At an emotional Community Service Award presentation in Riversdale today, Pauline Herron was honoured for her outstanding life-long commitment to northern Southland.

Mrs Herron was presented with the award by Southland District Mayor-elect Rob Scott, with Richard Clarkson representing the Ardlussa Community Board. She received a standing ovation from the large crowd gathered in the Riversdale Community Centre.

Her award acknowledged her embodiment of community spirit.

You can bet Pauline Herron wouldn’t be one for all the fuss – but it is certainly well deserved.

Regarded as quietly capable, endlessly generous and deeply compassionate, Mrs Herron has been a driving force behind countless local groups, events, and initiatives.

She began her lengthy commitment to community service in Balfour in the 1970s alongside her late husband Paul.

Her record as a volunteer is expansive, starting as the treasurer of Balfour Plunket. She helped fundraise for families and community projects.

Also in the township, she was involved with the Balfour squash and bowling clubs, being awarded life membership of the squash club.

In 1991 Mrs Herron joined the Balfour RSA women’s section, again taking on the role of treasurer in 1999 and serving with great diligence. She also received life membership of this group.

Pauline Herron CSA. Photo: Southland District Council

She served as president the RSA Southland Provincial Council Women’s Section from 2016 to 2018, and again received life membership during the 80th celebrations of the RSA in August 2024.

Moving into the 2000s, Mrs Herron expanded her community impact and moved to Riversdale, where she joined the Riversdale-Waimea Lions Club, serving as president in 2006/2007.

Here, she founded and organised the senior citizens’ luncheons, which were held twice a year, but they proved so popular the frequency increased to every two months.

In 2005, Mrs Herron joined the Progress League, (also known as the hall committee) and was subsequently elected as vice-chairperson in 2007.

The group leads garden beautification projects in the community and keeps the Riversdale Hall in tip-top shape.

Not one to shy away from lending a helping hand, Mrs Herron is also a volunteer with the Friends of the Hospital Gore programme, where she assists nurses on one shift per week, comforting patients and even bringing delicious homemade baking for the staff.

She joined the Gore Cancer Society and has assisted with several Daffodil Days in Riversdale, where the township achieved some of the highest sales amongst small communities, no doubt thanks to the hard work of volunteers such as her.

The list doesn’t stop there. Mrs Herron has also lent a hand as book-keeper and auditor for various Riversdale organisations, including the Riversdale Volunteer Fire Brigade, since 2005.

Mayor-elect Rob Scott said: “Pauline’s award ceremony saw the largest turnout we have had in our Community Service Awards, reflecting the deep and lasting impact she has had across the community.

“Her dedication spans generations, reaching all the way back to the 1970s, making her a truly deserving recipient – a genuine pillar of the community.”

Beyond her formal roles in the community, Pauline Herron is always supporting community events, fundraisers and social groups.

She has been deeply involved in her community and is part of the pulse that keeps the community spirit alive.

She is always there with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye, ready to lend a helping hand or to share a story and a good laugh.

Mrs Herron truly represents the spirit of service that the Community Service Awards acknowledge.