Residents of Raglan and other parts of the Waikato got the opportunity to honour their ‘local heroes’ at a special award ceremony held earlier this month in the Chartwell Room at Hamilton Gardens. As part of the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards 2014, the 12 winners of the Kiwibank Local Heroes category were presented with specially made medals to officially recognise their achievements.
Raglan man Wally Hawken was one of winners of this year’s awards. He was nominated by being driven for the wellbeing of Raglan Coastguard, its personnel and stakeholders. His nominees described his, ‘drive, vision and compassion’. Wally has served Raglan Coastguard holding the offices of vice-president and president. He was instrumental in raising $100,000 for fitting out the unit’s new Gallagher Base.
Well done Wally and Raglan Coastguard. Congratulations!
MPs’ Tim Macindoe, Scott Simpson and Hamilton City Councillor, Rob Pascoe, were on hand to present the medals and congratulate the recipients on their awards. “These fine people embody the qualities that have long held our community together. Their charity, selflessness and generosity have touched upon the lives of so many and make our community a better place to live. That’s why we stand with them tonight and honour them as Hamilton’s very own local heroes,” Mr Pascoe said.
The recipients of the Kiwibank Local Hero Awards for Waikato were: Cat O’Brien, Clare Harding, Geoff Brown,Jenevere Foreman, Kim Bredenbeck, Raquel Martin, Raywn Antonovich, Trisha Corin, Wally Hawken, Cath Oldfield, Michelle Harris and Rebekah Garner.
Now in its fifth year, the annual Kiwibank Local Hero awards are the ultimate recognition for good deeds in the community. Each year, people in the community can nominate anyone they think has made a powerful impact on the lives of others. They may be involved in business, leadership, voluntary work, community and environmental groups, education, sporting clubs, working with the disadvantaged or have displayed courage in overcoming a personal adversity. This year, some 115 medals were presented nationwide with one national Local Heroes winner to be announced at the New Zealander of the Year Gala Awards in Auckland in February next year.
Kiwibank CEO, Paul Brock, said that Kiwibank was proud to be supporting local communities celebrate their outstanding citizens over the past five years. “New Zealand has a long standing tradition of community service. It’s therefore equally important that we have a tradition, like the Local Heroes awards, where we can give our thanks to those who have improved the lives of others in their communities.”
The national winner of the Kiwibank Local Heroes Award will be selected from three finalists, who will also attend the New Zealander of the Year Gala Awards. In December, the judging panel – comprising representatives of all the awards patrons, presenters, sponsors, community leaders and independent experts – will decide the 10 Local Heroes semi-finalists with the three finalists to be announced in the New Year.