Timaru high school students are being encouraged to dream big to achieve more with the help of Cam Calkoen, and Michelle Greer from Ray White Timaru.
Inspirational speaker Cam Calkoen recently spoke to Timaru Boys’ High and Timaru Girls’ High School students on “bending perceptions through the pursuit of awesomeness”.
Calkoen has represented New Zealand in sport, set up his own business and worked and spoken internationally. He also has cerebral palsy.
“You may have noticed I talk funny and walk funny, and it’s not because I’m drunk,” Cam said as he introduced himself to his audience.
In his own words, Cam dreams “of of a world where everyone is presented with opportunity, and our bodies are not barriers to succeeding in our dreams and aspirations. It is dreams that have brought the world to what we see today. And our aspirations will propel it into the future.” His message to the students was ultimately to create a vision for their lives and believe in themselves. With hard work, passion and commitment, they could achieve their goals, he said. “Life is what you make it and choose to make it awesome.”
Michelle, who saw Cam speak at the Ray White Conference earlier in the year, was contacted by Cam who shared his thoughts with her on coming to speak to the students of Timaru – and Michelle was jumped at the chance to assist. – “It’s great to be able to facilitate this and support Cam on his quest to speak to as many high school students across New Zealand as possible. Cam is an excellent, captivating speaker and it was an excellent event… so well received by the children, staff and all those in attendance! The halls were packed with over 700 students from Boys High alone, followed by an equally large number in attendance the following day at the Girls’ High. Despite the crowds you could still hear a pin drop in the room. Cam certainly knows how to hold and inspire an audience, and his presentation really got the students thinking about their futures.”
Cam told the story of when he wanted to enter the egg-and-spoon race at his school. Although it was going to be messy he entered anyway, and with the help of some inspirational words from his father, and chewing gum on the spoon, he completed the race. From then on he had a passion for sport, competing in golf, skiing and archery. – The take home message being that people needed to focus on their strengths and what they could do, rather than what they could not do. “Ignore the voice that says ‘I can’t’ and ignite the one that says ‘I can’. What are your strengths? Package them up and take them to the world.”
This was the third time Calkoen had visited Timaru to present this year. As a full-time inspirational speaker, he gives three to four speeches at different schools and corporate events each week.
“The power of a small passionate community is so awesome. You get the right people who have the right vision and great things happen.” says Cam of the event and Michelle’s support.
Michelle hopes that other Ray White New Zealand offices will follow her lead and bring Cam Calkoen to speak in their local communities.
Some information sourced: Stuff.co.nz
Pictured: Boys’ High rector Nick McIvor, Cam Calkoen and Michelle Greer from Ray White Timaru.