Dannevirke: Carol surprised by service badge

Carol Ellis (left) and Joy Cumming, president of the SHB Federation of Women's Institutes, at the annual meeting last week in Dannevirke. Photo / Christine McKay

For 57 years, Dannevirke's Carol Ellis has been a member of the Rua Roa Women's Institute and not much surprises her anymore.

That was until last week, when she was presented with a good service badge.

"I was asked to go along to the SHB Federation's annual meeting as a delegate for our institute ... well that's what they told me anyway," she said. "It was such a shock when they sprang the surprise on me."

Mrs Ellis was asked to join the Rua Roa WI in 1958 when she was new to the district.

"We even took our children along and they'd sit quietly," she said. "In those years, country women didn't get about much and so institute was the place for friendship, enjoying other's company and taking part in activities. Nowadays it's not a lonely time in the country."

Mrs Ellis celebrated 50 years of membership with the Rua Roa WI in 2008 and has always been one to put her hand up to help, fellow member Helen Monteith says.

"Carol has always been willing to help out, whether it's selling raffle tickets, helping with our show court at the A&P show, sewing or opening her house and garden for fundraisers," she said.

However, Mrs Ellis insists she hasn't done much. "I only do what I do by being in the background. I just do it because ... "It's just nice to help out if you can."

One major project Mrs Ellis had a hand in was sewing to raise money for Kidney Kids and making dresses, skirts, shirts and pyjamas for the children who attend the health camp at Otaki - both Women's Institute causes. "When Ann Wilkinson passed away, she left behind cartons and cartons of material remnants, so we got together to sew things to sell and, with what was left over, I made clothing for the health camp children."