An awesome Victory

BY ALICE COWDREY

Nelson's Victory has lived up to its name – it is now officially New Zealand's top community.

Victory won the community section in the inaugural New Zealander of the Year awards, announced in Auckland last night, receiving a trophy and $5000.

A proud and excited group of people gathered at Victory Community Centre this morning, hugging and grinning from ear to ear to congratulate each other.

"We were beside ourselves when we heard we had won – everyone just went nuts. There was so much screaming," said Trish Moir, one of the Victory residents who nominated the community for the award.

Over the past 10 years, members of the community have worked hard to turn Victory from one of the city's scruffiest areas into a suburb with strong community spirit.

The success of the turnaround meant Victory was an ideal nominee for community of the year, said Victory Primary School board of trustees chairwoman Helen Watson, who put together the 2000-word entry.

The entry was for "Victory Village" – a combination of the school and Victory Community Health Centre.

Mrs Watson attended the awards ceremony, and said she felt a "funny calmness" and couldn't stop smiling after the announcement.

The Victory community would be feeling proud, she said. "It just reminds people that there are great little pockets in New Zealand, and Victory is one of them."

Victory Primary School principal Mark Brown said it was recognition for a community that had a dream and a vision to make Victory a safe and happy place.

"This place has heart and spirit. It's about making a difference. People here are doing it – it's good-old Kiwi pride."

Victory Community Centre manager Kindra Douglas said the suburb belonged to everyone who worked, played or lived there. "If you come here and you are a part of it, it's yours. It's also about the people who live here and have a sense of pride."

Senior Constable John O'Donovan, the Victory community constable from March 2000 until late 2005, said he was proud, and there were many people who had contributed to Victory's "journey".

"It brings to my mind a succession of people who have all played a part over the years, and many unsung heroes not mentioned in newspapers. It's awesome what everyone doing a small bit can do. This is not the community of 2000, but one of vibrancy and such a positive outlook. It's set for years to come."

The award judges called Victory a unique example of community-based support achieving positive health, social and educational outcomes. The community was represented at the awards by Mrs Watson, Gareth Cashin, Leanne Curtis and Andrew Button, and Nelson-based Labour list MP Maryan Street.

Former Motueka High School student Matt Truman, 25, a former national president of child cancer charity CanTeen, was a finalist in the Young New Zealander of the Year section of the awards but missed out to 24-year-old campaigner Divya Dhar, of Auckland.

A celebration of the Victory community will be held on Sunday, February 14 with The Little Day Out in Victory Square, which will include local musicians and activities and food stalls. The event, from 2pm to 6pm, has been organised by the community association to raise money for a community barbecue for the square.

- © Fairfax NZ News