The Community Volunteering Award recognises the significant voluntary contribution an individual or group has made to improve the quality of life for people in the Selwyn district and enhance social wellbeing and connectedness.
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ELLESMERE COMBINED NETBALL CLUB
The Ellesmere Combined Netball committee members have been volunteering their time for the youth of Ellesmere since 2009. While individual committee members come and go, the committee has remained steadfast in its commitment to providing sporting opportunities to players ranging from Year 1 to Masters. Each new and returning member selflessly gives their time, often taking on more than one role and always going beyond their job description.
ELLESMERE BUSINESS AND PROMOTIONS
Ellesmere Business and Promotions (EBaP) aims to support businesses in and promote the Ellesmere area. They organise events which bring people into the district, support local businesses and allow local craftspeople to showcase their goods. In organising the events, EBaP provides income to community and volunteer groups (e.g. Ellesmere Lions, Leeston Fire Brigade, Ellesmere Scouts, and local churches) which allows them in turn to support the community. Events include the Leeston Fete (4000+ attendees) and the Leeston Santa Parade (2000+ attendees) which bring the community together, promote a strong community spirit, and cater to all ages in the community.
WEST MELTON COMMUNITY MARKET
The West Melton Community Market is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people in the Selwyn district. Project goals include creating a vibrant and diverse marketplace that offers locally grown and made products, and providing a place for the community to connect. The market aims to support local artisans and producers while promoting sustainable living and reducing the community’s carbon footprint. The West Melton Community Market organises a range of activities including community outreach programmes, fundraising initiatives, and promotional campaigns. The market also provides a space for local musicians and performers to showcase their talents and entertain visitors.
SELWYN CENTRAL COMMUNITY CARE TRUST
Many of the Selwyn Central Community Care Trust clients are no longer able to drive themselves to medical appointments. Their volunteer drivers will take people to doctor and hospital appointments rights across the city, and to also pick up their prescriptions. More recently, the service has expanded to include rehabilitation walks, gardening, shopping and housework. This allows the mainly elderly clients to maintain their independence and gives them confidence to be able to stay in their own homes.
PROACTIVE DRIVER YOUTH - YOUTH DRIVER EDUCATION TRUST
Proactive Drive Charitable Trust coordinates the Selwyn Community Driver Mentor Programme (CDMP) in the Selwyn District. The trust provides a coordinator and covers the running costs of the programme and vehicle. It has a group of voluntary mentors who are passionate about helping community members and have donated more than 600 hours in 2022 to people who are struggling or have barriers which are restricting them from getting their licence. Proactive Drive and its mentors are also focussed on improving road safety for everyone using Selwyn roads.
ST. JOHN SELWYN AREA COMMITTEE
The St. John Selwyn Area Committee is a group of dedicated volunteers who provide the governance, support, and direction to enable the core business and volunteer functions of St. John within the Selwyn district. In 2020, St. John Selwyn Area Committee was amalgamated to include Malvern and Ellesmere. This has meant significant improvements and streamlined processes. The Committee makes a significant contribution to improving the quality of life for Selwyn residents, through core activities including frontline ambulance services, caring caller programmes, youth programmes, opportunity shops, therapy pets and much more.
HAUNUI TRUST
The Haunui Trust is a charitable trust established with the objective of providing services for elderly people in the community through the operation of a retirement village made of 14 villas located in Darfield. Today, the Haunui Village consists of 14 villas as well as two other properties that provide safe, accessible homes for the elderly to live active and rich lives within their community. The Trust Board now comprises of seven local people with a diverse range of skills and is supported by three part-time staff.
JOSHUA FOUNDATION
The purpose of the Joshua Foundation is to provide specifically designed programs that target youth within the community. The Joshua Foundation programmes empower youth to become disciplined, resourceful, confident, and self-reliant with the emphasis placed upon fostering initiative, building self-esteem, and developing a personal self-belief. Joshua Foundation serves the community through outdoor therapy and leadership camps, to mentor young people to assume leadership roles within the community, youth groups and schools, and also supports financially, emotionally and educationally vulnerable and marginalised people.
