ANZAC Lane Sub-Committee

The ANZAC Lane Sub-committee, together with Peter Bond, have made a profound voluntary contribution to the Waikirikiri Selwyn district by establishing Kirwee’s first permanent war memorial and organising the town’s inaugural ANZAC Day service. Recognising that Kirwee lacked a dedicated place to honour its veterans, the group committed themselves to ensuring local servicemen and women were remembered in a meaningful and lasting way. Their work has provided a sense of identity, pride, and connection to the past for Kirwee residents. By creating a space of remembrance, they’ve brought the community together in reflection and recognition of shared history. The memorial has already become a significant site for gatherings and commemorations.

Bellyful Selwyn

Bellyful Selwyn is a volunteer-led charity nourishing whānau and connecting communities by delivering free home-style meals to families with babies or young children who are without a support network. In 2024, we delivered 1,603 meals to 218 Selwyn families, many of whom were experiencing isolation, stress, illness, or the early days of parenthood. Our support is offered without judgement, financial criteria, or barriers - just practical care delivered with aroha. We know this makes a meaningful difference in our community. National recipient surveys show: 96% of families felt cared for, 93% experienced stress relief when they needed it most, 91% felt less alone because of Bellyful’s support.

Darfield Toy Library

Our toy library committee is creating meaningful, lasting change in the community by promoting access, inclusion, and sustainability through play. By providing families with affordable access to quality toys, we support early childhood development, encourage social interaction, and reduce financial stress for parents and caregivers. We’re helping children learn, grow, and thrive—regardless of their background—while also reducing waste by promoting the sharing and reuse of toys. Through our volunteer-driven efforts, we foster a sense of connection and cooperation, making our community stronger, more compassionate, and more united.

Ian Warren

We are nominating Ian for this award in recognition of his many years of outstanding voluntary service to health in Waikirikiri Selwyn. In 1993, in response to community concern, a committee was formed to determine how home nursing services in Malvern should be managed. This led to the establishment of the Malvern Health and Community Welfare Trust in June 1994. The aim of the Trust was to promote, advance or encourage welfare of individuals throughout the Malvern area, particularly by way of ensuring provision and co-ordination of District Nursing services. In 2013, the Malvern Home Nursing Trust, which had been financing home nursing at night and weekends, was assimilated into the Malvern Health and Community Welfare Trust, providing a very strong entity to facilitate home nursing care. Ian Warren was part of the initial community committee in 1993, and with four others, established the Malvern Health and Community Welfare Trust in 1994. Ian served as Chairman of the Trust from it’s inception until stepping down after 24 years in 2018, remaining on as a Trustee to support the incoming Chair.

Archna Tandon

For over 30 years, Archna Tandon has made an outstanding voluntary contribution to the Waikirikiri Selwyn district, enriching community life through tireless service, cultural leadership, and a deep commitment to inclusion and wellbeing. As Chair of the Canterbury Indian Women Group Trust and Women Affairs Chair of the Bhartiya Samaj Canterbury Trust, she has played a pivotal role in organizing flagship events like Selwyn Diwali and CultureFest. These vibrant celebrations of multiculturalism—attended by over 12,000 people annually—showcase diverse art, music, dance, and cuisine, fostering unity and pride among communities. Archna’s initiatives extend beyond cultural celebration. She has championed women’s empowerment and community wellbeing through health seminars, self-defence courses, Bollywood Dance Fitness classes, and cross-cultural parenting, family violence and child harm workshops. Her work creates safe, expressive spaces for women and youth, encouraging mental, physical, and social wellbeing. In times of crisis, including the Selwyn and Christchurch earthquakes and COVID-19, Archna contributed to relief and support efforts. She also serves as a Justice of the Peace, a Registered Marriage Celebrant, and a White Ribbon Ambassador, advocating against domestic violence and for community resilience.

