20/09/2025
Let me introduce my nephew Timo Hicks to you all. 😊I bribed him with the promise of 'five minutes of fame' so I could use his life so far, for a campaign post 😅
Timo in my eyes is a classic 'young kiwi rural bloke'. Loving anything outdoors, trapping, hunting, fishing and his big time passion, shearing.🐑
At the young age of 15, Timo picked up a handpiece and did his first hundred. At 16 he traveled to Te kuiti as a junior competitor, placing fourth. He has competed in the Golden Shears, many local shows all over the top of the south island, received a second and third placing in the Corriedale Champs in Christchurch, jumped the ditch to shear in Australia for a season, and has achieved a 'Green Seal' from Elite Shearing and Wool Handling Training. Presently shearing for Angus Moore in Marlborough, Timo has had the opportunity to gain a 'Qualification in Merino Shearing' which is nationally recognised in the shearing world🥳 Huge achievements for a 21 year old!
It was not always plain sailing though for Timo. Being dyslexic and what his mum would term as 'ants in his pants'😅 standard class-room schooling was challenging. Outdoor education and practical hands on skill learning like trapping courses, kayaking and tramping, gave Timo confidence and the necessary teamwork skills to set him on his career path now. We as a family are incredibly proud of what Timo has already achieved.
It therefore astounds me, that that the government are questioning whether Outdoor Education should be part of the NZ curriculum!😱 We all operate and learn in different ways, and should be valued for what makes us unique. Some, it's the written word, for others its in a practical hands on way. There is a place in our communities for everyone. How many of our fathers, grandfathers left school early to help out on the farm? They all hold so much rich local knowledge and invaluable learnt skills. As rural towns we all need to get behind our young people more than ever. Support by mentoring, encouragement by offering them a chance to succeed, and taking a clear message to people in government that this latest policy change is unacceptable! 😤
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