On course for a bright future

Limited Services Volunteers graduates. Photo / Stephen Parker

A group of Rotorua young people say their lives have been turned around after successfully completing a Limited Services Volunteers (LSV) course.

A graduation afternoon tea was held at the Rotorua Lakes Council galleria this week for the six, who underwent a six-week motivational training course run by the New Zealand Defence Force.

The recruits were based at either Burnham Military Camp in Christchurch or at military camps in Hobsonville, Auckland, or Trentham, Wellington.

The participants were referred by Work and Income but they did not have to be receiving a benefit to take part.

Mayor Steve Chadwick and Rotorua police Inspector Warwick Morehu gave each of the graduates their certificate of service.

"You may not know this but Rotorua is very proud of you," Mrs Chadwick told the graduates.

Fawn Broughton, 19, became fitter, lost 10kg and was awarded the top of her Burnham camp platoon.

"I needed to do something with my life. I wasn't going anywhere, had no future goals and stuff," she said.

"It was really hard at first, hard to adapt to the life. I was wanting to leave after the first day. We had to get up early and as soon as you open your eyes you have to do your MAs [early morning activity], there was a variety of things, push-ups, running.

"I stayed because I was determined to succeed and, after the second day, things started to get easier and I started to enjoy it.

"I'm more motivated now and definitely have more self-confidence. I want to join the police force now, that's my lifetime goal," Fawn said.

Limited Service Volunteers co-ordinator for the Bay of Plenty region Marian Jamieson said she was so proud of the participants' achievements.

Many of the graduates have gone on to full-time employment.

"They become just like your own family.

"Years later, I see them down the street and they take their hats off and come kiss me on the cheek and tell me what they are doing. I'm just so proud of our kids," she said. "LSV has four core values - self-discipline, confidence, co-operation and respect- and, when I see them come back, there's a whole new self, there's a belief in themselves they never had."