Congratulations
Sarah Thomas must be congratulated for her graduation from Otago Polytechic, where she was awarded her Diploma in Outdoor Leadership and Management at the end of 2013.
The award ceremony for Māori graduates took place at the Sargood Center at Logan Park on 5 December and was opened by Huata Holmes. After the presentations graduates, whānau and friends enjoyed kai.
Sarah, like her brother, David, attended Otago Polytechnic as the result of receiving a Mana Pounamu Scholarship and, also like David, graduated with a Diploma of Outdoor Leadership and Management. David later continued on to Otago University where he obtained a degree in geography. He is now teaching at South Otago High School. Sarah hopes to pursue a career with the New Zealand Police.
The Outdoor Leadership and Management course spanned two years for Sarah and during this time she specialised in tramping, rock climbing, white water kayaking and mountaineering. The course also included other outdoor activities such as sea kayaking and the skills associated with outdoor teaching such as safety, first aid, environmental sustainability, equipment selection and team building.
Sarah Thomas receiving her diploma.
Left to right: Ruth Thomas (Mum), Sarah Thomas, Graeme Thomas (Dad).
Help needed
Kaumātua would like to extend an invitation to whānau who would like to prepare and serve the morning, afternoon tea and lunch for our hui. We will be meeting Friday 13 June, September and again in November (dates to be advised). We also need a driver for a rental vehicle when necessary, to drive our kaumātua from Dunedin to our kaumātua hui.
Kaumātua hui
It was good to see the seventeen kaumātua who attended our hui on Friday, 28 February. Our day started with kōrero, followed by morning tea and lunch, with our meeting beginning 1pm.
The meeting began with the election of officers and we were pleased to receive Jim Heath as chair and Hinerangi Ferrall-Heath as secretary. Larrianne Casserly will continue as hui organiser. We had lengthy discussions about budget, the need to train up our whānau for marae employment positions, social activities and a two-day hui in November. The meeting closed a little after 3.30. Our next hui is set for with Friday 13 June.
A special thanks to Judith for helping us with the preparation of the food and cleaning up after our lunch and afternoon tea. We really appreciate you Judith. To all our kaumātua, you are all appreciated and we would love to see you all at our next hui in June. Aroha nui. Nā Larrianne Casserly.
Left to right: Mavis (Aunty Dimp) Smith, Echo Malcolm, Larrianne Casserly.
Left to right: I McGaughey and Rose Tripp.