2012 Kiwibank Local Heroes Medal Recipients 

for Bay of Plenty

 

 

Robert Shaw of Taneatua

For the last 51 years Robert has either coached or managed the Whakatane Tai Mitchell Rugby team. He is very passionate about rugby and sees rugby as a way to teach boys life skills - they can learn about team work, problem solving, supporting your mates, leadership to name just a few. He has donated thousands of hours to the club and the young people of Taneatua. Also as Principal of the local school for the past 16 years and being a local Taneatua boy, Rob knows all the problems of the town and he uses sport (namely rugby, but not just rugby) to help the children of the town to feel belonging, comradeship and to set goals and build commitment to something. Rob has not had an easy time over the last 7 years. His son Greg, who was his 'best mate', drowned while surfing during Cyclone Ivy in 2004. This was an incredible blow to Rob. It was almost a month before Greg’s body was recovered from the ocean. Rob was devastated but the number of people who headed to Omaio to join the search was testament to the esteem he is held in. There were several hundred people there over a 3 week period, all there to support Rob in his time of need. That year, Rob remained Manager for the Whakatane Tai Mitchell team. Many of the boys he has mentored do not have role models in their family. Some have come from troubled backgrounds and Rob has helped them grow into positive young men. Some of these he has become a whangai (Maori adoption) father figure to. This winter, Rob was struck by tragedy again. During heavy rain in June, the cliff behind Robs home in Ohope, collapsed in a landslide, which killed his 17 year old whangai son Hugh Biddle. Rob has not only lost his 2 sons, but he has also lost his home!

Kim Williamson of Tauranaga

Kim's full-time job is as a volunteer drama teacher for the Detour Theatre Trust, who amongst many other wonderful things teach drama to the intellectually handicapped. Kim runs five classes a week for those with intellectual impairment, and because their capabilities vary, unlike other drama classes, Kim's class can range from basic animal noises through to complete musical numbers and memorised script. Her students absolutely LOVE her and for many - coming to drama is the highlight of their week. Even though Kim's students all have special needs, she gives them no special treatment, at drama they are expected to participate (as much as they can) and she will share a joke with them, as she would with anyone. Kim isn't paid for what she does, but she sometimes witnesses a 'miracle' when someone comes to drama and emerges from the their shell, it is a huge joy to share their success with their families at Detour's end of term show and for the caregivers and families Kim's work is invaluable.