Marlborough Weekly - 31 August 2021

Redwood Hub Shopping Centre, Redwoodtown

Phone 03 578 0433

Tuesday 31 August 2021

‘Allo ‘Allo

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Sticky situation for honey business

www.bikesandscooters.co.nz

Callum on track

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Daffodil delight

Patrick Dawkins and Paula Hulburt A Marlborough Sounds family are spending thousands of dollars every week in a battle to save their business.

Beekeepers Rob and Sabine Harper at Sherrington Honey have been cut off at home in Ohinetaha Bay in the Mahau Sound since the extreme flood event in July.

The desperate duo are calling for more council help for themselves and their community as the situation takes its toll.

The isolation, disruptions and hardship the road closure is putting on people is starting to take its toll say the Harpers.

“The big thing is just the lack of information. We still don’t have anything coming out of Marlborough Roads as to when they will start work. Or when it will be opened at least to one lane.

“Out here we feel really let down by Marlborough Roads and nobody is giving us any indication.

“We’ve heard everything from three months out to two years and nobody seems to know.”

Cut off from 90 per cent of their 1700 hives, the pair have been stumping up thousands of dollars a week on barge access just to reach their hives, get in supplies and transport honey for sale.

As of 30 August, 40,000 cubic metres of spill

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LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

Wairau Pharmacy staff dressed in yellow to show their support for Daffodil Day on Friday. Photo: Paula Hulburt.

www.marlboroughweekly.co.nz

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News

TUESDAY 31 August 2021

Uncertain future for stricken Sounds business FROM PAGE 1 material has been removed from sites throughout Marlborough.

Thirty trucks and 25 excavators are working across the district and more than 400 workers have been site inducted and are now able to work as part of the roading recovery effort.

Marlborough Roads manager Steve Murrin says more than 1000 issues have been identified across the network including 200 under slips, 350 over slips, 24 structures and 125 culverts damaged.

“It’s the worst damage I have seen in more than 30 years of involvement in Marlborough’s road network.

“We have a number of priorities – these include full access up the Awatere Valley to allow for stock 100% locally owned and operated

and feed movements, good access through Queen Charlotte Drive to at least Linkwater and then ultimately single lane access to Havelock through Cullens Point. Single-lane light-vehicle access for residents and essential services into the Kenepuru is also a high priority,” he says.

Work on all of these priority sites is happening simultaneously and recovery crews have been able to work during Alert Level 4 under an exemption from the Government.

Steve says the roading network is still fragile, still changing and remains vulnerable.

While access has been partially restored to the mainland of the South Island and the towns of Linkwater, Havelock, Picton and Blenheim, slip-prone Kenepuru Road remains closed in-

definitely.

A landslide and massive rock block the road four kilometres further down the Sounds, at Te

“

It’s the worst damage I have seen in more than 30 years...

Mahia Bay. Beyond that, at least 1500 Sherrington Honey hives are situated over the usual two-hour drive to the end of the Sounds and require the usual spring management to prevent starvation and

maintain hive health.

“Our operation is effectively cut in half with this road closure with the beehives on one side and our equipment on the other side,” Rob says.

A Mayoral relief fund is partially funding barge transport for several hundred residents of Kenepuru Road, Sherrington Honey are using the barge to transport their work trucks past “the rock”, as they have dubbed the landslip, and also to get supplies in and out on their heavy vehicle.

This is coming at not only significant cost to the business – at $180 per vehicle each way, and $160 per water taxi for staff – but also significant stress due to the logistical challenges and uncertainty of when the road might reopen, says Rob.

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Water reform woes spark call for answers Paula Hulburt

Major concerns over the Government’s Three Waters proposal have sparked a call for vital information.

Marlborough’s mayor is voicing concern over the complexity of Government water reforms and how they will affect the region.

Mayor John Leggett has revealed he has significant concerns about the proposed Three Waters service, which could see the region split.

And he is calling out the Government for rushing through the proposal which has serious consequences for the people of Marlborough.

“I am extremely worried about the complexity of the proposals and the lack of Government-led engagement to date.

