ANDERSON, Mrs Lesley Joan
For services to scouting
Mrs Lesley Anderson has been involved with the Scouting movement for more than 50 years, during which time she has served in almost every capacity in regional and national roles, starting at the age of 18 as an Assistant Cub Leader, and representing the New Zealand Scouting Movement at international conferences.
As a National Training Leader Mrs Anderson has organized and run training courses for Scout leaders and has helped organise many Jamborees. She was National Training Leader from 2001 to 2006, during which time she laid the foundation for the training that has helped the Movement to substantially increase its youth membership. She then joined the Manukau Scout Zone as a facilitator, mainly dealing with communication breakdowns between leaders, and conflicts and disputes. As the wife of a partially-sighted Anglican vicar, Mrs Anderson has hosted church meetings, led fellowship groups for women, sat on various church committees, and acted as a driver for her husband and his guide dog.
The Queen's Service Medal
BADHAN, Mr Karnail Singh, JP
For services to the Indian community
Mr Karnail Badhan has contributed to the Indian community in Auckland since the early 1990s.
Mr Badhan is a founder and Life Member of the Ambedkar Sports & Cultural Club and has been President since 2014. He is also the current coach of the Club’s volley ball team and has been involved with fundraising for and organising the Club’s annual sports tournament in Pukekohe. He is currently National Coordinator for Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) New Zealand and a member of GOPIO International. He has presented at the GOPIO International Conventions in 2012 and 2014. He has been actively involved in GOPIO’s fundraising in New Zealand and contributed to the health and violence free homes seminars organised by GOPIO NZ. He was Secretary of the Pukekohe Indian Association from 2011 to 2012 and President of GOPIO Pukekohe from 2010 to 2012. Mr Badhan was instrumental in the development of the Guru Ravidas Sabha Temple and has held offices as Chairman, Vice President and Secretary.
The Queen's Service Medal
BARBER, Mr Andrew Stuart (Andy), JP
For services to karate and the community
Mr Andy Barber founded and has run the Nelson Karate dojo since 1974.
Mr Barber has achieved an 8th Dan black belt in the World Seido Karate Organisation. He has been instrumental in establishing karate programmes that cater for the personal development and wellbeing of children, teenagers and adults, including blind and deaf students. He has worked closely with local organisations in Nelson, running programmes for disadvantaged people. In the late 1980s Nelson Seido Karate became an official training provider for unemployed people, delivering more than 20 12-week courses of karate training and life skills coaching. In 1989 he opened Uchi Deshi House, which was opened to young unemployed people to live in a safe environment away from drugs and alcohol for a six month cycle involving meditation, karate practice, and learning basic hygiene and cooking skills. The Seido Benefit Fund was established in 1989 to provide assistance to Nelson families in need, and had since distributed more than $100,000 raised through sponsorships, karate tournaments and other events including a special donation of $25,000 to the Fifeshire Foundation charitable organisation in 2005. Mr Barber has taught karate to at-risk students at Nelson College for Girls to help them improve their discipline, self-respect and self-control.
The Queen's Service Medal
BEATSON, Mr Raymond Garth, JP
For services to the community and veterans
Mr Raymond Beatson has, since 2012, lead the restoration project for Kaitaia’s historic World War One Monument, the first to be unveiled in New Zealand, and the rededication on 24 March 2016; its 100th Anniversary.
Mr Beatson has advocated for support for Vietnam veterans and their families for a number of decades. He has been heavily involved with Rotary International and between 1968 and 2014 held all offices at Club level and a number at District level. His particular focus has been on Rotary’s education programmes including Group Study Exchange, Ambassadorial Scholars and University Teachers, and Youth Leadership programmes. He has been a key driver of initiatives to raise funds to provide literacy, numeracy, and recreational opportunities for young people from low socio-economic backgrounds or those at risk. He has been involved with the JR McKenzie Trust since 1998, as Secretary and Chairman. Mr Beatson is an active member of the New Zealand Forest and Bird Society and has been involved in community plantings.
The Queen's Service Medal
BEECH, Mr Shane William
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service
Mr Shane Beech has been a volunteer fire fighter with the Maketu Fire Brigade since 1990, and has spent the past 10 years as Chief Fire Officer.
Mr Beech has driven the development of the Maketu Brigade from a small team with one fire appliance to a Brigade that now includes a modern pump appliance, a light rescue tender for road accidents and general rescue work, and a dedicated ambulance including medically qualified volunteer responders. He has put thousands of voluntary hours into building and renovating the fire station, including recent additions to house jet skis and boats for the Coastguard. He has received numerous Brigade awards for attendance at the most callouts each year. He was one of the founding members of Maketu Volunteer Sea Rescue Service established in 2002 (now Maketu Coastguard) and has been President since 2008. He played a major role in sourcing and constructing the EastPack Rescue Coastguard boat in 2003. He has been a member of the Maketu Community Board for the past four years and has been Chairman. Mr Beech has been involved with projects to repair the Maketu War Memorial and to improve the waterways around the town.
The Queen's Service Medal
BENTHAM, Mr Mark Edwin
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service
Mr Mark Bentham joined Piopio Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1982 and at 25 years of age was appointed Chief Fire Officer from 1985 to 1995, one of the youngest CFOs in New Zealand at the time.
Mr Bentham stepped aside to allow other members of the Brigade to experience the CFO role and in 2003 following the resignation of Executive Officers in the Brigade he was reappointed as CFO until 2009. In 2009 he stepped down to the role of Deputy CFO where he remained until resigning from the Fire Service in 2014. He has had key roles in the raising of funds to purchase a set of ‘jaws of life’ rescue equipment and a second Emergency Response Vehicle for the Brigade, as well as the purchase of land for the current fire station site and building of the new station. In 1996 he was a founding member of the Piopio Community and District Charitable Trust, and served as Chairman for a number of years. Through his business Progress Transport Limited Mr Bentham has supported a range of schools, sports clubs and community organisations with free cartage of stock and materials, cash or prize donations, the use of trucks for galas, sports days and Christmas parades.
The Queen's Service Medal
BLAIR, Mr Douglas James (Doug)
For services to the community and theatre
Mr Doug Blair is a retired teacher and headmaster who has contributed to the Tokoroa community through various organisations.
