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Remarkable Volunteers Receive Civic Honours

Published on April 17, 2023

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Horowhenua is home to many impressive community-minded volunteers working hard to bring positive change to the district. Some of the best were formally recognised during the 2022 Civic Honours Ceremony.

Presented by Mayor Bernie Wanden, five Civic Honours were awarded, alongside three Certificates of Recognition. In addition, twelve extraordinary young people received Youth Excellence Scholarships.

Mayor Bernie Wanden says, “This is certainly one of the highlights of the year for us. The annual event has been held since 1995, with people from all aspects of our community having been recognised for their service. These recognitions are an acknowledgement of long and commendable voluntary service to our community, and it is an honour to celebrate the awards recipients in this way.”

“Volunteers come from all walks of life, they give their time for many different reasons. Whatever the reason, we know that without volunteers, without the movers and shakers, the heroes and driving forces within an organisation, things simply would not get done.”

Award recipients and their supporting friends and family were entertained by Imogen Williamson, a Kiribati Dance Trio and Sela Tosi who performed a Tongan dance during the ceremony, held on Tuesday 22 November 2022, which began with the singing of the national anthem led by Youth Excellence Scholarship students.

Youth Excellence Scholarships is an initiative that began 18 years ago. More than 200 young people have been acknowledged with a scholarship that has assisted with costs such as tertiary study, sporting equipment and travel.

The scholarships are an acknowledgement of commitment, dedication and hard work, rewarding some of our most outstanding sportsmen and women, top scholars, amazing performers and those who give their time to our community by way of voluntary service and participation.

Civic Honours awards were presented to:

Allyson Bramwell
Community Affairs

Allyson led the catering team for the Wahine-Toa Women of Courage Programme to support female victims of domestic violence, has helped to prepare breakfast for the CACTUS Programme, and ran the kitchen for the Levin AFC Football Club in which she was Treasurer for eight years. She is also the volunteer secretary/treasurer for Blue Light – a registered charity which delivers an extensive range of youth programmes and activities and is the current secretary/treasurer for the Horowhenua Abuse Liaison Team.

Rob Fifita-Tovo
Community Affairs – Service to Pacific Peoples

Driven to strengthen Pacific networks and work to improve social, education, health and wellbeing outcomes, Rob was Fale Pasifika’s inaugural Chairperson and has also held the Deputy Chairperson position. He has had a significant influence within a Pacific Education Working Group helping to establish the PowerUp initiative and Pasifika Success Talanoa trainings to increase school attendance rates and achievement, improve parental engagement in their children's education, and teaching Pacific Island culture and ways to professionals to help them understand and teach Pacific children.

Jeff Jones
Community Affairs

Using skills learned as a member of the Deer Stalkers, his involvement with the Four Wheel Drive Club and being an enthusiastic Ham radio operator, Jeff’s knowledge and experience has been invaluable with search and rescue and civil defence for more than 35 years.

In 2021, Jeff celebrated more than thirty years of service to the Levin Car Club which has included rescues and marshalling for car rallies and sprints, and for almost 25 years, he volunteered as a radio marshall for the Great Forest Run. Jeff supported event organisers by picking up injured athletes, and assisted during the annual Medieval Market for more than two decades.

Jeff was a Scout Leader for eight years with the Shannon Scouts, and helped establish the Rural Fire Service for which he was a crew leader for 16 years. He was a member of the Levin Fire Brigade, a volunteer with Levin Riding for the Disabled, and Levin Rotary.

Jim & Sarah Harper
Services to Conservation

Due to Sarah and Jim’s efforts as volunteer-but-expert conservationists, Foxton now has two beautiful heritage facades - the late 1800s Foxton Racing Club and Manawatū Herald buildings, and the oldest surviving 'Sunnyside' residential mid-1800s cottage.

The pair have also volunteered at MAVtech museum (including as chair) and the Foxton Historical Society. Jim is co-chair of the Foxton Historical Society and is involved in trying to save the heritage Court House building for future generations.

As a member of the Save Our River Trust (SORT), Jim worked for the conservation, restoration and placement of a 150-year-old historic anchor found on the river bank in the Te Awahou Riverside Cultural Park and he has supported the Oranjehof Museum by restoring historic items and damaged museum pieces, and sharing his expert conservation advice.

Stewart Thompson
Community Affairs

Stewart was a Levin Golf Club committee member for many years, and from 2007–2014 held the position of President Chairperson.

Stewart helped set up a programme to work with junior golfers and was inducted into the Eagles Golfing Society of NZ for his efforts and work he has put into the Levin Golf Club and Manawatū-Wanganui Golf Association.

Stewart served on the Life Education Trust Board for more than six years and was active in fundraising activities and supporting the educator in their work. Stewart was appointed the Chairperson of Age Concern Horowhenua in 2020.

Certificates of Recognition were awarded to:

Kelly Binning-Rangi
Education Services

Kelly served on the Board of Trustees at Fairfield School for nine years, five and a half of these years were as Board Chair. Kelly also dedicated eight years to the Fairfield Community Group, a group that is active in raising funds for the school to provide “cherries on top” for students.

She served for three years on the Board of Trustees at Levin Intermediate School and for five years, Kelly was part of the Levin East School Parent Teacher Association. Kelly was also involved in fundraising for Ronald McDonald House in Wellington and spent two years on the Cambridge Street Kindergarten parent committee.

Chris Clarke
Community Affairs

Chris has volunteered at Levin Riding for the Disabled for 16 years. He was the Facilities Manager on the Levin Riding for the Disabled Association Management Committee and has led the facilities maintenance at Speldhurst Country Estate.

He has been a member of the Horowhenua Vintage Car Club and held almost every position (including the presidency) at the Levin Car Club.

For the past four years, Chris has been the maintenance person for the Levin Adventure Park train, reconditioning and keeping the train operating, ensuring safety standards are met and the track is well maintained.

Bill Davey
Social Affairs / Services

Bill is the Chairperson of the Levin Interchurch Foodbank. Volunteering five days a week, he gets involved in every aspect of the foodbank operation, and is the ‘face’ of the foodbank in Levin.

The reputation of the Levin Interchurch Foodbank is a credit to the work that Bill does, and provides vital relief to the community.