Issue 1 2014
Emergency training in Rotorua
T
he scene that greets the Civil Defence response teams is one of utter carnage.
A car is wedged under a train barrier arm, and there’s a woman on the ground with two legs missing. Inside the wrecked car is a distressed family – the father’s intestines are showing, the mother has an exposed compound femoral fracture and the teenage girls in the back seat are crying and pleading for help. It’s just one of the realistic scenarios emergency response teams from several agencies had to deal with at New Zealand Red Cross’ Exercise Edgecombe in Rotorua. Held at the New Zealand Fire Service national training centre, and nearby venues, the exercise was based on a scenario of a 6.5 magnitude earthquake near Rotorua at a depth of 8km.
The 75 volunteers came from all over New Zealand, and included members of the Red Cross National Disaster Response Team (NDRT), Civil Defence response teams from Auckland and Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Fire Service Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team, Christchurch City Council and representatives from St John and Rotorua International Airport. Thirty role players from Red Cross and local schools acted as the ‘victims’, including two real amputees, which put extra stress on responders and tested their ability to keep calm. Red Cross NDRT member Steve King of Nelson came across amputee Christine Windle during an exercise in Henderson Quarry. “I could see it was a crush injury and as I approached her I thought ‘blimey that looks quite bad’. I thought her leg was under the rock but as I got closer I realised it wasn’t. My mind was going
‘there’s a leg somewhere but I can’t see it’. I was a bit confused there for a minute.” Steve says having real amputees involved was extremely valuable for the volunteers’ learning experience and will definitely stand him in good stead for future emergencies. The earthquake exercise was the first time New Zealand Red Cross and New Zealand Fire Service USAR staff have practised together and Red Cross emergency management officer Graeme Langford says it went very well. “It was about cementing skills learnt to date and creating opportunities for team members to apply those skills in a complex multi-agency disaster event. It was all about building relationships and showing how all agencies can work together to support USAR operations in New Zealand, because in a large disaster that’s who NDRT members will be working with.”
Tandem giving the best possible start For many former refugees the basics of life in New Zealand can take a while to get used to and starting a new school can be a real challenge. New families took part in Tandem to understand the education system and build connections with other parents and students. Offered in Hamilton, each family was given information about the schooling system, helped through the enrolment process and supported in learning the basics, from what a term is to other situations that may arise, such as bullying. Connections were made
Message from Jenny It is the time of year when area forums are developing and integrating plans and disseminating information successfully. It is heartening to see the membership responding to the challenges of change so well (five years into the area council structure). During the mid-year annual general meetings, executive committees and area council chairs will be nominated and elected. And later, at National Council, a board member for each of the three national areas (Upper North Island, Lower North Island and South Island) will be nominated and elected. Thanks to all who commit and hold these important roles. I am looking forward to hearing about the memorabilia, archives and history that is being found as preparation continues in each area for 2015 (100 years of activity of Red Cross in New Zealand). Anyone interested in history and promoting Red Cross should be in touch with their area council to participate in the planning and be ready for the commemorations next year. It is an opportunity for us all to look back over 100 years of activities while setting our sights on being relevant for the next 100 years. I wish you all an enjoyable autumn.
Dr Jenny McMahon National President
New Zealand Red Cross Link Newsletter
A Message from Tony Paine Kia ora koutou We have started a process of consulting with staff about suggested changes to our structure which will help us to achieve: § A united organisation – with full inclusion of refugee resettlement work, cooperation between the different parts of the organisation and an active and diverse membership/volunteer base. §A focus on three strategic priorities: vulnerable migrants; disaster management and community resilience; and international responsibilities. §A sustainable financial future. I have proposed that we bring our humanitarian services (refugee resettlement, community services, disaster preparedness and response, and international programmes) together both at a local and national level. In addition, to ensure cost-effectiveness and the ability to grow income I have suggested retail and education and training teams come together to increase future opportunities. Staff feedback is encouraged and will be essential to getting any change right. Volunteers and members will remain at the heart of Red Cross no matter what changes. We will aim to provide even more ways to get involved in local communities and there will always be staff available to liaise and support Branches, Groups and Area Councils. There is a video on RedNet where I give some more detail, and I will be updating staff, volunteers and members throughout the process.
