Editorial: Local heroes earn kudos

Michael Matthews has been growing produce on a piece of land in Bethlehem for the past three years to give away. Photo/Ruth Keber

Hats off to Michael Matthews, Kelly McLean and Ashley Weir.

The three men have been in the news recently for all the right reasons. Each has shown himself to be a good Samaritan, quietly doing good works in the community with no desire for recognition or reward.

Mr McLean found himself out of work and decided to clean up graves at the city's cemeteries with a waterblaster.

He did the work quietly, until the council ordered him to stop. The graves are private property and the council was concerned Mr McLean might damage them.

The fact he was told to stop does not detract from his well-meant intentions or his good deeds.

The Bay of Plenty Times featured a story on Mr Matthews on Monday. The 78-year-old, who requires dialysis treatment three days a week, has been growing vegetables and giving them away. He established a large garden in Bethlehem after returning from Australia several years ago because he wanted to help his whanau.

He also, it seems, wanted to set an example. "A lot of people here were not working, and I thought I could attract some attention and get the school kids involved," he said.

Mr Weirs story features on page 6 of today's paper. Like Mr McLean and Mr Matthews, he is doing his bit for his community.

The Papamoa man, 75, has spruced up seven park benches over the past 15 months. He noticed the run-down state of the benches in The Gardens Drive soon after he and his wife moved to the area from Taupo.

The retired electrician contacted Tauranga City Council about it. He loves living in Papamoa and wants to do his bit to improve the areas look.

Its good to see these men get recognition for making their community a better place to live. They deserve all the praise they get.