Council commends members in awards

Cr Goldsmith, Hon. Mayor John Banks, Denise Krum and Marcus Driller.

Awarded: Cr Goldsmith (far left) and the Mayor of Auckland city with Denise Krum and Marcus Driller from the Tableside Charitable Trust.

From City Scene, published on 27 September, 2009.

Community groups, individuals and not-for-profit organisations who are helping to make our community a safer place, were praised this month by Auckland City Council.

"The council's annual Community Safety Awards is an important event and a great opportunity to recognise some of the excellent things happening to protect and enhance our communities," says Mayor of Auckland city, Hon. John Banks.

Denise Krum from Tableside Charitable Trust who won the Not-for-Profit Organisation award says they were delighted.

"We are simply doing our bit to add value to our neighbourhoods, and to be recognised by the Mayor and the council was a great boost for us," she says.

"We felt like the small bit that we do to make our neighbourhoods better was really important to them and to the city. It makes us want to do more."

Chairperson of the Community Services Committee, Councillor Paul Goldsmith, who chaired the awards selection committee says, "There are so many volunteers working in the community doing useful things without searching for credit or reward. It's fitting that the community has the opportunity to thank them for their work."

Winners of the five award categories:

Peter Lett - Individual Community Volunteer Award for promoting the eradication of graffiti vandalism in Newmarket and surrounding areas
Glen Innes Drug and Alcohol Group - Innovation Award for building community resilience by raising the awareness of alcohol and drug issues
Elizabeth Binning - Media Award for her provocative published series in The New Zealand Herald on child abuse
Tableside Charitable Trust - Not-For-Profit Organisation Award for coordinating tremendous community spirit through coordinated activities in the community such as anti-graffiti vandalism work
Keith Hay Park Users Group - Environmental Safety Award for their successful, coordinated response to crime and safety issues.

Recipients of merit awards:

Grace Ikenasio and the Avondale Christian Centre Youth Group - for writing a song and producing a DVD against graffiti vandalism
Outreach Therapy Pets programme - for ongoing animal safety education for children and adults.