Summer Package a Turn-a-Round in Fortune - 8 Feburary 2006

Ohiwa couple, Malcolm and Lindsay Ballard, started the year off with a pleasant surprise thanks to Bay of Plenty Energy.

Their name was pulled out of over 4000 entries in the Bay of Plenty Energy newsletter "Win a Family Outdoor Package" promotion and earlier this month they received their prize package courtesy of Whakatane Great Outdoors Centre.

Mahia Bennett, account manager at Bay of Plenty Energy, says the reaction she got when she rang the couple to advise them of their win was awesome.

"When I spoke to Mrs. Ballard on the phone and told her that she had won the outdoor package she was so overwhelmed by the news that she had to hand the phone to her sister. It was a really nice moment," she says.

Owner of the Whakatane Great Outdoors store, Brent Smith, says the prize of a gazebo, Coleman barbecue, folding picnic table and large chilly bin couldn't have gone to a more deserving couple.

"Winners are always deserving, but when I heard what the Ballards have been through over the last two years it made it all that more special. It's great to be able to put a smile on someone's face - it makes their day and ours. The prize is going to a loving home and that's important," he said.

Malcolm and Lindsay feel this is the start of a change in their fortunes. Mrs. Ballard says that while they have got on with life since the floods, things haven't always been easy.

"It was a real thrill to get the call from Bay of Plenty Energy as I had sent in my entry when we first received the newsletter and put it out of my mind as it seems it's always somebody else who wins. We're over the moon, especially as our old BBQ was showing its age.

"Everybody's been so good. Mahia from Bay of Plenty Energy was kindness itself and really thrilled for us, and Brent and the team at Whakatane Great Outdoors Centre have been brilliant. We'd really love to thank all of them," she said.

The give-away was part of Bay of Plenty Energy's December newsletter promotion and is just one of the ways that the local company reward their customers.

Mahia says that Bay of Plenty Energy has a very loyal customer base and that they have a policy of giving back to the community whenever they can.

The Ballard's receive their prize package from Bay of Plenty Energy & Whakatane Great Outdoors Centre.