Three-year anniversary On 22 February our thoughts turned to Canterbury as the three-year anniversary of the devastating earthquake was marked in the city and around the world. Secretary General Tony Paine laid a wreath with Outreach volunteer Yvonne Morgan, taking a moment to remember those who were lost, and those who have lost loved ones in the devastating earthquake. To date, $89 million in grants has been distributed by the 2011 Earthquake Commission to 109,710 recipients – more than a quarter of the greater Christchurch population – something that would not have been possible without the generosity of New Zealanders and people overseas who donated, says Chair, Sir John Hansen. After three years, the Commission has held its final meeting and our recovery programme in Christchurch has changed focus to the development of sustainable programmes. Recovery programme manager Sandra James is finalising a recovery plan for 2014–16, which will guide the work of the recovery team. “We have consulted with more than 40 organisations and networks across greater Christchurch, to inform the development of the recovery plan for the next two years. Our future work will involve collaborating more closely with partners in the recovery space and focusing on sustainable programmes,” she says.
between parents and students and others already in the same school. Community development caseworker Elodie Berthe says that, in ideal cases, support given by volunteers and staff is added to by buddy families and students from the school. This provides ‘insider’ connections and knowledge helping the family and student to integrate quickly. Tandem also offered a leadership programme giving the kids a chance to meet each other and undertake activities to build confidence. Activities included rock climbing, abseiling, caving and archery. Elodie says each activity was designed to get the kids to try new things
and challenge themselves. They compared these activities to overcoming fears at school, building self-confidence and focused on team work. One young Burmese girl stands out in Elodie’s mind. “She had never rock climbed before and although she was finding it difficult she would not stop trying until she had completed even the hardest wall. At one point she had to remove her shoes as they were a few sizes too large and she completed the walls in bare feet. She challenged herself, showed determination and got out of her comfort zone and was so proud when she finished. It was great to see and I felt like what we were doing was making a difference.”
Generous patron of Te Awanga Red Cross
Elizabeth Douglas Glenny (Dunty)
Elizabeth Douglas Glenny was known always as Dunty to everyone. Dunty was a much loved, respected and generous Patron of the Te Awanga Red Cross branch from shortly after it was formed in 1978 until it closed in 2001, always taking an active role in all branch activities. Dunty had a clear understanding of the Fundamental Principles and the role of Red Cross in the community. She served with passion and dedication, still insisting, when in her 90s, that she be the one seated at the gate collecting entrance fees for the annual garden party. Wrapped in a rug with copious cups of hot tea, she greeted everyone by name and with a big smile. She would give small children a balloon which she often donated herself.
One of her favourite projects was the annual afternoon tea for the blind and partially sighted, held in the community hall situated on the beachfront. Strongly scented flowers decorated the hall, members explained the party food to their guests and Dunty led the popular sing-a-long. After the branch closed, the remaining members always organised a birthday lunch for Dunty until she went into care aged 105. Her independent nature meant she was still driving her car at the grand age of 100 and taking an interest in all things Red Cross. Dunty grew up in Scotland, as a member of the Pringle family of knitwear fame. She survived two husbands, the passing of her two children from her first marriage and lived through two world wars. She moved to New Zealand where she met and then married her second husband, settling in Te Awanga in the early 1950s. There she stayed, looking after her much loved animals, supporting Red Cross and welcoming her many visitors, until six months before she passed away, after a fall, while in care. Elizabeth Douglas Glenny 21-4-1908 – 26-10-2013. Obituary supplied by Joan Cockburn.
