Jane Stalker with her Local Heroes medal. 

MADDY HARKER 

Two Wanaka locals have been recognised for their work in the community at the 2017 Kiwibank Local Heroes Awards held in Dunedin on Monday.

The Local Heroes Awards celebrates people whose selflessness and determination has made a difference in the community.

Wanaka’s Jane Stalker and Sonya Palmer were awarded medals, along with 17 other outstanding Otago people.

Jane, whose involvement in the Wanaka A&P Show for the last 20 years has helped it become what it is today, described the experience of attending the event as "humbling”.

"It made me feel really good to be a part of it,” Jane said.

It was difficult for Jane to accept the award as an individual when so many people were involved in the A&P Show, she said.

"I accepted it on behalf of our committee members and all the people that put the work in to make the event happen.”

The evening included drinks and nibbles for award winners and their families, as well as representatives from Dunedin City Council and Kiwibank.

Meeting other award recipients was a highlight for Jane.

"They were lovely, lovely people. People from all walks of life, lots of different types of people who had done a variety of things in the community.”

Sonya (17), who was celebrated for her contribution to anti-bullying group Sticks ‘n’ Stones, was not able to attend, but told the Wanaka App she was honoured be recognised.

"It’s pretty incredible because I’m just a young person and I didn’t think I’d get anything amongst all these adults that have done far more than me,” Sonya said.

Sonya has been part of Sticks ‘n’ Stones for the last four years. She’s helped facilitate Pink Shirt Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day at school; visited Christchurch last school holidays to be part of the Vodafone Change Accelerator programme where she built a website for the group; attended a Wellington-based conference, ‘Positive Behaviour for Learning’; and is currently creating a new programme at school called Project Connect.

"I’m working with two other friends trying to make this programme that offers, especially new students, help with making friends and feeling a connection to the school, and to help promote friendships between seniors and juniors,” Sonya said.

Project Connect will be implemented at Mount Aspiring College in 2018, which is also Sonya’s final year of school.

Kiwibank received a total of 750 nominations for the awards from all around the country. Jane and Sonya were two of the 350 people around the country who were recognised for their exceptional work in the community.

PHOTO: Wanaka App