Kiwibank Local Heroes Medal Recipients for the

 

West Coast

 

 

 

Bill Kennedy of Greymouth

Bill Kennedy is the ultimate sports volunteer and he has been involved with basketball for an astonishing 64 years. He has played, coached, refereed, and when called upon he’ll even drive the team van. Bill has been recognized with Basketball New Zealand’s Sir Lance Cross Award for outstanding service to the sport. In 2008 he was named West Coast Volunteer of the Year and he has also achieved national recognition as SPARC Volunteer of the Year. He still lives in Greymouth and is still very involved in basketball to this day. 

Dave Hyde of Greymouth

The West Coast is a safer place for the 40-year efforts of David Hyde, former Greymouth FSO and now supporting volunteers on the Coast. He set up the initial Critical Incident Stress Management Team on the West Coast and continues to direct this service. Dave is an honorary life member of the United Fire Brigades Association of New Zealand and is past president and life member of the Fire Brigades Institute. Dave also represents the Fire Service in his work with Civil Defence, as well as being a member of Lions and active with the Life Education Trust and Victim Support.

Dot Bradley of Murchison

Dot is described as the motor that keeps the small community of Murchison running. She cares for the elderly feeds the poor, entertains the teenagers, and teaches the parents. There is nothing she doesn’t do.
Dot is a Justice of the Peace and is involved with the local daycare centre, sports and all sorts of clubs, as well as mediating for many people in and around town.

Mike Keenan of Hokitika

Mike is one of the major organizers of the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival, although he does a lot more work than he’s paid for. Mike also does masses as a volunteer for his beloved community. He has given up his garage to a local group for use as a gym; with the Hokitika Activities Centre; recently secured new premises for a work centre for adults with disabilities; and sources and plants native trees for the Woodstock Heritage Trail.

Mike is an avid sports lover , he is heavily involved in events like Round the Bridges and Jim Hamilton Boxing Day 10km, rounding up volunteers and helping to coordinate. Mike quite simply lives and breathes the West Coast.

Paul Caffyn of Runanga

Paul Caffyn is a sea kayaker who has completed a number of supported, unsupported and solo expeditions around the world. Amongst sea kayakers Paul is in a class of his own. Paul has circumnavigated New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain and the four main islands of Japan.

Anna Dyzel of Hokitika

Anna has been involved with charity work in Hokitika for the past 15 years. Specifically this time has been spent with the Hokitika Lions Club, oftentimes she is seen doing a lot of labour and digging into her own pocket to help fund community events. Outside of this Anna is also the director and Doctor at the Westland Medical Centre. It is said she works 70-80 hours per week and is on call 24/7.