PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Plettenberg Bay’s community and crime-fighting heroes were honoured during a special awards evening hosted by the Plettenberg Bay Crime Prevention Association (PBCPA).
The event, held at The Bungalow on July 13, was attended by the town's cream of the crop, including mayor Peter Lobese.
PBCPA chair Bruce Richardson said during the evening that it was important for a community to touch base from time to time to share information, discuss strategies and cement relationships as those committed to a crime-free Plett.
He added that it was also important to honour those who had made a major contribution, especially in light of the recent firefighting and relief efforts.
“I once again look back over the past seven months or so since our last meeting on what the PBCPA and partner organisations working under the PBCPA banner have achieved, with a deep sense of satisfaction, and once again it is amazing how much progress we have made – we continue to go from strength to strength,” Richardson said.
He said that in times of crisis people learn what is really inside a person and a community and that the recent crisis showed that Plett was not found wanting.
“On the contrary, one was blown away moment by moment by the outstanding contribution made by numerous people.
“Because of this, a decision was made not to hand out individual awards, except in exceptional and easily identified cases, lest in seeking to recognise individuals some were omitted and felt short-changed. Rather, as a general rule, we are recognising groups of contributors represented by an individual.”
Richardson said that the PBCPA acknowledged the contribution of and congratulated all PBCPA partner organisations and the residents of Plett who had become a part of what they were doing.
“We live in an amazing area with amazing people.”
There were 13 awards handed out. The first went to Plett businessman Duncan Brown for outstanding human kindness and service excellence to the Plett community, especially during the June fires.
Fallen firefighter Bradley Richards was also honoured for giving his life to protect the town and community from the devastating fire. “His legacy is engraved in our Plett community's hearts he will never be forgotten.”
Plett South fire management unit (FMU) member Shaun Lee de Almeida was honoured for exceptional bravery after risking his life to help Bradley and injured firefighter Ian Barnard.
The PBCPA also handed out awards to the Bitou law enforcement and traffic department, the fire department and the Plett FMU's team of volunteers for their service.
Barnard was also saluted for his ongoing service to the FMUs and fire department for the past seven years.
Those working behind the scenes at the Plett relief centre were also honoured for their contribution and so was the Plett NSRI station. Local residents Riana Venter and Lisa Nagel were also given awards for exceptional service at the joint operations control centre JOCC during the Plett fires.
The PBCPA’s operations director Otto Oliver and members John Stewart and Wesley Andrews were also honoured for exceptional service to the Plett community.
ARTICLE: YOLANDE STANDER, KNYSNA-PLETT HERALD JOURNALIST
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