Press Release
On 4 August South Wairarapa District Council (SWDC) Mayor, Adrienne Staples presented the 2016 Civic Awards at the ANZAC Hall in Featherston.
The Civic Awards publicly recognise individuals and organisations that have made an outstanding contribution to the South Wairarapa and its people.
Mayor Staples says the awards are an important highlight on the districts calendar.
“We have so many amazing people in our district that work hard and often go unnoticed who create a more positive place for us all to live, work and play in. These awards are a way of saying thank you and acknowledging the dedication they have put into the work they do.”
The Finalists for the 2016 Civic Awards were Benedict van Woerkom, Hope Sexton, Dougal & Denise MacKenzie, Ron Hughes, Fabian Sinclair, John Gilberthorpe, Kuranui College Cast & Crew of ‘The Winter’s Tale’, John Gray, Dr Robert Francis Tuckett, David Winter, Patricia Hamilton and Julia Squire.
The category winners were Services to the Environment– Dougal and Denise MacDonald, Arts and Culture – John Gilberthorpe, Community Service – John Gray, Young Achiever – Benedict van Woerkom, Sport – Fabian Sinclair.
The Overall Civic Award was won by Dougal and Denise MacDonald. Dougal and Denise live at the southern end of the Western Lake in Featherston. At their own instigation 10 years ago, they started spraying and pulling weed on the spit to allow the native vegetation to grow and at the same time collected rubbish left by people travelling on the spit and brought in by the Cook Strait. Recognising that vehicles and walkers on the spit were interfering with the nesting birds, with the help of the Department of Conservation and the Greater Wellington Regional Council, the MacKenzie’s started a programme of plant restoration and fencing in 2010.
Mayor Staples commends the MacKenzie’s and their years of hard work with the environment.
“Doug and Denise have made a huge difference to our environment, at considerable personal cost and effort and are very deserving of this award.”
For more information contact enquiries@swdc.govt.nz