Mr Blair has been a member of Tokoroa City Lions for 30 years and is now a Life Member, having held most offices during this time. He has been involved with the community theatre for 25 years and gave many hours to the Little Theatre as President from 1986 to 2010, producing, writing plays and pantomime, acting and connecting with the community. He has been an advocate for the theatre and community engagement, contributing greatly to the theatre’s recovery from a large mortgage following building renovations. He has been a member of the Tokoroa Club since 1956 and has served in a number of positions. He is a key person in the Tokoroa Council of Social Services and has been a Board member for four years. He was appointed to the South Waikato District Council Creative Arts Community Grants committee and is currently Chair. Mr Blair has been a reading tutor at Tokoroa Intermediate School for the past five years and is a current member of the organising committee for Tokoroa East School jubilee.
The Queen's Service Medal
BROCKIE, Mr Robin
For services to the community
Mr Robin Brockie has been a Director of the accounting practice Staples Rodway Taranaki Ltd and has involved himself in a wide range of community activities.
Mr Brockie was a key player in the establishment, and served as foundation Chairman, of the Dame Malvina Major Foundation and Chairman of the Taranaki branch. He has been involved with Venture Taranaki Trust as Trustee and Chairman, the Taranaki Arts Community Trust as Trustee and Chairman and is a former member and treasurer of the Rotary Club of New Plymouth West. He has served on school boards and served as Chairman of the Board of Sacred Heart Girls College. He is a Canon of the Taranaki Cathedral Church of St Mary’s and has played a key role in the governance of the Cathedral. Within the Diocese of Waikato and Taranaki he has been a member of the Management and Resource sub-committee and the standing committee. In his role as a chartered accountant Mr Brockie has provided free audit, accounting and administration services to a range of community organisations such as YMCA New Plymouth, Taranaki Rescue Helicopter Trust, Taranaki Cricket, local fire brigades, and Rotokara Scenic Reserve Trust among others.
The Queen's Service Medal
CARRUTHERS, Mr Richard George
For services to theatre and osteopathy
Mr Richard Carruthers founded the Nelson Youth Theatre Company in 2000, and since then has managed and produced more than 160 shows.
All of Mr Carruthers work with Nelson Youth Theatre has been entirely voluntary and was funded out of his own pocket. He established a charitable trust for the theatre company in 2011. The Nelson Youth Theatre Company has given many aspiring actors invaluable skills in acting, self-confidence and self-discipline, and some have gone on to further study of theatre in New Zealand and overseas. He has also served his community in his professional capacity as an osteopath for more than 30 years. He was the founding editor of the Journal of the New Zealand Register of Osteopaths for six years, and has published more than 35 research papers, served on various osteopathic committees, and was a New Zealand Qualifications Authority appointed monitor for the Masters in Osteopathy at UNITEC.
The Queen's Service Medal
DANDO, Ms Constance Margaret (Margaret)
For services to senior citizens
Ms Margaret Dando has helped senior citizens of Otago to retain mobility, avoid social isolation, and have a much greater quality of life through her dedicated delivery of the Steady As You Go (SAYGO), community based strength and balance exercise programme.
Ms Dando began working for Age Concern Otago as the Falls Prevention Coordinator in 2002, running the SAYGO programme. The key purpose of the programme is to help prevent falls, but she has reshaped it into a learning and leadership opportunity, as well as a social exercise event. She has worked tirelessly to develop SAYGO in to a successful self-funding peer-led programme, training individuals in the class to lead sessions themselves, and through this model has been able to stretch resourcing and funding to help 1,400 participants on a similar cost to when only 350 were taking part. She has trained Peer Leaders for the approximately 58 Steady as You Go programmes across Otago. She has trained coordinators to establish Steady As You Go in Tauranga, Thames, Whanganui, Christchurch, Ashburton, Invercargill and New Mexico in the United States. Ms Dando won the Age Concern New Zealand’s Dignity Champion Award for Community in 2015.
The Queen's Service Medal
DEAR, Mrs Lynley Barbara
For services as an author and to historical research
Mrs Lynley Dear is an author, poet, historian and former teacher who has contributed to recording the history of the Southland region.
Mrs Dear has written more than 30 articles of local history interest for the Southland Times and has provided research for a history of the Civic Theatre. She contributed articles and poetry to ‘The Invercargill Book’ in 2005 and edited and designed the Southland Girls’ High School centenary book in 1979. Her expertise and passion for history and heritage has been instrumental in her creation of the Southland Boys High School Museum opened in 2006, of which she is Archivist and Curator. Her poetry column ‘Scanning the South’ was a regular feature in the Southland Times for 15 years, with the poems being published in a collection titled ‘Reach for a Poem’. She has published two further collections of poetry, is the author of three children’s books, and three novels. Mrs Dear has given a series of talks on the History of the English Language and regularly performs at poetry readings and conducts workshops.
The Queen's Service Medal
DEERY, Mr Clifford Henry (Cliff), JP
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service and the community
Mr Cliff Deery was a foundation member of the Kawakawa Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade in 1974 and has since served at every level of the Brigade, including as Chief Fire Officer for the past 20 years.
In addition to emergency operations work Mr Deery oversees much of the Brigade’s administration and fundraising. Under his leadership the Brigade has maintained more than 100 percent operational staffing and is currently at 116 percent. He has served on a range of community, school and agricultural groups including the Clevedon School Agricultural Day Committee, Agricultural and Pastoral Association Judging, Poll Dorset Breeders Association, Kawakawa Bay Junior Sailing Club Committee, Kawakawa Bay Community Association. He volunteers his time to the Kawakawa Bay Health Clinic and its First Response Unit to assist with fundraising and occasionally on late night calls. Mr Deery is an active Justice of the Peace and makes his land available to local groups for various fundraising events and training.
The Queen's Service Medal
DRYLIE, Reverend John Francis
For services to the community
Reverend John Drylie has been an active leader in his community for many years, serving for thirty years as a Minister, and two terms as Westland Mayor.
In tandem with his work as a Minister Reverend Drylie also chaired the Ethics Committee for the West Coast District Health Board, the Victim’s Support Group, the Westland Foodbank, the Coast Care Trust, and the Hokitika and West Coast Minister’s Associations. Reverend Drylie is a strong supporter of young people, and as well as supporting local youth groups and Kapa Haka, he has served as Chaplain to the Fourth Westland Independent Boys Brigade Company and Charitable Trust for more than thirty years.
