Page 14, <strong>Ashburton</strong>'s The <strong>Courier</strong>, Thursday <strong>March</strong> <strong>12</strong>, <strong>2020</strong> Help for families of inmates Local news at www.starnews.co.nz Rules for drones By Linda Clarke When Bronnie McKenna’s 20yearold son went to jail, all the oxygen was sucked out of her world. The <strong>Ashburton</strong> woman said no parent planned or prepared for that moment. She did not know where to turn for advice. It would be eight days before she could speak to her son by phone and eight weeks before she saw him in person. Bronnie says they were dark times for her family and there was little information available in Mid Canterbury. She now wants to help other families who have aparent, child or sibling in jail. With $8000 funding from the Advance <strong>Ashburton</strong> Charitable Foundation, Bronnie has set up PALS, aMid Canterbury support group for families with inmates. She says up to 50 families in the district are dealing with afamily member behind bars and could benefit from the group. It has the backing of the national organisation Pillars, set up by Oamaru woman Verna McFelin whose husband was jailed in 1984 for his part in the abduction for ransom of ateenage girl. Verna said the organisation she established was based on the experience gained raising four children whose father was in jail. ‘‘It was hard, we knew nothing about prison.’’ <strong>Ashburton</strong> woman Bronnie McKenna (left) and Verna McFelin are helping families who have aparent, children or siblings in jail. There are around 23,000 children of inmates in New Zealand, she was to learn, and they are 10 times more likely to end up in prison themselves. Verna was in <strong>Ashburton</strong> last week to support Bronnie as she launched the Mid Canterbury support group, which will meet every two weeks in the Base youth centre, on Burnett Street. It will be aplace to chat, share experiences and advice. Bronnie says it is just over 1000 days since her son was arrested and charged with murder; he admitted stabbing another young man and was sentenced to life in prison. ‘‘A muchloved son, brother and grandson was put in prison and not until December 13, 2029 is he eligible for parole. We became a minority, we were the family of a lifer.’’ Bronnie, who works in restorative justice, said finding help and advice had been hard, even with the support of her parents and husband. ‘‘It was an isolating, unforgiving and frustrating experience.’’ In a‘‘sink or swim’’ moment, she decided she wanted to make life better for other families who might find themselves in the same spot. The oxygen came back. She started aFacebook page Supporting and Educating Families of Prisoners NZ for families nationwide and approached Pillars about the possibility of starting a support group in <strong>Ashburton</strong> to reach other families on their own journeys in the corrections system. Pillars helps families with members in jail, or on home or community detention. Verna said families carried alot of shame when aloved one went to jail and children wore scars that could last alifetime. Pillars has toolkits for families, lawyers and teachers with good advice and information for helping improve outcomes for children caught up in acustodial sentence. There is also amentoring programme for children and resources that are available for inmates. The first meeting of the Mid Canterbury support group in <strong>Ashburton</strong> will be on Monday, <strong>March</strong> 16. Bronnie said it would be aforum that was respectful of victims, the corrections system and inmates. ‘‘It is not for slagging off the system, it is there to support, guide and back each other. It is to help each other find answers.’’ Bronnie is also available to talk to groups like social workers and teachers who are dealing with vulnerable children. Drone operators in <strong>Ashburton</strong> taking photos for real estate agents are among those affected by strict flying exclusion zones around the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Airport. The exclusionzone is a4km radius around the <strong>Ashburton</strong> District Councilowned airport on Seafield Road. Civil Aviation Authority and council rules apply and drones must stay 4km away from the airport unless the operator has the required authorisation and clearance. Amap of the exclusion zone was tabled for councillors on the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Airport Authority subcommittee recently. The zone includes most of the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Domain and the town. Council’s commercial manager Colin Windleborn said the zone was on the AirShare websiteand drone operators should be aware of it. It would be even greater when a 4km radius was also put around the helicopter landing pad at the <strong>Ashburton</strong> Domain, he said. Cr and real estate agent Rodger Letham said he had no objection to the exclusion zone though it restricted some aerialphotography of properties. It was better to be safe though, he added. People seeking to fly within the airport's 4km radius must contact council for permission. Drone users should check council's Open Spaces Bylaw for rules. Drones are prohibited over cemeteries, camping grounds, sports fields in use.
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