Community Services Award

“Horse” was part of an ensemble of characters created by ceramist Jim Cooper for his famous show of over 800 ceramic characters depicting famous musicians of the 1970s. The ensemble started out at the Dunedin Art Gallery and toured several centres of the North Island and was eventually sold to a wealthy collector. Luckily Horse stayed in the South. We request nominations for this award on an annual basis. The recipient’s community organisation receives a $250 donation from the firm.  The staff member receives a silver pendant engraved with the logo of the organisation (as well as a second pendant to adorn “Horse”) along with $250 of grocery vouchers for themselves. To date our recipients have been: Sarah Middleton Shane Boyle Rae Cook
2006 – Sarah Middleton for services to Camp Quality South Sarah received the award for the work she does with Camp Quality South, a not for profit charity that runs an annual week long camp for children living with cancer between the ages of 5 and 15.  Initially Sarah was a companion for a camper - a one on one friend or buddy for 6 years, followed by a year on committee and two years as Regional Manager.  Camp Quality is an international charity and is located in five regions throughout New Zealand.  The symbol is a hot air balloon which symbolises how the week long camp provides the children with the opportunity to lift themselves above all their challenges and worries and focus on having a fun filled and exciting week long adventure. Well done Sarah!
2007 – Shane Boyle for services to SeniorNet  Shane received the award for the work he does with SeniorNet Taieri.  Shane has helped out the SeniorNet Taieri group for the past six years, initially as a technical advisor and tutor. Shane still tutors SeniorNet students and has been president of the group for the past three years.  SeniorNet groups around the world give older adults (55+) an opportunity to learn about computers, get on the Internet and learn more about new communication and information technology.  SeniorNet brings older adults and computers together in a fun-filled and stress free way and prevents them feeling like they are being left behind by technology and the computer age. Well done Shane!
2008 – Rae Cook for services to Relay for Life Rae received the award for her contribution towards the Relay for Life.  Every second year the Otago/Southland Cancer Society holds the Relay for Life in Dunedin; a fundraising event to help battle cancer, celebrate those who have survived, support those who have this disease, and remember those that it has claimed. For a number of years now Polson Higgs has had an enthusiastic team regularly raising funds for Relay for Life in the form of: • Home bake sales • An art auction • Cheese roll sales • Christmas raffle • Mufti days • Quiz Night The full team works tirelessly coming up to the bi-annual Relay but you can guarantee Rae is first with her hand up and driving the fundraising efforts. Rae was awarded our community services prize for her exceptional effort in this team.  Even with her own health issues Rae joined her fellow team mates in the tent to support the walkers in February this year. Well done Rae!

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