The Queen's Service Medal
DUNCAN, Mrs Kerry Veda
For services to the community
Mrs Kerry Duncan was a member of the Foundation Committee for the Napier Citizens Advice Bureau in 1986 and is still involved today as a volunteer interviewer and past Chairperson on the Committee.
During Mrs Duncan’s time as Chairperson from 2012 to 2015 the Bureau launched the ‘Count Me In’ initiative to work with businesses in Napier to strengthen the community. She has held regional and national roles with the Citizens Advice Bureau, including working on revising the membership standards from 2007 to 2010 and as a member and Vice Chair of the National Board from 1996 to 2003. She began as a voluntary Budget Advisor with the Napier Budget Advisory Service in 1972 and has since served as Chairperson of the Committee and as Treasurer among other roles. She was a driver for Red Cross Meals on Wheels from 1970 to 2011. She was instrumental in establishing Eskview Brownies in 1980 and served as a Brown Owl Brownie Leader for more than 30 years. She has been Treasurer of the Disabled Persons Assembly and Treasurer of the Total Mobility Voucher Scheme. Mrs Duncan was a member of the inaugural group who helped establish the Napier Family Planning Association and served on the Committee for 10 years.
The Queen's Service Medal
FINAU, Reverend Tevita
For services to the Tongan community
Reverend Tevita Finau has been a key leader of the Wellington Tongan community for more than 30 years.
Reverend Finau has served as a Minister for the Northcote Methodist Tongan congregation, and played leadership roles in Pan-Pacific organisations particularly in the areas of youth training and community health. He has represented the New Zealand Tongan community to Royal funerals in Tonga. He was a Tongan community key contact person for many Tongans who came to New Zealand from 1973 to 1979, and continued to be the key support for Tongan students studying in Wellington for more than thirty years. He has helped innumerable individuals and families find their feet in a new country, helping them with everything from finding accommodation to opening bank accounts. Reverend Finau has been a key part in many projects in his community, including setting up driving courses in Tongan with the help of the New Zealand Police, providing interpretation services in courts and for immigration services.
The Queen's Service Medal
FOLEY, Mr Ruari Ingram
For services to the community
Mr Ruari Foley is a South Canterbury farmer who established an Events Company to assist with fundraising in his community for a range of causes from nationally recognised charitable organisations to supporting local makeup artists and athletes.
Mr Foley does not receive payment for his event organisation services, investing his own time, expertise and money. He has developed original ways of raising funds through innovative events such as Horror Mazes hosted on his own farm, Zombie Runs, Horror Houses, outdoor film events and art exhibitions. Since 2013 he has run an annual Horror/Maize Maze on his farm to fundraise for the Cancer Society, which to date has raised more than $33,000. To fund a new playground he organised the Waimate Centennial School Horror Asylum over three weekends, raising $10,000. He ran the Nightmare on Stafford event for the Timaru Plunket Family Centre, which raised $10,000 for Family Centre services. The Disturbia and Horror Ball raised $10,000 towards St Johns services in the Balclutha area. His events have also extended into raising funds for local families dealing with hardships; one such family having a daughter with an inoperable brain tumour. Mr Foley also provides mentoring for young people in life and business skills and has worked alongside local organisations dealing with troubled teens.
The Queen's Service Medal
FORESTER, Mrs Sylvia Raima
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service
Mrs Sylvia Forester, along with her late husband John, ran the Waitotara Volunteer Fire Brigade for more than 25 years each, and was a first responder for the Ambulance service in Patea, Waverley, Waitotara and District from 1990 until 2012.
Mrs Forester served as Deputy Chief Fire Officer and during her husband’s frequent travel for work abroad she managed the Brigade and carried out all of the emergency medical calls, sometimes for up to a month. Following the flooding of the Waitotara River in 2004 she was one of the first on the scene with the Brigade to assist with evacuating people and helping with the extensive clean-up of the village. When the Brigade struggled to recruit members she and her husband were often the only two available to respond to emergency calls. Since John’s death in 2013 she continued to run the Brigade through difficult times, where an ageing population and youth moving away for work meant a continued struggle to recruit new volunteers, until the New Zealand Fire Service decided to close the Waitotara Brigade in 2015. Locals have continued to look to her for support and assistance, even after the Brigade’s closure. Mrs Forester serves on the local Marae Committee, as a Marae representative on the local Iwi Board and looks after community buildings in the village.
The Queen's Service Medal
FOWLER, Mr Gary William, JP
For services to the community and agriculture
Mr Gary Fowler has organised an annual fundraising concert for the Hikuai Trust and has contributed to a range of agricultural organisations.
Mr Fowler has been Chairman of the Hikuai Trust from 2001 and has held successful community concerts which annually attract more than 1,500 people. He personally constructed the sound stage for the concert on his orchard property. The concerts have raised more than $150,000 for the Westpac Rescue Helicopters in Auckland and Hamilton and further funds have been donated to the Pauanui and Tairua Coast Guard, St John Ambulance and the Pauanui Volunteer Fire Brigade. He has been a Member of the Coromandel Walkways Committee that oversaw the extension of the Pauanui to Tairua Trail, with a five-and-a-half kilometre stretch from Pauanui to Duck Creek completed in 2015. He personally contributed to clearing the trail area, building bridges, organising volunteers and liaising with affected parties. He was a Disputes Conciliator for Federated Farmers from 1984 to 2000 and an advisor to the New Zealand Dairy Board on research priorities. Mr Fowler was previously a member of the Regional Animal Health Advisory Committee from 1989 to 1994 and has been involved in deer farming organisations since 1988.
The Queen's Service Medal
FURLONG, Mr Blair Donald Marie
For services to cricket and rugby
Mr Blair Furlong was the Central Districts Cricket Association’s Chief Executive Officer from 1988 to 2010, during which time he brought together the disparate parts of the Central Districts area to ensure they were a strong contributor to the national cricket scene.
Mr Furlong was a representative cricket player for Hawke’s Bay and Central District from 1963 to 1973 and was the Hawke’s Bay Cricket Association Administrator from 1985 to 1988. He was a Board member of Sport Hawke’s Bay from 1990 to 2002. He played a key role in the redeveloped of Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth into a multi-use stadium and has been a strong supporter of the development of McLean Park in Napier to be able to host international rugby and cricket. He played rugby for Hawke’s Bay in the 1960s and 1970s and played as an All Black in South Africa in 1970, before coaching the Napier High School Old Boys in the 1970s and Marist Senior rugby teams in the 1980s. He was assistant coach of the Hawke’s Bay Magpies from 1979 to 1981 and a member of the Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union’s Board from 1974 to 1981. He has held various administrative positions with the Hawke’s Bay Saracens Rugby Club from 1973 to 2016. Mr Furlong has been Hawke’s Bay Rugby Union’s President since 2011.
