Speech: Young Community Leaders Awards

His excellency, the Honourable Sir Anand and her Excellency, Lady Susan Satayand; the Community Trust of Wellington; Distinguished Judges; and our Leaders of tomorrow.

This is the perfect setting to recognize the achievements of our rangatahi who are doing great things in the not-for-profit sector across the Wellington region.

In the last two months an action of heroic proportions took place, which involved 12 year old Cameron Turchie of Maranui Surf Life Saving Club; and Paekakariki juniors, 13 year old Sadwyn Brophy and 14 year old Temuera Forbes.

The three were competing in the Surf Life Saving’s New Zealand Under 14’s Ocean Athletes Championship up at Mount Maunganui when they noticed a young boy caught in the rip.

A five year old boy was struggling with two metre high surf, and young Cameron noticed he had blood pouring over his face. Without hesitation he held the small boy up, keeping his head above water while Sadwyn and Temuera supported him.

At twelve, Cameron is too young to become a lifesaver yet, but it was evident from everyone who saw him in action in rescuing the young boy, that he already has the skills and the stamina to do what it takes to save lives.

We have examples of outstanding youth leadership all around us.

Tonight is a night to pay tribute to the achievements of young people who are under 25 years of age; live in Kapiti, Porirua, Upper Hutt, Lower Hutt or Wellington; and are active in a leadership role with a voluntary or community organization.

There are 27 nominations for the award and I am certain that I share the views of the other Judges in saying that each and every one of the youth leaders entered in this competition was outstanding, particularly their unstinting commitment and contribution.

Nights like this one, are absolutely essential in celebrating the enormous contribution young people are making every day, to keeping the health and vitality of our community in good shape.

We must recognise that young people often have many demands placed on them in their family, academic, sporting, working and social lives. Yet, it is important that young people are supported to be involved and engaged in our communities, because the strength of our communities will soon be in their hands.

They are doing so in different ways than the generations before them – by using technology to e-volunteer; choosing short-term projects over long-term commitments; and just getting stuck in without some of the formalities - but their energy and new perspectives are valuable, and are having an impact.

We must all do all we can, to reward commitment and to appreciate the selfless dedication of those who keep our communities going.

The youth we celebrate tonight are a wonderful example of that leadership starting in the early years, and actively making a difference.

And yet I wonder if we ever fully express to our young people, just how brilliant they are; and how much we value their leadership.

Tonight we recognise that our young people are transforming our communities through the vision, the relentless energy and the creative leadership they have shown us all. Let us celebrate them all.