21/07/2005

Otorohanga pays homage to its young achievers

Otorohanga's young achiever awards are run by the Otorohanga District and Community Charitable Trust.
The trust was set up from the funds of the Otorohanga Community Centre Trust, chairman Robert Walters told Tuesday's audience at the annual awards ceremony.
The awards have been running since 2001, with 16 young people congratulated for their work in the arts, sport, academics, or apprenticeships.
"The fact all of this year's achievers are here for sport is solely due to their high calibre, and it is just phenomenal for such a small community," said Anne Carrington from the Otorohanga District Council.
Tuesday's award was the second time mound for Scott Coker.
In 2003, he also featured in the awards for powerboat racing.
He has been powerboat racing for five years, and got into the sport through his father, who is a New Zealand champion.
In the 1600cc class, he has broken two New Zealand speed records. The fist in 2002, with 92mph, then in 2004 with 101mph.
He has won two north island and two south island titles, and last year won his first New Zealand title.
Last year, Mr Coker purchased a new 23ft boat, which he is continuing to make modifications on.
The boat has a 7.7 litre big block chew engine. However, he said he cannot afford the technology of international racers, so aims only to do his best in February's World Grand Prix at Lake Karapiro.
All achievers received a $1000 cheque. Mr Coker's money will go to installing a fully enclosed safety cell in his boat, which is a requirement at the Grand" Prix.
While Rachel could not be at the awards, due to 10-week training in Christchurch, her mother, Kay received the award for her.
Rachel has been rowing for Sacred Heart in Hamilton for three years, and is a stroke.
She won gold in the U18 fours at Maadi Cup in 2004, and was also selected to trial for the New Zealand junior rowing championships.
This season, her crew won silver in the U18 eight, and gold in the U18 four at Maadi Cup, Rachel was only 16 at the time.
Her mother said Rachel's highlight in rowing was rowing with the Ever-Swindells in the Hamilton Club eights.
For this, she received a Redcoat award, which is awarded on winning gold at New Zealand club level.
This year, however, Rachel, along with Kiel Mans has been selected in the New Zealand junior crews.
The pair will leave for Brandenburg, Germany on Sunday.
They will be given ten days to acclimatise, and will race in the international regatta August 3-6.
Kiel has also had a very successful rowing career. Starting out at Hamilton`s St Paul's Collegiate, his crew won a silver medal in the U15 fours at Maadi cup in 2002.
In 2003, at just 15 years of age, he won gold in the U19 eight.
He was also selected for the New Zealand Junior team, going to Athens to row for New Zealand.
In 2004, Kiel was St Paul's rowing captain, moving on to row for Hamilton Boys High School in 2005, once again winning gold at Maadi Cup in the U19 eight.
Kiel has been working part-time as a landscaper, and said he will go to Waikato University next year to study engineering.
Both Rachel and Kiel will use their prize money for travel.
Mr Williams and trust members reiterated the awards were a night for the achievers to feel proud of themselves and to celebrate the success of today's youth.
There were 16 applicants however, due to lack of funds, just three could be awarded.
"A very deserving group we have too," said Mr Walters.

Targa

Otorohanga District council has received an application from Club Targa Inc concerning road closures in the Otorohanga District in October, for the Annual Dunlop Targa Motoring Event.
It will be the 12th year the rally will take place. At the Otorohanga District Council meeting on Tuesday, mayor Dale Williams said he believed the event to be a great asset to the community.
"We receive a publicity stage and a lunch stop which is great for local businesses. Schools and sports clubs also get involved with fund raising on the day."
However Waitomo district council have yet to make a decision concerning part of the route that passes through their district.
As the rally stop does not directly benefit Waitomo Mr Williams believes they will refuse access.
"If that happens we will contact Targa immediately. It will make the process more difficult for them but I am pretty confident we can work it out," he said.