Kiwibank Local Heroes Medal Recipients 2012
West Coast, South Island
Bernie Monk, Greymouth (Finalist Local Hero of the Year)
Bernie Monk from the tiny settlement of Paroa near Greymouth found himself appointed as spokesperson for the Pike River Mine by the families of the 29 miners and contractors, including his own son, who tragically died in an explosion in the Pike River Mine in November 2010.
Bernie bought together over 50 individual people who make up the family members and has united, led and mentored the group since that fateful day.
The role has seen Bernie front to the media on behalf of his and other families on numerous occasions, attend a highly-charged series of police briefings at the time of the incident, remain the contact person for all family-related matters in the intervening period, and, recently, attend and give evidence in the series of hearings comprising the Royal Commission into the incident.
Bernies drive for transparency from all those involved in the Pike River disaster has seen him commit much of his week to this work and can be contacted by family members and the media 24 hours a day.
He has represented the group with strength and dignity and maintained strong advocacy on its behalf without taking positions which would be unconstructive. He has done this at a time of ongoing personal distress for himself and his family.
The community of Greymouth has found strength and confort in Bernie’s enduring dedication and committment as a voice for the families and in maintaining a spotlight on the mining industry.
Mina McMillan, Greymouth
Mina has been involved in West Coast Basketball for 40 years and has never been recognised for this significant voluntary contribution to the organisation. Mina started as a representative player, a Coach and went on to become a NZ Graded Referee. For the past 30 years Mina has also acted as a Tournament Controller and Junior Basketball organisor.
Graeme has been an advocate for people dealing with Government Departments for 20 years. A qualified social worker, who has also successfully partitioned Parliament to bring about change and accountability.
Chris Frogley
Chris has put this project in front of his own business and the drive and hours of dedication and has been volunteering his services since 1993, 18 years.
Chris is the project manager for the Runanga Swimming Pool Project. He has continually rallied and gained local support from a variety of sources to continue the project when it looked like time and time again it would not happen. Budget blowouts, prolonged delays all adding to costs. Chris has continued to maintain a positive attitude and that has created the end product that is now coming to the front.
Runanga Swimming Pool Complex is a modern very usable community asset that is due to be completed for this swimming season. The swimming pool is now in operation to the local community from what it was to what it has become. It will have constant use from the local primary school and community.
Runanga is a satellite town of Greymouth, often satellite towns have suffered over recent year’s economically, seeing this swimming pool progress has had a positive effect on the local community.