On Saturday I attended a viewing of the film Tina. I cried my heart out many times. Basically, it's a story about a Pacific Island gifted teacher being employed by a flash school. An important message of the film is that people operating within the straitjacket of conformity have many lessons … [Read more...]
What many of our readers can learn from Jane Fonda
Recently Jane Fonda was given another award. At the presentation she said a few things which challenge all of us pensioners. Her challenge is for us to stand up and be the defenders and the glue promoting and enhancing localism. Here are some things she said: … [Read more...]
This week’s speaker Patrick De Dekker
See you in person or on line this week - 5 to gather and 5.30 to speak. At present there’s lots of focus and interest in the Antarctic and we jumped at the chance to hear from an Australian authority on Antarctica, Patrick De Dekker. He will speak to us on the 1897-99 Belgica expedition that … [Read more...]
Parliament maiden speeches
This week I attended Parliament to listen to the maiden (strange that this term still exists) speech of Kahurangi Carter, the newly elected Christchurch based Green MP. Listen to Kahurangi's speech here It was sad to note the large number of empty seats of returning MP’s who hadn’t bothered to … [Read more...]
Garry Attended three Tangi for three friends
1. Norm Dewes: The first tangi was for an old mate, Norm Dewes. I first met Norm when he was a trade union secretary. Leon Morel, from the TUC, and John Hercus, the CE of Christchurch Technical Institute (CTI), had started the Trade Union Training group to run classes for trade union members at … [Read more...]
Our sincere sympathy to Marney Ainsworth and Joe Tonner:
Every parent, auntie, uncle, grandparent hopes that they outlive their younger whanau. Unfortunately, Marney and Joe had the dreadful news that their son, Lewis, had been seriously injured in a helicopter crash in Canada. They headed to his bedside but unfortunately, he died of his injuries. Our … [Read more...]
Stories of Takapūneke and Akaroa Harbour
Two videos that will help you understand the tragedy and the miracle that surrounds the land at Stories Takapūneke and Akaroa Harbour. Last summer we stayed at Tikau Bay on western shores of Akaroa, and we looked across at a newly created sculptured area to the South of the main town. Later … [Read more...]
There’s much to admire in King Charles:
My old mate Jim Lunday worked with the then Prince Charles when he had a village designed some decades back. Glaswegians are not enamoured with royalty but Jim reported to me on a number of occasions that Charles has an impressive value set and understanding of what makes up a decent … [Read more...]
An obituary in the Economist about David Kirke believed safe sport repressed people’s imaginations
I read this in the Economist last week. It was about a larger-than-life character in the UK who was the first to undertake a bungy jump. He was completely “out there” when he did it. However, what this became was a multi-million-dollar tourist venture in New Zealand. When he did it the cops came and … [Read more...]
Activists are essential to the maintenance of a democracy Steve Howard was one of those:
Keep Our Assets Canterbury (KOA) recently announced the death of Steve Howard, one of their founders and key activists. Steve, who died on October 20, was 69. I gained permission to reprint their obituary for Steve. Steve wrote his own death notice in the Press and in the first person. "After … [Read more...]
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