To nominate an Unsung Hero for their community service and for terms and conditions go to: www.unsungheroes.org.nz
How many hours are there in the day? Barely enough for a woman like Coral Maddren.
The 79-year-old moved to Waihi 13 years ago from Wellington, and since then has immersed herself in the local community.
On a typical day she will be at at the police station in the morning, answering the radio, taking and passing on messages, and generally doing what needs to be done.
"They are so understaffed here, and people need to tell someone that they have lost something or that there's been a break-in."
In the afternoon she may be helping out at the town's op-shop, filling in for rostered helpers who are ill or have family commitments.
She also helps a local social worker by collecting children's clothes from the op-shop for needy families.
And two nights a week Mrs Maddren is on call for the Coastguard, manning the radio.
"She's so busy that we have to make an appointment to see her," says Frances Maddren, who nominated her mother-in-law for the Herald Unsung Heroes series.
"Even when we are enjoying a cup of tea or a meal, she is still on the RT, recording boaties' movements for the Coastguard."
The Herald series recognises the work people do in their communities. Five nominees will be chosen at the end of the series for a P&O cruise.
Mrs Maddren also finds time to care for her daughter Judy, who suffered a brain aneurism 15 years ago and now lives in a nursing home in Waihi.
"Like everywhere else, they are short-staffed, so if I can take Judy for a walk in her wheelchair and give the staff a break, that's good for all of us."
Mrs Maddren also finds time to assist the local cancer support group, and every year she's out collecting for Daffodil Day.
Only recently has she relinquished her work for Victim Support, as the night-time callouts were becoming too much.
"And Waihi's a small town, a lot of people know who you are.
"If you're helping with Victim Support, people become a bit wary because of what you might know about them."
But the small town suits this busy woman. She has family connections in the area, and her grandchildren love to visit, as it's so near the sea.
And after all, Gran is only a phone call away.
"They can always get me on my cellphone. How did we get by without them?"
The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the The Herald and on nzherald.co.nz in partnership with P&O Cruises. We invited nominations from readers to recognise people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.
Some will be selected to feature in the paper and on nzherald.co.nz. Five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.
