Saddle Hill Community Board members were so impressed by the calibre of the applicants for the board’s youth ambassador awards they increased the funding pool to be able to support all seven young people.
At its meeting last week, the board heard presentations from four of the seven young people who applied for a youth ambassador scholarship from a $1000 funding pool.
Later in the meeting, the community board voted to increase the funding by a further $2000 to make a $3000 funding pool, so it could support all of the young people who applied.
After discussion, the funding was divided into one award of $1000, two awards of $500, and four awards of $250, and a ballot was held to determine the distribution of funds.
Board deputy chair Scott Weatherall said the calibre of the applicants was "incredible", and it had been great to hear from such outstanding young leaders across a range of fields.
A commitment to scouting and extraordinary efforts as a youth leader earned Conor Hobbs a $1000 youth ambassador award, as a contribution towards attending the Scouting World Jamboree event, to be held in Korea in July.
Conor progressed through cubs and scouts at Saddleview Scout Group, volunteers his time as a youth Kea leader at Saddleview and as a Venturer at the Mosgiel group. A holder of the Chief Scout award, Conor recently became the first youth member to receive a bronze tiki award in the Coastal Otago Zone — for services to scouting.
Keira Hughes addressed the board about her passion for open water swimming and her plans to travel to Rotorua this weekend for the national championships. She was awarded $500.
Luana Ashton was unable to attend the meeting, but her youth ambassador application for funds to help support her selection in the NZ women’s under 18 touch team and travel to the transtasman competition in Brisbane in May was looked on favourably by the board. She was awarded $500.
Pippa Mooyman spoke to the board about her passion for farming and her efforts to gain further education in the field. She was awarded $250 towards her training.
Music was the focus of Louis McAuley Stevenson, who spoke to the board about his plans to work on three original compositions to get them up to a "demo standard".
A violin teacher at Saturday Morning Music Classes, and member of Dunedin Youth Orchestra, Louis also plays in a band. He was awarded $250 towards his project.
Taieri College year 10 pupil Jenny Petegem Thach was unable to attend to make a presentation, but was awarded $250 towards her musical studies in clarinet.
Jaymee Meffan was unable to attend, but her application for funds to help with travel to Brisbane in May to compete with the New Zealand Under 20 Women’s Touch team earned the board’s support. She received $250.
Board matters
Last week’s Saddle Hill Community Board meeting was attended by new Green Island Community Constable Mark Tuten, who discussed some of the general work he has undertaken, and said board members were welcome to be in touch if they had any concerns.
The board also considered a funding application from the Fairfield School community swimming pool committee for funds to help with the replacement of the swimming pool cover.
Board members agreed the pool was a valuable community facility and granted $2000 towards the ongoing project.