TANIA FERNANDEZ
Tania is a mother to two young children who lives in West Melton and organises the local monthly market. Right from the start, the number of visitors has been strong, and it now attracts between 600-800 customers each month. Tania does not get paid for organising the market and surplus funds raised are donated to a deserving organisation or individual in the community as voted by market visitors. Tania is also a member of the Friends of the School (PTA) at West Melton Primary School, and as a family fosters dogs for Greyhounds as Pets (GAP).
CHRIS AND DIANNE WARD
After Chris’s prostate cancer diagnosis, he and Dianne knew there would be demand for a support group based in Selwyn. With support from the Prostate Cancer Foundation, they set up the group and in 2019 held their first meeting with 12 members. Since then, more than 150 people have contacted them. On average, 30 people attend each meeting, including partners. Their role involves organising and running the monthly meetings, arranging speakers, contacting and supporting members, and holding monthly coffee chats.
ROLLESTON HOPE OP SHOP
Rolleston Hope Op Shop is a group of 27 volunteers who help to keep the op shop open and running smoothly. The people who volunteer their time help keep prices low and items accessible for those in Selwyn District who are struggling financially. They also make the place warm and welcoming so people in need do not feel judged.
LINCOLN AND DISTRICTS COMMUNITY CARE ASSOCIATION INC.
Lincoln and Districts Community Care (LDCC) almost completely relies on its nearly 100 dedicated volunteers to help people who need care, and supports them to live with dignity and independence in the community to avoid social isolation. The services are primarily aimed at people of retirement age, people from overseas who need assistance, or people with mental illness and/or a physical disability. They have demonstrated a commitment over 45 years to improving the quality of life for individuals and families in the community through their diverse range of initiatives.
ROLLESTON ROTARY
Rolleston Rotary is passionate about making a positive impact. The group has actively sought out opportunities to contribute and support initiatives that improve the quality of life for residents in the Selwyn district. Their dedication and commitment are evident through our volunteer efforts and collaboration with local organisations, providing volunteers to several community events in Rolleston and the surrounding Selwyn district. Rolleston Rotary also identified the need for engaging activities for youth and made significant efforts to organise and promote events specifically tailored to suit them, reward their achievements, and providing them with opportunities.
TE AWHIORAKI MĀORI STUDENTS ASSOCIATION, LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
Te Awhioraki is the Māori students Association at Lincoln University. It has an executive committee that is charged with the voice for Māori tauira governance at all levels of the university, and they run social and connection activities for tauira. Te Awhioraki champions all cultures, advocates for tauira, and puts plans in place to provide support for tauira. Te Awhioraki is supporting the growth of Te Ao Māori on campus through initiatives that support the development of Te Reo Māori and help people on their cultural journey. An example of this is Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori 2022.
ROLLESTON TOY LIBRARY
The Rolleston Toy Library is solely run by our volunteer committee of eight mums who all enjoy playing a role in ensuring an affordable toy library service is available to the Selwyn community. This enables Selwyn tamariki to learn and develop through play with a wide variety of toys.
LISA PAGET
Lisa Paget has started a successful programme in the NICU at Christchurch Women's Hospital for babies/pēpi, after the loss of her niece Kohana in Queensland following a four month struggle. During this time, she saw how the NICU Cuddle Heart Programme worked for babies and their parents. Lisa told Kohana she would come home to NZ, and in her honour, try to get the same programme running here. It works by the mother and baby wearing a heart and at the end of the day swapping them over, so they have each other’s scent.
PARMINDER KAUR
Parminder volunteers as the chair of two organisations - The Women's Helping Hand Trust NZ and IndianNZ Association of Christchurch. Both organisations do work for communities in Selwyn. In Rolleston, The Women's Helping Hand Trust NZ organise free Bhangra classes for women and children for their wellbeing and development, and to stay physically fit. The IndianNZ Association of Christchurch organises Learning Communities HUB, in partnership with Ministry of Education, to provide opportunities for parents and families from ethnic backgrounds to be informed, empowered and confident supporters of their children's learning journeys.
