By Janie Storey
Some people have a real affinity to support their community in any way that they can. There are communities with lots of good kind people who put their hand up to help when there is a need. There are also people who are a bit more rare - they put their hand up before the need becomes obvious, they can see a gap and fill it, they have knowledge that they will gladly share, or they may have a skill that they are delighted to teach to others.
Maybe they need a JP or a celebrant for a marriage or end of life celebration, then again maybe it is just a hug they need, or the offer of a cuppa and a chat. Rosemary Sloman gives all of those things to many people throughout the Eastern Bay of Plenty – she is a ball of energy, has a mile of compassion and a vast knowledge which she gladly shares with all.
Recognition is the key this year which has seen Rosemary being awarded a King's Service Medal (KSM) at the King's Birthday Awards, recently being named one of the 100 2026 Tower Local Hero Medallists and was elected to the Whakatane-Ohope Community Board in the October Local Body Elections.
Rosemary is an advocate for the EBOP Community Trust, EBOP Hospice and Breast Cancer Care Group and is on the committee to erect a fitting memorial to the victims and first responders of the Whakaari disaster.
For those of us that know Rosemary it is great to see her work recognised as she is one of those true community flowers that bloom all year round.
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Here's what the full announcement in the King's Honours List:
"For services to the community
Ms Rosemary Sloman has volunteered in the Eastern Bay of Plenty community for more than 40 years.
Ms Sloman has volunteered with the American Field Service (AFS) since 1984. She chaired the Kawerau South School Board during a time of growth and change. She was a key driver of the Kawerau Rotary Youth Trust, providing unique experiences for local youth. She began volunteering with Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty (EBOP) in 1998 and, as a supermarket store manager in Whakatāne, has assisted during many profile-raising campaigns. In 2017 she became the Volunteer Co-ordinator and Fundraiser for Hospice EBOP, developing successful events including Sunshine and a Plate, Frocks on Bikes, Fashion and High Tea Events, Garden and Art Rambles and The Blokes Shed Tour. Since 2009, she has volunteered with Look Good Feel Better, empowering women navigating their cancer journey. She has been active with the Celebrants’ Association of Aotearoa-New Zealand since 2020. She recently resigned as a Trustee of Virtual Eastern Bay Villages and continues to personally support and advocate for seniors with dementia. She is the Ministerial Educator for Eastern Bay Region Justices of the Peace, and a member of the Mataatua COGS Area Grants Committee. Ms Sloman retired in 2024 after seven years as the inaugural Executive Officer of the Eastern Bay Community Foundation."
