Helen Guthrie receiving 2015 Kapiti Civic Award from Mayor Ross Church

Helen was presented with this award in 2015 for her outstanding service to chamber music and gardening.  Helen has been a member of the Waikanae Music Society since 1984, when she moved to the Kapiti Coast from Wellington and for 25 years from 1990 was a committed and effective president, instrumental in improving and modernising a number of systems.   Helen also played a pivotal role in the purchase of the Italian-built Fazioli piano in 2011, which has enabled the society to attract internationally acclaimed pianists to this part of the world.

On the gardening front, she has been president and branch secretary of the Kapiti Branch of the New Zealand Camellia Society – a highlight being organising the National Camellia show in Waikanae in 2009 – and has been a member of the National Council of the Camellia Society, judging camellia blooms throughout the North Island.   Additionally, she is an expert on roses and has been a local and national judge for 30 years.  Helen was president of the Wellington and Kapiti Rose Societies for many years, including hosting a very successful national rose show and convention in Waikanae.