New Year Honours list: Berys Marie Ross

Berys Maree Ross' selfless service to her community has been rewarded with a QSM. Photo / George Novak

Berys Marie Ross has worn many hats in her professional and private life.

The Te Puke mother of four daughters, former teacher at Te Puke Primary and Te Puke Intermediate, real estate agent, and partner in her and husband Grahame's kiwifruit and avocado orchard business, has also served on numerous community organisations.

That included serving on Plunket and school committees and the Bay of Plenty Community Trust, and chairing the Dillon Scholarship Committee.

She was secretary-treasurer of Te Puke Intermediate's School Committee and for a number of years Mrs Ross served on Tauranga Women's Refuge Board and chaired the former Tauranga Sexual Assault Trust Board.

She is a former chairperson and treasurer of Bay of Plenty Zonta.

Mrs Ross, 73, is a member of the Health Practitioners' Disciplinary Tribunal and Lotto Bay of Plenty/Gisborne Community Distribution Committee, and patron of Te Puke Kindergarten.

During her six years as area controller of Neighbourhood Support in Te Puke and the surrounding suburbs, she helped establish street patrols.

Mrs Ross continues to drive for Te Puke Day Owls, but is temporarily out of action after breaking her right leg three months ago when she tripped over her laundry basket.

"I can't wait to get out of my big moon-boot on January 9," she said.

Mrs Ross has another reason to celebrate, as her selfless service has been rewarded with a Queen's Service Medal.

"It feels very humbling to accept this award because many thousands of people give service to their community every day. I feel pretty amazed and very grateful to be honoured."

Mrs Ross said the importance of service was something she learned from her father Noel Bowyer, a former Te Puke deputy mayor, and her grandparents Walter and Maude Bowyer.

Her grandfather was reputedly the country's youngest JP one at 19, and her grandmother was awarded an MBE for her fundraising efforts for Plunket.