First Nelsonian Civic Award

When it comes to volunteering, a stalwart of Nelson Returned and Services’ Association has a simple philosophy.

“There’s an old saying – we work because we have to, we volunteer because we want to,” Brian Ramsay told the Nelson City Council on Thursday, when his four decades of community service was honoured.

At the council meeting, Ramsay was the city’s first recipient of the Nelsonian Civic Award, a new honour established in February to recognise 13 residents throughout the year.

Ramsay was nominated by councillor Mel Courtney, and a citation presented to the council described how Ramsay served in the New Zealand Defence Force for 12 years “before dedicating more than four decades to voluntary service within the Nelson community”.

In 1987, he played a key role in establishing the Nelson Cadet Unit as a New Zealand Cadet Force Officer.

He has also been an active member of the Nelson Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) Committee, including organising Poppy Day collections for 15 years. He is now a Life Member and Patron of the Nelson RSA.

“Brian significantly improved the format and presentation of Anzac Day wreath-laying ceremonies at Wakapuaka, Queens Gardens, and Marsden Valley, as well as managing the behind-the-scenes arrangements for the Dawn Services for 17 years,” the citation said.

For the past five years he has organised the Boer War Memorial Service at Queens Gardens and, since 2023, has organised the Purple Poppy Day Sunset Service honouring war and service animals.

Other community roles include 20 years as a volunteer community patroller, five years as a Victim Support volunteer, and more than 20 years as asset manager for Abbeyfield House Stoke, along with five years on the Abbeyfield Tāhunanui Building Committee.

On Tuesday, he concluded 20 years as minute secretary for the IHC Association Nelson Branch.

He has also volunteered at Broadgreen Historic House including as chair for the past three years.

He has also volunteered his expertise in mounting military medals for veterans and assisting families in recovering lost medals.

At the meeting, Courtney outlined Ramsay’s extensive volunteer record and thanked him for 40 years of “generosity, compassion and service”.

“You have set an example that reminds us all … that community really is everything, and Brian, with you in it it’s been stronger than ever.”

Ramsay had strengthened the community and inspired others to step up, Courtney said.

“Nelson runs a little smoother, shines a little brighter and feels a lot more like home because of people like you.”

Ramsay said he initially declined the honour, but accepted after Courtney “pulled rank”.

He thanked the council for the award, and thanked supporters who had come along with him, including his wife Diane, who had been by his side – and even outlasted him at IHC, he said.

“Without the team behind me I wouldn’t be here today … All of these community organisations that I’m on, Diane has been there with me.”

His years of voluntary service had been a “good journey”, he said.

“I have met a lot of people and learned a lot along the way.”

Caption: Nelson mayor Nick Smith hands the award over to Ramsay.Martin de Ruyter / Nelson Mail

By Warren Gamble, Nelson Mail