Easter Fair Organisers Take Top Prize

The Mapua Easter Fair has raised more than half a million dollars for the local school and playcentre, and won its organising committee the Supreme Award at the 2012 TrustPower Nelson Tasman Community Awards. The Men’s Shed Waimea, which is in its first year, was overall winner for Tasman District.

The awards are run in conjunction with the Tasman District and Nelson City Councils.

In its 30-year existence the Easter Fair has become a Nelson institution, now drawing 15,000 visitors each year. Its profits have gone towards hiring specialist teachers to reduce class sizes at Mapua School, as well as equipment, resources and materials not funded by the Ministry of Education. The Playcentre’s share of proceeds makes up 90% of its annual operating budget.

From tiny beginnings, the fair is now considered the largest one-day event in the South Island, boasting more than 330 stallholders and mix of live music, quality products, good food and bargains. Last year Motueka police said the fair was so well organised they hardly needed to be there.

The volunteer management committee has a group of over 120 volunteers they can draw on and organising begins up-to six months before the event.

In accepting the award, Co-organiser Lisa Dunn said “The organising committee feel like caretakers representing all those who have contributed to the fair in the past. Mapua is a strong community because residents have chosen to live there and are quick to put their hands up for projects. “

For winning the Supreme Award, the Organising Committee received $1,500 prize money, a trophy and framed certificate. It will now represent the region at the national awards, to be held in the Far North district in March 2013.

The Nelson region competition was fierce this year, with a record 134 entries.

Winners:

• Heritage and Environment Winner - Founders Heritage Park Book Fair
• Health and Well Being Winner - St John Ambulance
• Arts and Culture Winner - Nelson Youth Council
• Sport and Leisure Winner - Nelson Arts Festival
• Educational and Child/Youth Development - Tasman Bible Church Mainly Music
• Tasman District Overall Winner - Men’s Shed Waimea
• Nelson City Overall Winner - SASH (Sexual Abuse Support and Healing) Nelson
• Supreme Winner - Mapua Easter Fair Organising Committee.