Ashu Singh

As the owner of Clean Globe Limited, I’m proud to support our community not only through business but also through voluntary efforts. We regularly provide complimentary cleaning services to non-profit organisations, allowing them to focus on supporting youth, families, and vulnerable individuals. We also donate a percentage of our annual profit to help them. Clean Globe proudly sponsors student activities at local schools, believing that investing in young people builds stronger, more connected communities. Our efforts are driven by a genuine desire to improve lives. A clean, safe environment supports dignity and wellbeing, and every act of service reflects our commitment to making a positive difference. I would be honoured for Clean Globe to be considered for the Community Volunteer Award. This recognition would affirm our work and highlight the important role businesses can play in uplifting their communities and inspiring others to give back.

CentreStage Rolleston

CentreStage Rolleston was established to bring high-quality theatre experiences to the people of Rolleston and the wider Selwyn District — right on their doorstep. At the core of our organisation is a passionate team of volunteers, including our executive committee. Every production is driven by individuals who generously give their time, energy, and talent. A phrase often heard backstage or in the workshop is, “I’ve found my people.” That sense of belonging reflects what CentreStage Rolleston is truly about. We believe our work strengthens community bonds by offering an inclusive, supportive space where people of all backgrounds come together to create something meaningful. Each show requires thousands of volunteer hours — from planning, directing, choreography, and musical direction to set construction, costume creation, technical setup, rehearsals, front-of-house roles, and logistics. There is truly a place for everyone, and each person’s contribution, no matter how big or small, helps bring our productions to life. Our volunteers range from primary school children to retirees, fostering rich intergenerational connections. People come together not just to put on a show, but to learn from one another, form lasting friendships, and grow their confidence and skills.

Carolyn Green

I am the Unit Commander and founder of Selwyn Cadet Unit. We are part of the New Zealand Cadet Forces and our aims are to develop confident and self disciplined leaders of tomorrow and to encourage service to our community. I saw that there was a lack of this type of youth opportunity in the Selwyn District so I created Selwyn Cadet Unit to enable us to provide it for the teenagers of Selwyn. This has involved setting up a unit from nothing, including finding staff, somewhere to meet, and developing training for cadets. This has required a high time commitment to get everything set up in my spare time. This has allowed the teenagers of Selwyn to join the NZCF and all the opportunities it brings without having to travel to Christchurch.

Douglas Skinner

Each year Doug would let Ellesmere Food Bank go in behind the spud harvester and glean those not suited for market. Each week of spuds in season we would be able to give 120 20kg bags to the Canterbury Food Bank Association. Doug would supply bags and let us use his truck to get the spuds off the paddock. Doug came on the committee. Was a big help keeping us going in the right direction. Doug has good skills from the business side of things. Doug has been on the trust since we had to form it, as a trustee, committee member and friend. The food bank puts out over 4,000 boxes of food each year. Without dedicated people like Doug ,the vulnerable people in our community would be falling through the cracks.

Holly and Luke Bain

Holly and Luke are a passionate young husband and wife dedicated to making a positive impact in the rural community of Dunsandel, particularly among the youth. With limited recreational options available—such as seasonal rugby, tennis, and netball clubs, some youth don’t have the interest in playing sport—they recognised a need to engage young people in meaningful activities that are not drawn to sport. Drawing from their own experiences as members of the Dunsandel Fire Brigade, they launched a cadet program in 2020 focused on teaching children fire safety. Their goal is to inspire the next generation to one day join the Dunsandel Fire Brigade, addressing ongoing challenges in volunteer recruitment. As committed mentors, Holly and Luke have been running this cadet program for 5 years, offering much more than just training—they provide guidance, structure, and a positive example for local youth. This is especially significant for children who may lack role models in their lives. Holly's background includes growing up in the Pleasant Point Brigade, influenced by her dads' service, while Luke began his firefighting journey in Dunoon, NSW Australia with the Rural Fire Service. Their deep-rooted connection to the fire service fuels their dedication and shapes their vision for the program

Indermohan Kaur Singla

As a person on a mission and as a catalyst, I have been giving back to community by offering free professional support. Being a person with ethnic background, I stand by Indian migrant community and be their voice. I established Nimaan A Humble Voice Charitable Trust in response to the unique challenges faced by newcomers—such as cultural isolation, lack of local knowledge, and barriers to employment. Through Nimaan, I have developed and delivered free, culturally tailored programmes in Work Readiness, Cultural Orientation, and Self-Empowerment. These initiatives support individuals and whānau to navigate their new environment with confidence, connect with local services, and build a sense of belonging. I also create accessible, culturally supported resources and help connecting new migrants with wider community while promoting inclusion and wellbeing.

