Keith Carter has been given a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community. Photo / George Novak
Keith Carter has been given a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community. Photo / George Novak
Greerton resident Keith Carter has been awarded a Queen's Service Medal for services to the community, but says his wife deserved the award "as much as I did".
Carter had been contributing to keeping Greertoncommunity safe as a volunteer patroller since 2005.
He and his wife Shirley Carter co-founded the Greerton Night Owls (now Tauranga South Community Patrol), liaising between police and the local community, patrolling night hours.
He would co-ordinate with police to establish local crime hot spots to then arrange patrollers for those areas.
The 87-year-old said it was a "privilege" and he was "so honoured" to receive the award.
When asked what the highlight of his work had been, he said: "Creating a safer community", particularly around the business area and in the wider residential community.
"I'm sure that just being seen out there has helped a lot of residents as well."
In 2013, Carter co-chaired the national training seminar for community patrols held in Tauranga, with more than 300 patrollers nationwide attending.
He has also been a member of the South City bowling club since 2008 and was president of the Greerton indoor bowling club between 2018 and 2020.
Other awards he received included community patrol New Zealand, outstanding service award, 2020 community patrol New Zealand and life membership.