Nani K wins Civic Award
Young athletes, administrators, volunteers and budding ecologists were among those celebrated at this year’s Gore District Community Awards, held on Friday night.
This year’s awards attracted 53 nominees across the 10 categories.
Kay Lawton, best known to many in the community as Nani K, was the winner of the Civic Award. Lawton is well-known in many areas – as a shearing contractor, in her work with the church and for sharing her knowledge of Ma¯ ori traditions with the next generation. The Hokonui Tramping Club won the Mainland Minerals Environment Award, with Gore High School’s ‘‘Science Around Us’’ and ‘‘Class 90: Young Reporters’’ named as the runners up.
Jeff and Margie Rea won the Anderson Lloyd Contribution to Arts and Culture Award, hockey player Liz McLean was named the Eastern Southland Junior Sportsperson and netball coach Vicky Weller was named the Sport Southland Community Coach of the Year.
Campbell Heads won the Gore Musical Theatre Emerging Performing Artist Award, and Julie Mitchell was named the Soroptomist International of Gore Woman of the Year.
Georgia Thompson won the JD Souness Young Achiever Award, clothing store Amore won the Ensign Customer Service Award and Harrison’s Supplies won the People’s Choice Award in the same category.
Guest speaker was Ian Taylor, of Animation Research Limited in Dunedin, who revolutionised digital animation of television sports coverage and presented the recent proposal for the redevelopment of the Dunedin waterfront.
Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks said the calibre of nominees was once again impressive.
‘‘The dedication and innovation across all categories is quite inspiring. The community awards resonates with so many and confirms the fact our district’s strength is in our people,’’ he said.