A woman described as an outstanding member of Maraetai Women’s Institute has been recognised for her leadership and contribution.
Marilyn Boucher has been awarded the very first South Auckland WI Federation’s Josie Goldsmith Trophy for the Most Outstanding WI Member.
The current Maraetai WI branch president was presented with the trophy at a special lunch on Monday, May 6.
MP Andrew Bayly, who was guest speaker at the lunch, says he was thrilled to be present when Marilyn was honoured for her outstanding leadership.
Branch secretary Chris King says Marilyn has done an incredible amount of work for the WI since she joined the Maraetai branch in 1985.
For years she organised and ran an annual New Year get-together at Omana Regional Park with a barbecue, games and family entertainment before becoming the Auckland East Federation secretary, a position she held for eight years.
During that time she was also Maraetai branch secretary and was awarded a good service badge for her efforts in 1998.
She has been president of the Maraetai branch for the past 15 years.
Over the years, Marilyn has attended nearly all of the Women’s Institute annual national conferences and helped anyone who wanted to attend to join the group travelling from Maraetai.
Chris says Marilyn joined in the spirit of all federation festival days by entering tables and floral art in the competitions as well as encouraging other members to enter.
These days Marilyn uses her car to collect and return older members attending meetings and does all of the cooking and preparation for the WI’s mid-year birthday celebration and its annual Christmas party.
She actively promotes the organisation and works hard in her local community, in particular as a member of the Anglican Church.
“Marilyn is a kind, gentle and very considerate person who is greatly respected and loved particularly by her fellow members of Maraetai WI. They unanimously agree she is a very deserving recipient of the first Josie Goldsmith Trophy for the Most Outstanding WI Member,” Chris says.
