Volunteers
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Volunteer of the Year Awards
Two Foundation volunteers have received Volunteering Waikato's Volunteer of the Year Awards.
Governor General, Dame Silvia Cartwright presented the awards at a gala event that marked the close of the 2001 International Year of the Volunteer in the Waikato.
Ivan Lovelock, Sport Volunteer of the Year
For almost 50 years Ivan Lovelock, a keen bowler himself has helped blind and sight-impaired people enjoy the sport too.
Ivan first became involved with the Foundation in 1947, when an uncle asked him to help a blind bowler in an Auckland tournament. He has since helped many Waikato bowlers, coaching to international level and accompanying members to world competitions.
He was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in the 1970s for his services to the blind, and has been chairman of the Foundation's Hamilton Advisory Committee.
Jean Beverley, Art and Craft Volunteer of the Year
Jean Beverley, aged 89, assists Foundation members in making handcrafts at the twice-weekly craft and social gatherings held in Hamilton.
She was presented with a 10-year certificate of service in 1993 by the Foundation, and received a civic award for her services to people from Hamilton City Council.
She is always on the outlook for new craft ideas and recently began a new initiative with members to knit clothing for the newborn unit at Waikato Hospital.
International Year of the Volunteer
Special end of year functions celebrating volunteers were held around the country.
They acknowledged our volunteers and the commitment, contribution and support they provide.
Volunteer Service Certificates were presented to many at these events - a small way the Foundation said thanks for their dedication and commitment.
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Regional Round-Up
Auckland: Te Reo College Books
The number of collage books produced by the Special Formats Library continues to grow since the Collage Book Project now includes a contract to produce Maori language collage books.
Last year Robin Nation was joined by Fran Levett to fulfil the Vision Education Agency's contract to provide books in Te Reo for sight-impaired children who attend Kohanga Reo and Kura Kaupapa where Maori is the first language.
Volunteers are pivotal to meeting the needs of the expanding numbers of members who use collage books for educational and recreational reading.
When the Collage Book Project first began in 1996 the collection numbered only 200 books. Now, the Library has grown to over 600 books.
Even more volunteers have been recruited. Six new recruits attended a training day in January.
There are 187 children using the library collage books. Eighty-six are on the Collage Exchange Programme and bulk loans go out to four schools and four Vision Resource Centres each term.
Wellington: Special thanks to -
- Di Bodenham for her contribution to the Napier and Hastings team. Di has resigned from this role and has began studies at EIT this year.
- Volunteer drivers for RNZFB staff based in Gisborne, Palmerston North and Wellington. These drivers travel up to 1500km a month helping the seven RNZFB staff to deliver their services in the region.
Christchurch: New volunteers and new initiatives
Fifty-nine new volunteers joined the Christchurch team in 2001 and several new initiatives were introduced.
They helped staff to input Jade information and established the Helping Hand Club to assist events and funding. A new team of TIS Tutors increased member support.
They are also assisting at the first National Deafblind Camp and are hosting the National Volunteering Conference in March.
Dunedin: Volunteer of the Year
Ever tried to choose the best diamond out of a cluster? Last year Dunedin's diamond "Volunteer of the Year" was long serving leader of the Monday craft group, Sheila Sinclair.
Sheila has been leading the craft group for over 15 years and it has now been dubbed "The Friendship Group."
The sculptured award was made and donated to the Foundation by local sculptor, Gordon Thompson, and is on "touch" display at Dunedin's office with a miniature standing on Sheila's mantelpiece. Well done and thank you Sheila!