Wally Kite was presented with an Honorary Life Membership at the Annual General Meeting in South Auckland on Thursday 6 June 2013 to a standing ovation.

Wally joined the Association in 1960, registering his first animals in 1961.  Conformation of the Kiteroa herd has always been of the highest standard with many Excellent cows bred and show champions at Royal and A & P Shows.  He has an exceptional eye for what qualities cattle should have and has become a highly respected Judge of not only Ayrshire cattle, but over all breeds. He has judged Royal Shows in Australia and New Zealand.  Over the years he has helped many younger people with their judging and also preparing cattle for the show ring.  Production from the herd has been achieved consistently high over the years enabling the stud to have an annual sale for 42 years.  Several highly rated sires have gone on to benefit the Ayrshire breed greatly.  In 1987 he donated the Kiteroa Trophy to the Association which is awarded annually for the person/s contributing most to the Ayrshire breed.  A higher achiever for the Ayrshire breed you could not find.

Audrey Stevenson of Glenkylie Ayrshires, Te Anau, is the winner of the Kiteroa Trophy for the person who has contributed most to the Ayrshire breed in the 2012/13 year.

Audrey has been an active member for over 25 years and has always promoted the Ayrshire breed and it's attributes to other dairy farmers, both stud and commercial.  She is a joint owner of a very succesful large scale self-contained dairy operation and is still very much involved in the management of the business.  Time is also found to be a Senior Judge and a TOP Inspector.

Audrey put forward a suggestion to the Youth Committee to hold an Ayrshire seminar specifically for our new and younger members to target their needs around agribusiness and breed matters and of course socially getting together and creating new networks and friendships.  To date we have had three seminars over the past four years.  This award is in recognition for Audrey's efforts and organising skills that were used to put together the most recent Seminar held in Canterbury in April 2013.  With a selection of agribusiness workshops and some herd visits including a judging session she was able to attract a good number of interested young people from Southland to Northland to attend what was a very successful seminar.  For her dedication and commitment to our younger members, the Youth Committee wish to congratulate Audrey Stevenson for winning this award.

BELL BOOTH ACHEIVER AWARDS

SARAH LEECH (pictured), Atlantic Ayrshires,Tirau, has had a passion for the Ayrshire breed from a very young age beginning at calf club level and then moving on to the show circuit.  This year alone she has attended 11 shows.  As well has her job in a veterinary clininc, she has to find time to prepare the animals for every show which demonstrates the enthusiasm and dedication she has for the Ayrshire breed.  Sarah won the Arran Trophy for the Ayrshire Young Judge Competition at the Royal in Hamilton this year and then went on to represent Ayrshire New Zealand by participating in the World Wide Sires All Breeds Young Judge Competition at NZ Dairy Event, placing a commendable third equal.  Her handling skills have always been of the highest, winning the Fredrickson Trophy for Senior Young Handler several times during her showing career.  Sarah is currently on the Association's Youth Committee and is always happy to lend a helping hand to other members when needed.

KYLEE PERRETT , Sentinal Ayrshires, Stratford, has been involved with Ayrshires since she could walk, and began leading in the show ring as a 5 year old.  She has helped select show stock since her early teens and has been an enthusiastic member of the Sentinal team every season without fail.  Young handler classes have been Kylee's forte and she won the Western Districts Young Handler competition five times.  Kylee is the only person to have won the Ayrshire Young Judge Competition in two consecutive years and is curently pursuing her Senior Judges ticket.  Last year, Kylee won the senior section of the Association's Youth Achiever Awards.  Kylee has been Secretary of the Taranaki Ayrshire Club since 2010 and is admired and appreciated by club members.

DISTINGUISHED MEMBER AWARDS

EVAN WRIGHT, Breadalbane Ayrshires, Kaiwaka, is the son of Harry Wright who founded the Pukepunga Stud.  With his wife Michelle Evan founded the Breadalbane Stud.  He has held the position of Chairman of the Northland Club and is currently Chairman of the Mid North Club.  Evan enters into and supports all competitions and activities organised by the Northern clubs and actively promotes Ayrshires wherever he can.  He has served on the Semayr Board, is a Judge and a TOP inspector.

IAN MCCAUL, Kowhai Ayrshires, New Plymouth, became a member of the Taranaki Club in 1975, although he took responsibility for the Kowhai Stud with his mum, Edna, after the sudden death of his father in 1970.  Ian had the advantage of being born into a family with Ayrshire connections going back several generations, that being his mothers family, the Halls.  Ian was President of the Taranaki Club from 1986-88 and has been a supportive member for many years.  He is a Senior Judge and Classifier and chaired the Conference Committee on two occasions when Taranaki hosted National Conference.  Ian is currently President of both the Taranaki Agriculture Society and the Stratford A & P Association.  Ian has also been invaluable with his assistance at the bull farm when required.  He is ony too happy to help out at club events even at short notice, and organised the club annual heifer sale for several years.  On a lighter note Ian is the present holder if the Annual Conference Stirrers Spoon, a much sought-after award.