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NZ Herald
20-07-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Shona Graham honoured for 30 years of volunteering in Katikati
'I particularly love kids,' Graham said. 'That's where I'm most comfortable.' Why? 'Oh, you just learn from them all the time – like you're teaching them, but you're learning from them too,' Graham said. 'They're so open. I love that about them, you know, as adults, we close off a bit. 'We show the parts of ourselves that we want to be seen, whereas just like kids, I still like to be silly … I don't know … I get them, and they get me." Katikati Community Centre staff Nicky Austin, Rochelle Morrow, volunteer Shona Graham, with Jan de Faye and Sally Goodyear at work on a Katikati Spring Clean. Photo / Supplied Graham enjoys starting her week with two hours of reading with Katikati Primary students. At June's Kati Chat, the 56-year-old was recognised for 30 years of volunteer work in her community of Katikati. Graham was enjoying hearing about others being celebrated when she was presented with a Lifetime Volunteer Award, by Volunteering Services for her outstanding contribution. Graham said when she answered a newspaper advert calling for volunteers to help with Katikati's Christmas Float Parade back in 1995, she never imagined it would spark a 30-year journey in community service. 'I thought that would be a good way to meet people. It all started from there.' A pregnant Graham and partner Peter Cox had moved to Katikati from the United Kingdom with their 3-year-old daughter Hannah in 1995 and bought a lifestyle block south of town. 'Hannah was in kindy and it [volunteering] was just a way to get into the community really.' The parade work morphed into volunteering at Katikati Resource Centre – today called Katikati Community Centre – then the school holiday programme and after-school care, and on to all kinds of expos and events hosted by the centre. 'I met Chris Ridder [former Katikati Resource Centre manager] and she'd just started the school holiday programme the year before. 'I was like: 'Yeah, we'll give it a whirl' and I'm still there. Then of course I just became part and parcel of the centre,' Graham said. Other acts of love have been participating in Katikati's annual Spring Clean events with daughter Phoebe, health expos and in recent years, community picnics and the Festival of Cultures. 'This is a big one for me. I love this. 'I just feel it brings our community together and it's so lovely to see how many different cultures live here.' Graham smiles when she thinks of how the Recognised Seasonal Employer workers get so into it: 'I love that they're so enthusiastic'. Shona Graham with her Lifetime Volunteer Award, presented by Volunteering Services, in recognition of her 30 years of outstanding contribution. Photo / Supplied How did she volunteer when she had two preschool-aged kids? 'Peter and I were gardeners, so I was lucky enough to have both of my girls at home when they were little. The block of land we bought was bare and we wanted to be as self-sufficient as we could,' the avid vege gardener said. 'So I didn't have to work full-time because of the simple lifestyle that we chose.' Graham said Cox reinvented himself, turning his hands to all sorts of work. When Phoebe went to school, the couple took on gardening and never looked back. Cox got roped into various things, 'usually for the holiday programme'. Volunteering is a family affair for Graham. Her mother volunteered when she was young – and now daughter Phoebe volunteers at the centre. 'My mum had the time and she taught us that if you can give back a bit, it just makes our communities work and you meet people you wouldn't usually.' After nearly three decades, Graham said she's practically part of the building: 'The centre's been such a big part of my life – and I guess I've become part of it too. Some of the kids I'm working with now are the children of people I did classes for years ago. 'It's pretty special.' So what keeps driving her to keep giving? 'Volunteering is so good for the soul. Once you start, you'll see how if everyone gave a little bit back, our communities would all be thriving.' She knows for some 'it's not their bag', but for Graham, 'I'm a people person. I love it.' Katikati Community Centre manager Nicky Austin said it would be impossible to count the hours that Graham had given to her community. 'She's cheery, positive, hard-working, and we couldn't survive without her.' Katikati News had to sit in with her on a Katikati Primary School reading recovery lesson just to catch up with her. The school's literacy specialist teacher, Andrea Menhinick, said Graham was a huge asset to their team of volunteer readers. 'She forms beautiful relationships [with the students], she's just so pleased to see the kids, and they pick that up. 'But what I find exceptional about her is that even when students are on their way to assembly, and they have to just sit and wait – Shona is there with a child and a book so that she makes the use of every minute,' Menhinick said. 'She is so invested in the children.' Shona Graham with Katikati Community Centre's Rochelle Morrow. Photo / Supplied This journalist remembers Graham being a comforting voice the first time she dropped her child off for the school holiday programme. However, Graham is quick to say others are more worthy of an award than her. 'I don't like to blow my own horn.' But she was very proud. 'It was lovely to be recognised. My daughters and Peter were very proud, and he thought it was hilarious because he knows I don't like being in the spotlight.'
