Sanitarium 2009 Ambassador Award Recipients

Media Release
18 September 2009

Sanitarium Announces 2009 Ambassador Award Recipients

Prime Minister John Key and Sanitarium General Manager Pierre van Heerden today announced the recipients of the Sanitarium Health Food Company’s 2009 Ambassador Awards.

The annual Sanitarium Ambassador Awards recognise employees who embody the company’s spirit. This year a total of 12 ‘Living the Mission’ and three overall Branch Ambassador Awards were presented during a ceremony held at the company’s factory and Head Office in Royal Oak, Auckland.

Each recipient was nominated by their peers as displaying one or more components of Sanitarium’s mission, and awards were given for: Purpose and Passion; Service with Intergrity; Leadership and Innovation; Community Companion; and Happy, Healthy Living.

The 2009 Living the Mission recipients are:

* Purpose and Passion: Peter Glassie, Shailesh Patel and Albert Mata’afa

* Service with Integrity: Tomasi Buwawa, Trina Bicknell and Ming Yi-Huang

* Leadership and Innovation: Lee Moore and Uliti Uilou

* Community Companion: Gavin Liggett and Kinsa Dawson

* Happy, Healthy Living: Zhilah Amon and Oliver Lawer

All recipients and nominees were in the running for the Sanitarium Branch Ambassador Awards and a recipient from each branch was chosen: Warren Ashby, an Engineer from Christchurch; Linda Rex, a member of the Flake Biscuit Department from Auckland; and Kinsa Dawson, the Route and Food Service Manager from Puhoi.

Each Branch Ambassador Award recipient received a trophy and a financial gift of $1,250. In addition, Sanitarium will make a donation of $1,250 to a charity of each recipient’s choice.

Warren Ashby, an engineer based in Sanitarium’s Christchurch Manufacturing Unit, was rewarded for his dedication and drive for continuous improvement of the company’s Christchurch Factory over his impressive 45 years of service with Sanitarium. Warren was also recognised for his work with his local Seventh-day Adventist Church and his local community.

Linda Rex, who works on the Flake Biscuit line at Sanitarium’s Auckand Manufacturing Unit, and has worked with Sanitarium for 23 years, was recognised as being a pillar in her community and at work. Linda’s reliability, dependability, enthusiasm, loyalty, compassion and dedication were cited as reasons for her award.

Kinsa Dawson, the Route and Food Service Manager for Sanitarium, was nominated for her positive attitude, passion for the company, professional service and empathy. Ms Dawson was described by colleagues as a very encouraging and supportive person in the workplace, and her commitment to charity work was also recognised.

Sanitarium’s General Manager New Zealand, Pierre van Heerden, says the company is incredibly proud of the 2009 Ambassador Award recipients.

“The award recipients recognised today display the Sanitarium Spirit and offer inspiration to their workmates and the wider community. Their passion and enthusiasm shines through and we are incredibly lucky to have them as part of the Sanitarium team,” says Mr van Heerden.

ENDS

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