The Queen's Service Medal
GALLAGHER, Mrs Jennifer Anne (Jenny), JP
For services to the community
Mrs Jenny Gallagher has contributed to a range of community organisations in the Malvern/Kirwee area since the 1970s and has been Chairperson of the Malvern Community Board since 2010.
Mrs Gallagher has held positions of office with a number of community organisations such as the Kirwee Model School Committee, Kirwee and Malvern Plunket Association, Kirwee Hockey and Tennis Clubs, Courtenay Agricultural and Pastoral Association, Kirwee Community Hall Committee and Malvern Civil Defence Response Team. Following the 2010 and 2011 Canterbury earthquakes she played a developing and supporting role in the Community Civil Defence Response Team within Selwyn District, and this model of community level support and management for emergency response is now the preferred approach across the whole district. She has been at the forefront of many fundraising activities within the community and has worked tirelessly to organise events such as golf tournaments for Lions, catering for social functions and organising tournaments for visiting sports teams. She was a Committee member from 1988 to 1990 and Chair from 1990 to 1992 of the Darfield High School Parent Teacher Association. Mrs Gallagher was instrumental in raising $40,000 towards new tennis courts for the Kirwee Tennis Club.
The Queen's Service Medal
GIBSON, Mr Trevor Harold
For services to maritime safety
Mr Trevor Gibson chaired the Whanganui Water Safety Committee from 1987 to 1999 and was made a Life Member of the New Zealand Coastguard in 1998.
In the early 1980s Mr Gibson was a Ministry of Transport Launch Warden Tutor and examiner for the Coastguard, later commencing Junior Safe Boating courses in 1985. He retired after 40 years as a Marine Search and Rescue Advisor in 1998. From 1998 to 2000 he was involved with the restoration of the paddle steamer Waimarie and is currently the master of the vessel. He formed the Whanganui Water Safety Group in 2009. He was the Water Safety Officer for the Whanganui Rowing Assocation, Union Rowing and Collegiate Rowing Clubs in 2010. In 2012 he was elected chairman of the Whanganui Navigation and Water Safety Group. He was previously Harbour Master of the Whanganui Harbour Board from 1963 to 1980 and served for 12 years as an officer in the Sea Cadet Unit T.S. Calliope. Mr Gibson continues to teach maritime subjects at the age of 84 and is involved with the local Sea Cadet Unit as a civilian instructor.
The Queen's Service Medal
GIRLING-BUTCHER, Mr Lance
For services to the blind and seniors
Mr Lance Girling-Butcher is the current Chair of the New Plymouth Positive Ageing Trust.
Mr Girling-Butcher’s onset of blindness eight years ago led to his resignation as the editor of the Taranaki Daily News, having been a journalist for 40 years. He went on to serve his community as a New Plymouth District Councillor, during which time he was Chairman of the Disabilities Issues and Let’s Go working parties, and portfolio councillor on Positive Ageing and Community Development. He had a major role in strategy development in these areas for accessibility for disabled and older people. He has also been Chair of the Len Lye Committee and held portfolios for Puke Ariki and the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery. He is a member of the Board of Kapo Māori Aotearoa New Zealand Inc which is a national blind Māori advocacy and service provider of training, information, peer and whanau support. In 2009 the Royal Foundation of the Blind awarded Mr Girling-Butcher with the Foundation Chairman’s Award for his services to the blind community.
The Queen's Service Medal
HARLICK, Mr John Allan
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service and the community
Mr John Harlick has served the Tuakau community as a volunteer fire fighter for more than 41 years.
Mr Harlick has been the Chief Fire Officer in Tuakau since 1989 and was awarded a gold star for 25 years of service in 1999. He has also overseen the running and operation of the neighbouring Port Waikato subsidiary brigade for 27 years. He is an active fund-raiser in the community, giving tireless hours to support local organisations, schools and charitable events, and for 40 years has donated his time every Christmas morning to drive the fire engine for the Santa parade in Tuakau. Mr Harlick is also involved with promoting fire safety through the educating of school pupils and the local community about fire safety measures, and installing smoke alarms in homes and businesses.
The Queen's Service Medal
HAWKLESS, Mrs Andrea
For services to people with severe epilepsy
Mrs Andrea Hawkless is the founder of the New Zealand Epilepsy Assist Dog Trust (NZEADT), which was formed in the early 2000s as a charitable organisation that trains and places dogs, free of charge, with people who have severe epilepsy.
Following the death of her son Richard in 2000, who had experienced severe epilepsy, Mrs Hawkless initiated fundraising to bring an expert to New Zealand from North Carolina Seizure Assist Dogs, leading to the formation of NZEADT in 2002. The service involves matching the dog to the person and providing one on one training and follow up assistance for the life of the dog. She continues to spend many voluntary hours fundraising for and promoting the Trust, as well as sourcing and placing suitable dogs. She has arranged sponsors who provide subsidised food and flea/worm treatments for the dogs. To date 18 dogs have been placed throughout New Zealand. New Zealand is one of only three countries in the world with an epilepsy assist dog service. NZEADT is a certifying organisation under the Dog Control Amendment Act 2006 to train disability assist dogs with access to all public places. Mrs Hawkless has been made a Life Member of the Epilepsy Association of New Zealand.
The Queen's Service Medal
HAYDON, Mr Neville Grant
For services to horticulture
Mr Neville Haydon is a camellia horticulturist of international standing and is recognised as New Zealand’s leading authority on camellias.
For many years Mr Haydon owned the pre-eminent specialist camellia nursery in New Zealand and introduced many valuable species and cultivars from overseas. He has bred camellias suitable for smaller gardens and is developing plants resistant to the petal blight disease. He has been recognised with a number of awards from the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture (RNZIH) for some of his earlier cultivar successes. He is Patron of the New Zealand Camellia Society, of which he has been a member for 55 years. He has been an accredited national Camellia judge for more than 30 years and assisted with the organisation of national camellia shows in Auckland. He was appointed Registrar of the International Camellia Society from 1990 to 2015 and completed the monumental task of preparing a second supplement of 480 pages and the digitisation of the existing register, a major contribution to the international camellia world. Mr Haydon has contributed his accounting skills to assist many groups including as Treasurer of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Camellia Society, the RNZIH Gardens and Education Trusts, and recently the Friends of the Auckland Botanic Gardens.
