Napier Citizens' Civic Awards recipients honoured

This year's Napier Citizens' Civic Awards recipients Erica Toomey (left), Penny and Mike Madden, Napier Mayor Bill Dalton, John Cocking, Matiu Eru, Christine Packer, Tony Wilson, Selwyn Hawthorne, Anne Reese and Harry Findlay.

A couple who have volunteered a lot of their time to the New Zealand Cancer Society are two of this year's Napier Citizens' Civic Awards recipients.

Penny Madden is a trustee of the Hawke's Bay Breast Cancer Trust while husband Mike helps in various ways, including being an on-call driver for cancer patients needing to travel to Palmerston North for treatment.

Both have volunteered as walking guides for Art Deco and Mrs Madden, a renowned artist, is also Napier Pipe Band's past president.

Mr Madden is a Napier Community Patrol member and trustee of the Little Elms Charitable Trust, which runs a facility adjoining Hawke's Bay Hospital providing accommodation.

Selwyn Hawthorne, also a Little Elms trustee, was recognised for his work with the Trucking for Hawke's Bay Child Cancer Charitable Trust. Erica Toomey has worked as a court aide and is a trustee of the Hawke's Bay Addiction Centre Trust.

Hawke's Bay's St John chairwoman Anne Reese has been involved with training St John regional teams competing at a national level.

Retired primary school principal Harry Findlay founded Napier mini hockey for children and the Queen's Service Medal recipient has coached keen junior cricketers for 36 years.

Anglican Minister, teacher and kaumatua Matiu Eru provides cultural guidance to Eastern District Police.

The 2014 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Local Hero award winner is also kaumatua for EIT Hawke's Bay's School of Maori Studies.

Tony Wilson was involved in the establishment of the Maraenui Community Council, and more recently instigated the "Friends of Anderson Park" group.

John Cocking, or Bertie, played a leading role in developing the Art Deco Festival in its early years.

Christine Packer has been an Art Deco volunteer for 22 years and is involved with the committee that coordinates the Earthquake Survivors afternoon tea event.