Agnes Water State School students entered the Opti-MINDS Challenge this year for the first time, and were extremely successful.

The Agnes Water Team had won their Queensland division under 12 on September 17. As Queensland representatives, they were invited to the next level of challenge in Taranaki New Zealand to participate in the language and literature Opti minds challenge.

The structure of the international competition is such that the parents are encouraged to take their child to the Tournament. This was the procedure that Agnes Water State School endorsed.

A committee was formed of parents to fundraise so that seven students and a parent could travel to the competition in Taranaki New Zealand between October 19 -23rd.

Although Agnes Water team member Jessie Rodgers, Cody Baker and Connor Harvey were unable to make the trip to New Zealand to attend the Optiminds challenge, their fellow Agnes Water team members Emma Gray, Cassidy Rodgers, Rae Nicholson, Josh Rusan and Stephen Doory carried the Agnes Water Optiminds spirit flag with them.

The parent fundraising committee elected Maurice Nicholson as chairperson and Larraine Harvey as treasurer, were supported by Agnes Water State School with fundraising effort conducted over a short time line of just 3 weeks. Fundraising from within the Agnes Water community and across the Queensland state, proved a massive task, yet we managed to raise enough money to pay all the domestic and international air travel fares, accommodation, meals and al the expenses to and from New Zealand.

The four children and a chaperone for each child were on there way to New Zealand. With a magnificent effort from Kim Rusan as facilitator for the team, with Paula Kable assisting as the drama and acting aid, Optiminds Team Agnes Water participated in there challenge of language, literature and acting and they all came out winners in the end.

Each team member was presented with a certificate from the state Optiminds leader Fiona Meyer for their participation in the Optiminds Challenge.

This was the first introduction of the Optiminds challenge program to New Zealand and it proved very successful outcome for Optiminds Program Queensland, as well for our children and school, Agnes Water being one of only two schools in Queensland to make it through to the final challenge.

The students were able to experience a traditional cultural experience where they stayed at the Owae Marae, Waitara, Taranaki, where they where welcomed with traditional Maori greetings from local Kaumatua (Elders).

The kids and I would like to thank all the sponsors and community members who made this happen. Thank you also everyone involved from the people that brought raffle tickets to the ladies that sold them. (Lindy and friends what a priceless commodity you are to this town you ladies are.)

Thank you to local MP Mr Rob Messenger who came along and supported our fundraiser. Vocalist Tarni Stephens belted out some great rock tunes with Jackson Nicholson on guitar and Liam Powell on percussion. Thanks to Agnes Water Tavern management John & Joanne Randall for all their support. To all the children at Agnes Water State School who paid a dollar for the free dress day, your fellow students thankyou for your donation.

There are so many people to thank, for advice and financial assistance, without the community and the fundraising assistance this could not be achieved. The Opti-minds T-Shirt covered with sponsor’s logos, were printed and distributed to all participants of Agnes Water Opti-minds team and their chaperones. Team members that were unable to attend also received a t-shirt and a gift from New Zealand. Major sponsors also received a t-shirt.

A mammoth thanks to Craig Butcher of New Zealand’s Valhalla site management and a great job from once again from Gilles and Andrea of Evolution screen printing (Voila), Also Agnes Water RSL; Ubber AIIES Australia; Miriam Vale Shire Council; Neville Hughes Painting; Bill Roberson Toyota; Cool Bananas Backpackers; Red Dog Steel; Agnes Water Discovery Coast Tourism & Commerce Inc; Scooter Roo Tours; Boral Concrete; Kable Security; Agnes Water Bait & Tackle; Agnes Water Tavern; Newtown Developments; Greg Clark Building; Mike Murry Homes; The 1770 Group.

Maurice Nicholson Chairman for Fundraising
Opti-Minds Agnes Water.

Courtesy The Coastal Rag