Leslie Cameron the best “good sort” thanks to Mamaku School

Mamaku School is the winner of Rotorua’s 'Good Sorts Experience on Ice' competition.

The announcement was made at a special assembly today where the school picked up a prize package including transport and entry to the Harcourts Ice Rink allowing all the school students to enjoy ice skating and ice slide activity at the Village Green.

In the competition run by Rotorua Lakes Council and Harcourts, local schools were invited to nominate someone from their community who they deemed to be a ‘good sort’ – a person who had done something really special for their school.

Seven schools nominated people who they thought deserving of the award, with Mamaku School students putting in a huge effort by submitting 53 individually handwritten nomination forms for 20 ‘good sorts’.

Judges deemed Mamaku resident Leslie Cameron to be the ultimate ‘good sport’. Nominated by Mamaku School, she also gets to join in the fun at the ice rink with students, as well as receiving a gift pack, including dinner for two at the Novotel Atlas Brasserie.

Mrs Cameron has been involved with Mamaku School since her eldest daughter Lily started a decade ago. She said she was “totally stunned” to receive the ‘Good Sorts’ award.

“We’ve been here for 10 years and it’s going to break my heart leaving when my youngest daughter Bella leaves for high school at the end of the year,” said Mrs Cameron. “Mamaku’s a fantastic place and it’s been a pleasure helping at this school with these gorgeous kids.”

Judges, Rotorua Lakes Council’s Julianne Wilkinson and Christine Hutchison, and Harcourts’ Glenn Austin, said Ms Cameron was chosen because she embodies the definition of a ‘good sort’ - someone who consistently adds value to the lives of the children and parents at Mamaku School.

“Leslie does everything from transporting kids on school trips and to camp, baking for fundraisers, supervising road patrols, to clean-ups and tree planting,” said council Community Engagement & Events lead, Julianne Wilkinson.

“The words used by the children to describe her were fantastic and really hit a note with the judges. Cyrus Tamaki described her as ‘a friendly, cheerful and good humoured person with a big heart’, and William Reed told us that ‘she does all of this for free, apart from being paid with the smiles on our faces.’ Rory Ward-Evans said ‘she is fun to hang out with as well’.”

Mrs Wilkinson said the goal of the competition was to create a connection with the community and get kids thinking about the good people who are part of that community.

“The response really showed that the children had put a lot of thought into it and the connection with the community was quite evident. It was truly heart-warming and we were overwhelmed by what the nominated ‘good sorts’ did, and how the children expressed their gratitude. It really shows Rotorua is made up of wonderful people.”

While there could be only one winning ‘good sort’, Mrs Wilkinson said there were so many wonderful people nominated and they should all be congratulated for what they do within the communities they live.

ENDS

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