Waiwhare Wire 1993 01

WAIWHARE
WIRE

JUNE 1993

This being my third attempt this year to complete an introduction to the Waiwhare Wire I guess it’s quite an achievement to have one finished at all!
Well … it’s understandable isn’t it? My year being so occupied, I’ve been flat out with one thing after another; there’s the firewood cutting of course and the duck shooting – not that I physically partake myself but one must show an interest. More recently other important commitments have taken up my time – the school trip to Wellington, schoolboy rugby, rugby tests (on T.V.), rugby matches (especially H.B./Lions), rugby league tests … those sort of pressing urgent things.
Then … just this morning I found my attention diverted (yet again) from the task of writing this to that of reading some of the back issues of the “Wire”. I found it interesting to note how, over the years the “Wire” has evolved from originally what you could call a glorified school newsletter to what it is now – an informative contact between the school, community members and clubs/groups.
Many people, especially those not connected with school have commented on how much they value it as a means of being informed and included in the community … it is very pleasing to hear these comments as that is exactly what we intend the “Wire” to be.
Please forgive us if some of the news in this issue appears to be a little ‘old’ but this is the first Wire for 1993 and we were reluctant to exclude anything.
We welcome to our team Tanya Bunny – In charge of artwork.

We are delighted to have in the Waiwhare district the following families who have joined us this year …
Des and Rina Henare with Charlene – back again – in Fountaines cottage
Kevin and Annette Marfell with Timothy, Kylie and Matthew. – Glenross Road
Rodney and Jayne Jordan with Melissa – Glenross Road
Darrel [Darryl] and Yvette Packe – Glenross Road
The Adsett family – Tareha Road

We were sorry to lose the McRaes – now Sherenden-ites – but they’re not too far afield and we’re sure we haven’t seen the last of them.

Good luck to Phil Ayre who is leaving Waiwhare also for work elsewhere.

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SPORTS DAY 1993
Well it turned out to be another enjoyable day or should I say weekend, the weather being on our side brought people out. The gate takings were down on last year but we still made a profit of $450.00 There was plenty of food and drink, the barbeque again proving a great success.
It was good to see two new events this year, the sheep race which was quite popular and Ring the Bell. If anyone has any new ideas for next year, we would appreciate hearing them at the meetings.
The nurses had a quiet day – being no casualties (that we knew of).
There’s alot [a lot] of work involved prior to the day and people behind the scenes make it what it is. Thanks firstly to Martin and Linda who are old hands at this, organising sponsors, the gear, prizes, people, working bee, setting everything up and then the clean up – many hands make light work. Then there’re the judges and helpers who make the day run smoothly.
This year a clock was donated to Bernie and Mary Ward from the Cricket, Pony and Sports Clubs – for the use of the field over the many years, again we thank you very much!
All in all a great time was had by all – kids – big and small.
See you next year!
Shona Weir

The committee of the Sherenden Hall Society wishes to thank all those members of the Community who contributed so generously to their recent stock drive. The funds raised are to go towards the construction of dividing doors between the stage and the supper room.

PONY CLUB RAFFLE
1st   P. Abraham
2nd   H. Goulding
3rd   A. Arnold
4th   Julian
Thank you to all of those people who bought tickets and to those who sold them. Your support for our local Pony Club was great!

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CONGRATULATIONS!!!
BABIES BORN THIS YEAR … so far:
Congratulations to:
Robyn and Stuart McDougal on the birth of Alex on January 26th
Dave and Tracy Peachy [Tracey Peachey] on the birth of Regan on February 24th

Congratulations to: the ever growing list of students from the Waiwhare area to pass School Certificate and gain entrance into the 6th Form:
Mark Barnett
Daniel Herron
Peter Ward
Last years forth [fourth] formers who passed School Certificate papers:
Craig Ayres
Matthew [Mathew] Croad
Last years Six Formers who gained entrance into Form 7:
Lucy Arthur
Robert Ayres
Philippa Kay
Peter Sheild
SPECIAL MENTION: Of two of last years fifth formers
DANIEL HERRON – Napier Boys’ High School who sat Combined Schools 6th Form exam in Computer Studies and gained 2nd Place in New Zealand!!
PETER WARD – St. Pats, Silverstream who gained highest mark in the Wellington Region for S.C. ‘Woodshop Technology!!
We are all very proud of you both

THE VERY BEST OF LUCK TO:
Gavin Sparkes and Jayden Herron who left school last year.
Gavin in working in the Waiwhare district being kept busy with casual work and doing an excellent job by all accounts.
Jayden is persuing [pursuing] a career in Forestry and attending Polytech in Rotorua.

Congratulations Andrew & Cathy on your engagement

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RUGBY LEAGUE BUS TRIP

On Friday 25th June I had the opportunity to take 34 Kiwi League Supporters to the 2nd test against Australia. Deakins kindly entrusted me with their 37 seater Hino Automatic bus. I was a little apprehensive when I left on Friday morning with gale force winds roaring past the house but on reaching Hastings there was just a breeze.

I fitted a four speaker stereo up on the bus racks (got to have music), and collected my passengers. These were people I knew from Maraetotara and Hastings, Lindisfarne boys and a really nice older gentleman who took his daughter and two of her friends.

