Notable news around Marlborough

Holiday honours
The King’s Birthday Honours announced on Monday recognised three Marlburians.

Former Marlborough Harbourmaster Captain Alex van Wijngaarden, who was honoured for services to the maritime industry, and Dr Paul Davidson, for services to documentary filmmaking, each was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

Picton’s Joy Fletcher received the King’s Service Medal for services to the community.

Winning vintners
Kris Godsall from Cloudy Bay emerged as the Marlborough Young Viticulturist of the Year last Thursday, securing him a spot in the August final for New Zealand Young Viticulturist of the Year.

Kris, 24, placed first in both the trellising and hortisports sections. Harry Watson from Berakah Vineyard Management took second for Young Vit, winning the nutrition section, and Isaac Langley from Pecchenino Viticulture Services placed third.

Also at the New Zealand Winegrowers’ Blenheim ceremony, Cameron Hunter from Matua got the Professional Reputation Award.

Piano prodigy
Girvan Dick, a 13-year-old student at Bohally Intermediate, received the Queen Elizabeth II Music Award in recognition of outstanding achievements in piano despite only playing for five years.

The award, presented by Mayor Nadine Taylor last Friday in Council Chambers, honours musicians 18 and under living in Marlborough or Kaikōura districts who pass Grade VIII instrumental or Grade VI vocal examinations.

Scholarship ceremony
NMIT doled out $33,000 in scholarships to five students in a ceremony last Thursday at the Marlborough campus.

Viticulture and winemaking student Lindis McMurray received the $13,000 Marlborough Research Centre Student Internship; aeronautical engineering student Matt Rawlinson, the $10,000 New Zealand Aviation Federation Scholarship; nursing student Caitlin Hawkes-Bradding, the $8,000 Churchill Private Hospital Trust Scholarship; and nursing students Hayley Gill and Maggie Pan, each a Zonta Club of Marlborough Scholarship.