Alumni News May 2024
A round up of Alumni News from our May 2024 Explorer newsletter.
Hazel Molloy (Young Inspiring Explorer 2019) attended the Spirit of Adventure programme in March 2024, and is currently completing the Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award (gold level). “Thanks to the Young Inspiring Explorers™ summit I attended, I was encouraged to get out there and try new things, including being elected Head Girl at my school for 2024,” said Hazel.
Isis McKenzie (Young Inspiring Explorer 2021) has been putting her explorer mindset to work in all areas of life – being part of the musical and junior productions at her school, being awarded the ‘Curious About Science’ Prize, High Distinction for Drama, and MVP and Most Promising Junior Umpire awards for Netball.
Lana Kiddie-Vai (Inspiring Explorer 2019) is in her final semester at the University of Auckland where she is studying for her degree in Health and Society and Anthropology.
On top of organising three presentations to share about her experience on the Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ – South Georgia, Kelsey Waghorn (Inspiring Explorer 2023) has a podcast, a panel presentation in Auckland, and a presentation to medical professionals coming up. Kelsey is also expanding her skillset with a five-day outdoor first aid course to help get others out exploring safely.
David Harrowfield NZAM (Trust Inaugural Executive Officer) delivered the sixth annual Reverend AP Spencer-Smith lecture “An Enduring Legacy” at All Saints Church, Dunedin (NZ), in early March. The lecture marked 108 years since the death of Spencer-Smith, a member of the 1914-17 Ross Sea party, and included reference to the work of the Trust. A commemorative stained-glass window was blessed and formally unveiled at the event. David also recently completed a 120,000 word draft for his record of Physical Geography at University of Canterbury (NZ), which included information about science undertaken at Cape Royds in the early 1960s. David has completed a further paper, written with Dr Mark Mabin, on islands of the Ross Sea and their exploration.
Ihlara McIndoe (right) and musicians at the ‘A Musical Journey to Antarctica’ concert, 2022. ©AHT/Anna Clare
Ihlara McIndoe (Inspiring Explorer 2020) is currently in Canada, working towards completing her Master’s degree. She recently gave a presentation to her MBA class on the potential for non-arts organisations to collaborate with artists on mutually beneficial projects. Ihlara spoke about the work the Trust does to support young artists, as part of its work to encourage young people to embrace the spirit of exploration. Examples she gave included her own Antarctic inspired compositions, Anzac Gallate’s My Explorer Journal, A’aifou Kaufusi-Potemani’s visual art, and Marco de Kretser and Alexander Hillary’s photographic exhibition.
Devon Ormsby (Young Inspiring Explorer 2019) was recently selected to the Under 18 Waikato Lacrosse team, one of two New Zealand teams to compete at the 2024 Lacrosse Australia Under 18 National Championship tournament in Melbourne. Devon is also currently training for a half marathon.
In December, Emily Wilson (Inspiring Explorer 2022) and her friend Georgia Whitla won the 24-hour Australasian Rogaine Championships female division, coming in fifth overall. In January, Emily attempted the Revenant Ultra Adventure Run, an ultra-running event with a few twists, which helped her reflect on her personal resilience and growth in trusting her abilities. Emily also recently worked on a US adventure TV show, filmed in the upper South Island (NZ). Initially operating as a safety guide for the cast, Emily ended up assisting the National Geographic videography team with story producing and filming, and is excited to pursue further opportunities in this area. Emily was thrilled to catch up with Laura Andrews (Inspiring Explorer 2022), who also worked on the show as a medic.
William Pike (Inspiring Explorer 2017) is proud to have 126 schools participating in the William Pike Challenge Programme this year, from Stewart Island to the far north of New Zealand. William is speaking at all six National Young Leaders Day events around Aotearoa this year, with an expected total audience of approximately 10,000 young people. William is also excited to have a large number of corporate speaking engagements lined up, who will all hear about the 2017 Inspiring Explorers Expedition™ – Mount Scott.
