This was the message Oranga Tamariki (The Ministry for Vulnerable Children) chief executive Grainne Moss delivered when scholarships and prize-money were awarded to 20 young people in state care at the annual William Wallace awards in Wellington on Wednesday.

The awards celebrate people in the care of the Oranga Tamariki, who have overcome challenges in life.

Blaise Hubbard, from Gisborne, has been in care since she was 8-years-old.

An accomplished musician, with a master on at least six instruments and dreams of being a music teacher.

Hubbard won tuition fees for her first year of study at Victoria University in Wellington.

But she did not see herself as disadvantaged.

"It's more your own mindset in how well you're going to do, you have to be willing to put in the effort to get places. I don't think I was disadvantaged with my predicament."

One of last year's award winners Dallas Thomson said he had moved homes 20 times over six years in care, but it was important to remain positive.

"When you move around a lot like I have you learn to grow up very quick as maturity is brought upon you at a young age."

The awards are named after William Wallace, who left a bequest to Child, Youth and Family.

Wallace (who died in Australia on 17 July 1989) left his residual estate to 'the neglected children's department or like institution of the Dominion of New Zealand'.

Wallace intended that these funds would be used to nurture children and young people in care and help them develop their potential.

There are 15 - 20 awards available each year, which total in value up to $4,000:

Source

• RNZ
• Oranga Tamariki
• Kiaora Hauora
• Image: RNZ

Pat is going to the Solomon Islands to put into place the John McEvoy Scholarship for Girls with money she and her daughters have raised in England. It is hoped that the scholarships will allow seven or eight girls to go to secondary school.

This will be the first time Pat has visited the Solomons, a country where her husband lived and worked as a teacher and missionary for 18 years.

John McEvoy was an Irish priest and missionary with the Society of Mary. In 1952 he went to the Solomon Islands. He ran a school of 400 children at Buma, on the island of Malaita, where he remained for almost 18 years. John was a dedicated teacher who was particularly keen to promote girls' education. As the saying goes: "Educate a girl and you educate a nation".

In 1969, because of ill health exacerbated by the tropical climate, he returned to Europe, taking up a parish in Devon. In 1972 he married and had a family of four daughters. He continued teaching in England all his life.

John died in Sept 2009. In his memory, his family and friends have established the John McEvoy Scholarship for Girls to fund and support education for girls from Buma and the surrounding area.

Source

• The Dorset Echo
• JohnMcEvoy Scholarships
• Image Dorset Echo