2010 Award Winners

Apprentice Award for Overall Excellence

Tyler Berland

Tyler Berland is an exceptional apprentice who has demonstrated excellence in every aspect of her work at Urban Edge Hair Design in Alexandra.

The judges described Tyler as ‘performing at a level well in advance of her stage of training’. They were very impressed with how she took on responsibilities and had won the trust of management to make independent decisions. They also commented on her maturity, outstanding interpersonal skills and genuine commitment to customer service.

Tyler is 18-years-old, hardworking and very passionate about her career. She has an excellent work ethic and always looks for opportunities to up-skill. Her proactive attitude and efficient manner have resulted in her gaining practical competency to a senior level in colouring techniques. She also now makes independent decisions about cutting hair, which requires great confidence, creativity and an eye for detail.

With a relaxed, professional communication style and a good sense of humour, Tyler is a popular team member who quickly puts clients at ease. She engages knowledgably in consultations and often receives positive feedback and repeat appointments.

Tyler demonstrates awareness and knowledge in relation to workplace hazards and the importance of health and safety policy. She is tidy, organised and a good problem-solver.

Tyler maintains a high standard of personal presentation and has the maturity to know that even when she is not at work, she still represents the business.

Youth Award for Leadership and Community Service

Breiana Bennetts

Breiana Bennetts is an organised, inclusive and engaging young leader who is committed to making a positive difference.

The judges were highly impressed by Breiana’s remarkable interpersonal skills and the way she had successfully brought people together on many fronts, giving them ‘a sense of involvement and pride in their school and community’. They described her as a ‘self-starter’ who placed no limits on herself, achieving ‘beyond school’ and her home town, undeterred by the difficulty or magnitude of projects.

Breiana is a Year 13 student at Roxburgh Area School. She is of Te Arawa descent and has been instrumental in organising Hui and Wananga at school and involving Maori from the wider community.
As the marketing director of the school’s Young Enterprise company, Breiana built extremely good relationships with professionals and within her team, which designed flags for businesses. She was also one of two students to organise a road trip to dance in 40 places over two days as a fundraiser for the 40-hour famine. Both ventures gained national media exposure.

Breiana was the only youth representative involved in coordinating the Get Dotted community fundraising event, which brought the community together and helped people to know one another better. Recently, Breiana sailed on the Spirit of New Zealand and was given a special award in recognition of being ‘the glue that held the crew together’.

Youth Award for Culture Award

Kenzie Jackson

Kenzie Jackson passionately and tenaciously engages in numerous cultural pursuits. Her strong intellect and understanding of others, along with her unwavering stick-ability within and across a range of disciplines, has resulted in numerous positive spin-offs.

The judges were impressed with Kenzie’s ‘many successes over a variety of cultural activities’. They described her as ‘outstanding’, ‘inspirational’ and ‘disciplined’; and had much admiration for her ability to stay with something until it was mastered, even if it had ‘initially been very difficult for her to achieve’.
Kenzie is a Year 13 student at Cromwell College. She is a recent recipient of the Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award, manager on the school council and a member of the arts’ council.

As a competent violin player, she assists others and is the first violin leader in the school’s orchestra, and a member of the Central Otago Regional Training Orchestra. She has also been involved in secondary schools’ music festivals since Year 8.

This year Kenzie has a lead role in the school production and in 2009 she performed in The Fine Thyme Theatre Company’s musical production. She will soon start running drama and singing workshops.
Kenzie is on the debating team, a competent public speaker, an avid reader and so good in her role as student head librarian that the school’s librarian is able to confidently leave the library in Kenzie’s competent hands.

Youth Award for Enterprise

Rosie Whiting

Rosie Whiting is the embodiment of service over self. She inspires others to take on challenges, persevere and to aim high.

The judges were impressed by Rosie’s ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘huge’ initiative, describing her extra curricular achievements as ‘amazing’. They consider her ability to pull others along with her as a particularly special trait.

Rosie is in Year 13 at Dunstan High School where she is a Pyke House and school leader who is fully involved academically, culturally and in sport.

She is a passionate fundraiser who has supported Relay for Life, and the 40-hour Famine since 2001. This year, Rosie was instrumental in finding innovative ways to improve the school’s contribution to the latter.

Rosie has demonstrated significant commitment to St John for 10 years and continues to make significant achievements. She led this year’s New Zealand’s Youth team to World Champion status. She is the southern region’s Youth Ambassador; Central Otago’s Drill Instructor, a role usually held by an adult; and one of only four selected to compete in the 2010 International Youth Festival.

Additionally, Rosie mentors youth groups in Wanaka, Ranfurly and Roxburgh. As the recipient of the prestigious Grand Prior Award she actively encourages and inspires students (6–18 years) to follow in her footsteps, and she teaches young cadets first aid and drill and prepares them for badges in topics like communication and life skills.

Community Service Award

Frederick (Fred) Peyton

Fred Peyton is a ‘treasured volunteer’ who has selflessly contributed to the community in many valuable ways for four decades.

The judges described him as a ‘hardworking and committed community man’ with a ‘modern’ perspective who is as ‘keen’ to contribute today, ‘as he was 20 years ago’.

Fred has been an active member of the Masonic Lodge for more than 38 years. He is a founding member of the Alexandra Electronic Organ Club where he has held the offices of president, secretary and treasurer over and over again. He is a life member of the Alexandra Golf Club where he has held numerous positions for years at a time.

