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From left: Lucy West, Kylie Parsons and Daniella Whitaker with Mayor Chris Fletcher and her dog Jimmy.
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Auckland's Mayor Chris Fletcher honoured young New Zealanders at the prizegiving ceremony for the SPCA Exelpet Young Animal Carer of the Year Awards for the year 2000.
Award finalists and their families travelled from all over the country to attend the ceremony at the Auckland Town Hall's Council Chamber. There was an atmosphere of excitement as the winners of category 1 (11 years and under), category 2 (12-18 years) and category 3 (winning school) were announced.
Both age-group winners received a Compaq Presario 5BW110 Desktop Internet PC, a huge Exelpet hamper and a set of Animal Ark books from supporting sponsor Hodder Moa Beckett.
The winning school took away a fabulous Canon MV3001 digital video camera and an Animal Ark library of children's books.
The judges were TVNZ presenter Mary Lambie, NZ Woman's Weekly editor Rowan Dixon, Jeff Herkt of Effem Foods, Sue Murray of Hodder Moa Beckett, and Auckland SPCA executive director Bob Kerridge. The judges said the finalists all demonstrated an on-going search for information to increase their knowledge about animal welfare, and many devoted a great deal of their time to volunteer work and fundraising.
Winners were:
Category 1
Daniella Whitaker, Otaki, 1. Daniella is a committed SPCA fund-raiser doing odd jobs to earn money or busking with her flute. Daniella wrote to the Pork Board to express her concern about sow crates and says her wish is for `all children to help care for animals and give some money. It would equal a lot, put together'.
Kylie Parsons, Whangarei, 2. Kylie is a volunteer at her local SPCA where she is responsible for cleaning out the cats' area and finding new homes for them. She also looks after her family's three cats, one rabbit, seven hens, a rooster, two turkeys and a sheep.
Lucy West, Ohope, 3. Lucy's family lives on a small rural block where she helps to rear hens, roosters and calves. On Saturday mornings she works 20km away at the Whakatane SPCA as a volunteer in the adoption area.
Category 2
Julia McCracken, New Plymouth, 1. Julia's essay, `Animals are my Life', showed a professional presentation illustrated with relevant photographs and excellent quotes. The judges said her concern for animal welfare is expressed clearly and demonstrated in her actions. Julia has acquired skills in small animal handling and stable management, she volunteers at her local SPCA and vet surgery, and has become a vegetarian, buying only cruelty-free products.
Brendan Bryce, Greymouth, 2. Brendan lives animals. His family's 150 birds, 14 guinea pigs, six rabbits, 100 fish and one cat are a major part of his life. He wants to become a vet, hand-rears abandoned chicks and volunteers at the Greymouth SPCA and vet surgery.
Ali Shariat, Auckland, 3. Ali's delightful essay about rearing a baby sparrow that fell from its nest greatly impressed the judges. His story demonstrated that he had wisdom beyond his years.
Category 3
Broadgreen Intermediate School Animals Ethics Group, Nelson, 1. Teachers inspired the pupils to form this group to encourage awareness of animal welfare issues. Their project was impressive.
Otautau School, Southland, 2. This school's entry comprised animal project diaries by eight children. They were presented to the judges on the school's pet day and showed the children's good husbandry and training knowledge.
Gulf Harbour School, Rm 14, Whangaparaoa, 3. The story of cuddles, the sky-blue budgie, was well told and professionally presented with photographs and veterinary documentation.
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From left: Ali Shariat, Mayor Fletcher, Julia McCracken and Brendan Bryce.
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