Community Awards Benefit Community Groups

Sumner Community Pool

Sumner Community Residents Association

Heathcote Cricket Club

Sumner Silver Band

Kahukura Charitable Trust

Recipients of the Sumner Ferrymead Foundation Annual Community Awards Programme were recognised at the Foundation’s Scholarships & Awards evening held at the Mt Pleasant Community Centre.

The Community Awards were introduced last year to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Sumner Ferrymead Foundation. Trustee Andrew Clark said the number of applications had increased significantly over last year as more clubs, groups and organisations became aware of them. “We were thrilled with the response and shows the real need for community awards like these. Not only is there a need for these awards, there is a need for sponsors of these awards too. We’d love to chat to anyone who is interested in getting involved.

The recipient of the $10,000 major award was Sumner Community Pool. The funds will be used for urgent repairs and, where required, replacement of equipment which has been in place at the pool for 25-30 years and is now at the end of its life. Julia Allott, the secretary for the Sumner Community Pool, said the pool was run by volunteers and they would struggle to stay open without the chlorine analyser/pump as they are required to perform 4 chlorine tests per day whilst keeping the chlorine levels in the pool at acceptable levels. “The timing of this award is perfect as the company who maintains the pool will have everything in place and operational in time for the 2025/26 season. We’re delighted to have won a community award, and to be a recipient of the Major Award is a bonus.

The $5,000 Environment Award went to the Sumner Community Residents Association and will be used for a programme that aims to engage over 3,000 households and businesses to recycle non-yellow bin items at the Hub. “To enhance our environmental initiatives and impact, we are partnering with local schools and businesses from Heathcote and Ferrymead through to Sumner. We want to foster mindful consumption and contribute to a closed-loop economy” said their Chair, Andrea Davis.

Heathcote Cricket Club was the recipient of the $5,000 Sports Award. “Our all-weather, astroturf training nets are in need of significant TLC to bring them up to an acceptable standard” said President Ralph Bungard. “The nets are the only artificial turf training nets in the Sumner-Ferrymead catchment and are available for the wider community to use so whilst the Heathcote Cricket Club received the award it’s great that anyone in our community can use them.

The $5,000 Arts & Culture Award was given to the Sumner Silver Band and will be used to restore and paint the ceiling before installing acoustic panels in the building where they meet. “Installing acoustic panels on the ceiling will markedly reduce the echoing nature of the hall, making it a far better venue not only for the Sumner Silver Band but also for other musical activities which may take place” said their Treasurer, Peter Thorby.

The final award, the $5,000 Education Award went to Kahukura Charitable Trust based in Heathcote.

We consistently strive to improve the riding experience for students whilst ensuring they learn proper animal care practices,” said the Trust Chair Arifah Addison. “In line with the aim of the Trust we take those with special needs at a reduced or free rate, providing opportunities that would not otherwise be available to them. The wider community will also gain from this as they are drawn to Heathcote Valley because of its semi-rural nature which the riding school has helped preserve.

There is a consistent theme amongst the winners” said Clark; “it’s not just the club or organisation that benefits from the award, but the broader community does too – be it a pool that the community can use, improved cricket grounds all can use, music at community events, a cleaner greener environment…. We’re fortunate to live in the Sumner Ferrymead community.