2008 AuSM Club Awards take place; no one was clubbed

Last Thursday the annual ‘semi-formal' Club Awards dinner took place and with the introduction of free alcohol, things got a little friendlier and rowdier than previous years. This awards dinner was a night put on by AuSM to recognise and thank those that have put in a huge amount of effort in organising and running clubs on campus throughout the year. The dinner was held at Dynasty Chinese Restaurant on Wakefield Street and like previous years, the food and atmosphere did not disappoint. There were eight awards in total up for grabs between the thirty odd active clubs on campus with three nominations for each award. Clubs were nominated on how active in running events/activities for its members on and off campus, continually promoting and recruiting to AUT students and generally giving students an opportunity to enjoy themselves in whatever that might be. This year two new awards were created to encourage our smaller clubs on campus (under 15 members) and our ever increasing number of new clubs on campus. These awards were presented as the Best New Club of the Year and the Best Small Club of the Year with the eventual winners being the AUTs Toastmasters and Akoranga 4 Christ Clubs respectively.

The big two awards of the evening were left in anticipation ‘til the end for the Club President of the Year and the Club of the Year. To be nominated for president of the year involves a huge amount of dedication and enthusiasm for running and organising events/activities/promotion and other affairs of the club, somehow on top of already being an AUT student. Although many clubs have a committee who help with various club related stuff, the president is often the driving force behind everything the club does. The prestigious award went to Agastya Pesara who has done a fantastic job with the Indians @ AUT club.

The Club of the Year was the final award to be presented for the night and after running through the five nominations and the final banging of tables from the audience to signify the drum roll, the winner went to the REAL Club. They have been the most active on campus in all aspects and as a religious club get out and put on plenty of fun events and activities including a couple of parties, trips away and just last week held a large formal ball. With their intense promotion during Orientation their membership numbers increased substantially throughout the year and are deserving winners of the Club of the Year for 2008.

Many thanks must go to David Victor (as per usual) for his setting up of the venue, Dynasty Chinese Restaurant for hosting us and putting up with the noise, and off course the clubs themselves who continue to put in a huge amount of effort to put in the hard yards so you can enjoy the fun stuff on and off campus.

If you are interested in joining a club or have an idea to start one of your own, check out www.ausm.org.nz or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or (09) 921 9999 ext 8911 for more info.

AWARDS

Cultural club of the year

Nominees:

AUT Chinese Students Association

AUT Samoan Students Association Winner: AUT Chinese Students Association

Saudi Students Union

Religious Club of the Year

Nominees:

AUT Christian Club

AUT Christian Fellowship Winner: REAL

REAL

Sport Club of the Year