Special award to Lands Trust

VALUED ROLE: Lands Trust Masterton chairman John Bunny says the trust was honoured to be named a recipient of a UCOL Council Special Award.PHOTO/FILE

Lands Trust Masterton has been named a recipient of a Special Award from the Universal College of Learning Council in the latest round of honours to mark the 2014 academic year.

The award was being made to Lands Trust Masterton in recognition of its extensive contribution to supporting education in Wairarapa, its valued role in the Wairarapa community and its ongoing support of UCOL, says Trevor Goodwin, UCOL Council chairman.

Lands Trust Masterton chairman John Bunny said the trust was honoured to receive the award.

"It is a reflection of the strong relationship the trust has with UCOL Wairarapa and its commitment to supporting tertiary education for local people."

Dannevirke businesswoman Mavis Mullins, who is the immediate past president of the Golden Shears, received an Honorary Associate Award for significant and distinguished contribution to the life and work of UCOL and the wider community of which UCOL is a part.

Inspire Net founder James Watts and Youth One Stop Shop director Trissel Mayor also were recipients of the Honorary Associate Award.

Renowned Wellington-based furniture designer Noel Brown received the highest honour of Honorary Fellow for an outstanding and distinguished contribution to UCOL, the wider community and society in general.

Mr Brown said he was delighted with the honour "because it acknowledges the contribution that design makes to our society.

"Design is at heart a team discipline so really this award belongs to the various teams I have been lucky enough to have been a part of over the last 30 plus years."

Mr Goodwin said the awards are UCOL Council's way of recognising people who stand as role models and inspiration to UCOL students, and reflect the institution's community connections. "The award recipients represent the communities where UCOL has campuses, and they have all made significant contributions to their local areas and beyond," he said.

"Each recipient has achieved success through excellence and innovation, which are the values that UCOL seeks to foster in all its staff and students."

The honours awards will be conferred at UCOL's upcoming graduation ceremonies in March.