News
Southland’s Tommy Foggo has been celebrated for his outstanding community contribution, as part of the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s 2016 Excellence Awards, held at Auckland’s War Memorial Museum on Wednesday night.
Tommy Foggo receiving his award. Photo: whatsoninvers.nz
Foggo was honoured with an Outstanding Volunteer Award, in recognition for his ongoing support of the Foundation’s work – largely given in his role as Chair of the Youth Development Southland Region Trust, which he has held for the last 13 years.
Graeme Dingle Southland Regional Manager, Scott Bowden, said Tommy’s commitment was particularly deserving of special acknowledgement, given his busy schedule as Aquaculture Development Manager at Sanford Limited, and serving on four other company boards.
“Tommy has overseen our regional growth for the past 13 years, and has been the force behind why we’re so successful in delivering our programmes to over 1,800 local students. He’s recently been appointed Chairman for a 14 th consecutive year, and has no plans of stepping down in the foreseeable future.
“He’s passionate about helping our local youth, and has a real love of the work the Graeme Dingle Foundation undertakes. All this, and yet he doesn’t shout from the rooftops about the great things he does – he’s a quiet achiever, who much prefers to work away in the background. That’s why he was just so deserving of this award,” concludes Bowden.
Foundation co-founder and namesake, Graeme Dingle, says the evening is an important opportunity to recognise a select number of young New Zealanders who exemplify the values and principles that inform the Foundation’s work.
“Our goal, since we launched over 20 years ago, has been to transform young lives forever. In taking on our programmes, these young people have had to overcome significant personal challenges – both physical and mental. For many, the contribution they’ve made to their local communities, via the various initiatives they’ve conceived and led, has been invaluable.
“Their achievements absolutely deserve recognition, and we’re so proud of each and every one of our winners,” says Graeme.
The full list of 2016 Award Recipients is as follows:
Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award
For a Graeme Dingle Foundation alumni who has gone on to achieve excellence.
- Richard Hills – ex-Glenfield College (Auckland)
Outstanding Kiwi Can School Award
For running an impeccable Kiwi Can programme and producing wonderful results, supportedby Genesis Energy.
- Crawshaw School (Waikato) – Jill Littlewood, William Po’ese & Terry Faleva’ai
Kiwi Can Outstanding Leader Team Awards
Presented to Kiwi Can leaders to recognise their wonderful contributions, making a difference to the lives of young people, supported by Hall’s.
- Dominique Papoutsou & Richard (Richie) Bradley – Barton Rural School, Highfield School, Oceanview Heights School, Timaru South School, Waimate Centennial School, Waimate Main School (South Canterbury)
- Mac Numia & Marina Tuia – Glen Taylor School (Auckland)
Outstanding Contribution from a Stars Peer Mentor Awards
To acknowledge the great contribution of Stars Peer Mentors who are making a significant difference in the lives of juniors in their school, supported by Sanitarium.
- Auckland: Mezmure Dube – Kelston Girls’ College
- Waikato: Nicole Rusk – Forest View High School, Mitchell Crow – Fairfield College, &Teariki-Terae Tearoa-Natua – Tokoroa High School
Career Navigator Outstanding Achievement Award
To acknowledge outstanding progress made by a graduate of the Career Navigator programme, supported by C4.
- Bhavna Singh – Manurewa High School (Auckland)
Project K Student Excellence Awards
For graduates of Project K who have shown the most outstanding commitment to the programme, and made significant changes in their lives, supported by Perpetual Guardian.
- Auckland: Jessica Rowley – Northcote College, Alyce Kaumeafaiva – Auckland Girls’ Grammar School, Sharonika Prasad – James Cook High School & Ryan Dernie –Glenfield College
- Bay of Plenty: Samara Rose Read – Otumoetai College & Paris Te Oka – Mount Maunganui College
- Hawke’s Bay: Teina Pearcy – St John’s College
- Canterbury: Qy’ana Curry – Hornby High School
MYND Youth Achievement Award
To acknowledge outstanding progress made by a graduate of the MYND programme, supported by NZ Steel.
- Gabriel Tuaiti – Advanced Training Centres, North Harbour (Auckland)
Outstanding Volunteer Award
Presented to a volunteer in the wider Graeme Dingle Foundation community who demonstrated their commitment and dedication to the Foundation’s mission and values, through their work to support the Foundation’s programmes, supported by STRIDE.
- Tommy Foggo (Southland) & Shari Carter (Canterbury)