Media Release: Friday 18 October 2024
The Graeme Dingle Foundation, a youth development charity with a 30-year history of empowering young New Zealanders, celebrated its annual National Excellence Awards at the Hyundai Marine Sports Centre on October 17th.
This much-anticipated event shone a spotlight on the remarkable achievements of tamariki, rangatahi, staff and volunteers who have demonstrated exceptional courage, resilience, and leadership over the past year.
A highlight of the evening was the prestigious Sir Edmund Hillary Achievement Award, which this year honoured Spencer McNeil, a Project K alumni from Western Bay of Plenty. Spencer’s outstanding contributions to employment, leadership, and community engagement exemplify the impact of the Foundation’s programmes.
Spencer McNeil, owner of Barber Spence & Co, spoke at the event highlighting the positive impact Project K had on him.
“If I didn’t do Project K, I actually don’t know where I would be. I was so lost, hanging out with the wrong people and was not happy in myself. The Project K course pushed me to do things I would never have done and opened doors to me finding a new level of myself, and finding my true potential. I cannot recommend Project K enough – it taught me so much about life and myself.” McNeil shared.
The Foundation’s youth development programmes—Kiwi Can, Stars, Career Navigator, and Project K—each played a pivotal role in the success stories celebrated, highlighting the diverse ways the Foundation equips young people with the skills and resilience needed to thrive.
Reflecting on the event, Foundation CEO Jo Malcolm-Black says “Change isn’t linear and it doesn’t follow a schedule set by others. This event is a powerful reminder of what is possible when we give young people the tools and opportunities to realise their potential. Tamariki and rangatahi are the changemakers of tomorrow, and their journeys inspire us all to continue working towards a brighter future. The role of supporters is to give rangatahi the biggest shout out we can, in whatever way we can.”
Jo Malcolm-Black invites the public to celebrate the National Excellence Awards winners and support the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s ongoing work by visiting dinglefoundation.org.nz
ENDS
Released by the Graeme Dingle Foundation National Office.
Please express an interest in any award-winner comments or speeches from the list below.
For more information, please contact:
Annabelle Hutchinson annabelle.hutchinson@dinglefoundation.org.nz
- The awards event live stream including speeches can be viewed in full here.
Award Winners List:
Sir Edmund Hillary Achievement Award
Spencer McNeil – Western Bay of Plenty
Stars – Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor
Sponsored by Stride
Grace Motusaga – Auckland
Stars – Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor
Sponsored by Stride
Inga Hiko – Auckland
Stars – Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor
Sponsored by Stride
Jacqueline Colliar – Waikato
Stars – Outstanding Contribution from a Peer Mentor
Sponsored by Stride
Akshita Saxena – Western Bay of Plenty
Career Navigator – Outstanding Achievement of a Participant
Sponsored by AIG
Finn Mackenzie – Marlborough
Career Navigator – Outstanding Achievement of a Participant
Sponsored by AIG
Corbin Blackett – Waikato
Project K Excellence Award
Sponsored by Kathmandu
Cruz Iako – Auckland
Project K Excellence Award
Sponsored by Kathmandu
Layla Mackenzie – Western Bay of Plenty
Project K Excellence Award
Sponsored by Kathmandu
Will Kelly-Harding – Western Bay of Plenty
Project K Excellence Award
Sponsored by Kathmandu
Bronté Woolley – Canterbury
Kiwi Can – Outstanding School Award
Sponsored by NZ Steel
Fairhaven School – Western Bay of Plenty
Kiwi Can – Outstanding Leader Award
Sponsored by Bidfood
Jeremy Birchall – Far North
Outstanding Secondary School Award
Hornby High School – Canterbury
Best Community Project Award
Sponsored by Mitre 10
Bay of Islands College – Far North
Outstanding Staff Award
Sian Neary – Canterbury
Outstanding Staff Award
Terry Faleva’ai – Waikato
Outstanding Volunteer Award
Matthew Preece – Marlborough