Treasuring those who have treasured our heritage |
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 RECIPIENTS of the inaugural Waipa Heritage Awards with their certificates at Thursday night’s function hosted by Waipa District Council. 250061AD By Grant Johnston Recipients of the inaugural Waipa Heritage Awards all have one thing in common - they are prepared to make great sacrifices to ensure elements of our heritage are safeguarded and enhanced. The recipients range from the likes of Te Awamutu Museum Trust Board and Historical Society stalwart, ‘legal eagle’ Roger Swarbrick, to Paterangi conservationist Roy Dench, rewarded with a QSM earlier this year for his efforts in protecting endangered flora and fauna. Pokuru husband and wife team Laurie and Jan Hoverd have been ‘ecological heroes’ both close to home and regionally. They have helped to protect Kakepuku Mountain and forest, Lake Ngaroto and Mangapiko Stream and a variety of endangered birds and plants. Roger Swarbrick, Roy Dench and the Hoverds received Public Service Awards. Another award recipient, Delysse Storey has enthusiastically helped educate many hundreds of school children who have passed through her Kahikatea Cottage at Te Rahu to glimpse life the way it was for their forbears. The committees that moved and then restored the 1870 Isabella Temple Cottage have done so for much the same purpose - and also helped to provide a slice of history for students and others to experience. Both the Temple Cottage Committee and Mrs Storey received Heritage Education Awards. The Parish of St John Anglican Church was recognised for its extensive efforts to restore not only old St John’s in Te Awamutu, but St Paul’s at Rangiaowhia. This made it a worthy recipient of the Restoration Award. Accountant Vicki Gower’s efforts in rescuing an historic Te Awamutu teachers’ residence in Alexandra Street and restoring it was also recognised, with the Adaptive Re-use Award. This is a great example of a heritage building being revitalised as commercial premises, but retaining its heritage character, being described at the awards function as “one of the jewels in Alexandra Street’s crown”. Historian Dr Neville Ritchie paid tribute to the late Owen Wilkes, for whom preserving, unearthing and recording history became not so much a passion as a way of life. He was posthumously honoured for his contributions to archaeological interpretation and preservation. Waipa District Council is hailing the inaugural awards a great success after 13 worthy groups and individuals were recognised for their contribution to the region’s heritage. Strategic planning and development manager Andrew McFarlane says it was fantastic to see a strong turn out at the event last Thursday night, reflecting the strength of feeling in the community on preserving Waipa’s heritage. “We are fortunate to live and work in a district with a rich history. We are perhaps even more fortunate to have people and organisations committed to preserving our heritage and ensuring it is a thriving aspect of the community. It’s not just for the benefit of future generations – we can all celebrate and enjoy it today.” Mr McFarlane says. “Wanting a means of celebrating and recognising our heritage was the driver behind setting up the awards, and it is pleasing to see such a success at the inaugural event. It can only grow from here, and hopefully we will see others encouraged to make a difference in the community and submit their work for future awards.” Council has had success in the area of preserving heritage as well, last year winning two prestigious heritage awards from the Historic Places Trust. The Trust recognised Waipa District Council as one of New Zealand’s most “far-sighted and effective local authorities.” Mayor Alan Livingston says Waipa District has significant heritage values which must be protected and enhanced. Subsequent to amendments to the Resource Management Act in 1993, the Council adopted in 2004 a Heritage Policy and Implementation Strategy which acknowledged heritage protection as a core function of Council. “Many of our heritage features play a significant role in attracting visitors to our district, while also creating an attractive environment for our residents and ratepayers,” Mr Livingston says. Awards: |