2012 Citizens’ Awards - Stratford Citizens Recognised

Each year hard working locals are recognised by the District for their continued contributions to the community.

The recipients for the 2012 Stratford District Citizens’ Awards are: Trevor Dent, Bruce Huckstep, Brick Mathieson and Judith Shaw. The recipient of the 2012 Stratford Youth Citizens’ Award is Rebekah Frost.

Stratford District Mayor, Neil Volzke says, “We have again had quality nominations for this year’s Citizens’ Awards, with a huge number of nominations being received. The voluntary contribution that these people make to our community shows outstanding commitment and dedication. The committee’s decisions are always difficult and are not made lightly. It is with pleasure that we announce four outstanding individuals to receive a Citizens’ Award, and one talented young person to receive a Youth Citizens’ Award in 2012.”

The presentation ceremony is to be held in the Stratford District Council Chambers on Wednesday 11 July 2012 at 5.30pm. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Trevor Dent

Trevor was born in Opunake and completed his schooling at St Joseph’s Primary in Eltham and Stratford High School.

Trevor and wife Colleen have three daughters and two grandchildren. Trevor and Colleen were sharemilkers in Huinga and Eltham before returning to Huinga in 1991, where Trevor has been actively involved in the Eastern Districts community.

He joined the Toko Fire Brigade in 1993, where he has been actively involved ever since. The Firewise School Programme is a passion of Trevor’s which he has been involved with since 2001. Known as ‘Fireman Trev’ by both preschool and primary school children in the eastern districts, Trevor continues to promote the programme which aims to get important fire safety messages across to children. His restored Morris Minor ute named ‘Little Flick’ is widely used throughout the region promoting the fire safety message.

Trevor is also an active member of the Huinga Hall Society, where he is currently the chairman and is a networker with Fonterra. Trevor continues to be a very inspirational, community minded person, who is actively involved in his local community.

Bruce Huckstep

Born in Cambridge, Bruce moved to Stratford as a child where the family farmed at Cardiff. He attended Cardiff Primary and Stratford High School. He married wife Elaine in 1964 and has four children. While working as an engineer, Bruce has been fully involved in the Stratford community.

Bruce started his community involvement with the Stratford Jaycees where he served for 10 years. He learnt public speaking and chairmanship skills through Jaycees, skills that were a good grounding for the various committees he later served on.

Bruce served on a number of executive committees including Stratford Jaycees, the Stratford Lions Club where he was a member for 34 years and the Stratford Bowling Club where he had 13 years of active involvement.

With his own children attending the school, Bruce served on the Avon School Board of Trustees as Chairman for 15 years. He had more than 40 years of involvement with the Stratford RSA.

Although recently retired, Bruce is still actively involved in the community. He is the current president of the Stratford Club and is Senior Warden and Master in waiting at the Lodge Hinemoa, 786 Scottish Constitution.

Brick Mathieson

Brick has been a member of the Stratford community for almost 50 years. He and wife Alys moved to Stratford from the Waikato in 1963 with their two children. Brick has been involved in all aspects of the community.

With more than 40 years involvement at St Mary’s School, Brick saw through the integration of the school in 1967. He served on the Board of Governors, Board of Trustees and Board of Proprietors in many roles including chairman and Bishop’s nominee. He is a friend of the school and Mathieson Hall at St Mary’s is named after him.

Brick’s sporting interests saw him heavily involved in the establishment of the Stratford Squash Club. He was the chairman of the Central District Squash Association for 10 years and served on the New Zealand Squash Association for two years. He is also a long time member of the Stratford Golf Club.

Brick served three terms as a Stratford District Councillor from 1991. Brick was a founding member and trustee of the Percy Thomson Trust and also a founding member of the Stratford Positive Ageing Group. He has only recently retired from both.

Brick continues to serve on the committee of the Blind and Stratford Foodbank. He is a trustee on the Taranaki Electricity Trust Board where he has been elected since 1986, Chairman of the Stratford Palliative Care Group and Deputy Chairman of the Stratford Health Trust, a position he has held since elected in 1998.

Judy Shaw

Judy has always called Stratford home, completing her schooling locally. She married Don and they have four children.

Judy began her long involvement with the Order of St John Stratford as a cadet in her youth. She left to join the air force but rejoined when she returned to Stratford in 1969. Judy’s main involvement has been first aid duties at netball. In 1988 she was made a Serving Sister of the Order with a 12 Year Service Medal plus stars for every five years thereafter. Judy retired from active duties in 2002. She was chairman of the St John Area Committee for 9 years.

With her own family attending Girl Guides and Brownies Judy became a member of both the committees in 1979. She held executive positions for five years and was the instructor for first aid and home safety.

Judy has been a member of the RSA and RSA Women’s Section for more than 20 years. She has held various roles on the executive committees of both and is still actively involved as treasurer. Judy is an active member of the Stratford Positive Ageing group and the Machine Knitting Club, where she has held positions of secretary and treasurer.

Rebekah Frost

Rebekah attends Stratford High School and is Year 13. She is 17 years old and has a number of outstanding achievements for someone her age.

At school Rebekah has taken part in peer support, stage challenge and sports. Rebekah enjoys sports and has been very successful with her chosen fields. She is a member of the TDA Darts Club. She has been placed third in the national singles Under 18’s and second in the national pairs Under 18’s.

Rebekah has played indoor bowls at a national level and was apart of the 2011 Stratford High School Northland touring netball team. She also enjoys taking part in a wide range of sports offered through Taranaki Secondary Schools Sports Association.

Rebekah has been a member of the Stratford District Youth Council since 2007. She has held the position of secretary for the past four and a half years. When asked what in particular she’s learnt while on Youth Council, Rebekah says, “I’ve learnt good project and event management skills as well as meeting procedures.” And what were the standout events Rebekah has been involved in and proud of? “The area201 youth centre on Broadway and On the Bus projects have been highlights for me.”

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