North Shore City media release

Angels honoured in civic ceremony
July 27, 2007

Helping to build a Vanuatu hospital with East Coast Bays Rotaract Club is one of many selfless deeds Cameron Calkoen undertook during 2006. It saw him receive the only youth award at the North Shore City Civic Awards ceremony tonight.

An ambassador for both the North Shore Life Centre and the Kids Help Foundation, 23-year-old Mr Calkoen was nominated for encouraging disabled youth to aim high despite adversity, just as he has done.

Eleven other awards, including one business award, three organisation awards and six community awards, were also given at the ceremony.

The Citywide Civic Award for 2006 was presented to Alison Ogg.

A Life Member of the Auckland Brain Injury Association and an active member of both the Federation of Graduate Women and Age Concern, Mrs Ogg has lived in North Shore City for 43 years. She is a weekly visitor for Age Concern, passing on her expertise in nutrition with its “Eat Well, Live Well” programme.

The New Zealand Federation of Graduate Women, which nominated Mrs Ogg, wrote of her tireless efforts in their nomination.

“Few women have used their skills more consistently, nor worked harder, in a quiet, unassuming and gentle manner, than Alison has.”

A revamp of the scheme this year saw fewer awards given for greater acknowledgement. This included awarding only one citywide award, and one instead of the usual three community awards for each area.

Winners in the community awards category were Sue Lim – Albany; Tom Cotter – Birkenhead/Northcote; Denys Oldham – Devonport; Bonnie Williams - East Coast Bays; Terry Cockfield - Glenfield; and Kay and Olwyn Barbour – Takapuna.

Other changes in criteria included reducing the youth award to one instead of two, and a change in the business category has seen the commercial award going to a North Shore business which has contributed generously of its time without profit being the main driver.

The Business Award for 2006 went to Benefitz Advertising and Graphics for its sponsorship and support to not-for-profit organisations including North Harbour rugby, netball and basketball.

North Shore Guides received the Organisation Award for Health and Wellbeing for 2006. Having been around for nearly 100 years, the organisation has had 951 Guides under its wing over the last year, and was proud to raise $7000 for the mobility dogs’ programme.

The Organisation Award for Arts and Culture went to Mairangi Arts Centre Trust for its dedication in fostering art and creativity for adults and children alike.

The Sport and Leisure Organisation Award was presented to the Takapuna Boating Club for its commitment to water safety and education in boating, aquatic activities, and teaching sailing.

No nominations were received for organisation, heritage and environment this year.

The Civic Awards were first held in 1990, based on a scheme established in 1978 by the former Birkenhead City Council.

Since the awards began, more than 290 awards have been presented to deserving members of the North Shore community

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