The Waimate Grey Power Association has received national recognition.
The association recently became the inaugural winner of Grey Power’s Federation Association achievement award for branches with fewer than 500 members.
Clocking in with just 63 members, the award acknowledges the work members have been doing in the community.
Waimate association vicepresident and secretary Julie Anderson said she had gone through the minutes to see what they had done over the course of the year to put Waimate’s name forward.
‘‘And we won it. It was a huge surprise.’’
Members from the Timaru association collected the trophy and certificate on Waimate’s behalf, and made a special trip south to the Waimate association’s monthly meeting to hand over the spoils.
The efforts that saw Waimate take the trophy included organising a mobility scooter workshop in conjunction with road safety staff, which included theory and practical aspect and creating an information-packed brochure for people considering a mobility scooter.
Along with the Temuka and Timaru Grey Power associations, Waimate’s association was involved with a Timaru Hospital Support Group, which aimed to fundraise for ‘‘desirable extras’’ at the hospital.
The first project of which was working with Timaru’s MenzShed to build seats for outside the main entrance of the hospital.
Mrs Anderson said while Grey Power advocated for the rights of older people, ensuring seniors could live in dignity and enjoy a comfortable and sustainable quality of life, membership was open to those aged 18 and above.
‘‘We’re an organisation that’s also looking towards the future for younger people, so that when they are looking at retiring, there are systems in place.’’
Waimate’s Grey Power Association meets on the second Tuesday of the month at 1.30pm at the Waimate Town & Country Club.
