The 94-year-old mother of nine, grandmother of 20 and great-grandmother of 25 received her Women’s Institute 70-year honour award at a special meeting at the South Otago Federation in Balclutha last Friday.
About 30 women and family members attended the ceremony, celebrated with a special cake and speeches, where Mrs Waters was pleased to chat about her time with the institute, which began in 1955.
"We’d just moved to Inch Clutha and I got a call inviting me to come along to Stirling and see if I wanted to join.
"It was about socialising and entertainment, doing things for the community and women's development."
Mrs Waters and her husband were farm professionals who came to Otago from the North Island.
She joined the institute, which began in South Otago in 1935 to network, share knowledge and resources, especially for new wives in need of home-making hacks and tips on managing the business of family.
"We had talks and presentations, we had microwave cooking classes, we organised Christmas picnics for families and put on concerts with all the decorations and catering and rehearsals."
For one concert in the 1970s she chose the Victorian music hall hit Champagne Charlie.
"I’d been given this unopened bottle of Champagne and I was up on stage in my coat and tails, singing and dancing and waving it about thinking it was going to explode at any moment.
"I suppose I must have done all right because I was known as Champagne Charlie around the district for quite a while afterward."
The Women’s Institute fosters confident public speaking, and Mrs Waters’ fellows were keen to list her contributions, which included membership with Milton, Clydevale, Romahapa and Paretai institutes, and responsibilities as secretary, treasurer and president.
"June was secretary when I joined in 1992," South Otago Federation of Women’s Institutes president Shone Preddy said.
‘I will never forget when she [was] awarded her [50-year] gold honours ... June’s joy was priceless but she was so humble.
"She brings wisdom, enthusiasm, kindness, generosity and friendliness.
"The first person I ask advice from is June."
Women’ Institute welcomes newcomers with a website detailing activities and locations.
