01 February Blenheim Sun Newspaper

Poppy

By Chris Valli

A Witherlea resident and her family have been left devastated after her cat was found dead in a possum trap.

Racheal Kenyon’s cat Poppy was found dead on Sunday, January 22 in an instant kill possum trap about 100 metres from their house on the Sutherland Stream reserve.

Racheal believes someone has cut her wee life far too short.

“It was a possum trap we suspect was baited for cats, in a residential area, in an off-leash dog walking reserve. I really hope whoever set that trap with the intention of killing cats gets what is coming to them.”

Continued on page 2.

Racheal Kenyon’s cat Poppy was found dead in an instant kill possum trap about 100 metres from their house on the Sutherland Stream reserve.

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Brought so much joy to our family

Continued from page 1.

Affectionately known as ‘pop star or poopy’ Racheal says Poppy was the colour of sunshine and was a little ray of sunshine.

“From the moment we brought her home she ruled the roost. Bold, playful, adventurous, clumsy, clever, friendly, charming, snuggly and ALWAYS up for a game of chase, with the stinkiest farts I’ve ever smelt, hence the name,” she says.

Andrew Withers, Director of Valley Pest Control Ltd, says it appears the trap has been set purposely to target cats, as it is unlikely it would have caught a cat if baited for possums.

cats normally only enter a trap of this kind if it has been baited with meat. If this was the case, whoever set the trap is purposely targeting cats.

Andrew says there are multiple different types of traps used in New Zealand for vertebrate pest control, all of which play an important role in Pest Management/Predator Control Programmes across New Zealand.

“The trap that Poppy was found dead in was a kill trap, designed to kill possums humanely and quickly. However if these types of traps are baited with meat, they will catch other animals such as cats.”

Racheal says Poppy was never far from her side and loved being her gardening assistant, always popping up whenever she was in the garden, hoping for a ride in the wheelbarrow.

“She’d often tag along when I walked the dog along Sutherland Stream, much to the delight of other walkers and was the best furry sidekick this girl could have,” she says. “She brought so much joy to our family, and even non-cat people couldn’t resist her charm.”

Katrina Whiteside

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“The issue here is not the trap itself, but the fact that somebody is setting them adjacent to a residential urban area. Although the bait was gone when Poppy was discovered,

The only type of trap that is recommended in urban or residential areas is live capture cage traps. If a domestic animal is caught, it can then be released unharmed.

Racheal says she has since taken the trap to the police for fingerprinting. Meanwhile, she contacted the Marlborough District Council who send their condolences and advise they will be undertaking their own investigation.

If Sun readers are able to provide information on who placed the

Andrew Withers, Director of Valley Pest Control Ltd says the trap that Poppy was found dead in was a kill trap, designed to kill possums humanely and quickly. He says, if these types of traps are baited with meat, they will catch other animals such as cats.

trap or saw anything suspicious along Sutherland Stream (between Hospital and Wither Roads) around Sunday January 22, please contact the Blenheim police or the MDC.

Model T for airshow

A welcome arrival at Omaka Airfield last week was a vintage Ford Model 'T' truck that has been made available by the Wolfe family. The truck is to be used by the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and the Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow for their various events and promotions.

Monday - Thursday 9am - 4.30pm

The restored truck was delivered by a team of Vintage Car Club members led by Pat Pascoe who is also a Trustee of the Omaka AHC. It is the first heritage vehicle to enter the new AHC community hangar and workshop annex where this crew, in conjunction with

some Omaka-based enthusiasts, will form the loosely titled 'Omaka Motor Pool' who plan to get together once or twice a month to look after and drive the small fleet of historic vehicles operated by the museum and the airshow in order to keep them operational, and enjoy some vintage vehicle fun and social connection along the way. There are about half a dozen specialist heritage vehicles in the collection presently, most of which will be performing in one role or another at the Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow over the Easter weekend, 7-9 April!

MODEL T TRUCK DELIVERY: Tris Winstanley, Pat Pascoe, ‘Tiger’ Lyons and Rae Fairweather.

Mayor Taylor’s first 100 days in office

It has been well over 100 days since the country’s newly-elected mayors rolled up their sleeves and started working on their campaign promises. Chris Valli caught up with Mayor Nadine Taylor to reflect on her transition as the region’s new mayor.

The summer holiday came at a good time for Mayor Taylor.

Mayor Taylor says she feels refreshed after the break and is looking forward to the year ahead. A year where Marlburians, especially those living in the Sounds want solutions to more than just access to roading.

The break she says gave her the ideal time to host her own family for Christmas and quality time in the garden.

“I always find you don’t have to go too far away if you live here in Marlborough,” she says. “It was nice to have some home time; the build up to the holidays was frantic with settling things in for the new councillors. I certainly did quite a bit of reading too; there were a lot of reports I had to catch up on.”

Mayor Taylor says the transition to the mayoralty has provided the opportunity to focus on the leadership and says it has felt like a natural progression.

“I had given this role a great deal of thought and was very keen to bring a new council through and take on this leadership and a new direction for Marlborough.”

For someone who campaigned on experience she is excited by ‘the balance’ of the 2023 personnel on

council with fresh faces and the ‘odd wise head’.

The new direction includes a younger line-up of councillors which she admits is ‘very exciting’. Throw into the mix a ‘couple of younger ones under the age of 40’ she believes it brings a new energy, perspective and vision.

She admits systematic changes such as the Three Waters reform takes away ‘one third of the council’s function’ and says areas like the RM (resource management) reform where environmental planning has been delivered within council will now be delivered slightly ‘outside of council’.

“It’s something Marlborough has certainly pushed back on in the RM reform space. It’s incredibly important we keep our planning autonomy. The original proposal was that we might amalgamate with Nelson and Tasman with planning….that would not have worked at all for Marlborough,” she says.

“It could be clearer on the recommendation that Marlborough should stand-alone, which is the Government recommendation going to the select committee. Council had lobbied for our planning function not to be amalgamated with Nelson/ Tasman, which the Government had previously indicated might be the case,” she says.

So what is the number one priority moving forward?

“There are many responsibilities. The first priority is Sounds recovery road work. We need that work as soon as possible and Stantec (Nel-

Mayor Taylor says Marlborough has certainly pushed back on the RM reform space. "It’s incredibly important we keep our planning autonomy. The original proposal was that we might amalgamate with Nelson and Tasman with planning…. that would not have worked at all for Marlborough,” she says.

son based engineering consultancy) understands that,” she says. “There has to be comprehensive consultation with the local community.”

The council is holding six community meetings in the Marlborough Sounds for input into the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study. The study will look into four areas in the sounds, French Pass, Pelorus, Kenepuru and Port Underwood.

Mayor Taylor says input from the community was an important part of the study – which aimed to support the case for funding safe, resilient and affordable long-term access solutions in storm affected areas of the Sounds.

“I’m confident the three Sounds councillors are very much across this work also and are working closely with their communities. Their (residents) voice is crucial moving forward.

“It’s more than just a roading issue. It’s about a community and

the way they live out there.”

Mayor Taylor says she hopes 2023 will provide solutions for Marlburians after a tough few years from flooding to the pandemic to the cost of living crisis.

Blenheim’s new $20 million library and art gallery is set to open in May, just in time to offer Marlburians another great incentive to experience a complex with among other features, multi-purpose education rooms, landscaped grounds and a cafe.

Council economic, community and support services manager Dean Heiford says the new complex would be a cornerstone feature of Blenheim’s CBD and a hub for the whole Marlborough community once it opens. Mayor Taylor agrees.

“I’m excited by the potential of the new library and art gallery. Revitalising that (Taylor) river precinct was always the long term strategy. It’s going to be wonderful for Blenheim.”

Sun The Sounds transport access meetings

A series of meetings is being held this week to gather information from Marlborough Sounds residents, ratepayers and businesses to inform the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study.

The study aims to provide as much longterm access certainty in and out of the Sounds for people as possible. The study is required to inform Council decision-making and access funding from the Government via Waka Kotahi.

The meetings are:

Wednesday 1 February 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Rai Valley, Millers Rest; 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm Havelock Town Hall.

Thursday 2 February 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Picton, Port Marlborough Pavilion.

Friday 3 February 9:00 am – 11:00 am The Portage Hotel, Kenepuru Sounds.  Friday 3 February 2:00pm – 4:00 pm Waitaria Bay Hall.

Marlborough Heritage Day

Unique heritage will be on display including woodwork and blacksmithing at the Marlborough Heritage Day on Waitangi Day. A wide range of activities are on offer from a Victorian classroom experience at 11am to a vintage vehicle display at Patchett’s Green and steam engines.

Brayshaw Park. Monday, February 6, 10am - 4pm.$5 Adults, Children free.

Spring Creek Crash

Two people were injured following a crash on State Highway 1 in Marlborough on Sunday afternoon.

Police responded to the single-vehicle crash near the Wairau River Bridge on SH1, Spring Creek, about 4.05pm.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to the incident with two fire trucks from Rarangi station and two from Blenheim, and a spokesperson said no-one was trapped inside the vehicle.

New life, growth and strength

By Chris Valli

A 100-year-old pepper tree has been given a new life at Marlborough Family Chiropractic.

Owned by Chris and Karen Jennison, the Henry Street practice was established in 1996. Karen says a number of the pepper trees in the area developed a virus 1015 years ago.

