Tireless volunteers were honoured on Thursday (3 October) as Waikato District Council’s Mayor Jacqui Church handed out the 2024 Mayoral Community Awards.
Twenty-three recipients including two from Raglan were were nominated for the awards by Mayor Jacqui, councillors, community boards and community committees.
Mayor Jacqui also decided to present awards to all volunteer fire brigades in the district, to recognise their roles in our communities goes beyond firefighting – whether it them being first responders to car crashes; leading the charge during civil defence emergencies or responding to medical emergencies.
Raglan recipients were:
Sarah Johnson
Sarah is a quiet unsung community heroine of Raglan. She has supported many initiatives and sports teams in our community. She manages Raglan Area School’s senior football team and has done so for at least the last seven years. Coordinating comms out to the team, organising fundraising activities and helps coordinate five-a-side tournament participation.
She also helps out when she can with ‘Feed the Kids’ on a Wednesday. Sarah also supports trips to writers’ festivals, school camps and many other activities across the community.
Raglan Volunteer Fire Brigade
Represented by Frank Turner
The Raglan brigade has been operating for 70 years. There are 26 members and they describe themselves as a very happy and polished brigade with some very longstanding members. They attend approximately 110 call out events per year.
Mayor Jacqui said she was privileged to host the awards ceremony as a display of gratitude to the selfless and giving people who call the Waikato district home.
About 100 people were present at the awards ceremony, including friends and family of those who received awards.
“Your generous nature helps us fulfil our council’s vision of creating Liveable, Thriving and Connected communities and I don’t know where we would be without you.
“You are the strength and fabric of our district, working selflessly behind the scenes to build up the strong bonds of resilience that keep our community thriving,” she said.
“You are the shining stars of our communities and we are honoured to be able to show, in a small way, our appreciation for you and all the work you do.”