Outstanding service

By Frank Neill

Four residents of the northern and western suburbs have been honoured for their outstanding service with Absolutely Positively Wellington Awards.

Andrea Skews, Amanda Richardson, Trevor Lloyd and Gary Mitchell were presented their awards at the Tākina Convention and Exhition Centre on 28 September.

The certificate Andrea Skews was presented when she was honoured with an Absolutely Postively Wellington

“I know what an honour it is to have received this award,” Wellington’s Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon, who hosted the award ceremony, said.

She won the award in 2017 in recognition of her role as an advocate for sustainability within the business sector.

“So I’m proud to be the one acknowledging this year’s recipients and their amazing mahi.

“Volunteers are the taonga and heart of our communities, so this is a great opportunity to share their stories, understand the massive contribution they have made, and honour them and their loved ones on this special night.”

Andrea Skews has been a very active community member for more than six years.

She is currently Chair of the Karori Residents Association, a role she has held for the past four years.

The Karori Residents Association has been instrumental in helping guide council investment and planning in the local area, especially over the past few years in respect of developing a clear plan highlighting the long-term infrastructure needs for Karori.

Andrea is also an active member of Karori Rotary.

She has been liaising with the RSA and the New Zealand Army in organising a new memorial for the first contingent of New Zealand Mounted Rifles that trained on Ben Burn Park, and securing funding and volunteer help for the Wrights Hill recreation area for new landscaping, picnic tables, planting and safety cameras.

Andrea also led the set-up of the Friends of Waipāhihi Karori Stream to improve local stream

health.

This is a stream where local kids and pets are often seen playing in the summer months.

Andrea recently started a Karori Safety Group which incorporates Karori Residents Association, the Karori Business Association and Neighbourhood Watch.

She was also one of the founders and sponsors of the local Karori Community patrol a couple of years ago.

Amanda Richardson has been volunteering at Take 10, a late night safe zone in Courtenay Place, for two years.

She works most Saturday nights from 10pm to 3am. She is a valued and trusted member of the team who is generous with her time, her passion, and her commitment to Take 10.

Amanda loves looking after potentially vulnerable people and has a genuine empathy towards anyone who comes to Take 10 needing support.

People trust her and enjoy spending time with her.

She has wonderful conversations with people, and her friendly and welcoming manner make

people feel safe. Amanda chose Take 10 as she likes that people view it as a non-judgmental space.

"We have people who feel comfortable telling us that they've taken something and are worried about their health but don't want to go to the hospital and know we'll make sure they're safe,” she says.

“Pre-Take 10, I'd walk down Courtenay Place, [and] I'd often see quite a few young people,

particularly women, just lying on the footpath late at night and no one really knowing how to

help"

Amanda is also a volunteer for CubaDupa and the Wellington Fringe Festival.

Trevor Lloyd has been volunteering his time to the Ngaio Community for more than 25 years.

His service includes being a member of the Ngaio Crofton Downs Residents Association, organising community events, and developing the Cummings Park tracks and keeping the park itself looking beautiful.

Despite moving to Malvina Major, and being 90 years of age, Trevor can often be found in

Cummings Park clearing leaves off the track and looking after some of the special native trees and plants to ensure the park is looking nice for users.

Trevor is an amazing volunteer and champion for the Ngaio community.

Constable Gary Mitchell showed exceptional bravery and selflessness during a harrowing incident on 26 March this year.

He was one of the first on the scene to a one-vehicle accident in Wellington Central where he took immediate action.

He fearlessly rescued two trapped passengers from a burning car, risking his own life in the

process.

Despite inhaling toxic fumes, he remained steadfast in his commitment to their safety.

He was rushed to Wellington Hospital, where he received urgent medical attention for smoke

inhalation and poisoning from toxic fumes.

With critical levels of carbon dioxide in his blood, he remained devoted to the passenger he had saved, providing comfort and support throughout their recovery.

His extraordinary actions embody the true spirit of a hero.

Gary is the only person in the history of New Zealand to hold both offices of Constable and Justice of the Peace at the same time.

Established in 1986, the awards were originally known as the Civic Awards, recognising

Wellingtonians who had given significant voluntary service in the areas of community service or welfare, sport, culture, the arts, recreation and education.

In 1994, Wellington’s then Mayor Fran Wilde suggested reinvigorating the awards, to acknowledge those who have made a significant contribution to the city, often out of the public eye.

Five years later, in 1999, the Civic Awards became the Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian Awards.

Winners receive a certificate recognising their achievement.