Awards for top social work students

Kimberley Dewhurst and Rosina Montagnini are this year’s recipients of Massey’s two major social work prizes awarded to fourth-year students.

The 2012 Merv Hancock and Ephra Garrett Awards were presented at a prize giving at the Manawatu campus on Tuesday afternoon. It is the tenth year the prizes have been awarded.

The awards are named in honour of social work pioneers Ephra Garrett and Merv Hancock who established Massey’s social work degree – the first at a New Zealand university. Recipients are nominated by their peers and School of Health and Social Services staff, and recognised for their leadership.

Kimberley Dewhurst, from Matamata, said the Merv Hancock Award was a “real honour”. She was praised as a role model, and for her involvement in putting together a report and successfully obtaining funding for the revitalisation of the Bill Brown Community Centre.

Rosina Montagnini (Muaupoko) of Palmerston North was awarded the Ephra Garrett Award, which acknowledges the achievements of a Maori student. She is a recipient of Te Rau Puawai Scholarship and was recognised as a leader among her peers, valued for her maturity and wisdom, and also played a major role in facilitating the student support for Noho Marae.

Mr Hancock and Lyn Garrett, Ephra’s son, and his partner Linden Loader and daughter Chloe attended the event, and presented a certificate and a $500 cheque to the winners.