The Queen's Service Medal
HUMPHRIES, Mr Graeme William
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service
Mr Graeme Humphries has given his time as a volunteer fire fighter since 1972.
Mr Humphries served with the Mossburn and the Te Anau Volunteer Fire Brigades and served as the Chief Fire Officer of the Te Anau Brigade for 15 years. He has received the New Zealand Fire Service Long Service Good Conduct medal and bar, the United Fire Brigades Association 25 year gold star award, and the International Year of the Volunteer medal in 2001 and 2011. He is an approachable leader in the fire service, and still serves as a coach and mentor. He has led many multi-agency exercises, emergency management initiatives and community fire risk management promotions to assist and prepare his community. He is also well respected as a community leader, and is often called on in the Fiordland and Southland communities to support projects and fundraising activities. Through his business Fiordland Nurseries Mr Humphries has supplied plants and shrubs free of charge for local funerals and community events.
The Queen's Service Medal
LITHGOW, Mr Roy Alexander
For services to philanthropy, rugby and the community
Mr Roy Lithgow formed the Lithgow Family Foundation Trust in 2011 to provide tertiary education scholarships to secondary school students.
Mr Lithgow established the Trust with an initial gift of $550,000 and $200,000 from other family members. He has been involved with rugby in Taranaki since 1951. He served 10 years on the national executive of the New Zealand Referees Association in the positions of President, law writer and examiner. He is a Life Member and served as President of the Taranaki Rugby Football Union. He has been an active referee, Secretary/Treasurer and served as President of the Taranaki Referees Association. He is currently in his third term as President of the Stratford Rotary Club. He was a Director of the Taranaki Farmers Co-Op and made significant contributions to guiding this organisation through financial troubles in the 1980s. He was Secretary of the Stratford Demonstration Farm Society from 1996 to 2012. He has been Chairman of the Marire Rest Home Committee and has been involved with the Stratford District Theatre Trust. Mr Lithgow served on the Council of the Taranaki Justice of the Peace Association and was Secretary of the Stratford branch for 38 years.
The Queen's Service Medal
LONDON, Mr George Paul
For services to the community
Mr George London has been involved in community projects in Marton since 1999.
Mr London and his wife have fostered 11 children since 1999 for Child Youth and Family Services. He has been a volunteer health shuttle driver for St John Ambulance since 2009. He was involved in the main street upgrades of Project Marton, where he voluntarily rebuilt four vacant buildings in a state of disrepair in 2002. He has supported Bird Rescue Wanganui, the Arahina Training Centre in Marton and Edale Home. He helped repair the offices for Truancy Attendance Officer Piki Katene, and has provided her with support over a number of years. He recovered from a quadruple bypass performed in 2014 and resumed volunteering with St John Ambulance and the Marton Community Patrol in 2015. Mr London arranged for new sponsors to provide funding for the Community Patrol and in June 2015 was elected Chairman of the Patrol.
The Queen's Service Medal
MACDONALD, Mrs Lynda Mary, JP
For services to the community
Mrs Lynda Macdonald has contributed to the social welfare of her community in many areas.
Mrs MacDonald worked voluntarily as a Strengthening Families facilitator for more than eight years, and was appointed to a number of social welfare panels in the 1990s such as the Care and Protection Resource panel that monitored and advised social workers and Care and Protection Co-ordinators. She was instrumental in setting up a Plunket Home Visiting Scheme in Linwood and Avonside. She was a co-ordinator of Heartland Services, a prototype service developed to promote access to government and NGO services. Heartland Services was nominated by the Ministry for Social Development for a United Nations Award. She has been involved in governance and management roles in her church since the 1980s when she became a member of St Paul’s Parish Council. She tutored students on sexuality in the Christchurch Catholic Diocese for more than seven years, organised and led retreats for the Parish, and was a co-ordinator for the Family Group Movement in St Alban’s Parish for more than ten years. Mrs Macdonald is also a Justice of the Peace and a marriage celebrant.
The Queen's Service Medal
MANSFIELD, Mr Murray Ian
For services to pipe bands
Mr Murray Mansfield is one of New Zealand’s top bagpipers who has played with seven pipe bands in New Zealand, four of them at Grade One level.
Mr Mansfield played with the New Zealand Police and Manawatu Scottish Pipe Bands at Grade One level at the New Zealand National Pipe Band Championships. He has played in nine World Championships in Scotland with the City of Wellington, New Zealand Police and Manawatu Scottish Pipe Bands. He is currently playing with the Wellington Red Hackle band. He has a significant profile as a solo piper and is a multi-time winner of Premier Solo Piping Competitions in New Zealand including Colin Craig Claidhmor, Silver Chanter, Brown Cup Solo Competition, Hastings Highland Games, Waipu Highland games among others. He has tutored in pipe bands in Marlborough, Nelson, Wairarapa, Manawatu and Tawa since 1991 and has tutored solo pipers since 1999. He has been a piping tutor at the National Piping Summer Schools at Palmerston North and Christchurch since 1997. Mr Mansfield was designated Queens Piper for the 2003 Royal Visit to New Zealand and appointed Lone Piper for various significant events such as Sir Edmund Hillary’s funeral and the 90th anniversary and centenary Anzac Day ceremonies at Gallipoli.
The Queen's Service Medal
MCILROY, Dr Robert Malcolm (Rob)
For services to health and the community
Dr Rob McIlroy has been a solo GP for more than 36 years at his general practice in Hataitai, Wellington.
Dr McIlroy has a patient base of around 2,200, and often goes above and beyond to ensure test results are turned around promptly, patients are seen outside of work hours, including house calls. For more than 20 years he has mentored medical students at his practice. He was a board member of the Wellington After Hours Medical Centre for 11 years until 2013 and is still a rostered GP at the Centre after more than 25 years. He was a Primary Health Organisation Board member from 2003 to 2010. He was a member of the Wellington Local Diabetes Team. He has been a Medical Officer at the Wellington Women’s Clinic at Wellington Regional Hospital for more than 30 years. He has contributed in various ways to the Hataitai community over the last 30 years and was involved with the Wellington Youth Orchestra as a committee member for four years. He is a Life Member of the Wellington Hockey Association, having had a long involvement administering and coaching primary school hockey. Dr McIlroy was involved with the development of the first artificial turf in 1984 in Wellington, the first in New Zealand, and was a member of the Wellington Hockey High Performance Committee.