PINOY C.A.R.E.S CANTERBURY, INC.
Pinoy C.A.R.E.S Canterbury is a pro-active, creative and committed group of volunteers originally from the Philippines. Their work includes fundraisers for families who have lost a loved one, raising awareness of COVID-19 campaigns, mental health, sports, immigration and employment, and advocating and collaborating with other ethnic communities.
Similar to the word “kiwi’ representing New Zealanders, Pinoy is a colloquial term meaning Filipino. The five letters C.A.R.E.S is an acronym for Culture, Arts, Religion/Recreation, Education/Events, Services/Sports; which their projects, events and programmes are based on.
THE LOCALS CLUB
The Locals Club goal is to bring back a community feel and connection with people. Their major projects have been the building of two school bus shelters in Sheffield and Waddington, and a native planting area at Judds Reserve in Waddington. In addition to this, they have hosted numerous events including a women’s wellness series, community dinners/picnics and charity fundraising events.
ABBEYFIELD ELLESMERE
Abbeyfield Ellesmere was designed to fulfil a need in the community for a not-for-profit facility to improve the quality of life for elderly and socially situated people in our community, in a safe and affordable environment. Retaining personal independence, offering companionship in a family environment, and a safe and secure home are their priorities. The Abbeyfield House was planned, project managed, fundraised, and now run by volunteers. It has 14 separate suites and a housekeeper’s flat to provide a warm, comfortable home for 15 people.
ROLLESTON RSA
The Rolleston RSA was initiated in February 2022 to support the considerable veteran community living and working in the greater Rolleston and Burnham areas of the Selwyn district. The RSA is run by a group of enthusiastic volunteers and is strongly supported by the local community.
DOWN BY THE LIFFEY GALLERY INCORPORATED SOCIETY
Down by the Liffey Gallery in Lincoln is the little gallery with a big heart, run by the community for the community. The gallery is staffed by a wonderful team of volunteers. Exhibitions showcase local and emerging artists and community events, largely drawn from the Selwyn district and surrounds. Without an incredible team of volunteers the Down by the Liffey Gallery would not exist. The original artists who formed the gallery have moved on, and new volunteers have stepped up including a committee of six. There is a team of 36 volunteers who undertake shifts in the gallery every month.
DUNCAN SOLE
Duncan has a small Selwyn business that promotes local music, and also sponsors/supports fundraising charities including the NZ Cancer Society, Ronald McDonald House and Cholmondeley House by providing entertainment. He is also the chair of the Selwyn Relay for Life committee, having been on the committee since 2010 and chair since 2016. In this time, they have raised about $400k-$500k for the NZ Cancer Society.
ANGELA MILNER
Angela is truly altruistic and a serial volunteer, dedicating her time to various projects in the community, be it those requiring help in an emergency, people affected by cancer, or special needs children. An inaugural member of the Selwyn Civil Defence Welfare Team, now the Selwyn Emergency Support Team, Angela has been integral as deputy team leader since the beginning. She has a keen interest in the development and welfare of children with special needs and is a Board of Trustee member for Waitaha Special School, where she has contributed significantly to the quality of life for children.
MONIKA RASTOGI
Food Art Science has volunteered at a number of events, whenever they have been approached or find the opportunity to help. These have included the Selwyn Time Bank where their members tasted Indian cooking; a volunteer cooking demonstration for the Lincoln Baptist Church sewing group and at Culture Fest; Diwali; Christchurch Vegan Society; and Christchurch Angels making food for sick people in need.
ROSE (ROSALIE) CRAVEN
Rose runs the Darfield Food Bank, attending to the needs of many people in the Malvern area. She also runs a free Op Shop onsite, plus a linen and curtain bank. All this is run from her property in Darfield.
