This year we nominated Big Brothers Big Sisters volunteer Tracy for the Individual Award at the 2024 Hawke's Bay Volunteer Excellence Awards (pictured L-R: Hayley – Programme Manager, Tracy – mentor/nominee, Bridget – Programme Administrator).

Tracy has been a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters since April 2022, matched with her 13-year-old mentee, Tureiti. Tracy has been a constant presence in Tureiti's life, seeing her for two to three hours every week, and being a stable positive influence through some challenging times, especially navigating through the harder aspects of coming into the teen years.

Tracy and Tureiti have a close relationship and speak openly with each other, enjoying the simple things in life such as cooking, baking, listening to music, visiting the beach, and having picnics together. Tureiti enjoys the time spent together and having a one-on-one relationship with someone to speak to about any aspect of her life where she may need advice.

Tureiti says her relationship with Tracy is very important to her and that she feels close to her; if something is bothering Tureiti, Tracy always listens to her and offers her good advice.

Tracy was nominated by the whole Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawke's Bay team because she goes above and beyond for our organisation by spreading the word about us, putting her hand up to speak at events alongside Tureiti and attending all our match events. Tracy has a radiant personality that impacts all of those around her. Her sense of humour brings light into conversations and her warmth makes those around her feel at ease. It's easy to see that Tracy is truly passionate about mentoring with the kōrero she gives when she speaks to people about her mentoring experience.