Leading Waitakians recognised at 2024 Citizens Awards

The Waitaki Citizens' Awards ceremony took place at the Oamaru Opera House this week.

Alison and Bruce Albiston, Maria Barta, Sandra Tonkin, Teariki Fariu, Ronald Sheat, the late Elaine Carter, Sonya Watson, Melissa Yockney, Beverley and Peter Ross and Tonga Havea were presented their awards by the Mayor Gary Kircher, Deputy Mayor Hana Halalele, Waitaki District Councillors Holding, McCone Thompson, Ryan and Hopkins, and Chair of the Waihemo Community Board, Heather McGregor.

The Waitaki Citizens' Awards are given in recognition of substantial services, usually of a voluntary nature or beyond normal employment, benefiting the Waitaki District and its people.

Any volunteer of any age, or a voluntary organisation which carries out service or work of a substantial (either length of time or intensity of service) nature benefiting the Waitaki district and/or its people, that has not been recognised by a national award or honour for this service - e.g. a Queen’s Honour - can be nominated for a Citizens’ Award.

The qualifying categories include recreation, youth activities, social welfare, educational services, cultural affairs, religious affairs, community affairs and any other voluntary service which contributes to furthering the vision of the Waitaki district.

Work of a ‘substantial nature’ is defined as short or long term projects or activities that have benefited the district in such a way as to have added to the quality of life of the residents.

Profiles of the awardees are on the Waitaki District Council website here: Leading Waitakians recognised at 2024 Citizens Awards | Waitaki District Council