Lumsden Volunteer Honoured For Her Dedication

Jeanna Rodgers’ tireless voluntary work has been at the heart of the Lumsden community for more than twenty years. Her ongoing dedication was officially recognised on Thursday evening when she received a Southland District Council and Northern Community Board Community Service Award.

Mayor Rob Scott and community board chair Greg Tither spoke warmly about the immense contribution Ms Rodgers has made to her township.

The Northern Southland College teacher has been deeply involved in many groups and committees, mostly focusing on activities for children and youth. She often took on the role of secretary and has devoted countless hours to improving the lives of young people. One notable example of her efforts includes driving Lumsden climbing club members to Te Anau and Invercargill so they could access climbing wall facilities.

Ms Rodgers has been instrumental in securing several hundred thousand dollars in funding for a range of community projects. This has included contributions to the community swimming pool, the Northern Southland Reforestation Trust, and the local toy library. Through the LAAMBS (Lumsden and Areas Activities for Miniature Bodies Society) charitable trust, she has also helped provide much-needed play equipment for children.

Mayor Scott said Ms Rodgers was the kind of person who made her community a better place to live in. “She is recognised as the first person to offer to land a helping hand at community events and projects,” he said.

Her commitment to Lumsden has extended into founding and supporting groups like a music and movement programme, the toy library, Plunket car seats, Playcentre, the Friends of Lumsden School, Bibles in Schools, and the Anglican Church. She has also been involved with the Ōreti Community Bike Park committee, Northern Southland Amateur Swimming Club, and as a Duke of Edinburgh supervisor at Northern Southland College.

She also managed college football teams, volunteered for kapa haka, and worked with Kidzone. In her role with the Northern Southland Reforestation Trust and as PTA secretary at Northern Southland College, she has continued to champion her community.

In addition to her teaching role, Ms Rodgers voluntarily opens and closes the Northern Southland Community Pool each day as secretary of the pool trust. She often assists with private childcare and tutoring and was a relief teacher at the former Riverstones Early Learning Centre. Her community involvement even extends to casual reporting for The Southland App, where she highlights local events and activities.