“This is putting a huge onus on councils. I believe Government decisions should not be rushed - the nation needs more time to fully understand the consequences of this major change in governance and delivery – it’s the Government’s plan and they need to explain it,” he says.

The Government is proposing that the delivery of drinking water, stormwater and wastewater

Marlborough Mayor John Leggett speaking at the LGNZ conference in Blenheim. Photo: Matt Brown. will no longer be undertaken by local authorities.

Instead, four new large-scale water service delivery entities would be created to oversee the service.

This is a significant and concerning move, say Mayor Leggett who wants answers.

“We met with Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta just be-

fore the LGNZ conference here in Blenheim to express our concern about the proposed boundary split between entities C and D falling within Marlborough.

“No resolution has been proposed by the Government to date. We have also asked further, more technical questions of the Department of Internal Affairs about financial and levels of service projections to assist us.”

Mayor Leggett says the council will be calling for community feedback.

On 16 September the Council will consider a full report on the water services entity proposals.

“Following that meeting a community engagement process will begin, subject to Covid-19 alert levels, and I hope that can include community drop-ins and meetings with community groups, as well as further communications to residents,” mayor Leggett says.

“Council owes it to the public to have the most up to date and accurate information possible to ensure a high-quality engagement process and ultimately a good decision.”

The Council’s website now has a section dedicated to the Three Waters Reform Programme and contains the key information the Government has published so far.

Go to www.marlborough.govt. nz/your-council/three-watersreform-proposals

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News

Crate liner plan causes controversy Chloe Ranford Local Democracy Reporter

Number eight wire and “a lump of wood” have been suggested as more environmentally friendly ways of stopping rubbish flying away than plastic in Marlborough.

A request to line kerbside recycling crates with bin bags caused Marlborough District councillors to butt heads at a committee meeting last week, with most firmly against introducing plastic to fix a problem that “isn’t a big issue”.

The committee was so divided on the issue that its chair, Deputy Mayor Nadine Taylor, was left to cast the deciding vote. She abstained so that each councillor could speak on the proposal at the next full council meeting in September.

Council solid waste manager Alec McNeil started the scrap after asking permission to trial clear bin liners at about 125 household over a month.

The concept is geared to help stop recycling get blown about on windy days prior to collection.

Bags would be made of equal parts recycled and new plastic so could be recycled if demand was high was.

Councillor Michael Fitzpatrick, who held the refuse and recycling portfolio, says council should be encouraging its residents to use less plastic.

“If we create a bigger bin, then we create more opportunities to store plastic. These things will be jam-packed. Cardboard will rip holes in it just like it does any other plastic,” he says.

Councillor Mark Peters agreed plastic “[wasn’t] the answer”, especially as kerbside litter was not a big issue in Blenheim.

“If this is about stopping something blowing down the road three times a year when it’s windy, “I’m obviously missing something here, because I cannot and will not support the use of plastic to deal with something that isn’t a big issue.”

Councillor Brian Dawson says items that were blown from Blenheim recycling crates often disappeared “pretty quickly”.

Councillors Barbara Faulls, Jamie Arbuckle and Thelma Sowman were unable to vote on the proposal until the meeting next month, but each said they would not support it.

Faulls, who was not eligible for kerbside recycling as she lived in Linkwater, in the Marlborough Sounds, suggested (“flippantly”) that the council hand out number eight wires.

“Get [residents] to attach it to their fence and ask the people who empty the crates to walk a couple extra paces to lift the recycling out of their loop of number eight wire,” she said.

But Marlborough Mayor John Leggett threw his support behind

Marlborough District Council solid waste manager Alec McNeil with his crate liner prototype.

Photo: Brya Ingram/Stuff/Supplied. the trial, saying it fit within the council’s budgets and would generate “good feedback” on what it should do next.

Councillor David Oddie, who could not vote on the proposal, but supported it, said the council received a whirlwind of complaints each time a southeaster blew through Picton.

Councillor David Croad, who could note vote on the proposal, thought the trial’s $17,000 cost was too high, especially if bin lin-

ers ended up being a “short-term fix”. Croad did not indicate if he would vote for or against it.

