Announcement of the Service Awards Recipients for 2023
We are excited to announce and congratulate the 22 recipients of the Swimming NZ Service Awards for 2023. As part of our commitment to recognising the outstanding service given by members of our swimming community, we updated the criteria and process for these awards in 2023. We are grateful to have seen a significant increase in the nominations received, so thank you to everyone who nominated members to recognise their service to Swimming NZ.
This year we have introduced an Exemplary Service Award, in which we are stoked to congratulate Dianne Farmer (Manawatu) as the inaugural recipient of the Exemplary Service Award, in recognition of exceptional service, contribution and commitment to the sport of swimming at national level.
Dianne has over 33 years of experience and commitment to our sport, from being a technical official domestically and internationally, as well as holding administrative and governance roles within her club (Palmerston North Swim Club) and region (Swimming Manawatu).
Dianne commenced her service within the sport at Pahiatua Amateur Swimming Club in 1990 and has continued at her current club Palmerston North Swim Club since 1995. She is currently the administrator for Swimming Manawatu, in addition to being the President and Club Secretary for her club.
Dianne has officiated at multiple FINA (now known as World Aquatics) events as a technical official, including the Tokyo Olympics, and also been on the previous Technical Advisory Committee, where she has aided in the development of officials within New Zealand and shared her knowledge with her colleagues at national championships for many years.
We are grateful to Dianne for the many years of commitment she has provided to the delivery of our sport. It is through the commitment and service of people such as Dianne that we have the opportunity to race and come together as a swimming community. A big thank you and congratulations to Dianne for being the inaugural recipient of the Exemplary Service Award.
We would also like to acknowledge the other 21 recipients of Service Awards for their active service to Swimming NZ. Please join us in congratulating the following for their respective awards.
Service Awards
Awarded in recognition of active service of an outstanding nature for a period of not less than 6 years of continuous service to Swimming NZ. The Honours & Awards Committee may consider a lesser period where service has been of an exceptional level to Swimming NZ.
Congratulations to the following 8 recipients of this award:
Andy McFarlane | Canterbury West Coast |
Alison Collister | Canterbury West Coast |
Kim Berquist | Canterbury West Coast |
Glenys McKenzie | Canterbury West Coast |
Karen Wilkinson | Manawatu |
Noel Stevens | Wellington |
Russell Strange | Waikato |
Barry Ashcroft | Auckland |
Distinguished Service Award
Awarded in recognition of active service of an outstanding nature for a period of not less than 12 years of continuous service to Swimming NZ. The Honours & Awards Committee may consider a lesser period where service has been of an exceptional level to Swimming NZ.
Congratulations to the following 13 recipients of this award:
Keith Bone | Hawke’s Bay Poverty Bay |
Joanne Russell | Canterbury West Coast |
Helen Tait | Canterbury West Coast |
Christine Cassin | Canterbury West Coast |
Fiona Campbell | Canterbury West Coast |
Carlrine Gillespie | Northland |
Ross Gillespie | Northland |
Greg Forsythe | Wellington |
Jacqui Forsythe | Wellington |
Bruce Cotterill | Previous SNZ Board Member |
Margaret McKee | Previous SNZ Board Member |
Brent Layton | Previous SNZ Board Member |
Geoff Brown | Previous SNZ Board Member |
Exemplary Service Award
Awarded in recognition of exceptional service, contribution, and commitment to the sport of swimming at national level. Congratulations to our inaugural recipient:
Dianne Farmer | Manawatu |
Congratulations to all our recipients of our Service Awards and thank you for your continued service to the Swimming NZ Community.
