Gorge Road resident Gay Munro has been presented with a Community Service Award, for contributions over many years to both her community and conservation, by the Southland District Council and the Waihopai Toetoe Community Board.

Southland District Mayor Rob Scott said it was an honour to bestow the recognition.

“Gay sets the standard when it comes to community involvement."

"The time and effort she’s dedicated to so many organisations and initiatives over the years is impressive, particularly in the conservation space,” he said.

“The positive impact she has had not only benefits the community now, but it will also be long-lasting into the future for generations to come.

“She’s looking after the past, the present and the future.”

Munro was the Southland regional representative on the Queen Elizabeth II National Trust from 1997 to 2009 and traveled all over the district giving advice to landowners.

She also held offices with the Waituna Landcare Group from 2001 to 2022, in period which saw stream plantings, the development of a sanctuary, replanting the gravel pit and organising informative field days on site.

Munro continues to volunteer with the Southland Ecological Restoration Network (SERN), organising field trips and helping with various projects.

In her local community of Gorge Road, Munro’s impact has been significant.

After several terms on the former Gorge Road Community Development Area subcommittee, she served one term on the Waihopai Toetoe Community Board. Her previous governance experience included the Gorge Road School board of trustees and local swimming pool committee.

As chair of the Gorge Road and Districts Heritage Society,Munro organises the annual bus trip to areas of historical interest, was involved in the bell tower project and is now leading the installation of a heritage shed and interpretation panels at the domain.

Capturing the area’s tales, Munro wrote the book From Oteramika to Gorge Road and Districts. She shared her love of literature by establishing a book exchange at the Mokotua Hall.

Other feathers in her cap include running table tennis and fish and chip nights at the hall, taking care of the Mokotua Recycling Centre, organising Anzac Day commemorations, and editing and distributing the bimonthly Gorge Road and Districts Gazette newsletter.