Role Models Celebrated With Graduates to Inspire Communities

Role Models Celebrated With Graduates to Inspire Communities

There were scenes of elation and much pride at NorthTec’s 2010 Graduation ceremonies at Forum North last Tuesday and Wednesday, as graduands, resplendent in their academic regalia and Korowai (cloaks) stepped on stage to receive their qualifications and deserved recognition.

Shouts of support along with tautoko (special acknowledgements from whanau) packed with power and emotion rang out across the auditorium on numerous occasions, which were warmly received by everyone present.

Associate Professor and Director of Operations, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi (Northland), Dr Te Tuhi Robust, said the graduation ceremonies were a celebration for the graduands and their families adding that it was an honour for him and those on the NorthTec staff to be witness to their achievements.

“Your lives will change and when they do, we wish you all the best,” Professor Robust said.

Celebrating a special occasion

One of those excited about their future was 45 year-old Tracey Miller, who graduated with a Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree, and would now be moving on to a one year Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching.

Tracey said she had already done a three year degree in graphics at Natal Technicon in South Africa, and needed the Bachelor of Arts qualification from NorthTec in order to pursue a career in New Zealand as a school teacher. She was confident she would be able to use the core skills learnt from the Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree in her capacity as a teacher.

Another to graduate was Chinese International student Yujun Liu who graduated with a Northland Polytechnic Certificate in Hospitality Professional Cookery (Level 4) and a National Certificate in Hospitality (Level 4) with a strand in fish and shellfish. Liu said he had not thought any further ahead about a career at this stage, and was just enjoying soaking up the experience of his first graduation.

Yujan had spoken with his parents back in China about graduating and he said they were happy because they felt their son was moving on and growing up. He did not discount doing further study at NorthTec this year.

Graduates now in a position to discover passions whilst contributing

The first graduation ceremony on Tuesday, saw Mayor, Morris Cutforth give a thought-provoking speech on the pursuit of passion. He said graduates were now in a position to use their qualifications as a tool to discover their passions, while making a substantial contribution in society.

“I believe we become what we are according to our passions and our willingness to use them to contribute to society. If we strive to find our passion, and then to live and give it, we will make our mark,” he said.

Over the two days, a number of degrees were conferred by the NorthTec Council and Chairman, Vern Dark, presented a selection of graduates with special prizes. He encouraged all graduands to also think about how to further build on the skillsets they had developed at NorthTec.

“Seek more challenges, dream big, set targets, and don’t be afraid to take on the world. If you try and succeed there will be no stopping you.”

He said Graduation was not only a time to celebrate with students and families, but it enabled closer links with other stakeholders to take place. With that in mind, invaluable contributions by those in the community were acknowledged with the NorthTec Council Awards playing a big part in graduation celebrations.

Recognition of role models raises others expectations

NorthTec Chief Executive, Paul Binney explained that while the graduation ceremonies were about acknowledging and celebrating with graduates, whanau and supporters, it was also important to highlight and recognise the great work by others too, which helped to “create inspiration for communities.”

Mr Binney said NorthTec has an important role to play in raising expectations and aspirations for people, and one way of ensuring that was to acknowledge such role models.

First introduced in 2007, The NorthTec Council Awards identify and recognise such valued contributions and this year, Honorary Fellows (the Council’s highest award) went to international artist Chris Booth of Kerikeri, and David Culham, founder of Culham Engineering.

Mr Booth was awarded his honour in absentia, as he was adding the finishing touches to his new exhibition at the Sydney Botanic Gardens. However, Mr Binney said the sculptor had indicated he was more than happy to celebrate the honour bestowed on him at a later time.

Mr Culham’s engineering company, which has been operating in the region now for almost 53 years, represented what Mr Binney described as “a major organisation,” with the company having been involved with the infrastructure works for Spaghetti Junction in Auckland, and had worked on Silver Fern structures that now adorn the south stand of Eden Park. Someone else to receive deserved recognition was Native Bird Recovery Centre Director, Robert Webb, who was made an Honorary Associate. This award is reserved for those who make a significant or distinguished contribution to the community that the institution is a part of. Mr Webb was invited to speak at Wednesday’s ceremony in which he highlighted the passion he and wife Robyn had for the Centre that they run.

He told the graduands to set new goals and challenges for themselves and to carry on achieving.

“You will have your ups and downs along the way, but look at those down times as a challenge. Believe you me, I’ve had those days,” he remarked.

Afterwards, Mr Binney referred to a quote which read: “many a false step was made from standing still,” to illuminate what Mr Webb’s example represented, which was something to learn from.

“After his work injury he could have felt sorry for himself and seen the glass as half empty...Instead, he went on to something he was really passionate about even though there was no-one there to guide him,” Mr Binney said.

A back injury sustained at work in 1991, enabled Robert and Robyn to devote their life’s work to the protection and advocacy of the region’s endemic, native, and wild birds with the Native Bird Recovery Centre they opened at Maunu in the same year following his work injury.

Mr Webb and Mayor, Morris Cutforth were two guest speakers at the graduation ceremonies over the two days, that also included student Valedictory speakers Rebecca Escott and Gina Brighouse, who were both warmly received when it was their turn to collect their new qualifications on stage from NorthTec Council Chairman Vern Dark.

Former NorthTec Chairman given special honour

At Wednesday’s graduation ceremony, a NorthTec Council Institutional Medal was presented to Marilyn Lescher, widow of former NorthTec councillor, Deputy Chairman, and Chairman Robert Lescher, whom Mr Binney said had turned the institution around after 2002, with student numbers doubling, and the institution gaining a foothold nationally.

Upon receiving the institutional honour Mrs Lescher said Robert believed in education for all, and said he had enjoyed the Council work particularly as Chairman.

She thanked NorthTec for recognising Robert and commented “I know somewhere up there he’ll be chuffed, really chuffed.”

ENDS

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