The Queen's Service Medal
NATHAN, Mrs Pareaute Polly
For services to Māori and education
Mrs Pareaute Nathan has contributed to Māori and education in the Far North since the 1960s.
Mrs Nathan was the Itinerant Teacher of Māori visiting and supporting schools in Te Tai Tokerau and was instrumental in establishing the annual Far North Schools Multi-cultural Festival in the 1980s. She was appointed as Head of Māori at Kaitaia College from 1985 until her retirement in 2003. She was central to hosting many regional kapa haka, speech competitions and school visits, along with the national Manu Korero Speech Competitions in 2005. She was a pivotal member of Te Reo O Te Tai Tokerau, the secondary schools te reo Māori teachers group. She and her late husband were driving forces behind the continued running and maintenance of Roma marae. She brought several initiatives to the marae from government departments, school groups and local organisations to ensure the marae was utilised and upkeep supported. She established Te Whare Whiri Toi at Roma marae in 2009 to maintain the art of traditional weaving, and project led the planning, fundraising and organisation of the National Weavers hui in Ahipara in 2015. Mrs Nathan has been involved with several local sports clubs and was responsible for setting up the junior softball club in the early 1980s.
The Queen's Service Medal
NATHOO, Mrs Nanette
For services to the Indian community
Mrs Nanette Nathoo has been the Chairperson of the Law and Order Crime Prevention Committee of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Indian Central Association (NZICA) since 2011, and served on the Executive of NZICA from 2008 to 2012.
Mrs Nathoo has contributed to the Indian community since 1982 and was Vice President of the Auckland Indian Association (AIAI) from 2007 to 2015. She is also currently Law and Order Crime Prevention Chairperson of the AIAI. She previously served as Assistant Secretary of the AIAI in the early 1990s. She has worked with the Auckland City Police Asian Liaison Officer in developing Safer Community and Crime Prevention videos, workshops and safety messages in community newsletters. She volunteers with AIAI as videographer and photographer for their Senior Citizens Tours and Temple. From 1999 to 2002 Mrs Nathoo was a Trustee of the Mahatma Gandhi Centre.
The Queen's Service Medal
PATERSON, Mr Ian Greville
For services to philanthropy
Mr Ian Paterson and his late wife Sally established the Just Paterson Real Estate company in 1990.
As an award-winning auctioneer Mr Paterson has helped raise on average $200,000 annually for various charities in New Zealand and overseas for the past 20 years, which have ranged from local schools to large charitable organisations. He has been involved with the Malaghan Institute since his wife’s sudden death from a brain tumour in 2009. Since then he and his daughters have donated a percentage of their sales commissions through Just Paterson to the Institute in support of brain cancer research. In 2014 Just Paterson was the main sponsor for the Malaghan Golf Tournament in Wellington. He is a Trustee of the Malaghan Institute with responsibility for chairing the Development Committee. He joined the Taihape Rotary Club at age 23 and later served as a member of the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson for 24 years, including time as President. He has personally funded a Goal Setter Award of $2,500 annually for the past six years for students in tertiary education who have overcome difficulties to achieve outstanding goals. Mr Paterson was President of the Taihape Squash Club for several years, during which time he drove the project for a second squash court.
The Queen's Service Medal
PATTEN, Mrs Sheila Claire (Claire)
For services to dance
Mrs Claire Patten has been one of the principal dance teachers in the Taranaki province for 55 years.
Mrs Patten runs the Patten Academy of Dance, which she founded, and produces annual stage shows to give her students theatre experience. She choreographed the Taranaki Searchlight Tattoos on six occasions between 1991 and 2004. The Tattoos had casts of up to 2,000 people and she oversaw and trained up to 250 children for their acts. She has been involved with New Plymouth RSA ‘Forces Follies’ as a co-producer and choreographer. Over the course of nine performances $38,000 was raised for the RSA club. She has been involved with the New Plymouth Operatic Society since 1962 and was appointed show choreographer from 1972 to 1982. She has been a member of the New Zealand Association of Modern Dance (NZAMD) for more than 30 years and is the main Area Organiser and examiner. Mrs Patten has assisted NZAMD with technical supplements and updating their syllabus, especially in ballet.
The Queen's Service Medal
PUHARICH, Mr Nicholas Anthony (Nick)
For services to the community
Mr Nick Puharich has made significant contributions to the Dargaville community through a range of organisations since the 1950s.
Mr Puharich was a member of the original committee that built the clubrooms of the Dargaville Dalmatian Social Club in 1957 and is currently a Life Member, having served three terms as President. He has been a member of the Club’s Tamburica band since joining the club and was instrumental in organising the purchase of the traditional instruments from Dalmatia. He was President of the Dargaville Museum for six years, during which time he initiated and worked on a number of projects including the building and extension of the Gum Hall. He was a member of the Dargaville Pioneer Trust which erected a memorial statue in 1997 to honour the gumdiggers of Yugoslavia who settled in New Zealand. In the late 1990s he was part of a small group which fundraised for and created the Dargaville Historic River Walk. He is a Charter member of the Dargaville Lions Club and has held a number of executive positions. In 1987 he initiated the first of the Salvation Army Training Schemes to come to Dargaville. After suffering a stroke in 1988 Mr Puharich started the Dargaville Stroke Club and remains the current Chairman and organiser.
The Queen's Service Medal
ROBERTSON, Mr Graeme Boyd, JP
For services to sport
Mr Graeme Robertson has contributed to sport in Southland for more than 70 years.
