Hamish Tunnage
And if he has his way, that is exactly how he will spend his productive future years.
A sporting and academic all-rounder, the Lawrence Area School head pupil first got into tinkering with cars as a young teenager.
“I’ve always like the old classic cars. I’ve grown up around them and they’ve grown on me.
“In the last few years fixing cars has started to become more of an interest. I love the hands-on element of getting in there and fixing things."
His passion for the internal combustion engine had led him into his most recent studies.
"I’ve always been into materials tech and, last couple of years, have had the chance to study automotive engineering at Otago Polytech in Cromwell.
"I’d like to get an apprenticeship next year, locally if possible, but otherwise I’ll probably head to Dunedin and see how I go."
The proud driver of a classic Toyota Corolla at present, Hamish said he would like to own an XY Falcon one day.
"It’s another classic. Looks matched by performance."
The Invercargill-born 18-year-old praised his school for its rounded approach to education.
"I think because it’s a smaller, country school, everyone gets to know everyone. That means you get the chance for more one-to-one learning and activities where you can really get into it."
He enjoyed his role as head pupil.
"I went to Akaroa for the New Zealand area schools leadership course back in April, which was great.
"I learnt a lot through the team-building and challenge exercises. I’m proud to represent the school, and just try and be a good role model for the younger students."
A country boy to the core, Hamish liked occasionally to swap his toolbox for a tackle box.
"I love fishing. We go down Tuapeka Mouth on the Clutha there. It’s a hard river to fish, but you get the odd trout."
Achievements: Head pupil (2022); New Zealand Area Schools leadership course (2022); Level 1 merit endorsement; Level 2; Shanks Cup for effort and achievement in technology (2021); Prime Minister’s Vocational Excellence Award (2021); Level 2 automotive engineering, Otago Polytechnic (2021); achievement and effort in materials technology (2021).
Role model: My mum and dad and my older brother. They’ve showed me determination.
Hopes for the future: I’d like to move into an automotive engineering apprenticeship, hopefully locally, but further afield if not.
Paris Wilson
Born and brought up on an Evans Flat farm just outside Lawrence, the athletic year 13 pupil says she first got on horseback aged 6, and never looked back.
Although none of her immediate family were into rodeo, the encouragement of a family friend led her to have a crack at barrel racing several years back.
Practice and determination paid dividends during the last season to run before Covid-19 shut the circuit down this past summer, allowing her to "break open" during her first second division open season.
"Breaking open means you collected more than $3000 prize money on the second division circuit in a single season, which I did, thanks in part to my dad driving me round the North Island all summer.
"That felt good."
Paris said there was no feeling like the adrenaline buzz from a good performance in the rodeo ring.
"The quarter horses are quick and agile, but it pays to be slightly mad too," she joked.
No stranger to competitive success, the sporty teen has also been an area schools rep in basketball and netball, where she play centre/winger.
Although a career in rodeo was firmly in her dreams, Paris believed her wide-ranging interests could take her down any of several paths.
She would take a year out following school to travel, and narrow down her focus.
"I’m going to work next year, maybe travel, do farm work or work with kids. I’ve got family and friends over in England and Wales at the moment, so that would be one place, and maybe the US to try my hand at professional rodeo."
Paris said she had enjoyed her school career in Lawrence and was ready for the next step.
"The school’s been great, giving me leadership roles and opening up lots of avenues to explore.
"We’ll see where the next year takes me."
Achievements: Rodeo: broke open in first second division open season (2021); 2nd in rookie class (2021); 1st in South Island Champs 1D barrel racing (2021); 1st with Southern team, South Island Jackpot finals (2021). House captain (2021-22); Southern Area Schools basketball and netball rep (2021-22); netball rep at Otago and SI Champs (2020-22); Level 1 merit endorsement; Level 2 with PE and English endorsed; Telford Equine Studies levels 2 and 3; SIT Early Childhood Studies level 3.
Role Model: My dad, as he’s been so supportive of me following my rodeo dreams.
Hopes for the future: Travel to US to compete professionally in rodeo and one day work with kids.
