EMBRACING THEIR COMMUNITY

Back in July, the Hurunui District celebrated some of its best community serving members at the annual Community Service Awards.

For the next few weeks, Hurunui District will be highlighting the Award recipients, filling you in more on their background stories, and what makes them tick. Enjoy.

This year the Community Service Award for the Cheviot Community was received by Kate and Bruce Nichol.

They’ve been in Cheviot nearly a decade, and rural life has been fully embraced.

Kate with her extensive nursing background has helped many individuals, firstly as a home help and carer for Access, then with her involvement with ACC and palliative care through Florence Nightingale organisation. Volunteering her time to many in need of extra help and making sure vulnerable people are managing is something Kate is known for around the Cheviot community.

Kate has been the driving force behind the Cheviot museum refurbishment, working with specialist archivists and architects. She became a life member of the Society in 2018 and President in 2021. Countless hours have been spent over several years checking and updating records, organising records into dated boxes for easy reference, photographing images and setting up a computer database.

Kate can even be found at the museum when it’s closed, checking ancestors' records and genealogy for enquirers.

Bruce’s skills lie in noticing people in need, and connecting them with help or organisations.

In 2018 Bruce started the MENZSHED in Cheviot township, which has gone from strength to strength creating an active meeting place for men and their many varied skills. With Bruce’s resilience, organisational and people skills, the MENZSHED has continued to develop into a well-resourced, active, inclusive place for men to meet and share their skills.

Bruce has also been a valuable member of Cheviot Civil Defence as a coordinator from 2019 working with others to make sure it runs smoothly. He recruits members, updates wardens and phone trees, attends various meetings and trainings, liaises with Council and community members, and is at the ready if activated.

As a couple, Kate and Bruce have gone above and beyond for the Cheviot community. Thank you.