Amy Stilgoe (from left), Mitch Cushnie, Jessalene Eclipse and Tarquin Kittlety-Williams at the Champions of Change Youth Hui at Ashburton College last week. Photo supplied.Ashburton College students have take the first steps in understanding how they can effect positive change on Mid Canterbury through sustainability.

The first Champions of Change Youth Hui was held at the school on Thursday, which is a collaboration between the school and the Kanuka Mid Canterbury Regeneration Trust.

Trust community connector Angela Cushnie said the hui was about exploring way to build and strengthen the relationship between young people, the communities and the environment.

“We started the day by asking them why are they here and what did they want to get out of the day,” she said.

“We then asked them what they were worried about, what their concerns were.”

Concerns including plastics, pollution, trees, Co2, species and plants and transport.

Cushnie said it was important for the students to focus on affecting change in their circles, through their friends, family and neighbours.

“We also spoke about who is involved with change, councillors, conservationists,” she said.

“We also asked them what they are most proud of in the region, and some things they would like to see changed and why it is important to change those things.”

Cushnie said the idea came about after seeing similar things in Christchurch, and realising there was nothing in this area.

Teacher Carolyn Clough was responsible for organising the hui at the school, and said the event had come about through simple conversations.

“This year the Year 9s are doing a new concept called innovation, and the first topic they will be doing next year in Year 10 is called sustainability, so it all fits in nicely,” she said.

Cushnie said she hoped the hui would give the students the opportunity to engage with things local the local Water Zone Committee and attend meetings to add their thoughts.

By Jaime Pitt-MacKay © The Ashburton Guardian - 30 September 2019