Outstanding Community Service Awards

In the final profile of our Outstanding Community Service Award recipients, we meet Golden Bay’s Barbara McKay.

For nearly six decades, Barbara has woven a tapestry of positivity and community spirit that spans generations. Her tireless efforts have left an indelible mark on the Collingwood area.

Barbara’s journey of service began with the Country Girls Organisation, where her passion for community engagement ignited. From there, she transitioned into roles with the Young Farmers Executive, orchestrating memorable events and programmes that enriched the region.

Her commitment to rural life led her to the Rockville Women’s Division Federated Farmers and, to this day, she is still an integral part of the Bainham Rural Women, lending her talents as a pianist and catering coordinator.

However, Barbara’s contributions extend beyond organisational duties. A master with knitting needles, she has crafted countless merino baby singlets, gifted with love to local newborns through Rural Women. Her prowess in the kitchen is equally renowned, with her lamingtons, peach creams, and cinnamon oysters becoming staples at community events and gatherings.

In an era when sewing was a necessity, Barbara generously shared her skills, tutoring countless locals in the art of garment making. And who could forget her annual ballroom dancing lessons, ensuring that every school dance was a memorable affair?

Barbara McKay remains a steadfast supporter of Collingwood Rugby. Whether baking for functions or cheering from the sidelines, her dedication to the local team has never wavered, embodying the true spirit of community.

As we continue our series of profiles of winners of our Outstanding Community Service Awards, we meet a man whose family has been deeply associated with Golden Bay for 174 years. That man is Wayne Packard.

Wayne is a sixth-generation farmer who has dedicated nearly 60 years of his life to the betterment of the Bay.

His commitment to community shines through an extensive involvement in various organisations. For four decades, he has been an integral part of the Tākaka Rugby Football Club, serving as a board member for 40 years, including 12 years as Club President.

His contribution extends beyond administrative duties, spending a decade as a senior player and fulfilling refereeing responsibilities.

Wayne’s dedication also extends to the Golden Bay A&P Show, where he has showcased cows for an impressive 56 years. His involvement with the A&P Committee spans 40 years, culminating in a four-year term as President.

That steadfast dedication has rightfully earned him Life Memberships in both the Tākaka RFC and the Bay’s A&P Association.

Wayne’s community service also extends beyond sports and agriculture. He dedicated five years to the Golden Bay Rec Centre committee, serving as Council Chair for four years. Additionally, he contributed three years to the Rec Park Grounds Committee, ensuring the upkeep of vital community spaces.

In the rural sector, his influence is equally profound. As a member of the Nelson/Golden Bay Jersey Breeders Club for 47 years, including 26 as President and eight as Secretary.

Even today, Wayne is still actively involved in these committees, exemplifying his enduring commitment to the community.

As we continue our series of profiles on our Outstanding Community Service Award recipients, we meet Bainham native Keith Langford, an active member of the Collingwood community his entire life, embodying the spirit of service and dedication.

A cornerstone of Keith’s contributions lies in his role as a First Responder with the Collingwood First Response Unit under Hato Hone St John. Despite the demanding nature of this position, with only three First Responders available, Keith has consistently shown up, ready to help at a moment’s notice.

Balancing this responsibility with his work on a dairy farm is no small feat, which he couldn’t do without the unwavering support of his wife, Kristal.

Beyond his duties as a First Responder, Keith has also served as a valued member of the Golden Bay Area Committee, dedicating his time to the upkeep of Tākaka and Collingwood Stations from 2014 to 2021.

Belinda Barnes, representing Golden Bay St John, speaks highly of Keith’s dedication, describing him as a passionate individual who gives his all to St John.

Nominees say “His presence on the Collingwood First Response Unit is invaluable, demonstrating his commitment to the safety and well-being of the community.”

They say despite facing personal challenges, including a family member’s ongoing leukemia treatment, Keith Langford remains resolute in his commitment to serving the community.

“His unwavering dedication, even in the face of adversity, is a testament to his character.”

Photo courtesy of the Golden Bay Weekly

In the latest profile of Outstanding Community Service Award winners, we meet Nigel Jones.

Since setting foot in our community back in 1999, Nigel Jones has been weaving a tapestry of goodwill and dedication that’s left an indelible mark on Tasman. His journey reads like a playbook of community involvement.

Nigel’s love affair with rugby refereeing dates back to the ‘70s in the UK, a passion he’s continued to nurture here in Tasman. His commitment to the sport led him to become the Referee Education Officer with the Tasman Rugby Union, a role he took on full-time after bidding farewell to teaching in 2008.

In 2015, Nigel’s retirement didn’t signal a slowdown; instead, he embraced new avenues of community service. As Treasurer of the Hills Community Church in Māpua, his financial acumen has been a cornerstone of their operations.

But his impact doesn’t stop there –he’s also been a driving force at the Richmond Information Centre and an active member of the Richmond Lions.

