Dick Hubbard was one of the first New Zealanders to participate in an Outward Bound programme and almost half a century later is still encouraging Kiwis to take part in its courses which he describes as life changing.
The Dick and Diana Hubbard Foundation, in partnership with the Rotorua Energy Charitable Trust, has presented Outward Bound scholarships to four Rotorua high school students – Laura Jackson, Jared Tauiwi, Kale Grahame and Adam Donald.
It was as a teenager that Mr Hubbard undertook his course and his achievement was replicated six years ago by Diana who also relished the challenges offered at Anakiwa.
“The lessons I learned from Outward Bound were lessons that stayed with me for life,” Mr Hubbard said.
“I experienced obstacles in business and could have lost the company (Hubbard Foods) but I believe that the lessons I learned helped me through.”
The experience also gave Dick Hubbard a sense of adventure which has never left him. At present he and his wife are biking an epic 4500km journey from the barren wilds of Alaska to the southernmost tip of South America.
The recent scholarships were presented during a two-week break back in New Zealand after which they returned to Los Angeles to reunite with their BMW GS 1200cc bike for their Central and South American leg which they expect to complete on November 1.
Mr Hubbard advised the scholarship recipients that through attending their course they may rethink what they are doing and their plans for the future.
“The real value is what you will learn about yourself,” he said.
This year is the second in which scholarships have been disbursed and Rotorua Trust Chairman Grahame Hall said the intention had been to again make presentations to two students.
“There was a very high calibre of nominations received and for this reason the number of scholarships was increased to four.”
Mr Hall said that as the students are in their second last year of high school the Rotorua community will also benefit.
“It is one of the projects we have looked closely at and we see one of extended benefits.
While the students will get the initial rewards so will their schools and the organisations they belong to,” he said