Ferrymead Rotary has recognised six outstanding contributors to its local community.

The club sought nominations from community organisations with which it has worked in the Sumner/Redcliffs/Ferrymead area of Christchurch, and Paul Harris Fellow awards were presented at a special function.

Club president Heather Fear described the event as “significant for the club and a marvellous success”, adding that many accolades have been received from representatives of the organisations involved.

The new Rotary Paul Harris fellows are:

• Derek McCullough, who is a past president and current committee member of the Mount Pleasant Community Centre & Residents’ Association. He was heavily involved in dealing with the rebuild of the Community Centre, dealing with complexities, and maintaining communication lines with the community. He continues to contribute as a volunteer in a wide variety of ways.
• Jan McLauchlan, who was both president and secretary of the Redcliffs Village Library before stepping down to concentrate on obtaining funding and overseeing construction of the rebuild. A life member of the library, she continues to mentor and offer a guiding hand to librarians, cover absences, field enquiries, arrange visits and repairs, and help with events and activities – as well as carrying out her own responsibilities.
• Colin Meurk, who came up with idea of a Christchurch 360 Trail 30 years ago, steered it to fruition in 2015, and continues to lead an annual, eight-day walk of its 140-kilometre length. In 1997 he helped establish the Travis Wetland. His passion for promoting native flora and fauna was acknowledged by a New Zealand Officer of Merit award this year for supporting native ecosystem restoration.
• Christina Murray, who has been involved with the Learning Needs Library for 30 years. During that time, it has evolved from a borrowed school room into an independent operation with its own building. Her role is to liaise with funding bodies to obtain funds to pay for salaries and resources. She also speaks at functions and takes other opportunities to promote the library’s services.
• Bill Simpson, who is a long-term member of the Avon-Heathcote Estuary Ihutai Trust. He has devoted hundreds of hours towards ensuring the ecological quality of the Estuary and the Charlesworth Reserve wetland restoration is protected and improved. He has served as the trust’s chair and treasurer, has researched the estuary’s history, and written high-level communications for funders and partners as part of the trust’s advocacy.
• John Taylor, who has played a lead role in developing a community agreement between Rotary, the Antarctic Society and the Department of Conservation to maintain and enhance the historic Scott Hut at Godley Head. He has put a lot of time, energy and funding into establishing a planting plan around the hut and has commissioned picnic tables from the Ara Institute of Canterbury.