No clouds mar celebration of students

A Kaikoura woman jumped on one of the last free helicopter flights out of the earthquake-damaged town just in time to see her two sons graduate in Balclutha yesterday.

Leann Howse said the graduation was the "best moment, best feeling, absolutely".

Ms Howse said she was lucky   her home escaped the damage  others’ had suffered but she was still left in a situation where she might have missed the graduation.

"I jumped in a helicopter.

"Ngai Tahu were getting people out, it was near to the end of their time taking people out.

"I thought I’d just jump in the helicopter and get to Christchurch to at least get down here."

Ms Howse said she lived  near the centre of Kaikoura but her home had suffered little damage.

"I was very, very lucky, there was no damage to the house, a couple of plates, bowls, glasses was all I lost."

But her sons were graduating  and "if I didn’t get out when I did I would have had to pay to get out, however much the helicopters or the planes were".

She flew out on Sunday evening and flew south from Christchurch after buying tickets ‘‘months before’’.

Both her sons graduated in agriculture after a year-long course.

Watching them graduate was "fantastic".

She had no firm plans for getting back to Kaikoura, as she had no four-wheel-drive to take the only road into the town.

The restaurant at which she worked was only open for short periods until supplies were available.

Her sons, however, had to get back as they had jobs in the Kaikoura area.

At the ceremony, celebrating success was the top priority for staff as students paraded along Balclutha’s main street.

About 90 students in equine, forestry, rural animal technician and agriculture programmes marched alongside the guests of honour, Telford staff and Clutha Mayor Bryan Cadogan.

Shearing tutor Ken Payne,  a Clutha district councillor, said everyone was focusing on the students’ success rather than a recently released review, which has  cast a shadow over  the future of the Balclutha division of Lincoln University.

"Success is what we’re celebrating," Cr Payne said.

Staff were  looking forward and the student roll at Telford was "full to overflowing" for next year.

"That’s an interesting stat."

He declined to comment on a proposal announced by Lincoln last week which suggested up to 17 jobs at Telford could be in the firing line.

Mr Cadogan said the day should not be marred by the problems Telford was facing.

The day was for the students, the staff and for Telford.

"Those parts of the day are for the students and for the reputation and honour of Telford," he said.

Telford was an institution with honour and "that will be the way we want it".