Leading Waitakians recognised at 2024 Citizens Awards

Alison and Bruce Albiston came to the South Island in 1970’s, purchasing the historic Burnside Homestead, where they lived and raised their family for 46 years.

Their love for heritage inspired them to share Burnside with people not only from North Otago, but from New Zealand, and around the world. They hosted numerous community events, including weddings, funerals, family reunions, vintage car rallies, farm conferences, church groups and heritage events, all voluntarily and without charge.

Burnside Homestead became the heart of their community life, with Alison’s restored heritage gardens adding to its charm. It has welcomed around 800 Alps 2 Ocean cyclists per year in the last fourteen years, and is an essential part of the trail experience for many visitors.

Alison Albiston has been deeply involved with Heritage New Zealand Totara Estate since it’s the 100^th anniversary reopening back in 1982.  She participated in events such as Harvest Home, demonstrating fruit preserving, and played a significant role in the 120^th anniversary of the first shipment of frozen meat in 2002, hosting then-Prime Minister Helen Clark. Alison also created a Victorian Garden at Totara Estate, which now serves as an educational space for school groups, where she volunteers to teach the next generation gardening skills.

As a founding trustee of the Janet Frame Eden Street Trust, Alison was instrumental in restoring Janet Frame’s childhood home. She meticulously recreated the 1930s interior with input from Janet Frame and her sister, June Gordon. Even after stepping down as a trustee, Alison continues to volunteer, maintaining the garden and ensuring thousands of visitors enjoy the historic site.

Bruce Albiston served as a Councillor for Waitaki District Council from 1995 to 2001. He chaired the Friends of Oamaru Hospital, leading negotiations for the hospital’s relocation and adaptation of the Middle School heritage buildings to a purpose-built new hospital. Bruce promoted Waitaki Tourism, represented Tourism Waitaki at TRENZ, and was a member of the Historic Places Trust.

He also led fundraising efforts for Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, raising over $300,000 through the Hearts and Hands for Haiti committee.

Bruces involvement extended to the Scott 100-year commemorations of Robert Falcon Scott’s South Pole expedition and various other organisations, including Family Health Counselling/Mental Health Services, North Otago Social Services, Historic Places Trust, Victorian Heritage Celebrations and the Royal Overseas League.

As an ordained minister Bruce had the special role of giving the Address at St Lukes Oamaru for the Ecumenical Service honouring the Coronation of King Charles III.

Alison and Bruce Albiston’s dedication to heritage, community service, and volunteerism has left an indelible mark on North Otago and beyond. Their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to preserving history and supporting their community make them truly deserving of the 2024 Citizens Award.

Maria has resided in the Waihemo District since 1986, where together with her late husband, Jim Hinkley, they started Inch Valley Preserves at their property in Inch Valley. In, 2017, it was time to downsize and together they renovated the former Palmerston courthouse into a home, where Maria lives today. They have raised three wonderful children and have two special granddaughters.

Maria has been very committed to helping her community and extended community through her involvement in various committees and her eagerness to help with fund-raising. Her dedication to her community is truly inspiring.

Her willingness to take on such time-consuming tasks, like sewing goody bags for Field Days and events, shows her commitment and generosity. It’s wonderful to see how her efforts have significantly contributed to fund-raising for different organisations.

Maria has been the Secretary of the Palmerston & Waihemo Agricultural & Pastoral Association for 12years and was made a Life member. She has researched and written the early history of the Palmerston & Waihemo A&P Association and more recently composed the history of 100 years of the Royal Agricultural Society and she served on the National Executive and Councillor for the Southern District.

Field Days was set up in Palmerston to pull the agricultural community together within Otago and beyond. Maria was extremely proactive in aiding this through Marketing and being supportive and encouraging to all businesses. She has served as the Otago Field Days secretary for 4 years.

She has supported pupils from East Otago High School to earn points for their Duke of Edinburgh Awards by helping to set-up and break down the equipment for the Palmerston Show.

Maria is a founding member and secretary of Puketapu community Trust (PCT), after the Gateway to Gold Inc. had to be retired. The PCT main project is to establish an all-weather, all year walking track up Puketapu, Palmerston iconic hill, along the route what is thought to be the original intention of the settlers.

