Masterton District Council Civic and Youth Awards winners with Masterton councillors and Mayor Lyn Patterson. PHOTO/BRITT LEVERIDGE
Masterton people were celebrated for their voluntary contributions on Monday night.
The 2020 Masterton District Council Civic and Youth Awards recognise outstanding service to the community by groups and individuals.
Mayor Lyn Patterson said the work of those receiving awards reflected the quote by civil rights leader Coretta Scott King, who said “the greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members”.
“We have a great community here in Masterton,” Patterson said.
“At the end of the day, it’s the hardworking, passionate, and compassionate people within our community that make Masterton a place that people are proud of, want to celebrate, and where they want to raise their families.”
More than 100 people attended the event to celebrate the contributions of others in the community.
Arts and Culture category winner Amelia Friedrich was honoured for her work with the Wairarapa Filipino Society.
After receiving her award, she performed with the Filipino cultural group at the event.
The Civic Awards recognised the efforts of nine people, and the Youth Awards honoured seven people and two groups.
Award winners
Community category: Jan Burns and Bill Roberts
Arts and Culture category: Amelia Friedrich
Education category: Dr Claire Hills
Community, Education, Heritage and Environment, Sport and Leisure, and International Relations categories: Jonathan Hooker
Community, and Health and Well-being categories: Sam Milligan
Heritage and Environment Category: Karen Stewart
Community category: Lyn Tankersley
Community category: Linda Wong
Youth Awards and Individual awards: Alex Dahlberg, Carys Gibbs, Ella Sims, Iraia Matthews, Jethro Ornejas, Manaia Riwai-Couch, Mei-Manaia Matiaha Warakihi
Group awards: Wairarapa Ki Uta Group – Francis Governor-Wiremu, Ngakita Matapuku, Te Reia Matiaha, and Wairoa Matthews, The Climate Warriors Group from Masterton Intermediate School – Hannah Davies, Sarah Fleming, and Ebony Wills.
Notice volunteers from the Masterton fire servce spending thousands of hous and risking their lifes don’t get a mention.