A Slice of History Proves A Winner for Takahe Short Story Competition

Ali Foster, entrant in the Mitre 10 Childrens' Short Story writing competition was 'overjoyed' to learn today that she is the winner of the competition, and that her story, 'Elwyn's Dream' is to be published by Random House.

The winning story 'Elwyn's Dream' is charming, gently humorous and based on an amazing true story. It tells of the imaginative and persistent Elwyn Welch of Mount Bruce near Masterton who used his bantams to raise chicks in the 1950's. Eventually Elwyn's farm because the foundation of Pukaha/ Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre.  Elwyn's widow, Mrs Shirley Welch, is delighted her husband's dream is to be printed and is thrilled for the author.

Ali Foster, mother of three and teachers aide from Masterton highlighted that she had been trying for decades to become a published author and this was proof that " if at first you don't succeed, try, try again" " For this competition I spent ages researching different story angles and following all sorts of leads.  Finally I reached a stage where I knew I had enough information and that's when this story just seemed to flow".

Ali who learnt to read Braille last year also hopes that her book once published will be available in Braille and as a talking book. " It might sound  a bit ambitious but having work with visually impaired children I now want to be able to share my success and the sentiments of the story with as many New Zealanders as possible." she said.

Paula Arblaster, Brand Manager, Mitre 10 believes that this story and the hundreds of others received in this inaugural takahe short story competition highlight the value that New Zealanders attach to looking after and learning about their native species. " With both this writing competition and the kids art competition we witnessed New Zealanders from far north and far south place a lot of time and effort into capturing the magic of takahe, the bird that was thought to be extinct".

"Mitre 10 Takahe Rescue resonates with all New Zealanders and now, with this children's book moving into the publishing process, our understanding of the role takahe has had in the history of New Zealand can be extended that little bit further" says Ms Arblaster.

The Foster family win a trip to Te Anau and a tour of the Department of Conservation takahe breeding unit a Burwood Bush.

Elwyn's Dream is not expected to be released in New Zealand until early 2008.

For further information please contact: Jane Arnott 0274 715 785, 03 355 8248, 03 355 1466

Additional: Quote from Random House

"Random House New Zealand is delighted that the Mitre 10 competition produced so many terrific stories. We are even more pleased to discover Ali Foster's lovely story Elwyn's Dream and we look forward to producing a beautiful illustrated picture book of it in early 2008. We think New Zealand children will thoroughly enjoy this story and that it will also serve to encourage conservation of the takahe. This has been a fantastic collaboration between the NZ National Parks & Conservation Foundation, Mitre 10 and Random House New Zealand.'

Jenny Hellen, Publisher Non-fiction and Children's, Random House New Zealand

Takahe Short Story Entrants: Short Lists Announced

Congratulations to all the short listed finalists in this competition. We tried hard to ensure that we could announce a single winner prior to Christmas along with providing advice about whether or not the winning author would be published, but unfortunately the number of readers who had to be commissioned to read  the hundreds of entries and the need for each reader to have time to discuss and assess each short listed entry meant that we could either rush the process or take more time. We decided it was in everyone's best interest to take more time.

By taking more time we are ensuring each entrant benefits from a more thorough process. All the readers have been impressed at the level of talent and research that has gone into the stories.

We will update this website late January and the readers along with Random House will be focussing on the competition once back from their Christmas and New Year.

Congratulations to the short listed entrants
 
Hannah Pearce
Helen Broughton
Hilda Sherwood
Ali Foster
H.J.Wakelin
Elaine Fisher
Stephen and Lisa Bryant
Viv Walker
Steve Jones
Angela Smith
Rosie Jeanne Mere
Audrey van Ryn
Peter Spedding
Ella Shields
Charlotte Allen

Significant Sponsorship from Mitre 10

Mitre 10 signed a three-year contract with DOC and the Foundation on September 2005. The contract is one of the Foundation's most significant sponsorships and involves Mitre 10 in a 3-year sponsorship commitment for the Takahe.

When Mitre 10 first decided to sponsor Takahe Recovery work being carried out by DOC Te Anau no one realised the true extent of Mitre 10's commitment or the number of opportunities to support the endangered Takahe that would emerge. In 2006, Mitre 10 lifted its original commitment of $150,000 over 3 years by adding a further $26,000 through the sale of Native NZ grasses at Palmers and the sale of Takahe soft toys throughout the 123 retail outlets. In addition Mitre 10 continues to build awareness of the takahe via well-promoted activities that engage customers and staff.

Branded as Mitre 10 Takahe Rescue, the nationwide co operative was attracted to the takahe following a letter written by a young Southlander, Sophie Smith. Sophie pleaded for the Foundation to identify a sponsor that could enable the DOC Burwood Bush breeding and rearing unit to expand its facilities and employ an extra ranger for the task of hand rearing takahe chicks.

Sophie therefore provided the human link to Takahe and presented Mitre 10 with the chance to respond with a fully-fledged cause related marketing programme that has goes from strength to strength.

To date Mitre 10, by virtue of Sophie and Takehe Rescue have appeared on a TVNZ Sunday programme that was hosted by Janet McIntyre, TV3 and TV1 news, the BBC Really Wild Show and a Sunday 8 October NZ Women's Weekly. What's more Sophie has gone on to become a joint winner of the 2006 Youth Hostels Association Tui Award for Young Conservationist of the Year.

As for the newspapers and magazines, well there have been too many Mitre 10 Takahe rescue and Sophie appearances and articles to mention.

According to Alan Nees General Manager, Marketing the impact of the sponsorship on staff and customers has been overwhelming.

Mitre 10 have just launched their second Kids Art competition and this year they have also launched a children's short story competition. For more information please refer to the press releases.