Mosgiel was the jewel in Dunedin's crown, retiring member Syd Brown told Mosgiel-Taieri Community Board members recently at his last meeting after serving 15 years on the board.
Cr Brown was one of several long-serving community board members to say their final farewells at meetings.
The Mosgiel-Taieri board farewelled retiring members Barry Barbour (nine years), Cr Brown, Sandra Wilson (seven years) and Teresa Christie and Brian Miller (three years). Cr Brown said he was constantly amazed by how the Mosgiel community pulled together in times of need.
Mosgiel was the jewel in Dunedin's crown because it had held out negative growth in the city, he said.
When he came on to the board, Mosgiel's population was about 6000. Now he believed it was about 14,000, and it was easy to see the growth that had taken place.
It had been a great 15 years and he had enjoyed every moment, he said.
''I really want to thank the community that gave me the opportunity to serve Mosgiel. I grew up here and have business here and am only too happy to give back to the community for that.''
At the Saddle Hill Community Board's last meeting, 82-year-old Ernie Ball was thanked for his 12-year contribution to the community.
Cr Colin Weatherall, who served nearly 40 years on the community board and its predecessor, urged board members to fight for what they believed in.
''Fight for your community and make no apologies.''
Mat O'Connell, who is retiring after one term on the Strath-Taieri Community Board, was also acknowledged at that board's last meeting.
