Vodafone NZ Foundation winners

“Two for the price of one!” Passionate about plants, Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust nursery workers Margaret Suman and Anita Pillai have received funding from Vodafone New Zealand Foundation for 2004. They entered their “World of Difference” competition with the hope of securing one year’s funding for their salaries and expenses to continue their work at the Trust’s nursery.

As one of the eight national finalists selected from over 300 entries, of which only four would receive funding, it was a very anxious wait to hear the judges’ final decision.

Securing this funding means that Anita and Margaret can continue with their roles as co-managers of the nursery and receive payment for it. They had volunteered one year of their time to propagate the plants required for the penguin habitats after the nursery manager retired at the end of 2002. Funding restraints meant the Trust could not afford to replace him until external funding was found. Both are qualified in horticulture and botany and have huge job satisfaction from this work and supporting a worthy cause.

The Trust is indebted to Anita and Margaret for their passion which has won the funding for both them and the Trust. One judge was in awe of the comment “People, plants and penguins”.

And the Trust is indebted to Vodafone New Zealand Foundation for recognising this passion and giving an award to Margaret and Anita. We look forward to an exciting year working alongside Vodafone and the nursery co-managers.

Check out Margaret and Anita’s monthly diaries at the Vodafone World of Difference.