Student achiever grants help eight students into further study

Eight secondary students from Hurunui will be helped into further study with grants from Hurunui District Council.

Recipients of the Secondary School Achievers’ awards were presented with their awards on Tuesday by Hurunui District Mayor Marie Black in Council’s Chambers.

Mayor Black said making a final decision on the recipients was always challenging due to the exceptionally high calibre of applications received.

The Secondary School Achievers Fund was established in 2000 to financially assist students with further study at a tertiary level. To date 153 Hurunui young people have received grants from the scheme. The awards acknowledge the students’ hard work and achievements, as well as their contributions to their community.

It is Hurunui Youth Council representative Will Munsey’s second year on the assessment panel. “This year it was pleasing to see such a spread of chosen careers from university to trades.

“We had people who were volunteering in the community every moment they could, while continuing with their schoolwork. Some were doing part time work as well,” Munsey said.

A total of 15 applications were received for this year’s awards.

Council grants $10,000 annually to the fund and Council’s law firm, Buddle Findlay generously sponsor the scheme with a grant of $1500 .

The assessment panel included Mayor Black; Crs Hislop and Armstrong; one representative from Buddle Findlay – Anna Wishart; one Youth Council representative – William Munsey; and three independent members – Allan Easte from Hawarden, Geoff Shier and Gwyn Williams from Amberley.

Mayor Black said the words of Winston Churchill were a good guide for the recipients in their careers ahead.

“Sir Winston Churchill said ‘success is not final, failure is not fatal but it’s the courage to continue that counts’. These words of wisdom make sense given we all have success, we all have disappointments and we all need to recognise the times when courage is required. As you step into the next stage of your life journey, recognise these three traits and make them your strengths.”

Recipients:

• Albie Roberts from Culverden, working towards a Batchelor in Building Science.
• Anna Neppelenbroek from Rotherham, working towards a career in neuropsychology.
• Brodie Marris from Hanmer Springs, working towards a career in pharmaceutical science.
• HananiahSamera from Culverden, working towards a career in Health Science.
• Laura Cundy of Hanmer Springs, working towards a career in Health Science.
• Matilda Gill-Clifford from Amberley,working towards a Batchelor of Arts.
• Millie Jane McIlraith of Hawarden, working towards a Batchelor of Law.
• Ollie Zino of Hawarden, working towards an Electrical Trade Apprenticeship.