NEW ZEALAND COURIERS & RESENE NOVEMBER VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH

Volunteer of the Month is proudly supported by New Zealand Couriers and Resene. Each month, an extraordinary volunteer is acknowledged for outstanding service. They also receive a $100 cheque and gym bag, courtesy of New Zealand Couriers, a $100 paint voucher, courtesy of Resene, a certificate and various other goodies.

Our November VOM is Denis Cronin. As an inaugural member of Keep Alexandra Clyde Beautiful since 1988, Denis has been an extremely conscientious and loyal member. His interest and enthusiasm for the environment, the community and the group, whether it be initiating, facilitating and/or supporting projects, has never waned. His involvement has been invaluable, supporting many projects including: monthly litter counts, litter collections, Clean Up NZ Weeks, Adopt a Highway, organizing KACB site signs, initiating funding support (through Glad McArthur Trust), monitoring and maintaining kowhai plantings while also liaising with Contact Energy regarding the Linger and Die area, selecting and purchasing numerous tools and equipment for the group, plus beautifying a residential area close to his home.

Major projects he oversaw, while he was Chairman (1990-2005), were the beautification of the entrances to Alexandra, the landscaping of Blackmore Park and supporting the development of the Kamaka Walkway (which formed a vital part of the award for most Beautiful Town in 2006).  Working bees have taken hours of his time at numerous sites and developments such as – Blackmore Park, the cemetery, Kamaka Walkway, Wildflower Park, Hanging Baskets, Rail Trail Beautification sites 0 (by Rail-Road Bridge), 1 (Carpark), 2A (Heritage Trees), 2B (Trees for Babies) and 3 (Dunstan Road), the entranceways to town, Wastebusters Landscaping, and WED Boundary Road plantings.

Denis’ wealth of knowledge and leadership experience has always been of great value to KACB, supporting many projects and activities, as well as encouraging new members or interested people to become involved in environmental projects.

His responsibilities increased while he held the role of Chairman, liaising with volunteers, contractors, council members, the Mayor, service clubs and fundraising bodies in a very professional manner. Those that have worked with him over his many years of service to KACB and the community, hold Denis in very high regard.

KACB has been presented with the numerous awards and many of these projects or applications have had hours of input on Denis’s part. His consistent, enthusiastic and proud demeanour has certainly helped KACB achieve much in the Alexandra and Clyde areas of Central Otago.

In 2008, KACB nominated Denis and he received the Keep NZ Beautiful Chairman’s Excellence Award. In 2013 he was again nominated by the group and as a result, became a Life Member of the national association, a well deserved acknowledgement.

Denis, at the age of 83, still regularly attends meetings and adds valued input to many discussions.

Earlier this year, Denis was awarded the Central Otago Community Service Award.

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