Kiwibank Local Heroes Medal Recipients for South

Canterbury

Nicole Begg of Timaru

Nicole Begg is a World Champion Speed Skater who is passionate about her sport and passing this passion onto the youth of Timaru. So much so, that Nicole put an advertisement in the local paper for anyone interested in trying out speed skating.

Nicole’s coaching and mentoring begun from there. Initially 10 young people showed up to be taught by Nicole and this coaching has now blossomed with many turning up each Sunday for expert free tutelage.This has led to a revival of the South Canterbury Roller Skating Club and more young people being involved in sport.

Alison Neill of Fairlie

Alison Neill,  from Fairlie in South Canterbury, established Moreh, a residential home for elderly people facing health and care issues in 1979. Over the last thirty years Alison, a trained nurse,  has voluntarily cared for over 300 residents some of who enjoyed short temporary stays, and others to see out their last days with the warm, loving and professional care that she provides. Moreh’s residents are not asked for money, donations are not to be solicited, and there is a strong belief that whatever Moreh needs to continue its amazing service for the people of Fairlie, it will be provided if it is needed.

Alison works tirelessly caring for her residents day and night despite being well past retirement age herself. She lives on site and as such provides care 24/7.
Now in her 78th year and older than some of her residents, Alison’s compassion is as strong as ever and the residents of Moreh feel very fortunate to be under the wing of the “Angel of Fairlie”.

Pauline Paterson of Ashburton

Pauline has dedicated over 40 years of service to the sport of basketball which has enriched and benefited the lives of many. This has brought her to range of roles within Basketball New Zealand such as, Regional Co-ordinator of Basketball Canterbury, Basketball NZ Board Member, New Zealand national team manager for both the junior women’s team and U23 women’s team.

In total her current roles are at least 30 hours of voluntary service a week and if you date that back to almost 40 years of service that is over 60,000 hours of voluntary service.

Greta Davidson of Ashburton

Greta Davidson is the quintessential volunteer having held numerous voluntary positions  serving her community over a 50 year period. Greta’s amazing demeanor and unselfishness have benefitted anyone she has come into contact with.Greta is currently a hospital volunteer at Ashburton Hospital and has been for nearly twenty years, is a committee member of CCS (Crippled Children’s Society), was a founding member of IHC Ashburton, a voluntary tutor for Ashburton Adult Reading and is a founding member of the Ashburton Community Group – serving people with disabilities in and around Ashburton.