Community service rewarded with ribbon | Wairarapa News | Local News in Wairarapa

Tony Governor has been battling to keep young people on the straight and narrow for 15 years, but Saturday was the first time the community worker has ever received anything for it.

His thank you came in the form of a ribbon from members of the World Harmony Run, a relay which is crossing the country spreading goodwill and celebrating the deeds of community heroes.

"This all sort of came the out of blue," Mr Governor, who was presented his award by Masterton Mayor Garry Daniell outside the War Memorial Stadium with family gathered around him, said.

Mr Governor is co-ordinator of the Masterton-based Street Youth Ministries Trust, which works mainly with boys aged from 6 to 15, many of whom have been stood down or suspended from school.

The trust uses structured activities such as camps and school holiday programmes to improve their self-esteem and have a positive effect on their behaviour to help them at school and at home.

"A lot of our boys come from dysfunctional families and one of our goals is to empower each individual.

"It's a real honour to receive this and it's something I can hang up and look at every morning."

Mr Governor was also presented the Torch Bearer Award a flaming torch that has passed through hundreds of thousands of hands since the initiative was launched in New York City in April.

Masterton is one of 30 towns and cities in the 2100km New Zealand leg of the six-continent, 80-nation relay. Olympic athletes, sports personalities, civic and political leaders and more than 60,000 schoolchildren are also taking part in the relay.

Mr Daniell acknowledged Mr Governor and the message promoted by the travelling relay team. "As the run travels through cities and towns in each country, it also aims to pay tribute to the many men and women in local communities, our unsung heroes, who in their own ways have been an inspiration and who have significantly contributed to a better world. The Torch Bearer award recognises and honours those quiet achievers and pays tribute to the many ways they have uplifted and served their communities and enriched the lives of others."