The first stop was Robbie Burns to get in supplies and some Hot Chick to put some lining on their stomachs.

First Pitt Stop was Waipukerau. [Waipukurau]. One chap forgot his raincoat so the ladies in the vege shop made him one out of plastic bags and wrote “Go Kiwis” in black marking pen all over it. Roll call and off again. Heaps of traffic. Met the rain on the Takapau plains.

Another Pitt Stop just out of Norsewood – bodies up the banks and along the road – got a couple of good photos. Heaps of cars tooting and bus loads waving as they cruised past. Dannevirke was the next stop with more food supplies loaded up. Music getting louder. Got to Woodville – another Pitt Stop needed (surely not)!! A fair amount of liquid being consumed up the back. On through the gorge with a chap needing a Pitt Stop half way through – not able to stop so he had to sit with legs crossed. Another stop after the gorge.

Finally into Palmerston with the rain pouring down. Had a guy called Rex on board who had lived in Palmy and he knew his way around so got to the Show Grounds no problem.

After being directed … and redirected I finally found a park. It was 7.30 by this time. Got a great spot right on the corner rope. Had to wait till 7.45 for crowd to get off the field. The ground was soaked – mud everywhere. The atmosphere was amazing and many would have gone home hoarse.

Two young chaps in my group got arrested and a Police Officer informed me I could collect them after the match. It started drizzling about ten minutes before full time and the toes got a bit cold – otherwise not too bad. (Mind you I had gloves, hat, jacket and Dryz a bone – went well prepared.)

Game over and eventually found their way back to the bus. some guy from Wanganui (not on our bus) started being silly with the windscreen wipers to he got an earful and I moved the bus up – rather persistent chap so Terry Black sprayed him with the fire extinguisher – that moved him! Some went to get food while a couple of us went to get the boys from the Police Station. After chatting to a Police Officer who thought me sensible enough I was allowed to collect them. Getting late now.

Much better weather coming home – no rain and only two stops.

The Lindisfarne boys were great and had the job of D.J.’s. Hopefully everybody enjoyed the trip – even if we did lose the game. Delivered all back at collection point – had thank-you’s, goodbyes etc., found belongings and left the bus in town for the night. Got home around 3.30 am. Great way to meet people and have a good time. Here’s to more International League and Rugby games in N.Z.

Cheers – Christine Goulding

P.S. Good way to travel – check point on the way home out of Dannevirke with a long line of traffic – buses just waved on through.

Have to have a district trip somewhere???

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Principal’s Prattle

When I arrived here at the beginning of the year I noticed on the list of Community Contacts the name Waiwhare Wire Team with Carol Ayres printed beside it. I thought it was a women’s fencing team (not the Musketeer type either) and reflecting back on my mistake I’d much rather be cheering on a team of women fencers than writing this, but what the heck, they said keep it short.

It has been a very hectic term, time has flown by with everyone getting to know everyone else. A real testing ground, how far can we go before we cross that line and how to we recognise that line anyway?

It has been a term of sorting, throwing out, moving, reorganising, cataloguing and choking in the dust created.

The children and non-teaching staff have coped very well, understanding and adjusting to doing it “Our Way.”

It took a term but we have all settled in really well and school life is progressing smoothly (yes I am touching wood with fingers crossed).

Many many thanks for the ‘space’ given us in the first term and the messages of support at the end of term one. We all have our insecurities now & then and need those reassurances that yes we are pretty much on track.

Regards.
K S Lee-Kelleher

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PONY CLUB NEWS

RIBBON DAY

The Otamauri Pony Club Ribbon Day was held on Saturday 22nd May 1993. Luck was with us and we had brilliant weather and a very well organised day.

Thank-you Kerry Chalmers, Mike Webster and all other parents who helped out on the day. a big thank-you to our judges – Judy Monson, Diane Joll and Nonie Thompson.

RESULTS

Kindergarten

NAME   BEST CARED PONY/GEAR   BEST RIDER   LEARNERS PONY   STEPPING STONE   EGG SPOON   LUCKY DIP   MARSHMALLOW RACE   OVER ALL
A. Webster   1st   2nd   2nd   3rd   3rd   1st   3rd
E. Purcell    3rd   1st   2nd   1st   1st   1st   2nd   1st
R. Harper    2nd   1st   2nd   2nd   2nd   2nd   3rd   2nd

NOVICE

NAME   BEST CARED PONY/GEAR   BEST RIDER   PACED & MANNERED   STEPPING STONE   EGG SPOON   MUSICAL CHAIRS   MEDLEY   OVER ALL
R. Collins   1st   1st   2nd   1st   1st   1st   2nd   1st
R. Collins   2nd   2nd   1st   3rd   2nd   2nd   1st   2nd
J. Ward   3rd   3rd   2nd   2nd   3rd   3rd   3rd   3rd

