Housing engagement awards celebrated

 

Housing’s Community Liaison team re-introduced a number of competitions this year to encourage residents of all ages to shout about what they like best about the place they live in.

 

There were three competitions: gardens, photography and ‘going the extra mile’. There were six categories in the Garden Competition, from Junior Gardeners, which was awarded to Liberation Court, to overall Best Garden, won by Nina Pereira of Les Cinq Chenes.

 

Melodie Taylor, who is resident at La Collette won the Photographic Competition with her entry called ‘Just Reaching for the Sun, Like Us All’ which is now on display at the Housing Department reception area at Jubilee Wharf.

 

There were joint winners in the Going the Extra Mile competition. Nessie Bekusch and Helen Hogan were each nominated by their neighbours for making an extra effort with residents, getting involved and helping to develop community spirit.

 

This year the Community Liaison team introduced a special award to recognise efforts made in building better communication between the department and its customers, especially acknowledging work to encourage residents of all ages to get involved and take pride in their communities.

 

The winner of the inaugural award was Frank Tyrell, who lives at Clos Gosset. Mr Tyrrell was commended for his unstinting work over many years in generating a great community spirit, particularly among younger people, by showing the benefits of respecting the environment, through activities such as gardening, and promoting a healthy lifestyle through sport.

 

The Housing Minister, Deputy Andrew Green and the Assistant Housing Minister, Deputy John Refault attended the evening’s celebrations at the Pomme d'Or Hotel along with officers from the Department.

 

Deputy Green said “We had a terrific evening, celebrating the very best of what makes our communities special places in which to live. It was an opportunity for us to get together and cheer those people who take great pride in their homes, and their surroundings. The more we can build a sense of civic pride and neighbourliness, the stronger our relationship will become.”