Brooke Davies received Sportsperson of the Year for her achievements in Aerobic Gymnastics.
The highest degree of sporting, cultural, community and arts achievements among Otago University students have been celebrated with the awarding of Blues and Golds.
The annual awards, co-ordinated by OUSA in collaboration with the University of Otago, were held in front of a happy audience on Thursday, after a hiatus of two years.
University of Otago Events Co-ordinator Megan Goodwin says the event was a huge success.
“It is very exciting that the Blues and Golds Awards have been able to proceed this year in a full in person format, for the first time since 2019.
“It's such a privilege to have been able to acknowledge these students in person, recognising and celebrating the highest degree of sporting, arts, cultural and community achievements among University of Otago students.”
Bachelor of Science student Brooke Davies received the top award of Sportsperson of the Year for her high performance in and service to aerobic gymnastics.
Brooke has competed in the Gymnastics New Zealand aerobics international stream since 2013 and competed in the 2022 World Senior Aerobic Championships.
Kobe Miller (Rowing), Olivia Thornbury (Triathlon), and Janus Staufenberg (Triathlon) received highly commended awards in the same category.
Among the recipients for the wider awards are Corey Symon who received a Blues award for Fencing and Rugby player Katie Hensman who received Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community.
Sports Club of the Year went to Otago University Disc Golf Club.
OUSA president Melissa Lama says it is important to uplift and acknowledge the University's students in the community who are thriving in various spaces.
“We want to celebrate their achievements and give our support for their hard work to achieve at a high level.”
Blues awards, for sporting success, have been awarded since 1908 while Golds, which acknowledge arts and cultural achievements, were added in 2002.
Congratulating this year's winners:
Sportsperson of the Year: Brooke Davies - Aerobic Gymnastics
Highly commended: Kobe Miller - Rowing, Olivia Thornbury - Triathlon, Janus Staufenberg - Triathlon.
Māori Sportsperson of the Year: Hugo Swinson – Ultimate Frisbee
OUSA Coach of the Year: Olivia Lemon - University Albion Netball Club
Highly commended: Josh Mackay - Otago University Debating Society
Special mention: Gabriel Martin - Otago University Badminton Club
OUSA Sports Club of the Year: Otago University Disc Golf Club
OUSA Society of the Year: UniQ
Highly commended: Animal Aquatic Plant Ecological Society (AAPES), Otago Mathematics and Physics Students Association
OUSA Cultural Society of the Year: Otago Vietnamese Student Association
Highly commended: Otago Japanese Students' Association
Special mention: Otago Singapore Club
Outstanding Member of the Dunedin Community: Ranisha Chand
Outstanding Member of the University of Otago Community: Kathleen (Katie) Hensman
Highly commended: Megan O'Malley
OUSA Silver Service: Graydon Scott - Otago University Ultimate Club, Kathleen (Katie) Hensman - Otago University Snow Sports Club, Ashley Jenkins - Otago University Rugby League Club, Fraser Towers - Otago University Association Football Club, Josh Mackay - Otago University Debating Society, Olivia Lemon - University Albion Netball Club, Kyle Matthews - Ice Hockey, Gabriel Martin - Otago University Badminton Club, Tabitha Littlejohn - Theatre, Jordan Wichman - Theatre, Jaiden Tucker - Otago University Debating Society.
Blues Awards: Lea Muetzel - Martial Arts, Will White - Beach Volleyball, Eric Stratton - Beach Volleyball, Eligh Ashby - Open Water Swimming, Daryl Areai - Football, Alisa Tautagaloa - Football, Connor Bacchus - Rowing, Olivia Thornbury - Triathlon, Corey Symon - Fencing, Sophia Tweddle - Fencing, Russell Green - Athletics, Angus Hamilton - Beach Handball, Kristina Hames - Beach Handball, Mhairi-Bronté Duncan - Curling, Ella Price - Rowing, Claudia Kinder - Rowing, Hugo Swinson - Ultimate, Oliver Donaldson - Beach Handball, Annalise Wilson - Beach Handball.
Golds Awards: Cameron Monteath - Music, Lillian Gibbs – Vocalist, Sarah Hubbard – Vocalist.
Kōrero by Internal Communications Adviser Chelsea McRae