Pare Publisher February 2018

IT’S ALL IN THE SOCKS!
By Deb Duggan
Dillon Hunt, 22, has just become Paremoremo’s first All Black. Talking
to proud stepfather, Mark, and mum Hilary, long-time residents of
Ngarahana Avenue, the story of how the former Westlake High student
made it into the team is fairly typical, I imagine, of any aspiring schoolboy
sportsman.
There have been triumphs, setbacks, few shortcuts, great coaches, tough
training and lots of self-belief. But, the overarching theme is a simple one
– a passion for the game and simple joy in playing it. That, coupled with
intensive family enthusiasm and support, is Dillon’s secret.
The focused little 5 year old who first ran onto the field at the Marist Club
at the Stadium, this year wore those same colours onto a rather bigger
pitch (and wearing rather larger socks!) when, playing for the Barbarians,
he made his debut at Twickenham in front of a crowd of 60,000. A few
days later he faced a French side on home turf in a deal where Steve
Hansen took five Kiwi lads from the Barbarians and brought them into
the All Blacks. Playing his favourite No 7 position, Dylan reported the
experience was ‘intense’ and, hopefully, a training ground for the ‘next
generation’ of AB’s.
Photo courtesy of
allblacks.com website
Back to the Highlanders now and a two year contract – and proud possessor of Sam Warburton’s jersey, won
after the Highlanders/Lions match – the soon-to-be qualified surveyor from Otago University can reflect on a
very constructive 22 years of life.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11945489
for Liam Napier’s Herald report on Dillon
NOT SO FUN AT THE WHARF
Or “What prompted our new signage…?”
It’s not often you hear police sirens in Paremoremo or see a police car driving, in a hurry, past our place in Attwood Rd.
And you certainly don’t expect that car to be followed soon after by three more police cars. But that was the scene one
sunny Friday evening in December. When the police drove back out again their cars were full of ‘clients’ in the back
seats. Moments later two tow trucks drove past, collected two sign written, late model utes (one with its trailer still
attached) and took them away too.
So, what had happened at the wharf? Drinking and fishing. Hours and hours of drinking. Starting around midday.
Two groups of people, one of which took a dislike to
the other, and after enough drinking decided that it
was time to fight. One of our locals was trying to get
his boat on to the ramp, and had to walk away and call
the police. First two policeman on site were attacked,
and in the end there was pepper spray and, I believe,
a taser used to get the mob under control. There was
screaming and swearing and blood and vomit – and,
no doubt, a very scary lesson in drunkenness for the
children of our locals on the scene.
I have no idea who put the sign up at the wharf (front
page photo) but I believe it is perfectly phrased and
should stay there as a reminder to everyone that we
won’t put up with drunk ‘eggs’.
Kim Ward, Editor
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