Scoop
10-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
30 Years Of Service And Still Smiling: Shona Graham's Gift To Katikati
Press Release – Volunteering Services Nicky Austin from the Katikati Community Centre says,It would be impossible to count the hours Shona has given to the Katikati community. Shes cheery, positive, hardworking, and we couldnt survive without her. When Shona Graham first answered a newspaper ad calling for volunteers to help with Katikati's Christmas Float Parade, she never imagined it would spark a 30-year journey in community service. 'There was an ad in the paper for volunteers, and I thought that would be a good way to meet people,' Shona recalls. 'It all started from there.' Since then, she's supported a huge range of centre-led initiatives — from School Holiday Programmes and After School Care to the Festival of Cultures, Spring Clean events, Health Expos, and more. Alongside her helping hands, Shona is also known for her kind heart and the fresh fruit and plants she donates from her garden. Nicky Austin from the Katikati Community Centre says, 'It would be impossible to count the hours Shona has given to the Katikati community. She's cheery, positive, hardworking, and we couldn't survive without her.' Volunteering has always been a family affair for Shona. Her mum was a volunteer, and Shona herself started while pregnant with her youngest daughter — who later worked on reception and still volunteers at the Centre today. Shona laughs that after nearly three decades, she's practically part of the building. 'The Centre's been such a big part of my life — and I guess I've become part of it too.' 'Some of the kids I'm working with now are the children of people I did classes for years ago,' she says. 'It's pretty special.' In June, while attending Kati Chat, Shona was enjoying hearing others being celebrated when something unexpected happened. 'I was listening to all the amazing things happening, and suddenly realised they were talking about me!' she says. 'I looked at my workmate and just went, 'Oh no!'' Shona received the Lifetime Volunteer Award, presented by Volunteering Services, in recognition of her 30 years of outstanding contribution. When asked what she'd say to someone considering volunteering, her advice was heartfelt and simple: 'Volunteering is so good for the soul. Once you start, you'll see how if everyone gave a little bit back, our communities would all be thriving.' Volunteering Services offers support, connection, and opportunities for both volunteers and community organisations across the Western Bay and surrounding areas. Whether you're keen to give your time or looking for volunteers to join your kaupapa, we're here to help.
Scoop
10-07-2025
- General
- Scoop
30 Years Of Service And Still Smiling: Shona Graham's Gift To Katikati
When Shona Graham first answered a newspaper ad calling for volunteers to help with Katikati's Christmas Float Parade, she never imagined it would spark a 30-year journey in community service. 'There was an ad in the paper for volunteers, and I thought that would be a good way to meet people,' Shona recalls. 'It all started from there.' Since then, she's supported a huge range of centre-led initiatives — from School Holiday Programmes and After School Care to the Festival of Cultures, Spring Clean events, Health Expos, and more. Alongside her helping hands, Shona is also known for her kind heart and the fresh fruit and plants she donates from her garden. Nicky Austin from the Katikati Community Centre says, 'It would be impossible to count the hours Shona has given to the Katikati community. She's cheery, positive, hardworking, and we couldn't survive without her.' Volunteering has always been a family affair for Shona. Her mum was a volunteer, and Shona herself started while pregnant with her youngest daughter — who later worked on reception and still volunteers at the Centre today. Shona laughs that after nearly three decades, she's practically part of the building. 'The Centre's been such a big part of my life — and I guess I've become part of it too.' 'Some of the kids I'm working with now are the children of people I did classes for years ago,' she says. 'It's pretty special.' In June, while attending Kati Chat, Shona was enjoying hearing others being celebrated when something unexpected happened. 'I was listening to all the amazing things happening, and suddenly realised they were talking about me!' she says. 'I looked at my workmate and just went, 'Oh no!'' Shona received the Lifetime Volunteer Award, presented by Volunteering Services, in recognition of her 30 years of outstanding contribution. When asked what she'd say to someone considering volunteering, her advice was heartfelt and simple: 'Volunteering is so good for the soul. Once you start, you'll see how if everyone gave a little bit back, our communities would all be thriving.' Volunteering Services offers support, connection, and opportunities for both volunteers and community organisations across the Western Bay and surrounding areas. Whether you're keen to give your time or looking for volunteers to join your kaupapa, we're here to help.