JUNIOR

NAME   BEST CARED PONY/GEAR   BEST RIDER   PACED & MANNERED   BENDING   CAN RACE   MUSICAL CHAIRS   MEDLEY   OVER ALL
B. DEBARRE [DE BARRE]   1st   3rd   2nd   4th   5th   3rd   4th   4th
A. Roydhouse   4th   5th   5th   2nd   2nd   1st   1st   2nd
N. Webster   2nd   2nd   4th   5th   1st   5th   5th   5th
S. Goulding   2nd   4th   1st   3rd   3rd   1st   3rd   1st
L. Harper   1st   1st   3rd   1st   4th   4th   2nd   2nd

SENIOR

NAME   BEST CARED PONY/GEAR   BEST RIDER   PACED & MANNERED   BARREL RACE   CAN RACE   BENDING   MEDLEY   OVER ALL
T. Clarke   1st   2nd   3rd   1st   3rd   2nd   2nd   1st
A. McCaslin   2nd   3rd   4th   2nd   5th   1st   1st   3rd
E. Bryant   5th   5th   5th   5th   4th   5th   4th   5th
L. Bryant   3rd   4th   2nd   3rd   2nd   3rd   3rd   4th
S. Ward   4th   1st   1st   4th   1st   4th   5th   2nd

ADVANCED SENIORS
E. Chalmers   1st   1st   1st   1st   1st   1st   1st
N. Fountaine   4th   4th   3rd   2nd   3rd   2nd   2nd   3rd
S. Collins   2nd   2nd   2nd   3rd   2nd   3rd   3rd   2nd
T. Kelleher   3rd   3rd   4th   4th   4th   4th   4th   4th

ADULTS

NAMES   BEST RIDER   PACED & MANNERED   STATION HACK   MEDLEY   BARREL RACE   NIGHT ALARM   CAN RACE   OVER ALL
M. Harper   1st   2nd   2nd   1st   6th   2nd   3rd   1st
D. Harper   4th   3rd   5th   3rd   4th   3rd   5th   4th
C. Goulding   2nd   1st   3rd   4th   3rd   4th   1st   2nd
P. DeBarre [De Barre]   3rd   4th   6th   3rd   1st   1st   2nd   3rd
D. Ward   6th   6th   1st   4th   2nd   5th   4th   5th
M. Scott   5th   5th   3rd   2nd   5th   6th   6th   6th

JUMPING

KINDERGARTEN: 1st – Joanna Ward   2nd – Ryan Harper
3rd= Andrew Webster, Rochelle Marr

KINDERGARTEN/NOVICE 1st – Bridget DeBarre   2nd – Amy Roydhouse
3rd – Suzanne Ward   4th – Rachel Collins   5th – Serena Goulding

GREEN/BEGINNERS   1st – Tina Clarke   2nd – Amanda McCaslin
3rd – Suzanne Ward   4th – Lauren Harper   5th – Emily [Emmily] Bryant

OPEN JUMP   1st – Donald Harper   2nd – Peter DeBarre
3rd – Mervyn Harper   4th – Christine Goulding

SPECIAL AWARDS

CHAMPION RIDER: Elissa Chalmers

HARDEST TRIERS: Emmily Bryant
Teresa Kelleher

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LOCAL HISTORY

INLAND PATEA TRAIL

With the creation of the ‘Inland Patea Heritage Trail’ and the numerous related signs which have been erected, we thought the time apt to delve into the history of our road.

Now called the Taihape Road, the district derived its name from a Waimarama Maori called Patea who fled to the area to escape the consequences of pushing his wife over a cliff!

Country as far west as Ruapehu was named Patea – or Inland Patea so as to distinguish it from Patea in the Taranaki.

In the late 1860’s large sheep runs such as Erewhon were leased and the importance of getting supplies in and wool out became apparent. During this time getting the wool clip out from Patea was a massive undertaking. The Birch Brothers pack team consisting of mules and horses crossed the gorge of the upper Rangitikei, wound across the Otupae plateau then down to the beds of the Tararau [Taruarau] and Ngaruroro Rivers. From Kuripapango the labouring pack trains climbed the windswept Blowhard, through Whana and Matapiro to Maraekakaho and from there by wagon to Napier.

It was this pack track which existed when the Hawke’s Bay County Council took office in 1876.

With large sheep stations, such as Mangawhare (1872) and Glenross (1879), being developed and stocking thousands of sheep access became an urgent necessity.

By 1878 the dray road had started to creep forward and the pack-train route was used less and less. For years Willowford was the meeting place for pack-trains and wagons. Here wool was transferred onto wagons to be lumbered away to Ahuriri and the pack horses returned to the home stations.

The road was finished and opened as far as Kuripapango in January 1881. The first bridge was built in this year at a cost of 1,616 pounds.

One of the main reasons for the County Council making the road was to provide access to the goldfields thought to exist in the Patea.

Two hotels opened beside the bridge and flourished for some years. McDonald’s [Macdonald’s] was on the western side and Kinross’s on the east. When the beliefs of the Maori land owners on the western side turned to prohibition, McDonald moved his hotel over the river and took over the combination as the Kuripapango Hotel. This, instead of Willowford, now became the meeting place for pack-trains and bullock drays.

When the wool clip was being brought out 300-400 horses could be seen in the paddocks adjoining the hotel.

‘Wool – the real gold of Patea – was on its way to market’

By 1882 the next section of the road between Kuripapango and Tararau was started. By 1885 the extension to the Rangitikei River was complete.

