Words of wisdom from Wellington College Head Boy

Wellington College Head Boy, Marcus Playle, was the choice of Rotary Club of Port Nicholson to give the Parting Thought at the special meeting for RI President Ray Klinginsmith.

Here's what he said:

"It’s my pleasure to be able to leave you tonight with a parting thought.

As a teenager who is slowly coming to terms with all that beckons after High School, I’m beginning to realise the importance of setting goals and having ambition, yet it is something that all of us, particularly those of the younger generations should value and embrace.

As it stands, Rotary International already does so much to promote and encourage young people to set their sights high – a message that is incredibly important.

We can give our kids as many options and pathways as we want, but until we instill in them a genuine belief that they can achieve whatever they want to, then all other measures are redundant.

For us, as a group and a community, it is about providing young people with opportunities – opportunities for them to see what they can do, to work out where they can make a difference, and to achieve what they have always wanted to achieve.

The Rotary community is scattered with people who have a lot to share and a lot to give.

The onus then is on all of us to make sure that the message we send to our children is one that suggests they can do whatever they put their minds to.

At the end of the day, what you WANT to achieve and what you actually CAN achieve, are things that are separated only by hard work and, like I say, a bit of ambition and forward thinking.

It seems in the world of today, there’s a real tendency to shoot down those who dare to dream big, but only by challenging ourselves and the perceptions of those around us, will we go on to reach our full potential.

The importance then, of drive and self-confidence is never to be underestimated.

With ambition and perseverance, future generations can go on to achieve anything.

I leave you then with the words of the great Roman Emperor and my own namesake, Marcus Aurelius who said “A man’s worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions”.