Dylan Young (role playing a detainee) pictured with Sirelkhatim Ibrahim at the Impact training day
Who Am I? Dylan Young Project Partners Coordinator How long have you been with Red Cross? About 14 months What do you do? I manage our relationship with Cornucopia, the agency we work with to employ our face-to-face fundraisers. I ensure all feedback and training is done with our wonderful team who spend their days talking to members of the public, giving people the opportunity to join as a Project Partner or regular giver. I also communicate with our regular donors, letting them know how amazing they are and their importance within Red Cross. What is your favourite part of your job? Being able to give everyday New Zealanders the ability to support our programmes. It’s really great to hear from our donors that they enjoy giving money to our organisation, because they know it will be put to good use. Why New Zealand Red Cross? I strongly believe that New Zealand Red Cross makes a real difference within our communities and overseas and I wanted to be a part of that positive impact. Biggest indulgence? Seafood! I enjoy free-diving, getting fresh seafood and eating it with a cold beer alongside friends and family, in the sun of course. DO YOU WANT TO NOMINATE SOMEONE WE SHOULD ALL KNOW ABOUT?
Dunty looking after her much loved animals
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Steffan at Exercise Edgecombe
Member Spotlight Who am I? Steffan Rolfe Why did you become a member? Red Cross Dunedin was looking for Emergency Response Team volunteers. I went along to an information evening, and have been involved ever since, starting in the Dunedin team and now the Christchurch team. How long have you been with us? Almost nine years. Are you involved in any other aspect of Red Cross? I’m involved with the Christchurch Disaster Welfare Support Team, the National Disaster Response Team and have done a bit with the Emergency Operations Centre side of Red Cross. I’ve also had a glimpse into the No Limits programme and Red Cross Youth before I got too old!
Diana Brooks with Stella Robb gathering vegetables
Blenheim’s community garden What started out as a good idea just a year ago has literally borne fruit for migrants and low-income people in the Blenheim area. The Red Cross community garden was the brainchild of Gayle Chambers, programme coordinator in Marlborough, and was enthusiastically taken up as a project by members of the Blenheim branch. Planting only started in September last year but already the 120 square metre plot
Encouraging youth to rise up
What’s the best part of your involvement with us? Getting to know different people, from different backgrounds, from all over the country. Catching up with people at exercises, training sessions and operations feels like you’re part of a big family. Also, those moments where you know you’ve made a difference in a small way to someone’s life. Either way, it’s the people who keep me coming back each week. What is your ‘day’ job? A GS1net Supervisor for a company in the grocery sector – essentially project supervision in an admin department. Biggest indulgence? Spending time alongside people I’ve met through Red Cross, Land Search and Rescue and the Mountain Safety Council who contribute so much to their communities, the natural environments in New Zealand that never fail to inspire and challenge me, and a large number of normal people who choose to do extraordinary things.
is full of common and not so common vegetables which are being shared around the community. Branch president Stella Robb says the garden is for people with low incomes who don’t have a garden of their own. “They can volunteer and then take vegetables for themselves. The leftovers go to families in need and the Wesley Methodist Church’s John’s Kitchen which provides 3,000 meals a year to the needy. Other people who use the garden are seasonal workers from countries like Thailand, Vanuatu and Fiji.” Diana Brooks from the Marlborough Migrant Centre helps run the community garden and says for many of her clients vegetables are a luxury. “Some can’t afford to eat vegetables; a lot are on the minimum wage. They’re really pleased when I take veges around to them.” Stella Robb says the garden would not have been possible without invaluable help from many quarters, including a local builder, a local teacher, people who donated seeds from their own gardens and Marlborough firm Water Force, which donated and installed a full irrigation system and equipment.
Gisborne youth are given the chance to Rise Up through the East Coast’s new programme Rise Up – Tairawhiti. Delivered for the first time in January, the programme is for kids nominated by their schools, social workers or at-risk youth organisations to take part in three days of personal development. The multi-agency event sees Red Cross come together with Police, Fire Service, Army, Surf Life Saving and Te Runanganui O Ngati Porou to give the kids – all aged between 10 and 12 – the chance to understand how these organisations help to make the community a better place.
