Seven Southlanders receive civic recognition

The Invercargill City Council is today presenting three Civic Theatre Artists’ Court Performing Art Awards and four Civic Honours Awards to Southlanders in recognition of their work.


At a special combined awards ceremony held at the Civic Theatre today (11 August 2010), three internationally recognised performing artists with strong links to Invercargill, the late Wally Scott, John Coker and Fiona Forrest were recipients of the Civic Theatre Artists’ Court Performing Art Awards.


Also at the same ceremony Civic Honours Awards were presented to Mission Without Borders: Mission Cover Up Co-ordinator, (Johanna) Hanny Aurik; principal and educator, Marlene Campbell; and Salvation Army and League of Mercy Volunteer, Eva Hopkins; and St Vincent de Paul Society member, Ted Maloney.


Invercargill City Council Mayor Tim Shadbolt said “the chosen recipients are truly special Southlanders and the Invercargill City Council is delighted to be able to recognise their contribution to our community”.


The idea of an Artists’ Corner was the initiative of former Invercargill Mayor Eve Poole and was approved by Council in 1985.


Up until October 2003, when the Civic Theatre upgrade began, the Artists’ Corner took the form of an honours board in the foyer of the Civic Theatre.



In 2004 Council approved a policy and guidelines which ensured that nominations for the awards are considered once every three years. It was also agreed as part of the upgrade that the Artists’ Corner would become the Artists’ Court and that tiles would be inserted into the courtyard area outside the east entrance to the theatre.


“This means that the Artists’ Court is always available for people to visit and acknowledge the Invercargill Artists who have achieved this prestigious honour,” Mayor Tim Shadbolt said.


The Civic Honours Awards recognised meritorious voluntary service in the community and the recipients were presented with a certificate and silver medal.


“Since the awards started in 1984, 59 members of our community have been recognised for their contribution. These people work tirelessly in the community and have touched the lives of many people,” Mayor Tim Shadbolt said.


ENDS.


Enquiries, Invercargill City Council Chief Executive Officer Richard King 03 211 1672 or 027 435 2846.




Wally Scott – Musician


Wally’s career as a musician began in Invercargill with the band “The Flares”, which played at the RSA and Scottish Hall dances in the early 60’s.


Following a move to Christchurch with his family, Wally met up with Ray Columbus and decided to join the Invaders.


“I Wanna Be Your Man”, “She’s a Mod” and “Till We Kissed” were hits recorded by the Invaders.


Wally toured with the Rolling Stones, Roy Orbison and the Dave Clark Five as a member of the Invaders.


After the Invaders disbanded Wally joined the Mike Perjanik Group and later an international group which worked for the Hilton Hotel Chain, working around the world.


Wally has been inducted, with the Invaders, into the Australian Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in Sydney, and the Christchurch and Southland Rock ‘n Roll Halls of Fame. In 2009 Ray Columbus and the Invaders received a legacy award and were inducted into the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame.


Tragically Wally became ill, and on returning to New Zealand in 1980 he passed away. Wally’s son Corey will accept the award on behalf of the family.

John Charles Coker – Musician, Songwriter and Arranger


John began his musical career in the early 60’s in The Farthings, attracting huge crowds to dances at the RSA and YMCA.


In 1969 he moved to Auckland joining Dick Roberts and The Troubled Minds and appearing on television’s ‘C’mon’.


John established himself in Australia, joining Ricky May’s backing band and others.


In 1978 he joined Marcia Hines’ band and toured extensively before joining Jon English.


John has worked with many international artists, including the Everly Brothers, Vera Lynn, Max Bygraves and Andy Stewart. He has prepared arrangements for many TV and cabaret acts.


In the 1990’s he formed “Readymade Music” with pianist Rick Best. They arrange and sell charts to many local and overseas artists.


John has attend the Conservatorium of Music on Jazz music and played at Jazz Festivals in Japan.


We welcome John to Invercargill today, from his home in Sydney.

Fiona Forrest – Performer and Director


From a rural background in Northern Southland, Fiona’s initial training began with Trinity College, training in speech, music and highland dance.


Training and drama performance continued throughout Fiona’s nursing career at Dunedin Hospital.


