Young Achievers Evening - Graeme Obree guest speaker

Our Young Achievers Evening this year will encompass all of East Ayrshire's Academies - Kilmarnock, Grange, St. Joseph's, James Hamilton. Stewarton, Loudoun, Doon, Auchinleck and Cumnock - and we are holding it in conjunction with our sister Clubs of Loudoun and Cumnock.

Two pupils from each Academy, generally the Head Boy and Girl, are invited for dinner following which we have an inspirational speaker. This year our speaker will be cycling legend Graeme Obree.

Fellow cyclist Sir Chris Hoy commented "Graeme is a genius in the true sense of the word. His uncanny ability to tackle problems from an angle that no-one else could have thought of, makes him a one-off. An original. He sees the world in a different way to us mere mortals and comes up with ideas and solutions which make you laugh, shake your head and say 'why didn't I think of that?"

An individual beyond reproach, an innovator, an incredible athlete with an indestructible determination are just some of the elements of Graeme's character. To understand the rest you really need to hear it from the man himself - Graeme is a brilliant speaker with a truly captivating story.

(If you absolutely can't manage on the 29th you can find out about Graeme here)

Report on the evening:-

"Sixteen of East Ayrshire’s most successful students from the eight secondary schools were the guests of Rotary. What they had in common was a story of achievement and success, with the promise of more to come! In front of many Rotarians from Kilmarnock and other parts of East Ayrshire, the students were introduced and enjoyed an excellent meal. The guest motivational speaker was Graeme Obree, nicknamed The Flying Scotsman, who twice broke the world cycling hour record, in July 1993 and April 1994, and was also the individual pursuit world champion in 1993 and 1995. Graeme’s theme was the importance of pushing yourself beyond your ‘comfort zone’, and the importance of having a ‘passion’ for whatever you choose to do in your life. Graeme was setting his records way back in 1993/1994 around the time of the birth of most of the students."