As a former market gardener with an interest in the environment and an ability to relate well to people of all ages, Fred has been at the vanguard of environmental initiatives and has taken on a community educator role.

He was instrumental in the formation of WasteBusters and is an original board member (11 years). He has driven the kerbside recycling trucks; built displays at events and a worm farm at the depot, which he continues to tend; he gives free advice on composting, often disseminating brochures of his own making; he is in demand as an environmental speaker at schools and preschools; and he runs community workshops on composting, gardening and worm farming for a variety of organisations.

Community Service Award

Gordon Divers

Gordon Divers has been making major contributions in the community for some 50 years through his involvement and leadership in organisations and projects.

The judges were impressed by his ‘significant achievements’ and ‘dedication’, which demonstrated how ‘very community minded’ he has always been.

Gordon has long and esteemed associations with St John Ambulance and Civil Defence, gaining recognition in both as a leader who has made a tremendous difference in many demanding and highly responsible roles.

As a Justice of the Peace since 1977, he has taken on a number of responsibilities and witnessed more than 4700 documents. He is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Safety Management where he held executive positions and was involved with work safety practices for 25 years. Knowledge gained there, has since been put to good use in his coordinator role for the Central Otago Masonic Mobility Scooter Scheme.

Projects and organisations that have benefitted from Gordon’s input and skills include Friendly Society Lodges, Alexandra Therapeutic Pool project, Probus Club, Otago Hospice, Alexandra Historical Society and Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery.

He also fundraised and spent countless hours drawing up plans and helping with the upgrade of the Senior Citizens’ Club rooms. Soon after completion it was ruined by flooding and it is testimony to Gordon’s meticulous work, that the same plans for the kitchen were used in the new premises.

Community Service Award

Joan Stevens

Joan Stevens is a community stalwart who has always made intelligent, in-depth and well executed contributions to a variety of causes that have, in turn, benefitted a great many people.

The judges described Joan as a ‘dedicated, detailed and hardworking’ volunteer who has ‘given a lifetime’ of ‘unique’ service to the community.

Joan’s most enduring and time-consuming contributions have been in relation to the Alexandra museum of which she is both a life member and patron. One of her most significant achievements has been as the driving force behind building up, classifying and labelling a very fine, research collection of some 8000-plus historic photographs.

During her 30 years of involvement at the museum, she has fielded all manner of public enquiries, fundraised, arranged exhibitions, served on the committee, documented and condensed records, assisted with oral history programmes, proof read publications and acted as Professor John McCraw’s volunteer research assistant.

Joan also has a long association with the Alexandra Branch of the Genealogy Society. She has held various office bearing positions and has been instrumental in many achievements that have demanded considerable time commitments, like the compilation of cemetery burial records and a family register.
Over the years Joan has served the community in many other respects including through the Alexandra Golf Club, the Spinners and Weavers Club, hospital and home visits, Meals on Wheels and Plunket.

Tourism Award

The Old Doctor’s Residence

The Old Doctor’s Residence delivers superbly on its promise of high quality, luxury Bed and Breakfast accommodation due a visionary, proactive and business-minded approach.

The judges described The Old Doctor’s Residence as a ‘stand out’. They were ‘truly’ impressed by its ‘comprehensive package’ to visitors, which was fuelled by passion and ‘great attention to detail’. They were similarly impressed by the initiative shown in growing its customer base and getting other businesses on-side to extend visitor stays in Central Otago.

Former Aucklanders Jan and Grant Bean immediately saw the potential in the Old Doctor’s Residence. Located in Naseby’s historic precinct they have sensitively restored it. They offer guests exceptional hospitality, wall-mounted local art works available for purchase and delicious meals of much locally sourced produce. Breakfasts are a feature and there is complimentary wine tasting before evening meals. Then there are the unexpected extras, which might include tasty morsels, historic tours or the washing of guests’ dusty cars.

Since opening in 2007 The Old Doctor’s Residence has achieved Qualmark 4-star-plus rating, the Enviro Silver award for sustainable practices and it has continued to grow visitor numbers.

As tourist operators, Jan and Grant have led innovatively, creating a thrice yearly Wine Press publication and, more recently, spearheading, Central Otago...First Class, a product developed in conjunction with other operators that entices visitors to stay longer in Central Otago.

Business Excellence Award

Jimmy’s Pies Limited

Jimmy’s Pies is an outstanding, third-generation family-run business that has created an iconic brand and a perfect recipe for success.

The judges described the achievements of Jimmy’s Pies as ‘huge’. They were particularly impressed by how firmly the company had adhered to its values of quality, loyalty and old-fashioned customer ideals. And, they considered its ‘sustained business excellence’ and enduring commitment to ‘town and region’ to be indisputable.

Jimmy’s Pies has purposely remained in Roxburgh, choosing to focus on a regional Otago/Southland client base with phenomenal results. From humble beginnings in the 1960s, it is now recognised as an industry stalwart and market leader, employing 30 local staff and turning out 20,000 high quality and much sought after pies, daily.
The company services mostly dairies and some service stations and supermarkets. All receive the same high quality products and service at the same price, irrespective of their size.

Pies are made with best-quality ingredients, so suppliers are expected to deliver to a high order and some have supplied the company for 40 years. The family-management team works alongside staff members, who are rewarded for their good work ethic.
Jimmy’s Pies has been a sponsor of many community and sporting events over the years. It is also strong on recycling and waste management. New insulated ovens have reduced power consumption by 75 percent and dishwashers have reduced water use, by 50 percent.