Westlake Boys sixth form students Nick Curry, Jack Pirie, Keegan Russell and Scott Telfer were part of a group of 20 secondary school students who participated in the inaugural “Willie Apiata Youth Programme” at the New Zealand Defence Force Youth Development Unit in Marine Bay, Hobsonville last Friday.
Under the guidance of Willie Apiata, New Zealand’s sole living Victoria Cross recipient, the group took part in a day-long range of activities with numerous physically and mentally challenging tasks, enabling the participants to develop their teamwork and leadership skills. As the Victoria Cross was passed around the room, Willie asked each of the participants to bestow a piece of their soul into the medal, gifting it to New Zealand and its people. He said, “By letting you all add a part of yourselves to the Cross you help take the weight of it off my shoulders and help share the responsibility of it in New Zealand”.
The group, made up from a wide range of schools and year levels, participated in problem solving activities and exercises such as paintball, but the most challenging activity by far was the devilish mud-run-come-obstacle course. Having to trek through about 200m of waist-deep mud was not only a strain on the body, but it also meant the group had to work together and help their peers rather than moving forward by themselves.
Willie left the group with some valuable advice, “Life is a struggle at first, just like in the mud. You were all scared and didn’t want to go in, but by the end when it was the hardest, by yourself it was tough but with others it was easier as you all helped each other get through”. Willie proved that in order to move forward in society and become leaders and respected figures, everyone needs the help of those around them, and in turn must give as much help as one can to them. Through courage, camaraderie and charity, everyone has the chance to become a role model just like Willie Apiata, and his programme was a great catalyst to start this process.