Triple rose for valuable trio

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JULIA WADE

Three hardworking and community-spirited Kaipara women were the guests of honour at a recent early morning ceremony, a celebration carried out worldwide to pay tribute to the outstanding efforts, achievements and devotion women bring to their communities.

Volunteers extraordinaire Sue Poynter, Joan Farrell and Marg Paton are 2021 recipients for Mangawhai Zonta’s Yellow Rose Award, a global event the international women’s advocacy and human rights organisation hold every year on International Women’s Day, March 8. Volunteers are nominated by their peers for inspirational qualities of dedication and service.

In her opening speech, Mangawhai Zonta president Liz Holsted took inspiration from Zonta International president, Sharon Langenbeck.

“She says ‘each year on International Women’s Day, we celebrate progress toward gender equality, and acts of bravery and determination by women around the world who have made extraordinary contributions to their communities’, and that is why we are here today,” Holsted says. “‘In the last year, the Covid-19 pandemic has shed light on existing issues and the disproportionate effect on women and girls who have increasingly been subjected to violence by an intimate partner as security, health and money concerns intensify’ and New Zealand hasn’t been exempt from this.”

Sharon Langenbeck: ‘The pandemic has also highlighted the many women who stand on the front lines as health care workers, teachers, caregivers, innovators and more… their contributions do not go unnoticed. Though it has been a difficult year, today is a time to celebrate our accomplishments… a special day when Zontians are encouraged to recognise those individuals in their lives who have encouraged them’.

“I would like to pay tribute today to my Mum, who is no longer with me and some special women in the community who have really been supportive. I’m sure we can all think of someone who has supported us as a woman, and our rights. Thank you for joining us today and congratulations to this year’s Yellow Rose Award winners.”

n For more information on the exemplary work of Zonta Mangawhai, visit their facebook page, Zonta Club of Mangawhai.
 

Joan Farrell
Mangawhai Zonta’s advocacy committee chair and organiser of the breakfast ceremony, Karen Clarke, nominated local Joan Farrell for her efforts and leadership in creating the community gardens located at Mangawhai Domain and says ‘the gardens are outstanding and just keep getting better every year’.

“Joan is a great motivator, she initiated the gardens 11 years ago after her daughter said there were people in Mangawhai who couldn’t afford food. She’s been tending the garden ever since, been there every Friday for its weekly team maintenance, from 9am to 11, working quietly away,” Clarke says. “With the support of her partner Ted, Joan has led the volunteer garden team to produce one of the best community gardens around, with the produce being distributed among those that need it. We really do appreciate your hard work Joan, and your enthusiasm, thank you.”

PHOTO/MEL TITO

 

Sue Poynter
Empathic, positive and compassionate - just some of the qualities that led friends to nominate Sue Poynter for a Yellow Rose Award - along with inspirational, non-judgmental and a ’strategic thinker’.

A member of both Zonta Mangawhai and Te Whai Charitable Trust, Sue is the ‘go-to person’ former Zonta president Helen White says.

“When I joined this local club, I was soon aware of the phrase ‘Sue will do it’, whether it was locating documents, planning our awards the ‘Spirit of Adventure’ and ‘Second Chance’, connecting with media or offering advice support or a shoulder,” she says. “When I became president of Zonta, Sue was my mentor, and many times I’ve contacted her seeking her sage advice and a coffee.”

A tireless worker for the Mangawhai community in both her roles, Sue has been a key player in establishing support services, such as ‘Grandparents Supporting Grandparents’, and ‘Te Whai Sages’, ‘to name a few’.

“Sue is reliable, resourceful, ‘a quiet beaver’ and a mine of information which she is happy to share, nothing ever seems like a bother,” White says. “Thank you Sue, for all you have contributed to Zonta Mangawhai, and to the community, for always being willing and able, and for being you.”

PHOTO/MEL TITO

 

Marg Paton
Recipient of a Yellow Rose in 2018, Gail Donald says Marg Paton is a hardworking yet unassuming and humble woman who ‘prefers to go under the radar’.

“At first she actually didn’t want to accept the award and I had to talk her into it, so I’m delighted that she has agreed,” Donald says. “She does a lot for Maungaturoto.”

Although retired and working on her farm along with her husband Albie, also a tireless contributor to the community, Marg volunteers her time as a committee member for the Dementia Unit and her efforts have helped raise considerable funds.

“She’s also part of ‘Trash and Treasure’, which is an institution in our town, and contributes a lot of funds to St John. She’s told me she just loves helping people and I think that says it all about her.”

PHOTO/MEL TITO

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