RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Winner Second Year Running

Photo courtesy of Carol Edwards

For the second year running Yr 13 student and Head Boy, Jibi Kunnethedam, has taken first place in the Otago Southland regional final of the ANZ RSA Cyril Bassett VC Speech Competition.  Jibi spoke about the experience of John Pohe, New Zealand's first Maori war pilot who was shot down during World War II.  He survived 48 hours in a dinghy only to be taken prisoner by the Germans and shot by the Gestapo after an escape attempt.

Jibi will compete in Wellington at the end of the month at the national final.  The overall winner will travel to Gallipoli for the 2013 ANZAC Day commemorations.