“Some were removed at the time but we couldn’t bear to part with it,” she says. “We had it pruned a couple of times which revived it a bit the first time but when it started dropping large branches it was time to take it down. We miss the tree but thought we would have the stump carved to maintain some life for it.”

Cue Arborist Jakob Stadler.

Originally from Switzerland, Jakob has been in Blenheim for 10 years and has qualifications as a forestry worker for 20 years in the Swiss forests.

“That’s when we contacted Jakob but after cutting it to size, we found it was rotten in the trunk,” says Karen. “One of our patients had Jakob carve a tree stump in their yard and showed us the pictures - I knew that was what we needed.”

“Karen had the idea of a koru design representing a family so we worked on some designs. I decided to create the sculpture out of the big branches and join them together on a base in my

NEW LEASE OF LIFE:

workshop,” Jakob says.

Jakob says the design process took many hours and a ‘lot of brain power’ to visualise each koru in the branches.

“Using the chainsaw to cut away all the wood not wanted in the design. You only get one chance because if you cut too much off you can’t really reattach it. It took several weeks to complete carving, sanding and finishing,”

he says.

Karen says many of her clients were sad that the tree was removed yet were happy to see new life. The feedback had been positive.

Jakob has done many large and small chainsaw carvings over his career.

“This was a lovely carving to work on as being a pepper tree it had amazing patterns in the grain.

I really enjoyed the whole process from cutting the tree down to creating it into a carving.”

Karen says choosing the koru design as it symbolises new life, strength and peace which works well with the business’ philosophy of health.

“As a family orientated clinic, the family group of Koru works well and has now become our (business) logo.”

BEFORE: Karen says they had the tree pruned a couple of times which revived it a bit the first time but when it started dropping large branches it was time to take it down.

A

Chris Jennison, Jakob Stadler and Karen Jennison. Arborist Jakob says Karen had the idea of a koru design representing a family so they worked on some designs. "I decided to create the sculpture out of the big branches and join them together on a base in my workshop,” Jakob says.

Blenheim Toyota

Dear Ed,

So our Prime Minister, having performed the kind of duty and unflinching service not really typical of so many of her predecessors, has stepped down.

S h e is the recipient of the undying – literally unspoken gratitude – of the silent majority, and will no longer be the target of truly disgusting and shameful abuse from a largely anonymous petty minority, people so unsure in their masculinity that they obviously belong, not to New Zealand but a theocracy like Iran

are kept in their rightful place – as 19th century Prussians said, restricted to “Kinder, Kuche, Kirche”.

I have used firearms since the early 1950’s, but when I saw a bunch of gun lovers, protesting at PM Ardern’s opening of a new school, displaying a placard calling her a “F…ing C…” I began to wonder where our society’s sense of honour and dignity had gone. Certainly since we subjected ourselves to Rogernomics and Ruthanasia and let democracy be replaced by an inefficient inflated

that proud creed of the Fair Go.

Never mind; come October we will get the government we have been slouching toward, one headed by a male, someone who entered the multi-millionaire class while heading our taxpayer-subsidised airline in which he was paid a fraction over one hundred times the wage of his lowest-ranked fellow workers.

That I have lived so long, only to see this the luckiest, truly most fortunate country on Earth, come to such a pass.

Onward,

We noted a letter you published in your Letters to the Editor column on page 6 of last week’s issue (18 January 2023) from John Bloy (copy attached). Our response.

Our team at Trustpower have been in touch with Mr Bloy to talk through his questions and explore options.

We are always happy to help if customers wish to contact us directly - Trustpower customer services can be reached on 0800 878787.

Andrew Young Communications Advisor Trustpower

Kia ora

Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study survey launched

An online survey for the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study is now open. Council embarked on the study to support the case for funding safe and resilient long-term access solutions for the stormaffected areas of the Sounds.

People are encouraged to fill out the online survey, which closes at 5.00 pm on Wednesday 22 February. The survey is aimed at Sounds’ residents, homeowners and businesses to help inform future transport options in and out of the Sounds.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said she encourages the Sounds’ community to provide their views through the survey.

“Over the coming weeks, the project team will gather the community’s views collated from the survey and public meetings, before analysing them.”

“While there will be another opportunity to provide feedback later in the study, this survey will help set the foundation for

Renwick cycle trail moving forward

The second stage in Renwick’s vineyard cycle trail is underway.

The 6.5km section, linking the Allan Scott winery in Jacksons Road to Renwick using off-road routes, is part of a proposed 8.7km trail and connects with an existing section of off-road path along Jacksons Road that was completed in 2020.

10,000 bike visitors each year.

Steve Hill, chairman of the Renwick Bike Walk group, said the trail goes along the Ōpaoa River stopbank and joins up with the Omaka River near the Old Renwick Road ford, following that to the SH63 road bridge then along road reserve to Havelock Street.

addressing the Sounds’ access issues,” says Mayor Taylor.

A link to the survey and more information can be found at www.marlborough.govt.nz/ services/roads-and-transport/marlboroughsounds-future-access-study

People are encouraged to fill out the survey online. If this is not possible, please call the Council on 03 520 7400. You will be put through to a staff member who can fill out the survey for you over the phone.

Own a dam? Check whether new safety regulations apply to you

If you have a dam on your property now is the time to check whether new regulations apply to you.

Announced by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) in May last year, the new regulations on Dam Safety [Building (Dam Safety) Regulations 2022] will come into force from May 2024 and will set out the minimum requirements for dam safety in New Zealand.

It’s important that those with dams on their property are aware of the changes in regulations now so they have time to check whether they will be impacted.

The new regulations will provide a consistent, nationwide framework to protect people, property and the environment from the potential impacts of dam failure, both in the immediate vicinity of dams and further downstream.

The new regulations will apply to all dams that fall under the definition of a

‘Classifiable Dam’, for which a dam must be:

• Four metres or higher and store 20,000 or more cubic metres volume of water or other fluid; or

• One metre or higher and store 40,000 or more cubic metres volume of water or other fluid

From 13 May 2024, the owners of a Classifiable Dam will need to confirm the potential risk their dam poses in the event of failure, put in place dam safety plans and undertake regular dam inspections.

Over the coming months Council’s Dam Safety team will contact those who have sufficiently large water bodies on their land to confirm whether they have a Classifiable Dam, and to help them prepare for the new regulations.

For further information, visit www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/ building-services/dam-safety or email damsafety@marlborough.govt.nz

Mayor Nadine Taylor said the trail was a significant addition to the existing cycle infrastructure around Renwick, important for tourism, and she looked forward to the completion of the entire project.

Council has invested significantly in the trail which was a complex project and only possible thanks to the backing of landowners.

“I would particularly like to acknowledge the support of corporate landowners who have given easements through their properties,” Mayor Taylor said. “It’s fantastic to get visitors and locals off busy roads and cycling through the vines.”

There are 20 cellar doors within an eight kilometre radius of Renwick and

Future plans include completing an entire trail around Renwick that will benefit locals as well as tourists.

“There are areas on the edges of vineyards, on river stopbanks and roadside reserves that, with careful development and management can be used for cycle paths with minimal or no impact on vineyard operations,”

Steve said. “The wineries we have worked with so far have recognised this potential and their involvement has been a major boost to the paths we’ve developed.”

Steve thanked property owners for their generosity and cooperation including Talley’s, Pernod Ricard, Wither Hills, Allan Scott Family winemakers, Peter Jackson Vineyards and the Jordon Geddes Trust.

Council services on Waitangi Day holidayMonday 6 February

The Council’s Blenheim office, Marlborough District Library (Blenheim) and Picton Library and Service Centre are closed. Refuse, recycling and kerbside collections Kerbside refuse and recycling collection due for pick up on Monday 6 February will be collected on Tuesday 7 February.

The Resource Recovery Centre, Re-use Centre and Waste Sorting Centre will be open from 8.00 am until 4.30 pm. The landfill will be

open between 8.00 am and midday only. The Picton and Havelock transfer stations will be open as per normal from 8.00 am until 4.00 pm. Rai Valley Transfer Station will be open from 9.00 am until midday. Transfer stations in Seddon and Wairau Valley will be closed.

Bus Service Bus services will not run on Monday 6 February.

Mayor Nadine Taylor and trail instigator Steve Hill check out the new track

School Start First Impressions - a family vision

School

Start First Impressions Marlborough works to reduce the impact of poverty on the education of Marlborough children. The charitable organisation has identified that a child’s fifth birthday and entry to school presents an impossible challenge to Marlborough families in a financial crisis. With school returning Chris Valli spoke to the ladies behind making a social and educational difference for those in need.

You know there is an uncanny dynamic or sense of knowing one another when one finishes off one’s sentence. Or when the daughter laughs like her auntie or should that be when the mother laughs like the sister?

Cue Margaret Smith, Michelle Munro and Brenda Munro.

School Start First Impressions

Marlborough is a registered charity governed by three trustees who represent sixth and seventh generations of a local Marlborough family. The trustees are supported by a group of dedicated volunteers who assist in the operation.

Chairperson Michelle is a mother, photographer and ‘active local’. Margaret knows a thing or three about the inequity of education after a lifetime of moulding, nurturing young tamariki as a teacher. Then there’s Brenda - Mum, sister, who knows her way around an Excel sheet and administration 101 and then some. The attention to detail if you will.

Michelle says the idea of implementing such an organisation in Marlborough came about when she came across a link on Facebook. In 2019 School Start First Impressions delivered their 1000th ‘5 Kitbox’ (includes school uniform or essential school clothing, school bag, lunchbox, drink bottle) in Auckland and were featured in an article on TV1’s Seven Sharp.

