Stone Soup Community scoops top prize
Published on 20 October 2014
20 October 2014
Stone Soup Community has won the Supreme Award at the second annual Trustpower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards.
The Awards were announced and presented tonight (Monday, October 20) at a function at the War Memorial Conference Centre in Wanganui.
For winning the Supreme Award, Stone Soup Community received a framed certificate, a trophy and $1,500 prize money. Stone Soup Community now has the opportunity to represent the district at the 2014 Trustpower National Community Awards, which are being held in Wellington in March 2015.
In total, Trustpower has presented over $5,000 to various community groups through tonight’s Awards.
Trustpower Community Relations Coordinator Suzi Luff says the judges could not look past this group whose commitment has transformed the lives of people living in 18 streets in Gonville West.
“This group is based on a community development philosophy that aims to grow strong, resilient relationships between neighbours while building a healthy identity of sustainability and hope, because they know that everyone has something to contribute.
"Every eight weeks about 350 people attend Stone Soup gatherings at Lorenzdale Park in Gonville. There’s a hangi for lunch using donated food, a café with tea and coffee, a bouncy castle, sports for everyone, games and quizzes, a parent and toddlers’ tent, a children’s table, a drop and swap table, various displays from different organisations and a Community Chat tent.
"It’s in this space that people talk about what is working well and what isn’t, with volunteers sticking around after every Stone Soup gathering to plan up and coming initiatives for the next gathering, often drawing on topics in the Community Chat session.
"There’s a core group of 60 volunteers who are involved in the set up and pack down for the Stone Soup gatherings, along with running the day. And there’s also a small committee operating in the background to keep things humming along too.
"This group also participated in submissions to the council to have a playground built in Rogers Street to create a family oriented space, life the spirit of the neighbourhood, strengthen whanau relationships, revive connections with the elderly and to welcome new families to the area.
"There’s training and development for residents in restorative practices, along with the Totara Movement which focuses on growing safe homes and communities. But it doesn’t stop there. Stone Soup Community also run a Growing Gardeners group. A number of households were given vegetable boxes and free plants to grow. This lasted a short while until a small group of passionate gardeners decided to reach out to residents by helping them to design simple, easy-care gardens that they can maintain.
"Thanks to the folk of Stone Soup community, they’re restoring a sense of pride to the suburb. This programme is doing a wonderful job of building community spirit, leading to greater wellbeing for tamariki, rangatahi and whanau,” says Suzi.
Mayor Annette Main congratulated all the nominees for their work on behalf of the community.
“Stone Soup is a deserving winner – they are really making a difference to people’s lives and developing a strong sense of community,” Mayor Main said.
“But there are so many other organisations which also contribute so much to making our place one that works for all of us. The huge number of entries this year reflects the vibrant community spirit of our district.
“Thank you, on behalf of the whole community, to all of our voluntary organisations for the thousands of hours they give to help make a difference. These awards go some way toward showing how much we appreciate their efforts.”
A whopping 110 entries for 94 groups were received for this year’s Trustpower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards. It also shares the top number of entries for 2014 for a region involved in the Trustpower Community Awards programme with the Nelson/Tasman regions.
“The Whanganui District is home to a large number of voluntary and community based groups and organisations who work hard to make the Whanganui District a great place to live. The Trustpower Energy Direct Community Awards highlight and celebrate the huge contribution of these voluntary groups and thanks to the people who entered these groups, we are able to host the region’s biggest celebration for voluntary groups that highlights their accomplishments, successes and services that these groups provide to their community,” says Suzi.
Other recipients at tonight’s Trustpower Energy Direct Whanganui District Community Awards were:
Heritage and Environment
Commendation: Riri A Te Hori 2 Wetland Development & Restoration
Runner – Up: Whanganui Regional Heritage Trust Board
Winner: Wanganui Vintage Car Club
Health and Well Being
Commendation: Whanganui Women’s Refuge – Te Piringa Puna Wahine
Runner-Up: Converge Trust – Shinegirl Programme
Winner: Wanganui Red Cross
Arts and Culture
Runner-Up: Artists Open Studios Whanganui Trust
Winner: Gonville Knitting Group
Sport and Leisure
Commendation: Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club
Runner- Up: Churton School Volunteer Coaches
Winner: NZRDA Wanganui Group
Education and Child/Youth Development
Commendation: Tawhero School Breakfast Crew
Runner-Up: YMCA Central
Winner: Wanganui Community Education Service
Supreme Winner
Stone Soup Community
Youth Community Spirit
Finalist: Ruben Mars, Cullinane College
Finalist: Kate Gower-James, Wanganui Collegiate School
Finalist: Brylee Thomson, Wanganui Girls’ College
Finalist: Te Wainuiarua Poa, Wanganui High School
Winner: Eru Heitia - Ponga, Wanganui City College