Ann-Marie Searle (Invercargill)

Queen's Service Medal for services to badminton and the community

Ann-Marie Searle is "thrilled" to have been honoured with a Queen's Service Medal, saying that it has always been part of her to contribute strongly to the community.

She said after receiving the first notice that she was nominated it was a nerve racking time in waiting for the final confirmation.

"Leading up to the middle of May I was getting very nervous and of course I couldn't tell anybody. Then the letter came at the end of May saying I had been accepted. It was amazing".

The recognition comes from her strong connections to badminton in Southland, as well as a variety of community roles and dressmaking and craft work.

During the 80s and 90s Mrs Searle coached a several award-winning junior badminton teams for the Southland Badminton Association as well as serving on the association’s committee and also receiving awards for her own badminton playing.

From 2003 to 2008 Mrs Searle took over the leadership of ‘Table 4 Eight’, a voluntary organisation introducing people to one another who are in lonely environments.

She also served as secretary for her local Playcentre as well as being actively involved in her local Plunket and Presbyterian Church where she occasionally judged and taught craft sewing and dressmaking, and voluntarily assisted other families with food, housework and dressmaking or knitting.

Mrs Seale said she still enjoys dressmaking and craft work, and has sent several of her finished pieces to many notable people including to the royal family as well as legendary All Black Richie McCaw.

She said a personal highlight was getting the opportunity to meet and talk to Princess Diana about her designs.

Her family was set to join her in a celebratory lunch on Monday to help her celebrate the occasion, which she said she was looking forward to the most about being given the honour.

"(I'm) not sure what the future brings for me but this award has brought me a lot of joy and happiness".