Zonta - Dedicated volunteer receives rose of admiration

An exceptional woman, who has been noted for her tireless devotion and energy to a wide range of community services, has been unanimously selected to receive a prestigious award.

Local volunteer, Jenny Webb is this year’s recipient of the Mangawhai Zonta Club Yellow Rose Day Award, to be celebrated at a breakfast ceremony at Dune Cafe on March 8, International Women’s Day.

The award is an annual event by international women’s advocacy and human rights organisation, Zonta, and is presented to women worldwide who have been nominated by their peers for inspirational qualities of dedication and service.

Zonta member and Yellow Rose Award organiser, Karen Clarke, says Jenny was chosen for her outstanding contribution to the Mangawhai community.

“Jenny is a local scout leader, plus a trackie who works on our local track development and provides the morning tea,” she says. “She assists the guides at the Mangawhai Walking Weekend with first aid training and the making up of the first aid kits. More recently she is helping with the St John cadets and is a member of the Women's Institute and the Garden Club.”

Looking after others appears to be a lifelong endeavour for the former nurse, despite having previous health issues.

Jenny has suffered four strokes in recent years which left her speech affected and she is now partially sighted.

She has an assist dog, Angus to help her around and, due to not being able to drive, is escorted by husband Chris who has been ‘a great support’.

“The Scouts, Dorothy Freeman from Walking Weekend and track leaders all spoke so highly of Jenny. She helped raise over $40,000 to send all the Mangawhai scouts to a recent jamboree in Blenheim which she and Chris also went down to assist,” Karen Clarke says. “She is a wonderful recipient of our Yellow Rose Award.”

DEVOTED: Jenny Webb, despite ongoing health problems, has a heart for helping others.