Eight Mid Cantabrians and groups who have contributed to the district through their significant volunteer pursuits will be celebrated at the Council's Community Honours Awards ceremony on Friday 30 October.

The Council is pleased to announce that five residents will each receive the prestigious Mayor's Award for Public Service - the highest civic honour bestowed by the Council, while three Civic Awards are to be presented for substantial voluntary service.

The recipients of the 2020 Mayor's Award for Public Service are John Fleming, Maxine Hooper, Robin Kilworth, David McKimmie and Darryl Nelson, while the recipients of the Civic Awards are Litter Free Ashburton, Yvonne Lister and Judy Skevington.

The Council is inviting members of the public who would like to attend the awards ceremony to watch their family, friend or colleague be presented their award to RSVP to the Council by 27 October.

Ashburton District Mayor Neil Brown said the awards selection committee were very impressed by all the nominations received and are delighted to be recognising eight outstanding people and groups.

"These awards recognise the immense contribution of our selfless volunteers and celebrate their exceptional commitment to our community.

"Each nominee has demonstrated significant dedication to our district through their substantial volunteerism and it is our absolute pleasure to formally recognise them with these awards," he said.

Nominations for the Community Honours Awards were open from 19 August until 25 September. They recognise individuals and organisations who have carried out meritorious voluntary community service in the district.

The awards ceremony will take place in the Bradford Room at Ashburton Trust Event Centre at 2pm on Friday 30 October.

To RSVP your attendance, email info@adc.govt.nz or phone 03 307 7700 by 27 October.​

About the awards:

Mayor’s Award for Public Service - The Mayor’s Award for Public Service is the highest civic honour bestowed by the 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 for the awards 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. There 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.​

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 5 Civic Awards may be made each year.​