Over the last two months, while the country was under COVID-19 alert levels 4, and 3, most of us stayed in self-isolation at home, but some had to remain at the front line helping others, even if it meant putting their own health in jeopardy.

Doctors and nurses, pharmacists, the police, supermarket staff, are but some examples. As well as the essential services workers, ordinary people continued to go out of their way to help those in need in whatever way they could.

Queenstown couple, John and Amanda Cushen came up with an idea to reward these unsung heroes of Otago and Southland with holiday packages donated by local businesses. And so the idea of Southern Heroes was born. They received 35 nominations via the Facebook page they set up for this purpose. What came as a surprise was how many businesses offered accommodation, food, vouchers for tourist activities and other prizes. Using these donations 13 amazing prize packages were put together in Mt Cook Village, Queenstown, Te Anau, Invercargill, Stewart Island, Wanaka and Dunedin. 

Asked if he was happy with the outcome of his initiative Mr Cushen replied: “How could I not be? Great feel good stories about southern heroes, wonderful generous operators and happy prize winners. Of course I’m happy!” 

One of the recipients of the Southern Heroes awards was Casey Brown, a personal trainer from Te Anau, who put up on her Facebook page a 30-day Home Exercise Challenge posting one training session per day free of charge to help her followers maintain their fitness through the lockdown.

According to Casey, about 700 people, not only from Te Anau but also from other parts of New Zealand, took on her challenge signing up to the programme. She said she did not expect anything in return and it was a huge surprise to learn she’d won the package that includes two nights at The Rees Hotel in Queenstown, lunch at Provisions of Arrowtown and Altitude Wine Tour for two.

Sharon Pasco from Stewart Island was nominated for supporting her community in many different ways, such as baking food, packing firewood and delivering meals during the lockdown. 

“Sharon gets behind every initiative for our community's good every single day,” said Joanne Leask, who nominated Sharon for the Southern Heroes award. Her prize package includes two night stay at the Invercargill Ascot Park Hotel, a meal for two at Waxy’s Irish Pub, another meal for two at The Saucy Chef, and The Escape Room Experience.

The winner of a package donated by Te Anau businesses was Lee Nicolson of Arrowtown, member of the volunteer charity group Baskets of Blessings – a growing community project based in Queenstown, providing gift baskets and meals to those in need. During the lockdown their workload had increased tenfold. Lee co-ordinated a team of cooks working in their bubbles preparing meals to be given away to the nominated individuals and families. At that time they were making and delivering 1000 meals per week. 

“I was very surprised and quite humbled to hear the news of winning a Southern Heroes prize. I like to reach out to those in need, but I’m just a small cog in a wheel,” she said. 

The holiday pack Lee won includes two nights at Radfords on the Lake, Fiordland Jet plus meat pack, a Real Journeys Glow-worm Caves trip and a movie pass for 2 to see Ata Whenua at the Fiordland Cinema.

Born in Gore, Lee was 12 last time she visited Te Anau. Now 58, she is “really excited to come down again”.

For the full list of the winners of the Southern Heroes initiative and the businesses that donated their goods and services for the prize packages visit the Southern Heroes Facebook page.