Nigel Ramsden

Citation Speech for Nigel Ramsden

Described as a ‘quiet achiever’, Nigel Ramsden has spent three decades volunteering in the Feilding community. He is passionate about supporting others, whether that’s through a conversation, a full stomach or a garden.

Nigel’s passion for gardening was passed down from his father and grandfather, eventually leading him to own a retail garden shop in Kuripuni, Masterton in the 1980s. After returning to Feilding 27 years ago, that passion never faded but found new purpose through community volunteer work.

For over 30 years, Nigel has been a dedicated member of Rotary club, starting in Carterton before joining Feilding’s Makino Rotary Club, now Feilding Oroua Rotary where he has held appointments as Board Member, Secretary, and President. Since 2022, Nigel has served Rotary as Community Services Director. His service to Rotary is a testament to his care for the wider community, recognised by being twice honoured the Paul Harris Fellowship, -Rotary’s highest community service award.

Nigel has coupled his passion for gardening to his Rotary work through the ‘Growing Gardens and Communities’ initiative in Feilding. Using donated timber and plants from local businesses, he and the team build and install one-metre-square vegetable gardens mainly in Community Trust homes. Nigel doesn’t just build the gardens; he mentors the households too, sharing his knowledge and love for growing food, one conversation at a time.

Passionate about supporting local events, he’s always sticking his hand up to help the community, bringing his enthusiasm and BBQ skills to events such as Blue Light Discoes, Rotary Youth Camps, Family Fun Days and Manchester House events. He has a soft spot for Manchester House, having volunteered there for decades, fundraising, running events and making Christmas floats.

Nigel’s compassion for the community is reflected through initiatives such as the Christmas Day lunches in Feilding. Alongside his partner Andrea, they organised Christmas meals and gifts through donations from local organisations and spent their Christmas Day with those who needed it most: anyone alone or struggling during the holidays. What began at the Salvation Army with 50 guests quickly grew, reaching 250 attendees the following year at the Civic Centre. Even during COVID, Nigel, Andrea, and their family delivered meals directly to families, bringing both food and company to homes. As the event grew in scale, it was eventually passed to Manchester House. Nigel believes in the value of spending Christmas with the community, also supporting the Christmas Cave at Feilding Little Theatre, helping bring festive magic to children.

Driven by his genuine desire to deepen his understanding of Indian culture and celebrate the community’s diversity, Nigel played a pivotal role in launching Feilding’s first Diwali Festival in 2022. Held at the Civic Centre, the event was expected to draw 500 people. It exceeded expectations and over 4,500 attended. By 2024, the festival had 5,000 people filling the Civic Centre and nearby streets with dance performances, food trucks, crafts and locals dressed in traditional Indian attire. The Diwali Festival in Feilding has become a much-loved community event, with the next celebration just around the corner this October.

In his spare time, Nigel enjoys biking and spending time with his kids. This includes their fur baby, a 4-year-old Maine Coon cat Tommy, who was a stray kitten that has chosen his home with them - pictured in the presentation tonight.

Nigel, thank you for your decades of contributions to our community. As quoted by the President of Rotary, “Rotary and Feilding are so much better off with people like Nigel”. We hope tonight brings you the recognition you so richly reserve. Congratulations.