The Gore District salutes its achievers at awards

A young man who was raised in the rural heartland of the south and is now making his mark on the fairways and putting greens of the world was last night named Eastern Southland Junior Sportsperson of the Year.

Vaughan McCall was among the Gore District's outstanding achievers and volunteers who were acknowledged at the 2012 Gore District Community Awards, held at the Gore Town and Country Club stadium tonight.

Awards' convenor Susan Jones said the standard of entries this year had been exceptional. There had been a particularly high number of nominations in the junior sportsperson and customer service categories.

The sixth annual awards’ gala dinner proved a sell-out as the community applauded those deserving of recognition and were entertained by special guest speaker Sir Graham Henry.

The Gore District Council's Civic Award was presented to former businessman John Tutty for his outstanding service to the Gore Volunteer Fire Brigade. Mr Tutty is the first person to notch up 50 years' service with the Gore brigade.

This year's winners are:

Gore District Civic Award: John Tutty

J D Souness Young Achiever of the Year: Oliver Carran

Contribution to Arts and Culture: Viv Beaton

Hovell Environmental Planning Contribution to the Environment: Pukerau Primary School

Gore Operatic Society Emerging Performing Artist Award: Tangled Strings (Michaela Roy and Vanessa Harvey)

Soroptimist International of Gore Woman of the Year: Laurel Turnbull

Eastern Southland Services to Sport: Stuart Riordan

Eastern Southland Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Vaughan McCall. Runner up Tori Peeters; highly commended Georgina Robertson.

Newslink-Southland Times - Eastern Southland Chamber of Commerce Customer Service Award:

Public vote winner - Carvin Streetwear

Winner - Guthrie Bowron

Tracy Hicks and John Tutty

Gore District Mayor Tracy Hicks and Gore District Civic Award recipient John Tutty.