I have been lamenting the “stuff” which I had to dispose of when my garage was pulled down, and a new one built to replace it. I’m back working on my old cars and those useful “things” which I had squirreled away for years just aren’t around to assist the task at hand. I haven’t been able to go out … [Read more...]
Is it time to reconsider how we finance our community agencies?
This week I received a paper which has questions being asked by Bridget Frame about the financial viability of our community sector, which so often supplies the glue which connects parts of our society which would fail without their presence. Here’s what Bridget wrote: As we in the third … [Read more...]
Anzac day 2020
IT was interesting to stand at our gate and wave to the neighbours and reflect on previous wars. I have always seen wars as a dreadful failure of leadership. There are a number of world leaders right now who could cause another awful war. Trump could cause a war in his own country. It was … [Read more...]
A nice reflection on Christchurch:
I have been taking photos of our new normal. Empty streets and lines outside the supermarket. People saying hello as we maintain our distance. I really liked this David Williams article about our City - Photo Essay on the Lockdown Rush … [Read more...]
A sniper’s report from General Patterson:
John Patterson sent me this report from the trenches of Parklands: When I go out for a walk now everybody speaks to each other as they pass at the appropriate distance apart and people passing in a car wave, a police car passed me today and both the policemen waved. It’s like it was when we … [Read more...]
We can be there for each other…
Rosemary has designed this to be used to printed and handed out to your neighbours - work with others to cover your area. PDF version 2/page (you can edit it and add your name) Jpg version - 2/page … [Read more...]
Garry’s been Reading…
Over the past few weeks, I have been soaking up information from around the world. There have been some brilliant comments which would not have even been given space just a few short months ago. I thought I would share some of them: From a Franciscan Friar based at the Centre for Action and … [Read more...]
Small Business Dilemmas
Right around the world businesses will be struggling. Especially in small businesses staff are often not just workers. They are whanau. It’s impossible to survive when your customers stay away. However, now is the time for us all to support local. Has the mantra of the international economy of scale … [Read more...]
Last week – John Shaw
Last week’s speaker was Professor Jon Shaw from Plymouth University in the UK. It was a wonderful address and very useful advice for transport planners, and elected reps. There were many really good points Jon made and some which I liked included: The role of the academic is to … [Read more...]
A wonderful story of compassion:
I was sent a copy of this letter last week, which had been sent to the Prime Minister. I love the fact that here was somebody who just didn’t walk past the poor. It’s a modern version of the Parable of the Good Samaritan, one of my favourite parables. “Dear Jacinda I am glad to hear you are … [Read more...]