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Innovative thinking rewarded

16 May, 2019

The high standard of applications from Ara’s mechanical engineering students made it difficult for the Gordon Fairweather Trust to choose only two recipients.

Therefore Trustees Executors and the Awards Committee decided to add a special award.

All three awards were handed over to the engineering students last night (15 May) in a ceremony at Ara’s Kahakura building.

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(From left to right) Nathaniel Thomas, Rebecca Jones, Michael Edmonds (Ara Head of Department Engineering and Architectural Studies) and Sue Addison (of Trustees Executors for the Gordon Fairweather Trust)

James McArthur is the winner of the special award for his final degree project ($1,000). Together with Ministry of Awesome he is working on completing an aerodynamic analysis with the aim of developing concept track car, which laps quicker than a formula one car.

Nathaniel Thomas received the Diploma Student award ($2,000) for his exceptional marks, thorough application and outstanding references.

The Degree Student Award ($2,000) went to Rebecca Jones. The Awards Committee noted her interest in exploring 3D printing applications to assist amputees and the Awards Committee members hope the award encourages her to pursue this project in the future.

The scholarship has been established through the generosity of the Fairweather family in memory of Gordon Fairweather, a marine engineer and one of the enterprising founders of Blackwell Motors in 1923. The scholarship has aided students in their mechanical and engineering studies since 1975.

Sue Addison of Trustees Executors presented the awards and encouraged applicants who missed out not to be upset but to continue to focus on their studies and engineering interests and apply next year.

“Take some comfort you have been one of a group of outstanding Ara engineering students, who have given the selection committee a difficult task.

“On behalf of Trustees Executors and the Gordon Fairweather Trust we congratulate each of the recipients and I am sure we will all watch with interest as they progress in their particular fields of interest.”