Taupō's own environmental warrior Dave 'Didymo Dave' Cade was among the award winners at the annual New Zealand Recreation Association Outdoor Awards, held in Wellington last week.
Didymo Dave was a finalist in three award categories (Outstanding Volunteer, Environmental Leadership and Supreme Award) this year thanks to his conservation crusade to protect the rivers of the central North Island and was named the Environmental Leadership Award winner.
The Supreme Award winners were husband and wife team John and Christine Furminger, a couple who have between them laid the foundation for many of New Zealand's most respected outdoor education programmes over the past 40 years.
Geoff Spearpoint took home the Outstanding Volunteer Award thanks to his voluntary initiatives to maintain back-country huts and the Organisational Excellence Award for 2016 went to Te Araroa Trail for its sustainable, considered and collaborative approach to developing and maintaining a trail network that stretches the length of New Zealand.
The New Zealand Outdoor Instructors Association was also highly commended in the Organisational Excellence category.
Didymo Dave said he was very happy with his award and rapt that the Furmingers took out the Supreme Award.
He was awarded a certificate that he said would nicely complement the 20-yards breaststroke certificate he won in 1968, and a handsome trophy to babysit for a year.
"It shows that someone who lives in Waitahanui who failed School Certificate English twice can still be a success."
He was accompanied to the awards night at the James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel by Marion Hall, who is closely involved with the Tongariro and Lake Taupō Anglers' Club, and she and Dave spent most of the evening making contacts and talking to the 80-odd other people from mountaineering clubs, tramping clubs and organisations like Hillary Outdoors about the importance of clean freshwater.
Despite having to wear a shirt and tie, Dave says he loved being able to swap ideas with other people who are equally passionate about outdoor recreation.
"They're a very proactive bunch of people and had all sorts of ideas."
He was nominated for the awards by the New Zealand Federation of Freshwater Anglers and says the award isn't about him but about the importance of keeping the Check Clean Dry message alive.
NZRA chief executive Andrew Leslie said the awards were an important acknowledgement for the people and organisations whose efforts improved outdoor experiences.
"People like John and Christine Furminger, Dave Cade and Geoff Spearpoint contribute a massive amount of personal time and effort into creating better environmental outcomes and ensuring people have the necessary skills and facilities to enjoy the outdoors," Mr Leslie said.
"This leads to stronger communities, safer outdoor experiences and happier, healthier people. It is only fitting that these people who have devoted their lives to making the world a better place receive some portion of the recognition they deserve.