Mr and Mrs Thomson, who won the farmer-grower category, were described in their nomination as backbone members of their local community — and the four judges agreed.
The couple are the third winners of the initiative, which was established to celebrate the South Island’s food and fibre producing champions: folk who make their own communities a better place to live and contribute to New Zealand’s biggest export industry.
The humble Lora Gorge couple were key drivers behind their community’s purchase of the local Otapiri and Lora Gorge Hall, which was at risk of closure.
The couple have long had a hefty involvement in their community and when they moved to farm the 360ha Lora Gorge property, it did not stop.
Both have been heavily involved with the Makarewa Headwaters Catchment Group since its inception in 2019 and Mr Thomson is co-chairman.
He is also on the Makarewa River liaison committee, an advisory role working with Environment Southland.
He is heavily involved in rugby and the Drummond-Limehills Star Club, working his way through the ranks, and he is a central Southland representative on the Rugby Southland advisory committee.
They were also passionate about protecting the native bush on their property and had been working closely with the local QEII representative.
Lindsay Wright, of Wendonside, was named rural services champion for his large involvement in his local community and also the wider Southland district, through the Rural Support Trust.
Kate Ivey, who runs an online fitness business from her rural home in the Mackenzie district, won the People’s Choice award.
