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The Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement went to Wayne Newdick.
The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.
The Level 3 Trainee of the Year award recognised outstanding achievement among 2024 graduates of the NZQA Level 3 National Certificate in Fencing.
Finalists included Corbyn Gibbs, Hamish Stanger, and Tom Rathgen, with the award won by Rathgen – the judges noting his consistent commitment to excellence and his willingness to help others succeed.
The Level 4 Excellence Award honoured graduates of the NZQA Level 4 National Certificate in Fencing who demonstrated consistent professionalism and adaptability.
Course tutor and judge Dave Horner said that this year’s graduates were “exceptional as a group,” with award finalists being Andrew Osgood, Dan French and Luke Jacobsen. The winner, Dan French, was recognised for his exceptional results and leadership throughout the programme.
The Emerging Talent, for under-25- year-olds working in the industry, saw finalists Charlie Simpson, Galen Monks and Sean Bridgeman, who, while early in his career, is already demonstrating great promise. Galen Monks won the award, with judges noting his professionalism, skill, and reliability as key factors in the decision.
The Industry Contribution Award recognises individuals who have gone above and beyond to support the growth and development of the fencing sector. This year’s finalists were Debbie Robertson, Debbie White, and Mike Billinghurst. The award was presented to Mike Billinghurst, recognising his more than 30 years in the industry, including service as FCANZ President, contributions to NZFC competitions, mentoring others, and promoting best practice across the industry and the country.
The Women of Influence Award acknowledged women making a significant impact in the fencing industry, fought over by Donna Upton and Kathy Newdick. Upton took out the award for her leadership in developing and delivering the Level 3 and Level 4 fencing qualifications, and her ongoing governance work.
The Legacy Award for Lifetime Achievement, one of the highest honours FCANZ can bestow, went to Wayne Newdick, whose engineering expertise, competition leadership, and role as a co-founder of FCANZ have left an indelible mark on the industry. Wayne’s innovations in fencing tools and his ability to share knowledge have influenced generations of contractors.
FCANZ President Phil Cornelius said the awards not only recognise skill, but also celebrate dedication, leadership, and the willingness to give back.
“Every finalist and winner is making the industry stronger, and it’s a privilege to acknowledge their work.”
Prizes for the 2025 Awards were supplied by Farmlands, PGG Wrightson, Bunnings, Stockade and Delfast.
The recent Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) Industry Awards recognises and acknowledges those who exemplify the mission of raising the profile of fencing as a professional trade, delivering high quality work, and adhering to best practice standards.
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