A Hawera-born woman has won new scholarship
A Hawera-born woman has won a scholarship that was set up in memory of Taranaki business leader Craig Norgate.
Kylie Fiblee-Cronin was one of two recipients of the inaugural Craig Norgate Memorial Scholarships which were set up to honour the inspirational business leader.
‘‘It’s a really huge deal, but it just hasn’t sunken in,’’ FibleeCronin said.
She works for the Chartered Accountants firm Staples Rodway in New Plymouth and said the fact she had been awarded the the Craig Norgate Taranaki Memorial Scholarship was fantastic.
‘‘I think when you look at the work Craig Norgate’s done, particularly in the Taranaki region, it’s just a bit of an honour to be associated with that,’’ she said.
The scholarships are worth $5000 over a two-year period and are targeted at helping cover students’ course costs while completing the Chartered Accountant Programme.
Fiblee-Cronin said when she applied she filled out forms about why she got into accounting, what she wanted to do with it in the future, and much more, but thought she was selected due to her community involvement.
‘‘I think it ended up being a lot more focused on what you’re doing in the community and I guess I’ve had more time to get involved,’’ she said.
‘‘I started out being the treasurer of the Kawaroa Park Squash Club and then it kind of grew into getting involved in The Network and that has become a huge huge thing for me.’’
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand Central North Island Regional Manager Neal McDiarmid said the quality of the scholarship applicants was outstanding.
‘‘Kylie’s leadership ability and get up and go – she also runs a Christmas tree business – stood out in her application,’’ McDiarmid said.
‘‘It's a really huge deal, but it just hasn't sunken in. ’’ Kylie Fiblee-Cronin
‘‘She also had strong commitments to her community.’’
Fiblee-Cronin, who is part way through the Chartered Accountant Programme, grew up in Hawera and moved to New Plymouth in her schooling years.
The other recipient who received the Craig Norgate New Zealand Memorial Scholarship, which is open to all of New Zealand, was Isaac Hughes who works for Coates Associates Chartered Accountants in Gisborne.