Waimate Rotary prides itself on being a club of the future, one that embraces all ages and diversities. Part of the clubs youthful side is to invite the Head Boy and Head Girl of the Waimate High School to attend meetings and be a part of the club. Daniel Buckingham and Niamh O'Donnell are the head prefects for 2017 and the club is privileged to have them at our weekly meetings.
Here is a bit more about our two inspirational young leaders...
Daniel Buckingham writes:
I have spent all of my life living in Waimate, I grew up, and still live on a farm about 10 kilometres North of Waimate, near the Hook river. I went to Waituna Creek School and then on to Waimate High School where I currently am.
I like to spend virtually all of my spare time outside, which involves working on the farm for the most part. I really enjoy this because there are so many different things to do, one day I can be building/engineering, the next I can be driving a tractor and so on.
Other things I like to do is to go mountain biking and snowboarding. I also really like building and am currently building a Hutt that sleeps 5, has a fire and is able to be towed from one place to another.
I have really enjoyed my time in Rotary this year, it has been great spending time with people I normally wouldn't as I get to see things from a different perspective. My confidence has grown a lot too at Rotary which I am very grateful for.
Niamh O'Donnell writes:
I am a Year 13 student and Head Girl of Waimate High School. My parents are Peter and Rachel O'Donnell and I have two younger sisters; Arwen and Enya. Having grown up on our farm at Waituna, I have lived in Waimate my entire life and attended Waituna Creek Primary School.
Now in my final year of High School, I enjoy skiing and playing the piano which I have done so for nearly nine years now. I love learning and enjoy the close knit community of Waimate High School.
My role as Head Girl has been my highlight of the year and is an experience that has both helped me to grow as a leader, and to give back to my school.
Next year, I am planning to study a double degree in Law and Politics at University.
I have found attending the Waimate Rotary Club a fantastic opportunity to connect with the community and always makes for an entertaining evening.