DANA GEORGE
Dana started the Rolleston Hope Op Shop back in December 2021 after seeing the financial and emotional effects COVID-19 was having on friends, colleagues, and the general community. Times were tough for everyone, and Dana hired a shipping container and put all the excess items her family had in there for others to be able to access for a donation towards the container hire. Dana worked voluntarily for 35-50 hours a week for five months before being offered 20 hours a week employment.
ALEXANDER VANE
From the age of six, Alexander has shared his experience and how he goes about day-to-day challenges living with a rare and currently incurable condition. He has shared photos, talked with people, posted online, raised awareness and been the face of eosinophilic conditions as well as tube feeding locally, nationally and internationally. This has all been done while enduring 30 surgeries and multiple leading edge treatment trials. He has always been empathetic, humorous, courageous and a good friend to others.
SOPHIE WILLIAMS
Connect & Accept, by Sophie Williams, is an event that provided an opportunity to discover the support, services, products and sports/clubs targeted at people with disabilities. Disability-related organisations, charities, schools, and businesses each hosted a stall where attendees could interact and learn about what they do and what support they provide. There were guest speakers who engaged with attendees about disabilities, futures, education, opportunities and challenges. The event included a fun component made up of viewing vehicles and machinery, a mobile animal farm, outdoor activities and games, a sensory room and a tearoom.
JAYDE MAYBERRY
Jayde supports the Selwyn Sports Trust as a volunteer throughout the year at a number of events. The events give the local community the opportunity to participate in sport or physical activity. Two events in particularly are the Lake Crichton Duathlon series which runs over three days, and the Selwyn Running Festival. Jayde sits on the Expert Advisory Group for both events, assists on the day with set-up and delivery of the time keeping and runs a weekly running group in Malvern, called the Malvern Road Runners and Walkers.
JOHN MCCARTIN
John’s outstanding voluntary contribution to improve the quality of the lives of people in the Selwyn District and visitors to the area includes playing a role in creating the new infrastructure and maintenance of Osborne Park. Osborne Park is a 4ha. park situated at 489 Drain Road, Doyleston. John maintains the grounds and all the equipment, while continuing to support other groups in the Selwyn district and maintaining full time employment.
STACEY SKILL
Stacey has volunteered for Girl Guiding New Zealand for a total of 13 years. All of this has been in Selwyn with the Lincoln Guides Unit. Eight years ago, Stacey also started the Lincoln Ranger’s unit. Since moving to Glentunnel seven years ago, Stacey has been commuting to Lincoln each week to run the units as well as running a camp each term for each unit. Stacey has trained to be an abseiling and high rope instructor to facilitate and run these activities for members.
NORAFIZAH ABDUL RAHMAN
Lincoln University Muslim Association (LUMA) strives to support and look after Muslim students to support them to build relationships with other students and the Selwyn community and foster a sense of belonging. Ramadan and Eid celebrations are important for the Muslim community and are a time for everyone to get together. LUMA wanted to create this on a smaller scale here in Lincoln, as there are unique barriers that Muslim students face and it’s not always easy for them to connect with community when they are away from their home.
CHRIS ALLAN
Chris Allan is a dedicated person who is focused on helping marginalised, vulnerable, and underprivileged young people in the Selwyn district. When Chris was a teenager, he was given the opportunity to break his cycle of self-destruction, which saw him change his life and have a career in the NZDF for 42 years. Working with youth and mentoring, Chris is passionate about meeting young people and engaging, connecting, and relating with them to develop trust and journey through life's issues together.
TERRY HUTCHINSON
For many years, Terry has selflessly volunteered for Selwyn groups and organisations. This includes supporting firefighter welfare and operations and providing community education in fire education and smoke alarms; organising Senior Day Club to bring elderly and disabled residents together over a meal or afternoon tea; and working with Community Watch Patrol. As an ex-army officer, Terry still has an active role in the Malvern RSA organising the ANZAC service at the Darfield memorial and providing welfare support for RSA members. Terry is also the Fire Museum Curator and works effortlessly to keep the museum open to the public.