I would like to nominate the team who have cleared the Awahou Stream from Central Road in Hamurana to almost the source of the Stream.

Yaap and Sue van Dorser with their friends Ham and Jan Gifford who are all in their 70's, have for the last ten years cleared 5 ha of the stream of willow, blackberry, fireweed and convolvulous. They have planted over 30,000 trees. Each week they have worked at least one day a week, making paths, bridges, spraying and planting. They have cleared the stream of dumped rubbish and sprayed the previously planted plots.

They have welcomed many people to their property to view the magnificent legacy they have created.

I think they deserve all the awards that they are eligible for and while they already have received awards in the past, they deserve the recognition of the community many times over.

Yaap was also instrumental in encouraging the Ngongotaha community to do the same to Ngongotaha Stream and that has been a wonderful asset to Ngongotaha too.

I think any people who can devote so much of their time, energy and money to the community such as the Giffords and van Dorsers, need the encouragement of awards.

Nominated by: Anna Garratt, 07 357 2668