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City to honour six top citizensManawatu Standard Wednesday, 17 September 2008 Six outstanding Palmerston North people will be awarded the city's highest honour on September 30. City council civic awards will be given to Ian Cruden, Roni Fitzmaurice, Merv Hancock, George Hills, Norman Pearce and Warren Smith, at a public ceremony at the Palmerston North Convention Centre, starting 5.30pm. Their work has enriched the community. Highbury champion and former city councillor Ian Cruden has devoted himself to voluntary groups for many years. Palmerston North Neighbourhood Support, Prisoners Aid and Rehabilitation Society, the Palmerston North Safe City group, Palmerston North Rotary, the Manawatu Multiple Sclerosis Society and the College Old Boys' Rugby Club have all benefited from his energy and enthusiasm. He chairs the Highbury Focus Group, the Highbury Youth Transition Club and the Highbury Whanau group where he provides leadership and guidance. Roni Fitzmaurice has given nearly 30 years of voluntary service to Palmerston North. A former city councillor and Horizons Regional councillor, she has been an active member of Project Waitangi, the Workers Education Association of which she was president for over 10 years and a member of the UCOL Community Education Advisory Committee. She has worked with the Sisters of the Good Shepherd and is currently Birthright Central's president. Other involvements include the National Council of Women, the Labour Party Electorate Committee and the New Zealand Migrant Society. Merv Hancock is recognised in Palmerston North as a person of vision, conviction and courage. A former city councillor, a steering committee member of Methodist Social Services, a keen history student and an expert in social work, marriage guidance and community affairs. He played a significant role in bringing the International Pacific College to the city. He established the first major university-based social work degree in New Zealand and is regarded as one of the profession's founding fathers. George Hills has been dedicated to two major community groups - the Justices of the Peace and the Lions Club of Palmerston North. His involvement with Lions began more than 40 years ago and he has seen service as district governor, president, zone chairman and chair of the Overseas Aid Committee for the district. He has given 30 years to the Central Districts' Justices of the Peace and has been president of their association. He was also city council Takaro ward committee chairman. Norm Pearce's contribution can be seen through his involvement in St Mary's Parish, Meals on Wheels, Ozanam House, The Pregnancy Centre and as a Justice of the Peace. He has delivered Meals on Wheels for the Red Cross. He has worked as a volunteer at Ozanam House for 18 years keeping the gardens tidy and, since the establishment of the Pregnancy Centre, he has offered practical support and encouragement to the team of volunteer helpers. The mark Warren Smith has made on the city extends from scouting to Abbeyfield. He has been a volunteer driver for In Your Community (IHC), a board member and a volunteer for CCS, and was a foundation member of the Lions Club of Fitzherbert, holding such positions as president, secretary and zone chairman. He has also been busy for the Stroke Foundation for more than 20 years. The selection panel was Mayor Jono Naylor, councillors Lew Findlay, Jan Barnett and Annette Nixon, and Palmerston North Rotary Club president Stu Schwartz, National Council of Women Manawatu president Doreen Creamer and District Court Judge Gregory Ross. From http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatustandard/4695843a6502.html |
