Three moving stories of adversity overcome were presented at the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson’s  Goalsetter Awards ceremony held in Parliament’s Banquet Hall on Wednesday 10 March, 2021.
Three moving stories of adversity overcome were presented at the Rotary Club of Port Nicholson’s  Goalsetter Awards ceremony held in Parliament’s Banquet Hall on Wednesday 10 March, 2021.
 
The Goalsetter Awards are presented annually to tertiary students who have faced and overcome significant hardship or adversity in their lives and have gone on to achieve their goals. The awards carry a scholarship of $3 500 each.
 
Ainsleyana Puleiata tore her left ACL ligament playing rugby and then again playing netball but has bounced back to make the NZ under 21 netball squad. She was the chief carer for her family during lockdown with her mother at the bedside of her new baby who has heart problems and Down’s syndrome. She still completed her degree in health, worked part time, coached young athletes, and helped at her church. She says she learned resilience and perseverance. 
 
Preston Lyons’ parents cared for two severely handicapped children as well as their own. In 2017 Preston’s promising career was ended by a car crash which left him struggling physically and mentally. He cried every day with the struggle of being alive but jobless. Treatment by a psychologist led to a return to university to study psychology and this year he will undertake studies at Honours level. He has a special friend with autism whom he helps through IHC’s friendship programme.
 
Wesley Tanuvasa was working towards a career in investment banking, but in 2019 his father had a stroke and went into care, his sister left the family, and his mother died. The family had no income and large debts. Wesley became the family breadwinner as well as taking the physical rehab of his father. He took a job as a tutor, continued to study, including at summer school and this year he will finish his commerce degree and will be looking for an internship in finance. 
 
After the presentation of awards an address was given by Dr Ashley Bloomfield, Director General of Health followed by questions from the floor.