Not one, but two locals were honoured with this year's Unsung Hero Award on the last day of the Arrowtown Autumn Festival.
"It was a wonderful surprise. We were told we were nominated for the second time, but during the evening I had forgotten all about it," Ms Dennison said.
"It is a beautiful honour, and a very humbling experience to hear other people in the community appreciate the little things we do," Ms May added.
The festival committee honoured the two longtime friends for helping out their fellow Arrowtown residents for years.
They have become known around town for taking people's newspapers, which have been dropped at the end of the driveways, up to their front doors.
They also clear the drains while they are walking round the streets.
"We have been going for long walks for years, just for our own enjoyment. A couple of times I had picked up someone's newspaper and brought it to their front door. One evening I got a phone call from a local man thanking me for the effort. After that, this gesture just grew into a natural part of our walks together," Ms May said.
Arrowtown Autumn Festival chairman Lex Perkins said the festival committee had been overwhelmed by the calibre of locals who had been put forward for the award.
"The Unsung Hero Award brings out the true spirit of Arrowtown. We are without doubt a town of special people, where our community is our strength. The award recognises unselfish contribution to Arrowtown year after year. Mary and Evelyn are certainly two such people," Mr Perkins said.
Bruce Patton, from the award's sponsor Harcourts Real Estate Arrowtown, said honouring the community through the Unsung Hero Award was a great pleasure.
"The festival epitomises what Arrowtown is all about. There are a lot of dedicated people out there who make this town what it is," Mr Patton said.
Ms May and Ms Dennison said they would continue to enjoy each other's company on their walks, and would keep doing their little deeds to make the town a pleasant place to live.
What the festival committee said about this year's nominees:
Margaret Hyland: She is the Arrow Entertainers' wardrobe lady. She is also very much a community person who puts others before herself, whatever help they need. Margaret sings in choirs, is involved in the Arrowtown Catholic Church and is also the Town Crier - a remarkable lady.
Marilyn and Russell Everett: Every year at Christmas they spend hours decorating their house with lights. They put in a lot of hard work and it makes Arrowtown feel truly "Christmassy". It is an amazing display that everybody in the Wakatipu can enjoy.
David Clarke: David is a true supporter of Arrowtown, and is at the heart of this place. As well as running one of the best museums in the country, he spoke out about the state of the cottages and played a large part in ensuring they were repaired.
Joe Guise: Has been in the Arrow Miners' Band since 1985, and rebuilt and repaired the truck. Was on the Lakes District Museum Board for 16 years. He has been in the Arrow Entertainers for 14 years as an actor, set builder and backstage. He is involved with St John's Church, the Bowling Club, the RSA and is on the police volunteer roster. He has been a volunteer driver for Wakatipu Home outings for 20 years.
Mary May and Evelyn Dennison: Two wonderful ladies who walk the streets of Arrowtown very early every morning - come rain, hail or snow - to put everyone's newspapers at their front doors, and have been doing so for many years. They also help to keep the streets clean by collecting litter and keeping rubbish out of the drains.
Past winners of the Unsung Hero Award:
2009: Eeon Ryan for dedicating his time and effort to get rid of the many wasp nests around Arrowtown.
2008: Taylor Reed for service to the town
2007: Russell Mason for service to the Volunteer Fire Brigade and Shotover Country Music Club
2006: Dave Duston for work with various clubs and the Arrow Entertainers
2005: Jack Reid for service to the town
