Supporting communities  |  3 Mar 2025

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Gary Chisholm is a familiar face for communities in the west side of Christchurch.

The 68-year-old has dedicated hundreds of hours to building safer communities in the Riccarton, Ilam and Fendalton areas as a long-standing volunteer, committee member and treasurer of the Riccarton Community Patrol Inc.

Gary was honoured with a Christchurch City Council Community Service Award last year for his voluntary dedication to the patrol.

“I sometimes ask myself why I’ve stayed a patrol member for so many years, but it’s because I’m proud to be a volunteer and give back to the city I love,” Gary says.

“It’s just one of my contributions to Christchurch. I wouldn’t have stayed so long if I hadn’t enjoyed it so much.”

Gary’s work varies, including day and night patrols to improve safety, reporting issues like fly tipping and runaway supermarket trolleys, and creating initiatives to prevent local crime, all while collaborating with members of the community and university students.

“I enjoy the comradery of other volunteers and the support from the community,” Gary says.

“Being part of the patrol is a win-win – I work to tidy up the wider area and make it a safer place, while getting to reap the rewards myself with a cleaner and safer community.”

Gary acts as a community liaison with local businesses and sponsors, manages the groups IT and communications equipment, attends meetings on behalf of the patrol and assist with fundraising ventures.

And after over 15 years of volunteering for the Riccarton Community Patrol, he’s not looking to slow down any time soon.

“I’ve come to understand that when you retire, you get even busier, and I still have a few years of patrolling left in me!”

Community Service Awards are a chance to give well-deserved recognition to the people who make our communities a better place. It’s an opportunity to thank and honour volunteers who demonstrate dedication and passion, making service a central part of their lives.

Nominations for the 2025 Community Service Awards open on Friday 7 March for the Waihoro Spreydon-Cashmere-Heathcote, Waipuna Halswell-Hornby-Riccarton, Waitai Coastal-Burwood-Linwood and Waimāero Fendalton-Waimairi-Harewood boards.

Submit a nomination via our website from 7 March. Nominations close at 5pm on Sunday 6 April 2025.