“I shared the link on my own Facebook page and commented I would love to do something like

that, helping kids, if only I had the resources,” she says.

“A few weeks later I attended a birthday dinner with Mum (Brenda) for Margaret (auntie) and they said, ‘we’ll do it with you’. Mum said, ‘don’t wait for resources’.”

Founded by the Addenbrooke Foundation in 2015, the initiative was originally developed in Auckland and continues to operate there under the name School Start First Impressions.

“Even before Covid we did research and approached social agencies and schools if there was a need”

Michelle says dialogue with the Auckland family who started the charity was immediate and within the timeframe of a month they had flown down to Blenheim to discuss the finer points of a Marlborough equivalent at Giesen’s Wines. SSFIM was initiated.

Covid provided some challenges with Marlburians adjusting to life from home from late March and new territory with lockdown. However, Michelle says the time was used wisely to set up websites and administrative tasks and developing contacts and relationships. SSFIM officially launched in July 2020 with their first ‘5 Kitbox’ being delivered.

“Even before Covid we did re -

search and approached social agencies and schools if there was a need,” Margaret says. “We asked questions like what the percentages were nationally for children ‘in need’ and how that translated to numbers in Marlborough. It was important we were and looked professional especially when it came to asking for money.”

Margaret says 2022 statistics show that 20% or one in five of New Zealand primary students are starting school for the first time in ‘hardship’.

“Brenda went online and found data that suggested 600 new entrant students in the region were starting school, and so we estimated approximately 20% (120 new entrants) are in need of basic requirements like uniforms and books each year,” Margaret says.

Brenda says working alongside referral agencies like the Marlborough Pacific Trust has allowed conversations and communication to be established between SSFIM and respective primary schools throughout the Marlborough region.

“It’s too late for the schools to do it (develop communication and or transition from home to school) because in effect they don’t know who is coming,” says Margaret. “The schools are at the end of the system or chain.”

“Working with these referral agencies we are giving the families the chance or opportunity to start the e nrolment p rocess, say one month from their fifth birthday. As a new entrant teacher, there is one

thing that makes a child stand out (from an equity viewpoint) and that is they start school late and they don’t have the transition to school.”

Before Christmas, a giving tree was placed at the entrance to Stadium 2000. Michelle says they were humbled and grateful for the huge effort put in by the Marlborough community with the donations received estimating $4500 worth of goods to continue support Marlborough children in need starting school.

As trustees and as a collective they all believe the best thing about what they are doing is that they are making a difference and one that hasn’t finished yet.

“It’s he art-warming wh en

new entrants can start on a level playing field and potentially change the whole future dynamic for these children. If they start school knowing, believing they are worthy, important and equal they w ill start to learn immediately.

“We had a teacher and RTLB (resource teacher learning and behaviour) student starting school recently who said, ‘it was so awesome to walk in the school gate with my full school uniform,” says Margaret.

“A FULL SCHOOL UNIFORM”, adds Brenda.

There goes that uncanny sense of finishing off each other’s sentences and knowing one another once again.

A FAMILY AFFAIR: Margaret Smith, Trustee, Michelle Munro, Chairperson and Brenda Munro, Trustee.

KAI STUCK: Picton resident Donna O’Donnell sent The Sun Newspaper the above pictures last week of her Fox Terrier ‘Kai’ stuck 12 metres in a 14 metre high Macrocarpa shelter belt at her sister’s property. Donna says they had to eventually call the fire brigade who were all well entertained by his predicament. “What a day that was,” says Donna.

Power with the collective

By Chris Valli

What do you call 565 educational delegates from 21 Marlborough schools? The 2023 Piritahi - Kāhui Ako staff teacher only day at the ASB Theatre.

Piritahi – Weaving Learners Together - saw teachers, principals, learning assistants (teacher aides) represented at a professional development day on Friday with educators from Kaikoura to Picton.

Redwoodtown Principal Aaron Vercoe is the Piratahi Kahui Ako co lead alongside Principal Gaylene Beattie of Springlands School.

The role sees them collaborate across 21 schools to ‘strengthen teacher capability’ while ‘working through s ome shared achievement challenges’ including early learning services, primary, intermediate and secondary level.

What used to be known as ‘Communities of Learning’ or a cluster of schools, the concept and vision is about strategically planning together with a ‘coherent set of values and beliefs’.

Aaron says the transition of learners from early childhood to secondary is fundamental to achieve not only educational but social outcomes also.

“Despite the variances in

our schools there are many similarities with going between our (Marlborough) sectors,” he says. “We know that when children change schools that can have a dramatic impact. The closer we are aligned the better we will be.”

The Te Takanga o Te Wa in Te Marautanga o Aotearoa (New Zealand histories) curriculum will be implemented when all Marlborough akonga/students return to school and taught under the Social Sciences learning area of the curriculum from early childhood to tertiary.

The new content will support akonga to be critical thinkers and understand our past, in order to make sense of the present.

Aaron says fundamentals of literacy and numeracy will be imperative with the co-construction of the learning being planned and assessed.

“There will be so much more buy-in from our community when we understand a nd share the history our people have been through,” he says. “This is what our staff only day is about, celebrating the role of our educators across Piritahi have in sharing our Aotearoa New Zealand histories.”

The staff only day was held with support from local

we will be.”

mana whenua iwi ; Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Rārua, Te Rūnanga o Toa Rangatira and Te Rūnanga a Rangitāne o Wairau. Teachers heard from keynote speakers and participated in iwi fieldtrips to locally significant historical sites.

Aaron says they are pleased to have the connection with iwi as he says it is imperative to build their capacity in supporting change within our schools for learners.

“Having a greater understanding of where those navigational stories come from and what impacts our kids collectively is

Ex Rugby Player Finding Support

KORU NUTRITION

Keith would describe his younger self as definitely a ‘man’s man’. Work hard, play harder and ‘shake it off’ if need be. Looking back Keith realised that those early hay days were great.

“I loved being out on the footy field. Big tackles, sprinting from ruck to ruck and then back again, pushing hard on the side of the scrum; nothing like a bit of healthy competition to get the blood pumping.”

A lifetime of exercise, a good diet and making sure that he wore knee supports, Keith lived fairly well. However for Keith, although health is key, he has still gone through the normal day to day of a physically demanding job.

An old footy mate asked one day if he had tried Koru FX from Koru Nutrition. They said they’d been using the cream to support their

joints and muscles.

“I said I would give it a go, so he threw me a bottle.”

Koru FX cream by Koru Nutrition has become NZ’s #1 joint and muscle support cream. With over two and a half thousand 5 star reviews, Koru FX is showing itself to be a favourite in many New

Zealand households

“It smelt good, and felt great. It is just nice to go about my day, be it carrying every bag of shopping in for my wife in one go, off to aqua aerobics and swimming or just larking about; Koru FX gives me the confidence I need, to continue to live an active life.”

Containing high quality oils like calendula, arnica, manuka and peppermint, along with twelve others, Koru FX provides the perfect formulation for fast acting joint and muscle support.

Ask for Koru FX cream next time you’re in the pharmacy and try it for yourself.

the only way to do it. We can’t leave it to schools in isolation to do it themselves.”

Aaron says Marlborough has a wealth of knowledge to tell those cultural narratives such as Picton’s Rita Powick with her role within Maori learners and education and Dr Peter Meihana, a senior lecturer in Maori history at Massey University based here in Waiharakeke/Blenheim.

“This new curriculum will give life to our histories and credence to what those people have been doing for a long time,” he says.

Redwoodtown Principal Aaron Vercoe and Springlands School Principal Gaylene Beattie. Both are Piratahi Kahui Ako co leads. Aaron says teachers know when children change schools that can have a dramatic impact on social and academia. "The closer we are aligned (as a Piritahi) the better

Marlborough Academy of Dance

Marlborough Academy of Dance, under the direction of Robyn Simmons, has been sharing the gift of dance with all age groups in Marlborough from pre-schoolers to adults. Educating Marlborough’s youth through dance – they promote a culture of achievement, striving for their dancers to be the best they can be in a fun and safe environment.

Their team of fully qualified, experienced and enthusiastic teachers are committed to offering a quality dance education.

Classes are available in the following styles; Preschool introduction to dance, Highland, Jazz, AcroDance, Hiphop, Contemporary, Dance Fit and Adult Dance

Email marlb.dance@xtra.co.nz

Marlborough Children’s Youth Theatre

Marlborough Children’s Youth Theatre was founded by the late Duncan Whiting MZNM in the early 90’s.

Now known as MCY and tutored by the talented Sam Baxter who has had multiple roles in theatre including director, vocal director, producer and stage manager as well

as being on stage/screen singing and acting.

Sam has been the tutor at MCY since 2018 and has had the privilege of learning under the creative mind of Duncan and says she is honoured to carry on his work as artistic director.

Email: mcytheatre@gmail.com

The principal characters in Marlborough Academy of Dance's end of year production in Wizard of Oz in 2022.

MCY Theatre (Marlborough Children’s Youth Theatre) and the cast of Alice in Wonderland, September 2022.

EDUCATION

Marlborough Academy of Music

Led by Blenheim’s Alison Dight, Alison has built the music school up from a beginning of five private students in her home studio. She has been teaching voice for five years around Marlborough and has qualifications

Marlborough Academy of Music's Seussical JNR Principal cast members in their 'summer intensive' production held at Marlborough Boys’ College last month.

