Community award for ‘driving force’ Julie Epps

Community Service Award recipient Julie Epps receiving her award earlier this month from Cambridge Community Board chair Sue Milner.

Community Service Award recipient Julie Epps receiving her award earlier this month from
Cambridge Community Board chair Sue Milner.

Few people in Cambridge wouldn’t know Julie Epps … the go-to person for multiple events, the organisational ‘whiz kid’ always sporting a wide, welcoming smile.

Julie’s abilities were given broader recognition earlier this month when she was presented with a Community Service Award at the November Cambridge Community Board meeting.    Board chair Sue Milner said Julie had long been invested in many facets of the local community, including the Cambridge Chamber of Commerce, the Autumn Festival and the Community Board, and that her ‘organisational and promotional skills’ were key to many wonderful Cambridge events enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.

“With the Chamber of Commerce, Julie gained a reputation for her fantastic comms, had great success in growing membership and profile of the Chamber, helped the town make the most of the opportunities provided by the World Rowing Championships, and much more,” Sue said in her presentation.

“The Cambridge Autumn Festival is a passion for Julie and a great fit with her creativity, enthusiasm and sometimes crazy ideas! The Festival Trust is extremely grateful for all the work she puts in, particularly with the Autumn Art Market, Short Story Competition, Open Studios, promotion and ticketing.

“Julie really cares about Cambridge and our people. She has helped shape our town and its future. A by-election saw her put her name forward and be elected to a role on the Cambridge Community Board. She was then re-elected for a further term serving as deputy chair. Julie’s strong and continued involvement in several committees still sees her doing a great deal of work for Cambridge.”

Her involvement includes helping on the ANZAC and Armistice Remembrance Committee, through which she drives support for sister city events linking with Le Quesnoy – such as Bonjour Bastille Day, retail promotions and more – and Bihoro in Japan. She also does much to support people’s welfare through her connections with the Cambridge Committee of Social Services. Julie is a well-liked, respected and valued member of our community,” Sue added. “She is an inspiration and role model and has helped lead the way for other young women in our business community and on our Community Board.”

Julie said she was honoured to receive the award.  “Cambridge is an amazing community and I love being part of it,” she said. “I count myself lucky to have met and worked with lots of great people in the community groups I have been part of, and I’m grateful for their friendship and teamwork.

“Seeing their support, as well as my family and friends, when I walked into the room to receive the award was awesome.”

More Recent News

It’s a top shot

Waikato photographer Lucy Schultz has been highly commended in this year’s Oceania photography contest run by The Nature Conservancy for a photo she took on Sanctuary Mountain. Her image ‘Moa Hunter’ shows Bodie Taylor (Ngāti…

Feral cat call gets support

Waipā has welcomed the announcement that feral cats will be added to New Zealand’s Predator Free 2050 strategy. Last week conservation Minister Tama Potaka confirmed feral cats will join possums, rats, stoats, weasels and ferrets…

Message received

Cambridge Community Board chair Charlotte FitzPatrick and board member Chris Minneé took an early step towards explaining the board’s work to the wider public when they addressed last week’s final meeting for 2025 of the…

Fatigue: a killer on the road

Coroner Rachael Schmidt-McCleave has issued a warning to motorists ahead of the festive season about driver fatigue. Scania Rangi Te Whare of Te Kūiti died from injuries suffered in a crash at Ngāhinapōuri in November…