Roses reward for service to others

Three local women received a yellow rose each on Zonta Rose Day to recognise their achievements.

The Zonta Hibiscus Coast club event coincided with International Women's Day on Monday.

Recipient Margaret Brown is an active supporter of the Hibiscus Coast Hospice.

She is backed by her husband, Merv, who turned their garage into a workroom which enables her to transform donated linen items into beautiful, useable goods.

These range from old linen pillow cases and covers to modern duvets, all expertly stitched to regain life and add to hospice funds.

Margaret devotes so much time to the hospice that she has a full-time job as a volunteer.

Another recipient, Laraine Chase, is known to many Hibiscus Coast residents as the organiser of the "Monday Nighta" fun runs, and bringing back the Orewa half-marathon event.

An avid marathon runner and triathlete, Laraine had to reassess things after a serious injury, and was motivated to bring like-minded people together to make friends, chat about their sporting achievements and plan new goals.

The Monday Nighta started out as a group of 15 people and has grown to 80. The first half-marathon event attracted 1000 runners.

Elizabeth McKenzie has always been involved in the community in a voluntary capacity.

While living in Wellsford she represented the Rodney District on the Auckland Hospital Board for nine years, was involved with Guiding, Red Cross, the Presbyterian Church, and the local school.

On the Hibiscus Coast, she and her late husband, Chris, initiated development of the Hibiscus Coast branch of Forest and Bird, and she is still involved.

The group cares for the local environment through projects such as potting plants at the nursery and planting at Wenderholm, weed control on Crocodile Island, Eaves Bush and the foreshore at Orewa and Hatfields Beach.

Elizabeth is very involved with the Presbyterian Church, including its opportunity shop, and the drop-in centre on Thursday mornings.

The yellow rose is the symbol for Zonta International Rose Day, when Zontians worldwide distribute the roses with information about Zonta and issues relating to improving the lives of women. Zonta Hibiscus Coast meets monthly every fourth Tuesday.

Membership inquiries:email hibiscuscoast@ zonta.org.nz or phone 021554780.

- © Fairfax NZ News