The ‘Boarding Advantage’ at St Andrew’s College

As well as a world-class education and host of co-curricular activities, boarders at St Andrew’s College gain valuable life skills and personal growth, thanks to the ‘Boarding Advantage’, says Director of Boarding, Matt Parr.

“There are immeasurable benefits to boarding at St Andrew’s. Students learn socialisation, interpersonal skills, organisational skills, and resourcefulness, which benefits them well beyond school,” says Matt.

A key point of difference at St Andrew’s is that all its boarding management staff, and many of its tutors, are educators.

“Our teaching backgrounds mean we know how to work with young people and understand the rigours of academic work. We understand what it takes for students to be successful and help them balance academic achievement with their health and well-being, and co-curricular activities.”

There is already strong demand for boarding at St Andrew’s in 2024, says Matt. “The

boarding houses are quite full for 2023, and we encourage anyone interested in securing their child a place in 2024 to be proactive. We’ll be running our usual boarding roadshows around the South Island in Term 1 and look forward to meeting prospective new students and families.”

in Performance Music (vocals and drama).

Alison has a passion for seeing students achieve their goals and a drive to make accessible to all who are willing to learn.

The past two summers has seen Marl-

borough Academy of Music perform two ‘summer intensive’ productions including High School Musical JNR and the recent Seussical JNR held at Marlborough Boys College.

THANK YOU

School Start First Impressions Marlborough

would like to thank everyone who supported us in 2022 as well as those who donated so generously to our Christmas Giving Tree at The Stadium 2000. We received goods to the value of approximately $4,500. This will go far in helping us support children of Marlborough facing hardship with starting school. We cover all local primary schools and are pleased to announce we are now able to support Kaikoura children who are in need too.

January 2023 has been our biggest month yet and we already know that this financial year will also see us having our biggest year of boxes delivered too.

We would love for anyone be it businesses or individuals who are interested in sponsoring us with either goods or monetary donations to please get in touch. We are entirely a volunteer not for profit charity so we need every little bit of support to help us ensure all children in need starting school have the best start to school possible.

For more information on what we do you can find us at www.ssfimarlborough.nz or contact us via our email: info@ssfimarlborough.nz

Advocating for people 50 +

From the President’s Desk

A happy New Year to everybody.

Let us hope it is more positive for our seniors than the last two years. Grey Power Marlborough ended 2022 on a very positive note by holding an afternoon tea for our members who were over 80 at the Scenic Circle Hotel. This was such a lovely event with a speaker from Totara and a sing-along to end off the afternoon. We hope to hold more of these events in 2023.

(See Afternoon Tea piece below for the next one on February 14, Ed.)

I have been reading a booklet called ‘Reflections on Kaumātua, Pākehā and Seniors Housing’. This was very interesting reading and highlighted the inequalities we have in senior housing in New Zealand.

Unlike a lot of other councils around the country, Marlborough District Council is working alongside other community housing organisations to make more community housing available for seniors.

On reading the booklet I observed there is not enough affordable community housing for seniors. Many people are renting sometimes substandard private accommodation, so that they can afford to pay their rent and have money left for their other needs such as food, clothing and essential service bills.

With many seniors now renting, affordable accommodation is becoming difficult to find. Those now under 65, who will be renters for the rest of their lives, will

Elder Law

become our seniors of tomorrow, then seeking community housing. So this problem is not going to go away.

Locally, Grey Power works with Abbeyfield Marlborough, (part of Abbeyfield New Zealand), who are seeking to source land to build low-cost en-suite studio accommodation in a village style setting. This model allows older seniors to have their own accommodation, and also receive the benefits of food being cooked for them, communal areas to prevent social isolation and someone always on hand as part of their rental package.

There are currently several of these complexes around New Zealand, with our nearest one being in Nelson.

What is needed in Marlborough is some available land so Abbeyfield Marlborough can start building. Let us hope 2000 square metres of land becomes available soon to help alleviate our housing congestion.

Gayle Chambers President

Grey Power Membership

It’s the beginning of a new year- time to think about renewing Grey Power memberships, or about joining. Our annual sub has been increased this year, the first for some time, and is $29 for single and $43 for joint membership.

Major reasons why people join Grey Power include GP Electricity offering cheaper power to members; our discount book with many local businesses offering deals; our regular meetings with Mayor and MP where we advocate on your behalf.

Here’s why our President joined.

“My name is Gayle Chambers and I joined Grey Power Marlborough when I

turned 50, along with my husband. I chose to because I could at 50 and I wanted to join an organisation that supported our senior population not only in Marlborough, but nationwide.

After finding out more about the organisation, when I was invited to join the Marlborough committee, I had no hesitation. I not only wanted to support the organisation by being a paid-up member, I also wanted to use my experience and skills to join this group of people who were passionate about what they do to support our seniors. I fully believe in Grey Power and will remain loyal to the cause as long as I am able.”

Safety in shared public spaces

An advisor from the Marlborough District Council spoke to our committee meeting in January. Her message is that continuing to report near misses provides good data, important to good planning by Marlborough Roads and the MDC. Thus, planners can see the real picture when scheduling repairs where improvements are needed for the safety of all users of the network. Reporting whether it is a footpath, or a near miss with another person, vehicle or user

helps them make decisions to enhance your safety.

Please use the ‘Bike/Walk Crash and Near Miss Report Form’ whenever you have had a bad experience. Visit the Council offices in Blenheim and Picton, or find the reporting form on the Marlborough District Council Website by searching for “Near Miss”.

We are encouraging more cycling and daily walking locally. To do this we need to start making positive experiences on our roads and footpaths.

The Grey Power Committee will be visiting Picton, Havelock, Seddon and Wairau Valley in mid to late March. Venues and specific times will be in the next newsletter. An opportunity to find out about Grey Power, pay subs (cash only), ask any questions or bring up any issues that concern you.

Blind Low Vision NZ are having a drop-in session for advice and help on Thursday 16 February from 11am –3pm at the Connect Church, corner of High St and Beaver Rd, Blenheim. Chat with staff about your needs, update any progress, look at equipment available.

The New Zealand Red Cross supports the families of refugees as they settle

Office Snippets Taking Care

Remember the sergeant in ‘Hill Street Blues’ who always ended his daily briefing with the words, “Be careful out there?” The following article from ACC appeared recently. It seems seniors are not taking enough care on bicycles. In-

into a new life here in Blenheim. They are looking for volunteers who would like to be part of the team and make a real difference in somebody’s life. Full training is provided, and the time commitment is very flexible – it’s great if you have some time available in the daytime. To learn more please contact migration.volunteers@redcross.org.nz or text John on 027 223 5972. Falls Prevention are running some more sessions. The first one is Friday 24 February, phone Emma Sorenson-Brown: 021 790 415, email: emma. sorenson-brown@nbph.org.nz for further information.

Brian McNamara, Publicity Officer.

GP visit to the Museum

The Marlborough Museum invites Grey Power members to a tour of the Museum and a morning tea on the 8th March 2023 from 10.30 am – 12

Afternoon Tea

We are having an afternoon tea for our members on Tuesday 14 February at the Wesley Centre in John Street, Blenheim, from 2–3.30pm. As the venue is restricted to 50 people, please

noon at Brayshaw Park. The intention is for us to provide some transport to the venue. More details in the March 1 newsletter.

RSVP to the office, 578 4950, first in first served. We can arrange transport, if necessary; please arrange this when you RSVP.

Scottish Country Dancing

Here’s a safe way to exercise! The SCD Society invites you to try Scottish dancing as a fun and sociable exercise and enjoyment activity.

A six week introduction course starts on Friday 10 February 2023

Relay for Life 2023

stead, numbers of injuries are doubling, and we seniors are supposed to be wise about these things!

https://www.acc.co.nz/newsroom/ stories/cycling-related-injuries-double-among-our-older-population/

Census 2023 on Tuesday March 7

New Zealand Census of Population and Dwellings is a nationwide survey run every five years - an official count of people and dwellings and an understanding of all the people in Aotearoa New Zealand. It’s a snapshot of life, people, and communities in our cities, towns, rural areas, and outer islands.

We mentioned above that good planning requires good data. Census data provides population

statistics that enable a modern society to function. They include population projections, planning for future housing and service needs of communities. public transport, roading and infrastructure, schools, education facilities, electoral boundaries, community projects and social investment, health and wellbeing. and more.

For good reason, by law, everyone must take part in the census.

The Marlborough Cancer Society advises that the 2023 Relay For Life takes place overnight from Saturday afternoon 4th March until 8am Sunday 5th March. https://relayforlife.org. nz/marlborough

from 10.30 am till 12 noon at the Redwoodtown Community Hall cnr Cleghorn and Weld Streets. Cost $40. Contact Linda 022 1656 699 or Heather 021 0258 7325.

We encourage members to donate funds to help our Cancer Society continue their good work. You may want to sponsor a team involved. It’s all for a most worthy cause.

Retirement Villages meetings

Two meetings with John Collyns, spokesperson for Retirement Villages, will be held at the Wesley Centre on Wednesday 8 February. One con-

Website promotion

Have you visited our website? Our office manager reports the most popular page is www.greypowermarlborough.co.nz/members-discount You can also join Grey Power

cerning retirement village residents meets at 3 pm, and one where all contemplating becoming residents are welcome at 7 pm.