The Lincoln University Muslim Assocation’s (LUMA)

The Lincoln University Muslim Assocation’s (LUMA) outstanding voluntary contribution to the local Selwyn Muslim community has been growing over the past few years. As current students at Lincoln University LUMA have gone above and beyond in their organising and hosting a range of significant Muslim cultural and religious events on campus for students, alumni, whānau and local Selwyn community. LUMA should be considered for this award as they are actively contributing towards creating a more culturally welcoming and diverse Selwyn district.

Lisa Paget

I am the founder and co ordinator of NICU Cuddle Hearts. We provide parents up in our Christchurch NICU with cuddle heart packs to help them through one of their toughest journeys. The cuddle hearts help to promote bonding with parents, with mums milk supply, nurturing and brain development, comfort, the sense of smell is one of a newborns first senes so having a cuddle hearts close to them that mum has worn against her skin for the day gives babies comfort and helps them settle. My main reason for being considered for the award is to get the word out there as this is something I’m so passionate about and it’s hard to get known and to get help. It’s not for me to feel good but to be heard and hopefully get more folks onboard to help.

Stu Rooney

For several years, Stu has been a key part of growing and running the junior cricket programme, helping to create a fun, supportive, and welcoming space for kids and families across the Waikirikiri Selwyn district. Stu goes above and beyond each season. He organises teams, manages registrations, plans draws, helps with coaching, and supports both parents and volunteers. He also mentors young players, encouraging teamwork, confidence, and a love for the game. His dedication ensures every child, no matter their background or ability, gets a fair chance to play and enjoy cricket. Behind the scenes, Stu spends many hours keeping things running smoothly—attending meetings, managing gear, and working with Canterbury Country Cricket. Thanks to his leadership, the junior club has grown stronger and more connected to the community. Stu’s efforts often go unnoticed, but they make a big impact. He helps build not only better players, but also better people. He truly represents the spirit of community sport and the value of volunteering.

Boat Creek Restoration Project

The Boat Creek Reserve restoration project is an exceptional example of what can be achieved when a community unites behind a shared vision. Over the past five years, this volunteer-led group has restored a culturally and ecologically significant waterway at Rakaia Huts, transforming it from a flood-damaged, weed-choked reserve into a thriving sanctuary for native wildlife and a valued community reserve. With more than 5,500 hours of unpaid work, the group has removed invasive weeds, restored natural water flow, and planted over 12,000 eco-sourced natives. Their work has revitalised fish spawning grounds, improved water quality, and reconnected people to nature through walking tracks and open spaces. But the true achievement goes deeper — the project has strengthened community pride, inspired environmental stewardship, and created a lasting legacy for future generations. Local whānau, volunteers, businesses, and environmental experts have come together, each playing a part in the long-term care of the reserve.

Darryl Smith

Darryl Smith has been a voluntary firefighter for over 25 years, n the Coalgate Fire brigade. He has been part of the Coalgate Township Committee ( now the Residents Committee) for over 20 years. In this capacity he has always been a strong advocate for the rural communitees, especially Coalgate. He gives of his time as a voluntary firefighter and on the Residents committee. He absolutely deserves to be recognised for his outstanding many years contribution to the community.

Fonterra

Fonterra Darfield has been an integral part of the Selwyn community since 2013, consistently contributing to the well-being of its residents. Fonterra’s support includes delivering food boxes to elderly residents living alone in Darfield, supplying dairy nutrition to local food banks through collaborations with community and national partners, and engaging with local high schools on educational and wellness initiatives. These efforts have significantly improved the quality of life for many residents by providing essential nutrition and fostering a sense of community support and connection. Selwyn is an important district for Fonterra as it is where our Darfield site is located, as well our Farm Source store in Leeston and many farmers are based in Selwyn

Gregory Godsmark

An ex NZ soldier who lives in Rollerston. Since leaving the army well over 20 years ago Greg has made a consistant effort to keep an eye out for many ex soldiers who live with in the Selwyn region. Many had long careers and struggled to settle into civilian life so he has gone to great lengths to make contact and keep in touch with so many who have struggled with loneliness, PTSD, etc.

