StarJam founders recognised in NZer of the Year Award

MEDIA RELEASE
19 December 2012

StarJam founders recognised in New Zealander of the Year Awards

Award-winning charity for young people with disabilities scoops recognition in New Zealander of the Year Awards

StarJam founders Julie and Roy Bartlett have both been acknowledged for their inspirational efforts for young people with disabilities in the 2013 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.

The husband and wife team, who officially launched the charity StarJam 10 years ago, are semi-finalists in the Countdown Senior Category, which celebrates outstanding service, achievements and contributions from New Zealanders over the age of 60.

It’s been a stellar year for energetic StarJam CEO Julie Bartlett, 61, who was also named the NEXT Woman of the Year in October.

Julie’s nomination in the New Zealander of the Year Awards highlights her passion, leadership qualities and ability to mobilise thousands of young people with disabilities. Julie’s late brother Ross Moses, who had Down syndrome, provided the inspiration for StarJam.

StarJam has grown from strength to strength since its inception, offering performance, dance and instrumental programmes for disabled youth in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch.

Julie’s husband and StarJam co-founder, Roy Bartett, 65, has also been recognised as a semi-finalist in the Senior Category of the 2013 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards.

Roy volunteers his time as StarJam’s office manager and helped create the culture and champion the values that have formed the backbone of the organisation. Along with Julie, he’s had a major involvement in the production of more than 10 major stage shows, including LiveJam, StarJam’s most ambitious production yet. LiveJam marked the 10 year anniversary of StarJam in November with more than 250 young performers with disabilities on stage in Wellington and Auckland.

Since the Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards launched four years ago, StarJam’s been a recipient of two awards. Julie and Roy each won a Local Hero Award in 2010 and 2011, respectively. In 2012, StarJam and its founders were also semi-finalists in the New Zealander of the Year Awards.

Three finalists from the Senior Category of the 2013 Kiwibank New Zealander of the Year Awards will be announced in January, followed by the reveal of the overall winner in February.

About StarJam - www.starjam.org

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