Mr Robertson has been awarded six life memberships in local Riverton community sports organisations. He joined the Riverton Rowing Club in 1944, actively rowing until 1965, rowing with the winning Junior Fours at the 1956 New Zealand Rowing championships, holding secretary, coach and other roles in the club, representing the club on the Southland Rowing Association and serving as 1995 New Zealand Rowing Umpire. He is currently the club’s Patron. He was a foundation member of the Legion of Rowers Southland, Secretary for many years and is now Patron. He joined the Riverton Regatta Club’s committee in 1958 and has been Secretary since 1965. He still holds the Treasurer position at the Riverton Trotting Club which he joined in 1961 and has been President and Club Captain of the Riverton Golf Club. He played rugby for the Riverton Rugby club from 1943 to 1959, thereafter serving 14 years as coach and a term as Vice-President. Mr Robertson has been secretary for the St Mary’s Anglican Church for 19 years and a member of Riverton Lions Club.
The Queen's Service Medal
SCANLON, Sister Mary
For services to hospice care
Sister Mary Scanlon has been involved with the Hospice movement in New Zealand since the 1980s.
Sister Mary was appointed the Mary Potter Hospice Education Officer in Wellington in 1986 and coordinated terminal care education programmes for Hospice staff at Calvary Hospital. She later took on the role of Principal Nurse and helped guide major changes for the Hospice, including the building of a new Hospice in Newtown and setting up the Mary Potter Hospice Trust. In the late 1980s she was instrumental in introducing care for those suffering from AIDS. She joined the Hospice New Zealand Executive in 1987 and served as President in 1989 and 1990. After retiring as Principal Nurse in 1990 she took on a bereavement counselling role and helped train volunteers and those studying counselling at the Central Institute of Technology wanting to specialise in bereavement work. She has overseen mission effectiveness for The Little Company of Mary in hospitals in Hawera, Christchurch and Invercargill. She joined the Mary Potter Hospice Foundation Board in 1995 and represented The Little Company of Mary on the Board until 2013, during which time she was involved with orientation for new Board members and was a presenter for the education programme.
The Queen's Service Medal
SCOTT, Mrs Selma Theresa
For services to the Pacific community
Mrs Selma Scott is a Barrister and Solicitor who has applied her skills and expertise in service to the Pacific community since the late 1990s.
Mrs Selma Scott is the Chair of Pacific Trust Canterbury, Healthy Families Spreydon-Heathcote, and Vice-Chair of the Niu Economic and Enterprise Development Trust. She is former Chair of the Pacific Business Trust and of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs’ Community Reference Group. She is a member of the Human Rights Review Tribunal and the Government Superannuation Fund Appeals Board. She is a former member of the State Housing Appeal Authority, the Upper South B Regional Ethics Committee for the Ministry of Health, and of the Ministerial Advisory Council for the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs. She was the Legal Education Coordinator of the Christchurch Community Law Centre’s Pacific Island Project, a member of the Southern Region Domestic Violence Programmes Approval Panel for the Department of Courts, and a Legal Officer for the Public Service Commission in Samoa. She is a member of the New Zealand Law Society, the Canterbury Women’s Legal Association, the Family Courts Association, PACIFICA Women, the Canterbury Pasifika Network, and is a Volunteer Solicitor for Community Law Canterbury. Mrs Scott has held similar voluntary roles with Autaumafai o Fanau Aoga Amata Preschool, the Citizens Advice Bureau, and the Tangata Atumotu Trust.
The Queen's Service Medal
SCOTT, Mr Tony
For services to the New Zealand Fire Service and the community
Mr Tony Scott has served as a volunteer firefighter for five different bridges across the Auckland and Far North regions for more than 27 years, and as a crash firefighter at Auckland International Airport for 22 years.
Mr Scott is a mentor to other fire fighters, a dedicated fundraiser, and was a key driver of the Firefighter and Corporate Sky Tower Stair Challenges for the Leukaemia and Blood Cancer Foundation. The Challenges have so far raised more than $5 million in total, and have been running since 2005. In 2015, the 750 firefighters from New Zealand and across the world raised more than a million dollars. He was also the founder of the 9/11 Firefighters Memorial Stair Climb to remember the firefighters who lost their lives while on duty. He is one of the Fire Service’s most dedicated event organisers and can often be found volunteering at functions or fundraising events throughout the year. Mr Scott won the 2014 Pride of New Zealand Fundraiser of the Year award, and a 2014 Kiwibank Local Hero Award.
The Queen's Service Medal
STAINTON, Reverend Raunikau
For services to Māori
Reverend Raunikau Stainton has been involved in the Kohanga Reo movement and has been committed to preserving and teaching Māori language and culture to younger generations.
Presently at 84 years old Reverend Stainton is teaching and supporting te reo Māori at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o KawaKawa mai Tawhiti, having completed her Masters in Mātauranga Māori at age 82, while continuing to dedicate much of her life to the Wharekahika Community. She is a Trustee of Hinemaurea Marae. Her involvement with the Anglican Church over 50 years has seen her provide spiritual and cultural support for her community. While attaining a degree in Theology at St Johns College in Auckland she also taught te reo and tikanga Māori, working with congregations from Mangere to Waiheke Island. Moving back to Gisborne for six years, she Ministered to the Māori community of Tairawhiti from Manutuke to Tolaga Bay, and was the Reliving Chaplain at the Gisborne Hospital. She is a longstanding member of the Māori Womens Welfare League. Reverend Stainton has served in her earlier years as the Northern East Coast Area Representative and a Branch Chairperson, and was the Chairperson for the Country Womens Institute Branch in Hicks Bay.
The Queen's Service Medal
STIRLING, Ms Arihia Amiria
For services to education and Māori
Ms Arihia Stirling has contributed to Education, particularly for Māori.
Ms Stirling has been the Principal of Te Kura Māori o Nga Tapuwae for 20 years. Nga Tapuwae is a high performing school with its own Mana Motuhake, autonomy and National Recognition for Excellence in Academia, Sports and Culture. She is a community volunteer in the areas of Kapa Haka, Nga Manu Korero, school and home partnerships Education initiatives, Teacher and Tumuaki professional development, Māori Male mentoring programmes, IT Collaborative School Cloud project for Tribal Schools and a member of Te Huarahi Hou Incorporated Society. She has been the co–chair of Nga Ringa Raupa, Nga Kura a Iwi since 2012. She has lead learning and change Network teams, which are focused on innovative practice in a professional way. She has represented Māori on many forums for social issues and education and has been on the Police commissioner's Māori Forum for 13 years, and has provided advice to Universities in regards to Māori Medium Education. Ms Stirling represented New Zealand in 2014 at the OECD Education Directorate and in 2015 as a panel expert on indigenous education at the Global Education Leaders Conference.
