Girls' Brigade trio presented with highest honour

Tauranga Girls' Bridgage Company members left Shania Inglis (left) and Laura Harkness (right) and Otumoetai Company's Tessa Matier (centre) receive honours from Lady Janine Mateparae. Photos/supplied

Three young women from Tauranga have been recognised with Queen's Award certificates.

Laura Harkness, Shania Inglis and Tessa Matier were presented with the award certificates by Lady Janine Mateparae, wife of Lieutenant General Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae.

Open to young women aged from 15 - 25, it is an international award of the highest merit and recognises qualities of leadership, dedication and excellence in areas of community life.

Miss Harkness and Miss Matier gained their Queen's Award while with 5th Tauranga Girls' Brigade Company and Miss Inglis with 1st Otumoetai Company.

The three were presented with their achievements at a dinner function with their families and Suzanne Best, representing the Girls' Brigade Board.

The Girls' Brigade Queen's Award is a two year programme of demanding work which includes six months voluntary community service, brigade and church involvement, two initiative tasks, an assignment and attending a national assessment weekend.