The E Tu! Stand Up Against Abuse team are six Year 12 students from Waitara High School who are dedicated to tackling abuse in their community. The team is made up of Te Riaki Nicoll, Greer Preece, Madison Schimanski, Stacey Tangira, Onyx Brown and Charlene Roper. This amazing group of young people have volunteered hundreds of hours each to work towards their ultimate goal of preventing sexual violence as well as minimising the effect abuse has on the health and well-being of children and young people. In order to achieve this goal they determined three main objectives:

Joe founded an innovative health scheme known as the Taranaki Community Health Trust in 2009. The aim of the trust is to enable Taranaki patients of limited means, who have been unable to have their elective surgery needs met by the Public Health system to be financially assisted to have their operations done using the Private Health System. To date, seventy surgical operations have been completed, much to the delight of the recipients, and applications for assistance are rolling in. The concept of the scheme is unique to New Zealand and is benefiting so many people in the Taranaki community. Joe has also been instrumental in the establishment of a brand-new Youth Hostel in New Plymouth, has written and published a Spiritual Well-being Toolkit and has been instrumental in the establishment of a Social Golf Croquet club.

Eric is a longstanding member of the Waverley community and has made great contributions of his time, skill and no doubt his finances for many years. After his wife’s struggle with cancer and her last wish for him to do something to support Hospice Wanganui (where she spent her last days) he set up the Farming Friends of Wanganui Hospice Charitable Trust. This is a fundraising scheme where Eric uses his skills as a stock buyer to provide a sustainable and reliable source of income for the Hospice. The scheme involves purchasing cattle and calves, grazing them on a variety of farms at no cost and selling at a profit when fattened. Individual farmers integrate a couple of Hospice cattle with their own herds so after the initial purchase and transport there are no extra costs to the Trust, allowing maximum benefits for the Hospice. The Trust has grown to have about 250 cattle grazing on hundreds of farms throughout the region and provides the Hospice with a guaranteed income of $50,000 per year. Interestingly, a second nomination was also received for Eric outlining his massive contribution to the Waverley Waitotara Sheep dog Club; a man of many talents!

Article - South Taranaki Star, 24 March 2012 

http://readnow.mediamonitors.com.au/Temp/94654388/140975769.pdf

Lou is the founder of WAVES Youth Health Services in New Plymouth. Working as a Public Health nurse Lou identified many gaps in youth health. This led to the development of WAVES in 2007, a free youth health service for people aged between 10 and 25. On offer is a doctor, nurse practitioner, nurse, clinical psychologist and peer supports as well as holiday programs and a free pool. Lou worked for free for three years to get it off the ground and a testament to her hard work was the 1500 young people registered within a matter of months after its opening. Clearly a well needed service! Lou has a huge commitment to the wellbeing needs of young people in her community and will go the extra mile to make sure young people get a voice, and advocates for them at both local and national levels.

Catherine has been the community coordinator for Sands Wanganui for 10 years. She works with families during their darkest hour – the death of a very much beloved child. Catherine is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to be with families during this time, washing and dressing the baby with their parents, taking hundreds of photos, hand and foot moulds and acting as a constant support person for years after a family’s loss. She works around 80 hours a week, and all as a volunteer! Catherine is an amazing driving force behind Sands Wanganui, attending and organising conferences in order to continually bring new and fresh ideas and initiatives to the organisation. Catherine does what most people wouldn’t be able to cope with and she does this with the upmost love, respect and care that is highly regarded by all who come in contact with her.