Marlborough on-line by filling out the ‘Join Grey Power Marlborough’ form. We have a Facebook page also. https://www.facebook.com/greypowermarlborough/

Annual General Meeting

We give notice that our AGM is to be held on Monday March 20 at the Wesley Centre at 2 pm.

MARLBOROUGH PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

An established support group meeting in Blenheim for men and their families living with a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Spouses, partners and family members welcome.

Meetings:

Time:

Venue:

MARLBOROUGH PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

An established support group meeting in Blenheim for men and their families living with a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Spouses, partners and family members welcome.

October Meeting:

First Tuesday of each month* 7.15pm Cancer Society Blenheim House 76A Maxwell Road, Blenheim

Date: Tuesday 7th February 2023, at 7.15pm

Venue: Cancer Society Blenheim House, 76A Maxwell Road, Blenheim

For more information please contact:

Support Group Coordinator Murray Eyles

For more information please contact:

M: 027 608 5667

Support Group Coordinator Murray Eyles

M: 027 608 5667

E: marlborough@prostate.org.nz

E: marlborough@prostate.org.nz

W: www.prostate.org.nz/support-meetings

W: www.prostate.org.nz/support-meetings

0800 477 678 INFORMATION LINE

0800 477 678 inFOrMAtiOn

Farm sales feel chill of economic headwinds

By Gerald Piddock, Farmers Weekly.

Prices fall, and so do the number of properties sold.

Farm sales for the three months to December fell by a third, with 166 fewer farms changing hands compared to the same period 12 months ago.

According to data from the Real Estate Institute of New Zealand (REINZ), there were 353 farm sales in the three months to December 2022, compared to 519 farm sales for the three months to December 2021. In the three months to November 2022, 249 farm sales were recorded.

In the year to December, 1509 farms were sold, a drop of 366 sales compared to the same period in 2021, with 15.2% fewer dairy farms, 18.7% fewer dairy support farms, 16% fewer grazing farms, 14.4% fewer finishing farms and 19.4% fewer arable farms.

The median price per hectare for all farms sold in the three months to December fell 5.8%, from $34,500 to $32,490, while the median price per hectare increased 0.2% compared to November 2022.

REINZ rural spokesperson Shane O’Brien said the lower number of sales for the last quarter of 2022 may well be explained by a lower number of listings in many regions.

“A late spring and a wet October across a number of regions saw a delay in the release of many listings with a healthy number of farms under offer (but not sold) at year end,

[which] may flow through in sales records in early 2023.”

Increased environmental compliance meant greater preparation by sellers and more due diligence by buyers pushing out traditional selling times, he said.

“Also, the increase in direct farm costs coupled with the near doubling of interest rates has brought a degree of caution to the market from buyers as they fully consider land purchase decisions with no evidence in a decrease in on-farm inflation or interest costs going into 2023.

“The somewhat uncertain political scene is adding another dynamic into farm purchasing decisions, with many adopting a wait-and-see approach.”

O’Brien said interest in farmland for forestry and carbon conversion remains strong despite changes to purchasers’ obligations.

“The Overseas Investment Office is still a market driver in some regions with good, well-developed dairy farms or dairy support land continuing to be keenly sought after by local buyers in the stronger dairying regions of Southland and Waikato.”

In December 2022, grazing farms accounted for a 28% share of all sales. Finishing farms accounted for 28% of sales, dairy farms accounted for 22% of all sales and horticulture farms accounted for 7% of all sales.

These four property types accounted for 85% of all sales during the three months ended December 2022.

Marlborough Interest in Vineyards for Sale

Marlborough Lines Limited recently announced it was seeking to sell shares in Yealands Wine Group Limited (Yealands) by way of a private sale. Yealands indirectly owns or leases approximately 1,848 hectares of farm land in Marlborough.

This land is primarily used for horticultural purposes, specifically as vineyards for the Yealands group.

Offers are sought from potential purchasers.

The offer period closes at 5.00pm on Friday, 24 February 2023.

For further information and submission of offers please contact: Scott Wilkinson, Marlborough Lines Limited, 1 Alfred Street, Blenheim

REINZ rural spokesperson Shane O’Brien says interest in farmland for forestry and carbon conversion remains strong despite changes to purchasers’ obligations.

Feds’ request to Hipkins: slow down, prioritise

Slow down the legislative programme, get it right and concentrate on those things that will help families and businesses prosper.

That’s the request from Federated Farmers to Chris Hipkins as he is sworn in as New Zealand’s 41st prime minister today, and then gets to work on the policy “re-set” he has talked about.

“Farmers have many times in the last three years expressed concern about rushed, poorly-consulted-on legislation that has proved to be flawed and impractical,” Feds president Andrew Hoggard says.

“The proposed replacement legislation for the Resource Management Act has those same hallmarks.

“While Federated Farmers does not fault the aim of finding less cumbersome and costly regulations governing the environment and development, the government should rein in, listen to the criticisms of the Natural and Built Environment Bill coming from many quarters, and go back to the drawing board.”

With galloping inflation and low unemployment, bringing in a compulsory income insurance scheme that will hit workers and

employers with extra costs is totally unnecessary, Andrew says. The same can be said about Fair Pay Agreements.

“If Mr Hipkins is looking for something that will give a lift to businesses and productive industries smacked about by inflation, COVID and international conditions then he should relax migrant worker restrictions.

“The world is in a fight for skilled staff, from hospitality staff, bus and truck drivers to doctors and engineers or just any staff to be frank. The Government’s recent changes to a policy regime that starved our employers of workers from overseas, when our own unemployment figures are at historical lows, is beginning to take the pressure off - including in agriculture.”

But access to overseas workers will continue to be important as more and more New Zealanders are likely to go overseas now international borders are fully open, Andrew says.

“An acknowledgement and thanks to new

Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni who as social welfare minister got alongside Feds with the Get Kiwis on Farm programme, which has to date placed more than 650 new recruits and career changers into vital jobs in agriculture.”

On the climate change front, and specific to farmers and growers, Federated Farmers urges Mr Hipkins and his government to listen to science, re-set the methane targets and stop looking to blanket planting of pines as a solution when in reality it is a dangerous stopgap that will devastate rural New Zealand.

“The primary industries did the heavy lifting to get our economy through the pandemic and will continue to do so as inbound tourism will take time to recover. Let our farmers get on with doing what they do best - growing quality, low environmental footprint food and fibre for Kiwis and dozens of other nationalities,” Andrew says.

Federated Farmers President Andrew Hoggard says farmers have many times in the last three years expressed concern about rushed, poorly-consulted-on legislation that has proved to be flawed and impractical.

Road care and courtesy needed at harvest time

Harvest season is in full swing and Federated Farmers is urging motorists and the operators of agricultural machinery to show each other some care and understanding.

"Not everyone has appreciated the recent sweltering temperatures in some South Island districts but for arable farmers in the middle of harvesting, the golden weather is both a bonus and a race to get crops in before Mother Nature switches moods," Feds Arable Industry chairperson and Waimate farmer Colin Hurst said.

New Zealand’s $2.2 billion arable industry is an important part of our export earnings, economy and employment - not to mention growers of wheat flour for your summer sourdough. During harvest, combine harvesters, large tractors towing implements and other over-size agricultural vehicles often need to use public roads to move between

different parts of the farm and between farms.

"They’re bulky and of necessityand by law - move at lower speeds

than other motorists.

"Farmers are asking other drivers to show a bit of patience and common sense when coming across these large vehicles on the road," Colin says.

"If a tractor or harvester does pull over to the edge of the road, take your opportunity to pass if you can do so safely. Most of them will be moving no faster than 30-40kph or so, so it’s not essential to have the same several hundred metres of clear road ahead needed when overtaking much faster moving vehicles."

Refusing to pass can result in a long line-up of vehicles and that’s when some drivers’ patience frays and they do something risky, Colin says.

Federated Farmers is also urging the operators of farm vehicles to keep traffic flows in mind, and to remember their responsibilities in terms of protruding implements/ headers and, where required, use of beacons and hazard panels.

Federation Farmers Arable Industry Chairperson Colin Hurst.

Federation Farmers Arable Industry Chairperson Colin Hurst says farmers are asking other drivers to show a bit of patience and common sense when coming across large vehicles on the road.

Bug invasion expected to increase

Are

sick of flies?

Pest controllers warn the warm, damp weather in many parts of the country is going to bring crazy numbers of insects over the next month.

A perfect storm of drenching rain and seasonal sultriness is tipped to provide ideal breeding conditions for a proliferation of flies, mosquitoes and other bugs like ants.

Pest Management Association of New Zealand vice president Dr Paul Craddock said flies were climate-driven creatures with a life cycle of about a week.

“My prediction would be, the fly season is going to go pretty crazy. We’re going to see a lot of flies around, and also mosquitoes and

other general insect activity like ants.

“There’s going to be a lot of standing water around in drains and places like that, so mosquitoes are going to be particularly bad.”

While it was hard to predict exactly how bad the season would be because of localised conditions, Craddock - an entomologistsaid people should expect many more flies buzzing around their house.

“Generally speaking, it’s going to be worse than usual.”

Houseflies, blowflies, mosquitoes, fruit flies and midges were all expected to multiply this month along with ants, which were anecdotally on the march in the top of the south.

Another reason to resist climate change

Craddock said climate change-driven changes in weather patterns could influence the fly season.

