Colour Your Community - we doubled the winners!
Dear Neighbourly members - we were completely blown away with this year's entries for Resene Colour Your Community.
We couldn't pick just five winners so we've picked 12!! These organisations, proudly nominated by awesome people in their community, are all receiving up to $1000 of Resene paints, wood stains and painting accessories for them to complete their local projects.
Please join us in congratulating:
1) Waipu Evolution - nominated by Philippa Ross
2) Ngaruawahia Community - nominated by Jannaya Herbes
3) Vaka Tautua (Mangere, Auckland) - nominated by Anele Siaopo
4) Eastside Community (Masterton) - nominated by Maria Bennett
5) Tokomaru Community - nominated by Caitlyn Veerbeek
6) Glen Innes Community (Auckland) - nominated by Sara Haddon
7) Whakatane Society of Arts and Crafts - nominated by Rodney Thompson
8) Westport 7 day makeover - nominated Graham Howard-Mills
9) Belfast Playcentre (Christchurch) - nominated by Chris O'Rourke
10) Otari Wilton School (Karori, Wellington) - nominated by Raylyn Christian
11) Potter Home (Whangarei) - nominated by Mandy Beazley
12) Pukenui Forest signage project (Onerahi) - nominated by Shirley Peterson
Please join us in sending a huge congratulations to these twelve wonderful winners.
ALSO: keep an eye out next month for the Splash of Christmas Colour Cheer with your chance to vote on who gets a painty present. More soon!
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Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
Head for bed
Short on space? Why not make a slatted headboard finished in Resene Colorwood Whitewash and incorporate shelves that can be moved into position as a side table between the slats.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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