LANCE SCULLIN, posthumously
A neighbourhood watch co-ordinator who stepped in to break up a fight but died shortly afterwards has been nominated for this year's Bay of Plenty Times Person of the Year.
Lance Scullin was nominated by the Merivale community after he confronted troublemakers outside his home last November and was assaulted.
A couple of hours later he died.
The 50-year-old father of three was known as Merivale's "unofficial security guard" because he kept a close eye on what was going on in the community and was quick to challenge anyone causing trouble.
Lance was well known for being a caring, compassionate man who would offer a spare bed to anyone who needed it.
The Merivale community was shocked by his death and in its nomination of Lance for this year's award his nominator stated: "Lance resides in the parts of those who tirelessly work as Lance did to make Merivale a safe place for our tamariki (children) and mokopuna (grandchildren).
"...The biggest thing that has come from Lance's demise is the way people from our community of all ethnicities have come out of the woodwork to stand united - kotahitanga (we are all one).''