Lieutenant Commander Kelly Osborn (left) with Leanne Walsh and Rear Admiral David Proctor, Chief of Navy. Photo supplied.Leanne Walsh is heading off to Canterbury University $5000 better off, thanks to the New Zealand Royal Navy awarding her the HMNZS Canterbury scholarship in December last year.

Started in 2005 to commemorate the decommissioning of the frigate HMNZS Canterbury, the scholarship is awarded to one school leaver per year who will be attending Canterbury University, to help with their first year study costs.

In order to receive the scholarship, Walsh had to submit a 500-word personal statement to show that she not only possessed strong leadership skills, but she also embodied the four core values of the Royal New Zealand Navy – courage, commitment, comradeship and integrity.

A committed Ashburton College student, Welsh had plenty to write about in her scholarship submission.

She gained an overall excellence in NCEA Level Two, and was presented with top scholar awards in chemistry, biology and music, she was also the top overall student enrolled in the three sciences.

Alongside her academic achievements Welsh is also heavily involved with the Jion International Karate Dojo Ashburton club.

She has been studying and teaching younger club members for over half of her life.

Competition success is something Welsh is also known for having received many top three competition placings over the years.

In December last year she advanced to first senior dan black belt level.

Her leadership skills go well beyond those she shows at karate. Welsh also impressed with her willingness to take on mentoring and coaching roles within her school environment.

Taking on the roles of student welfare committee member, peer support leader and volunteer student librarian saw her interact successfully with a wide variety of the student body.

“It is nice to have all the effort I have put in to study and the karate club to be recognised, I don’t do it for the recognition, but it is nice all the same.”

A passion for sciences has made for a natural progression to engineering at Canterbury University.

On completing her degree the talented student is looking to move into the field of electrical engineering.

She she hopes to make a difference to the over one billion people globally living without electricity, via developing ways to change this without impacting adversely on the environment.

Having the financial pressure taken off her for the first year of her engineering studies, not only frees her from first year money worries, it also means Welsh is able to continue with her much loved karate.

“Karate can be an expensive sport.”

The cost of training and travelling to all the competitions adds up, so the scholarship will allow her to carry on with the sport that means so much to her.

Welsh, and mum Tracey, travelled to Auckland’s Devonport Navy Base to officially receive her scholarship certificate.

It was an experience that neither of them will ever forget.

“Knowing that the Navy believe in me was a real confidence boost,” Welsh said.

“And knowing that Mum is proud of me means a lot too.”

While they were there the pair got to have a good look around the base, meet the staff and hear about what engineering opportunities the Royal Navy has to offer.

Accompanying her scholarship certificate was a cover letter from the Royal Navy.

In it they describe Welsh as a “well rounded, incredibly humble young woman with a bright future”.

By Heather Mackenzie © The Ashburton Guardian - 7 January 2020