“We could just be issuing a lump of wood and a brick.”

Speaking after the meeting, Alec said he noticed the two main concerns councillors had were the cost of the trial, which could be reduced, and the bags being made of plastic.

“We’ve vilified plastic to the point now that we think of it as evil. But it’s how we handle it that’s evil.

Some plastic has a function that betters the environment you’re in, like this would if it was a containment solution for litter,” McNeil said.

If supported, findings from the trial would be reported back to councillors and fed into the next kerbside collection tender. The council planned to publish the tender next year.

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TUESDAY 31 August 2021

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NEWS

Covid ready: Organisers of the ‘Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer’ heritage rail and coach tour of the South Island have decided on a COVID vaccination policy for all crew and passengers. From March next year, all passengers and crew travelling on the Sir Edmund Hilary Explorer rail and coach tour will need to confirm they have been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Paul Jackson of Pounamu Tourism Group says the move offers people peace of mind.

DJ Boom, DJ Dai, Belinda Jackson and DJ Mr Slice hope to bring more Vinyl in the Vines events to Marlborough this summer.

Photo: Jim Tannock.

Vinyl in the Vines vows to play on

Organisers behind a classic vinyl dance night have had to postpone but hope to return bigger than ever before.

The Vinyl in the Vines dance night at 5Tapped planned for this Saturday 4 September has been postponed until Saturday 9 October.

The continued lockdown meant the event can’t go ahead, says Vinyl in the Vines spokesperson

Belinda Jackson.

But the team have revealed plans for more Vinyl in the Vines events over summer at some Marlborough vineyard locations.

“It’s a shame to postpone because - let’s face it - we could all do with a dance right now.

However, pushing it out a month hopefully means we can get back together at 5Tapped on

9 October.

“We hope to see you for a dance at our events over the summer, fingers and toes crossed.”

Marlborough’s Vinyl in the Vines DJ Collective and Lawson’s Dry Hills teamed up with 5Tapped and Brian FM to put on dance nights with music, beers, fine wines and food from Little Amigos.

The collective’s musical

emphasis is on classic vinyl tracks that get the body moving and the soul singing, Belinda says.

“Anyone who purchased a ticket can get a refund from Under the Radar ticket agency or they can simply hang on to their ticket for the new date.”

Tickets are $20 available from Under the Radar at https:// www.undertheradar.co.nz/

Post delays: A move to Alert Level 3 will bring some delays with post.

NZ Post bosses are warning that increased safety measures in place at depots will mean mail is taking longer to process. Delays of up to two working days or longer as staff deal with an expected influx of additional parcel volumes when parts of the country move into Alert Level 3.

Councillor changes mooted: The Marlborough Sounds could see representation cut from three to two councillors if a council recommended change gets the go ahead.

Reviewing representation arrangements, council is proposing to cut one Sounds Ward councillor and opt for a Māori Ward councillor instead.

The move will go forward for public consultation.

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News

TUESDAY 31 August 2021

Imposter by Matt Chisholm Reviewed by Chris Valli

‘Allo ‘Allo Production Manager Shandi Smale is determined the show will go on. Photo: Supplied.

‘Allo online Chris Valli

The show must go on for a theatre group who have turned to technology to cast their next big hit.

Blenheim Musical Theatre bosses have decided to go digital when looking for potential stars of their new dinner theatre show.

Would be cast members of ‘Allo ‘Allo my leetle French sausage took to Zoom to perform their key audition pieces amid Lockdown Level 4.

‘Allo ‘Allo Production Manager Shandi Smale is appreciative of the online option and how it can help while under Covid restrictions.

“Thankfully we live in a time where technology allows us to meet via screens, phones and various apps.

“So, our plan going forward is to do the first set of auditions with those that have already booked in online (via the BMT website).

“The Production team is up to the challenge and looking forward to working with the cast in new and creative ways during a time when things are uncertain and a bit different,” she says.

Directed by Geoff Anderson, the show is set to be staged at Blenheim Music Theatre’s Lakings Road facility from 18 November 18 – 4 December.

