Volunteers in spotlight

Whangarei District Council civic honours recipients Fred Field (left) Des Coutts, Mary Field, Merv Rusk and Sophie Edwards. Photo / John Stone

Five people received red-carpet treatment when they were presented with Whangarei District Council civic honours awards at a special function in the council chambers.

The five - Des Coutts, Fred and Mary Field, Merv Rusk and Sophie Edwards - joined an illustrious roll of citizens recognised for their community service since civic honours were first awarded by the former Whangarei City Council in 1987 and continued by the district council since 1992.

They arrived at Forum North yesterday around 5pm and made their way to the council chambers along a red carpet rolled out in their honour.

The presentation ceremony got under way about 6pm with the council's civic honours committee chair Cr Shelley Deeming reading citations before Acting Mayor Phil Halse presented them with their awards.

Des Coutts received his civic honour in acknowledgement of his support of the Hikurangi community.

There were few people in the town who had not benefited from his hard work, his citation said, describing his service with the Hikurangi Primary School, Business Association, Tennis Club, and other organisations.

Fred and Mary Field's honour recognised their contribution to the Mangakahia community and young people in need.

The Parakao farm where they raised four daughters during their 54-year marriage also provided a home for foster children.

They spent five decades teaching swimming, tennis, badminton and ballroom dancing to local children and there have been few activities they haven't been involved in to support Mangakahia over the past 50 years.

Merv Rusk received his civic honour for his contribution to the well-being of the people of Hikurangi, Whangarei and New Zealand.

A Marua farmer, he has voluntarily served organisations ranging from Young Farmers to the NZ Farm Safety Association, Hikurangi Christian Fellowship, Northland Lawn Tennis Association and the Mayoral Flood Relief Fund Committee.

Sophie Edwards' award recognises her contributions to the community and nature of the Tutukaka Coast and Whangarei.

Originally from Hungary, she married Bill Edwards in 1949 and they lived in Uganda, Pakistan and England before settling at Ngunguru in 1992.

She has worked with Maori, the Whangarei Native Bird Recovery Centre, the Ngunguru Sandspit Protection Society, G.E. Free Northland and the Tutukaka Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association.