The road had proved very expensive and willing labour hard to find, but the County Council still believed a payable goldmine was to be found and persevered. Unfortunately this was not to be and the road was losing favour as it failed to justify its existence.

Men from the back stations of Erewhon and Ohinewairua would take two days to make the trip to Napier and sometimes stay a week to make it worthwhile. They would often stay at one of the stations along the way. The Waterhouses at Mangawhare kept open house in those days. It was necessary to cross the Tutaekuri seven times on the way to town.

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1894 saw the Patea Road at the peak of a period of popularity. Two coach firms – Rymers [Rhymers] Pioneer and McDonald’s Patea – had coaches leaving Napier every Monday morning at 7am. These coaches bumped and swayed their way the thirty miles via Puketapu to Konini (Barnetts) having crossed the Tutaekuri River. Here was a general store, Post Office and a hotel providing refreshments. Part of Barnetts house today is made up from the old Konini Hotel.

Much rivalry was said to exist between the two rival coach firms and drivers are said to have driven at breakneck speed.

The reputation of the road as being treacherous seemed ill founded as the passengers progressed to the next hostelry at Waikonini. This was situated on the land where Fountaines cottage is today and is now the bottom story of Waiwhenua (Hills). From here they travelled to Willowford where travellers and horses were fed and watered before beginning the long arduous haul over the Blowhard. From here it was on to Kuripapango where the hotel had become a noted holiday resort. “Its bracing air was considered favourable to people inclined to tuberculosis. Ladies and children with peckish appetites were whisked up to Kuripapango to have their gastric juices stirred up by the mountain air. A rest at Kuripapngo [Kuripapango] was fashionable.”!

This exerpt [excerpt] from ‘Tales of the Mails’ by Les [Lester] Masters gives some indication of the calibre of this hostelry.

“The linen, the glass, the plate, all much brighter and cleaner than one is accustomed to in hotels of far greater pretentions; the napkins white as snow, not like those one sometimes gets in Napier, napkins that have done a day before to a soupy moustache, and then sprinkled with starch and water and ironed out for the next comer.”

This popularity was not to last however. In the great flood on good [Good] Friday 1897 the bridge was washed away, and with it the season of prosperity. The hotel then burned down and the road reverted to its original status of a wool and supply route.

The opening of the Main Trunk Railway in 1908 further decreased the importance and need for the Inland Road, a short time later the Sherenden road was opened and in 1918 the last coach travelled over the road.

While the excitement is not likely to reach the heady days of the 1890’s todays traffic is again mounting as stock and timber are transferred to the towns and port. But still the road is a struggle to maintain as local government receives little in rates from such a sparsely populated area and so has little to spend.

Much of the information for this article was obtained from the ‘County Council History of Hawke’s Bay’ compiled by K. Mooney from historical records. Our thanks go to Helen Arthur and M. Groome for making this information available.

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LOCAL HISTORY

Our local History article in the last Wire was not strictly correct.

It is true that the photo was indeed that of the Konini Hotel where Mike Barnett risked life and limb, jumping from the shed loft – Helen Arthur also did a painting of the old shed in the late 1950’s.

However the paragraph on the horse races should have read as follows:

“A feature of the old days was the race meeting that used to be held occasionally at various places along the inland route.

One such was the Konini meeting which was held alongside the hotel. A very easy going affair apparently in which patrons including the judge and other officials returned to the hotel bar after each race for a quiet discussion before starting the next race. The highlight of the year along the route was the annual meeting held at Woodthorpe, across the Tutaekuri River from Dartmoor about 4 miles up from Puketapu.

The last Woodthorpe meeting was held in 1914. There were no totalisator nor bookmakers on the course, nevertheless those present indulged in a little speculation by means of sweepstakes.

Kate Noell who [who] lived at the Konini Hotel was the heroine of the day who owned and trained “Cousin Jack”. He won the double event of the day “Apley Handicap” and “Woodthorpe Cup”.

The Konini Hotel was later moved across the road to form the house where Mike and Jill Barnett now live.

The River Road and the old Taihape Coach Road.

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Rugby
As we arrived at McLean Park on Sunday midday, chaos met our eyes. A thought crossed my mind – “What had we come all this way for?” Boys of all ages were scragging each other on the ground below the main stand, and rushing up and down and across the seats of the main and new stands – like swarms of bees escaping from a confined space. 600 or so boys were abuzz with excitement and anticipation at meeting their rugby heroes.
Finally, some assemblance. Boys were ushered to the end of the main stand and after being welcomed by the President/Chairman of the HB Rugby Union and big Norm Hewitt, they had a quiz session for prizes, on – yes, you guessed it – Rugby!
I was very impressed with the organisation of the following 1 ½ hours, where the boys, in groups, had the opportunity to learn rugby skills of [or] grid skills games. The format being like our D&A days where the groups performed for 10min at each activity before moving on. Each activity was run by HB Senior players and coaches.
Around 2.45pm, different little groups started gathering around the ground and it was soon apparent the “Lions” had arrived! They flew into Napier Airport and wearily travelled directly to McLean Park to be swamped with pieces of paper, cardboard, rugby balls and jerseys and pens!!
Who’d be famous? Needless to say after 20min or so of watching the boys rushing from one British player to the other, my 6yr old daughter piped up “When are the Lions coming Mum?” I’m not sure whether she expected them to be roaring, or all dressed in red!
Another thrill was when the Lions’ Captain Gavin Hastings, gave a shork [short] talk (in between yawns). Some of the boys would have seen themselves on T.V. on Monday night as it was televised.
To finish the afternoon, the boys lined up to receive a sausage in bread, can of Coke and a bag of promotional goodies – posters, magazines, chips etc.
Apparently these Coaching Clinics are run in the main centres of N.Z., but never before in H.B. So it is to be hoped, after the success of Sunday, it will be the 1st of many. After all we can’t let Rugby League take over, can we?!!
Keren Wallace

