Susan Stevens has always been a volunteer.
"As a little kid, I sold forget-me-nots for veterans in my home town. I think it prepared me for fundraising later. It's hard for a lot of people to ask for money but it's not for me, because I started young.
"Some people said 'no' - actually a lot of people said 'no' - but I still stood there with my little can and some people said `yes'."
She credits her mother with teaching her how to be selfless.
"My mother made candles to give away in the holidays. She asked me to help, so I took candles around the neighbours and one old lady gave me a quarter - a lot of money. I went home and showed my mother the quarter and she told me to give it back because the candle was a gift. She really instilled in me that it's not all about me."
Mrs Stevens joined the Gibbston Community Association when she moved to the area and is one of 90 subscribed members who live in the 100 households between the Kawarau River bridge and Nevis Bluff.
She was secretary for four years before being elected chairwoman five years ago.
Mrs Stevens is the contact point for residents who have issues and complaints about issues from water and rubbish to disputes between neighbours.
"Initially, I thought I could make everyone happy. I've had a rude awakening that some people are just unhappy. It's very destructive in a small community.
"[Some people] don't want what the community wants; they just want what they want."
She has led the association in various projects benefiting the community, including the creation of a reserve, a cricket oval, highway rest area, rubbish and recycling depot, the restoration of Rum Curry's hut and preservation of heritage trees.
