Profiles, Reports and Images of SWY 17

Damon Irvine – National Leader
Damon is 32 years old and was a participant on the SWY 11th programme. He also also attended the 1st 21st renaissance youth leaders programme(Japan) and has been involved in SWY Alumni activites in New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Honduras. Damon has studied counselling, group facilitation & worked for Action Education and Youthline 1994-2001. He has been living in Japan from 2002 and will be returning home to New Zealand at the end of October to start preparation for the Ship for World Youth.

Wook Lee - Christchurch
Having moved to NZ from Korea in 1995 with his family, Wook Jin (Wook) gained his citizenship in 2003. At age 19, he has just completed his second year of study at the University of Canterbury, where he is pursuing a double degree in law and political science. He has been heavily involved with the United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand, and has organised and attended various regional, national and international conferences through the Association. He has recently been elected its National Vice President. Wook is also a founding member of the International Christchurch Youth group, a new group supported by the Christchurch City Council, which aims to encourage and promote international cooperation and friendship.

William Watterson - Wellington
Will Watterson is a 21-year old pom-turned-kiwi with a passion for working with young people. Will completed his BA in Theatre and Literature at Victoria University last year, and is currently working at the Wellington Boy's & Girls' Institute (BGI), where he is co-ordinating the creation of a new Youth Cafe in central Wellington. In his 'spare' time, Will is Project Co-ordinator for Seed Ministries, a missions organisation that works with Burmese refugees living in Thailand. He also helps to run WICF, a support group for International Students at Victoria University. Will's interests include conquering vast mountains, climbing skyrise buildings, and trying to catch the the no.7 Bus on time. He has also cultivated a head of long, blonde dreadlocks - which he assures us he washes regularly. Email Will bgiorg11@bgi.org.nz

Anthony Karauria - Gisbourne
Anthony is 28 years old and currently works as a tutor at Turanga Ararau, an Iwi Tertiary Provider, delivering and assessing NZQA Unit Standards in Te Reo Maori, communication skills and basic computing. At the University of Waikato where Anthony obtained and Bachelor of Arts he also worked as a Residential Assistant and Warden in Bryant Hall, providing pastoral care to residents and organising student activities. Email Anthony kaitiaki@hotmail.com

Elliot Roberts - Auckland
Elliot Roberts is 23 years old and is soon to complete his second year as President of the Auckland University of Technology's Student movement aka AuSM. He is also about to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science, majoring in Microbiology. A born and bred Aucklander Elliot's interests asides from lobbying and campaigning for student rights include various activities such as kayaking, rugby League, cricket, basketball and being in the great outdoors.

Ceinwen Rainey - Auckland
Ceinwen is 26 yrs of age and of Ngati Kahu/Te Aupouri descent. After living in Scotland and Sweden in 2003 she is currently completing a Post Graduate Diploma in Primary Teaching at UNITEC in Auckland. She completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 2000 at Auckland University and an Advanced Certificate in Outdoor Education at Aoraki Polytechnic in 2001. With outdoor qualifications she has worked as a glacier guide and outdoor educator, guiding and instructing clients from all over the world in remote corners of the Southern Alps and Scottish Highlands. With a strong knowledge of Te Reo, Ceinwen is also talented in music and visual arts. Other interests include mountaineering, travel and spending time with family & friends. Email Ceinwan rainey_girl@hotmail.com

Ngaire Konise - Wellington
Ngaire is a 20 year old, university student completing a Bachelor of Science
majoring in Chemistry and Technology at Victoria University. She has been involved with a Victoria University organisation Te Ropu Awhina Putaiao, a mentoring programme for Maori and Pacific Island students, which also contributes to the wider community tutoring science at Lower Decile schools and promoting university study as an attainable goal.
Ngaire has also been a residential assistant at a University Hostel,
the majority of residents being international students part of her job
has been to introduce them to kiwi lifestyle.
Last summer she spent some time in Florence, Italy to study the language
and experience the culture, and looks forward to this new international adventure. She loves music, food and shopping!

Luzabel Salter - Auckland
Luzabel is 24 years old and is the Facilities Manager at Youthline in Auckland. She has vast experience with youth with roles including: peer sexuality support studnet, peer reading tutor, NZAAHD (NZ Association of Adolescent Health and Development) National executive team member, Youthline executive team member, Asthma Auckland youth leader, Voice Youth development programme volunteer, Youthline telephone counsellor.
She has spent time living and working in Dublin, London and Atlantic City and has worked as a Camp Counsellor at a Summer Camp in Pennsylvania, USA.
Email Luzabel luzabelles@yahoo.com

Melanie Beatson
Melanee is 25 years old and has just completed an BA with Honours, majoring in Japanese at Victoria University in Wellington. In her undergraduate papers whe studied Chinese language, Maori language and culture and World Politics. She has participated in the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) programme for two years and is fluent in Japanese language.

She also works part time at Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand as a Host, communicating information to local and international visitors about both the museum and New Zealand in general. Melanee is actively involved with promoting the JET programme to prospective participants and is actively involved in the Wellington Festival of Japan.

Yea Ji Sohn
Yea Ji is a 19 year old Korean-New Zealander. She is studying Law, Political Studies, and Sociology at the University of Auckland. She is currently the International Affairs Officer of Auckland University Students' Association, and the Auckland Regional President of the United Nations Youth Association of New Zealand. In August of 2004, she represented New Zealand at the university-level International Model United Nations in Beijing, China. In her spare time, she enjoys travelling, reading, sports, and meeting new people

Paula Jones - Wanganui
Paula is 28 years old and the youngest of 8 children. Born and raised in Wanganui she is currently teaching at St Anne's Primary School in Wanganui. Her job title is Senior Sydicate Leader on the schools management team and she is in charge of the Year 7 & 8 students. As well as this she helps with the schools Kapa Haka group, dance group and organise the music and events for the school choir. She is a member of the staff band and has assisted with our student band this year.

She has founded two youth groups for Primary and Secondary aged students and help with the planning and running of these groups each week. In addition she is a member of a youth band for her church. She has a real passion for music and along with playing the guitar is learning the bass and can play the piano.

In her spare time she plays a range of sports such as touch rugby, basketball, netball, soccer, and tennis. Paula is a huge rugby fan and would never miss a game in the Super 12 or NPC.