Volunteer community service recognised

• Published date: 09 November 2023
• Publication title: North Canterbury News

The awards have been held for more than 30 years, recognising the many volunteers who contribute 1.5 million hours of service to the district each year

Mayor Dan Gordon says recipients are often ‘‘shocked’’ when he contacts them to say they have been nominated.

‘‘They do what that they do without ever seeking thanks and acknowledgement.’’

This year’s Mayor’s Award, for exceptional services, was presented to Jim Gerard.

Mr Gerard has served as an Member of Parliament, Mayor, councillor, and community board chair. He was also the New Zealand High Commissioner to Canada.

Mr Gerard has dedicated hours to numerous boards and trusts, and is a member of the Rotary Club of Rangiora.

Community Service Awards

Jane Anderson

Jane has been a member of the Oxford Area School PTA for 20 years. She has organised countless events in support of the school, including the North Canterbury Wearable Arts event.

Her vision was for the Wearable Arts event to become more than just a school fundraiser.

Michael Bate

Over the past seven years Michael has actively lobbied central government, local councils, Environment Canterbury, Forest and Bird, and Ngai Tahu to do more to prevent toxic chemicals being used in, and around, waterways.

He was a critical player in the discovery of avian botulism, which is a significant threat to life of waterfowl, a number of years ago, and brought the issue to local councils to address.

Shirley Farrell

A community champion, Shirley volunteers with Keep Oxford Beautiful, the Oxford Medical Support Committee, the Oxford Walkways Committee, Oxford Museum, the Pearson Park Advisory Group, and served two terms on the Oxford-Ohoka Community Board.

As a board member she was a powerful advocate providing a strong voice on major issues impacting the community. Shirley continues to support community events.

She has also been on the Board of the Oxford Museum, and has served the community as a Justice of the Peace for 30 years.

Andrew Hide

Andrew has been a member of St John for almost 40 years, as an ambulance driver for 23 of those years. He gave up his weekends and often weekday evenings on top of family and his business commitments, to ensure the wellbeing of Waimakariri residents.

He joined the Rangiora Area Committee in 1996, became chair in 2002, and represented Rangiora on the District Ambulance committee since 1998. He managed the building of a new station.

Andrew chaired the South Island Regional Order Affairs committee from its inception in 2014...