Zonta honours dynamic duo

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JULIA WADE

Two more women have had their names added to a growing list of impressive locals whose gifts of time, energy and talent to their community are recognised with ceremony and a rose.

Women’s advocacy group Zonta Mangwhai, and guests, honoured 2020 Yellow Rose award recipients Terri Donaldson and Heather Quinn at a recent breakfast celebration held in Mangawhai Heads’ Sandbar cafe on March 4.

Nominated by Kay Hurley and Isabel Hollis, Heather Quinn was selected for her tireless work for Mangawhai Museum, both at the planning and opening stages in 2014 as well as her ‘heavy involvement’ behind the scenes as collections manager, sorting exhibits and items donated by the community.

“Heather has had the responsibility of deciding which items to accept and how they would all be stored… frequently needing to research the history of items and interview the donors to find out 'the who, what and where’,” Kay says. “She’s also scrutinised hundreds of old photos to ascertain as much information as possible before being catalogued.”

On top of this work, Heather has also trained other museum volunteers to assist with storing the items onto the National Museum computer system and also created compact shelving and a system for the efficient storage and retrieval, of the hundreds of exhibits in the archives basement room.

“It was a very big task… a tremendous achievement,” Kay says. “Heather has also been a tireless organiser of the many book fairs for the museum and is always keenly aware of all the volunteer aspects, often stepping in to help out in reception or the cafe.”

Heather’s passion and time also stretches to the environment and for the past 10 years she has worked in conjunction with the Department of Conservation, arranging biannual planting days in the sand dunes to stop erosion, as well as pitching in with the eradication of rabbits and hares.

A ‘how do we do it’ not ‘do we really need to do it’ attitude is only one reason why Ann Marinus believed Maungaturoto resident Terri Donaldson deserved a Yellow Rose award.

The long-time resident and former Otamatea High School (OHS) student was also nominated for her long list of involvement in numerous community events, clubs and activities including Christmas parade organiser, volunteer for the Matakohe Museum, Op shop and community centre, PTA member, a regular participant and organiser of local working bees as well as president of local resident’s association president and within this capacity, communicator with Kaipara District Council.

“Terri enjoys following rugby, a passion she shares with Kenny her husband, and has coached the OHS girls’ rugby team,” Ann says. “She also helps them out when they have difficulty with travel and supports the girls with their school work.”

In between her community activities, Terri works on the couple’s farm, with one of her tasks being the rearing of calves. She and Kenny also managed the monthly Maungaturoto market for a number of years before it was discontinued and she has had some involvement with the Dargaville Wearable Arts competition.

“Because she enjoys books, movies and music she makes a formidable team member in quiz competitions,” Ann says. “Terri’s totally committed to the community and willing to assist where she can. She likes to create her own costumes and proudly wears them… she’s seldom seen without her trademark hat…. she’s a fantastic dynamo!”

Zonta, which means honesty and being trustworthy, first introduced the yellow rose at their 1984 convention, and since 1999 the rose has served as the official symbol for March 8, International Women's Day and traditional day for the Yellow Rose awards.

Zonta Mangawhai president Helen White says on this special day Zontians worldwide are encouraged to publicly distribute yellow roses or items bearing the image with information about Zonta and issues relating to the lives of all women.

“It has developed into a day where we choose to celebrate women in our communities who are inspirational, selfless, who volunteer and/or give their time and energy to local organisations or causes... of which Terri and Heather embody and fully deserve to be recognised.”

n Interested in finding out more about the wonderful work of Zonta? Check out their website, Zonta International District 16, zonta.org.nz

Terri Donaldson and Heather Quinn; worthy recipents of the Zonta 2020 Yellow Rose Award for their ongoing dedication to the Mangawhai and Maungaturoto communities. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

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