The musical comedy is based on the smash hit UK TV series ‘Allo ‘Allo which ran for nine series over eight years.

Shandi says the adaptation will feature scenes from many seasons crafted into one theatrical story and bringing in musical song and dance numbers.

With an adult cast of ten people, men and women, across all vocal ranges needed, the show is suited to singers and actors of all abilities and experience levels.

Blenheim Musical Theatre bosses says the audition process will differ from previous shows.

Script reads could be facilitated through a Google meeting and dialogue work done all while potential cast members are locked in their homes.

Blenheim Musical Theatre has a proud history of being the longest running amateur theatre in New Zealand, continuing through World Wars, The Depression and recently bringing theatre restaurant shows such as Funny Business and Aotearoa - a New Zealand Rock Musical during a worldwide pandemic.

Any queries about Zoom auditions and or the show, email Shandi Smale Production Manager at alloallo@ bmt.net.nz

According to Matt Chisholm, TVNZ journalist, come farmer, it’s OK to not be OK. The TVNZ reporter on shows such as Close Up, Seven Sharp and Sunday tells it like it is in his recent book released earlier this month.

Titled ‘Imposter’, Chisholm’s story is a refreshing, honest insight about being , the booze, depression and living life in the present. Relevant because of his ownership of not ‘fitting in’ within the dynamic and culture of TVNZ and a lifestyle that just wasn’t him.

Chisholm is a natural storyteller and his warm, engaging, sometimes cheeky disposition has seen quality journalism and narratives over the years.

Such as the one on his older brother Nick Chisholm, 47, who suffered a series of ministrokes while playing rugby nearly 20 years ago.

The mini-strokes culminated in a brain-stem stroke that left him with locked-in syndrome, also referred to as pseudocoma (describes patients who are awake and conscious but who have no means of producing speech, limb or facial movements). However, in March 2020, his wife Nicola welcomed triplet babies Dakota, RubySoo and Loki to the world, the first day of lockdown in New Zealand.

The self-confessed country boy is candid in the book and writes with a natural disposition that leaves the reader to gain greater insights into their

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own worldview and indeed personal and professional values.

Chisholm, his wife Elle and two boys made the choice to leave Auckland and his job moving to central Otago - to enjoy the simpler life last year. He started writing Imposter during last year’s level 4 lockdown, soon after he’d relocated down south to Chatto Creek.

“I’d write about a thousand words a day, then I’d go and hang out with the kids down at the river and do some cool stuff,” he says. “And then all of a sudden I was in a situation where, s..., I’ve actually got to write this bloody book.”

This book resonates on various levels.

To not conform to society and perceived expectations from people who have their own hidden agendas. That it’s OK to show one’s vulnerability and ask for help (especially from a male perspective). To ultimate-

ly have the courage to say no when sticking to one’s own values and what it means to have a network of support.

In a world that is consumed by social media it is ironic that it was a social media comment that allowed Chisholm to ‘open up’ around the conversation of mental health and wellbeing and the ‘outpouring’ of public support that followed.

Marlborough farmer and author Doug Avery is certainly changing the landscape and korero around ‘doing it tough’ or ‘having a bad day’ and are becoming normalised in an everyday context. And so they should.

“I think I’m a very normal dude,” he says. “There’s nothing special about me, the only difference is maybe I was on the telly, or I’m still on the telly, and that’s the only thing. I’m going to tell my story and people are going to go, ‘far out, I can relate to a whole lot of that’.”

These days, the “normal dude” is living his real dream – not a glitzy life among our entertainment elite but as a serious hobby farmer with a bit of TV work on the side.

Next month, he and Elle will welcome their third child, a little girl.

This book is real, authentic, poignant and inspiring on so many levels.

In a world where being present for oneself and family/whanau is never more important, there has never been a narrative so timely to read in 2021.

Well done Matt Chisholm - it is OK to not be OK.

Published by Allen & Unwin.

RRP: $36.99 To go in the draw to win your own copy of Imposter, email chris@topsouthmedia.co.nz

by September 7 and you name will go into a draw.