Jaspreet Grewal

My name is Jaspreet, I am JP and mom of 2 under 3 years , helping our community as a volunteer .

Jym Findlay

For nearly 30 years, Jym Findlay has been a cornerstone of junior football in the Selwyn district. Through his leadership of Selwyn United’s First Kicks and Fun Football programmes, Jym has created a welcoming, inclusive and positive sporting environment for thousands of children aged 4 to 10. His efforts have given generations of families a place to connect, grow, and be active together. Jym’s voluntary commitment goes well beyond coaching. He organises more than 700 players across 77 teams, maintains detailed records, personally washes and checks every uniform, and sorts team groupings to ensure children feel confident and connected. His work ensures that each child, regardless of ability, has a fun and safe experience. In doing so, he has helped improve wellbeing, social connection, and community pride in one of the fastest-growing districts in New Zealand. Jym’s decision to stay involved long after his own son stopped playing shows his deep-rooted belief in giving back

Pauline Noonan

Pauline Noonan is a truly outstanding Volunteer, donating hours of professional accounting service to assist the smooth running and effortless administration provided by the Lincoln & District Community Care organisation in Lincoln. This outstanding effort spans 13 years and covers all related accounting, audits, banking, reports, meetings, presentations and responsibilities, associated with the Community Care Board’s financial role. Pauline is an exceptional asset in Selwyn, tirelessly grasping present day requirements and taking ownership of the delivery of these requirements while always drawing in the skills of Volunteers and appreciating their efforts.

Rolleston Community Patrol

Rolleston Community Patrol has over 42 volunteer patrollers & support people. Every single patroller donates their time to help keep our community safer by acting as extra eyes and ears for our local Police and deterring would-be trouble makers. We would like to be considered for this award as the work we do often goes unnoticed as our patrols are usually after dark when everyone else is tucked up at home. Our patrollers are dedicated to their community and passionate about making this a safer place to live by giving back.

Rolleston Toy Library

Rolleston Toy Library has been an invaluable asset to the Waikirikiri Selwyn district, improving the quality of life for local families. As a community-driven initiative, it offers a unique and affordable service that allows families to borrow a wide range of educational and recreational toys for children. This not only promotes cognitive and social development in children but also eases the financial burden on parents, particularly those with multiple children, by providing access to a variety of toys without the need for constant purchasing. The Toy Library’s outreach extends beyond simply lending toys. It fosters a sense of community by organising events and activities, bringing families together, and promoting social inclusion. Volunteers play a crucial role, dedicating their time to maintaining the toy collection, organising events, and ensuring the library is a welcoming space for everyone. Additionally, the library supports sustainability by encouraging the reuse and sharing of toys, which reduces waste and promotes a more environmentally conscious community.

Selwyn Lions Club

The Selwyn Lions Club is a not-for-profit club that has been providing supports for individuals and groups in the Waikirikiri Selwyn district for over 30 years. The clubs 23 members are all ages, from all walks of life sharing a common goal – to make a positive difference in the lives of others. We work together on numerous projects and activities raising funds to support groups and individuals within Selwyn as well as providing support for events within the community. 100% of profits generated are returned to the community. The donations we provide benefit the lives of recipients by supporting them to participate in local, national and international activities, enabling access to financial support and help that they may not otherwise be able to afford. In the year ending June 30th 2024 our Donations were in excess of $21,000.

