Nominations are being sought for the 2024 Community Honours Awards, and if you have someone in mind, then we’d love to hear about them and their work.

The awards recognise individuals and/or organisations who have quietly gone about making a difference in the Ashburton District, without asking for payment or recognition.

Mayor Neil Brown says the awards are an opportunity to publicly acknowledge the valuable and important work of these volunteers.

“We have a lot of incredible people from diverse backgrounds who selflessly give up their time to help support the community in which they live and it's important to show them how much they are appreciated."

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.

Nominations opened today and will close on Friday 13 September. An awards presentation will be held on Thursday 17 October to celebrate the recipients.

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

• 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 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.

• 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.

• Civic Awards - Civic Awards recognise 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.

The award selection panel will be Mayor Brown, Deputy Mayor Liz McMillan and Councillors Leen Braam, Carolyn Cameron and Lynette Lovett.

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

“I know there are many people who work tirelessly to support others and that is what makes our district great, so if you have someone in mind, then please nominate them."
“Each time these awards are held I learn more and more about the volunteers who give their time, knowledge and skills. Let's celebrate them."

Nominations are open until Friday 13 September and volunteers of any age can be nominated. Nominations can be made by organisations, associations, societies or clubs, with two members as nominators.

The nominee does not have to know they have been put forward but, if selected, their agreement is required before an award is made. The names and information on those not selected remain confidential.

Nomination forms can be downloaded or completed online via the Council website or paper copies can be collected from Council at the Customer Services counter.