The Upper Clutha rural community came together last month for the annual Wānaka A&P Winter Crop Competition Awards and Fundraising Auction, raising an impressive $50,000 to support a range of local initiatives.
Held at the Upper Clutha Rugby Clubrooms, the event was organised by the Rotary Club of Wānaka in partnership with the Wānaka A&P Foundation. Farmers, sponsors and supporters from across the region gathered to celebrate excellence in winter crop growing while helping raise funds for important community projects.
“We are delighted with the awards night,” organising chair Deans Hudson said.
“We had great participation from the farmers and some enthusiastic bidding during the auction.
“This is the fifth year the Rotary Club of Wānaka has organised the awards which have now raised more than $250,000 for local groups.”
Funds raised from this year’s event will support the purchase of night vision goggles for the Otago Rescue Helicopter Trust, a nerve pain barrier machine for Dunstan Hospital, and literacy and numeracy packs for Upper Clutha children starting school through a Rotary Club of Wānaka initiative.
The competition recognised the region’s top-performing winter crops across eight divisions, including swedes, turnips, kale and fodderbeet. Entries were assessed on yield, quality and presentation.
This year’s Supreme Winner was Jake Ruddenklau, whose dryland (non-irrigated) turnip crop stood out among the field. Head judge Rod Pemberton praised the crop for its excellent weed control and high yield.
Upper Clutha A&P Society chair Keith Cooper said the society was pleased to support causes that make a real difference in the community and congratulated the entrants, winners and Rotary Club of Wānaka on another successful event.
The Rotary Club of Wānaka also acknowledged the Wānaka A&P Foundation and the many local businesses whose sponsorship and support helped make the fundraiser possible.
Full List of Winners
Supreme Winner: Jake Ruddenklau
Irrigated Swedes: Arthur Chapman Cohen of Nine Mile
Dry Land Swedes: Doug Andrews of Makarora River Ranch
Dry Land Turnips: Jake Ruddenklau
Turnips and Grass: Mike Scurr of Hillend Station
Irrigated Kale: Erica Phiskie of Hillview Trust
Dry Land Kale: Doug Andrews Makarora River Ranch
Fodderbeet: Hayden Dickey of Grandview
Other: Stewart Perriam of Bendigo Station Rape and Grass irrigate
Photos: Tyler Glover