Long service to Waimakariri honoured

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

From local democracy reporter David Hill:

A long-serving Waimakariri District Council staff member was farewelled last week after a lifetime of supporting the community.

Madeleine Burdon retired last Thursday after 15 years as part of the council’s community team and numerous social sector roles before that.

She credits her longevity to the people she has worked with over the years.

‘‘There’s nothing I’ve done that I could have achieved on my own and that wouldn’t be what community development should be about.

‘‘The community development advisory role I inherited was very broad and I had lived in the district since 1980, so it seemed the perfect fit.’’

Burdon said her various roles were about supporting those who made a difference in the community.

‘‘You are the people who are hands on, who respond to the needs of thousands of people on a daily basis, my roles sat behind you and your agency’s work,’’ she said to many well-wishers at her public farewell.

‘‘I am humbled by the work you all do and I’m deeply grateful to have journeyed with you.’’

Waimakariri District Council community team manager Tessa Sturley said the number of RSVPs to the farewell function was ‘‘testament to how much Madeleine is loved in the community’’.

For the last 15 months she has worked as the age-friendly community facilitator, with responsibility for implementing the council’s age-friendly community plan.

Sturley said Burdon was well known for her story-telling, her expressions and anecdotes, and for ‘‘singing lustily’’ in the council’s waiata singing group.

Mayor Dan Gordon paid tribute to the ‘‘great love and aroha’’ Burdon had shown for the community.

Waimakariri Age-friendly Advisory Group chairperson Joanne Gumbrell invited Burdon to be the group’s ‘‘taonga and patron’’.