St John awards cadets
The Dannevirke Order of St John Cadet prizegiving illustrated the importance and impact the cadets have in our community.
“You are the carers in the future and you undertake more than just first aid,” Rex Wheeler, Knight of the Order of St John, said at the prizegiving in St John the Baptist Anglican Church last Sunday.
Wheeler said the three Grand Prior cadets named at the ceremony, Samantha Bradbury, Katie Severinson-Perry and Ryan Walker, showed the incredible work and commitment young people are willing to do for St John. Grand Prior was first awarded in New Zealand in 1934 and is a prestigious honour. This was the first time three cadets had been awarded Grand Prior in one year in Dannevirke.
Tararua District deputy mayor Allan Benbow thanked St John for the work they do in our community.
“St John is so vitally important.” Following the processional and the colour party presentation, the cadets about to be enrolled paraded through a guard of honour down the aisle of St John’s Anglican Church, pausing at each floor marker and repeating the points of the St John star.
Steve Lancaster, district youth manager for St John, said it was important to celebrate what the young people had achieved.
“This follows centuries of the
Order of St John which goes back more than 900 years to Jerusalem,” he said. “Being a member of St John recognises the special qualities of commitment these young people have made in joining. They should take pride in their division, gaining the spirit of friendship while experiencing the symbols of Christian virtues.”
Lancaster said he hoped the newly enrolled cadets would spend many years with St John.
The St John Youth programme is about promoting positive youth development, opening opportunities to young people and providing challenges that will help unlock their true potential — helping them to grow as individuals.
The growth of a cadet in the youth programme can be measured in numerous different areas and on Sunday Samantha Bradbury was awarded the Ontogenesis award, for the many hours putting in the hard yards for St John, while Lucian Schoefelder was named Penguin of the Year. Cadets Jasmin Dean and Jessica Bradbury received the Sapphire award, for their 25-hours of community service, as well as earning three compulsory badges and three of their own choice. James Walker and Katie Severinsen-Perry earned well-deserved promotions.