Kiwibank Local Heroes Medal Recipients for

Southland

Deborah Dillon of Stewart Island

For the past decade Nurse Deborah Dillon has been going beyond the call of duty time and time again to care for people on Stewart island. Deborah and her colleague Martinus Pepers provide rostered 24/7 care of more than 400 residents and more than 40,000 summer season tourists.

This extends across the whole spectrum of health care including maternity care, school visits, search and rescue, acute trauma management, counselling and palliative care. The island's unique isolated environment means crucial decisions need to be made quickly on patient care and possibly evacuation procedures.
Deborah have undertaken extensive training to refine their nursing skills having completed a masters degree and is involved in many community activities.
Deborah also received a Queen's Service Medal for services to nursing and the community in 2010

Ian Beker of Invercargill

Ian Beker has worked as the general manager of Southland Disability Enterprises, a not-for-profit organisation providing employment and training services to disabled people for more than 19 years.Ian said he originally had planned to be at the organisation for five years but as the job and changes to disability support continued to evolve, he had stayed.

Under his leadership, Southland Disability Enterprises has developed from a small organisation into a larger employer of people with disabilities in recycling enterprises and markets in Southland. He has prepared and trained people with disabilities and constantly explores new work opportunities and contracts to develop their skills. In 2008, Southland Disabilities Enterprises received the Environment Southland environmental innovators award and Mr Beker also received a special councillors award that year.

In 2009, the organisation won a Vero Business Excellence award. Ian also wrote Aiming for Excellence, a book on best practice in disability support. He is the pensions and welfare representative for Southland Vietnam Veterans and President of Awarua Returned Services Association. Ian is also a foundation member and past president of the Invercargill Sunrise Rotary Club.

Imelda Sutherland of Tuatapere

Despite suffering various medical problems and other adversities in life, Imelda Sutherland has provided the local residents of Tuatapere free tutoring and an avenue to explore information technology. Imelda passes on a large range of knowledge onto anyone willing to learn often demystifying information technology to many and this has lead to several people in the community gaining full time employment.

Not only does she teach computer literacy but she also provides help and advice with voluntary online security, purchasing computer hardware and software.

Syd Harvey of Tuatapere

Syd Harvey has been a member of the Tuatapere RSA for 65 years and has battled tirelessly for the benefit of this group and surrounding RSA districts. Syd has been a member since he returned from active service in the Second World War.

During these 65 years of continuous service he has held many positions including a member of the executive and welfare committees and has just retired after 21 consecutive years as the branch president, however Syd still remains as the welfare officer for the district. One of Syd's great pleasures has been the establishing of the Tuatapere Armed Services Memorial Bursary Trust which is handed out each year to a very deserving student undertaking Tertiary education from the District. This award is presented on ANZAC day in the Tuatapere Memorial Hall during the ANZAC service.

The Tuatapere Armed Services Memorial Bursary Trust has assisted 7 students with bursaries. Syd learnt to fly a micro light aircraft at the age of 72 and he realized a lifelong ambition by having his first solo flight in a micro light plane at the same age.
He is currently still flying and has the distinction of being the oldest recreational pilot in New Zealand.

Val McKay of Tuatapere 

Val Mckay has been heavily involved in his community, especially as a music tutor and renowned piper, for over 40 years. Val began piping in the early 1960's, travelling to Scotland and winning many solo competitions. He returned to Southland three years later and has been sharing his skills with young people ever since.

Over the years Val has performed with his pipe band at numerous community concerts, learned to fly, helped out with the A&P shows, played at ANZAC services, helped set up the Tuatapere Service Station, promoted the Pipe Band, supported the Hump Ridge track and the Wairaurahiri Jets and all the while continued to tutor young musicians. He has been teaching young people to play the bag pipes for over 40 years and receives no payment for his efforts and is humble in his approach to this 'art and love of music'.