Outlook, Spotlight
It’s time to start thinking about who to nominate for the 2001 Blind Achievers’ Award. Alternatively, why not enter yourself. Last year the following people were recognized for their achievements in their chosen field. It could be you in 2001.
Literature
Jim Henderson (Auckland) is the author of 30 books. His latest releases are “PR on Ice: Two deserts” and “Mountain Farm, Bush Farm” set in the Takaka Hills. Jim’s most successful book, “Gunner Inglorious” was based on his World War II experiences. It has just been reprinted and is now in its 14th edition and has sold over 100,000 copies.
Performing Arts
Caitlin Smith (Auckland) is a successful jazz vocalist, voice teacher and free-lance music journalist. As a performer she takes her listeners on a journey into enchanting paths and surprising by-ways and makes an old song fresh.
Art and Craft
At 19, Kirsti Twamley (Auckland) is the Awards youngest recipient. Kirsti first learnt to sew when she was 13 and has been commissioned to design and make ball dresses and other garments. She says that she is constantly working on ideas and designs of her own and tends to stay away from fashion magazines and shows so as not to be influenced by other people’s concepts.
Sport
David Monk (Tauranga) is skilled in two different sports – sailing and lawn bowls. David has been losing his sight over the last 12 years and is now classified for competitions as completely blind. He won gold for New Zealand at the World Blind Sailing Championships in Miami in 1999 and was awarded the 2000 Sport Bay of Plenty “Athlete of the Year with a Disability”. He was also honoured by Blind Sport New Zealand as the “Totally Blind Sportsperson of the Year 2000”.
Academic
Linda Beck (Christchurch) is a lawyer doing a PhD on the workings of the Employment Tribunal. To date, no one else has done any research on the topic. The project is attracting interest from employers, employees, legal professionals, the Department of Labour and the tribunal itself. Her goal is to be a university lecturer once she completes her PhD.
Business
John Peterson (Christchurch) is a veteran radion broadcaster. His most recent achievement has been the successful launch of 88Country from a low power FM station to a full bodied “big time” AM frequency reaching from Kaikoura to Ashburton. John is involved in many aspects of the radio station, including the engineering, on-air delivery, sales, accounting and commercial allocation. At present John’s station has 16 full and part-time staff.