02-07-2025
Volunteers' efforts recognised
The efforts of community volunteers in the Port Chalmers and West Harbour areas were recognised last week through the annual West Harbour Community Awards.
About 30 people attended an awards ceremony at Port Chalmers Town Hall on June 24, receiving certificates and congratulations from Dunedin Mayor Jules Radich.
Presented by the West Harbour Community Board on behalf of the community, and co-organised by board deputy chair Kristina Goldsmith and board member Duncan Eddy, the awards aimed to celebrate those who made a difference in their community.
"These awards celebrate the contributions that unpaid, underpaid and largely unnoticed decent people make to the West Harbour area," Mr Eddy said.
"Good people who take some time to do something positive that makes a real difference."
Among those who received the awards in person on the night were generous West Harbour youngsters Ella-Rose, 10, and Henry, 8, Preece.
When the Port Chalmers Volunteer Fire Brigade's donation box, containing an estimated $200, was stolen from the counter at Port Chalmers Dairy, the pair sourced a new box online and replaced the stolen money from their own savings.
Anita Zainey accepted a community award on behalf of Koputai Foodshare, which turns Pioneer Hall in Port Chalmers into a food exchange every fortnight. The event, which is run in conjunction with KiwiHarvest and local food donors, aims to help those in need while reducing food waste.
Port Chalmers resident Stephen Stedman received a West Harbour Community Award for his activities in the music and community spheres. Mr Stedman is a member of the Flying Nun Foundation Board, and the Dunedin City Council's music advocacy panel, as well as being involved with the sea cadets. He also looks after the sound for Port Chalmers Anzac Day commemorations.
Ravensbourne resident Rachel Gibb received an award for her long-term efforts advocating for better controls and monitoring of the effects of the Ravensdown Fertiliser site on the wider Ravensbourne area and residents.
Ange Jones received an award for her work over many years as a caregiver — a tough and often undervalued job, and has made a big difference to the lives of older residents in
West Harbour.
The team at Otago Vacuum Tank Services received an award for swinging into action when the water pipeline between Dunedin and Port Chalmers was smashed by a slip at Maia during heavy rains last October. The team took water tankers to stricken communities, and were in the thick of the cleanup, using their pumping gear to help drained flooded residential properties in West Harbour.
Retired electrician Bruce Dunn, of Maia, received an award in absentia for his contribution to the community over decades — from coaching rugby to children in the 1980s to his support for local bowls. He was recently spotted cutting grass and pruning trees at the Rudolf Steiner School.
Kelsey Porter received an award in absentia for getting stuck in to remove graffiti at Long Beach caves. Having reported it to the Dunedin City Council, Ms Porter and some friends removed most of the graffiti themselves.
John Davis was recognised for his long service as secretary of the Aramoana League. Mr Davis stood down last year after 40 years of service.
