At the AGM of the Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park on 24th August, we honoured with Life Membership, the dedication of two long-serving remarkable men in our community.
John Porter and John Lancashire are both extremely well-known and respected stalwarts for the environment and particularly Queen Elizabeth Park. I have attached a recent photograph (courtesy an Ann Evans) and the Life Membership citation letters for both people and hope that you will see this as newsworthy in your publication.
Both men have “retired” their positions as Chair and Deputy Chair of the Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park after standing continuously since the establishment of the Friends group. We will greatly miss their experience and expertise on the ground, although their vision and determination has already made a significant impact on our community and this will continue with various projects they are both involved with.
CITATIONS
John Lancashire
Dear John,
this letter is to say, with very great pleasure, that the Trustees have made you a LIFE MEMBER of the Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park, and this award has been approved with ACCLAMATION at the AGM.
The Trustees recognise that you have worked tirelessly over 10 years as Chair of the Friends which, as a group, has achieved a huge amount. During that time you led the Friends with vitality and strength, political wisdom, and often with sheer courage. You welcomed and analysed new directions in the group. You championed major developments in the Park like the historic barn, the cycle track, the Jubilee bird hide, and all conservation and restoration. Your enthusiasm at Barn Dances was notable! You repeatedly raised significant outside funds for Friend’s projects, among which the recent biodiversity project is a towering, memorable achievement, not just for the Friends, but for Kāpiti district.
Importantly you always fearlessly defended the integrity of QEP as public land for community use. Moreover you acted strongly against those whose plans would damage the Park or distort its essential function-the expressway and printing press museum are but two examples of many. And you were always the public face of QEP in the news media.
In brief, John you have always been, and remain an outstanding figure in the Friends, and hugely deserving of this recognition.
The resolution passed at the AGM is immediately effective, and includes the following citation:
“The Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park recognise, with gratitude and admiration, the immense contribution of JOHN LANCASHIRE to the work of the Friends by leading from the front since its inception with wisdom and courage; energetically supporting major developments; raising significant outside funds for many projects, culminating in the recent outstanding biodiversity initiative; and always defending the Park with determination and courage from damaging or inappropriate proposals. John’s advocacy of public land for community use is unrelenting, as is his ability over the years to keep QEP before the news media”.
The Friends are honoured to have you as a LIFE MEMBER John, and we sincerely thank you for all that you have done.
On behalf of the Friends and with very best wishes,
Peter Brooking
Acting Chair, Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park (Kāpiti) Trust
John Porter
Dear John
I have immense pleasure in writing to advise you that the Trustees have resolved to make you a LIFE MEMBER of the Friends of Queen Elizabeth Park. The Trustees were unanimous in their support for this, and passed the resolution WITH ACCLAMATION.
