New Zealand recognises recreation industry leaders

The New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) has announced the winners of its annual industry awards.

Presented at the annual NZRA Conference Gala Dinner in Dunedin, the recipients were recognised for their outstanding contribution to the parks and recreation industry.

NZRA Chief Executive Andrew Leslie, remarked that those selected represent the best, most successful project, park, facility or event held during the past year, stating "award winners represented a real cross-section of the country.

"Not only did they meet all of our specific criteria, they also showed originality, commitment and enthusiasm for their work."

Leslie commended their dedication to the industry which, he added, benefits all of New Zealand.

Award winners hailed from all around the country - from Northland down to Rolleston. New Plymouth District Council took home the honours for the Outstanding Project Award this year for its Bell Block Path while Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council proudly accepted the award for Outstanding Park for the TECT All Terrain Park.

The Outstanding Pool Award this year went to Community Leisure Management for Whangarei's Aquatic Centre. Rolleston Community Recreation Centre, part of Selwyn District Council, was awarded the Outstanding Recreation Facility Award and the Outstanding Event was taken by Hamilton City Council for its Gardens Arts Festival.

Sport Northland, winner of last year's Outstanding Event Award, this year took the prize for Outstanding Community Recreation Programme for its Top Energy Water Safe/Northland Swim for Life programme. And Wellington City Council, in conjunction with Wellington agency Lumin, again took top honours for their Searchlight: Community and Market Analysis project winning the Outstanding Research, Policy and Planning Award.

Five individual awards were presented to acknowledge extraordinary people who have motivated others and achieved great success in their field.

The Emerging Recreation Leader of the Year Award is intended to recognise significant leadership potential of an individual in the recreation industry.

This year's recipient was Michael Mercer, Schools and Youth Activator for Upper Hutt City Council. Thanks to his passion and dedication, Michael has made huge progress during his time in the recreation industry. His impact has been felt at many levels, from volunteer leadership roles to his current role with Activation at Upper Hutt. He is well respected in the community with much enthusiasm for his work. He has led such programmes as Parents Project, Secondary School Recreation Programme, Kiwidex Module, and Student Sport Transition Project. Michael is active in the Wellington Region of NZRA and has presented at the NZRA annual conference as well as the NZRA Community Recreation Workshops.

The winner of the 2011 Ian Galloway Memorial Cup (which recognises excellence and outstanding personal contribution to the wider parks industry) was Robert Findlay.

Robert actually served with Ian Galloway on the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Examinations Board during the 80's when Robert was Chief Advisory Officer, Horticulture with NZ Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

Findlay was elected to the NZ Institute of Park and Recreation Association Inc in 1988 and has been a member and support of the industry body, now the NZRA. Robert's contribution to the park industry has been wide ranging and on-going. His employment with Manukau City Parks Department began in 1988 through to 2011 with Auckland Council as Recreation Manager. He is currently an Accredited Recreation Professional offering consultancy services to the parks and horticulture industries.

This year's recipient of the Mark Mitchell Memorial Trophy (which recognises excellence and outstanding personal contribution to the wider recreation industry) was Trisha Ventom. Trisha is a leader in enabling inclusive recreation opportunities in Christchurch and is sought regionally and nationally for her expertise. She is an unwavering advocate that has brought those with disabilities and the agencies that serve them together and fostered numerous recreation and leisure opportunities. She also pioneered the first Polytechnic performing arts course for individuals with disabilities. Her achievements include activity in both paid and volunteer capacity. As a volunteer she has coached Canterbury Special Olympics Basketball for 22 years as well as Coaching Kiwiable Dragon Boat Team. Her dedication and passion have made a better life with sport and recreation opportunities for a number of individuals and have created a better understanding in her community of the rights of those with disabilities.

Craig Rouse, leader of the Aquatics Portfolio Team for Manukau Leisure Services, was awarded the Paul Stuart Memorial Award (for excellence and outstanding personal contribution to the wider facility management industry). Craig is an award winning facility manager. In a career that has spanned over 20 years his contribution to the development of the aquatics industry has been second to none. Since 1990 he has served Manukau Leisure in a range of roles including manager at a number of facilities as well as his current role with the Aquatics Portfolio Team. He frequently offers technical advice to a number of organisations. He is the longest serving NZRA PoolSafe Assessor training and mentoring most of the current PoolSafe auditors. He is also a member of the Skills Active technical advisory group for the aquatics sector and this involvement has led to a successful training programme with Manukau Leisure. He established the Auckland Lifeguard Competition in 2006 and helps to coordinate it annually. Colleagues from around the country are grateful for his willingness to share his knowledge and expertise for the betterment of the wider water safety industry as one of his hallmarks.

This year's NZRA President's Award went to Paul Wilson, General Manager Community Services for Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC).

Each year, NZRA President, John Latimer, nominates one outstanding individual and acknowledges them for their commitment and personal contribution to the wider recreation industry. Paul has been leading QLDC's Communities team since 2004 and he epitomises this dedication and passion for recreation in New Zealand. For many years he has shown his commitment to the industry, both on a local scale in Queenstown and nationally through his involvement with various recreation organisations. He has been a part of the Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Recreation Council since 2008. He served as IFPRA New Zealand World Commissioner 2002-05 and its Asia Pacific Chairman 2008-11. He is a member of the Yardstick Steering Committee and a Yardstick board member. He was awarded the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand's Dark Sky Award for the QLDC Southern Light Strategy in 2009 and is a member of the Wakatipu Search and Rescue Team.

All of the winners were congratulated for their dedication, drive and passion, Leslie concluding "here in New Zealand, we are privileged to have such talented and hard-working professionals in the recreation industry.

"We have recognised the people, facilities and projects that have made a positive difference in the community and we pay them tribute with these awards. We hope they continue to achieve their goals while setting an example for others to follow."

For more information go to http://nzrecreation.org.nz

Image: Dunedin, host of the 2011 NZRA Conference.

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