PHOTO: LINDA ROBERTSONDecades of devotion to local communities was saluted last night, when the efforts of 19 Otago people were acknowledged with the presentation of the Local Hero Awards. Services to Girl Guides, suicide prevention, music, sports, local government and justice - along with many fields of endeavour - were acknowledged with medals and words of thanks. Last night's youngest award recipient, 17-year-old James Sutherland, showed youth was no barrier to community involvement. His work in youth organisations and the Central Otago Youth Council was applauded. ``There seemed to be a need for young people to have a voice in decisions made by local councillors,'' he said.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 11, 2017 16:07 UTC