Nominations are being sought for the 2021 Community Honours Awards, which recognise individuals and/or organisations who have carried out meritorious voluntary community service in the Ashburton District.

Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown said the awards are an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the valuable and important work of our volunteers.

“We have a lot of incredible people from diverse backgrounds who work so selflessly for the benefit of others and it's important to show them how much the community appreciates what they do.”

People can be nominated from four categories: the Mayor’s Award for Public Service, the Ashburton Medal, Civic Awards, and Honorary Citizens.

Selecting the recipients from the nominations will be Mayor Brown, Deputy Mayor Liz McMillan, and Councillors Leen Braam, Angus McKay, and Stuart Wilson.

“The awards' sub-committee is looking for individuals and/or organisations who, through their volunteer work, make this community more welcoming, vibrant and inclusive,” Mayor Brown said.

“I know there are many people who work tirelessly to support others and those new to our community to settle and feel more at home. Many are volunteers from a variety of cultures who offer their skills and time to support community members.

“As our district continues to welcome people from diverse backgrounds, it would be great to see some of these volunteers rewarded for the work they do.”

Volunteering can include being involved in organisations like school boards, managing or coaching sports teams, assisting with church activities, conservation projects, helping in the health, elderly, or social service sector, being a leader or helper with a youth organisation or giving your time in the area of art, culture or heritage.

Individuals or organisations can be nominated in any of the following four categories:

Mayor’s Award for Public Service - The Mayor’s Award for Public Service is the highest civic honour bestowed by Council. Mayor’s Awards are rare awards given to people who have made a significant and sustained contribution to the district.

The award recognises the recipients as stewards of the district and as people of special note. Nominees must have made a significant contribution to the district for more than 20 years. This civic honour is bestowed upon an individual for their lifetime. T

here is no limit to the number of people recognised as worthy of the Mayor’s Award for Public Service. Worthy nominees are identified and assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Ashburton Medal - The Ashburton Medal honours the significant achievement of individuals or teams who have been very successful in their chosen field and who have made an outstanding contribution to the district as a whole, or outstanding national or international achievements. Only one Ashburton Medal may be awarded each year.

Civic Awards - Civic Awards are awarded in recognition of substantial service, usually of a voluntary nature or beyond normal employment, benefiting Ashburton District and its people.

The nominees will have generally carried out predominantly voluntary work but payment for services will not necessarily disqualify receiving an award. Substantial service includes short‐term or long‐term projects or activities that have benefited the whole of the district, adding to the quality of life of residents.

In exceptional circumstances an award may be granted to a non‐resident of Ashburton, if the service has been carried out in Ashburton District. No more than five Civic Awards may be made each year.

Honorary Citizens - Honorary citizenship is an extraordinary honour granted to individuals who have given great service to Ashburton. Honorary citizenship is a symbolic gesture. It does not grant any legal rights to citizenship of New Zealand.

Honorary citizenship may be granted to an individual, organisation or a position/title. Honorary citizenship may be awarded at any time.

Nominations are open until Friday 20 August and volunteers of any age can be nominated.

Nominations can be made by organisations, associations, societies, or clubs with two members as nominators.

You can apply online here