Tikokino fireman Brendan Butler was one of six Fire & Emergency NZ volunteers and staff who were presented with their Royal Honours at Government House in Wellington yesterday.
Mr Butler received his Queen’s Service Medal for services to fire and emergency from Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro.
Joining the brigade in 1972, Brendan currently holds the rank of Senior Station Officer, and has attended around 2,400 trainings.
Fire and Emergency Board Chair Rebecca Keoghan said Brendan continues to play a key role in the Tikokino community, and his Royal Honour is recognition of his many years of quiet commitment to his brigade.
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Te Whatu Ora Hawke’s Bay is urging people to get immunised against flu this year to protect from serious illness.
Spokesperson Chris McKenna says with levels of social interaction back to their normal pre-COVID levels, there is a high risk that the 2023 flu season could be one of the worst experienced in many years.
The government has extended access to funded influenza vaccines to all Maori and Pacific Island people aged 55 to 64, as well as children under 12 years of age.
Mobile clinics are available this week in CHB at the New World Waipukurau carpark tomorrow from 9am to 4pm; and at Porangahau on Friday and Saturday from 9am to 4pm.
The mobile clinics will also have COVID-19 and the measles, mumps, rubella, or MMR, vaccines available.
Alternatively, people can book flu vaccines with their GP or local pharmacy.
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The two local sides in the Hawke’s Bay Super 8 Netball will face each other tonight.
Otane Thirsty Whale will play Central Sports Vet Services Hawke’s Bay at PettiGrew Green Arena from 7.45pm.