The award winners, leaders and guests outside the town hall after last weekend’s St John Waipa Area Youth Awards in Cambridge.
Saturday’s St John Waipā Area Youth Awards celebrated more than 40 young people in the region and their commitment to one of the world’s oldest service organisations.
The 2018 Youth Awards ceremony was held on November 17 at the Cambridge Town Hall. It celebrated the achievements over the past year of St John cadets and penguins from both Cambridge and Te Awamutu.
Cambridge’s Brent Nielsen, Commander of the Order of St John, presented First Aid Shields to cadets and addressed the youth members and their families, telling them St John had been operating globally for over 900 years.
“We have nearly 8000 youth members here in New Zealand, which means the St John movement in this country is advancing in a way we don’t see in many other parts of the world. It is always heartening to hear of the commitment, service and achievement that our youth members have put in over the past year,” he said. “The purpose of St John youth is to produce good citizens. We have certainly achieved that in the Waipā district.”
Saturday’s ceremony was led by Jordan Redpath, divisional manager of the Cambridge 2 Division, co-hosted by Karena Rix, acting divisional manager of the Cambridge Division, and Jo Morrow, divisional manager of the Te Awamutu Division. Among the guests were Cambridge’s deputy fire chief Winston Steen; Officer of the Order, Eileen New; St John district youth manager, Nikki Matthews; St John area youth manager, Corrie Matthews; and Rev Malcolm French, who is both the Cambridge area chaplain and the Cambridge St John area committee chairman.
Jordan said this had been a “great year” for the Cambridge 2 Division, and thanked parents and caregivers for their support. “The penguins and cadets of all divisions have worked very hard to achieve their badges and certificates, with support from the leadership teams – we thank them. While we congratulate the year that has been, we also look forward to all the excitement to come.”
St John Youth in Cambridge, aimed at young people aged 6-18 years, meets on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. More information is from youth.stjohn.org.nz, or phone Jordan Redpath on 021 285 3339.
The Cambridge award-winners were as follows:
Kaitlyn Ward (Penguin First Aid); Olivia Billings (Most Improved Junior, Cambridge Division); Akshita Baluni (Most Improved Junior, Cambridge 2 Division); Aaryn Udy (Most Improved Intermediate, Cambridge Division); Kieran Vincent (Most Improved Intermediate, Cambridge 2 Division); Jaide Fair (Most Improved Senior, Cambridge Division); Stella Beswick (Most Improved Senior, Cambridge 2 Division); Michael Rix (Best Attendance, Cambridge Division); Kate Morton (Best Attendance, Cambridge 2 Division); Kayden Middlemiss (Junior First Aid Shield, Cambridge Division); Amelia Burnell (Junior First Aid Shield, Cambridge 2 Division); Esther Middlemiss (Intermediate First Aid Shield, Cambridge Division); Emma Ward (Intermediate First Aid Shield, Cambridge 2 Division); Sarah Rix (Senior First Aid Shield, Cambridge Division); Somya Kant (Senior First Aid Shield, Cambridge 2 Division); Michael Rix (Friendliest Cadet, Cambridge Division); Gemma Vincent (Friendliest Cadet, Cambridge 2 Division); Sarah Rix (Community Service Cup, Cambridge Division); Lena Stewart (Community Service Cup, Cambridge 2 Division); Sarah Rix (2018 Divisional Cadet of the Year, Cambridge Division); Kate Morton (2018 Divisional Cadet of the Year, Cambridge 2 Division).
