Auxiliary group with a special story take out Supreme Award
Auxiliary group with a special story take out Supreme Award
Hokianga Hospital Auxiliary Incorporated scooped the Supreme Award at the 2015 Trustpower Far North Community Awards last night.
The Awards were announced and presented last night (Monday, July 27) at the South Hokianga Memorial Hall in Opononi in front of almost 120 spectators, the majority of whom are also volunteers.
Representatives of Hokianga Hospital Auxiliary Incorporated received, on behalf of their group, a framed certificate, a trophy and $1,500 in prize money. These folks also will have the opportunity to represent their region at the 2015 Trustpower National Community Awards, being held in Dunedin next March.
In total, Trustpower gave away over $5,000 to various community groups through the awards last night, and have doled out more than $28,000 in the Far North since the awards began in 2009.
Trustpower Community Relations Representative Jess Somerville says this group has stood by its community for the last 48 years and ensured their communities medical needs are well catered for.
“There is an incredible story behind this Auxiliary group and its focused around a small but determined passionate team of volunteers. Over the years their members havefundraised tirelessly to ensure their hospital is well resourced and not only for additional comforts for clients but essential equipment too.
“To give you an idea of their contributions, over the last 12 months they have fundraised for items such as a portable community bed, dressing trolleys and even an oxygen concentrator. Equating to more $20,000 for this last financial year, while his might not sound much to some of our country’s larger hospital’s for the Hokianga community its huge.
“Another of their projects was the refurbishing of the maternity ward, making it more comfortable and safer to deliver babies in the Hokianga. Clearly a very determined bunch they raised nearly $35,000 to pay for this project!
“When you think about the impact this group have had since their inception in 1967, you know they have made a hurr of a difference to a good many’s lives and its really special to be able to pay tribute to this legacy through this award”, says Somerville.
The competition for this year’s Awards was strong with a solid 65 entries received.
Category Winners:
Commendation Heritage and
Environment, Hokianga Historical Society
Incorporated
Runner-Up Heritage and Environment, Pupu
Rangi Nature Sanctuary
Winner Heritage and Environment,
Mahinepua-Radar Hill Landcare Group
Winner Health and Well Being, Hospice Mid Northland Society Incorporated
Runner-up Health and Well Being, The House of FINKK
Winner Arts and Culture, Bay of Islands Arts Festival Trust UPSURGE 2015
Runner-up Arts and Culture, Opononi & Omapere Ratepayers & Residents Association Incorporated
Joint Winner Sports and Leisure, Kawakawa Business & Community Association Pool Committee
Joint Winner Sports and Leisure, Northland Mounted Games
Runner-up Sports and Leisure, North Hokianga Junior Sports Club
Commendation Sports and Leisure, Bay of Island Gymnastics Club
Commendation Sports and Leisure, Bay of Islands Marine Radio Association Incorporated
Winner Education, Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Group
Runner up Education, Infinite Scope Trust
Supreme Winner, Hokianga Hospital Auxiliary Incorporated
Youth Spirit Winner, Logan Alexander, Springbank School
Youth Spirit Runner up, Gabrielle Harris, Northland College
Youth Spirit Finalist, Quinn Moffat, Taipa Area School
Youth Spirit Finalist, Grayson Javis, Kerikeri High School
Youth Spirit Finalist, Parehuia Tito-Paraone, Kaikohe Christian School