Marian Paenga of Gisborne

Marian has been a well-known and much loved member of Gisborne society for many decades. She was the deputy principal of Gisborne Intermediate and always went beyond her call of duty to help students and staff. She has been a member of the Turanganui Schools Maori Cultural Festival for over 20 years and has given her time, resources and energy to ensure that local children have the opportunity to perform on stage in a non threatening and non competitive environment every year. She now works at Elgin and Riverdale schools and continues to pass on her wisdom and encouragement.

Matt Skuse of Gisborne

Matt has been working on getting an artificial turf built for Poverty Bay Hockey for the last five years. He has raised $850,000 so far and has organised many fabulous fundraisers to do so. Matt is unpaid for this work and he has been spending up to 40 hours a week working on it and put a lot of his own money towards the project.

Jean Mills of Gisborne

Jean has been an active member of Te Karaka and Gisborne for many years (she is nearing 80!). Her contribution include committee member for the Te Karaka Ambulance Service, committee member of Te Karaka Primary School and very active helping out, Gisborne Health Committee for a number of years, active member of GISCOSS (Gisborne Council of Social Services), volunteers as a Girl Friday for the Social Group for the Disabled who meet regularly at St John rooms in Gisborne, long-time member of Gisborne Floral Festival Committee (only recently retired), “valued, hardworking and fun member” of Women’s Institute, active member and committee member of Alzheimer’s Gisborne (was president for four years).