Award-winning volunteer!

8 September 2006

Marilyn Lewis was the guest of honour at an afternoon tea party at national office during Adult Learners' Week.

TEC chief executive Janice Shiner presented Marilyn with a certificate and an engraved pen on the association's behalf, recognising her exceptional contribution to ESOL Home Tutors over a 30-year period. Recently retired from the University of Auckland, Marilyn trained some of the first home tutors in the 1970s, and continues to give workshops around New Zealand.

She was also a co-opted member of the board for nine years. Her book, Teaching English language one to one, was written especially for ESOL Home Tutors, and she is a keen promoter of the association.

At the presentation CEO Claire Szabo said, 'Marilyn is a stark reminder that "volunteer" does not mean "amateur" or "unprofessional". It means "without pay".'It shouldn't mean "without acknowledgement",' Claire said.

Other guests included co-ordinators from Wellington area schemes, Val Hoogerbrugge, Judi Altinkaya, Ahmed Yusuf Ali and representatives from the TEC, JR McKenzie Trust Board and the Ministry of Social Development.