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Recipients Named for Citizens’ Awards 2008

Fri 25 Jul 2008

Nine people from New Plymouth and Urenui have received Citizens’ Awards from New Plymouth District Council for their outstanding work in the community.

Mayor Peter Tennent says the recipients all fully deserve the accolade.

“When you read through the achievements they have attained over so many years, it’s quite humbling – but it also makes you very proud to be part of a community that can generate such selfless and uplifting spirits as these people,” says the Mayor.

“They have all had a significant positive impact on the lives of many of our district’s residents. New Plymouth District would be much poorer without them, and I personally thank them for giving so much of themselves to the community.”

The recipients of the Citizens’ Awards 2008 are:

Beryl Allison – New Plymouth

For 30 years Beryl has made an outstanding contribution and has done a tremendous amount of work for the community.

Beryl has been a long-term advocate and community leader in the area of women’s welfare, health and indigenous rights for more than 20 years. Beryl was one of a group of women who established the Taranaki Women’s Refuge, a place of shelter for abused women and children.

Her dedication and commitment in this area has often been at a personal cost and at times has required strength of character in the face of opposition that many would have walked away from.

Beryl was also a member of Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki (the largest Maori holistic health centre in Taranaki, offering domestic violence programmes, counselling, health and many other much-needed services). She has continually advocated for the under-privileged, and has been a strong advocate for women and children, and Maori self-determination.

Beryl participated in the setting up the Taranaki Pasifika Service Trust which is primarily focused on the needs of the Pasifika communities within the health and social service area. Without her guidance, experience and support the trust would not have been established.

Beryl continues to work in the fields of counselling, health and education and has dedicated her working life to the well-being of others.

Bruce Ball – New Plymouth

Bruce has been extensively involved with surf lifesaving for more than 40 years. He joined the Fitzroy Surf Lifesaving Club in 1965 and, after gaining his bronze medallion, moved to East End.

At age 14 he joined and qualified as a lifeguard and was an active lifeguard for 20 years. His involvement over the years ranges from being on the fundraising committee, social activities, gear maintenance, club swimming night, lifeguard patrol captain, water safety committee, and search and rescue.

Bruce competed in lifesaving competitions until 1976 but continued to be involved in all other club activities, including being a member of the executive committee, junior members representative (two years), club captain (two years) and later chairperson of the club (four years).

Bruce’s greatest contribution to East End and surf lifesaving has been his involvement in Junior Surf, both as a coach and coordinator – an amazing 26-year commitment.

Bruce also organises the annual fun run/walk fundraiser for the East End Surf Lifesaving Club. This event has grown over the last eight years and continues to be a huge success for the club and members of the public.

In 1983 Bruce received a Surf Lifesaving Taranaki Service Award, and Distinguished Service Award. Bruce was awarded a life membership in 2002 for recognition of his long-term commitment, coaching, leadership and voluntary service, and most importantly for upholding the values of surf lifesaving.

Paul Clarke – New Plymouth

Over a number of years, Paul has been an outstanding supporter of many organisations within the district.  He is a passionate and active supporter of Hospice Taranaki, heavily involved in the Mellowpuff Foundation for young victims of cancer, supports the Cancer Society, Taranaki Helicopter Trust, Women’s Refuge and Laurie Denton Memorial Trust, and has supported the Taranaki Disability Trust for many years.
 
Additionally,  Paul has given a great deal of support to various schools, donating where possible, for school galas, home and school associations etc, as well as supporting New Plymouth boys’ and girls’ high schools, Inglewood High School and Spotswood College through product donations, and is also a co-sponsor of the Spotswood College vehicle.
 
Paul is also heavily supportive of local sport and has supported in various ways over the years Sport Taranaki, Taranaki Rugby, Taranaki Netball, Taranaki Surf Lifesaving.  He has also supported many rugby and sports clubs namely New Plymouth Old Boys, Inglewood United Rugby Club, Tukapa, Coastal and Spotswood United, and also Pungarehu and New Plymouth golf clubs and various bowling clubs.
 
