Today 1 June 2020, Gwenyth Wright from Waiotahi, Thames is an honour recipient. If You know of any others, please let me know. I am investigating one other, but need to confirm its the right person!!!
GWENYTH MARY WRIGHT:
For services to women and the community
"Ms Gwenyth Wright established the Thames Women’s Loan Fund (WLF) in 2003, providing community-led microcredit to women without charging interest.
The Thames WLF is a mutual microcredit scheme for women who need help to establish a small business, study, or stabilise their financial situation. Ms Wright has been a Trustee of the Fund since its inception, and it continues to grow to this day. Prior to establishing the Thames WLF, she was a founding Trustee of the Wellington WLF from 1992 to 2002. She established the Organic Strategy Group in 2003, which contributes to a greater understanding of organic horticulture in the community. She has organised earth building workshops and an organic farming intern scheme for youth established in 2009. She worked with the Thames Coromandel District Council in 2015 to arrange land for natural burials, a project that has seen the establishment of a flourishing natural burial garden visible from the main road south of Thames. Ms Wright edited the Women in Agriculture newsletter from 1982 to 1992." Source: https://dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/qb2020-qsm#wrightgw
Many of you will also know that Gwenyth has been involved in many local groups, including being a supporter an interviewer for the Thames Oral History Group (part of The Coromandel Heritage Trust).
In November 2019, Gwenyth was awarded a medal for being one of the 15 Kiwibank Local Heroes for 2020.
Information on The Thames Women's Loan fund is available online. Snippet from web-page below.
Gwenyth also features in a book released in 2019 by Frances Denz - The change makers: a collection of stories of those who brought about change.
Congratulations Gwenyth.
