A past photo of Stone Soup volunteers getting the vegetables ready for a hangi in Lorenzdale Park. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO
A past photo of Stone Soup volunteers getting the vegetables ready for a hangi in Lorenzdale Park. PHOTO/STUART MUNRO
The Stone Soup group that has transformed the lives of people living in 18 Gonville streets is the supreme winner of the Trustpower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards, Trustpower community relations co-ordinator Suzi Luff has announced.
The group holds gatherings at Lorenzdale Park every two months, with food, talk,sport, games, displays and giveaways. It also trains residents in restorative practices and supports them into gardening for themselves.
The 60 volunteers are restoring a sense of pride to the suburb, Ms Luff said.
"This programme is doing a wonderful job of building community spirit, leading to greater wellbeing for tamariki, rangatahi and whanau."
The group got a certificate, trophy and $1500 at the awards ceremony at the Wanganui War Memorial Centre last night. It goes on to the national finals in Wellington in March next year.
In the category awards, Wanganui Vintage Car Club came first for heritage and environment, with Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust Board as runner-up and Te Riri A Te Hori commended.
Wanganui Red Cross came first for health and wellbeing. Converge Trust's Shinegirl Programme was runner-up and Whanganui Women's Refuge was commended.
In the arts and culture category Gonville Knitting Group came first, with the Artists' Open Studios Whanganui Trust as runner-up.
NZRDA's Wanganui group was first for sport and leisure, with Churton School Volunteer Coaches the runners-up and Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club commended.
Finally, in the education and youth development category, Wanganui Community Education Service was the winner, with YMCA Central the runner-up and Tawhero School Breakfast Crew commended.
Eruera Heitia-Ponga was judged the best secondary school student nominated for community spirit. He's the head boy at Wanganui City College, on the school's board of trustees, the male leader of its kapa haka group and a speaker on Te Ao Hou Marae.
The other finalists for that award were Ruben Mars of Cullinane College, Kate Gower-James of Wanganui Collegiate School, Brylee Thomson of Wanganui Girls' College and Te Wainuiarua Poa of Wanganui High School.
There were a total of 110 entries in the awards, for 94 groups.
