Allen Topless is well-known, in Makahu and much further afield, for his kind, gentle nature and unwavering love for his community.
Since Allen and his wife Sylvia moved to the Stratford district in 1974, Allen has always been quick to lend a hand when anything has needed to be done in the community the couple call home.
One of this year’s three Stratford District Citizen Award recipients, Allen is still busy giving his time and skills to the Makahu community, even though he and Syliva have “retired” to Toko.
Allen has been involved with Makahu School for over 50 years now, having lent a hand to various school initiatives since they moved to the area. In 1980, he joined the school committee, and was there in 1989 when ‘tomorrow’s schools’ came into effect and Boards of Trustees were introduced across the country. He became chairman of that board, remaining in the position until 2002 and remaining on the board as a member until just last year.