Reminder: Andrew and Cathy’s engagement party to be held at David Ward’s Shearer’s Quarters – 8pm Saturday July 3rd
All most welcome.
Congratulations you two!

Our thoughts are with Brian Tolley who is presently recovering in Hastings Hospital. Hope you’re on the mend soon!

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WAIWHARE WALLY
One newcomer to the district, determined to ‘mesh’ into the rural lifestyle, decided one day to build a chicken coop. all day he toiled and by evening he had created a house fit for a chook!
The next day, encouraged by the previous days success, he decided to get rid of a couple of old trees on the hill behind the chook house. The firewood would be useful for the coming winter.
All was going well, the tree fell beautifully … although it did just go a little astray at the last minute. Poor Wally could only watch as the log bounced down the hill straight into the middle of … you guess it, the chicken coop!

THE MARFELLOUS CHOOK HOUSE
Footnote – with the firewood safely in the shed and the chicken coop duly re-erected Wally went to town to buy the chooks. They must have been wonderful specimens for as he pulled in at the Stock and Station agents one of the chaps glanced in the back, “Where are you taking these – to the vet?” he asked.

TOOTS ‘N’ TUNES
Seven Waiwhare children are currently learning to master the art of blowing, beating or “fiddling” various musical instruments with Mr. Roberts on a Wednesday morning. Another four are learning keyboard. We experienced a taste of what is yet to come from our budding musicians at the “In Progress” concert on Monday 28th June when 15 children from Pukehaumoamoa [Pukehamoamoa] Crownthorpe and Waiwhare Schools gathered to give a very impressive and enjoyable performance indeed!
How wonderful to have a combined schools band!
We look forward to the Christmas concert with anticipation.
Musicians in the making –
Flute: Caroline, Rowan
Trombone: Sam Roil
Drum: Campbell
Violin: Chris
Tenor Sax: Sophie, Elesha
Keyboard: Rebecca, Vanessa, Serena, Amy Roydhouse

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MIDNIGHT BBQ

We wish to thank all you wonderful people who rushed to our assistance at 10.30 p.m. on Monday, 11th January last when strong winds blew sparks that ignited the remaining debris under pine trees behind our woolshed and yards. When discovered, flames were leaping up beside the shed and showers of sparks were being blown into the pens and woolroom. On seeing this, I covered the 100 metres back to the house in no time (probably broke Ben Johnson’s record!) and Natalie did the 111 call while I got the portable pump and hoses connected, sprinklers in the yards turned on and started fighting the blaze, inhaling smoke (cough!), cinders and smoke in my eyes (tears!), and couldn’t breathe (gasp!).

It seemed an eternity but eventually the neighbours arrived; firstly Peter Roil who started digging and bashing furiously (nothing to do with a hot pine cone down his back!); Mike and Marg Webster came next weilding [wielding] wet sacks; Keith Sparkes with shovel in hand, hurdled the yards and got stuck in. the Weir team, Stewart [Stuart], John and Shona took the high pressure hose over, embers, flames and helpers were kept wet; people continued to arrive one after the other and took on some task or another. Meanwhile down the road Liz Kay, Tracey Peachie [Peachey], Sue McRae and others were preparing thermos flasks of tea and coffee and making pies, sandwiches and scones which later arrived in Liz’s car. Most welcome indeed! About this time Rod Herron and John McRaes’ crew turned up with the fire unit. With the farm’s water supply, pump and hoses in conjunction with the Kaweka Fire Unit, (and by now, at least, 40 locals) the main threat was under control in about 50 minutes. After this time the fire engine from Hastings turned up and by 12.30 the last of the hot spots were put out.

In the morning (as I was picking up the empty cans!) Gary Roselli, the Rural Fire Officer, came back to collect hoses and fittings and in his general conversation was most praiseworthy of the locals and the Kaweka fire team. He thought that they all did a great job. There are a couple of points that we would like to pass on to you all. Firstly, make sure that you have Fire Suppression Insurance as this covers the cost of putting out a fire on your property; regardless of how the fire started, you are liable for the costs involved. Next, in case of fire and you want assistance, you must dial 111. Everything from notifying your neighbours to the local fire unit will be handled by that one call. On the matter of safety, peoples’ safety first. Wear protective clothing (preferably fireproof overalls, goggles and sound footwear. If the situation gets too dangerous, stay away.

