Now his decades of dedication have been recognised with the Volunteer Star Award for Waihī Beach. He has also played a leading role with Coast Care Waihī Beach, Predator Free Waihī Beach, the Waihī Beach Environmental Society and local graffiti removal projects. Born and raised at Waihī Beach, Jim says volunteering has always been about caring for the place he calls home. “A lot of the history of Waihī Beach was almost lost,” Jim says. Despite that setback, Jim hopes to continue supporting environmental projects and advocating for Waihī Beach whenever he can.