Stuart Shaw of Taumarunui and Joseph Callaghan of Waiouru are Ruapehu’s 2023 Citizen of the Year Award recipients.
The Citizen of the Year Award comprises the Northern Ruapehu Citizen Award which is presented to a resident of the National Park, Taumarunui and Ohura Ward area while the Waimarino-Waiouru Citizen Award covers the southern half of the district.
Mr Shaw was awarded the Northern Ruapehu Citizen Award for his many years of committed volunteer work on community improvement initiatives and serving as a role model for youth.
As founder of the Taumarunui Tramping Club he introduced youth to outdoor activities including as a Scout Leader for the Taumarunui Scout Group organising practical bush skills programs and outdoor camps.
His passion for nature and the outdoors saw him serve as a member of the King Country District Scouts Committee and become a qualified bush craft instructor running courses for youth.
He established the Taumarunui branch of the Mountain Safety Committee and was a member of King Country Search and Rescue leading successful search missions.
Mr Shaw has also chaired the King Country Branch of NZ Forest and Bird Society encouraging nature education and environmental protection.
In 1978 he started the Te Peka Landcare Group to create a bush reserve area with amenities and educational programs.
At 85 years old, Stuart continues to care for the Te Peka bush reserve most days. On receiving his award he quipped that he “should last another couple of years to do bit more work.”
Mr Callaghan, a serving soldier in the NZ Army, was awarded the Waimarino-Waiouru Citizen Award for his commitment and leadership of the Waiouru Taekwondo Club where he is the lead instructor.
He took over the lead instructor role at the club in 2017 to ensure it stayed open for the children of Waiouru and surrounding areas and it now attracts children from as far away as Ohakune and Taihape.
To instruct and manage the club Mr Callaghan balances multiple other responsibilities including NZ Army duties, serving on the Waiouru School Board of Trustees and being a dad.
Mr Callaghan said that it was nice to be appreciated and acknowledged for his efforts and he was looking forward to continuing on next year.
Mayor Weston Kirton said that Stuart and Joe are both very worthy recipients of their respective Citizen of the Year Awards.
“Both of them very much deserve being recognised for the huge efforts they have put into their local communities and by extension the Ruapehu district as a whole” he said.
They are great examples of the type of people who work for many years doing the important mahi that underpins the fabric of our communities.
The Ruapehu Citizen Awards are an opportunity to give people like Stuart and Joe the recognition and thanks that they deserve,” he said.
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