The outstanding commitment of five Southlanders to their community has been recognised at the Invercargill City Council’s Civic Honours Awards.

The awards, which have been on hiatus for almost a decade and have returned in 2024, aim to recognise those contributing to community wellbeing in four categories: social, cultural, economic and environmental.

Mayor Nobby Clark said the return of the honours was a way to celebrate the people who made the city an amazing place to live.

“Each and every one of our award recipients has gone over and above to service their communities, without any fuss or need for recognition. The awards are a great way to acknowledge these silent community heroes, for the difference they are making.”

Recipients of the 2024 Civic Honours Awards are:

• Kathryn Morrison and Douglas Black – for contribution to the Environmental and Social Wellbeing category through their voluntary work at Bush Haven.
  Kathryn and Douglas are the only fulltime voluntary “staff” at Bush Haven, which is based out of their family home in Ōtatara. Bush Haven accepts and rehabilitates injured native birds – mainly kererū, tūī, and korimako (bellbird). Kakariki, kingfishers, pīwakawaka (fantail) and silver eye are also cared for. They are Southland’s only port of call for bird recovery care.
• John MacManus – for contribution to the Social and Cultural Wellbeing category through his volunteer service to scouting and IHC.
  John has been a lifelong member of numerous Scout groups across Southland for more than 60 years. During this time, John has helped shape the lives of many children and has been seen as a positive role model and mentor for many.
• Pam McKee – for contribution to the Social Wellbeing category through her work with health and fitness for the elderly.
  For more than 35 years Pam has been both an aqua aerobics and fitness instructor, running community fitness classes at the YMCA, Jenkin St, Peacehaven, Waikiwi Gardens, Rowena Jackson and many more. Not only does Pam teach the classes but she also transports all of the fitness equipment needed between the various venues.
• Peter Swain – for contribution to the Social and Economic Wellbeing category through his volunteer work with Foodbank.
  Peter has played an integral part in setting up, building and maintaining the Southland Foodbank Charitable Trust – a valuable non-profit community asset in Southland since its inception in 1991. Peter’s commitment to providing free emergency food assistance has helped hundreds of families over the past 33 years.

Recipients were presented with a certificate and badge from Mayor Nobby Clark at the ceremony which was held at the Civic Theatre on Thursday 6 June.