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
School and scouts group in West Lothian amongst those recognised for efforts to clean-up Scotland
Almost 6,000 people took part in events across the local authority area Litter picking groups in West Lothian have been recognised for their heroic efforts during this year's Spring Clean Scotland. The collective effort saw almost 50,000 bags – a massive 325 tonnes – of litter picked throughout the campaign across the country. Organised by environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful, Spring Clean Scotland is the country's largest coordinated mass litter picking activity and takes place over four weeks from March 21 to April 21. Over 33,000 people – including 18,000 young people – took part in one of 2,600 events covering every local authority area in Scotland. The Litter League, a competition for young people to get involved and compete for clean-up glory, returned for a third year and National award was won by B-Dale Explorer Scouts in West Lothian. West Lothian Litter Pickers were recognised with a Spring Clean Scotland Heroes award for their efforts throughout the campaign, with 449 litter picks collecting 2,162 bags of litter. Becky Gallagher from West Lothian Litter Pickers said: 'West Lothian Litter Pickers and West Lothian Council worked hard together to produce our most successful Spring Clean yet. We had approximately 445 events with 5,858 people who gave up their time to raise awareness and clean up their community and environment. "As well as our amazing WLLP members, we saw lots of schools, clubs and businesses take part. The environmental impact of the Spring Clean was visually noticeable and we can only hope that it has made an educational impact on people's behaviour with regards to littering and fly-tipping.' The Litter League, a competition for young people to get involved and compete for clean-up glory, returned for a third year and National award was won by B-Dale Explorer Scouts in Bathgate Arlene Davies, B-Dale Leadership Team Member, said: 'We are delighted to win the National award this year. It is heartening to see our young people being recognised for their hard work and volunteering. As a unit B-Dale decided to work towards the Scout Community Impact badge identifying that West Lothian has a litter issue. "With the support of West Lothian Litter Pickers and West Lothian Council our young people have managed to make a huge difference to our local areas. This is our first year as part of the Litter League and we hope our success encourages other Scout groups to take part in the future.' Falla Hill Primary School in Fauldhouse were the winners of the Litter League Edinburgh and Lothians award, with 190 pupils taking part in a school litter pick and collecting 50 bags of litter. Martin McCusker, Headteacher at Falla Hill Primary School, said: 'Under the drive and leadership of Ms Thomson and our Eco-Schools leadership group we have always been committed and dedicated to keeping our playground and community as litter free as possible. We are very proud that this year on year hard work has been recognised.'
Daily Record
06-06-2025
- General
- Daily Record
Dalbeattie Primary pupils clean up in Spring Clean Scotland competition
The youngsters were the winners of the Litter League Scotland South after collecting 37 bags of rubbish. Dalbeattie Primary pupils have cleaned up in a competition. The youngsters were the winners of the Litter League Scotland South, part of this year's Spring Clean Scotland campaign. Over the course of a month, 23 pupils collected 37 bags of litter, meaning the school came top of the Keep Scotland Beautiful campaign. Depute head teacher, Alex Howie, said: 'We are really proud of our families and their young people in Dalbeattie who gave up their own time to make this possible. 'Everyone who took part did a great job seeking out the areas which most needed tidied. In particular we would also like to mention the help of Dalbeattie Scouts, The Rotakids and the Rotary Club, along with our eco committee. 'This is the icing on the cake of our recent ninth Eco flag award.' Across Scotland, nearly 50,000 bags of litter were picked up during Spring Clean Scotland, which ran from March 21 to April 21. And Dumfries and Galloway Council's Darren Burns was recognised for his efforts with a #SpringCleanScotland Heroes award. Chair of the council's education, skills and community wellbeing committee, Councillor Maureen Johnstone, said: 'I'm delighted that our council provides local co-ordination the national Keep Scotland Beautiful Spring Clean campaign. 'Once again one of our schools has won the Litter League award for the Scotland South region, so I extend a huge congratulations to the pupils, staff and community of Dalbeattie Primary School. 'I am further delighted that our lead officer for the Spring Clean campaign in Dumfries and Galloway, Darren Burns, has received the Keep Scotland Beautiful Spring Clean Scotland Hero Award for his significant contribution the Spring Clean campaign. 'For the past three years, Darren has co-ordinated the Spring Clean campaign, with invaluable support from our council's community assets, community safety, environmental health, ward working and youth work teams. 'However, we all know that the real success of the campaign lies with the thousands of dedicated volunteers who take part each year, cleaning up our pavements, parks, beaches and beyond. This year alone, we hosted 424 events with 9,476 volunteers collecting 1,315 bags of rubbish. We provided litter-picking kits and ensured every bag was collected by our community assets team. 'The volunteers' commitment to keeping our communities clean and beautiful is nothing short of inspiring. My heartfelt thanks go to each and every one of them.' Chief Executive at Keep Scotland Beautiful added: 'We know there is a litter emergency in Scotland, but we also know there are people in every community across the country who are determined to take action and deal with the issue. 'Spring Clean Scotland gives us an opportunity to spearhead a collective effort to make a noticeable difference, inspiring as many people as possible to help clean up Scotland and we thank Darren for his brilliant efforts. 'I'm so impressed to see that more than half of our volunteers this year were young people. It's so inspiring to see the younger generation already taking notice and action of the litter issue in their communities. Congratulations to Dalbeattie Primary School for their Litter League win.'