So to everybody, to the first to arrive to the last, to the tea ladies and sandwich makers, to the Kaweka Fire Crew and Rural Fire Officer, to the people who didn’t know but would have arrived, a big thank you everyone.

Thankfully Yours,

Graham & Natalie Lawrence & Family.

I liked the cable car the most because you can see the cars pass each other. I watched the driver. The food was yummy.
Chris Ayres.

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WELLINGTON TRIP

The Wellington Trip I’m sure was fun filled for all.

Cruising in the big bus was a highlight for most of the children.

Many of them had never had a bus ride before, and enjoyed the singing and joviality that all goes with it.

The organisation was great and enabled the week to run really smoothly, meaning that we could all see and do what was planned.

Wellington turned on a great week for us, weatherwise. Lots of sunshine and calm days which meant we could eat and play outside with enjoyment.

Our tour guide Steve, assisted by Rick knew nearly exactly where to go!! Many Food Kiosks diverted their attention!

But seriously the trip wouldn’t have been so successful without them.

Our teachers Keryl and Tanya are to be commended for “keeping their cool” under pressure and also the great way in which they handled the children and parents alike.

The children were wonderfully behaved and good mannered. A number of comments from the public just go to show we can be proud of our little school.

We all thought we went with a surplus of parents, but we found that withy helping with chores, helping the littlies, bustling kids along, chasing them off to bed, then hassling them to get out!, that every one of us was needed, somewhere or another.

A special mention must be made of Liz, for without her it would have been a nightmare. Imagine not cooking enough food or not having the right ingredients, let alone getting up at 5.00am. each morning to prepare sandwiches for all, with our own choice of fillings!! And then individually wrapped!!!  Also the million and one unseen little jobs that were done which took the pressure greatly off the rest of us.

THANKS LIZ!

I think probably the highlight for most of the older children was the visit to the Zoo. Watching lions being fed and a close-up view of the chimpanzee with her baby was really exciting. The teacher was really neat with the kids, and although we all endured a night on the hard floor it was well worth it.

We did have to lock one of the men in a very large cupboard to muffle the peculiar nocturnal sounds which were emitted at night!

We all kicked up our heels in a 15 minute stint on the streets. A rush to as many lifts and escalators as possible. I don’t know whether this crazy onslaught by a bunch of country bumpkins was appreciated by a lot of the dapper dressed, serious faced, Wellingtonians.

All the silly faux pas added much fun and joviality to the week – especially the biggest one where a

Page 14

parent became mis-mothered for about 2 hours and, to her great consternation, went unnoticed for much of this time (O.K. I’ll name her – it was Linda!)

One incident worth mentioning was the visit to Parliament and our M.P. Mr. McLay who explained some of the running of Parliament to the children. He likened it to the running of a school, and before he knew it, the chairman of the B.O.T. was iniated [initiated] as “Mr Speaker” which stuck for the remainder of the trip. Hence “Mr. Speaker” felt he had the right to use a yuppy phone in the heart of Wellington during lunch.

Late-ish nights and early mornings were hellish, but we all managed to endure them, although I can well imagine early nights all round after the trip!

All in all a great time was had by all

Lucky children to have had such an opportunity and what a great learning experience for them all.

The “room-mates” who wrote this article wish to remain anonymous.

Page 15

While the Cat’s Away …
Maybe it’s the beverages served at these local do’s
Afterwards getting home seems to be a problem
Rally driving home late at night (or was it early morning)
Kipping in the ute outside so as not to disturb the old fella
Actually it was a good thing ‘cos he was outside the wrong house!
Near this very spot some time later
Dad didn’t fare much better
Meandering along in the Commodore
Interest in the neighbours stock took over
Keen to get a closer look
Entirely forgot about the gate and went through the fence

OTAMAURI SQUASH CLUB
Nearly midway through the season and squash is as popular as ever. Club nights and Ladies mornings have been well supported and fortnightly Sunday afternoons have a nice atmosphere about them.
We welcomed a group from Karamu Club a couple of weeks ago, and had an enjoyable afternoon of squash, darts and pool.
Interclub teams are playing every week this year and the experience is proving valuable, especially for the newer members in both the men’s and women’s teams.
There have been a number of older children and teenagers down at the court recently. It’s great to see this interest from some younger players.
Coming up we have a coaching evening for all players and some of the women are going to a Ladies morning tournament at the Hawke’s Bay club in Onekawa.
We always welcome new players, please don’t hesitate to contact either Mark Harris (845) or Jeannie Ward (820).

Page 16

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Page 17

OTAMAURI PLAYCENTRE

Greetings from everyone at Otamauri Playcentre. Term Two has already begun and for the first time in I don’t know how long, we actually find ourselves with vacancies on both the Tuesday and Thursday rolls, so if you have a preschooler out there, don’t hesitate to bring

him/her along to us, (no matter how young) even on a casual basis. It is a great way for you to get to know the locals in the area, and also great to see the children at play.

Like both the local Schools, Playcentre has had its problems with water but thankfully this problem has now been corrected and we look forward to no further problems with the water. We have also been very fortunate with many hours being spent on maintenance in the last few months. Parents have finally managed to plant our nandena [Nandina] maze at the front of the Centre and a deer fence has been erected on the Waiwhare side of Playcentre, in an effort to maintain a safe playing area for the children. We also have had the services of a local person doing general maintenance around the Centre, so my thanks go to all those involved. Thanks also to Waiwhare School who have handed on surplus family play equipment to the Centre, also to Cornwall Park Playcentre for their donation to us of outdoor equipment.