“That means the fly season is potentially longer, or we’re seeing problems in places people haven’t had problems before - places in the deep south of New Zealand like Bluff or Invercargill.”

Despite New Zealanders’ almost universal hatred of flies, Craddock said the insects

“You

Houseflies, blowflies, mosquitoes, fruit flies and midges are all expected to multiply.

were simple creatures devoted to feeding and breeding.

“They are just like any other biological organism trying to make their way in the world. There’s nothing particularly malicious in what they’re doing, they’re just trying to take advantage of their environment.

“They’re a fascinating creature. They’ve evolved over many millions of years to do what they do, and they do it very, very well.”

Facts about ants

Sourced from the New Zealand Science

Kids website here are some fun facts about ants. Ants are a social insect from the family Formicidae. They evolved from wasp-like ancestors around 110-130 million years ago after the rise of flowering plants.

• Antarctica and a few remote islands are the only places with no indigenous ants.

• It e stimated that the total number of ants alive in the world at any one time is between one and ten quadrillion (10,000,000,000,000,000).

• Ants are believed to contribute up to 25% of the total biomass weight of land based animals. That’s about the same as the total

biomass of the entire human race, or equivalent to approximately 1 million ants for every human.

• Ants can build small colonies of less than 100 ants through to very large colonies that occupy large areas and contain millions of individual ants.

Pest Management Association of New Zealand vice president Dr Paul Craddock says weather conditions have been perfect for insects.

Speedway

Sun The txt talk with

Cats

Talk of the week

Xtreme dirt series at Eastern States Speedway last Saturday night. What a fantastic entertaining, fun evening. I see they are calling for volunteers for their next meeting .

Re time for change

MAC is the oldest aero club in New Zealand. If you choose to live near an established air field why would you be surprised to hear aircraft noise? Move near an Abbatoir expect to get smell. Some things are self explanatory. Enjoy the up and coming air show, thousands of others will.

OMAKA was built in the 40’s when neighbours were farms and a rubbish dump, now you arrived and bought under a flight path. Aircraft take off into the wind so enjoy it. As a boy we had Bristol Freighters flying over Blenheim all night.

Could only laugh at you. Due diligence would have shown the airport at Omaka. It’s been there longer than that subdivision. Suggest you shift to Heathrow or the like.

Time for change, text! Buyer beware; or, were you aware? You buy a house at the edge of an airport; due diligence would, maybe, just hint that planes for decades fly there. Now ‘you’ want the safest flight path changed; into which hill I ask? Nek minit, no Warbirds and we move Woodbourne to up near Wairau Village or reopen Waikawa Air Base from WWII? WWIII will be here first; will you? Chocks away!

To the person complaining about Haven on new subdivisions in Taylor Pass Road, if you are not happy about the lovely vintage planes flying around in the area, then why did you buy there? You should have taken it into consideration. After all, Omaka Airodrome was there long before Taylor’s Pass was built ,so why should they be forced to move because you don’t like planes. Many people get a lot of thrill seeing them flying around. Maybe you should consider moving, but don’t spoil it for others. We are very privileged. Plane lover.

Re uncalled for

They believe it’s their job to convert everybody. The thing is they themselves need a good dose of the real gospel of Jesus Christ.

These Jehovahs Witnesses are harmless, far from ‘upsetting’. Perhaps you would have a preference for Patched Gang members. That would give you something to complain about.

Didn’t upset me last weekend just said politely no thank you and carried on walking. Was in the town for a couple of hours and didn’t see anyone upset.

Really ! Law abiding citizens carrying out lawful recognized positive work in difficult times. Worse people to consider moving on me thinks.

Gossiping

I was a support person for friend who had an appointment at Out-patients Wairau Hospital. As I sat in the waiting room I was disgusted to hear the 3 female staff members full conversation having a good old gossip about patients. As it’s a small town I was aware who they were talking about.

I hope they don’t look up patients records and disclose information to family and friends. Maybe they need to sound proof the office behind the counter.

Bypass

Did trip to North Island New Year and noticed towns with bypass were busy and buzzing. Significant for Marlborough with powers that be dodging the need for a bypass for Blenheim?

How are you going to stop a cat roaming. Stupid council, they weren’t made to be locked up. Scum that hurt the cat should be held up for animal cruelty you coward, hope karma bites you, and for council see promote animal cruelty in 2023.

Recycling?

Who agrees with me? The so called Recycling Centre, what a joke. They sort the best stuff out of what you are donating. Recycling is meant to be reusable stuff not just what you can get the most money for it. They are so expensive. Make it cheaper and you’ll sell a lot more. Some things are near new prices so come on and get real. You’re dearer than the blue door..

Wairau Bar

Wairau Bar excessively littered with fishing paraphernalia, carcasses, footwear, clothing, sack of lamb tails. Fires being lit during fire bans. Dozens of visitors fishing the bar ignoring quotas and leaving rubbish behind. Sacks of Kahawai hauled out daily.

MPI where are you? Guardians of the foreshore, time to shine. Council step up. Visitors need to be educated. Its not a free for all.

Three Waters

The fine print in the 3 Waters+coastal+geothermal legislation should be compulsory reading for anyone who thinks it is the answer to all water woes.

It reads as an expensive excuse to alter our democracy.

Targeted funding for struggling councils could have been tried first.

Re: Lights over Picton

It would be wrong to have New Year fireworks in Blenheim again. Reason I say this, it was over in minutes. Come and see Picton fireworks, lasts longer. Good on you Picton. Yes if the Council don’t put buses on for goodness sake get a taxi or taxi van. Please don’t complain anymore.

Hawk rescue

Thank you to Cookes Tree Services who generously donated their time during a busy week to assist DOC with rescuing a harrier hawk tangled in a tree near the Wither Hills. The bird made a full recovery and was released back into the wild. Had a CT scan last Monday at Wairau Hospital Radiology Dept. Nurses very professional, caring and informative. Keep up the good work ladies.

Good work

 Are you a dog or cat person? Both. Have a beautiful cat and would love a dog, but afraid our cat won’t like it.

 What did you want to be when you grew up?

To work in an office.

 One thing we’d be surprised to know about you? I hate losing - anything.

 Have you met anyone famous? Colin Fassnidge.

 My favourite food to cook or eat is...? Cobb loaf.

 The shop you can’t walk past is...? K Mart.

 What’s your favourite game of sport to watch? Tennis.

 Your dream weekend involves....?

Not working and going out cruising in our VW Kombi Van.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching? The Block.

 What’s one thing on your bucket list?

To holiday around Europe. Would love to go to Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

A training clinic for team sailors in Marlborough made up of 20 students from Queen Charlotte College, Marlborough Girls’ and Marlborough Boys’ College was held recently. Under the watchful eye of local coaches Kate Overend and Nick Williams the training prepared sailors for upcoming Regattas such as the Nelson Marlborough regatta to be held this year on March 30, 31st and April 1 hosted by Queen Charlotte Yacht Club. The three day clinic gives sailors, of all skill levels, an intensive opportunity to work on improving their boat handling, team sailings strategy and teamwork in the 420 yachts.

Available now from $195,000

Independent living in a beautiful environment • Superb outlook - Tastefully refurbished • Ground floor indoor/outdoor flow • Care packages to suit individual needs

5 minutes with... STUDIOS AND APARTMENTS Available now from $185,000 118 - 130 Middle Renwick Road, Springlands | ph 03 577 9990 | ashwoodpark.co.nz

Piritahi - Kāhui Ako staff teacher the 2023 Piritahi - Kāhui Ako staff teacher only day was at the ASb theatre on Friday. Piritahi – Weaving Learners together - saw teachers, principals, learning assistants (teacher aides) represented at a professional development day with educators from Kaikoura to Picton.

Whitney Street’s Cheryl Wadworth and Michael Heath from MBC.MBC teacher Tui Raeli and Redwoodtown’s Todd Kauie.

Renwick School’s Svenja Niederkrome and Rowena Ferguson.

Witherlea School teachers Rachel Earle, Jemma Herdman, PJ Muir, Tracee Lee and Year 6 student Petra Valli.

Redwoodtown Deputy Principal Denis Tocker and Pete Meihana.

Springlands teachers Kylie-Anne Conley and Courtney Haley.

MBC Physical Education teachers: Hamish McKerrow, Ben Filipo, Hugh Mackwell and Jarrod Dunn.

Rapaura staff: Trish Weaver, Tania Jenkins, Honour Welbourn, Erin McPhail and Mary Demlin.

SEARCHING FOR LADIES SHORTER WALKING STICK

GOLD BUYERS

2019 Grape Harvest Tractor & Harvester Drivers

2023 Grape Harvest Tractor & Harvester Drivers

Vintage Harvesters operates a modern fleet of harvesters and tractors throughout the Marlborough District. We are looking for experienced harvester and tractor drivers. You will need a minimum of a class 1 driver’s licence for tractor driving and a wheels endorsement for harvester driving.

Or Ange Mobiles: ICT Support Technician, full time. Position involves repairing phone/ tablets/customer service. Resolving software/ hardware issues/data recovery. Qualification - IT degree. Applicants apply in store to Dipu Kuriakose or email arjunmobilesnz@gmail.com

HARVEST FORKLIFT DRIVERS

From Tuesday 7th Feb 2023 $ 27.00 an hour

We anticipate work will commence approximately midMarch and finishing mid-April. Drivers must be available for extended hours and weekends.

