The Queenstown Lakes District Council 2005 Heart of the District Awards winners and Civic Award recipients are as follows:
Arts
Winner: Queenstown Arts Society Cloakroom Gallery Project.
Merit award: Alison Price, Queenstown.
Landscape and urban design
Winner: Paddy Baxter, Queenstown.
Merit award: Matt Davies, Queenstown.
Environment / Heritage
Winner: Malcolm Boote, Arrowtown.
Youth
Winner: The Wanaka Youth Council, Wanaka.
Merit award: Tim Cafe, Queenstown.
Business
Winner: The Infinity Investment Group, Wanaka.
Merit award: Stewart Landsborough, Wanaka.
Social and cultural
Winner: Ruth Herbert, Queenstown.
Merit award: Gary Healey, Arrowtown
Civic Awards
- David Buckingham, Wanaka.
- Bryan Douglas, Queenstown.
- Doreen McKenzie, Queenstown.
- Margaret Thomlinson, Wanaka.
- Colin Kane, Luggate.
- Clarice May, Queenstown.
In addition Mayor Clive Geddes presented a special citation to helicopter pilot Richard Hayes and divers Darryl and Gary Wright for their role in the attempted rescue of Tom and Georgia Poplawski, in September, at the head of Lake Wakatipu. The citation noted the courage and determination shown by the three men during the challenging rescue undertaken in difficult conditions.
Queenstown Lakes District Harbourmaster Marty Black received a service award marking 20 years in the role of harbourmaster.
The evening was scheduled to take place last night at the Queenstown Memorial Hall, as with previous years the cabaret-style evening is a sell-out affair, with the Council receiving a record number of nominations this year.
All finalists are profiled during the evening and are presented with a native tree, while award winners receive a framed certificate and handmade brass and wood award.
