2026 Annual Student Awards

Leadership in Sustainability/Volunteering

Not all heroes wear capes. Some just go out and volunteer until their hands are sore and their heart is full. They deliver baking to the Dunedin Night shelter. They get the tunnel house growing rocket for our salads. They look for every opportunity to give back to the community, without fuss nor seeking attention.

Winner of Salmond College’s award for leadership in Volunteering and Sustainability for 2025 is Luc Michot

Narayanan Trophy for Contribution to Music

Music is food for the soul. Or the formula for a great night at Subs. Whatever you chose of those options, Salmond has been blessed with sweet sounds all year and our talented musicians and singers have contributed to that. The Dinners, the Garden Party, the Battle of the Bands, …. All opportunities to use creative talents which lifts up others.

It was a very difficult decision this year, but the person wo wins the award has constantly given of themselves, from the first formal Dinner and was an outstanding performer at the Battle of the Bands,

Winner of the Narayanan Trophy for Contribution to Music for 2026 is Lucas Beck

The Anbe Sivam Trophy for Cultural Leadership

Everyone has an ethnicity. Everyone has a unique culture.  Cultural leadership is about embracing one’s cultural identity and also seeking to discover that of those around them. This person is one of the kindest people Salmond has ever had the privilege to be home to.

Winner of the Anbe Sivam Trophy for Cultural Leadership for 2026 Chandan Nagaraja

Bruce Cowan Female Contribution to Sport

This person has shown an unwavering commitment to the Mond cause, getting involved with a smile throughout the year. (name the sports) Understated, kind-hearted and warm, her good nature never wavered in games that were won, and games that were lost.  She took part in it all.

Winner of the Bruce Cowan Trophy for Female Contribution to Sport for 2026 Maisy Eder

 Maurie Jackways Male Contribution to Sport

This award is for contribution, and we as a staff knew we could always rely on this person to show up, to help out and to recruit others to join the fray. 

He played with an ever-present smile and finished games with a laugh.

Winner of the Maurie Jackways Trophy for Male Contribution to Sport for 2026 is James Dunsmore

Te Kaka Tarahae award for Oratory

Oratory is skill or eloquence in the art of public speaking. This person is a force of nature, who speaks eloquently and can argue almost anyone into the ground. I for one would take extra care when arguing with her. As a member of this year’s Debating team, she and the team finished second in the ICC debating comp, a mere 1 point from victory. She then chaired the political debate in September, and kept the evening flowing with thoughtful, relevant questions.

Winner of Salmond College’s Te Kaka Tarahae award for Oratory for 2026 is Elisabeth Cox

Bursar’s Cup for Resident of the Year

In 1998, resident RB Crayston donated the Bursar’s Cup to be awarded annually to the person who made the greatest contribution the Salmond Community. What does it take, to become someone who is considered to be special amongst others, to have been part of the small things, and part of the big things, and to contribute in a  special way to this Mond community.

It means getting involved in all aspects of College life, which starts with building relationships with fellow residents and staff alike, being open to others and showing care and respect for everyone in the community. It means getting involved in a range of activities, and being someone others find it pleasant to be around. It means being a Good Citizen. A GC.  

The resident of the year, is someone who is collegial and supportive of other residents, who helps this community lift people up rather than cut them down, who by their sense of justice, by their sense of humour, and by their actions, makes places like Salmond College just that little bit better, by being who they are, and who they are is that a person that others want to hang out with.

 (Drum roll please)

Winner of the Bursar’s Cup, Salmond College’s resident of the year for 2026 James Dunsmore