Cactus trainer Frank Burns retires after 13 years at the helm

After more than a decade of training nearly 800 high-school students, a Blenheim’s CACTUS lead trainer is throwing in the towel.

Frank Burns is passionate about CACTUS and the positive effect the programme has in young people’s lives.

But he’s not getting any younger, he says, and it’s about giving someone else the opportunity to lead.

“I’d rather leave on top rather than being asked to go. But I’m going to miss it,” he told Marlborough Weekly following the culmination of the CACTUS programme, the longest day, at MySpace on Saturday.

“They [the students] start off in week one as individuals and end as a team that look out for each other.”

CACTUS is an eight-week challenge for high-school aged students, which challenges them physically and mentally to surpass what they believe they’re capable of.

He calls the bi-annual CACTUS crew team members, because they’re all part of the same team.

“It [CACTUS] is all about team work, communication and team building,” he says.

“It’s amazing to witness the change that comes over them over the eight weeks.”

A marine farmer for Te Atiawa,

Franks says since he’s been involved with CACTUS for years. The program has started in Westport, Nelson and Kaikoura.

“They’ve taken the blueprint from Blenheim and Picton. It’s the type of program it is, it’s going around the country.”

Frank will take on a mentorship role, with Maria Gear and Tiana Scoon taking over the leadership roles in Blenheim, and Gannon Karena in Picton.

“Mentorship, to some degree, will help me – it’ll lessen the blow,” he says.

Frank says CACTUS is not a boot camp (he hates that word) but there is a little military flavour to it, which he thinks makes it successful.

“It’s so positive. I get a kick out of it.

“The support we get from business, the council, Marlborough Lines, the police – it speaks volumes for the course.

“I’m going to really miss it.”

Deceased Named

A man whose body was discovered in the water near Pelorus Bridge has been name as Matthew (Matt) Dickson, 31. Police were called to the scene on March 23rd and say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death but investigations are continuing.

Gas Leak Scare

Marlborough Boys’ College was evacuated on Thursday afternoon after someone smelled gas and activated the fire alarm. Emergency services rushed to the high school, in Blenheim, at 2.05pm but a search by fire fighters found no sign of a leak and the incident was declared a false alarm.

Vehicle Thefts Arrest

Five youths were arrested yesterday for a spate of vehicle thefts in Nelson and Blenheim last week. The group attempted to steal six vehicles, and actually stole four cars, a police spokeswoman says. Blenheim acting area response manager Detective Sergeant Lindsay Tilbury says all five offenders have been referred to youth services.

Library Closes

Blenheim’s library is shutting its doors on 23 April for a month while items are moved to the new library and art gallery which is set to open on 12 May. No fines will be issued for books not able to be returned during the closure.