2013 Civic Honours Award Recipients

The 2013 Civic Awards Ceremony, held at Te Takere on 3 December and hosted by Horowhenua District Mayor Brendan Duffy, celebrated and acknowledged the successes of a number of young people, and the significant contribution made by volunteers over many years to the Horowhenua community.

Long and meritorious voluntary service to the community saw 10 people officially acknowledged with Horowhenua Mayoral Civic Honours, with Horowhenua Youth Scholarships also presented to 12 young people.

Recipients were:

Civic Honours Award:

• Judy Curtis - Judy Curtis has been active in the community through a variety of organisations at a local level, including Altrusa International of Levin, Taitoko School, Save the Children Shop in Levin, Red Cross Shop, Community Patrol, the Cancer Society, Keep Levin Beautiful, Probus Club, SuperGrans and Neighbourhood Support Horowhenua.  Judy is one of our voluntary community stalwarts, and is most deserving of this Civic Honours recognition.

• Joy Dewar - Dedicated, committed, invaluable, outstanding, are all words used to describe Joy Dewar.  She has been a voluntary treasurer for Thompson House for around thirty years, is a key member of the management committee, and also takes keen interest in helping maintain the gardens on the property.  Joy has been a long-time member of the Levin Ladies Probus Club and in addition has served on the committee of the Horowhenua Floral Art and Garden Club.  Joy's many years of contribution to both Thompson House and the Horowhenua Floral Art and Garden Club, among other groups, makes her a very worthy recipient of this Civic Honours award.  

• Val Hayes - Val Hayes has been volunteering for the benefit of the Foxton community for 47 years through a wide variety of clubs, associations and community groups.  Val has always supported the promotion of Foxton diverse history, and was a committee member, including holding the position of treasurer, on the Foxton Historical Museum from 1978 to 1998. Val has also sat on the trust of the Foxton Flax Stripper Museum and has also conducted public tours since 1980.  This is a truly impressive list of involvements and achievements, which make Val a very deserving recipient of a Civic Honour.

• Doctor Siu Kai Haslam - Doctor Siu Kai Haslam was born and educated in Hong Kong, before moving to New Zealand in the late 1960s with a PhD in Entomology. Siu Kai worked at the Horticultural Research Station in Kimberley Road until its closure in 1992. Since moving to New Zealand, Siu Kai has spent thousands of voluntary hours translating documents from English for the Chinese community. Siu Kai was a key member of the team that fundraiser for the Chinese Garden in Te Takere, and continues to be an active support of the libraries in Horowhenua. Siu Kai continues to be a huge support for both new immigrants to New Zealand and the wider community, and is exceptionally deserving of this Civic Honours recognition. 

Certificates of Recognition:

• Reverend Doctor Bob Eyles - Reverend Doctor Bob Eyles has been a long-serving church minister in Horowhenua for many years. He has been the voluntary Chaplain at Reevedon Rest Home for over 12 years, conducting weekly services currently. Reverend Doctor Bob Eyles is well worthy of this community's recognition for the continued commitment and contribution he makes to many individuals, families and groups. 

• Paul Matthews - Paul Matthews is described as unassuming and hardworking, giving a huge amount of time to several local and worthy causes.  He has been the driving force behind the Foxton Horse Tram for around 15 years.  As well as his role as secretary, he does most of the fundraising to keep the operation running.  In addition, Paul has spent 20 years with the Horowhenua Branch of the Hearing Association (as a member and as secretary) and 15 years as secretary of the Levin Astronomical Society.  He is a volunteer with Meals on Wheels and is involved with the Mature Employment Support Organisation. Paul Matthews is well deserving of this civic recognition. 

• Ron & Ruth Seymour - Ron and Ruth Seymour have made a huge contribution to mountain biking, Scouts, and St Andrews now the Levin Uniting Church.  For the past 15 years, they have allowed their farm to be used as a venue for the NZ Secondary Schools Mountain Bike Champs, attended by hundreds of competitors and their supporters every year. Together, Ron and Ruth have made a huge contribution to many different groups and individuals in Horowhenua and are well deserving of this significant recognition. 

Mayoral Certificate:

• Fred Cockram and Dianne Edyvane - Dianne Edyvane and Fred Cockram have been a real asset to The Friends of Horowhenua Libraries (FOHL), an invaluable group of supporters who provide practical support for the libraries throughout the district. The couple became involved with Te Takere Culture and Community Centre during its planning stages and were a driving force and real energy behind the Friends' fundraising programme.  This civic acknowledgement is a true reflection of all Dianne and Fred have done for Te Takere and Horowhenua's libraries.