Community’s heroes recognised

• Published date: 20 November 2020
• Date: 20 November 2020
• Publication title: Horowhenua Chronicle

Civic honours were presented to people in the community nominated for outstanding community service. There were seven recipients of Certificate of Recognition and four Civic Honour Awards, along with 12 Youth Excellence Scholarship recognising excellence from students from Horowhenua, Waiopehu and Manawatū colleges.

Below are the citation notes read out by Wanden. There was also a special civic honour recognising the late Darryl Small, which was accepted on his behalf by his wife Glennis and daughter Kim.

CERTIFICATES OF RECOGNITION Dean Thomas has been an integral part of the Levin College Old Boys Club for decades, serving as a coach, manager, committee member and club statistician.

He has managed the premier team for 27 years, and team coaches describe him as a ‘club warrior who is the first to arrive and the last to leave’.

Dean also looks after the club’s statistics and keeps track of player game counts so the club can acknowledge player milestones such as blazer games, 50 game badges and centurions. This is vitally important for the club’s history, and Levin College Old Boys has grown into a proud family club with lots of players earning their blazers and 50 game badges, and even the right to call themselves club centurions. This is very special accolade for those players that wouldn’t have been possible without Dean personally taking on the statistician role.

Dean has been a life member of the club for over a decade, as well as being awarded ‘Best Non-Playing Club Member’ at this year’s club prizegiving.

He was also acknowledged as a Grassroots Hero during the Covid-19 lockdown for his outstanding dedication to the club.

Peter Dyer has been a valued member of the Levin Citizens Advice Bureau for many years, and has filled executive roles within the Bureau for most of that time.

He is the Levin bureau’s longest serving president, and continued to serve as a valuable member of the board after stepping down from his role as president when he had reached the maximum allowable term of office.

Peter also plays a vital role as the bureau’s training and induction officer, where his years of experience are put to great use.

Furthermore, Peter is very active in Grey Power and Age Concern, where once again his life experience is used to maximum effect. He is much respected and admired for the boundless enthusiasm and energy he devotes to these organisations.

Peter has worked diligently for the benefit of the people of Horowhenua for many years, and is familiar to many as a passionate and hard-working advocate for older people.

While Peter has never sought recognition for his outstanding voluntary contribution, it would be difficult to think of anyone more deserving of acknowledgement.

Garry Good has served as a teacher, principal, and university advisor for almost 50 years. During this time, he has actively improved the educational environment, and has mentored many others in the delivery of excellence in education.

Garry served as a councillor for Horowhenua District Council from 2004 to 2016, holding the positon of deputy mayor twice. He sat on many external and internal committees, including the Hearings Committee, Grants Committee, Horowhenua Library Trust, Creative NZ and Community Wellbeing Executive. His diplomatic, honest and frank approach won the respect of all who worked with him.

Garry volunteers...