Liz Thevenard was awarded the Education Outdoors New Zealand Life Membership for services to education outdoors.
This award recognises the significant and sustained contribution Liz has made to Education Outside the Classroom and to Education Outdoors New Zealand.
Liz Has been a member of Waikanae Beach community firstly as a weekender and a resident since 2002. She has always valued the opportunities the Waikanae area offers for enjoying and exploring the outdoors walking, biking, kayaking, fishing, bird watching and the many other opportunities this very special area offers. She can be seen kayaking or paddle boarding down the Waikanae River, swimming at the beach or building driftwood or sand sculptures with her students.
Her career has spanned the primary, secondary and tertiary. She was a Senior Lecturer at Victoria University of Wellington in Physical Education, Health and Education Outside the Classroom where she was inspiration in introducing and fostering a love of the outdoors with her students. She has focussed on enjoying local environments which are accessible, low cost and natural.
For 30 plus years she has taught Outdoor Adventures at Wellington High School Community Education, running activities that included exploring the tunnels and glow worms down the Kaiwharawhara stream and Otari Wilton Bush. Windsurfing at Pauatahanui, orienteering on Mt Victoria, rock-climbing at Ferg’s and Baring Head and paddle boarding and kayaking. For many years she was involved with the Wellington Disable Skiers.
Liz has been involved in educating outdoors for the whole of her 47 plus teaching years and has been a member of Education Outdoors New Zealand (EONZ) for 20 plus years and the Chair for the last 9 years. She has been recognised previously for her leadership, dedication, commitment and significant contribution being awarded Life Membership to Physical Education New Zealand 2013 and the SPARC Supreme Award for Contribution to Outdoor Education and Recreation in New Zealand 2009.
Liz is looking forward to adventuring in the many and varied environments the Waikanae area offers and promoting the area as a fantastic destination for outdoor education and recreation.
