10 September 2008 New Blues and Golds awards will recognise achievements of Lincoln University alumni

Just as education is a life-long process, so too can involvement in sport, cultural activities and other such areas of endeavour continue long after formal “student days” have been replaced by careers and the broader commitments of adulthood.

To acknowledge the on-going life achievements of graduates and former students, Lincoln University’s Alumni Association is introducing a new category of Blues and Golds awards to match those of the Blues and Golds awarded annually to enrolled students who shine in particular sports or cultural activities. 

“We know there are many of our old students out there who have continued to achieve great things in sport  -  both playing and as coaches and administrators  -  and great things too in cultural and community activities,” says Alumni Association Manager Sarah Currie.

“Like our currently enrolled students, they deserve recognition for what they have done after leaving Lincoln University.”

Sarah says such recognition and acknowledgement is consistent with her idea of creating a “Lincoln University community” to which everyone belongs -  past and present students alike.

“It will also help reinforce for today’s students the calibre of those who have been at Lincoln University before them,” she says. “It will give them a set of role models for their own lives after university.”

To kick off the new category of awards, the Lincoln University Alumni Association is presenting a special cricket Blue to all the members of the 1968 Lincoln College First XI. This is the team that was on the ill-fated inter-island ferry Wahine, heading for Easter Tournament at Massey University, when it sank in the fierce storm of 10 April 1968.

The Tournament match at Massey was never played but team members have remained in contact and the full side  -  all 15 originals  -  came together for a 30-years-on match in Blenheim in 1998.

This year the Wahine team took the field again, 40-years-on from the disaster, to play three matches in the Golden Oldies World Cricket Festival and they won the Friendship Award.

“Members of that 1968 team have shown remarkable loyalty to one another, devotion to their sport and enjoyment of the game against all odds,” says Sarah. “These are all attributes that many teams aspire to. We are delighted to recognise this with the award of a cricket Blue to each of the members.”

These Blues and other inaugural Blues and Golds for alumni will be announced and presented at Lincoln University’s 2008 Awards Night on 17 September in the Student Union Dining Hall on the campus.

A number of the original 15 Wahine team members will be there to receive their awards in person.