Carol Marshall, Turangi, QSM
For services to early childhood education. For 30 years Ms Marshall has worked to ensure pre-schoolers and parents, particularly mothers, from Turangi and its surrounding rural areas are well supported. She is employed as a part-time early childhood educator by the Central Plateau Rural Education and Activities Programme and has been on this organisation's governing board for more than 20 years. She gives many hours to early childhood and parent education beyond those she is paid for, as well as often donating meat from her successful farming operation for fundraising events. She has served on the Kuratau hall committee for many years, helping to organise large fundraising events for the community. Ms Marshall is renowned in the Turangi area for her ability to inspire and empower children and young parents, and for her community-minded approach.