Newspaper Article 2014 – Volunteers honoured

Volunteers honoured

By Harrison Christian
[email protected]

Outstanding community volunteers were recognised for their efforts by the Hastings District Council at an awards ceremony last night.

Hastings Mayor Lawrence Yule presented Civic Honours Awards to one group and nine individuals during a public ceremony at the Cheval Room, Hawke’s Bay Racing Centre, Hastings. Mr Yule said this year’s winners were outstanding people who had done voluntary work in their communities for decades.

The awards were presented annually by the council to recognise individuals, groups or voluntary organisations that have contributed significantly to the local community. “These people have worked to improve quality of life for people in Hastings,” Mr Yule said. “They’re our local heroes. They have made a real difference and they have done it selflessly.”

Civic Honours Awards sub- committee chairman Kevin Watkins said the winners had between them given thousands of hours service. “Volunteers are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring a large variety of services are maintained in Hastings. They are the backbone of our society and so many organisations would fail if it was not for the dedication and commitment of the volunteers.”

LIST OF WINNERS:

Hastings Heritage Trails Society for the development of trails around Hawke’s Bay.

Bob Hall for 15 years’ voluntary work with Habitat for Humanity

Bert Lincoln, co-ordinator of the Flaxmere Community Patrol

Betty Price for her involvement with the Forest and bird Society and the Girl Guide Movement

Glenys Riddell for 38 years’ support of the Girl Guides

Ross Sweatman, Santa Claus in Hastings for the past 13 years

Tong Too for tireless service to the ethnic communities of Hawke’s Bay

Norm Treneman for more than 40 years maintaining the clock in the Hastings CBD

Peggy van Asch for preservation of Duart House in Havelock North

Pauline Vesty for 15 years’ voluntary involvement in the education sector

Photo caption – DEDICATED: (Standing) Ross Sweatman, Megan Williams of Heritage Trails Society, Norm Treneman, Peggy van Asch, Bert Lincoln, Hai Tong Too. (Sitting) Glenys Riddell, Betty Price and Pauline Vesty.