From a Red Cross induction, to being dressed up in camo gear and face painted the first day involved visiting each of the agencies. Everyone, even the adults and youth leaders from the high school, completed a confidence course, rode in an army truck, cooked their own lunch from ration packs, gave hose drills a go and wore ‘drunk goggles’ while attempting to walk in a straight line. Over the next two days, the group ventured slightly out of Gisborne and for some it was their first time leaving the town. They made a small trip north to Tolaga Bay for a walk to Cooks Cove and learned about water safety with Surf Life Saving before jumping off New Zealand’s longest wharf. Orienteering in East Woodhill and surfing before a BBQ with whānau and friends completed the third and final day. Jeanine Fearnley, Gisborne’s service centre coordinator, was on hand all three days and it was a great experience. “All the kids just opened up, from being withdrawn and nervous to coming out of their shells in just the first day. By the end of the programme they were laughing, making friends and sharing their stories, not just with each other but also with the adults around.” Issue 1 /2014 | www.redcross.org.nz
Out and about for annual appeal
Auckland Annual Appeal Wellington Annual Appeal
Bay of Plenty Annual Appeal
Hawkes Bay Annual Appeal
Dunedin Annual Appeal
Whakatane Annual Appeal
Local Highlights
Ella with some of the Mangere Refugee Resettlement Centre staff
Collecting coins for Refugee Services Ella is a very generous eight-year-old. Instead of getting presents for her birthday she asked everyone to bring a small donation. She collected $450 in coins to donate to Red Cross Refugee Services. She wanted to deliver them in person so she could learn more about refugee resettlement. Amanda Aye, Mangere and national settlement planning manager, says Ella was most interested in the countries that refugees come from and whether they have to pay for their flights here.
Social Media What was popular in March 2014
Lorraine Holtham and Carol Silbury, joint coordinators of the knitting group, cut the birthday cake
Birthday for knitters
The Palmerston North knitting group has just celebrated its first birthday. In just a year, the group has grown to 22 knitters who meet monthly to spend time together, share patterns and make beautiful, handknitted woollen garments for babies at Palmerston North Hospital. The group also knits for older children, but these garments are sold at local markets to raise money to buy more wool for the baby knitting. The group’s next goal is to teach new migrants and young people the art of knitting.
500 houses in five years
The team working hard
The Napier curtain bank has reached a milestone, having curtained more than 500 houses in just five years. Although they only joined with Red Cross in July 2013 we wanted to acknowledge this great achievement made even better by the local paediatric ward saying they have seen a significant improvement in winter ailments!
Facebook: Most popular post Don’t wait for disaster to strike, volunteer now: http://bit.ly/1loBUfx By collecting for our annual appeal you will be helping those whose lives have been devastated by crisis. Sign up today! Twitter: Most Popular tweet We were there in the beginning and we will stay until the end. Kia Kaha to all our friends in Canterbury. #eqnz http://ow.ly/i/4FkAP Followers: 10,024
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Where in the world are our aid workers? Currently in the field: Jacqueline Dixon – Manila, Philippines Kaye Wilson – Malakal, South Sudan Graham Zinsli – Ruwayshid, Jordan Barbara Turnbull – Pyongyang, DPRK Kris Coppieters – Tarawa, Kiribati Melanie Ogle – Manila, Philippines Gail Corbett – Gaza, OPT Ursula Alwash – Old Fangak, South Sudan Louise Humphreys – Beirut, Lebanon Ana Zarkovic – Majuro, Marshall Islands Chelsea Giles-Hansen – Nairobi, Kenya Wendy Stuart – South Sudan Anne Maree Delaney – Suva, Fiji Rebecca Barrell – Malakal, South Sudan
Jaquee Dixon-West – South Sudan Joshua Herron – Dakar, Senegal Rosemary Fenton – Hanoi, Vietnam Peter Winthrop – Wellington/Solomons Ellie Seo – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Our volunteers with their award. Photo: Nadia van de Sanden
Geraldine volunteers take the award for community achievement
of the Geraldine branch Ray Coster said a thank you to the volunteers who make Red Cross possible but wanted to make a special mention to six ladies who travel from Peel Forest regularly and also shop coordinator Josephine Martin.
At the recent Go Geraldine community awards the Red Cross shop volunteers won the award for community achievement – group category. President
“Josephine has been absolutely marvellous. People love working for her. She creates the standard and is responsible for the harmony and goodwill.”
VIEW CURRENT AID WORKERS AT
www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do
National Office PO Box 12-140, Wellington 69 Molesworth Street, Thorndon Wellington Phone: 04 471 8250 Fax: 04 471 8251 Email: hello@redcross.org.nz www.redcross.org.nz