Hawke's Bay has done well in the latest New Year Honours list with seven deserving people either being appointed to the New Zealand Order of Merit or receiving the Queen's Service Medal in recognition of their services to the community.
Two things struck me when I first looked at the people being honoured. The first thing was what busy lives they have led and secondly how they have followed their passion to serve their communities.
And the best part of it all is that I can bet you anything you like that these people, along with all the others recognised in the list released today, did not do any of it for the recognition - they did it to make a difference.
The worthy recipients from the Bay are the dean of the faculty of Education, Humanities and Health Science at EIT, Dr Susan Jacobs (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit) for her service to nursing education; the principal of Hastings Girls' High School, Geraldine Travers (MNZM), for services to education; a member of the Woodville Lions for 36 years, Clive Boyden (Queen's Service Medal) for services to the community; Wairoa kaumatua Teariki Mei (QSM), for services to Maori; volunteer with the Waipukurau Fire Brigade and for Jaycees, Peter Hallagan (QSM), for services to the New Zealand Fire Service; Marie Palmer (QSM), for services to the community; and Hai Tong Too, who received his QSM for services to the Chinese community.
We salute all seven and thank them for their dedicated service to our communities and region.