In 2016, Nigel brought his warmth and wisdom to the Citizens Advice Bureau where he started as an interviewer. Today, as the Learning and Development Facilitator, he’s instrumental in shaping the skills and knowledge of volunteers, ensuring they can provide the best support to our community.

Nigel’s commitment to service extends far beyond the confines of his official roles.

In him, we find the embodiment of an outstanding volunteer – a beacon of generosity, always ready to give his time and energy to a myriad of causes.

A plan to pull back from a life of community involvement and retire to Māpua hasn’t quite gone to plan for two of the latest recipients of our Outstanding Community Service Awards.

“Back in the day” when Helen and Neville Bibby lived in Motueka, they were heavily involved in schools, church, Round Table, Soroptimists, the swimming club, fundraising events and school galas where Nev’s ghost tunnel was legendary!

The old saying, “It’s difficult to keep a good couple down” is proven by these two who planned a quieter retirement.

Rain or shine, Helen and Nev are there every week and are a driving force in the establishment of native trees on a block of land at Dominion Flats, at the entrance to Māpua.

Helen has been honoured with life membership of the Māpua and Districts Community Association following many years of contribution. She chaired it for three years and was deputy chair for another two.

Together they’re involved in “The Spring Fling” annual gathering at the Waterfront Park and were instrumental in getting an ATM installed in Māpua as well as being part of a community seating project.

Nev and Helen volunteered in response to the 2018 cyclone flooding cleanup. They were actively involved in setting up the Māpua Community Choir, and while Helen belongs to the local Art Society, Neville helps with the restoration of Founders Heritage Park’s train.

It seems their “quiet” retirement hasn’t quite worked and being active and deeply involved in their community is obviously just who they are!

Chances are that if there’s been a major fire in the region in the past 50 years, one of our Outstanding Community Award winners will have been there to help fight the flames.

As we continue our series of meeting our community’s unsung heroes, we meet Ron Heal.

Ron’s connection with the Motueka Volunteer Fire Brigade, as it was known then, began in 1970 and since then he’s been on the crew tackling fires across the region.

The bigger jobs include the fire at Māpua Chemical Works in the 70s, the Majestic Theatre in 1996, and the massive fire 20 years ago in buildings on High Street opposite the fire station where the flames were so big, they struggled to get the fire appliance out.

Ron has also spent five years on the committee of St John when the new station was built in Courtney Street and the new shuttle van was bought with fundraised money.

Sarah Amyes nominated Ron for his award and reckons his ability to show leadership and professionalism is why he is such a deserving person for it.

She says he’s a very humble guy who will always go the extra mile for anyone in need.

“Living in a small rural town like Motueka you will find it pretty hard to go past someone who doesn’t know or hasn’t heard of Ron, and they will speak so very highly of the type of man he is.”

Sarah says Ron Heal is a truly valued member of our community.

Congratulations to one of Motueka’s good sports, George Sturgeon, who is a recipient of an Outstanding Community Service Award.

The list of George Sturgeon’s commitment to rugby in Nelson Bays is impressive.

He’s coached the Golden Bay Motueka under 52kg Rugby Football Team since 1996 while also taking on the team’s fundraising for uniforms, game kits and all other needs.

George started playing rugby at Riwaka when he was about seven and played for the Riwaka Club until 1972.

For five seasons from 1973, George fronted for Huia Rugby Football Club before returning to the blue and white jersey of Riwaka for another couple of seasons.

In 1982, he coached six seasons with Nelson Bays Country before taking over the Nelson Bays representative side until the early 90s, including coaching a combined Nelson Bays/Marlborough Team and playing for Scotland.

In 2002, George became Chairperson of Goodsports Motueka, a position he still holds and has had a strong hand in the super rugby games at Motueka when the Crusaders faced the Hurricanes, Auckland Blues and Highlanders.

George was born and raised in Riwaka and did a diesel mechanic apprenticeship before opening his own farm mechanic business in Motueka, where he employs four-six mechanics.

The office is administered by his wife Dee and together they have clocked up 40 years in the business.

Sheila Budgen from Motueka has been a much-loved volunteer crew member on the Spirit of Adventure Trust’s youth development sailing ship the Spirit of New Zealand for more than 25 years, amassing more than 1000 days at sea.

She’s affectionately known as Grandma and is regarded as a safe person to talk to onboard the ship.

Coaxing and encouraging even the most disengaged teens to connect with the programme, Sheila has helped many young people, from all sorts of backgrounds, steer towards a positive future after a life-changing voyage on the Spirit of New Zealand.

Shiela even jumps into the ocean with the teens at 6 o’clock in the morning year-round for the mandatory resilience-building swim.

However, for Sheila/Grandma, it isn’t just the fun parts of the trips away that she gives up her time for, she’s also helped with refits of the old sailing vessel, helping with all the yucky jobs.

Back at home, she helps raise funds locally to help youth from the Tasman area access the trip of a lifetime.