Other groups and committees that Maria has been involved with include: Waihemo Community Board member 1990 to 1998, Palmerston Combined Halls Committee 10yrs, Royal Agricultural Society delegate for Southern Districts for 10year, Palmerston Business Group, and Tourism groups & initiatives.

Through all these events and committees, Maria has contributed vast amounts of her time, energy, and experience, all for the benefit of the Waihemo community. We consider her to be most deserving of this Citizens Award.

2024 Citizens Award Recipient – Sandra Tonkin

Sandra grew up in Kakanui, where her family had a market garden. She was educated at Waitaki Girls High School and Burnside School in Christchurch. Sandra has worked in a variety of sectors in Food, Health, Real Estate and Administration. She is married to Winston and together they have raised their three children and have one grandchild.

Sandra is one of those people who quietly works behind the scenes in many to make Waitaki a better place, rarely seeking the limelight. Sometimes she is a prominent and pivotal contributor, as with former roles on the Waitaki Multicultural Council, Stronger Waitaki and the Steampunk Festival.

More recent examples include volunteering at the Soup or Salad Oamaru Kitchen based at Reach Church that serve a free monthly lunch to connect community and offer cooking classes that teach how to cook nourishing meals on a budget, Plastic-Free July Expo at the Rec Centre and helps at the Plant Corner at the Waitaki Resource Centre. She is always willing to put the work in where it is needed for the community.

As a volunteer, Sandra has fulfilled multiple formal roles over the last 10 years with assisting cultural events organised by the Oamaru Chinese Association.

Our Chinese Community has a long history in North Otago, and the Association continues to both recognize the established community and welcome new arrivals to the area. The group also promotes inter-cultural awareness and friendship through Chinese New Year and Mid-Autumn events.

Sandra is a founding member of the Waitaki Multicultural Council, which supports migrants and newcomers to settle successfully in our district. It also promotes positive race relations through community education, helping people of all ethnicities feel integrated so that they can actively contribute to our community.

Sandra has performed many roles as a volunteer and committee member over the last 13 years with Waitaki Multicultural. She was the Council’s representative to Safer Waitaki (now Stronger Waitaki) with a focus on community safety and family harm. Sandra stepped back from the committee in 2021 but remains involved and has been designated a Life Member.

Some of Sandra’s highlights include her work in collaboration with the MSD and the community, to coordinate a year-long project that involved immigrants from across the district with the purpose of measuring how they were adjusting to life in Waitaki.

The Settling In Waitaki Migrant Community Social Services Report was instrumental in the Waitaki Multicultural Council receiving funding to set up an office at Abacus House with two part time staff to provide migrant support services. MSD Funding also supported work with Stronger Waitaki with Youth and awareness around Family harm. Sandra was also key in bringing Race Relations Commissioner Susan Devoy to Oamaru in 2016 to open the Waitaki Multicultural Council Race Relations Celebrations.

Since April 2023 Sandra now volunteers to her Com

Terry moved to New Zealand from the Cook Islands in 1979 and settled in Oamaru with his uncle. He began working at the Freezing Works in 1982 for a few years before moving to Australia. After a year there, he returned to Oamaru. In the late 1990s, Terry joined the Oamaru Pacific Island Culture Group, where he has since dedicated himself to sharing Cook Island dance and culture with young Pacific children. His passion for dance, music, and especially Cook Island drumming is a cherished skill he has passed on to not only his own children but also to children in the Pacific communities. He showcases his talent and cultural heritage during the Annual Cook Island Language Weeks in local schools and within the culture group. Terry is well-known for his traditional 'round the world' Cook Island dance, performed at every event he’s invited to, and has earned a reputation as the 'Best MC' for the Culture Group's Bi-annual Social Event.

In 2009, Terry served as president of the OPICG for a year and continued to contribute as a member of the governance committee until his recent retirement. He played rugby for the Old Boys Rugby team in 1982 for several years and joined their committee in 1998. He also coached the 10's and 12's rugby teams in the mid-2000s and was awarded Life Membership of the Old Boys Rugby in 2008. Over the years, Terry has been involved in the North Otago Rowing Club, served as a North Otago Volleyball Representative, and played for the North Otago Knights Rugby League and Touch Sevens teams. Today, Terry continues to work at the Freezing Works alongside his lovely wife. He is a devoted father of six and grandfather of ten. Although he looks forward to retirement, he remains committed to serving the Pacific community.

