Community champion Sue Milner has been celebrated for her many years of service to Cambridge and Waipā.
The Cambridge Tree Trust’s Pete Fisher presents Sue Milner with a Tītoki sapling, watched on by fellow tree trust member John Moodie. Photo: Viv Posselt
Recognition for her decades of dedication came at a surprise awards’ ceremony held before last Wednesday’s Cambridge Community Board meeting at which she was presented with a Community Long Service Award.
Cambridge Community Board chairperson Jo Davies-Colley outlined Milner’s achievements, saying her influence went “far beyond her time in local government, where she served as community board member and chairperson”.
“Her impact can be seen in every corner of our town – from arts and heritage, to her work with the [Cambridge] Tree Trust, our military history with its connections to Anzac and Armistice celebrations, our sister city relationships, Christmas lights, playgrounds, libraries, the Empire Street little library and even the military bunker at the lake. It’s hard to find an area in Cambridge that hasn’t been touched by Sue’s dedication.”
Davies-Colley described Milner’s connection to, and knowledge of, the history of Cambridge as ‘unparalleled’.
Sue Milner holding her award, flanked by Waipā district mayor Susan O’Regan, left, and Cambridge Community Board chairperson Jo Davies-Colley. Photo: Viv Posselt
Milner served as a Waipā district councillor for nine years, was on the Cambridge Community Board for six years, including one term as chairperson – the first woman to hold that title. She served on numerous committees, including those involved with Cambridge’s sister city relationships with Le Quesnoy and Bihoro, and Anzac and Armistice commemorations. She helped secure funding for Cambridge’s Le Quesnoy sculpture by the late Fred Graham and was involved in the educational storyboards that speak to that battle.
Cambridge RSA president Tony Hill
Her passion for reading saw her advocate strongly for the Cambridge library – she worked to secure the removal of borrowing fees on books.
Waipā district mayor Susan O’Regan commended Milner for her outstanding service, saying: “You have served with not only dedication but with insight and a genuine love for your community. You are known for your leadership… and impeccable style.”
She also thanked Milner for helping ease her into local politics when she was a ‘green new councillor’.
Cambridge RSA president Tony Hill thanked her for helping make Anzac and Armistice commemorations ‘more vibrant’ than in many communities, and John Bishop thanked Milner for her lengthy involvement with the town. He said he had been inspired to get involved in the community when seeing Sue and Ray Milner walking the streets delivering leaflets into letterboxes.
Last week’s celebration saw Milner presented with a certificate marking her years of devoted service and advocacy. She was also presented with a Tītoki sapling by Cambridge Tree Trust members Pete Fisher and John Moodie.
In responding, Milner said she had been privileged to be part of the council and community board and had enjoyed every minute of it.
She will see out her current term on the Cambridge Community Board.
Sue Milner and her husband Ray, pictured after the ceremony with Waipā district mayor Susan O’Regan, left, and Cambridge Community Board chairperson Jo Davies-Colley. Photo: Viv Posselt
