Te Kauwhata Volunteer Fire Brigade took out Team of the Year honours, in a strongly contested category of the Volunteer Awards in Hamilton last week
The teams category had the greatest number of entries (20) including the “Gardeners of Te Kauwhata Community Garden.
Chief Fire Officer Glen Whitaker (Mush) and Senior Station Officer Mike Simpson attended the ceremony to receive the award on behalf of the Te Kauwhata brigade and said they were extremely humbled and grateful win the team award.
The brigade dedicates hundreds of hours each year to protect their community, responding to emergencies, whether fire, medical or motor vehicle crashes, turning up to training every week and supporting people where they need it most.
“We also reach out into schools and educate youngsters on fire safety, check and install smoke alarms, work with the Aparangi Retirement Village to make sure their residents can be safely evacuated in the event of an emergency, and attend community events,” says Whitaker
“With so many incredible volunteer groups across the Waikato, it was a privilege just to stand alongside them at the awards evening. To be recognised among such outstanding community minded teams is something we don’t take lightly.
“This recognition belongs to every one of our volunteers who give their time, energy, and heart to serving Te Kauwhata; and to our community, whose ongoing support makes everything we do possible.
“To all volunteers across the Waikato region: thank you for the mahi you do every day. This one is for you, Te Kauwhata community!”
