Volunteers are part of the backbone of our community. Often unseen and unheralded, their work flies under the radar yet keeps Tasman the place we love.
Every year we get to celebrate these unsung heroes and their achievements.
The 2024 Outstanding Community Service Awards celebrate the actions of these wonderful people and were presented to four deserving recipients by Deputy Mayor Stuart Bryant earlier this month.
Brian Cargill’s roots run deep within the Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade. Over the past 40 years, there hasn’t been one single facet of the brigade’s activities Brian hasn’t been involved with.
For more than 20 years, David Burt has given his time and focus on projects in reserves and public spaces across Tasman. From helping to build many structures to helping with community plantings, David’s dedication has been recognised.
In Golden Bay, Sharon McConnon’s name is linked to so many community groups that we can’t list them all here, needless to say, she’s a highly worthy recipient of an Outstanding Community Service Award.
... And over the past 52 years, Derek Woodcock, or Woody as he’s known to the Motueka Community, has dedicated his life to the firefighting and emergency work in and around the town. Woody holds the brigade’s record for turning out to the highest number of emergencies.
Over the next few months in Newsline, we will profile each of these deserving people and highlight just how each one of them contributes to making Tasman a great place to live.
Annually
Nominations close on 31 August annually.
These are invited from the public. Nomination forms are available from all Council Offices and Libraries and give an outline of the type of information you need to include.
Outstanding Community Service Award Nomination Form.pdf (pdf 196 KB)
Nominees must be residents of Tasman District to qualify. They must have been involved in a range of voluntary activities that have benefited their community for 20 years or more. NOTE: Fire Service Personnel must have served 35 years to be eligible.
Outstanding Community Service Awards Guide (pdf 5.1 MB)
A committee comprising the Mayor and other members of Council meets to evaluate the nominees and their contributions. These awards are presented at a special ceremony with the Mayor.
For more information please contact us
In Golden Bay, the name Sharon McConnon is synonymous with dedication, generosity, and community spirit. Her contributions span so many local groups and initiatives that it’s nearly impossible to list them all!
Sharon’s journey in community service began when Hank Visker invited her to take on the role of Secretary for the Wrinklies Express. She stepped up with enthusiasm, handling the responsibilities with skill and efficiency.
As a parent, she threw herself into supporting Motupipi School, leading fundraising efforts and serving as ‘camp mother’ on school trips. Later, when her daughter took up football, Sharon was right there once again, helping with fundraising and going to away tournaments to cheer the team on. All of this while balancing full-time work.
Since 2012, Sharon has been the driving force behind Daffodil Day in Golden Bay, organising the event on behalf of the Cancer Society.
Her commitment to the community extends even further. In 2014, she became a Justice of the Peace, a role she carries out with patience and kindness.
More recently, her energy has been poured into the Golden Bay Squash Club, where as Secretary, she is playing a key role in organising the annual squash tournament.
Sharon McConnon’s tireless contributions make Golden Bay a better place. Her selfless efforts, warm heart, and can-do attitude embody the true spirit of community.
David has provided outstanding voluntary work for more than 21 years in the Richmond area.
He’s a long-term and keen member of Keep Richmond Beautiful, eagerly contributing to projects at Wills Gully and Battle for the Banded Rail working bees, planting indigenous species, removing old fence lines, releasing young plants from weedy competitors, building and maintaining tracks, and many other tasks.
David also volunteers independently, regularly walking the shoreline at Moturoa/Rabbit Island, collecting rubbish that washes onto the beach.
It’s his skilful design, careful construction and positioning of picnic tables, bench seats, signage, footbridges, and tracks that are most deserving of recognition. David is a skilled draftsman, capable carpenter, and conscientious project manager with a well-equipped home workshop.
David’s made or refurbished many park benches and more than 80 picnic tables, all carefully painted and protected against decay.
... And when you see “A project of Keep Richmond Beautiful” sign on any one of the dozens of park benches, picnic tables, footbridges and other structures in the Richmond area, they’ve probably been made by David Burt.
Congratulations, David!
Brian’s roots run deep in the Richmond Volunteer Fire Brigade and in the past 40 years there’s not one single facet of the brigade’s activities he hasn’t been involved with.
The list includes fatal car crashes, large fires such as Pigeon Valley to large-scale flooding events in which he spent many hours at the station, or in a truck.
Brian’s a popular team member and is responsible for looking after the life honorary members of the station.
His colleagues say he’s always available for questions from new brigade members or to help anyone through any situation, whether it’s how to use or set up equipment or check in on mental health if they’ve been through a difficult emergency callout.
Brian’s off-station training sessions at his small farm or his work site are legendary, often with very unusual twists which mean brigade members must think outside the square – these are highly valued by the station when they face real-life emergencies.
...and alongside all this, Brian Cargill works full time, tends to the fire station gardens, and then makes time to get away with his grandkids.
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