Four decades of service honoured

Take a look behind the scenes of many of Nelson’s community support organisations and you will likely see the unwavering efforts of Penny Molnar working hard to provide support and advocacy for those in our community in need of a hand.

After more than four decades of volunteer service in the Nelson region, there wouldn’t be many who have accessed social services or helped to administer them that haven’t come across Penny or her work.

This long-standing commitment to our community was honoured last week as Penny received the Nelsonian Civic Award for her outstanding contribution to voluntary services at Thursday’s Council meeting.

Penny was nominated by Deputy Mayor Pete Rainey, who addressed a public gallery full of Penny’s friends, family and colleagues from various organisations she has served with.

“Many, many Nelson people of all ages and backgrounds admire Penny for her integrity, generosity, and deep belief in the potential of every person. Her decades of service have strengthened community organisations, supported families, empowered women, and fostered a more inclusive and connected Nelson.

“Whether it is serving Kai Rescue scones at the Nelson Women’s Centre or taking new migrants to the doctor, Penny has given her time to this community for more than four decades – and still does so. Her voluntary service is exceptional.”

Penny was a founding member of the Nelson Women’s Centre in the early 90’s and has worked tirelessly to contribute to programmes supporting women and families since.

In 1994, Penny was a founding member of the Nelson Multicultural Council, helping to shape its early kaupapa around inclusion, cultural pride and positive race relations. Penny has worked to support multi-cultural festivals and events, advocated for migrants and refugees, and contributed to settlement support and anti-racism initiatives.

Of all her contributions, Penny’s work at the Victory Community Centre has left an enduring mark. Helping to establish the Centre in 2007, it was innovative as a community and health hub on school grounds. Penny spent many years as the Centre’s first Be Well Community Nurse, using her expertise and broad community networks to support hundreds of families to access services, match people with job offers, housing and support.

Penny has served with many organisations including as a trustee on the Whenua Iti Outdoors Trust and the Nelson Tasman Pasifika Trust, the Community Workers Training and Support Trust, the Nelson Community and Whanau Network, House 44 drop-in centre, and Rape Crisis.

In 2018, Penny was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal for services to the community.

In her own address to elected members and the public, Penny thanked her long-serving colleagues for their tireless work and support alongside her. She also thanked the Council for its support of community organisations and urged elected members and staff to keep listening to the community.

“I feel really strongly that community can do it itself, but it needs Council support. It is community people that lead the way whether that’s in the arts, sports, recreation or social services. Please listen to them.”