He has received much pleasure in sending clothing, computers and other items to help communities and schools in Fiji.

Tina de Vries – New Plymouth

Tina has had close involvement in a vast number of community organisations within New Plymouth District over many years.  She is presently a trustee on the New Plymouth Positive Ageing Trust, having played a significant part in the formation of the trust and its activities since its inception in 1999.  She is also the volunteer chairperson of Age Concern Taranaki and has performed a vital role in the services provided by Age Concern to its members and clients since its creation in 2002.  She continues to have a significant impact on raising the awareness of Age Concern and elderly issues within the Taranaki community.

Additionally, Tina spent eight years with the Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society, Taranaki, acting as a regular volunteer prison visitor, committee member and volunteer court worker throughout this period.  She has also been involved with the University of the Third Age since 1996, as a committee member and convener of study groups. Tina has also taken part as an active member of Widow and Widowers Taranaki for 14 years, and the Bereaved by Suicide Support Group for four years.  She is a life member of the National Association of Loss and Grief, setting up the local branch of this organisation and acting as chairperson until 2001.

Tina is also a current member of the local management group for the Pinnacle Public Health Organisation since 2004, a committee member on the Taranaki District Health Board, Age Well Steering Committee since 2004, a committee member on the Positive Ageing Centre for Excellence since 2003, and a trustee on the Positive Ageing Centre Charitable Trust since 2006.

Mavis Hepworth – New Plymouth

Mavis joined the Taranaki Cancer Society as a volunteer driver when she moved to New Plymouth in 1987.  In addition to driving, her role has involved manoeuvring patients in heavy wheelchairs, spending long periods of time waiting for patients to finish appointments, and even at times accompanying patients into the doctor’s surgery to act as a support person.

Being a support person for patients and their families during one of the most stressful periods of their lives demands patience and empathy.  Mavis, with her selflessness and interest in others, was a natural for such a position, dealing with difficult situations in a practical and down to earth manner while retaining her sense humour.

Along with her driving and support work, Mavis also began volunteering as a fundraiser for Daffodil Day when it was introduced in 1990, and has provided large quantities of her own home-made baking, jams and preserves that have raised significant funds for the society.  In 2005, she was made a life member of the Taranaki Cancer Society in recognition of her exceptional service to the society and the community.

Gwen Herbert – New Plymouth

For over 20 years Gwen has given her time willingly and generously as a supporter and volunteer for Save the Children New Zealand, working in the shop and as a collector. She is always keen to find ways to support the cause – her enthusiasm is legendary.

Gwen has a long involvement with the community as a midwife and district nurse as well as her association with Plunket in rural areas including Opunake and Whangamomona.

She spends time each week attending gardens both at the hospice and her church, and has an ongoing interest with the horticultural society.

Gwen was also involved with the New Plymouth Stroke Foundation for 15 years, including five years as chairperson, and has been a volunteer driver for the Cancer Society for about five years.

More recently Gwen has been involved as a benefactor, providing support and raising funds for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People New Zealand including a recent sponsored walk. Her support to help the deaf and severely hearing impaired community is greatly appreciated. Gwen is also a volunteer at our ever popular TSB Bank Festival of the Lights.

Our community is a richer and better place for the longstanding commitment and contribution Gwen has made to the district. 

Ruakere Hond – New Plymouth

Ruakere has exceptional qualities as a positive leader. Through his individual effort he has inspired young and old to learn te reo Maori, promoting waiata and karakia tawhito of Taranaki.  He is dedicated to making te reo Maori a living language once more, especially Taranaki’s distinctive dialect.
 
He is a founding member of Te Kopae Piripono (early childhood total-immersion education centre) which gained recognition by the Ministry of Education for its innovation and excellence, and has made a positive difference for young children and their families, teachers and individuals within our community for more than 14 years.
 
