Grey Power June 2016

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46 national Greypower mAGAZINE » june 2016 BOOK REVIEW Kiwi ‘elephant man’ loved by millions Tony Ratcliffe and the Whirling Bros Circus are an important part of New Zealand’s cultural history. Many New Zealanders remember seeing the colourful peaks of the Whirling Bros Big Top rising above the trees in showgrounds, parks and school grounds around the country during the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. Whether it was a matinee or an evening show, children and their parents waited for hours, often in long queues, to experience the magic of the circus. Tony Ratcliffe formed the Whirling Bros Circus in 1970 and it grew to become the biggest travelling show in New Zealand. With a convoy of trucks, trailers and cages the Whirling Bros Circus visited small towns and cities, dazzling audiences with a variety of acts. Lions, tigers, chimpanzees, poodles and ponies performed tricks to packed houses. Trapeze artists, jugglers, slack wire walkers, whipcrackers, fire eaters, magicians and strongmen thrilled everybody with their skill and daring. In 1978 Tony Ratcliffe, with the financial help of his brother Robin, added Jumbo the elephant to his family. Jumbo herself, became a New Zealand icon, a special elephant that is much loved by Tony and many New Zealanders. Both the circus and Jumbo have raised thousands of dollars for charities, such as the Cancer Appeal, the SPCA, solo mothers, The Salvation Army and many more. A combination of business acumen and a love of ADVOCACY REPORT performance enabled Tony Ratcliffe to expand the reach of the Whirling Bros Circus beyond New Zealand. Many people in the Pacific region, from Fiji to New Caledonia, got to experience a show like no other. Promoters, dignitaries and businessmen sought his showmanship. Many spectators secretly wanted to become a part of the show! Along the road there were also many animal campaigners and members of the public who were determined to make it difficult for Tony Ratcliffe to put on his show. This is his story. As a bonus to Grey Power associations, Tony is an excellent public speaker and is available to recount his many experiences through the hectic trail of Whirling Bros Circus. And he has three copies of his latest book for readers to win. Just put your name and return address and phone number on the back of an envelope and send it in to Grey Power Magazine PO Box 1425 Waikato Mail Centre Hamilton 3240 If you’re interested in purchasing a signed book send a note to circusmemories@gmail.com From page 39 to provide articles for the Grey Power magazine and to provide a contact via the Grey Power website Grey Power’s gain = the assurance that ACC are working on issues of concern raised by Grey Power and are willing to “I’m Calling You about a Virus on Your Computer ” Did you receive a call unexpectedly from a person warning you about an issue with your computer that you were unaware about until you received the call? The caller urges you to act now to fix the issue otherwise you’re at major risk. This is a scam, don’t be deceived. How does the computer virus scam typically work? • You receive an unexpected call from an unknown person. The caller warns you that your computer has a virus. • The caller then claims that they are from a technical support area that identified the issue with your computer. • The caller then offers to fix the problem now for you. • The caller gives you directions on where to look on your computer, in some instances, asking you to download a piece of software. • The software downloaded could be a spyware that gives the caller remote access to your computer, including records and passwords. • The caller helpfully shows you where the alleged virus is on your computer. • The caller then offers to sell you a six or twelve month computer service contract that he claims is meant to help protect you and your computer. • If you agree, the caller requests for your credit card details or asks you to pay by electronic money transfer. What you don’t realise is that there was no virus in the first place. However, the scammers may have uploaded spyware onto your computer along with processing transactions on your credit card. You work hard for your money; never let a few minutes with a scammer take from you what has taken years or a lifetime to earn. Learn more on how to help protect you from fraud by visiting westernunion.co.nz/nz/consumer-protection. Sr. Sgt. Iain Chapman of Financial Crime Group New Zealand Police states “if it is too good to be true it probably is - if in doubt seek professional advice”. Useful scam prevention advice at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDt4SEvQZWk provide information for members LOCAL BODIES AND HOUSING The lobby team met with the Labour Housing spokesperson Hon P. Twyford: The topic was how can New Zealand deliver better housing for older New Zealanders? The recent Salvation Army report was discussed as was the cost of rental accommodation Tips to Avoid Falling Victim to the Computer Virus Scam- Protect Yourself • Never act on an unexpected call from an unknown person that claims you have computer virus issues. • Never give your banking or credit card information to unknown individuals or businesses. • Never download software suggested by unknown callers. • Do your research. Check out the company that contacted you with trusted Government sources, such as Law Enforcement or Consumer Affairs – visit www.scamwatch.govt.nz • Never send money to someone you have not met in person. Wayne Howarth of Western Union advises “Awareness is the best defense against scams”. These scams can be convincing, but it’s important to check with your local law enforcement or government department like Consumer Affairs. To learn more about common scams, visit our website at westernunion.co.nz/nz/consumer-protection along with New Zealand Department of Consumer Affairs at the above address. the structure of the rental market, the difference between perceived wants and actual needs in home buyers, and lack of ageappropriate housing. The Labour party are interested in: • new housing • affordability • security of tenure – they will review the Tenancies Act re this and the potential impact of large corporate investment • house design suitable for older people – they are keen to hear Grey Power’s ideas re this • looking at home ownership models • reverting to councils’ involvement in suitable housing stock – e.g. The Christchurch Trust model – income related rent subsidy • using technology from retirement villages for new housing stock -e.g. tripping hazards, remote monitoring etc. • Size of housing communities re economies of scale Grey Power’s gain: • Grey Power and Labour are to collaborate on the issue of housing for older people – the former to survey members to obtain their preferences on this SuperGold card offpeak travel concession Visit to New Zealand First – the team met with New Zealand First politicians Clayton Mitchell and Fletcher Tabuteau The topic was how the two organisations could work together to minimise any loss of service provision arising from the Governments proposed changes to the SuperGold card transport concession scheme. New Zealand First offered to provide support through information exchange, to coordinate publicity, and to provide publicity material for demonstrations and for the Federation annual general meeting. They are also interested in the number of older people who have to surrender their licences Grey Power’s gains: • Grey Power Federation and New Zealand First to mount joint publicity event in Wellington on the Hutt Valley line. • New Zealand First provided publicity material for the 2016 Federation annual general meeting • Both organisations to share any research on the adverse social and economic effects of any loss of availability or access to Gold Card funded travel. • Improved relationships at a policy development level between New Zealand First and the Federation Grey Power team is continuing to work with Ministries and Regional Councils on the changes to SuperGold Card travel funding and associations have received memoranda detailing results to date. KIWIBANK the lobby team spoke with Matt Macpherson and Amanda Jenkins a) KiwiBank’s deposit/investment insurance • KiwiBank will send the wording regarding their guaranteed deposit scheme to Grey Power b) The provision of cards promoting the KiwiBank/ Grey Power relationship to Grey Power Associations • It was explained that this was Grey Power’s responsibility – R. Reid to provide wording c) L. Hine’s (Wairoa association) issue re KiwiBank’s flagging of accounts – possibilities here were to: • Provide an on-line form – KiwiBank would like to be involved in any electronic strategy • Consider using the Grey Power magazine to publish a form to up-date the information to ensure that all members’ eligible KiwiBank accounts had been flagged • Provide a hard copy form perhaps with membership forms The lobby team also met with the Office of Senior Citizens director Sarah Clarke and other Ministry of Social Development staff – the report of this meeting is not to hand at this time because of Sarah’s resignation subsequent to the visit however the acting director will provide this information shortly. This will be published in the next Grey Power magazine. Report compiled, on behalf of the Federation Board by Jan Pentecost – co-leader of the Advocacy Standing Committee Disclaimer: Although every effort has been made to provide accurate information in this report the complier takes no responsibility for unintended inaccuracies
national Greypower mAGAZINE » june 2016 47 CONGRATULATIONS Survey winners Name City Name City In the previous issue of National Grey Power Magazine we published a survey asking our readers many general lifestyle questions. J. Milmine Hamilton Kate Jacobson Cambridge Brian Burlace Tauranga Paul Cotter Mrs. Patsy Hill Nina Spencer Invercargill Tokoroa Taumarunui These are important for us to take an informed line on readers’ likes and dislikes as well as their residential status. We didn’t go quite so far as to ask you what dishwashing liquid or laundry powder you all used but be assured the answers we received, and they came in by the thousand, have gone a long way to helping us formulate a magazine with the right content. We cannot always get it right, as no doubt you will be well aware…but we try very hard to produce a magazine with bright content and broad of nature. Our friends at Challenge offered excellent support and went so far as to offer fuel vouchers. These are able to be used at participating Challenge stations throughout the country. Your support for the competition has been an eye-opener. Thank you all for your participation. Those lucky enough to win one of the vouchers will find their name in the columns to the right of this piece. As they say…ENJOY. Mark Nicholas Lionel Wray Eileen Worters Mr. D Hemming Mr. R.N. Eden Mrs. M.E.Bolli Mrs. JE Bellingham Helen Abbott Whanganui Wakefield Hokitika Hamilton Nelson Lower Hutt Auckland Darfield Patricia Parker Ann Waterworth Eric D Shaw Ruth McCaa Rae A. Lox Margaret Jeune Barbara Torrance P.D. Linsley Gisborne Matatmata Tapanui Blenheim Auckland Levin Auckland Te Awamutu New Zealand First leader Winston Peters says… Scaremongering over NZ Super Mary Alice Davis Eileen Green Jim Watt Timaru Chrsitchurch Pukekohe B.J. Gordon Whanganui R. Stads Waihi Nola McDonald Hawera From page 43 bour and the Maori Party, but was not supported by National, Greens, ACT and United Future, and failed 75 votes to 46. We wanted a 25 per cent health insurance rebate for people aged over 65, a requirement that migrants have health insurance on arrival and maintain it in New Zealand for 10 years, as well as the removal of fringe benefit tax from health insurance to avoid penalising employers who provide insurance for staff. This bill would have alleviated pressure on the public health system and would have been fairer for Kiwis who have contributed to the economy. It would have corrected the present imbalance regarding migrants. This after all is policy that is the essence of conservative thinking which shows that they are not conservatives but opportunists and reactionaries. Brian O’Driscoll Olive Summers Pauline Wilkinson Christine Widdowson Harvey Gifkins M.C. Hosking Timaru Greymouth Rotorua Ashburton Timaru New Plymouth ElizabethPywenburg Wayne Saleimoa Selu Dave & Margaret Leslie Bill Trewern Mrs. Y.M. Trewin Louise Freeman Lower Hutt Auckland Richmond Dunedin Invercargill Dunedin FUELING YOUR SAVINGS! UP TO 8 ¢ OFF per litre Challenge is the only fully owned and operated Kiwi service station network supported by GreyPower. That’s why when you fill up at your local Challenge station, you’ll save up to 8 cents per litre on fuel! FAR_04328 At all Challenge service stations nationwide. www.challenge.net.nz
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Grey Power June 2016

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