It's pretty rare to be awarded a Paul Harris Fellow and exceptionally so if you are not a Rotary Club member.
Hawera Justice of the Peace Ross Corrigan, a non-Rotarian, received the prestigious award which recognises and thanks a person living up to the ideals of Rotary.
It is for people who through voluntary service have made a difference in their community and the lives of others.
The 76-year-old was surprised and elated when approached by Hawera Rotary member Doug Hutchison to see if he would accept the award. a
A true Kiwi bloke, Mr Corrigan doesn't think himself worthy.
"I never expected that as a non-rotarian," he says.
"I feel very humble about it actually, it's nice to be recognised."
Mr Corrigan has a rich history of volunteer work in South Taranaki.
He has been made a life member of the Egmont A&P Association, the Egmont Sheep Dog Trial Club and the Mt Egmont Alpine Club. He has been chairman of the West Coast Settlement Lessees' Association, the Hawera Presbyterian Men's parish, the Federated Farmers Sharemilker Employers' Section and the president of the Hawera Historical Society.
He was the director of Hawera Co-operative Dairy Factory Company Limited and built the first ever mobile starting barrier for trotting races in the southern hemisphere.
Being involved in the Egmont A&P Association since the early 1950s has always just made sense, Mr Corrigan says.
"At that time being a member of the show was probably the most important community gathering," Mr Corrigan says.
"It was a focal point. My father and grandfather had both been very much involved with A and P."
While not as busy as he once was, he still works daily on his farm shifting cattle and regularly fulfills duties as a Justice of the Peace.
Mr Corrigan was awarded the Paul Harris Fellow on February 20 at a ceremony held in the Hawera Club.
He joins Chester Borrows and Val Tarrant as a non-Rotary member with the award.
- © Fairfax NZ News
PETRA FINER- SOUTH TARANAKI STAR
Last updated 10:04 15/03/2012
PETRA FINER
Work rewarded: Ross Corrigan is now a Paul Harris Fellow.
South Taranaki Star
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