For her dedicated service, loyalty and generosity to the Papatawa Women's Institute and the community, last month Woodville resident Betty Goldsworthy received her Gold Honours Award from WI national president Kay Hart and MP Nicky Wagner, Minister of Greater Christchurch Regeneration.
It was her Papatawa club's turn on Monday to say congratulations to Betty when they held a morning tea at her residence.
Betty said that while it was a great honour to receive her Gold Honours Award she accepted it on behalf of her club, which had been a key to her achieving so many ambitions to better the community.
She said also that she had gained more from the club than she had contributed.
"I was pretty raw when I started."
Betty joined Papatawa WI in 1948 and in her 69 years of service she has served 41 years on the committee and has been president, secretary and treasurer.
Other involvements include membership of the Women's Section of the Woodville RSA, the Woodville Horticultural Society, the Breathe Easy Group - a support group for asthma suffers - and Relay For Life, which raises funds for cancer support.
President Joy Cumming said Betty thoroughly deserved the Women's Institute's highest honour.
It will find a place on a wall next to the TDC Civic Award Betty received in 2016.
Betty's is the third Gold Honours Award the Papatawa membership had received.
The first was Irene Herrick, followed by Carlein Kinane in 2002.
Betty turned 89 on Tuesday but she is not letting age get in the way of serving the community.
"It is just another excuse to 'get on with it'."