Special treat for group of special people

WELL DONE: Plunket Greytown president Katie Abbott accepted a thankyou goodie box on behalf of her Plunket branch.

A special morning tea was put on for a room full of very special people in Masterton yesterday.

Masterton District Council hosted volunteers from a cross-section of organisations that contribute hugely to the district, for free.

The council's community services manager Jan Gerritsen told the volunteers who gathered in the Frank Cody Lounge they were the "bones of our society".

"You are the people who hold us together as a community and many of you work for more than one volunteer organisation," she said.

Deputy mayor Graham McClymont welcomed the volunteers and thanked Mrs Gerritsen for showing the initiative to host the many people who came along.

He said if central government had to pay for all the work done by volunteers throughout New Zealand it would have to double taxes to do so.

The occasion was taken as an opportunity to present awards to members of two of the organisations, Lifeline Aotearoa and Plunket.

Retiring Lifeline stalwarts Kevin and Val Ball were presented with holiday vouchers donated by the Flight Centre recognising their huge contribution over many decades.

Accepting the gift Mrs Ball responded by saying the greatest gift given to anyone was the gift of time "and you people, as volunteers, are gifting this time to your community. Please carry on gifting". Gift baskets were presented to representatives of six Plunket branches in Wairarapa, by Plunket CSC administrator Amy Christie.