Young employee award
Waipukurau Rotary Club’s Young Employee of the Year Award focuses on young people who are in the workforce locally — apprentices and hands-on people with drive and enthusiasm and who are making a difference to their employer.
This year the winner was Shontae Norman-Ellmers who is an apprentice auto technician at Autotech Waipukurau.
Her prize was $1000 and an invitation to attend a Rotary leadership course (RYLA).
Runners up were Susan Blair from the CHB District Council who was awarded financial assistance to attend an accounting course. Will Tully, a technician at CERVUS was awarded financial support to attend an Outward Bound course.
Waipukurau Rotary Club member Jane Clouston headed up the committee that interviewed all applicants and made the selections.
“The three that were shortlisted stood out with an overall desire to succeed, the drive to go the extra mile and give things a go. They were team players with leadership skills and also in some way involved in their community
Our winner fitted all the criteria. Shontae has excellent customer service skills, she has gained respect from work colleagues and customers. She is friendly and definitely goes the extra mile. She is involved in the community as a firefighter with the Waipukurau Volunteer Fire Brigade.
“Shontae loves her job and it shows . . . she had the X factor,” Jane says.
Karen Wilson of Autotech Waipukurau says Shontae “gets out there and does things”.
“She’s hard-working and pushes herself. She’s a volunteer fire fighter and will be doing the Sky Challenge next year. She’s only 18 but she had a maturity and confidence that makes our clients feel relaxed and happy their vehicle is in the right hands.
“We’re really proud of her and she deserves this award.”