Students entering the Marian College school grounds will now pass a memorial seat in  honour of former student and New Zealand representative athlete Kelly Hutton. 

To the New Zealand sporting community Kelly was a national indoor netball representative,  former Canterbury Flame Netballer and even captained the Bahrain National Netball side.  

But to her class of 1992, Kelly was a legend. 

In October 2023 Kelly lost an incredible battle with ovarian cancer, while the world lost a  champion in every respect. Kelly was a gifted sportswoman and a hilarious and  inspirational storyteller, who documented her entire health journey after being diagnosed  with advanced stage three ovarian cancer in 2020. 

But the diagnosis didn’t hold Kelly back. With her over-flowing glass half full approach to life, Kelly ran a half marathon, sky-dived from a helicopter, tramped steep walking tracks, competed in mountain bike races and came excruciatingly close to cycling the length of  New Zealand just months from her death. 

Former classmate Annette Rotheram said “we lost our good friend well before her time at  the age of 49, but through her illness Kelly brought the class of 1992 back together.” 

“We had chat groups, a class of 92 Facebook Page, and regular get-togethers. We wanted  to support Kelly as best we could and now that she has passed, we wanted to remember her the best way we could.” 

So the class of 92 set up a Give A Little page and unsurprisingly raised enough money to purchase the hand crafted memorial seat in just a day. The seat was unveiled at a special  ceremony earlier this month and now sits opposite the main entrance to Marian. 

“Kelly would say she’s there watching to make sure all uniforms are present and correct,”  Annette joked! 

The seat includes a special inscription that reads “Making someone feel included doesn’t  cost a thing. Smile or ask, “Are you doing okay today?”. It was a quote that came directly  from one of Kelly’s final messages. 

Kelly’s positive outlook was a lesson in itself – an education on how to live our best life  every day. 

- Aroha nui, class of ‘92

A tribute to Kelly Hutton - the legend

by Julia Knoef

This seat now stands as Kelly once stood

for friendship, fun, and doing good.

When you choose this special spot to meet

Her voice may echo through the seat.

 

You might hear her say “eat the cake.

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Don’t be fake.

Be good to others, play team sports,

Be vulnerable, wear cut-off shorts.

 

Be good to your body and test its limits,

You’ll be spending your lifetime housed within it.

Be brave, take risks, and own each mistake.

When life rains lemons, make a zesty cheesecake.

 

It’s the quality, not quantity, of the people you know.

Learn when to hold tight and when to let go.

You should trust your instincts, but as a rule

Be kind and friendly, be warm not cool

 

When you’ve eaten your last nachos and your inner cockroach

Is ready to let the end approach

It’s a gift to know you’ve done enough,

And above all else, that you were loved.

 

This seat now stands as Kelly once stood

for friendship, fun, and doing good.

When you choose this special spot to meet

Her voice may echo through the seat.

 

Article added: Tuesday 22 October 2024