Waikato mayor Jacqui Church celebrates with award winners and councillors.
Three Waikato district residents in The News circulation area were presented with Mayoral Community awards by mayor Jacqui Church last week.
Lockie Verner of Tauwhare, Jane Manson of Tamahere and Ian Wallace of Matangi were among 23 people from around the district to be acknowledged.
From left, Charles Fletcher Tamahere Community Committee chair, Cr Crystal Beavis, Cr Mike Keir, Lockie Verner, mayor Jacqui Church.
“Despite all the pressures we face in our own lives here in New Zealand, it’s occasions like this that serve as a reminder of how lucky we are to be living in our wonderful district here in New Zealand,” said Church.
“With that in mind, the value of community spirit has perhaps never been higher.”
Verner has been involved with the Tauwhare Hall committee and community committee for many years. As committees have come and gone, he has been a steady presence and has chaired the hall committee. He has put in volunteer hours drawing on his building experience and a wide skillset to do repairs, maintenance and upgrades.
Verner’s dedication was a key factor in completing the Tauwhare sculpture project this year after it was first mooted by the community committee more than seven years ago.
He sourced materials, dealt with the permits and built it to artist Marti Wong’s design.
“This project will be my ultimate legacy which says, I did this and I was here,” said Verner.
From left, Cr Mike Keir, Cr Crystal Beavis, mayor Jacqui Church, Jane Manson’s daughter Alex Manson (Manson was in New York when the awards were held), Charles Fletcher Tamahere Community Committee chair.
Jane Manson is a member of the St Stephens Tamahere Anglican Church and was the initiator and foundation convener of the Tamahere Country Market established in October 2004.
Profits go to the church and Anglican Action Mahi Mihinare Charitable Trust.
She has been a member of the Tamahere Community Committee since 2017 and is also a member of the Tamahere-Woodlands Heritage Committee.
From left, Charles Fletcher Tamahere Community Committee chair, Cr Mike Keir, Cr Crystal Beavis, Ian Wallace, mayor Jacqui Church
Ian Wallace retires as chair of the Matangi Hall this year after 15 years.
He has also served as a member of the Matangi Community Committee, and he is still a member of the Matangi Drainage Board – one of the last volunteer drainage boards left in the district.
Wallace leaves the hall in very good condition – with a new roof – and with a steady number of bookings.
