Meet the nominees for the
Volunteer Recognition Event 2023

Grant Smith
Grant Smith
Whatunga Tūao | Volunteer Central
VRE 2023 Nominee
Danielle Westwood
Danielle Westwood
GirlGuiding New Zealand - Palmerston North & Feilding
VRE 2023 Nominee
Lisa Nielsen
Lisa Nielsen
GirlGuiding New Zealand - Palmerston North & Feilding
VRE 2023 Nominee
Feilding Health Shuttle Team
Feilding Health Shuttle Team
St John
VRE 2023 Nominee
Myra Shotton
Myra Shotton
Manawatu PARS
VRE 2023 Nominee
Margaret-Anne Cook
Margaret-Anne Cook
Manawatu PARS
VRE 2023 Nominee
Francelle Aitken
Francelle Aitken
English Language Partners, Palmerston North
VRE 2023 Nominee
Trevor Dearlove
Trevor Dearlove
English Language Partners, Palmerston North
VRE 2023 Nominee
Murray Matthews
Murray Matthews
Mash Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Tracey Greig and Harriet
Tracey Greig and Harriet
Mash Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Lisa Gilligan
Lisa Gilligan
Skills4Living
VRE 2023 Nominee
Peter Alve
Peter Alve
Age Concern Palmerston North & Districts
VRE 2023 Nominee
Barbara McGowan
Barbara McGowan
Skills4Living
VRE 2023 Nominee
Peter Curtis
Peter Curtis
Manawatū Blokart Club
VRE 2023 Nominee
Arron Schroder
Arron Schroder
Manawatū Blokart Club
VRE 2023 Nominee
PN Repair Café
PN Repair Café
Environment Network Manawatū (ENM)
VRE 2023 Nominee
Stewart Harrex
Stewart Harrex
Environment Network Manawatū (ENM)
VRE 2023 Nominee
Ryman Healthcare – Julia Wallace Retirement Village
Ryman Healthcare – Julia Wallace Retirement Village
The Ruahine Kiwi Project
VRE 2023 Nominee
Barbara Wills
Barbara Wills
Neighbourhood Support Manawatū
VRE 2023 Nominee
Dennis Dromgool
Dennis Dromgool
Palmerston North Community Patrol Charitable Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Richard Ramson
Richard Ramson
Hiwinui Community Committee
VRE 2023 Nominee
Esmee Rowden
Esmee Rowden
NZ Red Cross
VRE 2023 Nominee
Judie Campbell
Judie Campbell
NZ Red Cross
VRE 2023 Nominee
Kevin Cameron
Kevin Cameron
Palmerston North Community Patrol Charitable Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Kate Ngai
Kate Ngai
Manawatu Multicultural Council
VRE 2023 Nominee
Janetta Mandeno
Janetta Mandeno
Whatunga Tūao | Volunteer Central
VRE 2023 Nominee
Eris Newson
Eris Newson
Feilding and District Art Society
VRE 2023 Nominee
Robyn Parkinson
Robyn Parkinson
Feilding and District Art Society
VRE 2023 Nominee
Gaye Falkner
Gaye Falkner
Shannon Kai Hub
VRE 2023 Nominee
Lynette Metcalfe
Lynette Metcalfe
Shannon Kai Hub
VRE 2023 Nominee
Treva Wilson
Treva Wilson
Adult Day Club
VRE 2023 Nominee
Cameron Jenkins
Cameron Jenkins
Manawatu Lesbian and Gay Rights Association
VRE 2023 Nominee
Skye Shaddix
Skye Shaddix
Manawatu Lesbian and Gay Rights Association
VRE 2023 Nominee
Sheena Kirkup
Sheena Kirkup
Settlers Care Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Pat Debney
Pat Debney
Digits
VRE 2023 Nominee
Gay Martin
Gay Martin
The Feilding District Rose Society and Garden Club
VRE 2023 Nominee
Whatunga Tūao | Volunteer Central
Whatunga Tūao | Volunteer Central
Mash Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Bryan Procter
Bryan Procter
Rongotea Community Committee
VRE 2023 Nominee
Henry Wheeler
Henry Wheeler
Rongotea Community Committee
VRE 2023 Nominee
Phil Lamond
Phil Lamond
Senior Hub Feilding
VRE 2023 Nominee
Paul Gwynne
Paul Gwynne
Digits
VRE 2023 Nominee
Lynne Ascroft
Lynne Ascroft
Palmerston North Street Van Inc.
VRE 2023 Nominee
Adele Rostami
Adele Rostami
MentorEd
VRE 2023 Nominee
Sharon Williams
Sharon Williams
MentorEd
VRE 2023 Nominee
Hazel Mulligan
Hazel Mulligan
32 SQN (Borough of Feilding) Air Training Corps
VRE 2023 Nominee
Folole Muliaga
Folole Muliaga
Amanaki STEM Academy
VRE 2023 Nominee
Mary West
Mary West
Settlers Care Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Dave Grant
Dave Grant
Horowhenua Kai Club
VRE 2023 Nominee
Kathriona Benvie
Kathriona Benvie
SuperGrans Manawatū
VRE 2023 Nominee
The Ashhurst River Church
The Ashhurst River Church
Age Concern PN and District
VRE 2023 Nominee
Allan Welch
Allan Welch
SPELADD NZ Inc
VRE 2023 Nominee
Jan Lockhart
Jan Lockhart
SuperGrans Manawatū
VRE 2023 Nominee
Ezekiel Taylor
Ezekiel Taylor
Libraries Horowhenua
VRE 2023 Nominee
Garry Buckman
Garry Buckman
Manawatu PARS and Just Released Accommodation Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Tara Parkes
Tara Parkes
Palmerston North Parents Centre
VRE 2023 Nominee
Cina Poland
Cina Poland
Te Whare Koha Highbury
VRE 2023 Nominee
Bonita Kenning
Bonita Kenning
Te Whare Koha Highbury
VRE 2023 Nominee
Just Zilch PN
Just Zilch PN
Te Whare Koha
VRE 2023 Nominee
Maggie Peace
Maggie Peace
Prouse Bush Management Group
VRE 2023 Nominee
Daphne Barrett
Daphne Barrett
Horowhenua Breathe Easy by HDC
VRE 2023 Nominee
Krys Baker
Krys Baker
Te Hā o Hine-ahu-one PN Women’s Health Collective
VRE 2023 Nominee
Marta Buchanan
Marta Buchanan
Horowhenua Health Shuttle
VRE 2023 Nominee
Lois Croasdale
Lois Croasdale
City Mission Palmerston North
VRE 2023 Nominee
Kim Featherstone
Kim Featherstone
City Mission Palmerston North
VRE 2023 Nominee
Margaret Openshaw
Margaret Openshaw
Palmerston North Street Van
VRE 2023 Nominee
Veterinary Emergency Response Team
Veterinary Emergency Response Team
Massey Veterinary Team
VRE 2023 Nominee
Ron Gibbard
Ron Gibbard
Menz Shed by HDC
VRE 2023 Nominee
Kevin Miles
Kevin Miles
Horowhenua Family History Group by HDC
VRE 2023 Nominee
Arnim Lattik
Arnim Lattik
Manawatū Estuary Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Dr.Bob (Robert) Hoskin
Dr.Bob (Robert) Hoskin
Wildlife Foxton Trust and Manawatū Estuary Trust
VRE 2023 Nominee
Yvonne Seng
Yvonne Seng
Levin Basketball Association
VRE 2023 Nominee
Volunteer Central team
Volunteer Central team
Government Covid-19 Response Recognition Award
VRE 2023 Nominee

