The Longest Day
Two weeks ago I congratulated the Wairoa Community Development Trust for being named the “Supreme Winner” at the prestigious TrustPower National Community Awards for their Cactus Youth program.
On Saturday I was invited to experience and participate first hand in the “Longest Day” of the fourth Cactus program and what a great day it was.
We gathered at 6.00am at the Wairoa College Hall where we commenced with a warm-up that had me sweating within just a few short minutes. This was followed by a serious circuit session which teamed us up in groups of three to work out for half an hour. Any thoughts I had of a bit of a jog with the kids was totally shattered by the end of this session.
Workout complete, task master Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Harker, gave us a 5 minute break to scoff a few bananas before lining up outside for a route march. In two files we ran from the college and on to Marine Parade. The 5 km run down to the river mouth was interspersed by exercises, sprints and relays all designed to build team work and to challenge individuals.
At the river mouth we picked up three timber poles which became our burden for the jog back to the school. At the base of Fraser Street Hill three poles turned into five just to test the mental resilience of teams. This was hard yards. I’m reasonably fit (thank goodness) but carrying the poles definitely tested me as it did the 27 Cactus Cadets. I have to say jubilation accompanied the final carry of the poles across the school sports fields to complete stage one of the day.
Another short break with water and food before jumping into the Territorials Unimogs for a trip out to Frasertown where Paintball provided a break from the hard yards of the earlier route march.
For those who thought the day was over they were proved to be very wrong. The drive back in the Unimogs took us out to the start of Kiwi Road for the final run. Getting towards 11.00am now it was very hot and dusty. Bodies were all quickly sweating again as we jogged up Kiwi road, through the old sale yards and back across the bridge, toward what we thought was the finishing stretch. But no. A sharp left turn after crossing the bridge brought us face to face with the poles again. A real challenge for young (and not so young) minds.
At this stage I have to compliment the Cactus Team. Tired, hot, ready to call it a day, they all rose to the challenge, picked the five poles up and carried them onto Marine Parade round to Queen Street and down to the final challenge – the Fire Truck pull. This was a great finale to the day watching the leaders of the group stepping up to the task, challenging their team to dig deep and to pull 17 tonne of water truck 800 metres down Marine Parade. A huge effort.
Every member of Cactus Four rose to the challenge and conquered what many of them previously considered impossible. It was a great experience and one that I am sure will help them to build self esteem, confidence and an understanding of their personal ability. Wairoa – you should be very proud of these young people. They were legends!
That evening I was also fortunate to be invited to the school for the Cactus presentation and to be able to share some thoughts with the team. It was a real privilege. It shows just how strong your community is and it proved to me the very real worth of initiatives such as Cactus in building community spirit and pride.
As many of you will know the project is led by Mick Lander who spent most of the evening congratulating others for their help when it was really he that should take a bow. There are many people that can take credit for helping to run Cactus. However can I take this opportunity, on behalf of the community, to particularly thank Mick Lander for his vision and commitment. Well done!
Thanks to all the Wairoa Community for your efforts to provide this amazing opportunity for your youth. It is inspirational and little wonder that you took out the top award at the Trustpower National Community Awards.
Most of all congratulations to “Cactus 4”. This will be a day in your lives that you will never forget. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to join you. It will certainly be a day that I will never forget.
Two weeks ago I congratulated the Wairoa Community Development Trust for being named the “Supreme Winner” at the prestigious TrustPower National Community Awards for their Cactus Youth program.
On Saturday I was invited to experience and participate first hand in the “Longest Day” of the fourth Cactus program and what a great day it was.
We gathered at 6.00am at the Wairoa College Hall where we commenced with a warm-up that had me sweating within just a few short minutes. This was followed by a serious circuit session which teamed us up in groups of three to work out for half an hour. Any thoughts I had of a bit of a jog with the kids was totally shattered by the end of this session.
Workout complete, task master Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Harker, gave us a 5 minute break to scoff a few bananas before lining up outside for a route march. In two files we ran from the college and on to Marine Parade. The 5 km run down to the river mouth was interspersed by exercises, sprints and relays all designed to build team work and to challenge individuals.
At the river mouth we picked up three timber poles which became our burden for the jog back to the school. At the base of Fraser Street Hill three poles turned into five just to test the mental resilience of teams. This was hard yards. I’m reasonably fit (thank goodness) but carrying the poles definitely tested me as it did the 27 Cactus Cadets. I have to say jubilation accompanied the final carry of the poles across the school sports fields to complete stage one of the day.
Another short break with water and food before jumping into the Territorials Unimogs for a trip out to Frasertown where Paintball provided a break from the hard yards of the earlier route march.
For those who thought the day was over they were proved to be very wrong. The drive back in the Unimogs took us out to the start of Kiwi Road for the final run. Getting towards 11.00am now it was very hot and dusty. Bodies were all quickly sweating again as we jogged up Kiwi road, through the old sale yards and back across the bridge, toward what we thought was the finishing stretch. But no. A sharp left turn after crossing the bridge brought us face to face with the poles again. A real challenge for young (and not so young) minds.
At this stage I have to compliment the Cactus Team. Tired, hot, ready to call it a day, they all rose to the challenge, picked the five poles up and carried them onto Marine Parade round to Queen Street and down to the final challenge – the Fire Truck pull. This was a great finale to the day watching the leaders of the group stepping up to the task, challenging their team to dig deep and to pull 17 tonne of water truck 800 metres down Marine Parade. A huge effort.
Every member of Cactus Four rose to the challenge and conquered what many of them previously considered impossible. It was a great experience and one that I am sure will help them to build self esteem, confidence and an understanding of their personal ability. Wairoa – you should be very proud of these young people. They were legends!
That evening I was also fortunate to be invited to the school for the Cactus presentation and to be able to share some thoughts with the team. It was a real privilege. It shows just how strong your community is and it proved to me the very real worth of initiatives such as Cactus in building community spirit and pride.
As many of you will know the project is led by Mick Lander who spent most of the evening congratulating others for their help when it was really he that should take a bow. There are many people that can take credit for helping to run Cactus. However can I take this opportunity, on behalf of the community, to particularly thank Mick Lander for his vision and commitment. Well done!
Thanks to all the Wairoa Community for your efforts to provide this amazing opportunity for your youth. It is inspirational and little wonder that you took out the top award at the Trustpower National Community Awards.
Most of all congratulations to “Cactus 4”. This will be a day in your lives that you will never forget. And thank you for giving me the opportunity to join you. It will certainly be a day that I will never forget.