In the early 80’s Fiona moved to Australia to attend the Chimera School of Acting. During this period she was also employed in a range of television and film projects and performed regularly on stage.


London and an opportunity to train at the prestigious East 15 School of Acting was Fiona’s next step on the international stage. As well as acting, this opportunity highlighted Fiona has a natural ability in directing and so studies in directing and screen acting and film were eagerly embraced.


During her years in London, Fiona was involved in the early development of London’s Globe Theatre and she met Her Majesty the Queen and performed at Windsor Castle.


On her return to New Zealand, Fiona worked at Downstage Theatre in Wellington and set up the hugely successful Porirua Youth Theatre. She has appeared in the TV series ‘Shark in the Park’ and ‘Crimewatch’ and in Sir Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings – The Two Towers’.


Fiona is now the Southern Institute of Technology’s Director of the Sir Anthony Hopkins School of Dramatic Arts.



(Johanna) Hanny Aurik


Hanny is Invercargill and District co-ordinator for ‘Mission without Borders: Mission Cover Up’. From small beginnings Hanny is one of approximately 130 co-ordinators from throughout New Zealand. This is part of a nationwide campaign to provide woollen blankets, clothing and other essentials to children’s homes and poor families in Eastern Europe where the need is very great.


She spends countless hours promoting the organisation and making sure the hundreds of knitters are provided with wool and the completed blankets, clothing and other gifts are collected, stored and packed for despatch.


Her enthusiasm for this work has been quite infectious; her home residence prior to the packing for overseas resembles a warehouse. Hanny has the ability to create a great awareness of the bleak life many of the children have overseas, encouraging many people to continue this wonderful work.


Hanny is also an active member of the Presbyterian Church and the Dutch Choir.



Marlene Campbell


Marlene has spent countless hours in a voluntary capacity improving educational services in Invercargill.


She was the driving force behind a number of projects, including:


→ The ILT interactive whiteboard project which is now provided to all schools in Invercargill.


→ The ILT education conferences which are held biannually in Invercargill. These commenced in 2005 and the attendance now exceeds 400 teachers from throughout New Zealand with a wide range of talented overseas speakers; and


→ The Enrich Centre for gifted school children in Invercargill. This is the only franchise in the South Island and is light years ahead of similar franchises in the North Island due to Marlene’s exceptional organisational skills and ability.


The Enrich Centre provides an environment to expand the capabilities of Invercargill’s exceptionally talented youngsters, enabling them to fulfil their full potential.



Eva Hopkins


Eva has been a member of the Salvation Army for over 80 years and has completed over 30 years’ voluntary community service in her capacity as a league of mercy volunteer, now known as the community ministries.


Eva has regularly and diligently visited the sick in hospital, from new Mothers with babies, to the chronically ill and dying. She continues this ministry today in her retirement and her visitations and pastoral care extends now to rest homes and those who are unwell or isolated at home.


Her visits are looked forward to by old and young alike as she always greets people with a smile.


Eva always brings with her a gift of fresh fruit and tonnes of encouragement.





Ted Maloney


Ted is the epitome of the Saint Vincent de Paul Society at conference and Council level. Works which ‘show your faith in action’ have been a guiding light to this man’s service to people living in southern New Zealand.


The society is a global organisation that responds to human needs in a range of situations (material, emotional, spiritual and physical) in the hope that help is received where, when and by whom it is most needed.


During many years this Christian gentleman has visited private homes, rest homes and hospitals on a regular basis and worked tirelessly to improve the lives of the less fortunate in our city; for example:


→ The voucher system for basic needs (e.g. food and firewood) remains his portfolio, the assistance appreciated by all.


→ The need for housing older people in good quality homes; Ted was a driving force in the development of Saint Vincent de Paul Flats at McAuley Place during the late 1980’s and early 1990’s.


→ The establishment of the wheel chair ambulance has become a reality over a similar time period; recently updated to a new vehicle which is enjoyed by many folk from rest homes and other groups with a need for accessibility beyond the normal.


Ted has also provided financial and auditing services to a large number of non-profit organisations and is a Birthright counsellor.