Meet Murray: a star volunteer
Ōmokoroa volunteer and community leader Murray Marshall has been recognised with a Volunteer Star Award during National Volunteer Week, honouring his wide-ranging contribution to local organisations and community initiatives around the peninsula.
The award was presented at a community gathering celebrating volunteers from across Ōmokoroa. Murray was nominated by Ōmokoroa Rotary’s Bronwyn Carter, who praised his commitment to serving the community in multiple roles.
In her nomination, Bronwyn described Murray as a tireless volunteer who contributes across a range of organisations, including the Ōmokoroa Community Policing Group, Ōmokoroa Rotary Club, Ōmokoroa Health Shuttle, and the Ōmokoroa Community Response Team, as well as serving on the Community Board.
“I find him an inspiration because he is involved in so much, and I appreciate the professionalism that he brings to the roles that he takes on,” Bronwyn says.
Accepting the award, Murray says he was humbled by the recognition and believes many others in the community are equally deserving.
“I just see so many other people in the community who make so much of a difference, and I’m only one small part of the community that makes the system work,” he says.
Murray’s involvement in Ōmokoroa began after reading about the community’s emergency response planning. With a background in emergency management, he joined the Community Response Team and later became chair of the Ōmokoroa Community Policing Group Charitable Trust.
Since then, he has expanded his volunteer work to include the community patrol, Rotary and the development of the Ōmokoroa Health Shuttle, which now helps residents access medical appointments. Murray says staying active and connected is important.
“If you sit on the couch, you die. If you do stuff, you live,” he says. “People are contributing, socialising and keeping their minds active.”
He credits Rotary with opening the door to many of his volunteer opportunities and says the organisation’s culture of caring and community service has been a major motivator.
“The people in Rotary are fantastic people. Everyone looks after each other, and it’s such a nice, warm environment to be in,” he says.
Bronwyn hopes Murray’s recognition will encourage more residents to become involved in community organisations.
“I’d like to see more people getting involved with volunteer work in the community because it’s a way in which you can take positive action for our future,” she says. “Instead of being a critic, get out there and do something. Be part of the solution.”
The Volunteer Star Awards are presented across communities in the Bay of Plenty to recognise individuals who make outstanding contributions through volunteer service. Several other local volunteers also received certificates of appreciation during the event.
Volunteering Services manager Angela Wallace thanked all local volunteers for their efforts, saying communities such as Ōmokoroa are strengthened by people who willingly give their time to help others.
“By volunteering, we become the community that we want to be,” Angela says.
