North Canterbury News: December 07, 2023

YES Camp an amazing journey
Brandon Johnson never
thought he would be fighting
fires one day.
The 18­year­old Hurunui
College head student is one of
16 young people from Hurunui
who graduated last week from
the Youth in Emergency
Services (YES) 2023
programme.
The graduation ceremony,
held in Hurunui Council’s
Chambers, underlined three
months of volunteering with an
emergency service following
the successful YES Camp held
in July for Hurunui youth aged
16­19.
‘‘It’s been an amazing
journey,’’ Brandon says.
‘‘I’ve gained lots of different
experiences and skills, from
using fire hoses and
extinguishers to helping our
community through installing
fire alarms.’’
Brandon volunteered with
Fire and Emergency NZ
(FENZ) in Amberley.
Its his first taste of
volunteering and he is looking
forward to continuing with the
brigade. With his hobbies all
outdoor stuff, like hiking and
target shooting, the wellbeing
benefits of volunteering came
as asurprise.
‘‘Previously, Iwasn’t social
with the community, and I
actually felt stronger and
better helping out, which I
didn’t expect.’’
Callum Alexander, group
operations manager at Hato
Hone St John, says
volunteering worldwide is
increasingly becoming aluxury
YES success... Programme graduates and representatives from participating emergency services,
with Hurunui Mayor Marie Black at the YES Camp graduation ceremony.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
item that people didn’t have
time for.
‘‘Volunteering is going
through atough time
worldwide, and is less and less
in the forefront of peoples
thoughts —and here are some
amazing young people who are
giving back to their community.
Hurunui Youth Councillor
Sam Bush was instrumental in
making YES Camp 2023
happen after afive­year hiatus
due to Covid and funding cuts,
taking on the portfolio and alot
of the planning.
Along­term volunteer with
FENZ in Waiau, he has
attended arange of calls from
fighting scrub fires, and
attending medical events and
motor vehicle crashes.
‘I’ve met many great people
and volunteering has been an
opportunity to give back to a
community who gives so much
to help out when times are
tough.’’
The awards were presented
by Hurunui Mayor Marie
Black, who acknowledged the
graduates individual and
collective successes.
‘‘You stepped into aplace
where you felt internally
challenged.
‘‘Increasing your community
connection, acquiring anew
range of skills, increasing your
confidence, self­esteem and
being motivated for civic
participation, these are
qualities of leadership that will
support you in the future.
Hurunui Youth Council
Chair Millie­Jane McIlraith,
who was Camp Mother at YES
Camp, said the youth council
had contributed funding
towards making the camp
possible. Attending the camp
gave her an understanding of
its value.
‘‘We talk alot about the
future generation and how
they will bring forward change.
‘‘Attending YES Camp, I
have no doubt this generation
will bring about abright
future’’.
NEWS
The North Canterbury News, December 7, 2023
31
Rich culture
adrawcard
in Hurunui
for migrants
Hurunui continues to be adrawcard
for migrants, with 28 new citizens
celebrated at citizenship awards held
at the Waipara Pavilion last week.
Hurunui Mayor Marie Black says
there has been asteady rise in
numbers over the years in people from
all parts of the globe who are choosing
to make their home in Hurunui.
‘‘Hurunui offers wonderful lifestyle
and adventure opportunities, and a
chance to experience the rich culture
of rural New Zealand.
‘‘With the district’s vineyards,
tourism and bustling townships,
Hurunui offers alife where work and
home are close together,’’ Mrs Black
says.
Historically, Hurunui was an
important travelling route for both
Māori and pakeha, and its location is
still significant today, she says.
‘‘It has New Zealand's second largest
city and airport ashort 45­minute
journey away, and is situated at the
heart of the 450km Alpine Pacific
touring route.
WOCSS Richard Murray of the
Royal New Zealand Navy and
council’s chief executive Hamish
Dobbie joined Mrs Black to present
the certificates to the new citizens,
who represented the Philippines,
Samoa, United Kingdom and England,
Netherlands, Sri Lanka, Tonga, South
Africa, the United States, India and
Poland.
Get one complete pair of
progressives
from
$
169
Includes standard progressive lenses
In store only. Single pair only. Price includes frame from the $169 range and standard progressive lenses. Higher value frame, lens upgrades and lens options available at an extra cost. Excludes safety eyewear and reglazes. Cannot be used inconjunction with any
other offer or discount.