There are some amazing people in this community who deserve wider recognition for their mahi, and King Country News is looking for community champions.
To our mind, a community champion can be someone of any age in a community, large or small, who through their actions has brightened and benefitted the lives of those around them.
So, if you know a community champion, dob them into the King Country News and we will make a fuss about them, take a photo and write an article to give them some community recognition.
These could be people like our most recent “champion”, Graeme Plenderleith, who has been helping the young people of Te Kūiti reach their potential through sports, music and dance for about 50 years.
“There is so much talent here that is not recognised. And for some reason they don’t push themselves enough,” he said.
“I think all kids should be exposed to swimming, an athletic activity, and music.
“I think these three things are the basis of the human spirit.”
April’s community champion was reintroducing Murray Cruickshank, who returned to Ōtorohanga after some years to work with the Employment Hub.
He had formerly helped released prisoners adjust to life outside prison, with other roles including as a teacher aide helping special needs students in Ōtorohanga, running a woodwork and engineering unit at a disability training centre in Tauranga, and a limited stint in the mental health sector.
We also had Bill Millar, the ultimate community champion, who has for decades been Ōtorohanga’s unofficial ambassador.
Our January champion, Amber-Krystle Stier, was a disabled advocate helping other disabled people find employment.
Covid-19 provided Amber-Krystle the opportunity to stay home and re-evaluate what she wanted from life.
The Ōwhango local was born with multiple conditions and disabilities, which caused her to spend much of her childhood and adolescence in hospital.
Covid saw a complete change of pace with tertiary studies, participation in a Disabled Persons Assembly NZ programme and eventually a kaitiaki role with the organisation that once guided her.
From few expectations of herself to guiding others, Amber-Krystle learned how to have confidence in her voice and use it to help other disabled people through Disabled Person’s Assembly.
To nominate a community champion, email Sam at sales@kingcountrynews.co.nz