Ron Sheat lives in Palmerston and is married to Fran. They have five children and six grandchildren with one month old baby Heidi being the newest addition to the family.

The Sheat family have, for many generations, run Harpsdale at Bushy, just north of Palmerston as a sheep and cropping farm. Ronald grew up on the farm and attended Palmerston Primary School and East Otago High School along with his three other siblings. Ron is very committed and passionate about the many groups he is involved with in the East Otago community.

One of these groups is the Palmerston Lions Club. Ron has been involved in the Lions for over twenty-five years and has held many positions including President. In July 202, Ron received the Lloyd Morgan Lions Club Charitable Trust NZ Award for his outstanding service to the Palmerston Lions Club, an award that is a notable recognition of his significant contribution to the Lions Club.

Ron is the 'go-to' man for the Lions Club, if there is a project to be done he can be relied on to have this coordinated and achieved. An example of this was when NZ was in lockdown for COVID-19, The Lions Club were asked to deliver groceries to those in need in the community. Ron and his wife Fran did daily deliveries in the local area, ensuring that those in need were taken care of. This is the type of initiative that Ron dedicates his time to, for the wellbeing of his community.

Ron is also involved in the New Zealand Ploughing Association, the Sheat family have strong ties to the ploughing fraternity and Ron is following in his father Noel's footsteps. He has recently returned from the 69th World Ploughing Competition in Tartu, Estonia as part of the NZ Ploughing Team as coach and judge. The Sheat farm has often been used for NZ Ploughing competitions, an event that takes a lot of organising and with Ron's skills and motivation, it's ensured that these events are successful.

Ron has also been involved in the East Otago Vintage Machinery Club for over 20 years and helped build the club into a facility that can be viewed by the community and visitors to Palmerston. 

Ron is currently President of the East Otago Small Bore Rifle Club, which has been involved with for over 40 years. Local schools Palmerston Primary and East Otago High have also benefited from Ron's knowledge and experience as a member of the Board of Trustees between 2009 and 2021.

Ron can be relied upon as a person to contact in the community to get jobs done. He knows his community well, and cares deeply about is wellbeing. He is a respected member of the Palmerston community, has dedicated many, many voluntary hours to all the groups he is involved in for the benefit of the community and should be very proud of his achievements.

Sonya Watson was born in Palmerston, raised two children Georgia and Jack and serves as the administrator for her husband, Rob’s, plumbing & drainlaying business.

Twenty-five years ago, a team of young mums, including Sonya, began supplying sandwiches for the local cattle sales to support Plunket. Despite the sales and team shrinking over the years, Sonya continues to diligently provide sandwiches and a cuppa to stock agents and farmers on sale day.

East Otago Musical Theatre (EOMT): Sonya’s involvement with EOMT began as a parent assistant and evolved into roles such as stage manager and production manager. She goes above and beyond to ensure each show is a success, working long hours to create props, paint sets, organise logistics, manage personnel, budgets, and stakeholders, and ensure the cast and crew are well-fed and supported.

She actively manages the finances, applies for funding year-round, and handles budgets to produce high-quality shows for audiences. Sonya does all this with a smile, even when facing high demands and challenges. Her commitment to EOMT and the Waihemo Community is truly stunning.

Sonya’s efforts with the Pink Ribbon Team, fundraising for breast cancer over the last 11 years are legendary, with over $70,000 raised in East Otago. With endless hours behind the scenes organising sponsorship, guest speakers and a beautiful high morning tea. She even donated her hair to the cause!

Sonya has also served on the local school boards, including being the Presiding Member of the Palmerston Primary School, even after her children left the school. She has also held positions of Chairperson and Treasurer for the Board of Trustees.

She has given many hours of volunteer hours to local non-profit groups auditing their books.

Sonya’s other involvements include East Otago Medical Trust, Eastern District Hall Committee, Eastern Boating & Fishing Club, Line Dancing Club, Palmerston Tennis Club, Squash Club, Badminton, East Otago Events Centre, Palmerston Mini Show and Meals on Wheels.

An active and positive member of our community, Sonya looks for opportunities to make a difference, and gets right amongst it. She never asks for praise, preferring to work in the background to make things happen. For once, she deserves a little time in the spotlight to receive the applause.

