Awards feature in busy week

Saturday's Mud Muster was a great way to get people together. Photo/Bevan Conley

Last week I enjoyed a particularly busy week in terms of award presentations.

It began with the Massey University Sports Blues awards which demonstrate the great support Massey is able to give its sporting students.

The university was certainly rewarded at the Commonwealth Games where 17 Massey athletes shared 20 medals between them - in fact, there were some 70 past and present Massey students represented at the Games.

On Friday night I attended the Mid Central Health Awards - a very worthwhile event which recognises those people and the successful initiatives which are making a great contribution to our improving health outcomes.

These awards were the last for retiring chief executive Murray Georgel who has made an outstanding contribution to Mid Central Health in his 20 years at the helm.

Murray retires at the end of the year.

Sue and I also attended the Mud Muster at the Stewart family farm near Marton on Saturday when more than 550 people competed in the 3km, 5km or 10 km events.

The Mud Muster is in its second year and the fact the numbers were up significantly on last year is testament to the organisational prowess of Kylie and Andrew Stewart who ensure a great day out for all - competitors and spectators alike.

It's another example of rural people making a great contribution to their community - people come into the district, have a great time and spend a little money which all helps local businesses. And it's a great way to get people together.

The Mangaweka Fire Brigade have just celebrated their centennial, along with 50 years of service and a double Gold Star for their fire chief Rex Noble QSM, and 25 years and a Gold Star for their secretary Cecily Evans.

These two individuals have made amazing contributions to their community and to the Mangaweka brigade.

Like so many other small community fire brigades, they have to work very hard to attract new volunteers to the role. It was a particularly enjoyable night for all in Mangaweka.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister John Key attended a luncheon at the Murrayfield cafe near Shannon, which was attended by a number of the Rangitikei electorate's newest constituents who shifted from the Otaki to the Rangitikei roll following last year's boundary changes.

The Prime Minister later visited the Lewis family's renowned Tendertips asparagus operation near Foxton.

Parliament got under way this week after all the new MPs were sworn in on Monday. The Governor-General delivered the "speech from the throne", which outlined the Government's aspirations for the new term. Then the battle began with a debate.

And so the 51st New Zealand Parliament is up and running.

I'm looking forward to being the MP for Rangitikei for the next three years - it is indeed an honour and a privilege.