ILT Supporting Southlanders on the World Stage

In 2024, Group ILT approved more than $400,000 in funding towards supporting Southland's talent across various fields, from international competitions to tertiary education.

Twenty-six scholarships were awarded to help 40 Southlanders selected to represent New Zealand on the world stage. These grants totalled more than $50,000 and supported travel to Denmark, Vietnam, Korea, France, Dubai, Peru, USA, and China, to name a few.

ILT President, Paddy O'Brien commented, "The wide range of fields represented by the recipients, from cycling to choir, highlights the exceptional talent we have here in Southland. We're proud that our funding supports these individuals to compete on the international stage."

Most recently, the board approved travel support for nine members of the Murihiku Scout Zone to represent Scouts NZ at an event in Queensland, Australia. The young attendees will develop their leadership skills and international connections that they can bring back to Invercargill.

Towards the end of 2024, ILT awarded tertiary scholarships to 65 young people embarking on their academic journeys. Each recipient will receive $2,000 per year for the next three years, with around $390,000 allocated annually towards this initiative.

Since its inception in 2007, the Tertiary Scholarship Programme has supported over 900 students, with a total investment exceeding $5 million.

"We're grateful for the opportunity to support our community members as they pursue higher education. It's inspiring to see the calibre of students coming through and their aspirations for the future," he said.

In an interesting coincidence, Renee Stevenson, who received support from ILT to compete in Australia at the ICN World Natural Games where she won her category, has a daughter, Ebony, who was also awarded an ILT tertiary scholarship.

"International competition has ramped up since borders reopened, and we're seeing increased demand for support across our scholarship programmes," O'Brien added. "As we look to the future, ILT remains committed to nurturing local talent and providing opportunities for Southlanders to shine on both national and international stages."