Shining stars in our communities.
That’s the best way to describe the recipients of our Council’s Mayoral Awards that were held this week.
The 2023 Mayoral Awards recipients are people who make a significant difference in our communities through volunteering.
Our recipients were nominated for their awards through our Councillors, Community Boards and Community Committees.
Our Council vision is to create, Liveable, Thriving, Connected Communities. We cannot do that alone. We need to work with our communities to achieve our vision.
The 32 people honoured at Council Chambers in Ngaaruawaahia this week play a massive part in that.
A list of award winners can be found here.
They are helping us through the mahi that they do, and have done, at the grass roots level, right here in the heart of our communities.
It gives me a huge sense of pride to know that we have so many selfless and giving people who call our district home.
They contribute in some way to making our small piece of the world a better place to live, work and play.
So, there were award winners from all over our district, a wide cross section of good sorts doing various things with passion, selflessness and dedication all gathered in one place to celebrate all that they do.
It was beautiful to see their families and friends in our Chambers celebrate their achievements with them.
Our Chambers was filled with people ranging in age from 1 to 98 honouring people’s dedication to our communities – a far cry from a room that can be, at times, filled with rigorous debate and tough decision-making.
I know there are many others in our district, beyond those who were at the celebration, who will no doubt speak to our award winners’ attributes and tell the stories of some of the amazing things that they have done throughout their years of volunteering in our communities.
Those things will have positively impacted them and their whanau, as well as the wider communities in which they live.
So, thank you all so much on behalf of all of those whose lives you have touched and from me, our councillors, our community boards and committee and our Council staff.
We appreciate everything that you have done and continue to do for our communities.
You should be rightly proud of your achievements, as so many others are.
I know there are many more volunteering champions in our communities.
The intention is to run these awards on a yearly basis, so I look forward to celebrating more of our shining stars next year.
Ngaa mihi nui and warmest regards,
Mayor Jacqui Church
