Essential efforts honoured

Comparing awards at the Defence Employer Support Awards ceremony yesterday are (from left) chief of army commendation recipient Major Kevin Weir, Fisher & Paykel employee Lieutenant-commander Rob Tomlinson and Fisher & Paykel product design manager Richard Butler, and chief of army Major-general Peter Kelly.

Fisher & Paykel won the Minister of Defence Award for Employer Excellence. Maj Weir’s commendation was for services to the New Zealand Cadet Forces.

Maj-Gen Kelly said the importance of the cadet forces and territorial forces to the country and the New Zealand Defence Force must not be understated.

The work of volunteers and employers was essential, he said.

The reserve forces were essential as were the employers, such as Fisher & Paykel, which allowed them to serve. 

"I’m grateful for the reserves who volunteer their weekends and time away from work, but I’m equally grateful to have the employers who support them."

Maj-Gen Kelly also praised the work of volunteers, such as Maj Weir, who made opportunities within the cadet forces possible.

"The cadets are really important ... they have such a strong tradition going back many years," he said.

The awards were presented at the Dunedin Club yesterday.