Relevant offers
For just the third time in 35 years, the Rotary Club of Palmerston North has given its highest honour to a non-member.
Pauline Ferguson was yesterday awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award at a meeting in Palmerston North's Convention Centre.
Mrs Ferguson said she was humbled to receive the award, both on her own behalf but also for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Manawatu.
She has been the organisation's co-ordinator for the past 18 months.
"This programme is the first I have ever seen that is truly preventative. It can make a huge difference in people's lives in a short amount of time," she said.
Big Brothers Big Sisters works with police and schools to identify at-risk youth. They are then paired with adult volunteers who spend time with them each week.
Palmerston North Rotary has given 50 of the awards in the past 35 years, 47 of those to club members.
Mrs Ferguson was nominated by club member David Peters, who said the mother of two had been a social worker for 15 years.
Mr Peters said Mrs Ferguson started in social work in Dannevirke in 1996. Since then, she has worked in a variety of social work roles, including with youth offenders, the disabled and victims of sexual abuse.
Rotary district governor Graeme Blick said the Paul Harris awards recognised unsung heroes.
The awards are named after a Chicago lawyer who founded the world's first Rotary Club in 1905.
- © Fairfax NZ News
Sponsored links
Mechanical issue may have caused crash
Melbourne Storm boss from humble beginnings
Mayor wants ministry to review fluoridation stance
Vexatious litigant to pay $11k costs
Malbas bar, offshoot look to July opening
Plum purchase ripe for picking at cafes
Dialect confusion leads to mistrial
Coldest night of the year - MetService
Rebuild targets a 'complete failure'
Horrific slaying site to be sold, torn down
Lasers in spotlight as strikes increase
'Battery farm' puppies die in pet stores
Mitch Evans on podium in Monaco GP2 race
Erakovic draws British qualifier in first round
Michael suicide claims 'absurd'
Accountants pinged for redundancy
Brown slammed for calling Manila 'gates of hell'
We came to NZ for a better life
Highlanders drop All Blacks duo Hore, Slade
Mechanical issue may have caused crash
Melbourne Storm boss from humble beginnings
Fiat/Chrysler shake-up a plus for consumers
EcoSport's a Goa, but NZ must wait
Vexatious litigant to pay $11k costs
Higham chases regular junior All Whites spot
Malbas bar, offshoot look to July opening
Army searches for local 'terrorists'
Meatless at mealtimes
A bit of creativity is needed to produce vegetarian meals, but there’s no shortage of tasty ingredients.
On a dark and stormy night
The scene is set for an Agatha Christie whodunit in Pahiatua and Feilding.
Students score cool science trip
Science isn’t just science. It’s used in business, engineering and technology. It’s a big thing.