News

TUESDAY 31 August 2021

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The team at Blenheim’s Wairau Pharmacy are keen supporters of the Marlborough Cancer Society. Photo: Paula Hulburt.

Cancer Society’s call for help Cancer Society Marlborough are missing out of thousands of dollars in donations after being forced to cancel their annual Daffodil Day event.

Organisers wereforced to pull the plug on the vital annual fundraiser aid health and safety fears over the Delta variant of COVID-19.

The wellbeing of the community must come first, says centre manager Felicity Spencer.

But while the collection had to be scrapped, people can still support the society by making an online donation.

A website is available online and just $24 can make a big difference.

Revealing the cancellation of the flagship annual fundraiser, staff say uncertainty around COV-

ID-19 means there is no guarantee over when and if the event will go ahead.

“This event will not be held at a later date due to the uncertainty of when it will be safe to resume in the future.

“Although we are sad to cancel this event, the health and wellbeing of the community is the number one priority.

“Our street appeal involves thousands of dedicated volunteers throughout New Zealand, and hundreds of Marlburians who volunteer and donate every year. We are not willing to put anyone at risk.

“We thank you sincerely for volunteering your time to support our flagship annual fundraiser.”

To donate visit https://www.daffodilday.org.nz/donate

in the Lyuta and Morena Kumasaka getting Daffodil Day spirit.

Michael and Sophia

Scott.

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TUESDAY 31 August 2021

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FROMM WINERY

Question...

Which company makes the Stratocaster guitar?

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TUESDAY 31 August 2021

WORDFIND

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PICTURE SUDOKU:

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DRIVE-THRU PHARMACY

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3 2 1. Tiger in camouflage.

2. Zoe Renner feeding her pet lambs, Star and Snowflake.

3. Opal all dressed up and looking beautiful.

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4. Billy & Teddy keeping each other company.

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5. Feeding time for the chickens.

6. Wookie keeping up with the action.

7. Piper planning a cruise when the world returns to normal.

8. Nut having a rest from a busy lockdown day.

9. Bruno, loving lockdown on the farm.

10. Dereka chilling in the armchair.

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TUESDAY 31 August 2021

SPORT

Sport

Callum’s cycling journey remains well on track Peter Jones Reporter

peter@marlboroughmedia.co.nz

Callum Saunders’ path to joining his great grandfather as a New Zealand Olympian was far from smooth.

When the track cyclist ticked off a personal and family milestone in Tokyo earlier this month, he underlined the resilience required to compete at the top level.

In late 2019 the sprint racing specialist stunned a world-class keirin field in Hong Kong, earning recognition as the 2020 Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year.

Then, in early 2020 on-going health issues prompted a medical intervention that punctured his hopes of selection as a starting rider in the NZ cycling crew bound for Tokyo.

He was, however, named as the sprint team’s reserve, content to lend his considerable support to the favoured selections.

Then, as fate would have it, injury to a fellow member of the sprint team saw him called upon, the 25-year-old making his Olympic debut in the team sprint event at the Olympic velodrome and then participating in the keirin, where he reached the quarterfinals.

Callum admits his heart issues, followed by non-selection in the starting sprint team, were blows to his confidence, but he quickly showed the strength of character that has marked his career so far.

“I had an ablation at the start of 2020, where they go in and cauterize some areas of the heart that are causing grief. My heart was going out of synch which led to ridiculously high heart rates with little or no exercise.

“Pretty much the fact I hadn’t ridden a team sprint at World Cup level meant I was not eligible to be picked for the team sprint in Tokyo … and that was what the riders to contest the individual events are chosen from.

“That unfortunately ended my hopes of initial selection [for Tokyo]. Going as a reserve was a mixed bag … particularly off the back of some good results in 2019. It was disappointing not to be able to see it out. However, I processed that and was all on supporting the three guys I was going with to get the best out of

them.

“Plus, I needed to get myself into a place where, if I needed to be called up, I would have everything to give,” Callum added.

He likens the mental side of the reserve’s role to that which all the athletes had to deal with preGames as speculation mounted whether the global showpiece would even take place.

