Amid the hive of activity at the Waimate Sheep Dog Trial Club's annual trials yesterday was 79-year-old Alice Ponsonby - the matriarch of the cookshop.
Mrs Ponsonby, who moved to Waihao Downs 56 years ago, had no idea how long she had been involved with the trials - "I couldn't tell you, I just haven't a clue" - but it could span about 40 years.
Her service has been recognised with the impending awarding of a life membership - the club's only female life member.
Not that such recognition sat comfortably with the straight-talking community stalwart, who was quick to point out that it was a team effort in the cookshop and she did not know why she was singled out.
"I don't do it for the honour.
I just do it for the love of the community," she said.
Yesterday morning, Mrs Ponsonby arrived at the trials with a large platter of pikelets with cream topping and then busied herself in the kitchen. She refused to sit down, the other women said.
Being able to whip up a spread was nothing new for the mother of 11 - five sons and six daughters - who recalled having to have nine school lunches ready by 8am.
Originally from a farming background in the North Island, Mrs Ponsonby was used to rural life when she married and shifted south.
She got involved with helping at the dog trials when her sons became involved with the sport and she was invited to help in the cookshop.
Back then, it was hard work, as there were no electric jugs or fancy gadgets and hot water had to be boiled in a copper.
It was also quite a social event and being part of it was just part of being involved in a rural community.
"Now that's the only community thing that's going ... in the district. Everything else is petering out, a thing of the past."
The club's 100th trials continue today, and the club itself officially turns 100 next year. Mrs Ponsonby was pleased to see it continue, saying it brought the community together.
An interest in dogs had passed through the generations and her granddaughter Bridget Colvill (13) was running a huntaway today.
"It's all she wants to do," her mother, Clare, said.
Mrs Colvill, who ran a dog once at the trials and "failed miserably", was in the cookshop with her mother and there was plenty of good-natured banter.
