Retired teacher Anri West can't get enough of learning.
About five years ago she heard of an opportunity to be a guide at the Rotorua Museum of Art and History and since then she can be found each Friday leading groups of visitors around the exhibits on show.
Mrs West is thisweek's The Daily Post Volunteer of the Week. She was nominated by Anne Somerville for her passion and enthusiasm and because she's "keen to do it properly".
Mrs West is originally from Finland, immigrating to New Zealand in 1967.
"I reckon I qualify as a Kiwi now," she said.
It was when she was semi-retired, teaching at Waiariki Institute of Technology, that she heard about the need for volunteers at the museum.
"The years have gone by so quickly. It sounded really interesting and I'm really interested in Maori culture anyway.
"It's been excellent - I've learned so much about the history of the town and tribes and met great people too. Lots of people who come here are interested to see what we have."
She said she liked to surprise Finnish visitors by greeting them in their native tongue and she was always on hand to fill in for other docents.
"My favourite exhibit is the Te Arawa gallery. I could spend the whole day there.
"There are such lovely treasures and stories."
She said she would continue to volunteer for "as long as I can walk and my brain keeps working". TELL US Volunteer of the Week Anri West receives an $85 meal voucher courtesy of the Distinction Hotel. If you know of a volunteer who deserves recognition, contact Alison King on (07) 348 6199 ext 57048 or at alison.king@dailypost.co.nz
