Eight ordinary people doing extraordinary things for the Waitaki community were recognised at the annual Citizens Awards held in the Oamaru Opera House yesterday afternoon.
The Waitaki District Council presented its 2014 Citizens Awards to June Blakey, Neville Cowles, Ethel Gray, Dawn Harrison, Les McCullough, Malcolm and Eileen McMillan and Peter Watson.
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher said it was a privilege to be able to recognise all of the effort Waitaki residents have put into the community over the years.
''[They] make our community a better place,'' he said.
''One thing is very clear ... their humility, the recognition they have for others who have been around them ... and their enjoyment - that's really important.''
Mrs Blakey's award was for uniting the community through theatre and performance, with the Oamaru Repertory Society since 1960, Musical Theatre Oamaru (formerly Oamaru Operatic Society) and the Oamaru Arts Council.
Mr Cowles received his award for his contribution to the community through music. He has played at the Anzac Day dawn service for the past 52 years, is an active member of the Oamaru Garrison Band and has been in the Operatic Society Orchestra since 1967.
Mrs Gray's award recognised her contribution in health, particularly in the Waitaki Valley.
She started Meals on Wheels in Oamaru and Kurow, started and ran an elderly day care centre in Oamaru, was chairwoman of Age Concern Waitaki, developed, co-ordinated and ran an exercise and falls prevention programme in Otematata and was manager and nurse at Whalan Lodge, in Kurow, for nine years.
Mrs Harrison was recognised for her commitment to the community through her charitable work with the Association of Anglican Women, St Mary's Church and later St Luke's Church.
She has volunteered for the Foodbank and works daily in the Christian Bookcentre and Save the Children.
Mr McCullough's award was for his hard work, dedication and commitment to rowing in Oamaru, building up the Oamaru Rowing Club.
He helped establish the gymnasium at the waterfront, served as president from 1998 to 2007 and was awarded life membership in 2008.
He was also a founding member of the Oamaru Round Table.
Mr and Mrs McMillan received a joint award recognising their work in the Lake Ohau Alpine Village and wider Ohau basin through their commitment to conservation and community and their ongoing hard work.
Mr Watson was recognised for his commitment to the community through St Vincent de Paul over the past 45 years.
He is the current president of St Vincent de Paul Conference Committee and has held a range of other positions in the community in bowls.
