Tauranga man recognised for human rights work

Terry Molloy. PHOTO/FILE

A Tauranga man has been recognised for his outstanding work in the fields of human rights, peace and social justice.

Terry Molloy was presented the Robert Anderson Memorial Award by Mayor Stuart Crosby at a Mayoral reception yesterday.

The trophy, a wooden art piece in the form of an open book is awarded annually by Amnesty International Tauranga Moana for work in the fields of human rights, peace and social justice.

The award's namesake, Dr Anderson, was a tireless worker for social justice. He gave many lectures, published numerous articles and wrote several books on a wide range of issues.

Mr Molloy was the fourth recipient of the Robert Anderson award, following the Amnesty Group at Tauranga Girls College, Graham Cameron of the Merivale Community Centre and Mona Hamilton.

Born in Tauranga in 1944 Terry Molloy has served the community in many capacities.

- After leaving school he ran a successful Pyes Pa Town Milk supply farm for twenty years and in 1976 subdivided the farm into five Kiwi fruit orchards that he developed and managed.
- He was a Past President of the Bay of Plenty Fruit growers Association.
- He was involved with Rugby coaching and was for many years the coach of the Otumoetai College 1st XV.
- For many years he was involved with the Greerton Ratepayers Association and was President of the Greerton Re-development Committee which worked for eight years in conjunction with the Tauranga District Council to give Greerton Village the $5 million improvement.
- Terry was elected to the Tauranga City Council in 2004 where he qualified as a resource consent hearing commissioner and served on twelve diverse committees concerned with the effective governance and progressive action for the city.
- While on the council Terry was involved with a mentoring scheme where 'at risk' young adults spent time with a Councillor who helped to give direction to the younger person.
- His enthusiasm and active promotion for a Museum in Tauranga in the face of ratepayer resistance probably cost him his council position in the 2007 elections.
- The 2010 elections resulted in Terry's re election to the Tauranga City Council in which he served on 13 committees that included the Tangata Whenua committee that involved local Kaumatua.
- As the 150th commemoration of the Battles of Gate Pa and Te Ranga approached Terry saw the need to educate the community to understand what happened 150 years ago and he set up a group of local historians, Maori and European to find an effective way to remember and honour those who lost their lives. For over 18 months Terry worked hard to co-opt various talented people to effectively arrange The Battle of Gate Pa Exhibition in the Greerton Hall.
- Terry has actively served with the Lions' Organization for over ten years and is now President of the Tauranga Branch.
- He is on the committee of the Greerton Main Street and is a member of Night Owls which does nightly patrols of the Streets.
- Currently Terry is Vice President of the Bay of Plenty Coromandel Automobile Association and serves on the Board.
- First and foremost Terry has strong family ties and is a loving husband, proud father and grandfather as well as being a supportive brother and uncle to his many nieces and nephews.

His contribution to Tauranga community has been one of service and his ability to engage the talents others has enhanced the lives of many.