We welcome back Mrs Anne Sherwood to the Centre, this time as supervisor of our older children’s sessions. The children are producing some great work and loving the special attention and care that is very common of Anne.

A busy calender [calendar] is also coming up for those who are interested. A Family & Friends Day has been organised for Sunday 18th July. This is starting at 12.00 with a shared lunch, followed by all the usual playcentre activities that both young and older children enjoy. We welcome any past, present or future parents, families, or friends of the Centre to join us and have a great time.

The Casino evening is in the planning stages, so keep the weekend of the 11 Sept free for another great evening of fun. Should you be interested in donating a prize for the evening please contact any Playcentre parent.

Also planned for late October/November is the ever popular Flower Show, so get those needle[s] clicking and those gardens weeded.

Further details on both the Casino Evening and the Flower Show will be made later.

A First Aid Course is currently being run at the Centre by St John’s Ambulance. Nine people are doing the course. Two workshops to be held at the Centre, and run by the H.B. Playcentre Assn, on 29th July are Large Muscle Play and Carpentry.

That seems to be all the news from Otamauri Playcentre, so all that remains is to say goodbye and to re-issue the invitation to visit playcentre for our Family Day on the 18th July.

Regards to everyone,
Lyn Elliott, President
Otamauri Playcentre

Did you hear about the budding first aider?
When confronted with his mates cut hand said “Cripes … we’re not up to that yet!”

Page 18

JAMBOREE NEWS
Jarreau Purcell, Steven Croad, Andrew Clarke and I were the four scouts from up this way to attend the 13th Jamboree down at Trentham (Wellington), from the 30th December to the 8th January.
There were 5 subcamps on the Jamboree site and we were in subcamp one, site 108. When we arrived down there, we had to trudge through mud up to our ankles! This lasted for most of the 10 days, but it didn’t stop us doing everything.
One of the activities was absailing [abseiling], where you climbed up one side of a huge wooden tower and absailed [abseiled] down the other side. There were lots of other activities like Challenge Valley, (an obstacle course with plenty of MUD). We wore old clothes for this and threw them away afterwards! The Action Villages involved things like motor bike and pushbike riding, caving, putting together your own pushbikes, and shooting.
There were also rides on the Spirit of New Zealand and trips into Wellington by bus.
My most enjoyable experience was being a Sea Scout for the day in the Wellington Harbour. This involved watching two safety videos, rowing, sailing, canoeing, rafting and fishing.
On the 8th of January we sadly hopped on the bus and left the Jamboree site
The next Jamboree will be down in the South Island in 3 years time.
By Simon Wallace.

Duck shooting got off to a bad start for one local boy
It was unlucky to get the ute stuck in the paddock
But it was lucky the tractor was nearby
Then it was unlucky there wasn’t a rope around
But really lucky for that piece of number 8 wire
Unlucky it snapped
Unlucky it was on a hill’

Unlucky for the fence
Lucky for the DUCKS!

Page 19

A Good Book to Worm Through

NOT WITHOUT MY DAUGHTER

By Betty Mahmoody

Betty Mahmoody is married to an Iranian doctor and they live in the US. He wants to go home and see his family. In spite of her reluctance to do so she eventually agrees to go with him and their 4 year-old daughter, Mahtob, for a two-week holiday. Once in Iran she discovers that her husband has no intention of letting her or Mahtob go back to the US and the book relates Betty’s desperate attempts to escape from this strange country. On her own   she would be able to escape easily but she is determined that she will not leave her daughter in the hands of her husband’s family.

The book is captivating reading from beginning to end, with an intriguing insight into Iranian life. We hear how the lives of Iranian women are ruled by the chador – the large, half moon-shaped cloth entwined around the shoulders, forehead and chin, the montoe [monto] – coat and the roosarie – the scarf. If a woman is not wearing the correct garments at any given time she is liable to be arrested by the pasdor, the Iranian female police, who appear to be quite brutal.

We hear about Iranian customs, most of which are totally incomprehensible to outsiders – particularly that of taraf – the Iranian conversatorial custom of making polite but vacant offers. Imagine Betty’s confusion and frustration when trying to get help for herself and her daughter when she didn’t know if people actually meant what they said.

The most telling insight into Iran comes from a passage from the Koran in the form of counsel from Mohammed –

The men are placed in charge of the women, since God has endowed them with the necessary qualities, and made them the bread winners. Thus the righteous women will accept this arrangement obediently and will honour their husbands in their absence, in accordance with God’s commandment. As for the women who show rebellion, you shall first enlighten them and then desert them in bed and you may beat them as a last resort. Once they obey you, you have no excuse to transgress against them. God is high above you and more powerful.

Small wonder that women in Iran are so oppressed when their lives are ruled by “laws” such as the one above.

This book has been made into a movie starring Sally Field. It is available on video and, as is always the case, the movie is not able to portray the atmosphere that comes across so clearly in the book.

