Young Kiwi Resilience Celebrated

MEDIA ANNOUNCEMENT Thursday, 19th October 2017

YOUNG KIWI RESILIENCE CELEBRATED AT THE GRAEME DINGLE FOUNDATION EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2017

An inspiring group of 15 extraordinary young New Zealanders, youth leaders, mentors and volunteers have been honoured for their courage, determination and community contribution, as part of the Graeme Dingle Foundation’s 2017 Excellence Awards held at Auckland’s Government House last night.

The evening acknowledged the significant accomplishments of these successful young Kiwis, many who have climbed big mountains to build resilience and self-belief in their lives. It was also a celebration of more than 24,000 students, their mentors, leaders and volunteers who have been involved in the Foundation’s various youth development programmes over the previous 12 months – including Kiwi Can, Stars, Career Navigator and Project K.

The Foundation’s namesake, mountaineer and outdoor education pioneer, Sir Graeme Dingle, says the Awards are an important opportunity to showcase inspiring young people who exemplify the goals and values of the Foundation.

“Our goal, is to transform young lives forever, with a vision that all young people can be confident contributors to New Zealand. By the year 2025, our mission is to have helped 50,000 young people in our programmes each year. It’s nights like this which serve as a strong reminder that investing in our country’s young people is the best investment New Zealand can make.

“The awards highlight not only some of the circumstances and harsh realities a lot of our Kiwi kids face, but most importantly, celebrates their courage and resilience to be able to come out the other side too.

“It’s these young people who will serve as role models to those in similar situations, helping us to challenge others to change their perceptions of what they think they can achieve. And for that, they absolutely deserve recognition. We could not be more proud of each and every one of our winners,” concludes Sir Graeme.

For those who attended, the evening was an opportunity to hear, first-hand, the personal experiences of a number of graduates who had taken part in the Foundation’s transformational journey, and the positive impact it has had on their lives.

This year’s Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award winner went to 19-year-old Jessica Collins from Tauranga who said Project K literally saved her during one of the lowest and hardest times in her life.

“Before Project K my goals were to make it to my 18th birthday and not be barefoot and pregnant. I moved out of “home” and went on the youth benefit at 15 and stayed in school and passed Year 13. I am now 19, studying Art and Maori at Massey University and enjoying life. Every single aspect of the programme gave me the ability to do this. I honestly with my whole heart don’t think I would be alive today if it wasn’t for Project K. Project K saved me,” she says

This year also marked the second time the event was MC’d by a graduate of one of the Foundation’s programmes – former Project K and James Cook High School Auckland student, 17-year old Sharonika Prasad.

“Before Project K I had a negative mind set in which I believed I would never succeed at anything. Due to my very low self-esteem, I made excuses when opportunities came because I had no motivation and little confidence. I let life pass me by because I was afraid of the unknown. Now after completing the programme, I’m productive, I set goals, I’m more confident and eager to take opportunities as they come. Project K opened my eyes, and as a result I discovered myself.”

“I feel honoured and grateful I was given the opportunity from the Graeme Dingle Foundation because without the programme, I wouldn’t be here today,” adds Sharonika.

The Graeme Dingle Excellence Awards honour and celebrate outstanding young New Zealanders across all of the Foundations programmes throughout New Zealand and has been running for almost two decades.

The full list of 2017 Award Recipients is as follows:

- Sir Edmund Hillary Youth Achievement Award

For a Graeme Dingle Foundation Project K graduate who has gone on to achieve excellence.

o Jessica Collins – Former Otumaetai College student, Bay of Plenty

Outstanding Kiwi Can School Award supported by Oji Fibre Solutions

For running an impeccable Kiwi Can programme and producing wonderful results

o Manurewa West Primary, Auckland

o Kaeo School, Whangaroa

- Kiwi Can Outstanding Leader Team Award supported by NZ Steel

Presented to Kiwi Can leaders to recognise their wonderful contributions, making a difference to the lives of young people.

o Raynard Haggie & Andrea Thomas, Huntley West School, Waikato

- Outstanding Contribution from a Stars Peer Mentor Awards supported by Supre

To acknowledge the great contribution of Stars Peer Mentors who are making a significant difference in the lives of juniors in their school

o Haydon Dickie, Hornby High School, Canterbury

o Lahaina Solomon, Tokoroa High School, Waikato

- Career Navigator Outstanding Achievement Award supported by Fletcher Building

To acknowledge outstanding progress made by a graduate of the Career Navigator programme.

o Kaha Head, Fraser High School, Hamilton

- Project K Excellence Awards supported by Perpetual Guardian and Stride

For graduates of Project K who have shown outstanding commitment to the programme, and made significant changes in their lives.

o Yashveer Kumar, One Tree Hill College, Auckland

o Kaylen Engu Key, Tangaroa College, Auckland

o Ofa Lavemaau, Northcote College, Auckland

o Amie Marchant, Otumoetai College, Bay of Plenty

o Carta Buckley, Mt Maunganui College, Bay of Plenty

o Sorcha Stempa, Sacred Heart College, Wellington

o Emma Jeffery, Hornby High School, Canterbury

- Outstanding Volunteer Award supported by THL

Presented to a volunteer in the wider Graeme Dingle Foundation community who demonstrates their commitment and dedication to the Foundation’s mission and values, through their work to support the Foundation’s programmes.

o Byran Theunisen, Project K Mentor, Auckland

ENDS

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