Awards Offer A Chance To Recognise Kaipara's Volunteers

How many times have you benefited from the selfless efforts of volunteers working in our community?

Now is your chance to officially recognise and thank those who give their time to help make the Kaipara District a better place by nominating them for the 2008 Kaipara District Council Citizen’s Awards.

The Council established the awards in 2001 to commemorate the International Year of the Volunteer and each year since has acknowledged three Kaipara volunteers put forward by their communities. They include sports coaches and administrators, fire fighters, rescue services, youth organisation volunteers, service club personnel and community events organisers - to name a few.

This year’s awards will be presented in the Council Chambers on June 18, coinciding with the National Volunteer Awareness Week. Recipients receive a framed certificate and discreet pin they can wear with pride. Their names are also displayed on Honours Boards in the Council’s Dargaville and Kaiwaka offices.

Mayor Neil Tiller is urging people to take up the opportunity to give something back to our volunteers, saying, “We owe a huge debt of gratitude to the hundreds of people who give their time and skills, without thought of recognition or recompense, to serve their fellow citizens.”

“We can never thank them all properly, but through these awards we can at least acknowledge some and hopefully draw attention to the invaluable role such people play in our community.”

“So get a nomination form and think of a volunteer in your community who deserves recognition.”

Nominations close on Friday 23 May 2008 and forms are available from the Council’s offices in Dargaville or Kaiwaka, or by telephoning 0800 727 059. They may also be downloaded from the website www.kaipara.govt.nz.

Since 2001 the awards have acknowledged the following outstanding citizens:

2001: Shirley Bridge - Dargaville, Allan Flower - Maungaturoto and Maria Parore Larsen - Dargaville

2002: Roy Coombes - Mangawhai, Lola Trail - Tinopai, Edith (Johnny) Jones - Dargaville

2003: Phylis Mills - Mangawhai, Earl Nicholas - Dargaville, Peter Jones - Dargaville

2004: Maud Christie - Maungaturoto, Harry Baycroft - Dargaville , Mary (Tommie) Toia - Dargaville

2005: Wyn Bradly - Dargaville, Ken Cashin - Dargaville, Dorothy Quaife - Paparoa

2006: Dorothy Gardner - Mangawhai, Jean Goldschmidt - Mangawhai, Louie Pivac - Dargaville

2007: Janet Froggatt - Dargaville, Des Partington - Mangawhai, Karen Smales Maungaturoto