At a function earlier this month, the Tuapeka Lawrence Community Company presented life-membership to Russell Brown.
The Tuapeka Lawrence Community Company was formed in 1990, with the intention of opening an information centre in the town and also helping with initiatives to promote the Lawrence areaCommunity Company chairman Peter Cummings said the life-membership was in recognition of ''exceptional service'' to the community company over 23 years.
Mr Brown was a founding member and became chairman in 1994.
''At that time the company was struggling for funding to pay staff to keep an information centre open. Various government grants were applied for to help pay staff at times and there were also up to 16 local volunteers who helped keep the information centre open.''
He said Mr Brown worked tirelessly over the next six years as chairman, guiding the company through its formative and difficult years.
When he stepped down as chairman, he maintained a guiding hand until recently, when he retired from the company.
A presentation was also made to Mr Brown's wife Ann, in appreciation her support and also for her contribution to the community over the years.