Vintage Harvesters operates a modern fleet of harvesters and tractors throughout the Marlborough District. We are looking for experienced harvester and tractor drivers. You will need a minimum of a class 1 driver’s licence for tractor driving and a wheels endorsement for harvester driving. We anticipate work will commence approximately midMarch and finishing mid-April. Drivers must be available for 12 hour shifts and weekends.

Please phone the office on 578 5300, text Jason Tripe on 027 043 427 12421 or email admin@jtcvit.co.nz www.vintageharvesters.co.nz

Please phone the office on 578 5300 and leave a message or email admin@jtcvit.co.nz

Check out our website www.vintageharvesters.co.nz or to see what we get up to during harvesters click on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u97NGyMJcyU

60-70 hour weeks (approx. 6 weeks)

Ph Campbell 021 713 621

The Eldercare Ministry of St Christopher’s Church seeks to reduce social isolation and enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of older people living in the Redwoodtown area.

Family heirloom wooden with curved handle. Mistakenly gifted to Hospice Redwoodtown shop mid December 2022. Reward Ph 021 0242 1765.

Harvest accommodation Wanted

Harvester and Tractor drivers

2023 Grape Harvest in Marlborough

Start date: Mid to late March 2023

End date: Late April 2023

Tractor drivers need full licence.

Harvester drivers need wheels licence.

Drug and alcohol tests prior to employment.

Competitive rates dependant on experience.

Applicants to reply to Mack Pouwhare 021 775 981 or email to admin@grapeworx.co.nz

Come join our team!

SALESPERSON

If you have a passion for furniture, experience in sales, great attention to detail, and value going the extra mile for customers, then this is the job for you!

This full-time position includes regular weekend work. Further details at www.seek.co.nz/job/59831101.

Come join our great team; we’re locally owned and pride ourselves in offering quality furniture and incredible customer service for over 25 years.

To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to accounts@lynfords.co.nz by Sunday 19 February.

The role includes the organisation of activities and working alongside volunteers and other agencies involved in Eldercare services. For a copy of the job description, please contact Tineke, ph. 578 0139 or office@stchristophers.co.nz

Applications close Friday 17th February 2023

Learning Assistant

Vintage workers looking for accommodation for the Harvest period (March 2023- May 2023).

If you can assist, please email Alistair at alistair.mcintosh@nzwineries.co.nz

FLAXBOURNE A & P SHOW

Sunday 26 March

talk

Text your thoughts to: 027 242 5266

30

Start

We are looking for individuals who enjoy working with young people, who have strong relationship capabilities, who are able to work one on one and in small groups with our students with moderate levels of learning difficulties to support them to achieve academic success.

Applicants must have good literacy and numeracy skills and a medium level of computer competency.

Suitable experience and/or qualifications as a Learning Assistant will be an advantage, but is not essential. You will be part of a strong team of colleagues and will be supported, appreciated and have the satisfaction of making a difference.

Please forward your CV and a covering letter immediately to apply@mbc.school.nz

Please Note: In accordance with the Education Act 1989 and the Children’s Act 2014 a police vetting check will be required for this position.

T&D Construction are a local Commercial Building Company in Blenheim, with over 50 years experience in the Building Industry.

We are currently looking for experienced Carpenters / Contract Carpenters to join our team in Blenheim.

A minimum of 44 hours per week and great remuneration will be supplied to the right applicant.

To be successful you must:

• Be trade qualified (Carpenters only)

• Have a clean drivers licence

• Ability to work with no supervision

• Use of power tools

• Applicants should have a NZ Residency or valid work visa

• Great work ethic

If this sounds like you please email your CV to info@td-construction.co.nz or call our Office on (03) 578-8821

Scrap gold

Gold coins

Gold medals

Gold pocket watches

Gold wrist watches

Gold jewellery

Broken or damaged gold

Any Sterling Silver items

ph 0800 00 24 25

Eric Jackson Antique Buyers, PO Box 665, Picton

Win a Fishing Trip

Sponsored by

Renwick ARms countRy club

Family

Friday February 24, Saturday February 25 and Sunday February 26

$15,000+ worth of prizes to be won

Entries cost members $25.00.

Non Members $30.00

Junior under 12 - $5.00

Entry Forms available at outlets displaying posters or at Renwick Arms Country Club 92 High Street, Renwick.

All enquiries to Renwick Arms Country Club ph: 027 572 8597

email: office@renwickarms.co.nz

www.renwickarms.co.nz

Entries close 9.00pm Wednesday 22 February.

Weld Park, Ward FREE TRADE & CRAFT SITES available on application

Bernadette Gilmore Ph 577 7174

FLAXBOURNE A & P SHOW

Sunday 26 March

Weld Park, Ward Schedules available or Online entries www.showdayonline.com

Entries close 24 February FREE TRADE & CRAFT SITES AVAILABLE on application

Bernadette Gilmore Phone 577 7174

Visit us online at blenheimsun.co.nz

Scottish Country Dance Club

Want to improve your health and fitness? Come along and give our introductory class a go. Starting Friday 10th Feb – 17th March 10:30-12:00pm.

At Redwood Community Hall corner of Cleghorn/Weld St. Cost $40.00

Great for:

• Fitness, stamina, coordination

• Strength, suppleness

• Confidence, self-esteem

• Improves flexibility, memory

• Helps lower blood pressure

It’s about fun, being social and building friendships

Contact Heather 021 025 87325

This is not Highland dancing.

Visiting Antique Dealer Wishes To Purchase:

Old Photos - Postcards - Stamp Collections - Old Maps - Globes - Cricket & Rugby Programmes - Early NZ Hunting & Fishing Books - Exploration Stories - Early Rugby & Cricket Books.

Early Comics - Superman, The Phantom, and War Comics.

Jewellery (Even broken) - Pocket & Wrist Watches - Old Chains - Perfume

- Bottles (Old) - Pocket Knives - Fountain Pens - Old Pipes - Sterling Silver -

Vesta - Cases - Greenstone or Paua Jewellery - Rings - Bracelets - Necklaces - Compacts - Souvenir Ware.

Clocks - Radios - Cameras - Telephones - Butter Churns - Early Shotgun & Rifle - Ammunition - Reloading Gear - Telescopes - BinocularsBarometers.

Fly Rods - Reels - Gaffs - Nets - Flies - Lures - Ice Axes - Wooden Skis

- Golf Clubs - Cricket Bats - Rugby Balls - Small Wooden CabinetsMedicinal - Instruments - Bone Handled Knives - Canteens Cutlery.

Old Car Parts - Lights - Speedos - Horns - Gig Lamps - Vintage VehicleNumber Plates.

Old Tools - Planes - Saws - Chisels - Spanners - Old Padlocks & Keys. Musical Instruments - Violins - Trumpets - Accordians - Music Boxes, etc - Hat Boxes & Trunks.

Old Coins - Pre-Decimal especially early Crowns & Sovereigns - PoundsBanknotes, especially with Maori head.

War Badges & Medals - Uniforms - Lodge Medals - Fire Brigade Medals - Trading or Communion Tokens - Bayonets - Hunting Knives - Early Axes. Old Tins - Tea - Honey - Cigarette - Tobacco - Spice - Biscuits, etc. Gold - Alluvial - Nuggets - Dental or Coins. Old Bottles - Crocks - Whisky Jugs - Ginger Beers - Oil Bottles. Toys - Fun Ho - Matchbox Dinky - Meccano - Hornby Trains - DollsTeddy Bears.

Cast Pots - Kettles - Irons. Maori - Statues - Carvings - Artifacts - Books.

China - China & Glassware - Belleek - Moorcroft - Doulton - ShelleySylvac - Maling - Royal Winton La Lique - Clarice Cliff - Beswick Animals Fish or Birds.

NZ Pottery - Crown Lynn - Temuka - Milton etc - Any Stuffed Animal Heads - NZ Railway & Shipping Crockery. Advertising Signs and any pre-1950 Advertising Items.

Offering highest prices - will call to view - one item, whole estates or collections, will travel anywhere.

Please phone: 03 615 5290

or txt: 021 101 8469

Email: thom.taylor@xtra.co.nz

Will be in the area Sunday 12th to Wednesday 15th February approx. If I missed your call last visit please phone again.

week

Coffee beans aren’t beans. They are fruit pits.

fact of the

Death notices

TAYLOR, Steve: Graham, Pauline, Travis and family would like to thank everyone for their love and support following Steve’s recent passing at Tahuna Beach. We so appreciate the many cards and messages we have received and would like to thank all those who attended the celebration of Steve’s life. Also special thanks to St John, Emergency services Nelson and Wairau hospitals who attended Steve over the years. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement of thanks from the family

URGenT services

Urgent Care Centre: Wairau Hospital

Grounds. Entry off Hospital Rd, Blenheim, 8am-8pm daily. Phone (03) 520 6377.

Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non urgent 578 0797.

After Hours Chemists: Springlands

Pharmacy: Monday - Friday 8.30am6pm. Saturday 9m - 5pm. Sunday 10am4pm. Public Holidays 10am - 4pm. Closed Christmas Day. ph 578 2271

Community Care Pharmacy: Within the Blenheim Warehouse, open 7 days 9am8pm. Only closed Christmas Day.

Lifeline Marlborough: 0800 543354, 24hr helpline.

Women’s Refuge and Sexual Violence Support Centre Marlborough: Crisis line number phone 0800 refuge or 03 5779939.