“The thinking was, if [the Games] don’t go ahead and we have put everything into training for it that will be disappointing, but if they go ahead and we have been complacent in training, thinking they may not proceed, that would be even more heart-breaking, having not given it your all.

“So that was what I ran with … hey, if I don’t get a ride I will be gutted, but if I put everything into it, prepare myself the best I can then get a chance to have a crack, then I will be able to hop off my bike knowing I have done everything I can to get myself in a position to perform.”

The ‘three guys’ Callum referred to were seasoned track specialists Sam Webster and Ethan Mitchell, plus Sam Dakin, whose career had followed a similar curve to Callum’s.

“It was a special dynamic having Sam [Webster] and Ethan, who Sam [Dakin] and I have looked up to for years, and we built a quite special partnership between those very experienced guys and us, who are quite fresh-faced and naïve to it all.”

Callum’s call-up to the team sprint combination came about through a back injury to Sam Dakin, a situation that provided both sympathy and excitement.

“The circumstance in which I was brought in wasn’t favourable, you never want to see a teammate in duress. Sam and I both have back issues, an occupational hazard, especially for the lead-off rider. “[The call-up] was a surprise, but every reserve is down at trackside, warming up and prepared to ride as they need to … that’s just the protocol.”

After receiving 20-30 minutes notice that he would be required, Callum hopped on his bike and joined his great grandfather Charlie Saunders [Olympian number 39, NZ rowing team in

Callum Saunders and Japanese rival Yuta Wakimoto congratulate each other after making it through the first round of the keirin at the Tokyo Games. Photos: Supplied.

Olympics.

“There’s plenty more to come. If I get to Paris and I have done everything I could and it doesn’t go my way I will still walk away from that experience with a full heart and a happy head.”

Now at home in Marlborough, after being released from MIQ in Christchurch on Tuesday, Callum is relishing the chance to be among family and able to sample fresh air.

He has also relished joining his The Kiwi sprint team in Tokyo, from left, Callum Saunders, Sam great grandfather in the Olympic Webster, Sam Dakin and Ethan Mitchell. stable.

Los Angeles 1932] as a bona-fide so fortunate, narrowly missing a “I have had so many messages Olympian, number 1490. semi-final position. from friends and family, espe“The feeling was incredible,” he “I had a basic plan of how I want- cially on [Charlie’s] side sharing recalls. “The circumstances were ed to ride it, but made a wrong that sentiment. It is very special, quite melancholic, but it was a judgement call unfortunately. But following the path that he took, really great moment, especially that’s the beauty of this race, it especially as he was also part of competing alongside Sam and rewards decisive thinking … and management of the NZ team that Ethan, who are great mates.” typically that’s the space I have went to Tokyo in 1964.

Three days later Callum was back done quite well in, making deci- “The whole time I was just very on track, this time in the keirin. sions on the fly. But they don’t al- grateful for all the support and In the heats he finished second ways go your way.” love I have received over the and progressed directly to the Leaving Japan with no regrets, years. Particularly coming from quarterfinals, providing a “mas- now his attention is fully focussed a small place like Marlborough, sive relief ” as he got his tactics on future challenges, particularly you can feel the hand on your right. the 2022 Birmingham Common- back, and I just felt that from eveHowever, a day later, he wasn’t wealth Games and the 2024 Paris ryone.”

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‘Sport gives people hope’: Ben Lucas Peter Jones and Peter Thornton Former Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year Ben Lucas says there is no event in the world like the Paralympic Games.

“It’s phenomenal to watch what people can do, after the curve ball life has thrown them,” says New Zealand’s Paralympian No 99.

He should know. Ben, who competed in wheelchair racing in two Paralympic Games in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000), was New Zealand’s Chef de Mission for Rio 2016, the team’s most successful Paralympics with 21 medals.

“Life is different with a disability,” says Blenheim-born Ben. “This Paralympic Games [in Tokyo] is like no other because it harnesses the human spirit. These athletes have never given up and for many, sport and the goal of the competing at the Paralympics has been a big part of their rehabilitation.

“But at the Paralympic Games, they’re not thinking about what they’ve overcome, they’re only focused on winning and being the best in the world.”

