The Tāneatua and wider Whakatāne communities came together last month to acknowledge and remember Diane Stretton Yalden on the first anniversary of her death.

Mrs Yalden died on November 18, 2024.

A memorial table and bench seating has been installed in the Tāneatua Community Orchard and Gardens on Amokura Road, a few doors away from the home she and her late husband, Michael, moved to in 1975.

Reverend Tamihana Thrupp blessed the table and spoke fondly of the familiar sight of Mrs Yalden, the local postie and Justice of the Peace.

The gathering of some 40 people included Mrs Yalden’s family and her dog, Panda.

Over the years, Mrs Yalden was involved in numerous organisations and committees including being support officer for the Tāneatua Volunteer Fire Brigade, registrar for Justice of the Peace, chair of the Tāneatua community board, secretary of Keep Whakatane District Beautiful Committee (KWDBC),  a Tāneatua Lions member, treasurer for Tāneatua squash club, a member of Tāneatua athletic and tennis club, treasurer of the Lyceum Club and volunteer librarian at Tāneatua School in the 80s.

She often took charge of the fundraising and catering for events within these organisations.

She received a Queen’s Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday honours list of 2020 in recognition of her services to the community.

Local councillor and event organiser Andrew Iles, Mayor Nandor Tanczos and past mayor Judy Turner spoke of her immense contribution to her community over four decades.

Tāneatua fire chief Laurence Richardson said they were still working through reallocating her diverse responsibilities within the brigade.

Shirley Dippie, a local businesswoman, KWDBC treasurer and close friend spoke fondly of how much Mrs Yalden was missed and Janie Storey told of her association with her through the JP’s association and Whakatāne council.

Bruce Fowell and a pair of his Clydesdale horses and cart provided free rides around the block for both young and old, assisted by Kevin Riini.

Coffees and free ice cream courtesy of Tāneatua Lions were provided by the Black and White coffee cart.

Tāneatua Lions members John Hall, Brett Magee, Trevor Hill and Damian Lawson and Bradley Shaw manned the barbeque providing free sausage sizzles while McDonalds Whakatāne provided free frozen drinks and cheeseburger vouchers for the youngsters thanks to Leoni Duprez.

Mr Iles has planted some of the treasured flowers from Mrs Yalden’s garden into the Tāneatua Community Orchard and Gardens.