The good deeds of 10 local people were recognised at the presentation of the Hagley/Ferrymead Community Service Awards at Linwood Service Centre on 10 October. Congratulations to the following:

1. Dorothy Burrows first joined the Heathcote Valley Library Committee in June 1984 and has served as treasurer, secretary and vice president. Life Membership of City Libraries was awarded to Dorothy in 1999

2. Barry Saunders has dedicated most of his weekends to looking after Washington Reserve. He has kept the skating facility, reserve and outlying area tidy as well as liaising with skaters and neighbouring businesses. He is much appreciated by skaters, their parents and Council staff.

3. Ellen Gardner joined the Heathcote Valley Library Committee in May 1984 and has continued to be a hardworking member of the committee and library. She received a life membership of City Libraries in May 1999. Ellen continues to be a librarian who is always ready to fill in for others and ensure that service is continually provided.

4. Lang Masters initiated the showing of significant foreign films in the greater Christchurch area, then developed the Hollywood cinema complex in Sumner. While this has had an important and beneficial effect on local residents, he has also made his theatres available, at a cost to himself, to local organisations and provided generous help for cultural purposes rather than financial gain.

5. Audrey Nettleton has been involved with the Redcliffs Public Library as a volunteer for more than 30 years. For the last 20 years she has held the office of secretary/treasurer. This involves many hours of work on behalf of the library. As an extension of her involvement with the library she is a loyal and active member of the Neighbourhood Libraries Association, supporting the local voluntary libraries.

6. Bruce McKessar is the current President of the Mt Pleasant Community Centre and Ratepayers Association. He is available day and night to ensure that the Community Centre is run efficiently and for the benefit of the local community. He is also a committed and respected member of the Mt Pleasant, Heathcote and Ferrymead Presbyterian Parish where he is chair of the Board of Managers. He is involved with the local Probus Club and on the Board of Stop Trust, which helps sexually abused people. He has also recently served on the Finance Board of the Canterbury Students’ Association.

7. Donna Buckley has given more than three years voluntary service to the Bromley Residents’ Association and her local kindergarten. She has donated her time and energy to Residents’ Association projects by being involved in activities such as carnivals, tree planting, driving people who do not have transport and providing regular columns for the Bromley Newsletter. She has helped the kindergarten with the Books for Kids scheme that she funded.

8. Belle Melzer has shown a real commitment to city planning, to protecting and maintaining the inner city east, and to ensuring affordable housing in the area is protected. She has also provided huge personal support for the local community. In her capacity as Chairperson of the Central/Inner City Residential Groups Workshop, she has revealed considerable skills as a facilitator and coordinator.

Belle is also a foundation member of the Mayoral Forum for Central City Revitalisation, coordinator of Inner City East Neighbourhood Group, Trustee of Te Whare Roimata and Board Member of the Latimer Community Housing Trust.

9. John Willocks has been a member of the Eastenders working party for many years and its coordinator for the last 10 years. The Eastenders group works on the Eastern Port Hills, building and maintaining tracks, planting trees and controlling weeds. As part of the Summit Road Society, they work closely with the Christchurch City Council’s Park Rangers and other groups. Under John’s leadership, the membership of the group has grown. The number of days worked and scope of work has also increased.

10. Charmain Hubbard has been an integral part of the Phillipstown and surrounding community for more than 15 years. At an early stage, she was a volunteer with the Kohanga at Te Rangimarie and became involved in a voluntary capacity at the Phillipstown School. She later served six years on the school’s Board of Trustees.

As a member of the Phillipstown Residents’ Association, Charmain was involved in the development of the Phillipstown Community Centre Charitable Trust and has served as its chairperson since March 1999. She also supervises a number of programmes at the Centre and runs fundraising events. Charmain also supports an elderly member of the community who is dependent on assistance with daily living.