Albert James

Citation Speech for Albert James

A sense of humour and passion for helping the community keeps Albert James very busy. As a long-time Feilding resident, Albert volunteers in the community, always lending a hand to those in need.

Originally from England, Albert relocated to New Plymouth to pursue his career in Parks and Reserves. After attending a conference in Feilding and falling in love with the town, he made the move — ready to begin his next adventure. That adventure became a 35-year career with the Manawatū District Council as Parks and Reserves Manager. In an article published in the Feilding Herald in 2013, Albert said that once he retired, he wouldn’t stop gardening. He sure has kept his word!

Albert’s green thumb has kept him a member of Keep Feilding Beautiful for over 30 years – promoting litter reduction and environmental care - whether its weeding, planting trees in paddocks or along riverbanks. In the late 1980s, Albert would take high school students, Girl Guides, and Boy Scouts to Awahuri Kitchener Park to plant trees.

From 1991 onwards, Albert pioneered restoration efforts at Awahuri Forest Kitchener Park, involving the Scouts, the Air Training Corps, and youth from community service programs. They painted fences and installed metal steps at Mount Lees Reserve, helping to create a safer and more accessible walking track. Albert also played a key role in establishing the Camellia Walk in Kowhai Park in 1991, ticking off many iconic Feilding spots from his bucket list.

Albert takes pride in getting to know the Feilding youth, teaching them life skills, lessons, and providing a sense of responsibility. Albert volunteered many weekends supporting up to 20 youths sentenced to community work. He took them out to paint fences and plant trees around the community, including at Timona Park. The lasting impact of their efforts became a shared reward for both the students and Albert. Eager to bring smiles and laughter to the community, Albert volunteered annually at Christmas Parades for over 12 years. He has made floats with Keep Feilding Beautiful, encouraging local kids to ride the floats, handing out lollies and blasting party poppers.

One year, he made an ice-skating rink float that won best prize. Nowadays, Albert annually volunteers at Rotary Christmas Cave, bringing festive cheer not only to excited children but also to residents in rest homes. His visits brighten their days and bring nostalgia to residents. When he has any spare time, Albert can be found tinkering around his garden. He has some impressive collections at home, including a replica Feilding clock tower from the Manawatū Manfeild Garden Festival, which he was once chairman of.

He enjoys volunteering at Heritage Park, but more often than not, he is visiting pensioner flats and the houses of those in the community who request help pruning their gardens. He delivers and plants orders from Harrison’s Garden Centre for those who cannot do it themselves and always answers the call when volunteers are wanted in local parks, gardens and reserves. Appreciating the nature in our area is something he values and wishes to instil in others. To top it off, he’s been the quiz master at Murray’s Irish Bar in Feilding every Tuesday night for over 5 years - his humour bringing regular attendance and a smile to the audience’s faces.

Testimonials describe Albert as a ‘yes man’, with a can-do attitude. He’s community minded and never hesitates to help. Albert, thank you for all your efforts you’ve made for our community, parks and reserves. Just as the many plants you have planted and pruned will be seen and appreciated for years to come, so too will the lasting impact you have made in the lives of those you have inspired, shared a festive laugh with, or simply made smile by being yourself. Mother nature, and the Manawatū District, are certainly very grateful. Congratulations.