Steve & Mary Bielski

Citation Speech for Steve and Mary Bielski

Steve and Mary Bielski are the dream team. Married for 50 years, they have been making waves in the Rangiwahia and broader Manawatū community through decades of volunteer efforts. Their contributions span environmental conservation, community service, and maintaining and promoting local heritage. They are committed to their projects, and embody collaboration, humility and resilience.

Steve and Mary have a shared vision to showcase Rangiwahia as a vibrant tourism destination, celebrating its hidden gems and supporting the village’s growth. They’ve poured their energy and time into making this vision a reality. This includes Mary’s ‘The Iron Gates Experience’ website. A love letter to Rangiwahia, the website serves as a hub of information for locals and tourists sharing the stories and photos of local history, natural features and attractions.

As dedicated members of Rangiwahia’s Community Committee since 1989, Steve and Mary are always busy maintaining the community and their facilities. This includes local reserves and walking tracks, managing pest control and upgrading signage. In 2011, they campaigned for tar sealing Rangiwahia’s Main South Road, presenting a video to Council of the road and potholes with Rod Stewart’s ‘It’s a Heartache’ playing. Their campaign proved a success, creating a scenic route that has enhanced tourism.

Steve and Mary have promoted and maintained Rangiwahia Scenic Reverse for decades. In 2013, Steve was instrumental in creating the access road into the reserve, which was cleared with Steve’s tractor, a 5-tonne trailer, a truck and digger sent from Council. The new entrance and wooden fence was built by Steve, and information and photos for the signage was provided by Mary, created with support from CEDA. Mary toured the reserve with a Botanist, identifying 140 native species of plants and creating labels along the walking track. They manage the reserve’s Facebook page, pest and weed control and have established and maintained walking tracks.

The pair are passionate about protecting the wildlife and native birds in the local reserves. They manage the pest control and walking tracks at Kaikawaka Scenic Reserve and are active members of Ruahine Whio Protectors. This group protects native species including Whio (blue duck), managing over 2,500 traps across the Ruahine ranges. Their efforts prove successful, as they have photographed many native birds from the Rangiwahia Scenic Reserve, including the rare white pīwakawaka fantail, as pictured in the presentation tonight.

Their work isn’t limited to outdoor projects but extends to the heart of their community, the Rangiwahia Hall. The pair, in collaboration with the community committee, oversee everything from hall bookings to the motor site. They’ve been instrumental in upgrading the security, revamping the kitchen, and helping build new shower blocks and a veranda, all with the support of the community committee. Steve reflected on how many locals helped restore the hall. The hall is more than just a venue; it’s the legacy of the community.

For decades, Mary has shared her talents with the community, singing at Apiti ANZAC services, Centennial Celebrations and Rangiwahia Community Christmas Carols. She has been a passionate member of the Rangi Revellers singing group for decades, from 1986 and she spent 15 years hosting bible studies in schools, from 1988-1989.

When asked what fills their cup, Steve and Mary responded with their children and grandchildren - their greatest pride and inspiration. Mary volunteers weekly at the Rangiwahia Playgroup, reading, piecing together puzzles, getting to know local families with her warmth, positivity, and delicious baking. Steve keeps busy outdoors, tirelessly working in the reserves and with locals. His persistence is valuable - not just in the community, but in winning Mary’s heart back in the day too. But I’ll leave him to tell that story!

Steve and Mary, your dedication to the Rangiwahia community has made a lasting difference - not just to the village, but to the lives of so many within it. Thank you for your efforts and unwavering commitment. Tonight, the room is filled with sincere appreciation, and we hope you feel it too. Congratulations and thank you!