Welcome to the webpage of the most important event of the year!

Here you will be able to read the amazing stories of our 2023 nominees, our proud sponsors and our supporters. For now, browse around, and check out our guest speakers for the 10th Volunteer Recognition Event and our MCs.

Nominations for volunteers are now closed. Stay tuned on our social media for updates!

“In a world where you can be anything be kind”.

Meet the MCs

Janetta Mandeno

Janetta is a local celebrant for marriages, civil unions, and any ceremony. Her voluntary roles are extensive including Whatunga Tūao | Volunteer Central as an office volunteer, Stylist with Dress For Success, and St John on the Outreach Therapy Pets programme.

Get in touch with Janetta:http://janettarosecelebrant.co.nz/
Janetta Mandeno

Lyal Brenton

Lyal is the Palmerston North Town Crier. He has extensive voluntary roles including Big Brother Big Sister mentor, Board Member of the Just Released Accommodation Trust and an active volunteer with Manawatū Marine Boating Club.

Get in touch with Lyal:brenton@inspire.net.nz
Lyal Brenton

Meet the Speakers

Jordan Dempster
Jordan Dempster
Volunteer CentralBoard
Lorna Johnson
Lorna Johnson
Palmerston NorthCommunitiesCommittee Chair
Bernie Wanden
Bernie Wanden
Mayor ofHorowhenua
Helen Worboys
Helen Worboys
Mayor ofManawatū District
Nuwyne Te Awe Awe Mohi
Nuwyne Te Awe Awe Mohi
Rangitāne o Manawatū

MEET OUR PROUD EVENT SPONSORS

Gold

NZ GovernmentVolunteering New ZealandAdvantage

Silver

Booths LogisticsThe Warehouse
Feilding

Photography

Kim Sargent Photography

Bronze

Te Pū Harakeke - Community Collective ManawatūMalgraJulia WallaceSnap Fitness Palmerston North

Blue

Sublime Coffee

Goodie Bag Sponsors

LibreThe Egg ProjectUCOL Te PūkengaCS LawManawatu Golf ClubHungry HamishArrosta CafeKMartReseneMcDonalds ManawatuSnap Fitness Palmerston NorthPaper Plus Palmerston NorthFMGThe Warehouse

Meet our Proud Supporters

PALMYHorowhenua District CouncilManawatū District Council
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Thank You!

We are so proud to have hosted our 10th Volunteer Recognition Event (VRE) to express gratitude and recognise the efforts of all volunteers in Palmerston North, Manawatū, Horowhenua and Tararua.

Dear nominees, this celebration is for you as a symbol of the community's appreciation for your time and effort in supporting our communities. You are inspirational!

We extend our heartfelt appreciation to all the volunteers who made this event possible, including Rangitāne o Manawatu [Nuwyne Te Awe Awe Mohi] for the blessings and opening, the MCs, Volunteer Central Board, Event and Office Volunteers. Without their help, this remarkable event wouldn't have been possible.

Special thanks to PNCC Communities Committee Chair Lorna Johnson, Mayor of Manawatū District Council Helen Worboys, Mayor of Horowhenua District Council Bernie Wanden, MP for Palmerston North Tangi Utikere, MP for Rangitīkei Ian McKelvie, and MP for Otaki Terisa Ngobi for presenting the certificates to the 79 volunteers recognised at the event.

We also thank the organisations that nominated volunteers and attended the event to support them. We appreciate the support from the nominees' families and friends, and a huge thanks to our sponsors and supporters who made this event shine.

Event Highlights

A glimpse into the celebration of volunteering excellence

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Get to know last year's 32 nominated volunteers.

Click here