GRAEME DINGLE EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2020 HONOUR EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG KIWIS

Graeme Dingle Excellence Awards 2020 Honour Exceptional Young Kiwis

In a year where COVID-19 has tested the resolve of New Zealanders, a group of young Kiwis, mentors, volunteers and leaders celebrated their exceptional resilience in the face of adversity at the 20^th annual Graeme Dingle Foundation 2020 Excellence Awards, held in Auckland on Wednesday 16 October.

Over 100 people gathered at The Vic in Devonport, including Her Excellency The Right Honourable Dame Patsy Reddy, GNZM, QSO, to celebrate more than 27,000 students and others across the country who have been involved in the Foundation’s various youth development programmes including Kiwi Can, Stars, Career Navigator and Project K over the previous 12 months. The evening was sponsored by the Foundation’s longstanding sponsor, the Stride Property Group.

This is the 25^th year since mountaineer and outdoor education pioneer Sir Graeme Dingle and his partner Jo-anne Wilkinson founded the not-for-profit organisation with the intention to help Kiwi children and young people develop mental fitness and resilience through self-belief, so that ultimately young people believe that ‘what they have inside is greater than any obstacle’.

Many of the amazing young people celebrated last night have bounced back from hardship and conquered immense challenges to chart a positive course through life, steered towards self-belief by the Foundation’s transformational programmes, and the positive impact the Foundation has had on their lives.

Sir Graeme Dingle, says this year’s Awards, coming at a time when COVID-19 has changed lives throughout the world, perfectly showcase what the Foundation lives and breathes – teaching young people to be resilient.

“The ethos of our Foundation is focused on helping young New Zealanders overcome obstacles. We want them to have a life full of possibilities so they can achieve their dreams and make the most of their unique talents. We want to help them make a contribution to society.

“This year in particular, with the lockdown restrictions imposed by COVID-19, these young people and their mentors and volunteers had to work extra hard to complete their programmes, often online.”

Sir Graeme says the Awards are an opportunity to celebrate this country’s future – our children and our young people.

“They provide a valuable platform for them to recognise their own strengths and muster, from within, the conviction to overcome challenges, both big and small. It is also a reminder of the incredible work that our mentors and volunteers deliver, day in and day out, for children and young people throughout the country.

“Each year, these kids show courage, determination and resilience. It gives me a tremendous sense of joy to be able to recognise and acknowledge each and every one of our winners. We are really proud of all of them,” says Sir Graeme.

The annual Excellence Awards began life as the Project K Outstanding Student Award and were first hosted by Governor General, Dame Sylvia Cartwright, in 2000.