The Queen's Service Medal
SYME, Mr Melville Arthur
For services to the community
Mr Melville Syme has made significant contributions to the Kaikoura community through fundraising and project managing community projects for close to 40 years.
Mr Syme has been Treasurer and a driving force behind the He Timatanga Hou walkway and forest regeneration project since 2010, which has involved the planting of 5,000 native trees. He has been project manager for the restoration of the Kaikoura Mayfair Community Theatre since 2012 and led the fundraising of $100,000 to purchase digital movie projection equipment. He has been involved with the Kaikoura Lions Club since 1968, serving in a range of positions at all levels. He initiated a Lions project which has seen more than 50 permanent material public seating benches installed around the district at appropriate scenic and walking/cycling sites. He has led fundraising with the Memorial Hall Committee to perform a total upgrade of the Hall. He has contributed to the development of the Kaikoura Coastal and Seal Colony Walkway and Boardwalk. He has served the Kaikoura St Paul’s Presbyterian Church and is currently an Elder and Treasurer, and has been convenor of Works and Maintenance since 1981. Mr Syme has been active with the Kaikoura Agricultural and Pastoral Society.
The Queen's Service Medal
TAYLOR, Mr Patrick Harry (Pat), JP
For services to the community
Mr Pat Taylor has been involved in a wide range of voluntary activities in South Auckland since 1984.
Mr Taylor is known for building self-confidence, self-esteem and team ethics in young men, in his association with them through sports clubs, South Auckland schools and Rotary sponsored projects. He has been a Rotarian since 1987 as President and Board member at the Rotary Club of Botany East Tamaki. He has been a mentor for senior Hilary Collegiate students, provides a sports trophy for Aorere College and has worked with children at low decile schools in South Auckland. A foundation Trustee of the Manukau Beautification Charitable Trust, he has been Chair since 2011. He was Chair of Hunters Corner Town Centre Society helping revitalise and restore pride to Hunters Corner. He was Auckland branch President of the Motel Association of New Zealand and national Board member until it merged with Hospitality New Zealand. He is currently on the Accommodation Advisory Council of Hospitality New Zealand and mentors new and prospective moteliers. Mr Taylor is a Justice of the Peace and was local Support Group coordinator, and since moving to Tauranga has run a weekly JP clinic.
The Queen's Service Medal
TRENWITH, Mr Paul Scott
For services to country music
Mr Paul Trenwith has been an ambassador for Bluegrass music since 1966, originally as a founding member of the Hamilton County Bluegrass Band (HCBB) who featured in the television series ‘The Country Touch’.
With Mr Trenwith on banjo, the HCBB performed throughout New Zealand, Australia and the United States with performers such as Tex Morton and Slim Dusty, Gary Barlett, the Topp Twins and Dame Malvina Major. The HCBB won several Gold Guitar awards at Tamworth and were awarded gold records in New Zealand. They were also the first New Zealand artists to perform at the United States’ Grand Ole Opry in 1971 and at the International ROMP festival in 2008. He has hosted ‘Bluegrass Heartland’ tours to the United States, has been the ‘Bluegrass Ambassador’ on Bluegrass Music Cruises, and is still active in the Australian Bluegrass scene. He continues to perform with the HCBB, performs regularly as a longstanding member of the Morrinsville Country Music Club, the Irish band ‘Reelmen’, and family band ‘The Trenwiths’. Mr Trenwith hosts a weekly radio show and a monthly musicians gathering, both called ‘Back Porch Bluegrass’, and teaches Bluegrass music to both young and old.
The Queen's Service Medal
TUANUI, Mr Bruce Manuel
For services to conservation
Mr Bruce Tuanui has made a significant contribution to conservation on the Chatham Islands, particularly in the Southern Chathams.
Mr Tuanui was the driver behind the early fencing work and covenanting of lands for regeneration to provide habitat for critical Chatham Island species, which supported his parents’ earlier gift to the Crown of the Tuku Nature Reserve in 1983. He has devoted time and resources into driving the Taiko Trust to support a conservation management programme for the critically endangered Taiko (Magenta Petrel). He conceived of, set aside land and helped construct two predator proof fences for both Taiko and the more recently transferred Chatham Islands Albatross. He has been involved in the regeneration of outer Island Nature Reserve, Mangere Island, which included growing and planting up to 100,000 native trees over 17 years. Mr Tuanui has been a member of the number committees and advisory groups and is regularly called upon by the Department of Conservation to provide advice on conservation work and projects.
The Queen's Service Medal
TYRRELL, Mrs Elaine Frances
For services to health
Mrs Elaine Tyrrell was the first Anglican Parish Nurse in New Zealand and began this service at Nelson Cathedral in 1998.
Mrs Tyrrell has since overseen the establishment of the New Zealand Faith Community Nurses Association, which now supports Church-based nurses throughout the country. Parish Nurses promote the integration of faith and health in a variety of ways that reflect the context of the faith community and include such services as health advocacy, health counselling, health education and resource referral. She was Chair of the Board of the Association until 2014 and continues in the role of Board Advisor, which she has held since 2007. She has collaborated on the writing of training models for new Parish Nurses. Mrs Tyrrell’s promotion of parish nursing led to its development in the United Kingdom and the establishment of links with nurses in Australia, Canada and the United States.
The Queen's Service Medal
VAN DORSSER, Mr Jacob Cornelis (Jaap)
For services to the environment
Mr Jaap van Dorsser has contributed hundreds of volunteer hours to maintaining and growing native bush over the last 40 years and supporting clean waterways.
Mr van Dorsser has overseen and taken part in the planting and regeneration of native trees all around Rotorua, and is well-respected nationally and internationally as an expert and teacher in forestry and planting methods. His work planting, clearing stream areas, and removing noxious weeds and rubbish has made a significant difference to the community and to the environment. He has led many projects, sharing his skills and enthusiasm to achieve the successful regeneration of huge areas of native bush around the region, transforming the Ngongotaha, Hamurana and Awahou streams, Lake Rerewhaaitu, the Horohoro region, and many of the Te Arawa Iwi rivers. He works closely with regional and local councils and iwi as part of Progress Ngongotaha and the Awahou Stream Care group. Mr van Dorsser has donated thousands of native seedlings and built walkways and bridges to enhance plantings, and is an enthusiastic teacher, regularly taking sessions with schools and other community volunteers.