Yellow Rose for devotion and service

 

BY JULIA WADE

A trio of local women known in east Kaipara for their energy, passion, talent and giving of time, were honoured recently as part of a global movement which acknowledges women around the world. 

Bev Ross, Eileen Parsons and Libby Clews are this year’s recipients for Mangawhai Zonta’s Yellow Rose Award, a global event the worldwide women’s advocacy and human rights organisation holds every year on International Women’s Day, March 8. 

Volunteers are nominated by their peers for their inspirational dedication and service to make their community a better place and were guests of honour at a special breakfast held at Mangawhai’s Sandbar Eatery on March 8. They each received a certificate, yellow rose and a stained-glass effect bookmark created by Zonta Mangawhai President Helen White’s son-in-law. 

Nature itself appeared to signify the day with a spectacular yellow and orange sunrise White says. 

“I suggested it was especially put on to celebrate our yellow rose recipients.”
 
Nominator for Libby Clews, Isabel Hollis says the young mum ‘embodies the principles of community service’. 

“Along with her husband Mike, Libby took over the administration for the Helping Hands (HH) Facebook page in February 2018 with a membership of 500,” Isabel says. “But such is the success and popularity of the site… which was established in 2016 to offer a safe forum for local families to ask for and receive recycled goods, clothing, help and support that it now hosts over 1544 members.” 
Under Libby’s administration, HH now needs eight administrators responsible for various different services offered on the site, and eight moderators who offer weekly tips in various areas including budgeting, mental health and healthy eating. A large band of volunteers also assist with the massive job of sorting and distribution of gifted goods.
Expanding from its original intent of gifting-on items, the site has morphed to include a community food stand that Mike and Libby initiated and is now located outside BeforeSix early childhood centre ‘with a fridge’ along with a children’s clothing swap bin, family weekly meals and food baskets, washing machine repairs, a car seat expert for safety checks, toy drive at Christmas and ‘period poverty provision’ of moon cups and period pants. New initiatives are also being planned.
“Libby also liaises regularly with Te Whai Community Trust, Plunket, Family Start, and spends time sharing relevant and pertinent posts and sites for services and handy hints,” Isabel says. “And did we mention that she also has a toddler and a new baby!”

Mangawhai historian Bev Ross was nominated by Kay Hurley who admires Bev’s achievements in highlighting and promoting the areas rich history. 

Descended from an original settler family, Bev is a former curator of the old Mangawhai Museum and helped to establish the Mangawhai Historical Society. She assisted in the displays for the new museum where she can be found advising and assisting in many areas and has been a knowledgeable Historical Walks guide for Mangawhai’s annual Walking Weekend. 

A skilled writer, Bev has published three books illustrating Mangawhai’s history; ‘They Dared the Impossible’, the story of the ‘Big Dig’; ‘Ripples on the River’; and ‘The 58th Regiment stationed at Mangawhai’. She also sings in the local choir ‘The Mangawhai Singers'.

“At present Bev is supporting a group who are working to bring 'The Daring', the ship that was built in Mangawhai in the 1830s and was recently found on the Kaipara, back to Mangawhai,” Kay says. “It has been buried for many years and will need much restoration. 


Maungaturoto local Eileen Parsons was nominated for the Yellow Rose by Ann Marinus who says she is ‘a lady I have admired for many years’.

“Twenty-four years ago, when her son was only 10 years old, she lost her husband, and although this was devastating for Eileen she kept going, dedicating her time to raising her son and supporting the Maungaturoto community,” she says. “Twenty years ago in 1999 she was awarded the Queen Service Medal for Public Services and she has not yet let up.”

Eileen’s lengthy list of local organisations she is involved and active in include Maungaturoto St John Ambulance for over 30 years, Maungaturoto Rotary including a period as president and volunteer driving instructor for young people, Anglican Church as a lay preacher and treasurer, Centennial Hall and Civil Defence committees, Kaiwaka Athletics Club, Maungaturoto Swimming Club, an auditor for several local organisations including the RSA, and the Relay for Life walk for cancer. 

Adds Anne: “In addition to all this, if you are passing through Maungaturoto on a Saturday morning, it is not uncommon to see Eileen out clearing litter from the gutters and under trees, making sure the community is presented in the best possible way for everyone.”

 

2019 ZONTA SECOND CHANCE STUDY AWARD The Zonta Club of Mangawhai is once again offering a Second Chance for Women Study Award. The successful applicant will receive $2500 towards tuition fees for an NZQA approved course of study towards a sustainable career path. Any woman furthering educational studies who is resident in the  Mangawhai, Kaiwaka, Maungaturoto, or Bream Bay area is eligible to apply.  Awardees from the past three years have been very worthy and popular recipients who used their awards to assist with their final year of study. Application forms can be requested by texting Sue on 027 555 6636 with your name and email address, and are due by Friday May 3. Interviews will be held on Saturday May 25. This award is made possible because of the generosity of the local community at Zonta fundraising events such as the Mid Winter Ball and quiz nights. It is in addition to the two places awarded to young women on Spirit of Adventure Leadership Voyages and the Yellow Rose Award for Service to the Community.  Mangawhai Zonta Club welcomes new members and would love to hear from you. Contact zonta@mangawhai.org.nz or phone Carolyn on 021 652 151 for further information or come along to a meeting to hear interesting speakers and meet new friends.

 SAVE THE DATE: The Zonta Midwinter Ball will  be held again this year on June 22. Look out for ticket sales.