Rongo to Aaron - NZ Guild of Agricultural Journalists and

October 2016

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Rongo to AaronItwasagreatnightonFriday,asnearly60peoplegottogetherfortheBeef+LambNZAwardsDinnertocelebratethesuccessofalltheawardwinners.

B+LNZCEO,SamMcIvor,whoattendedanawardsdinnerforthefirsttime,wasguestspeaker.Hespokeaboutthe

groupofyoungpeopleborninthe1980sand1990s,knownasmillennials–theirdependenceonsmartphones,theireatinghabitsincludingdiningout,theirshoppinggenerally,whattheirexpectationsforjobsetc.Interestingandrelevantindifferentwaystoallthosethere–althoughnotmanymillennialsatthefunction!

Thewinnersoftheawardshavealreadybeenpublished,butthereweresomeinterestingoutcomes.* AaronSmale,whohasnotenteredtheawardsforsomeyears,wonthreedifferentawards–theMPIRongo(picturedatleftwithMPI’sSamPickering),theAGMARDTAgribusinessAwardandtheFederatedFarmersRuralPhotographyAward.Thephotodepictedahighcountrymusterandillustratedoneoftheaward-winningarticlesonthefortunesofthewool.* SusanMurraywontwoawards–theFederatedFarmersBroadcastJournalismAwardandtheHorticultureNewZealandJournal.Oneitemwhichwasenteredinboth,astoryaboutthedemandfortopqualityhorticulturelandaroundPukekoheandthedemandforincreasedlandforhousing,tooksecondplaceintherecentinternationalbroadcastjournalismaward,runbytheInternationalFederationofAgriculturalJournalists.* TheGuildEncouragementAward

waswonbyPatDeavoll(picturedbelowwithGuildpresidentAliSpencer),whocametojournalismofanysortonlyabout18monthsago.Pat,whoisbasedinChristchurch,worksforNZ Farmer,andhasalongassociationwithfarming.

Aaron Smale’s winning photo was taken during a high country muster.

2016-17 national executiveTwomembersofthenationalexecutivestooddownattherecentannualgeneralmeeting,andonenewmemberwaselected.Thisyeartheofficeholdersare:President,AliSpencer.Vice-president,ElaineFisher.Secretary,SueMiller.Treasurer,MickCalder.

JonMorganstooddownaftermanyyearsservice,includingtwoyearsasnationalpresident.JackieBedforddidnotseekre-election.StandingforthefirsttimewasCheyenneStein,fromDairy Exporter,whorepresentedNewZealandattheAlltechYoungLeadersbootcampandCongress2016.ShereceivedtheIFAJAlltechYoung

Sue, Mick, Hughlife membersThreenewlifemembersfortheNZGuildwereconfirmedattherecentannualgeneralmeeting:HughStringleman,MickCalderandSueMiller(picturedbelowwithGuildpresidentAliSpencer–Hughwasabsent).

Allhavebeenactivemembersoftheguildformanyyears,onthenationalexecutiveforanumberofyears,andallthreewereheavilyinvolvedintheplanningandadministrationoflastyear’sCongress2015.Hughwascongressplanningteamchairmanfromthestart,MickwastreasurerandinchargeoftheregistrationandSuewasco-ordinator.Welldoneeveryone!

LeaderinAgriculturalJournalismAwardinBonn.

Sothenewexecutivememberselectedare:LizBrook,GeraldPiddock,JackieHarrigan,SaraPassmore,LeighCatleyandCheyenneStein.

Communicator of the YearWeareveryclosetosigninganagreementfortheveryimportantCommunicatoroftheYearAward.Thisistheguild’smostprestigiousaward,presentedduringNationalFieldaysinHamilton,inJune.Wehopetobeabletoconfirmthenewsponsorofthisawardinthenextcoupleofweeks.

Nadine donates winningsThewinnerofthisyear’sRuralWomenNewZealandAward,NadinePorter,hasgenerouslydonatedherawardwinningstotheFarmingMumsNZinitiative.Thisisanonlinesupportgroupforfarmingwomen,andhasover5000members,increasingbyaround60membersperweek.Findoutaboutthisinterestinganddeservingsupportgroupbygoingtofarmingmumsnz.com

How to shake hands and hold together a photo frame at the same time !