Sian Crowley

As an environmental educator and founder of The Seed Pod, I’m passionate about creating lasting, positive change by helping people connect deeply with nature. Through free educational resources, storytelling, and community engagement, I work to spark curiosity and inspire kaitiakitanga especially among our young people. My work supports teachers, whānau and learners by making environmental learning accessible, creative, engaging and empowering. I create nature-based learning resources that holistically span the curriculum and support schools and community groups to build their confidence in delivering hands-on education in the outdoors. I also collaborate with others to strengthen environmental education impacts across Aotearoa- working with artists, educators, and local organisations to design programmes and opportunities that celebrate our connection to place, highlight local biodiversity, and nurture a culture of kaitiakitanga. My work is guided by the belief that when people understand and care for nature, they’re more likely to protect it. By empowering the next generation with the knowledge, tools and wonder to take action, I’m contributing to a legacy of environmental awareness, resilience, and community connection.

Tracey Wilson

Tracey Wilson has been a dedicated volunteer with the Selwyn Hawks Basketball Club for several years, initially as a supportive parent before officially joining the committee in 2022. Since then, she has served as head coach for the girls’ under-16 teams from 2023, and as Club Captain in 2024 and 2025—all in a voluntary capacity. Tracey played a key role in developing the club’s Mission, Vision, and Values, with the vision being “to inspire continuous improvement, growth, and meaningful connections on and off the court through basketball.” She lives and breathes this vision through her daily work with the club and wider community. A passionate advocate for the girls’ space, Tracey ensures there are tailored, inclusive opportunities for both players and coaches to grow. In her role as Club Captain, she actively supports players, coaches, and managers to enjoy meaningful and positive experiences in sport, contributing to a thriving basketball community. Tracey balances all this with her full-time job, yet continues to lead with energy and compassion. She organises, communicates, coaches, and delivers programmes that ensure everyone with an interest in basketball in Selwyn feels they have a place to belong. She is a trusted, knowledgeable, and passionate resource whom committee members, coaches, and development officers rely on.

Tracy Mangels

My voluntary contribution has mainly been through coaching and managing sport in the Selwyn district, helping young athletes to achieve their goals, to develop their skills and ensure they are receiving a quality coaching experience, has been my goal and my motivation. I have been a club netball coach for the past Eleven years and at the same time a Selwyn Netball Centre Representative coach for the past Four years. In 2024, I was awarded the Sport Canterbury Community Coach of the Year Award, this is awarded to a community coach who shows evidence of success, creates a positive culture and/or encourages fair play and commitment to their chosen code. Sport is vital for young people's physical and mental well-being, it fosters social skills and life lessons, promotes a healthy lifestyle and therefore improving the quality of life for people. It provides opportunities for teamwork, leadership, and resilience and importantly sport participation can connect young people with their community and fosters a sense of belonging. I would like to be considered for this award to inspire others to become involved within their local groups/clubs. Winning this award would also inspire me to continue pushing for excellence and to push my boundaries further. It would be a wonderful acknowledgment of my dedication and commitment within the Selwyn district thus far.

Port Hills Polo Club

The Port Hills Polo Club was founded in 1999, the club was established by a group of passionate individuals who shared a common goal - to provide young players with the opportunity to develop their skills and participate in polo tournaments.The Club runs several tournaments during the Summer Polo Season with one being a highlight of the calendar- A Day at the Polo. This is a charity event to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House. The club has supported this charity for 20 years providing a spectacular setting along with exciting quality polo games for the crowds to enjoy. The Club members spend many hours getting the grounds ready along with providing entertainment for the crowd who are all there to raise funds for a charity that provides a home away from home for families when children are sick and require long term support. This service has seen many families from Selwyn benefit from the Ronald McDonald House Charity throughout New Zealand.

Ross Meder

Ross is deserving of this award because of his contribution to our community, not only in Darfield but throughout Selwyn. He gives his time as a Hato Hone St John Emergency Medical Technician, trainer, Volunteer Group Coordinator and holds the Property Portfolio on the Selwyn Hato Hone St John Area Committee. He has also contributed as an Oxford Search and Rescue team member and with Constable P Lynch set up Search and Rescue in Darfield to cover the Selwyn area, (no longer serving in that role), Mountain Safety Council Chairperson and Executive Member, Malvern Lions Youth Committee member and soon to be Vice President and a member of the Trinity Church Oversight Committee.