Extra

Another year, another plan

There is no doubt that this year will be yet again a trying one for us all. However, despite covidrelated constraints, the Friends of Aratoi have planning in place to ensure that the year will be as successful as 2021.

Wisely, the first meeting for the year focused on long-term planning. Usually the first two events in the year, both fundraisers, are the Art and Architecture Tour and the bus trip to Wellington. However, present conditions have forced their postponement.

Just a few words of explanation about these two. The Art and Architecture tour is a self-drive day where small groups in rotation visit houses of note in the area. This year it will be focused on Masterton and the surrounding area. The Friends catering experts provide a packed lunch which is often eaten in the gardens of one of the houses. The tour is hugely popular: as soon as tickets are advertised each year, they are snapped up.

The bus trip to the capital city is likewise quickly sold out. It involves visits to three places that are often not usually accessible to the public to see their art collections. Again, lunch is provided. Past visits have included the homes of the USA Ambassador and the British High Commissioner, the Italian Embassy, Government House and the City Gallery.

Aratoi Friends chairwoman Sandra Debney and deputy chairwoman Megan Slight having a preview of the install for the exhibition Williams Legacy: The Beetham Portraits. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Dennis Johnson with the Moruroa otilla ag (2021). PHOTO/ANNE NELSON

Given the present covid climate and as the likelihood of good weather increases with spring, the committee decided that the trips should take place after winter. Two sub-committees were formed and even if regular face-to-face meetings are unable to be held, the subcommittees can organise the events electronically. Right now they are sorting out venues for both events.

The only fundraiser not able to be held last year was Palette to Palate, a wine tasting featuring Urlar wines and an art auction of works generously donated by Dame Robin White, Linda Tilyard, and Ian Chapman. Again, a sub-committee will draw up the blueprint for this so that as soon as the time is right, the event plan can spring into action.

Susanna Shadbolt, Aratoi’s director, outlined Aratoi’s programme for the year which included a Matariki focus from April to August, another Kotahitanga exhibition of local artists’ works, all for sale, and from July, a longterm exhibition marking the 150th anniversary of the Masterton Trust Lands Trust.

This year promises to be an exciting one for Aratoi and the Friends of Aratoi. Future articles, the Aratoi Facebook page and the Aratoi website will keep you up to date with these events as plans firm up.

A CLIMATE FOR CHANGE Dennis stood for peace and justice

Anne Nelson

Not many people could say they have been in close proximity to an atomic bomb going off. But in 1996 Dennis Johnson was on the Joie, one of only two ships near the Moruroa test site, when the French detonated an underground nuclear bomb.

“We knew it was going to go off,” Dennis said. “They made us stay 20km out.” When the bomb detonated he and captain Lynn Pistoll felt a shudder. “And with that a whole lot of ships and helicopters came streaming out. I guess they were taking samples.”

Before leaving for Moruroa, Dennis had been the co-ordinator of the Wellington Moruroa Flotilla Against Nuclear Testing.

“We did fundraising – the boats all needed re-rigging. You don’t just jump in a yacht and take off overseas, you’ve got to have a sound boat,” he said.

The Joie spent several months in the region, visiting the test site twice and joining with other boats to disrupt the tests.

“We’d do different things, such as ‘tow the line’ – the line being a point on the ocean where you weren’t allowed to go past. We would all go past, wait till the French came out with their warships, then we’d pop back in. It was a bit of a game,” Dennis said.

The Joie also attempted to block a ship transporting radioactive material to France.

“We went out to a point between Auckland and Australia. We blocked the point between the two countries and chased them – in the middle of the night we were chasing them through the ocean.”

At the time of the protest, Dennis described his reason for being involved: “I’m old enough to really, really appreciate how bloody wonderful this planet that nurtures us is. I’m also aware how vulnerable it is and it seems totally irrational to fill it with lethal pockets of highly dangerous chemicals that will be festering for thousands of years. I’d like my two kids to think they have a parent who could see at least past his own lifetime.”

Dennis was also involved in the Campaign Half Million, when there was talk of having nuclear power stations in New Zealand. He co-ordinated the local campaign for MMP and was involved in human rights issues.

Dennis worked for the New Zealand Fire Service for over 30 years, in Wellington, Lower Hutt and Masterton, and was one of the rescue crew on the pilot launch Arahina during the Wahine disaster.

He was a co-founder and mainstay of the Wairarapa Outdoor Recreation Trust, providing rafting, kayaking, abseiling, caving and tramping experiences for a wide range of groups.

Dennis passed away on February 23. He will be remembered by many for his commitment and courage in standing up for the rights of others, protecting the environment and serving the community.

COULD YOU QUALIFY FOR 25% OFF YOUR DOG REGO?

Does this sound like you? y property is fully fenced y at least one door is accessible by visitors without encountering the dog y dog is de-sexed and microchipped y registration has been paid on time for two years y dog has not been the subject of a substantiated complaint in the previous two years. If the answer is yes, you may be eligible for our responsible dog owner status, saving you 25 per cent off your dog registration fee. An application fee of $20 (non refundable) applies, and you can apply via the website or at the Queen Street Office. Applications close 31 March. Note: some dogs, including rural, menacing by deed, or dangerous dogs are not eligible. Further details available at: www.mstn.govt.nz