Riding the wave
A handful of Hurunui’s Secondary School leavers will hold the extra confidence to ride the challenging wave as they step forward from their school days and cast their eyes to what’s next.
On Sunday evening at Fossil Point Café in Greta Valley, eight secondary school leavers received a Secondary School Achievers Fund which will help them with accommodation costs, scholarship travel expenses, purchases of text books or electronic equipment.
To date 136 students have benefited from this Grant which began in 2000, and this year 18 students applied which was the second-highest number yet.
The total sum is $11,500, a joint venture between Hurunui District Council contributing $10,000 and Buddle Findlay, (which has been partaking for five years now) contributing $1,500.
The successful recipients for 2022 were Eve LePine from Cheviot who plans to study for a Diploma in Agriculture at Lincoln University, Jamie Dalmer from Waiau who plans to do a degree in Zoology at Otago University, Xander Acton-Adams from Amberley who plans to attend Lincoln University to study towards a Diploma of Agriculture, Katie Gunn from Hawarden who plans to study Criminology or Criminal Justice at University, Millie Hassall from Waikari who plans to attend Otago University to study for a Bachelor of Science, Sahara MacFarlane from Waipara who plans to study Engineering at Auckland University, Tahlia Beck from Amberley who plans to complete a Bachelor of Sport Coaching leading to a postgraduate diploma in Teaching and Learning, and Willow Devine from Waiau who plans to study Criminal Justice at Canterbury University.
On the selection panel were District Mayor Marie Black, District Councillors Vanessa McPherson and Tom Davies, Chairperson of the Hurunui Youth Council Millie McIlraith, Senior Associate at Buddle Findlay Anna Wishart and also a former recipient of the Grant, Gwyn Williams from Amberley, Anne Costello from Hawarden, and former District Councillor Geoff Shier.
Guest speaker Jenni McQuillan has lived in the Hurunui District for 31 years, initially as a teacher at Waikari School prior to teaching at both Hurunui College and Amberley School.
Her day job now is in mental wellbeing, representing Mana Ake – Stronger for Tomorrow which provides support to primary school children in Canterbury, promoting wellbeing and positive mental health, and support children at school and at home, providing advice, guidance and workshops for parents, whānau and teachers.
McQuillan puts her ability to fill this role down to raising three daughters and being a school teacher, where she learned so much through observing and interacting.
One great analogy she has always remembered and shared is the one that relates to surfing, a student once telling her that the top of the wave is the most challenging, then it gets easier.
“Feel the fear and learn how to manage it. Along the way meet new people, make new connections, and always keep your connections with family…. Visit your family, take home your washing, and cook them dinner sometimes.”
Presenting these Grants is always a highlight of Mayor Marie Black’s year, and 2022 was no exception, as she expressed her admiration for the high quality of applicants and the challenge to select the recipients.
“Always stay true to yourself.” “Look back and reflect so you can all move forward.”
PHOTO: Photo: Names, (L-R) Mayor Marie Black, Sahara MacFarlane, Eve LePine, Xander Acton-Adams, Katie Gunn, Jamie Dalmer, Tahlia Beck, Millie Hassall, and guest speaker Jenni McQuillan. (Absent from photo is recipient Willow Devine.)
