Proud to be me
Proud To Be Me is a series of stories celebrating the people of Selwyn
| Hamish Jones and the large band of volunteers who help out on the Boat Creek Restoration Project are a textbook example that many hands make light work. Click here to read Hamish's story. |  |
Marie Utuvai and her family arrived just over year ago to Rolleston, but the Year 12 student is adapting quickly to her new life in a new country, at school, at home, on the rugby field and in the local Samoan community.
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While most service men and women join the armed forces at an early age, you could call Charles Cornhill a late-bloomer. The communications operator at Burnham military camp joined the New Zealand Army just before hitting the big Three O to fulfil a lifelong ambition to become a soldier and follow the footsteps of his great-grandfather. Click here to read Charles' story. |  |
| Anna Keeling is deeply connected to the mountains and ski-fields around her home in Castle Hill, but her career has taken her all over the world. Click here to read Anna's story. |  |
Rochelle Waters fits a lot into her week – sometimes enough to make even her siblings a little envious. The 31-year-old West Melton resident has not let her disability stop her from holding down a job, becoming a national swimming champion, performing and teaching dance in New Zealand and overseas, and being a proud aunty to her two nephews Cooper and Theo. Click here to read Rochelle's story. |  |
Less than three years ago, Arran Armstrong was a quiet, shy student at Darfield High School who was most comfortable in the confines of the family home and preferred others to do the talking. Last month, that same young man from Kirwee took to the stage at Government House to address a roomful of high-ranking officials after receiving his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Medal. Click here to read Arran's story. |  |
Photographic artist Chris Pegman has claimed one of the most prestigious photography awards by winning a Gold Medal at the reFocus Awards. Pegman’s stunning image of a performance at the Isaac Theatre in Christchurch mesmerised the judges who included experts from the National Geographic Society, the BBC World Service, ABC News and other renowned global agencies. Click here to read Chris' story. |
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Laura Willan is a relatively new arrival in Selwyn, but is deeply connected in her new community, running her own business, working as a youth worker with local teenagers and becoming the social focal point for her local neighbourhood. The mother-of-three says moving to Rolleston is the best thing her family ever did and is here to stay. Click here to read Laura's story. |  |
Dave Fitzjohn is supposed to be retired but is probably busier than he has ever been in his working life, as the project manager and chair of the Lincoln Envirotown Trust. Lincoln Envirotown runs a variety of activities, from planting and maintaining the Mahoe Reserve and the Lincoln Community Garden to running the Responsible Business Network, Predator Free programmes, and numerous school workshops and competitions. Click here to read Dave's story. |  |
Miru McLean has been part of the Selwyn community for so long that many think he has always been a local. McLean grew up in Whakatane, the cultural heart of Ngati Tūhoe, but ended up in Burnham 25 years ago on a Navy assignment and simply never left. Click here to read Miru's story. |  |
Lucas MacManus recently completed the Outward Bound course, a challenging outdoor education programme that challenges the mind and body in the middle of the New Zealand winter, and says he relished the opportunity. The 17-year-old was encouraged to apply for the course as a member of the Selwyn Youth Council and took up the challenge as another opportunity to try new things. |  |
| The rapidly growing Indian community in Selwyn will soon celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Light and the highlight of their year. Veena Devi spoke with Coen Lammers about their life in Selwyn and winning the People’s Choice Award at the Selwyn Awards. Click here to read Veena's story. |  |
This week is National Grandparents Week in New Zealand and Marie Carrodus from Leeston is well-placed to talk about the important role grandparents play in modern family life and the wider community. Click here to read Marie's story. |  |
As we have now entered Movember, Coen Lammers sat down with former farming and mental health advocate Chris Ford who started a new career in Selwyn to recover from his own personal burn-out. Click here to read Chris' story. |  |
To mark the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, on December 3, Coen Lammers spoke to Hazel Littlejohn, New Zealand’s Disabled Bowls Player of the Year from Darfield, a trailblazer for inclusion. Click here to read Hazel's story. |  |
This week Coen Lammers talks to budding broadcaster Josh Henderson who has enjoyed a fascinating year, from the commentary booth to the co-driver seat in a rally car and even a seat in Parliament. Click here to read Josh's story. |  |
Anyone who has spent time around David Drake knows the Lincoln Rotary stalwart dislikes anyone making a fuss about him. So when he was awarded a King’s Service Medal in the recent New Years Honours, it came as no surprise Drake felt proud, but also slightly awkward. Click here to read David's story. |  |
| Wayne Smart had no idea his Facebook post five years ago would result in a large cycling community who go for rides each Sunday, and some Wednesdays over summer. The post attracted dozens of comments and before long the inaugural group was on the road to Lincoln. Click here to read Wayne's story. |  |
| Maury Leyland arrived in Selwyn from Auckland about a decade ago and is now fully immersed in farming life, and in growing a rapidly growing protein business, Leaft. Click here to read Maury's story. |  |
| Speaking to Hafsa Ahmed, you wonder how she finds the time for a career as a university lecturer in Business Strategy, Leadership and Project Planning, while raising two teenagers and delivering a multitude of programmes through the Lady Khadija Charitable Trust. Click here to read Hafsa's story. |  |