It makes for enthralling viewing.

A record number of broadcasters will live telecast 21 disciplines from 19 sports, six more than Rio 2016. This means Tokyo 2020 is expected to exceed the cumulative audience of 4.1 billion who watched the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

Ben’s life changed in a moment over 30 years ago.

In 1989 aged 24, Ben crashed his motorbike into a U-turning van and broke his L3 lumbar vertebrae which left him paralysed. He

has vivid memories of that day in Newmarket.

“It was a 50/50 call whether the driver had seen me and would stop, or he’d keep going. I thought he’d seen me. It was the wrong call.”

“I thought very early on there are a couple of ways I can do this; I can feel sorry for myself or I can make the most of every day and have the best possible life. I chose the second option, and I didn’t look back.”

ACC played a leading role in his rehabilitation.

During his time at the Auckland Spinal Unit, Ben saw a photo of wheelchair racing and it sparked his imagination.

When he was discharged home to Blenheim, he travelled across to Nelson to play wheelchair basketball every week. He had a chance meeting with former Paralympian, Morice Hennessey, who introduced him to wheelchair racing.

“I was bitten by the bug. I loved it straight away and wanted to see how far I could go.”

He was introduced to track meets in Christchurch and made an inauspicious start.

“My first meet I got lapped in the 1500m,” he laughs. “It was humiliating getting the clap of shame from the whole grandstand as I came in in last place.”

He used that moment as a catalyst to take the sport seriously.

“I was determined to not get lapped again so I put in some work and slowly I improved. In the end, I was competing at Paralympic level.”

It was an “unbelievable honour” to line up for his first Paralympic

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Ben Lucas crosses the finish line in third place during the 1994 Commonwealth Games. Photo: Supplied.

Games in 1996 in Atlanta.

He made the semi-finals of the 5000m and 10,000m and finished eighth in the marathon.

Ben was the Kiwi flag bearer for both the 1996 and 2000 Paralympics – something he never dreamed would have been possible in 1989 when he was lying prone in hospital.

After finishing 15th in the wheelchair marathon in Sydney, he retired from all competition.

His highlights included winning a bronze medal at the 1994 Commonwealth Games in Canada and a gold medal in the 1999 World Wheelchair Games in Christchurch.

During his heyday of competing around the world, Ben began working with Parafed Canterbury where he initiated the Parafed Canterbury Elite and Development Squads and mentored athletes.

One day, Mark Inglis gave him a call and said he wanted to compete in cycling at the Paralympics.

Ben had had a few people come to him with the same speech and so he told him exactly what he needed to do to achieve his goal.

Every week, Ben talked with Mark to offer advice and support so when he won a silver medal on the track in Sydney it was an immensely proud moment.

“He threw the silver medal on my lap and said this is just as much yours as it is mine. I don’t know about that, but it was nice to play a part.”

Ben has high hopes that the NZ Paralympics Team can emulate the feats of the NZ Olympic team who enjoyed a record medal haul in Tokyo.

“It’s a massive challenge,” he says.

“They are competing against the best in the world and there is the unknown factor of competing in empty stadiums. I would say enjoy this experience. It will be vastly different from anything you do in the future.”

Ben, who works for ACC as a Lead Disability Advisor, says their partnership with Paralympics NZ is a natural fit.

He says many Para athletes and development athletes are ACC clients and the difference sport can make to someone’s recovery is profound.

“Sport gives people hope. It’s part of their rehabilitation. It gives them discipline, purpose and that leads on to greater things as they go on in their lives.

“They see others in a similar position to them doing great things and realise that they too can do this.”

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SPORT

Rugby bosses make plans for possible re-start Peter Jones Although rugby across the nation has ground to a standstill, Tasman Rugby Union CEO Lyndon Bray says his union and the governing body are looking at “all possibilities” for a speedy resumption of play as soon as alert levels permit. “[COVID] has certainly thrown a spanner in the works,” said Lyndon. “However, New Zealand Rugby and all the PUs [provincial unions] have had some really good dialogue so far. We have stayed in touch very closely.

