Leading from the front issuu

IT’S UNITY AWARD TIME
Mark Sweet writes a tribute a few years back that still rings true today.
BAY BUZZ FEATURES
UNSUNG HEROES
When Tom asked me to contribute to the list of 100
Buzzmakers in Hawke’s Bay I was immediately resistant.
A passage from the Dao De Ching came to mind: Not to
value and single out men of superior ability is the way to
keep the people from rivalry. In modern parlance, I take
this to mean that in compiling a roll of significant people
there will inevitably be some equally deserving of inclusion
who will be overlooked, which is both unfair and
contentious. Tom then asked if I would collaborate with
Pat Magill in writing about those people who work in the
social services.
My first memory of Pat is from Westshore in the late
1950’s when the beach was still sandy. He and my father
would compete in who could land farthest up the beach
from body surfing a wave.
Sentiment, and admiration for Pat’s dedication to social
justice persuaded me to partake, but we were confronted
with the vexing decision of who should be included,
because in Hawke’s Bay there are legions of citizens
who work tirelessly on behalf of others; lives spent in
service to the community often working with those least
privileged in extremely difficult circumstances.
They are the unsung heroes of our society. Their substantive
contribution is mostly unrecognised, but the
character of these folk is such that they don’t seek or
need recognition.
These are our teachers, doctors, nurses, and social
workers, many working way beyond their contracted
agreements, because it is service they are dedicated
to, not remuneration or recognition. And lest we forget,
there are hundreds of men and women who coach or
support sports teams and cultural activities, visit hospitals,
the elderly, and the prison, and care in one way or
another for their fellow citizens.
So too do many family members, who put aside their
own needs and desires to spend time with children and
the elderly in their families, many with special needs for
caring.
Those who volunteer their time and expertise in supporting
the afflicted, the suffering, the struggling, and
the dispossessed are a foundation without whom our
society would collapse. And like the foundations of a
building they are under the surface, unseen, but absolutely
essential to the integrity of the structure.
Appreciation of the invaluable role played by the volunteer
sector, and those who go the extra mile in their
community service careers, is lost in a society increasingly
individualistic and obsessed with personal status
and the cult of celebrity.
So in naming a few, we must remember the many, and
that those mentioned are representatives of the collective
who do outstanding work in our communities.
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Napier Pilot City Trust – for a kinder, fairer city