Lifetime Contribution Award for local legend
- 275times
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
Janine Nillesen, co-chair and driving force behind Friends of the Farm, has been honoured with a Lifetime Contribution Award at this year's Zero Waste Awards, marking a milestone year that also celebrates her 25th year as Ambury Farm's Park Ranger.
Fifteen years ago, while working at the park, she started Friends of the Farm after seeing the rubbish left behind at Ambury Regional Park each weekend. What began as frustration turned into a community movement, now dedicated to building a caring, connected, wastewise Māngere Bridge.
"I just felt really proud, and although the award was for me, it's been a continuous effort for Friends of the Farm for so many years," Janine says.
"I see it as a recognition of the work Friends of the Farm have been doing."
Under her leadership, the group has grown to support zero waste events across the community, including a free e-waste day that collected five and a half tonnes of electronics, and a repair cafe where 110 items were fixed rather than thrown out. The community organisation now runs workshops and repair cafes, with a food forest in the works.
Auckland Council noted Janine's hand in everything from funding negotiations to health and safety, as well as her steady stream of new ideas to encourage zero waste. She is widely seen as the go-to person for zero waste in Māngere Bridge.
For Janine, the real reward is watching the community give back in its own way.
"People just do those little nice things because they see what we're doing," she says, pointing to neighbours who bake for events they cannot attend, or freeze extra tin can lanterns to share with others.
Friends of the Farm's vision remains simple: a caring, connected, wastewise community, whether people join in on events or simply carry that thinking with them at home.
Head to https://aboutmangerebridge.nz/ to find more about Friends of the Farm.
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