“What is clear is that we have a very aligned view on the fact that what is best for all our communities and for us as an industry is that we get rugby back on the field.

“That is the number one priority,

if and when we come out of level four and three.

“What that basically means is that we are prepared to look at all possibilities for getting teams on the field … but we are not going to try and imagine what that looks like until we know that we are heading out of lockdown, otherwise we just end up going round and round in circles.

“Then we can start to construct who can play who and over what period of time. The hope would be that those teams who suffer the fate of being under level four for longer could be re-introduced, if possible, depending on time frames.”

The Bunnings NPC season is scheduled to end on October 24.

Lyndon says there is some flexibility on how long the season can run, but it is limited.

The pristine new surface at Lansdowne Park will stay that way as community sport is sidelined once more. Photo: Peter Jones.

“We are flexible, but we will have to check venue availability, then there are the obvious restraints around summer sport coming into play … then you are moving into pre-season for Super Rugby assembly and players will need a natural break, which is pretty

important from a workload and welfare perspective.

“I would hope that we could potentially stretch the season out, but it is up to NZ Rugby to do all the work around the different parties, including our ‘return to play’ protocols, depending how

long we remain in lockdown.”

Last season COVID level changes affected the club rugby season, this year it has hit the NPC, the Farah Palmer Cup, Heartland Championship, the final week of the First XV competition and some age-group tournaments.

The first two rounds of the 10-round NPC have been played, the following two weekends postponed at this stage. Five rounds of the Farah Palmer Cup have been played, with the Tasman Mako women having just a single match to play.

There is also one weekend’s play remaining in the Miles Toyota championship. Nelson College are set to host Christ’s College in the cup final, with Marlborough Boys’ College travelling to Christchurch for the Plate final against Christchurch BHS.

COVID alert levels spell end of season for netballers Peter Jones The Marlborough netball season has come to an untimely end.

With a log-jam of games backing up before the end of their season on September 4, the Marlborough Netball Association executive decided last week to cancel the remainder of their season.

MNA spokesperson Rachel Tau’alupe said, “we just don’t have the capacity to push the season out indefinitely, especially with all the uncertainty surrounding COVID levels at the moment”.

“Therefore, the season has been cut short by three games, which is unfortunate, but we also forsee challenges with the Stadium being used as a vaccination location at the moment.”

Finals across all the senior grades were originally scheduled for September 4.

“We didn’t intend to go past that date,” said Rachel, “and we were so close to getting there.

“It is such a shame [we had to cancel] as everyone associated with the sport has worked so

Action at the Lansdowne Park netball courts is over for the 2021 season. Photo: Peter Jones. hard throughout the season.”

The MNA will still proceed with handing out awards across all grades, at a date yet to be confirmed.

“We want to recognise how well everyone has played and everything that has happened up until this point, so we are still seeking nominations for our senior, intermediate and junior awards. We plan to finish on something of a high,” Rachel added.

In other netball news, Rachel

has replaced Beth Tester as chair of the Marlborough Netball Association executive. Beth, who was intending to step down at the end of the season, resigned soon after the latest COVID lockdown came into place, her role in the PHO demanding her full attention.

Rachel, formerly MNA deputy chair, said, “Beth has contributed greatly to our centre and we thank her for her time and efforts. Her work will be recognised once levels allow.”

From left: Immediate past president Phil Welch, new life members Colin Wratt and Gerald Morrissey, flanking patron Clive Barker, and current president Ralph Bello. Photo: Supplied.

Bowling club honours life members The Blenheim Bowling Club recently bestowed two long-time servants of the game in Marlborough with life membership.

Gerald Morrissey and Colin Wratt were recognised at the Annual General Meeting on July 25, where the Blenheim club also appointed Clive Barker as Patron.

Gerald has been a member of the club since the 1978-79 season, showing his prowess on the greens at both interclub and repre-

sentative level.

His extensive handyman skills have made him a valuable asset to the committee, always willing to lend his skills and “put his hand up”.

Colin joined the club in 1988 and has showed great prowess at club and rep level, picking up 13 centre titles so far. Off the green, he has served in a variety of administrative roles and is also an accredited umpire.

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