The Real Business for this MP
2007-08-28 12:14:00.0
AUTHOR: Peter Dunne
My comments about the unrelenting war on sleaze between National and Labour have attracted a strong and positive reaction. People have had enough of the name-calling and muckraking that has been going on of late, and unfortunately, for many, that is about all they see in politics today.
So it is good every now and then to step out into the real world, and appreciate the very good things that are going on. Last Saturday was such an occasion. We held the annual North Wellington Voluntary Service Awards dinner to make presentations to 10 local volunteers (with over 200 years community service between them to local organisations). I set up the Awards (which basically cover my Ohariu Belmont electorate) in 2001 just after the International Year of the Volunteer as a practical way of supporting local volunteers. Our strong supporters include the local Licensing Trust and the Police, and we are very grateful for their ongoing involvement. Last Saturday's Awards bring to 83 the number of local volunteers we have recognised since 2001. Each Awardee receives a formal citation, a commemorative plaque and a lapel badge to mark their achievement. Occasions like this remind you of the important role volunteers play in our community and how little we recognise their contribution. We have about 97,000 community organisations in this country, and around 1 million volunteers.
Without them , our communities simply would not survive.
These are the things we ought to be talking about, not flinging mud with the gay abandon of recent week.