Palmerston North Civic Honour Awards a No Go

For the first time since the inception of the Civic Honour Awards, none will be awarded this year.

Civic Honours are given to local individuals for voluntary service, which must not be undertaken as part of paid employment.

Last month community leaders and councillors met and considered nominations for honours. Unfortunately, only a few nominations were received.

Council has reluctantly decided that this year’s nominations either do not met the standard or not enough information was provided on which judgement could be made.

“Civic Honour Awards recognise voluntary service to the community at the highest level,” says Mayor Jono Naylor. “In the past, many well-deserved residents have been honoured through the Civic Honours and this year, we have decided to preserve their legacy.”

Mayor Naylor says where possible nominations have since been referred to more appropriate awards schemes, including national awards.

The Selection Panel is made up of the mayor, the chair and deputy chair of the Community Development Committee Councillors Vaughan Dennison and Adrian Broad, Councillor Annette Nixon, the chair of Rotary Club of Palmerston North David Petre and the president of the Manawatū Branch of the National Council of Women Helen Chong.

Nominations for 2015 open in July next year. Mayor Naylor says council will endeavour to raise public awareness prior to the awards in a bid to ensure appropriate nominations are received.

ends

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