Outdoors New Zealand honours industry achievements and memories

Outdoors New Zealand has honoured organisations and individuals who have achieved high respect and regard from their peers over the past year and beyond.

The awards paid special recognition of the life and work of Lyndsay Simpkin, recognising his work for the national instructors association; in establishing and leading the Adventure Specialties Trust; his commitment to the disadvantaged; his leadership role in preparing others for leadership roles; and his many contributions to outdoor education and recreation in New Zealand.

Presented at the recent annual Outdoor Sector Annual Forum, the annual awards recognised the following organisations and individuals. Awards winners’ citations are also included:

Environmental Award sponsored by the Hillary Centre (formerly the Sir Ed Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre)
Motutapu Outdoor Education Camp Trust

A not for profit camp catering predominantly to schools who have merged environmental education and curriculum outcomes into their outdoor education programme.

Programme Award sponsored by Education Outdoors NZ (EONZ)
Gore High School
A school which has demonstrated innovation and best practice for their students in the Outdoor Education Programme, which includes core leadership abilities as well as technical skills. The school has recognised that the Outdoors is a unique and highly valuable arena for learning which is not matched in any classroom setting – and they have worked all aspects of the curriculum into their outdoor activities and journeys.

Organisation Award sponsored by OutdoorsNZ 
St Andrews College Castle Hill Outdoor Centre
This outdoor centre has become a hub for the Castle Hill Village, community engagement complimenting their distinctive focus on Duke of Ed awards, bi-cultural awareness and sustainable practices.

Volunteer Award sponsored by the Mountain Safety Council (MSC)
Bob Mankelow
Mankelow’s CV includes LANDSAR, HUNTS and KK programmes, Rotary, NZ Army, volunteer at Ngatukoa Outdoor Education Camp, and assisting when the Rena came to grief. He has been recognised by Maritime NZ for rolling up his sleeves for the community when he and many others responded to New Zealand’s largest marine oil spill. The list of dedicated voluntary work Bob has to his name is nothing short of inspirational.

Supreme Award sponsored by Skills Active
Lindsay Simpkin 

The significant contribution of the late Lindsay Simpkin (1955-2014) was recognised by his colleagues at the award dinner, those in attendance hearing how Simpkin, along with his wife Glenda, had started Adventure Specialties Trust in 1984. 
The award acknowledged how his heart was particularly focused on those that were disadvantaged in some way and because of this legacy the Trust continues to serve those who are less fortunate.

The awards ceremony was wrapped up with a moments silence while participants remembered those from the outdoor world who had passed on in 2014.

Outdoors NZ acts as a representative peak body on behalf of a very diverse range of organisations providing outdoor education, recreation and tourism activities to New Zealanders and our visitors.

Click here to visit the Outdoors NZ website.

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