Community Honours Awards

MANAWATU District Mayor Ian McKelvie presented three Manawatu District Community Honours Awards at a ceremony in Feilding last night.

The annual council-sponsored awards recognise significant contributions to the community by individuals or groups and nominees must have carried out meritorious service in the fields of community service, welfare, sport, culture, the arts, recreation or education.

The awards were initiated in 1991 and 56 district residents have now been honoured.

This year’s recipients are Peter Easther, Judy Jack and Thomas Rowe.

Peter Easther

Croquet, children and church activities represent just some of the many organisations and individuals in the Feilding community who will forever remain indebted to the dedicated and caring services offered by Peter Easther.

Peter has been a tireless member of the Feilding Croquet Club for more than 20 years, holding down the positions of President and Secretary, as well as undertaking the exacting and time-consuming challenge of lawn maintenance. He has successfully managed and organised Association Tournaments and the club’s midweek Business House Golf Croquet and is always encouraging new members to enjoy the game.

He has been involved in Lytton Street School’s “Adult Tutors in Reading Programme” since its inception in 2001. His affinity with the young is evident and his sense of humour and kind, calm and caring personality draws out the best in the children. They feel comfortable reading to him and benefit from his help at such a crucial time in their literacy education.

Peter’s quiet diligence in looking to improve and make a difference to and in people’s lives also extends to his long-time work for Foodbank through Manchester House and St John’s Anglican Church. Each fortnight he has organised, collected and bagged a trailer load of potatoes for distribution to budgeting clients and those in need in the community and has actively encouraged the St John’s congregation to support Foodbank through weekly donations of non-perishable food items.

A regular worshipper at St John’s, Peter assists those parishioners who need transportation to attend services, and he plays a major role in organising an entertaining programme for participants who gather for a time of companionship each Tuesday morning at the Friendship Centre.

A faithful volunteer at Coombrae Home, Peter plays Upwords with residents on a weekly basis, and transports many of them to different groups in Feilding so they can maintain links with the community. Such thoughtfulness underlines Peter Easther’s genuine care for others.

Judy Jack

As a founder of Manawatu Rural Support Services Inc. and highly tuned to country needs, Judy Jack has given exceptional commitment to the rural community for many years.
Since 1994, Judy has chaired and co-ordinated MRSS and remains diligent, faithful, resourceful and determined in obtaining funds that enable the organisation to provide numerous benefits to residents in northern Manawatu.

Of special note is the way in which she worked tirelessly at the time of the 2004 storm, showing exceptional dedication and resolve in carrying vital supplies to many young families, and those with special needs, who had been cut off and isolated by slips and flooding.

Judy has networked widely within the community, as well as regionally, in her desire to help rural families, and her resolute and effective fundraising abilities have gained the confidence of Government Departments and other funders.
Her meticulous approach to funding applications has resulted in the employment of rural workers for MRSS and given the organisation the opportunity to provide numerous activities, seminars and programmes. The service provides that personal touch so needed at times by all households and families – and has led to an entire rural community being served and accounted for in a way that remains unrivalled.
On other occasions when there have been hardships created by events, such as drought and wind storms, Judy has organised community meetings for those affected so their needs can be met with the best professional support available.
Judy Jack has never faulted in seeking out people in need and she continues to embrace her vision of providing a better life for those in the rural community.

Thomas Rowe

A lifetime involvement with the Rongotea District by Thomas Rowe has not only benefited the community in several ways but also enriched the lives of many of its youth through his wise counselling and encouragement.

Thomas has enjoyed a lengthy association with the Rongotea Bible Chapel, willingly providing his services as a lay preacher and in the area of leadership training for young people. He has spent more than 50 years as a prime figure in the Every Boy’s Rally movement that encourages youth to reach their potential both physically, emotionally and spiritually.

His desire to teach values and encourage youth to live as worthwhile citizens has also been evident with his 38-year involvement with the Manawatu Gospel Messengers and his presentation of children’s holiday programmes at the Foxton and Himatangi Beaches during the Christmas-New Year period.

Thomas has also dedicated nearly 50 years’ sustained service to the Rongotea School, presenting the Bibles in Schools programme since the 1960s and serving from 1975 to 1985 as the School Committee Chairperson. During that time several facilities were built that continue to play a significant role in school life today.
He also headed the committee that organised the school’s centenary celebrations, with his skills in preparation and attention to detail ensuring a successful event. Thomas was also called upon to be a committee member for the school’s 125th jubilee celebrations and his depth of historical knowledge proved a real asset.

A tireless worker for the Te Kawau Memorial Recreation Centre for 32 years, Thomas is the hall committee’s current chairperson. During the years he has witnessed many changes to the committee, the hall itself and community requirements, but has been able to accommodate those changes with ease.

A self-taught motor engineer, Thomas Rowe has a passion for fixing motor cars, especially of the vintage variety, much to the relief of many owners near and far. He has been a member of the Motor Trade Association for more than 40 years and served 10 years as Feilding Branch President between 1984 and 1994.