His unfailing drive and commitment with Te Kupenga Matauranga o Taranaki Trust (Taranaki Maori tertiary education advocacy trust) saw the development of a partnership with Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki and the establishment of greater community-based learning opportunities for the Taranaki region. Through his dedication in promoting the Maori language in Aotearoa and revitalising the Taranaki dialect, as part of his leadership he produced a Taranaki Maori Dictionary.
 
Along with support to set up Te Ihi Rangi (psychiatric accommodation), in 1995 he was instrumental in establishing the Te Ihi Tu Trust: A habilitation centre for Maori male inmates outside of prison which continues to operate today. He maintains strong involvement with the national body of Te Ataarangi, a prominent immersion language learning organisation, linking this work with the Taranaki division of the body.
 
Ruakere is currently a board member of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo, the Maori Language Commission, and continues to contribute to our community locally, regionally and nationally.

John Major – New Plymouth

There was joy even beyond Taranaki when John Major finally won an international cap in the 1960s. John was the first Inglewood Rugby Football Club member to become an All Black while actually a member of the club. As a coach and administrator he was at the heart of many clubroom upgrades and is now a life member of the Inglewood Rugby Football club.

John has had multiple sclerosis for a number of years yet continues to possess strong and effective leadership skills through his involvement with many local sporting clubs, and community and educational groups. 

He has been involved with the Taranaki Disabilities Information Centre Trust since 1991, first as chairperson and currently as vice chairperson. He actively works on behalf of the trust as a barrier-free representative advising and assessing local councils and the private sector on building regulations, ensuring amenities are fully accessible to the disabled members of our community. His contribution to the staging of Nostalgia concerts since 1999, to celebrate the International Day of the Older Person, is now legendary.

He has been a long-standing member of the Multiple Sclerosis Society and is currently an active patron. He is involved in the Positive Ageing Trust, Taranaki Senior Care, Taranaki Driving Assessment Centre and New Plymouth District Council’s Disabilities Working Party.

John’s character is such that he has great dedication, perseverance and focus in dealing with everyday issues in an uncomplicated way. He has been totally committed to this community, always playing a pivotal role in raising awareness to ensure the needs of those with disabilities are met. He is a very special role model, well respected and an inspiration to many.

Tikituterangi Raumati – Urenui

Tikituterangi Raumati is one of 18 children born to Hamiora Raumati and Parehaereone Matuku.  He was born in Urenui and has spent the majority of his life living and contributing to his community and the people of Ngati Mutunga.  For his early years up until the age of 11 he acted as the guide to his father, who had gone blind.  He spent years supporting and guiding his father to different areas and marae.  He was exposed to knowledge and traditions most can only imagine but not ever obtain.  He was prevented from attending school until the age of 11 but despite this early disadvantage, he has climbed to the heights of success in any field he has entered. He has spent his entire life serving his community – locally, nationally and globally. 

As well as being the main Taranaki adviser to the Maori King Tuheitia, Tiki is also a key member of Jigsaw, the national advocate group for the health and well-being of children and families, and National Maori Adviser to the Department of Internal Affairs.

For many years, Tiki has been called upon by groups across the district for his oratory skills and cultural support including: New Plymouth District Council, Taranaki District Health Board, Department of Internal Affairs, Karangaora Ltd, Tu Tama Wahine o Taranaki Inc, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Te Runanga o Ngati Mutunga, and the Bishops Action Foundation Trust.  The Anglican Church and the Bishops Action Foundation Trust named their main office building after Tiki, in honour of the work he has done for the people of New Zealand.  Tiki was instrumental in the success of the 2006 Youth in Local Government Conference which was hosted by New Plymouth District Council, and is a vital figure in guiding the creation and annual running of Te Rangihiroa celebrations.

Tikituterangi Raumati provides the New Plymouth District community with invaluable cultural advice, guidance and support, which has contributed to immense success across the district over many years.  There are very few of his generation who possess and offer the level of skill and considerably ‘free of fee’ levels of service to the community.

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