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Good citizens humbled by award

 

BY JULIA WADE

17 MF-Citizensaward-996From saving lives, sports and governance to involvement in an eclectic range of community affairs including Santa parades and surf lifesaving, the time and energy of five dedicated Kaipara locals has been recognised with a special award.  

In a surprise ceremony at Dargaville’s Lighthouse Function Centre on August 16, Mangawhai residents John Phillis and Gordon Finlayson joined Kaipara residents Sally Parkinson, and Albie Paton in receiving this years Citizen Awards. Richard Drake also received an Honorary Citizens Award from Kaipara mayor, Dr Jason Smith.  

Getting the five locals to the ceremony along with family and friends involved a level of trickery by council who informed the nominees via letter that they were only nominated for the award which was unexpected and quite humbling in itself John says. 

“Then the mayor totally broadsided all of us by announcing that they had hoodwinked us on the precept of nominees, when in fact we all were the recipients of the Citizens Award,” he says. “I was thrilled yet humbled to be given this recognition, with so many deserving people contributing to the Mangawhai community, I was truly blown away to firstly be nominated and even more so to be a winner.”

Humble Kaipara people
Honorary Citizens Awards are to recognise outstanding Kaipara citizens contributions and achievements of substantial voluntary or ‘beyond normal employment’ service, by showing leadership, inspiration, sacrifice or devotion to a cause, or by making a significant contribution to the well-being of the district and citizens. 
Mayor Smith says the ‘very special citizens’ show us all ‘how great places are made by great people’.
“They’re all humble Kaipara people and did not put themselves forward for these awards. As the ancient Maori whakatauki goes, ‘the kumara never speaks of its own sweetness’, to me that’s part of what makes these recipients even greater – they’re all just getting on with the job and were modest in their extraordinary achievements,” he says. “Kaipara is much greater for their efforts, and I thank them for their contribution to the lives of us all.”

Team player John Phillis
Nominated by Joanne Yuretich and Deirdre Lennox, John Phillis was recognised for his 20 year involvement in multiple community groups including the Mangawhai Walking Weekend, Historical Village and Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society, running the Mangawhai movie theatre, MC-ing fundraising events, coordinating Mangawhai’s first Santa Parade and as a Cancer Society street collector for Daffodil Day. The supposed retiree also serves the community as a Justice of the Peace and celebrant. Wife Pauline says John is a team player, ‘sees the need in a group and works hard to fill it with skills and has compassion for helping others’. 

Gordon Finlayson’s committment
With more than 50 years commitment to surf lifesaving and the current chair for Mangawhai Heads Volunteer Surf Lifesaving Club, nominators Vickie Matich and Jon Drucker believed Gordon Finlayson deserved his award. 
“His long term commitment to surf lifesaving has been recognised on the national level by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand, and his ongoing commitment to our local surf club has been instrumental to its current status as a strong partner in the community’s first responder network.”

Albie Paton’s determination
Well-known in Maungaturoto for his involvement, organisation and promotion in a wide range of community organisations, sport groups and fundraising efforts, Albie Paton was nominated by Naira Vaney and Carol Moorehead.
“Albie is a great example in this district of how sheer determination can make a difference… for the benefit of our local people and the environment. His health is not always the best, but this does not seem to deter him, this makes all his contributions even more significant.”

Sally Parkinson’s time and energy
For 20 years Northern Wairoa St John Ambulance has benefited from the time, energy and commitment from the station’s longest-standing volunteer, Sally Parkinson. A strong advocate for the community’s health, the station manager has ensured the Dargaville community has ‘a consistent and professional ambulance service at all times’. 
“Sally has been there on hand to treat and care for patients when they were at their most vulnerable and frightened. Every time her pager went off she had to leave her family and attend a call that might be dangerous and challenging, but she would go for her community” nominators Shirley Baume and Stephen Wykes says.

Governance by Richard Drake
Since the 1970s, Richard Drake has been a leading public figure in Upper Northern Wairoa, as an active participant on national, regional and local governance boards, including NZ Meat & Wool, Federated Farmers of New Zealand, Northland Conservation Board, Northpower Trust, Northland Regional Council Community Trust, and Kaipara District Economic Development Trust. 

“Richard has helped promote awareness of Kaipara, been a steady voice and flown the Kaipara flag far afield through his extensive governance engagements.” 

Pictured from left, Kaipara mayor Jason Smith, Albie Paton, Sally Parkinson, Richard Drake, Gordon Finlayson, John Phillis and KDC CEO Louise Miller.  “The mayor and the councillors made us feel very special and welcome,” John says. “I think we all felt privileged to be recognised in this way.”     PHOTO/SUPPLIED

 
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