her time at the Playcentre. As president, she implemented a unique “big kids” programme to help the older children prepare for school.  Pauline was also treasurer of the Camberley Kindergarten committee for two years.

When her children started at Raureka School, Pauline threw herself into school life. She was first a member and then the treasurer of the Raureka School Supporters Group with fundraising high on the priority list. She also took an active role in implementing safe practices for the Supporters Group and was elected to the Board of Trustees as a parent representative in 2003.

She became Board treasurer and implemented a new accounting system for the school She also oversaw several large projects including the renovation of the junior and middle classrooms, painting of the exterior of the school and the construction of new toilet blocks.

When her children moved on to Heretaunga Intermediate, Pauline again became involved in school life. She set up a Parent Teachers Association group from scratch and filled the president’s role.  Pauline was involved in fundraising activities, organising transport to take kids to sports events and other activities and she became the “go-to” girl for teachers or the head mistress when things just needed doing.

Pauline has given her time, skills and abilities to further the education of kids at a number of the districts’ schools. She has the vision and passion to ensure things get done.

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Duncan Brown     PHOTOGRAPHER

Duncan Brown has produced the great photographs that appear in the publication.  For over 20 years he has captured memories of special events in Hawke’s Bay.  He has photographed weddings, produced that never-to-be-forgotten family portrait and captured great moments from school events.

Contact Duncan to purchase photos of tonight’s ceremony by phoning (o6) 878 2383, email [email protected] or visit www. duncanbrownphotography.co.nz  Photographs of the evening will also be available from www. hastingsdc.govt.nz/community-awards

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HASTINGS
DISTRICT COUNCIL

HASTINGS DISTRICT COUNCIL
207 Lyndon Road East, Hastings 4122
Private Bag 9002, Hastings 4156
hastingsdc. govt.nz
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