Variety - The Childrens Charity - 2010 Variety Gold Heart Scholarship Mentors

2010 Variety Gold Heart Scholarship Mentors

An integral part of Variety's Gold Heart Scholarship programme is the matching of scholarship recipients with a mentor, all of whom have achieved some amazing things themselves and who can help to inspire and motivate the recipients to keep on reaching for their dreams. Variety is delighted to introduce you to the very special people who have agreed to act as mentors to the 2010 recipients.


	Leafa Wilson Leafa is the Curator of Visual Arts at the Waikato Museum and will bring a wealth of experience to talented young Hamilton artist Yaniv Janson
	Bridget Douglas - Flute Bridget Douglas holds the position of Principal Flute with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. Bridget performs regularly with leading musicians in solo and chamber music concerts throughoutAustralasia. She plays with harpist Carolyn Mills in the duo Flight. They have recently released a CD of music for flute and harp. She also plays in the wind quintet Zephyr with fellow NZSO principals. Bridget is actively involved in the performance of new music and is a co-founder of the contemporary ensemble Stroma. She has released two CD’s with pianist Rachel Thomson: Syrinx; French music for flute and piano which was released in 2003 and Taurangi; a double CD of NZ flute and piano music which was released in 2006. After completing undergraduate work in NZ, Bridget did graduate study in the USA with the assistance of a Fulbright Scholarship. While in the USA , Bridget won several competitions including the Artists International Award, resulting in a debut recital at Carnegie Hall. Bridget's experience will continue to be invaluable for Aine Kelly-Costello .
	Michael Johnson - Paralympic Shooter Michael is an Paralympic Gold Medalist and dual World Champion shooter. He started shooting in 2002 and has had considerable success winning gold at the 2004 Athens and bronze at the 2008 Paralympics. He has also won two World Championships in 2006 and 2010. He will act as a mentor to fellow shooter Lee Taniwha
	Jo Lawn - Ironman Wellington born, Auckland raised, Lawn has taken a roundabout route to the top of triathlon racing and has won the Ironman NZ title seven times. She played almost every sport invented during high school and was a member of the New Zealand cycling team for the Commonwealth Games in 1998 and won a tennis scholarship to the US in her teens. She also holds the course record at Ironman NZ and in 2007, she finished 4th in the Ironman World Championship held in Kona, Hawaii. Her experience at the top of her sport and as a former sufferer of an eating disorder will be invaluable to Colleen Vickers
	Helen Norfolk - Swimming Helen was the first New Zealand swimmer to compete in three Olympic Game and was a bronze medallist at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. She currently holds a number of New Zealand records in freestyle and the individual medley. Her wealth of international experience will be of great benefit as she acts as a mentor to Daniel Holt.
	Josh South - Swimming Former Paralympic swimmer who won three medals at the 2003 World Championship, Josh South will be an inspiration to Jesse Reynolds
	Mark Hellyer - Education Mark is a longtime Variety supporter and volunteer, having been involved with the Variety Bash, Bikes for Kids and various other fundraising events. He is actively involved in his local community and works in the education sector. His positive and inspirational attitude will be of great benefit as he mentors fellow Tauranga local Mark Wilson
	Nerida Cortese - Dancing Originally from Australia, Nerida is a vibrant, energetic, and bubbly personality who has been dancing for most of her life. Nerida has represented New Zealand and Australia internationally in Dancesport Competitions in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany and Latvia for the World Latin and Ten Dance events. She has been training, performing and choreographing for the last 17 years, first appearing on New Zealand Television in 1999 on Battle of the Ballroom – a New Zealand national ballroom dancing competition series held in Wellington. Nerida danced her way into the hearts of New Zealanders with TVNZ’s Dancing With The Stars partnering Shane Cortese (Series 1) and Monty Betham (Series 4) She has also been involved with choreographing the Rocky Horror Show, choreograping the 2006 QANTAS Media Awards evening and teaching the public to Cha Cha for a charity event. Her dance experience will be invaluable to fellow dancer Natasha Boon
	Vesna Radonich - Waka Ama As a fellow waka ama paddler with a hearing impairment, Vesna Radonich's experience and success on the international and national stage will be invaluable in her mentoring relationship with Akayshia Williams
	Susan Farron - Golf Susan's list of achievements as a golfer and coach are impressive and will a great benefit to talented golfer Tyla Kingi Susan is currently the Head Coach of Auckland Women's Gold and a New Zealand High Performance Coach. She is a board member of First Tee and NZPGA and a NZPWG trustee. She toured as a professional from 1994 - 2001 on the Ladies European tour and the US Futures tour. A former Manawatu Sportsperson of the Year who has represented New Zealand in the NZ Amuteur team.