Page 20

One evening recently we were entertaining some friends. At one stage our very polite visitor removed himself to have a cigarette outside.
It was a particularly brisk night and he returned inside shivering and rubbing his hands together.
Crouching in front of the dishwasher he said “turn this thing on will you!”
Actually it was one of this blokes mates who, not long after, was seen attempting to open the television set – what are they putting in the brew these days!

I liked the safe at the BNZ building and the outside escalator.
I didn’t like the camp because there was nothing to do there.
I hung from the things you hold onto when there are no seats in the cable car.
I liked the tree you could open with the bugs inside.
The food was nice.
We got lost in an escalator.
Joanna Ward

Page 21

TRAINING WITH THE LIONS
On Sunday last week we went to McLean Park for a Coaching Clinic.
We all got into groups, we played games like Black Mark.
When the Lions came we all disappeared from our groups and got the Lions signatures.
After that we assembled on the stand and the Lions captain Gavin Hastings said a few words to us.
After that we got a bag of goodies with All Blacks news, chips and drink sachets.
Corey and Jock

I liked the gansters [gangster’s] car at the car museum. It had thick glass and was full of bullet holes. The three-wheel car is good for rolling.
Hamish Webster

Page 22

[Crossword]

Page 23

COMMUNITY COMMENT

I was born in one of Australia’s biggest mining towns, Mt. Isa, Northern Queensland. A place where the years seasons are blurred into a wet and dry season (neither of which is cold).

As a child I spent a lot of time exploring the native scrub across the road from our house. Encountering many spiders, numerous euros and a few snakes, the largest of which was dealt to by my big brother and me with a small toy hammer in the garage.

At the age of six my family had split and Erle Bunny had entered our lives. This proved to be the best thing to ever happen, as Erle has been the most wonderful father and husband. Much more so than the man who opted out could ever have been. Hence, from here on in [he] will be referred to as ‘Dad’ as it feels foreign calling him anything else.

My mother and Dad worked very hard for the next while to save for the trip of a lifetime.  We left Mt. Isa in a bus to circumnavigate Australia shortly thereafter.

I will never forget the first morning we woke in that bus to witness the most awe inspiring sight. Nothing human existed as far as the eye could see. Not even tyre marks on the road – the ones we had made were blown away during the night. We were surrounded by a barren and forbidding land. The excitement was all consuming.

The map below shows roughly where we travelled.

I managed to clock up attendances at 15 schools by the time I reached high school here in Hawkes Bay. I watch now with interest the children who come nad [and] go through my classrooms. The concerns people express are directed at the unsettling effect this inconsistent lifestyle must have on those children in the holistic sense. My brother and I were very fortunate to have to have an excellent teacher as a mother and an excellent mother as a teacher!! who carried us through the mean times, and truth be known taught us more than any school could have ever done at that time. We studied life. Hands on and eyes alert. During that 12-14 months we saw people from many walks of life and tasted the bitter sweet side of it all many times.

I must share some memories at this point: driving into Brisbane looking for a camping ground and having no luck at all until we struck a VACANCY sign at the far end of town.   As we pulled up to reception we were greeted with the words “I’m sorry, but your hair is too long”. I was the only one with long hair or so I thought, but this was the 70’s and men should have been wearing short back and sides and incredibly we were refused entry because Dad’s hair brushed his shoulders!

Page 24

Christmas in our bus was hilarious. The tree could have stood in a shoe box and the presents could have filled a bath! This particular Christmas my brother had received a miniature pool table set. The cues were worked by a spring action and to my horror I had broken one. There was only one thing to do – run away – but where to? My family could be in Woolongoo tomorrow for all I knew. So I settled for the peace offering option. A hand made wild berry pie (hardly recognisable as a pie I might add but it worked).

The bus. Ah! The bus. What an invention. It was barely twice the size of our Waiwhare buses and affectionately was named the ‘Bat Mobile’. We had carpeted it wall to wall. The sink was a baby’s bath that slotted into a wooden frame attached to the side of the bus. It accommodated two adults and two children and one very faithful dog. It even had a tape deck; unfortunately we owned a limited selection of tapes. I can still remember most of the lyrics to a few Charlie Pride songs that we sang all out of tune and with no inhibitions.

We had learnt to appreciate ourselves which then enabled us to appreciate and enjoy others. If I had the choice again I wouldn’t trade those 12 or so months in for anything.

Eventually we reached Adelaide. An incredible city not at all disimilar [dissimilar] to Christchurch, except the climate is significantly warmer. We lived here for five years until the move to New Zealand in 1981. Mum and Dad are both New Zealanders and both looked forward to corning home. I must add that they married in early 1981 and it was not until then that I addressed Erle as Dad. It was one of the happiest days of my life.

I attended Hastings Intermediate and Karamu High School where I excelled in sport in many fields and maintained a healthy academic record. I was accepted to Palmerston North College of Education in my sixth form year. This amazed me as I had not expected acceptance until the following year.

Deciding to go in that early year was the best thing I could have done as it had put me ahead of the impending teaching vacancy depression that started occurring the year after I left.

All this has led me to Waiwhare, and this I am very thankful of.

Here’s to happy years!

Tanya Bunny