The 2014 Flaxmere community heroes

The 2014 Flaxmere community heroes. Photo/Glenn Taylor

Flaxmere's community heroes and heroines were last night celebrated at the launch of the 2014 Flaxmere Heroes Calendar.

The fifth annual calendar is the work of the Flaxmere U-Turn Trust and last night gave the suburb the chance to showcase its best and enjoy the good nature and achievements of local people.

The ceremony was held at Te Aranga O Heretaunga Marae in Flaxmere.

U-Turn Trust chairman Rex Graham said the evening was a great chance to celebrate the heroes in our lives.

"This is our fifth calendar and we find we are never short of heroes.

"This is a suburb that contributes so much to the nation on a yearly and daily basis and it's important that we recognise that."

Hawke's Bay Today's Person of the Year and Flaxmere Boxing Academy head coach Craig McDougall doesn't see himself as a hero but said there were so many people in Hawke's Bay and Flaxmere doing wonderful things.

"These people are what makes this place special - the passion is what makes this place great."

More than 4000 calendars will be hand-delivered to the people of Flaxmere, from this Saturday, to give the community hope and aspiration to emulate the heroes.

Hastings district councillor and U-Turn Trust spokesman Henare O'Keefe said volunteers including police and the fire brigade would walk the streets of Flaxmere "personally" delivering the calendars.

"To be truthful, this is probably the only Christmas present some of these families will get, so it will be great to light up their day with a little something."

Flaxmere heroes
Rod Spriggens
The local Western
Suburbs 12th Grade rugby team
The Kai Collective community volunteer organisation
Jo Reyngoud and the Christmas Cheer Appeal
The Flaxmere Boxing Academy
Softball star Angela Stubbs
Artist Tipene Harmer
The Flaxmere Community Garden
The Tuimaseve whanau
The schools of Flaxmere
Shirley O'Dwyer
MAC junior rugby.