StarJam Hero Awards
On 31st May at our monthly gathering in Auckland, we had our second ever presentation of Hero Awards. Even though it was a three day weekend luring many people out of town, over 100 Jammers and their supporters came to enjoy the Awards presentation, the CoolJam Show Offs and enjoy each other’s company. TV2 presenters Dayna Vawdrey and Matt Gibb kindly came to present the Awards. Again, as with the first series of awards, each member of the StarJam office team, nominated a hero.

Joshua Dainty was the first up in our new batch of heroes. Josh was nominated by Julie Bartlett for bravery and courage. He has done extremely well at school recently despite some big physical challenges and lots of changes in his life.

Josh receives his award from Matt & Dayna.

In 2007, Josh (bottom right) during the recording of Queen of Hearts.

Katrina Williams was ‘dobbed in’ by Jessie Harris. At the West Auckland Sensational Singing workshop, the Jammers bring along their favourite CDs for their solo and duet items. Katrina noticed that fellow Jammer, Matthew Brent-Jones, who recently joined the workshop, wasn’t bringing along any CDs. So she figured out what his favourite music was and following week brought along a CD of Matthew’s fave music for him. Her thoughtfulness was noticed…and very much appreciated.

Matt & Dayna congratulate a smiling Katrina.

Katrina in StarJam Rocks ‘05 (Picture by Patrick Bellett)

Daniel Gourlay nominated Callum Attwell for his courage to fly stunts in a tiny plane. It is true that many were envious of Callum winning this prize but they were put to the test during the awards presentation. We screened the video of the flight, which was shot by pilot Richard Hood. Everyone watching made loud ooooh and ahhhhh noises as the planed turned upside down and the land swapped places with the sky over and over. Fasten your seatbelt and watch the video here

Callum receives his Hero award from Matt & Dayna.

At Whangarei airport, pilot Richard Hood with his two ’suspects’, Mark and Callum.

Sheryl Takayama nominated volunteer, Janene Laughton. Janene has gone an extra hundered miles in providing support for the ‘Westie’ Singers who are a super-energetic and enthusiastic bunch of Jammers. This workshop is bursting at the seams and there have been more than a few tears shed when it comes to enrolment time each term and the places are all very quickly taken up.

Hugs all round as Janene receives her Hero award.

Janene lines up for her photo with Matt & Dayna.

Darryl Pascoe is that kind of guy who’s always in the right place at the right time. Darryl who is reliably there to set up what ever needs setting up and to pack it away afterwards, was nominated by Roy Bartlett. He’s a volunteer extraordinaire!

Darryl setting up drums at a rehearsal.

Darryl seems to enjoy the hugs for heroes too.

CoolJam Show Offs
This month we were treated to a brilliant ’show off’ by Central Groovy Guitars. They have achieved so much in a short time. Newest Groovy Guitarist Nicholas Leggat gave a performance of a song he has just written after joining the workshop only a few months ago. There was pin-drop silence as he started singing but then captured by the song, everyone started clapping along. He appeared very happy with his first ever performance. While a few people were wiping away tears, the Central Hip Hoppers took to the floow to show off their latest moves. Great stuff!

Groovy Guitarist, Nicholas Leggat after his solo.

The Central Hip Hoppers with their cool moves.