Matilda, like all the other nominees, was asked such questions as what her favourite foods were, who she would want to be on a desert island with and how she would make the community better. Photo / Leanne Warr
Matilda, like all the other nominees, was asked such questions as what her favourite foods were, who she would want to be on a desert island with and how she would make the community better. Photo / Leanne Warr
Dannevirke High School student Matilda Panchaud has scooped the Wackrow Memorial Youth award.
The student, who hoped to complete her third-level NCEA this year as well as the Duke of Edinburgh Silver award, said shewas very happy with her win.
Her nomination bio said she was an active member of the Dannevirke community, serving through a range of activities, and had volunteered and fundraised for events.
It was a close contest, with the judges noting they had a difficult task trying to choose which nominee was the winner.
The awards are named for police officer Graeme Wackrow, who was tragically killed while on duty when his vehicle collided with another in 1984.
Sergeant Gary McKernon spoke on the background of the award, saying Wackrow had been born in Inglewood and had "wanted to be a police officer from an early age".
At 19, he became a sworn officer of the New Zealand Police but after two years, he resigned to gain some life experience.
He rejoined the NZ Police in 1983, requesting a posting to Dannevirke.
McKernon said he'd had the fortune to talk to some of Wackrow's former colleagues, of whom one was Dannevirke Community Board member Ross Macdonald.
"When you join the police, you join a family. We all feel the loss," he said.
Wackrow had a lot of time for youth in the community and three years after his death, his parents donated a trophy, which was known as the Wackrow Memorial Youth award.
There were five nominees in this year's award, which was postponed in August due to the Covid alert level 4 lockdown.
The five nominees were all deserving. Jarrod Hape (left), Tama Ngati-Ruaporo, Matilda Panchaud, Paige Appleton and Chianne Lyford-Shields. Photo / Leanne Warr
Matilda was chosen as the winner, Tama Ngati-Ruaporo was second and Paige Appleton was third. The other two nominees were Jarrod Hape and Chianne Lyford-Shields.
Mayor Tracey Collis said all of the nominees were deserving.
"Those that excel in their fields ... give back by teaching other young people and inspiring others. Thank you for sharing your skills.
"To those that help their community with fundraising and great causes for wellbeing, thank you.
Collis said that a common theme in the group of nominees was a love of learning, a commitment to training and a commitment to others and making a positive difference in other people's lives."
Guest speaker Aaron Karena, whose aunt Sharmane Hoera was the very first recipient of the award, spoke of being involved in the community.
"It's really cool to see what you can achieve in such a small community like ours."
His advice to other young people was to figure out their goals for the future and how to achieve them.
"Trust yourselves. If you want to do it, go for it. Don't be afraid to fail. That happens.
"Don't listen to people who say you can't do it.
"Put in the work, put in the mahi and always keep your goals in sight."
Matilda received the trophy, which she will hold until the next award.
She will also have a miniature which she can keep, along with $500 in prizemoney.