Congratulations, Sonya, on receiving this well-deserved Citizens Award. Your unwavering dedication, tireless efforts, and selfless contributions have made a profound impact on our community. Your commitment to making a difference, often behind the scenes, is truly inspiring. Thank you for all that you do!

Meet Melissa Yockney, a dynamic force in the world of community theatre and a true gem of the Waitaki District. Born in Auckland, Melissa’s journey has taken her across New Zealand, finally settling in Oamaru in 2008 when her family made it their home.

For the past decade, Melissa has been a cornerstone of the Musical Theatre Oamaru (MTO) committee, serving four of those years as president. Her versatility within the society is remarkable, but her standout role has been as a production manager. In this capacity, Melissa ensures that every aspect of a production runs smoothly, orchestrating a symphony of talent and logistics to create unforgettable performances.

Melissa’s impact on the district is profound. She has a knack for bringing out the best in everyone involved, organizing expert workshops to enhance local skills, and sending members for specialist training. Her dedication to teaching and sharing her knowledge has enriched the community, ensuring the arts thrive in Waitaki.

In the past year alone, Melissa has managed two major MTO productions, “School of Rock” and “That Bloody Woman” dedicating an astounding 1600 hours to bring these shows to life, all while working full time. Her tireless efforts paid off, with “That Bloody Woman” sweeping five awards at the Otago & Southland Theatre Awards, including Best Lighting and Visual Augmentation, Best Lead Female in a Musical, Best Musical Direction, Best Director and Best Overall Production.

Melissa’s talents don’t stop there. She has co-written and co-directed original productions like “Time Walk” and Love After Lockdown”, and serves as the MTO liaison for school productions, sourcing props and providing invaluable support.

Beyond the theatre, Melissa is a dedicated volunteer for the Cancer Society’s Pink Ribbon Appeal, contributing to vital fundraising efforts each year.

The Waitaki District is undeniably richer for Melissa’s presence. Her behind-the-scenes dedication keeps the arts vibrant and alive, making her a truly deserving recipient of the 2024 Citizens Awards.

Congratulations Melissa.

Wainakarua couple Bev and Peter Ross have been pillars of the community, actively participating in numerous sporting clubs in North Otago. They first met playing representative table tennis, later married and raised their three children whiling farming at Wainakarua.

They have been deeply involved in coaching and mentoring their children through various school and sports activities. They have taken parts in athletics and harriers, tennis and even led a junior tennis team to Australia

Bev is a dedicated worker in every organisation she joins. From serving as a committee member to catering for various functions, Bev is always there. Recently, she has been teaching her neighbors children valuable life skills in her kitchen, providing ingredients and sending the baked goods home with them.

Bev has spent many hours cleaning up the Hampden WW1 grave with Rural Women and the Hampden Tennis Courts area along with Peter. Her enthusiasm for decorating the Pink Ribbon breakfasts is legendary, and she happily opens her garden to many visitors, expecting nothing in return.

Peter has had a long involvement with sport in North Otago, including table tennis, tennis, squash, lawn bowls, playing many at representative level. He has been North Otago singles champion at both Tennis and Lawn Bowls.

Peter, along with Bev, have been the backbone of the Hampden Bowling Club, holding several office positions. He spends many hours helping to maintain the clubs’ facilities, as well as being the club delegate to North Otago Bowls of which he has been President.

Together, Bev and Peter have been stalwarts of the Waianakarua/Hampden community They are fully deserving of this Citizens Award.

To list the many groups Bev and Peter have been involved in would take a while, so here are selected highlights:

Bev has been Waihamers Tennis Secretary since 1982, being on the Waianakarua Garden Club Committee for 10 years, on the Waianakarua Hall Committee for 20 years and the Hampden Bowls club for 18 years, while also being Plunket Secretary for East Otago for 5 years and Rural Women Committee Member 6 years.

Peter has been North Otago Bowls President for 2 years and the Rep Team Manager, President of Hampden Bowling Club for 6 years, and a delegate to North Otago. He has also been North Otago Tennis President for 2 years and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees at Waianakarua School for three years, and also North Otago Table Tennis President and Selector.

Thank you for all the work you do in your community!