Colin Campbell (Waipapakauri) has served a vast number of community organisations, including Red Cross cadets, St John cadets, St John Ambulance (18 years), the Ninety Mile Beach Charitable Trust, the Far North Avocado Trust, the Ninety Mile Beach Surfcasting Club and Te Hiku Media. He has also been an honorary wildlife ranger.
Brian Dawson (Kaitaia) is always offering his time, tractors and equipment for school and community projects, pushed for construction of the Awaroa Rd walkway, and helps out at fishing competitions, Kaitaia Rugby Club and Mangonui RFU. "When he leaves he leaves you with a smile," the citation stated.
Anthea Goodwin (Mangonui) has long been involved in environmental causes. She has covenanted part of her Kohumaru property and set aside land at Berghan Point and the Tokerau dunes for conservation. She also plants trees at Cooper's Beach, records dotterels and traps possums.
Ron Hallett (Kaitaia) was a founding Friend of Kaitaia Library, which he continues to serve. He has been an A&P committee member for many years, and is also involved with Age Concern.
William John Ineson (Kaikohe) is a dedicated supporter of Kaikohe's Pioneer Village, a patient and talented artisan, and an active member of the Aged, Widowed and Invalids' Organisation.
Thomson Lawrence (Tokerau Beach) set up a night patrol in the 1980s, founded surf rescue on the Karikari Peninsula and still takes part in search and rescue. He is the local chief fire officer, organises the annual fire party fishing contest, fundraises for Karikari Hall and chairs the recreational building committee.
Dene Preston (Waimamaku) volunteered for 36 years with the Omapere Fire Brigade, 10 of those as chief fire officer. He also serves the Waimamaku Hall Committee, Wild West Festival, Rifle and Pistol Club and Cemetery Committee.
Boy Yates (Kaitaia) supports inmates and whanau at Ngawha Prison, clears roadside weeds, campaigns for road safety, helps neighbours and the elderly. Earlier this year he was named a Northland medallist in the New Zealander of the Year Awards.
* Jokes and good-natured ribbing dominated the celebratory half of the awards, Mr Preston saying how much he enjoyed helping out with the Wild West Festival in his home town of Waimamaku because it allowed him to fulfil roles usually reserved for the council, such as holding people up and demanding money.
Mayor Wayne Brown quipped he'd find Mr Preston the perfect job in the planning department, while the fact Mr Dawson was nominated by Des Mahoney was proof he could mix with anybody. Mr Yates offered unexpected support for Mr Brown's mining push, saying it was hypocrisy to move to Australia in droves to work in the mines while opposing mining at home.
