From beach patrol to catching babies

MAS Here for Good Scholarships are all about supporting students who are serving their community. We caught up with a recent grant recipient and surf lifesaving volunteer turned trainee midwife, who says lessons learned at the beach are now helping her in the birthing suite.

Christchurch student Emma Blackwell is no stranger to keeping cool under pressure. Whether it’s powering through rough waters to rescue a swimmer in trouble, springing into action as a first responder in the event of cardiac arrest, or supporting women in labour, it's her passion for helping others that spurs her on when things get stressful. 

“I’ve always found a lot of purpose in helping my community, and in many ways, volunteering has also helped me, too,” Emma says. '

“Patrolling on weekends as a volunteer surf lifeguard, and working with GoodSAM as a CPR first responder has given me the confidence to take action in some tough situations. Knowing I have that ability to step up under pressure has also been really valuable in my training to become a midwife.”

It was her love of the ocean that drew Emma to the sand, but it was New Zealand’s shocking drowning statistics that made her view the water in a different light. Driven to help make the beach safer for her community, she took up surf lifesaving 2 years ago and has since become a qualified IRB (inflatable rescue boat) crewman. 

Most recently, she’s taken to the competitive side of IRB racing and even scooped a gold medal at a South Island surf lifesaving event, but she says there’s much more to it than winning awards. 

“Being able to play my role to ensure families don’t lose loved ones at the beach is a huge privilege. Surf lifesaving has taught me so many lessons, particularly the importance of teamwork. On patrol, we all have different strengths and we all work together for the same goals. It’s taught me to step outside my comfort zone and it’s shown me that with a good team around you, you can do anything.” 

And for the Here for Good Scholarship winner, there’s an extra special reason for facing the waves each weekend. 

“My dad passed away from cancer last year, and he was a beautiful positive person, an advocate for the environment and a longtime volunteer with the Waimakariri Water Zone Committee. Dad was big on helping others, and he continues to be my role model. Through the experience of losing Dad, the surf lifesaving club really supported me and proved once again how important it is to have a purpose and to be surrounded by amazing people.”    

And these days, she spends as much time in the birthing suite as she does at the beach. Now in her first year of midwifery training at Christchurch’s Ara Polytechnic, the 22-year-old says “catching babies” has long been her favourite career choice.

“Midwifery has always been a calling. The course is a great mix of practical placements and theory learning. Supporting women through their journey is incredibly rewarding and the skills I’ve gained through volunteering, like learning to trust myself and my ability, have been really transferable to midwifery.”

She plans to put the Here for Good Scholarship grant towards her studies, and says she's grateful to have a financial buffer that leaves her with more time to continue volunteering. “I haven’t had to catch a baby on the beach yet,” she laughs. “But who knows, maybe one day it will happen!”         

Students studying in New Zealand and who actively contribute or participate in a group, association, community activity or volunteer programme for the benefit of others can apply for 1 of 2 MAS Here for Good scholarships. Applications are open 3 times per year to work around semester breaks and exams. The individual scholarship recipient receives $1,000 to help towards study or living costs, and the group scholarship recipient receives $4,000 to help towards operational costs.