Volunteer Story Celebration 2025 - Ōtaki Heritage

Ōtaki Heritage: Te Whare Pouhere Taonga o Ōtaki choose to nominate two of their volunteers, Jan Harris and Aileen Lumley. They were inspired to nominate them because both retired from their volunteer duties this year after each had generously donated around 20 years’ service. They left with no expectation of any special recognition, but we believe both their selflessness and the value of their contributions merit this award. In the case of Jan Harris she was a founding member of the organisation set up to preserve the Bank of New Zealand builidng in Ōtaki by way of establishing a museum. She was for many years a major contributor of the Ōtaki Historical Journal - a respected source of Ōtaki stories for those interested in the town and for the exhibitions regularly hosted in the Museum.

Aileen, on the other hand, made her major contribution serving for many years as one of the Volunteers whose generosity is vital to the Museum being able to open its doors to the public three days a week. Furthermore, as a long-term resident of Ōtaki she was an invaluable source of local information, and she shared her knowledge freely with anyone who asked, as well as with those people involved in researching and arranging exhibitions in the Museum.

Both Jan and Aileen made vital contributions over many years. Without them, the Museum's contribution to the community would have been less than it turned out to be. They personified the ideal Volunteer - a selfless commitment to Ōtaki Heritage because they wanted to contribute in that way to their community.