Victim Support: 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846)

Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 AA WORKS - 0800 229 6757.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Free, friendly, confidential advice. Mon - Fri 9.30am4pm. Phone 578 4272.

Wairau Hospital: Hospital Visiting Hours: Daily 2.30pm - 8pm, children under 12 may visit parents only.

Maternity Ward: 10am-noon, 4pm-7pm. Children's Ward: Daily 10am-8pm. Visiting at all times is subject to the discretion of the nurse in charge of the ward.

Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non-urgent 579 4870.

Chemist: Picton Healthcare Pharmacy. Ph 573 6420 Mon -Fri 8.30-5.30pm, Sat 9-2pm. Medical Centre Pharmacy, Ph 928 4265, Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm

FRANCIS, Daniel Hayden: On Sunday January 22, 2023, as the result of an accident. Aged 35 years. Deeply loved husband of Jessica, and father of Harper and Luke. Cherished son of Colin and Jenny, loved brother and brother-in-law of Megan and Paul. Adored grandson of Kevin and Lorraine Sadd, and the late Peter and Maureen Francis. Special thanks to the Emergency Services and Wellington Hospital ICU team. Messages may be sent to the Francis Family, c/- P O Box 110, Blenheim 7240. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Nelson Marlborough Rescue Helicopter Trust would be appreciated and may be made at the service or to a/c 03-0703-0370729-01, Ref. FRANCIS. A farewell for Daniel was held yesterday, Tuesday January 31, at the Marlborough Events Centre, followed by private cremation at the Sowman Crematorium. The service may be viewed live via https://bit.ly/ danielfrancisfuneral.

FRAMPTON, Nola Emily Elizabeth: Passed away on Sunday January 22, 2023. In her 92nd year. Beloved wife for 68 years of Bryce (deceased), loved mother and mother-in-law of David, and Wendy (deceased), Julie, Wendy and Philip, and Gavin (deceased). Grandmother of Roger and Ginette, Daniel and Sharmaine, Natasha and John, Liam and Monique, Hoani, Ari and Haylee, Brittany and Nathan; great grandmother of Zachary, Kristian, Mannake, Theos, Amelia and Aidan. Messages may be sent to 61 Houldsworth Street, Blenheim 7201. At Nola’s request, a cremation has taken place.

WALSH: Josephine Crystal (Jo) née McCarthy. Died peacefully at home in Blenheim on 23 January 2023, aged 76 years. At Jo’s request, a cremation has taken place with a private Memorial Service to be held. To view the full notice please visit our website.

MAHONEY, David John: Died peacefully at home in Blenheim, on Thursday January 26, 2023. Aged 80 years. Dearly loved husband of Alison and father and fatherin-law of Hayden and Nicky, and Rochelle and Graeme. Grandfather of Will Mahoney. Loved brother and brother-in-law of Ian and Wendy, Bruce and Trish, Sue Tapuni, and Barbara and Terry Searle. Messages may be sent to 70D McLauchlan Street, Blenheim 7201. A remembrance service for David will be held at the Mayfield Chapel, cnr Hutcheson and Parker Street, Blenheim at 11am TODAY Wednesday February 1, followed by cremation at the Sowman Crematorium.

BELL, Dorothy June. Passed away peacefully at Hospice Marlborough, surrounded by loved ones. Loved wife of the late Laurie, much loved mother of Cynthea (deceased) and Richard. Deeply loved Grammie of Jasmin, Jordan, Aaron, Braden and Georgia. Adored Great-Grammie of her five great grandchildren. Loved sister of Owen (deceased) and Bruce. A huge thanks to Hospice Marlborough for their care of June in her final days. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Hospice Marlborough (031369-0365207-00) would be appreciated. A service to celebrate June’s life will be held at the Mayfield Chapel, cnr Hutcheon and Parker Streets, Blenheim at 1pm on Thursday February 2nd 2023, followed by a Cremation at the Sowman Crematorium.

HAYES: Daphne Rita. On 25 January 2023 peacefully at Wairau Hospital in her 105th year. A celebration of Daphne’s life has been held. To view the full notice please visit our website.

Our family caring for yours

CROSSWORD

Simple Cremation $2500 (including GST)

ACROSS 1.

6.

LEADER: John Peter. On Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Wairau Hospital. Aged 84 years. In accordance with John’s wishes a cremation has taken place with a Memorial Service to be held at a date to be advised. To view the full notice please visit our website.

19. Blunder(inf) (4,2)

By Russell McQuarters

40. Rows (4)

43. Amassed (7)

44. Spike of corn (3)

45. Rushed violently (7)

46. Nonconformist (6)

48. Informal gathering (6)

53. Deceived (5)

54. Quick look (4) Solution

SOLUTION

Last Week 25 January 2023

Wooden stool $10; Samsung flatscreen TV $40; Dark stain table $5; Jigsaw mat $30; 2 pedastools $10. Offers accepted. Ph 5784942

Nurturing – to allow a ‘free range environment’

By Chris Valli

Ben Glover is the first to admit he’s a private man. He’s also a man in awe of his children including his oldest child.

The father of Marlborough’s George Glover, Ben firmly believes his son is ‘acutely aware that being vulnerable is also a form of strength’.

“George knows the water is his safe place, his bubble. It is a place where he goes to heal, to be alone, to reassess, and to energise – swimming is his bike,” he says.

George is currently swimming 15 loops of Lake Rotoiti at St Arnaud. Indeed, George is doing something rather special for mental health and potentially saving lives.

Along with his support team, George is swimming 20km each day hoping to cover 300km to complete his latest challenge. He hopes to finish Waitangi Weekend and raise $100,000 for Mike King’s I Am Hope charity which ultimately will fund private care and counselling for young people ‘stuck-in-the-mud’ on waiting lists.

Ben says he feels many things as the father of a 20-year-old who has raised the Marlborough profile of mental health advocacy in recent times. He says he is often fascinated and educated, and in awe of his accomplishments.

Yet it is Ben’s reflection and insights which pose the wider context

of a society that is often consumed by screens, peer pressure and the social expectation of ‘fitting in’ or saying yes to conform.

“It is an area of fitness (mental health) that I had never really been aware of; or perhaps never had a ‘descriptor for’ growing up,” Ben says. “It is only now as an adult and being involved and seeing the intensity in just being kids today that has created awareness, and that perhaps the model of education, communication, listening, and achieving may have to be re-examined.”

Ben says ultimately George’s profile is his own.

“He is acutely aware of this and is confident in carrying the mental health message with plenty of support from all areas and avenues he is involved with.

“His mental fortitude is only one of the many ‘balanced’ behaviours, mantras I believe George possesses,” he suggests. “The drive, direction, vision, self-belief, ability to connect and above all empathy are all his own doing.

“All Sus and I have tried to do is build an environment where he could be a kid for as long as possible - still playing with Lego at 12 - and then nurture this within a ‘free range’ environment where mistakes and decision making were important. and I might add this was all done on the hop, there is no book.”

Golf Results

Wairau Golf Club

Saturday 21st January: Summer

Stableford: John McLauchlan 39, Maureen McKenzie 37, Pete Jerram 36, Pete Bishell 36, Elaine Brown 36, Mike Collins 35, Colin Baker 35.

Saturday 28th January: Summer

Stableford: Maureen McKenzie 45, Bill Linklater 39, Robyn Pupich 38, Pete Jerram 37, John McLauchlan 37, Grant Hagen 37, Toyah McKinney 36, Glen Griffiths 36, Jan Rutherford 36, Mel Hampton 35, Bill Lacey 35.

So were there any signs in his development where Ben recognised his strength of character?

“The one moment for me was when he broke his leg skiing (my fault of course) as an eight-year-old and the medic at Rainbow tried to administer anaesthetic. George was in a lot of pain; he down right refused - so the medic sought parental approval (me) – George down right refused again, and so we helicoptered back to Wairau Hospital under no pain relief.”

Blenheim Golf Club

Ben says ultimately the swim and fundraiser is a bigger picture.

“Our health and communities are our youth that is where it starts - that is where the change embryo is - George may not know it, but this is a far greater picture to ensure our whanau are cohesive and community aware,” he says.

Does Dad have advice as he freestyles his way to a finish towards February 6?

“It’s empowering our kids with skills – it is through his journey

as are the individual journeys that Molly, Hazel and Eliza are embarking on. One thing though that is massively hard to do as a Dad, for me anyway, is to not try to direct or conduct and I am trying really hard to just sit back and enjoy our kids’ journeys.”

George’s Give a Little page has currently raised over $25,000. https://givealittle.co.nz/fundraiser/ swim-2-uni-a-mammoth-swimlike-never-before?

Marion Flynn 37 9 holes

Hamilton 18

Jan 26th: Max Stephens Stableford Morgan Bowe 41 Kobe Hart 40 Don Lamond 39 Clive Drummond 38 Nigel Smith 38

Phil Newman 37 Steve Anderson 34 Murray Ingram 33 Colin Pitkethley 33 9 Hole Stableford Ian Clark 20 David Waters 18 Allen Knight 17,Jan 28th 4BBB Net Graeme Parker + Ross Moore 60, Alex Herd + Ray Herd 62, Luke + Brain Yarrall 62, Tere Poa + Brent Baker 63,Desz Campbell + Don March 64

A HELPING HAND: Ben assists George with his wetsuit. Ben says George’s drive and ability to connect and above all empathise are all his own doing. Photos: Mark Grammer Photography