Recognition for those who have made difference for community
| Published date | 22 December 2021 |
| Publication title | Oamaru Mail |
When people move countries, it is usually to find a better life.
In the case of Amanda Acheson, she has made life better for others since moving to Oamaru from Ireland almost 20 years ago.
Mrs Acheson has been a counsellor for 22 years, and she has put those skills to good use while managing the North Otago Youth Centre, where she has been a beacon for young people and. more recently, an advocate for rainbow youth.
She has a great ability to meet young people halfway, empowering them to feel comfortable with their authentic selves, while understanding the complexity of that journey.
This year alone, Mrs Acheson helped facilitate a rainbow youth group, providing a safe place for young LGBTQIA+ people to explore their identities, a photography group for youth to come together and express themselves, a pyjama drive so no youngsters were cold over winter, and a youth vaccination clinic to help keep the community safe.
Her care for others extends further than youth, as she and her family have spent many years in the past organising the Orwell Street Church Community Christmas Dinner to ensure people were not alone on Christmas Day.
Whatever she does for others, it is driven by kindness, understanding and resolution.
She is someone Waitaki should be proud to call one of its own.
BERNARD WILKINSON
Archdeacon Bernard Wilkinson is a force of nature.
Mr Wilkinson and his wife, Anne, moved to Oamaru from Cromwell in 1976, after he was appointed vicar of St Luke’s Anglican parish — a post he held for 16 years before retiring in 1992.
Since then, he has led a very active retirement.
Mr Wilkinson, along with a few others, established the Oamaru Churches Food Bank in response to a need in the community. Thirty years later, Mr Wilkinson, who is now in his 90s, is still volunteering at the foodbank.
Generous with his time and with an unflinching belief and faith in God, his energy still appears boundless. At an age where most people would be sitting in an armchair gently reminiscing, he continues to hurtle around the district performing carefully thought-out acts of kindness.
He has a heart of gold, and has also shown great strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Recently, his focus has really centred on the foodbank, but Mr Wilkinson worked tirelessly for many years in several roles within the community, heavily involved in the North Otago Anglican Homes for the Aged charity and previously serving as the Oamaru Victorian Heritage Celebrations...
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