GIVE AND GET BACK
Spirit of the Wakatipu
2024 Finalists
Tiaki o Tahuna
To Care for the People and the Place of Queenstown
The Gibbston Valley 2024 Spirit of the Wakatipu Awards are an opportunity to recognise and celebrate those individuals, organisations, groups and corporate entities who put their hand up and contribute in a philanthropic way to the Wakatipu community and who hold true to the values that collectively define what is unique about the place we call home.
In recognition of the diverse contributions made by these community heroes we have established 12 Award categories:
EDUCATION: Sponsored by Jarden
Recognising those making outstanding contributions to learning in the Wakatipu
• Providing educational opportunities for all
• Encouraging entrepreneurship, innovation and technological advancement
• Educating our community and visitors alike about our unique environment, our history and our special places
• Building resilience within our community through knowledge
• Sharing our stories, our places and ourselves
2024 Finalists for EDUCATION:
Daniel Gibbons - Wakatipu High School Foundation (WHSF)
Emily Chirnside - Kotahi Mano Kāika
Trevor and Agnieszka Giles - Liger Leadership Academy
HEALTH & WELL-BEING: Sponsored by Findex
Recognising contributions to the health and wellbeing of our community
• Provision of support and services in health, activity and wellbeing
• Helping ensure the health and wellbeing of all those in the Wakatipu
• Recognising and supporting the unique health and wellbeing challenges of different cultures and groups within our community
• Provision of health and wellbeing education
• Contributing to the overall health and wellbeing of all those who call the Wakatipu home
2024 Finalists for HEALTH & WELL-BEING
Anna Dorsey - Headlight Charitable Trust
Chenin Madden - Cre8ing Balance
Debbie Swain Rewi - Glenorchy Community Trust
SPORT & RECREATION: Sponsored by Deloitte
Recognising those committed and dedicated to enriching the lives of those in the Wakatipu through sport and active recreation
• Supporting healthy lifestyles through provision of sport and leisure activities
• Supporting diversity and inclusion within sport and recreation
• Championing access, participation, leadership and community connection
• Inspiring and empowering sporting success in the Wakatipu
• Making positive impacts on children, young people and whanau through sport and recreation
2024 Finalists for SPORT & RECREATION
Queenstown Mountain Bike Club
Jamie & Chris Seymour - Queenstown Parkrun
Wakatipu Junior Golf (Futures Wakatipu)
ARTS & CULTURE: Sponsored by Sky City
Recognising those who make a significant contribution to the arts and culture in our community
• Supporting the development of our creative community
• Providing access and opportunity for all to participate, enjoy and celebrate the arts
• Inspiring and empowering individuals and groups to reach their creative and artistic potential
• Celebrating our unique history and embracing our Maori Culture
2024 Finalists for Arts & Culture
Emma Wilson
Olivia Egerton - Te Atamira
Queenstown Writers and Readers Festival
RESILIENCE: Sponsored by PowerNet
Recognising those who care and those who come to our aid whenever the call is made
• Helping our people stand tall through any challenge
• Caring for whanau, neighbours and visitors alike
• Strengthening disaster resilience and keeping our community safe
• Provision of emergency / first response services
2024 Finalists for RESILIENCE
Andrea Balona - QT Community Cats
Gary Hough - Kiwi Harvest
Ed Halson - LandSAR
SENIOR SUPPORT: Sponsored by Eichardt’s
Recognising those individuals, groups and organisations making a positive difference in the lives of the Wakatipu’s seniors
• Promoting and supporting senior health, activity and wellbeing
• Building a sense of belonging and inclusion for the senior community within the
Wakatipu
2024 Finalists for SENIOR SUPPORT
Kirsten Denison
Leisurelys - QLDC
Nikau Farrell, George Espie, Joshua Clamp - Liger Leadership Academy
YOUTH IMPACT: Sponsored by Walker & Co Realty
Recognising contributions to youth services
• Provision of support and services in health, education and wellbeing for our youths
• Providing opportunities for our youths to grow and shine
• Empowering youth to achieve success and live healthy productive lives
2024 Finalists for YOUTH IMPACT
Whakatipu Youth Trust
Harry Seeto - Wakatipu High School
Lisa Leftley - Pivotal Point
ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY: Sponsored by Skyline
Recognising contributions to environment
• Helping protect and restore the Wakatipu environment, flora and fauna
• Encouraging our people and our visitors to respect our environment
• Providing and ensuring open and safe access to our rivers, lakes and mountains
• Provision of healthy, sustainable, locally-sourced homes and buildings
• Encouraging, empowering and exemplifying a zero-waste philosophy
• Adoption of environmentally transformative business processes
2024 Finalists for ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY
Paul Kavanagh - Southern Lakes Sanctuary
Chris Dagg - Environmental Stewardship
Whakatipu Wildlife Trust
SOCIAL IMPACT INNOVATOR: Sponsored by Duncan Cotterill
Recognising contributions to growing giving and social impact
• Developing new programmes in social enterprise, impact investing, or philanthropy
• Encouraging and supporting innovative ideas and new approaches to bring about positive change in society.
• Finding solutions by innovating ideas to reshape communities through innovated programs, policies, and disrupting the landscape to offer solutions to bring us all forward to a more equitable and inclusive tomorrow
2024 Finalists for SOCIAL IMPACT INNOVATOR
Julia Strelou - Inspirational Women Awards
Ash Bickley - Love Queenstown Community Fund
Sarah Bland - Whakatipu Wild School
CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP: Sponsored by Brannigans
Recognising organisations dedicated to making the Wakatipu a smarter, safer, healthier and more sustainable place
• Leading the way in diversity, organisational transparency, caring for staff and contributing to the community in a positive way
• Contributions, initiatives and undertakings that focus on the protection and restoration of our environment
• Providing philanthropic support in the community and for community initiatives/programmes in areas such as education,
sport, arts and culture, emergency services, seniors, community development
2024 Finalists for CORPORATE CITIZENSHIP
Level Group - Veronica Shale
Mountain Club
Wynn Williams
COMMUNITY SERVICE: Sponsored by Queenstown Airport Corporation
Recognising community champions who exemplify serving community before self
• Contributing to a thriving people and welcoming community
• Creating awareness and support for community groups, projects and initiatives
• Raising and/or providing funds for community programmes, equipment and facilities
• Showcasing our community and local accomplishments
• Building the fabric and togetherness of the Wakatipu
2024 Finalists for COMMUNITY SERVICE
Beryle Ravenwood - Canine Friends Pet Therapy
Inner Wheel Club of Queenstown
The Kiwi Kit Community Trust
RISING STAR (Under 25): Sponsored by Mountain Club
Recognising youth (under 25yr) making positive change in the Wakatipu
• Showing passion for and commitment to the Wakatipu
• Leading the charge, innovating and creating solutions for the betterment of environment
• Making a positive difference in our community by leading others as a positive role model
• Protecting and/or promoting health and wellbeing at a community, group or individual level
• Advocating for inclusivity and diversity
• Committing time and energy to volunteering
• Making positive change in their lives and inspiring peers in a positive way
2024 Finalists for RISING STAR
Girls Who Grow - Ellie Kerr, Lucy Boniface, Lucy Thompson, Manuella Sanches Pedrosa
Jess Hudson - Wakatipu High School
Mikaela Patterson - Wakatipu High School
