The local community newspaper billed them the “Superstars of Selwyn” - the 50 people nominated for the 2006 Selwyn Service and Achievement Awards, and there were three among them with direct Lincoln University connections.
Retired Plant Science Senior Technical Officer Gerry Meijer was nominated twice under the Community Service category, for services to the Lincoln Catholic Church, and for his service to the Lincoln community spanning more than 50 years. When he retired from Lincoln University in 1993 Gerry was the then longest serving staff member. He is a former Ellesmere County Councillor, Lincoln Community Board member and has been involved with a host of other community organisations.
Lincoln University Rugby Scholar John Legg was nominated in both the Young Achiever and the Sports Person categories for contributions to Under-19 rugby, including selection for the World Cup Under-19 tournament in Dubai and his past captaincy of the Canterbury Country High Schools Team. John, a past pupil of Ellesmere College and Christchurch Boys’ High School started at Lincoln university in 2006 on a BCom (Agriculture) course.
Lincoln University graduate Samuel Dennis, who is now a PhD candidate and has a fellowship from The Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority, meaning he does part of his research in Ireland, was nominated in the Young Achiever category. Samuel came to Lincoln University from Darfield High School as an Excellence Scholar and graduated Bachelor of Agricultural Science with First Class Honours in Soil Science in April this year.
While none of the Lincoln University-linked nominees won category awards the achievements of all the nominees were praised by Prime Minister Helen Clark who presented the awards and remarked on the breadth and depth of talent in Selwyn.
Community awards built awareness of what was happening, she said, and the long list of nominees in the community services category showed that service was central to being a New Zealander.
“I can’t think of another district in New Zealand that has the diversity of Selwyn,” said the Prime Minister.
The Supreme Award for Selwyn went to Commonwealth games gold medallist shooter Graeme Ede of Southbridge.
The district of Selwyn has a population of 34,200 and in the latest Census it was the second fastest growing local authority are in the New Zealand, with annual growth of more than four percent.
The awards, presented every two years, are a public recognition of local talent, said Mayor Michael McEvedy.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Ian Collins, Journalist
Lincoln University, Canterbury
Tel: 64 3 325 2811 ext 8549
Email: Ian Collins