Two Whāingaroa community contributors have been recognised for work they often carry out behind the scenes, with Luca Grilli and the Whāingaroa Weedbusters receiving Mayoral Community Awards from Waikato District Council.
The awards brought together people and organisations making a wide range of contributions across the district, including environmental work, support for kaumātua, youth development, sport and community facilities.
Waikato district councillor Lisa Thomson nominated Luca after seeking suggestions from people in Raglan and Te Mata about community members whose work deserved recognition.
Lisa said it was important to look beyond Raglan township when considering potential recipients, particularly because the community board area and council ward cover the wider Whāingaroa rohe.
The feedback she received confirmed her view that Luca was one of the area’s quiet contributors, “active in the background doing amazing things”.
One of Luca’s most visible contributions has been helping to revitalise the Te Mata Tennis Club and renew its tennis court.
The court surface has been completely refurbished, with Luca playing an important role in securing funding, rebuilding community support and getting the project moving.
Lisa said he had also worked behind the scenes on the refurbishment of Te Mata Hall and contributed extensively to Raglan Junior Football Club as a coach, manager, referee and committee Chairperson, eventually serving as club President for several years.
Luca was also remembered as a popular school bus driver for children from Te Mata and Ruapuke. He made the trips entertaining with quizzes and questions and hosted end-of-year barbecues for students and their families.
On one occasion, he transported children dressed as farm animals on his Bedford truck as part of Raglan’s New Year parade.
Lisa also recalled Luca donating a tree from his Te Mata nursery at short notice for a significant planting at Mōtakotako Marae.
“There was a lot we could have written,” she said, noting that the award nomination had a limited word count.
The Whāingaroa Weedbusters were nominated by the Raglan Community Board in recognition of their ongoing voluntary contribution to the community.
Lisa said the group’s award also reflected the environmental mahi being carried out by volunteer organisations across the wider district. Their commitment was evident when members returned to their usual work almost immediately after receiving the award on Friday night.
The recognition placed their collective contribution alongside the many individuals who quietly give their time to strengthen their communities.
Lisa said the ceremony demonstrated the breadth of largely voluntary work taking place across the Waikato district and gave recipients an opportunity to hear about the work happening in other communities.
“It was neat to see a range of people and organisations across the district,” she said.
Community event fees discussed
Council’s fees for community events using public reserves were discussed after Māui Dolphin Day was charged $500 to use Papahua, with the usual $500 bond waived.
Lisa said Māui Dolphin Day was classified as a large event under a new event fee structure introduced following requests from the Raglan Community Board. Because the event attracts about 1,000 people, it incurred a fee.
She said the structure had been developed largely with commercial events in mind and did not adequately distinguish between ticketed events and free community events.
Council staff cannot waive or reduce an adopted event fee because the current schedule does not provide for remissions.
Any change would need to be considered through the next Long Term Plan, due to take effect from the 2027–28 financial year.