MILFORD RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
Norma Bott and Debbie Dunsford beside the Jeff Thomson sculptures in the Milford town square.
60 minutes with
Debbie and Norma
Co-Chairs, Milford Residents Association Over the years I have come into contact with some great community organisations while publishing this fine magazine and with my company Benefitz assisting people with projects and events. I am now also working with many of these same people in my new local board leadership role. One such organisation is the Milford Residents Association, jointly chaired by the passionate duo of Debbie Dunsford and Norma Bott. Norma Bott was involved in the Milford Residents Association back in the 90s. It went into a hiatus for a period through until 2008, when it was re-registered due to the scale of the proposed residential development on the Milford Mall site. “The mall owners were proposing a development that was up to 58 metres high and that was of great concern to local
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Issue 108 - April 2020 www.channelmag.co.nz
by Aidan Bennett
residents.” explained Debbie Dunsford. “The maximum allowed at that time was 24.5 metres. So, Peter Carter reregistered and was the first Chairman of the reformed Milford Residents Association with the goal of representing the community to ensure they had a voice in moderating things.” Norma and Debbie say that led to the association playing a wider role in the community. They have gone on to provide leadership on a range of positive things for the Milford area. Such projects as the development of the town square with Jeff Thomson’s sculpture pieces and also highlighting the rich heritage of the area. They are always in the thick of the action during market days and special events in Milford. “We are lucky that we have had some great people working with us,” added Norma Bott. “Peter Carter designed the new square and played a big part in the commissioning of the
