Nor'West News: December 17, 2019

NOR’WEST NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz
Tuesday December 17 2019 13
News
Young explorer leads
classmates to the ice
FOLLOWING IN his ancestor’s
footsteps, seven-year-old
Ollie Criglington led his own
expedition to the ice treating
his Cotswold School classmates
to a day at the International
Antarctic Centre.
The year 2 pupil recently
won a “dress as your favourite
explorer” competition at the
ChristchurchNZ Explore Antarctica
fun day, and because of
this, he was able to discover the
wonders of Antarctica with 23 of
his classmates and their parents.
The young explorer represented
the fifth generation of
his family with links to the icy
continent. His great-great grandfather,
William McDonald, was
an able seaman on the Terra
Nova of Robert Falcon Scott’s
last expeditions.
The International Antarctic
Centre general manager Todd
Schmidt said he was “delighted”
to learn of the many connections
that Ollie’s family had with the
ice.
“Ollie is a true Antarctic
ambassador, a wonderful local
example of the way our younger
generation is challenging us all
to do more,” said Mr Schmidt.
Ollie and his classmates were
able to learn about climate
change in Antarctica, the vital
research scientists carried out
and the legacies of explorers
before him.
His great grandfather, Alan,
and grandmother Anne also
have significant links with the
continent, along with Ollie’s
“Uncle Richie,” a field training
instructor who is currently on
his eighth season in Antarctica.
Ollie’s favourite parts about
his visit to the International
Antarctic Centre was riding in
the Hägglund, the Antarctic
storm experience and patting the
Huskies.
He wished to explore
Antarctica one day, working in
the field “just like Uncle Richie.”
FAMILY LINKS:
Ollie Criglington
with his
grandmother,
Anne Hunter,
sister, Emma and
his mother, Sarah
in a Hägglund at
the International
Antarctic Centre. ​
PROUD: From left - Kate Burney, Davin Vaikvee, Nic Lamb and
Aafreen Gowtham of Smiths City Northwood. ​
New manager excited
for challenge ahead
• By Bea Gooding
MEET SMITHS City
Northwood’s newest store
manager: Davin Vaikvee.
Born and raised in Wellington,
he began his Smiths City journey
in 2012 as a manager, relocating
from Lower Hutt, to Invercargill
and now here in Christchurch.
Mr Vaikvee said he was excited
for the challenge ahead, working
in a location that offers customers
choice and competition with a
“community feel about it.”
“I’m proud of my progression
within Smiths City and the support
I’ve received from management,”
he said.
“I’m now the manager of a flagship
store in the city where it all
began over 100 years ago, and I’m
excited at the challenge of providing
home solutions to Northwood
and surrounding communities.”
He had a “typical” kiwi
upbringing, spending plenty of
time in the outdoors - whether it
was at the beach or spending the
summer on the family farm in
the Waikato.
Before he joined the Smiths
City family, he worked in the
food and beverage industry as
a regional manager in the lower
North Island, along with a stint
in Wanaka.
Keeping active is a must for Mr
Vaikvee, especially heading out
of town with his fishing rod in
tow. Being in Canterbury meant
the excitement of catching wild
salmon, something he looked
forward to.
Even though Christchurch was
ideal for its close proximity to
rivers, beaches and back country,
it’s the people he liked the most
about Canterbury.
“I find Cantabrians likeminded
in that they are practical
people and don’t shy away from
a good conversation or offer for
help. They’re great people.”
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19 TH TO 23 RD DECEMBER
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Cnr Withells Rd and Merrin St
Avonhead