Celebrating community heroes

Three Aucklanders were given special recognition by the Mayor of Auckland city Dick Hubbard this evening for their heroic contribution to the community.

The Mayor’s Living Legend Awards, introduced in 2005, were tonight awarded to:

Wilma Madgwick for her outstanding contribution to the Otahuhu community. Wilma is an enthusiastic member of the local neighbourhood support committee, was secretary of Otahuhu Girls Brigade and treasurer of the Methodist Women’s Fellowship. She is a long-standing member of the Otahuhu Historical Society and is chair of the management committee of the Otahuhu Town Hall and Community Centre. She is also a member of the Lange Memorial Group. Wilma was nominated for the award by the Tamaki Community Board.

Gill Hanly for her contribution to the arts in Auckland. Along with her late husband Pat Hanly, she has had a major impact on the arts scene. For 40 years, as a professional photographer, Gil has documented nearly every social, political and environmental issue of the nation, particularly in Auckland. She has used her images of women and peace to highlight topical issues to a wider New Zealand audience in order to create change. She won a Media Peace Prize in 1985. Gill was nominated by the Western Bays Community Board.

Bob Kerridge for his contribution to animal welfare. Chief executive of the SPCA, Bob is a man with deep compassion and conviction, a campaigner for animals and their welfare. He founded the SPCA Auckland Trust and has worked at the organisation for more than 20 years. He has been a patron of the Auckland Cat Club and the Auckland Bulldog Club and, in association with the NZ Veterinary Association, set up Companion Animal workshops to educate people on looking after their pets. Bob was nominated by the Mayor Dick Hubbard.

Mayor Hubbard said, “At a time when lifestyles seem to be getting busier and busier, I’m gratified and humbled by the extraordinary service tonight’s Mayor’s Living Legend recipients have shown to their communities and to the city.”

Award recipients receive a certificate and a pokutukawa tree seedling and will be guests at a civic function at Christmas. The trees have been generously donated by Project Crimson.

Ends

© Scoop Media