Penny Molnar has become the second person to be bestowed with the new Nelsonian Civic Award.
The long-time volunteer was given the award at the end of Thursday’s Nelson City Council meeting for her lifetime of community service.
“Look beneath the surface of numerous Nelson community support groups, and you will find the tireless and endlessly-kind efforts of Penny Molnar keeping things running smoothly,” said deputy mayor Pete Rainey, who nominated her for the award.
“Whether it’s serving Kai Rescue scones at the Nelson Women’s Centre or taking new migrants to the doctor, Penny has given her time for the community for more than four decades and still does so.”
Molnar, a 2018 recipient of the Queen’s Service Medal, was a founding member of cornerstone community organisations, including the Nelson Women’s Centre, the Nelson Multicultural Council, and the Victory Community Centre.
She was also a trustee on numerous organisations including the Whenua Iti Outdoors Trust, 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.
“Her decades of service have strengthened community organisations, supported families, empowered women, and fostered a more inclusive and connected Nelson,” Rainey said.
Nelson Mayor Nick Smith also highlighted the city’s long-running housing challenges and honoured her work to establish the Nelson Tasman Housing Trust.
He added that he took “huge pride” in the fact that Nelson had the highest levels of volunteering in the country, which he credited to people like Molnar.
“You’ve helped us create the culture of what it is to be a Nelsonian.”
Her son, George Molnar, recalled the excitement he felt as a kid whenever Molnar would start baking.
“We think, ‘Oh, it’s going to be another cake’, but no, it was off to some other people.”
He was “super proud” of her and her community involvement.
“You are an amazing mother and been an incredible role model.”
Molnar accepted the award on Thursday, but in doing so described herself as a “groupie”.
“Nothing works without a group of us. I will be the first one to work with others… I’ve loved being a team player.”
She used her award ceremony to honour the efforts of several other volunteers and community figures that she has known and worked with during her 42 years in the city.
Molnar also highlighted the role the council plays in supporting the community, such as when it agreed to a request from local women’s groups to rent-to-buy 44 Trafalgar Street to establish the Nelson Women’s Centre.
“It’s 30 years this year that we paid it off, so there’ll be celebrations later in the year. I just think that’s a wonderful connection between council and community.”
She felt “really strongly” that community “can do it itself” and applauded the council for agreeing to have community representatives on its Community Funding Committee.
“Often it is community people that lead the way.”
Veteran and volunteer Brian Ramsay was the first person to be bestowed the Nelsonian Civic Award in April.
