Cows Fly At Cool Dairy Awards Contest

About 70 over-sized cow balloons will rise in Wellington on Friday (May 24), as the 34 finalists in the 2013 New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards compete in a treasure hunt, amazing race style event.

The finalists are in Wellington to contest the New Zealand Sharemilker/Equity Farmer of the Year, New Zealand Farm Manager of the Year and New Zealand Dairy Trainee of the Year competitions. The winners are announced at a black tie function at the TSB Events Centre on Friday night, where $150,000 in cash and prizes will be given away.

National convenor Chris Keeping says the “Coolest Little Capital” event is designed to help the finalists relax and have some fun. The finalists represent the best from 12 regions throughout New Zealand and the record 566 entries received in the 2013 awards.

“We think the cow balloons will cause a real stir in the city and look fabulous. People will certainly see and wonder what the high-flying cows are all about!

“It’s our way of bringing the dairy industry to Wellington.”

Mrs Keeping says the group of finalists, including partners and contest sponsors, will be split into 11 teams to compete in a range of fun activities that will take them around central Wellington.

One of the activities will require each team to fill six over-size cow-shaped balloons with helium and then sell those balloons for the most funds possible. All funds raised will be gifted to Ronald McDonald House Wellington to assist its efforts in providing a temporary, free home for families outside of Wellington with seriously ill children.

“We’re really pleased to support Ronald McDonald House as families from provincial and rural areas are the greatest beneficiary of this fabulous support service.”

The event concludes at midday to enable the finalists’ time to prepare for the awards dinner. More than 600 people will attend the dinner, to be MC’d by TV3’s Mike McRoberts.

The New Zealand Dairy Industry Awards are supported by national sponsors Westpac, DairyNZ, Ecolab, Federated Farmers, Fonterra, Honda Motorcycles NZ, LIC, Meridian Energy, Ravensdown and RD1, along with industry partner AgITO.

Visit www.dairyindustryawards.co.nz for more information.

NB: The balloons will be filled with helium at Midland Park, Lambton Quay, from 9.30am to 11am on Friday May 24.

ENDS

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