Selwyn Times: April 29, 2020

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6 Wednesday April 29 2020 Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Our People SELWYN TIMES Brenda Dunlop Empowering women to help the community Brenda Dunlop has been working to bring the community together since 1997. The Rolleston resident speaks to Devon Bolger about starting the Selwyn Women’s Issues Group and her love of gardening How did the Selwyn Women’s Issues Group begin? It all started in the year 1997. We were going to have a jubilee this year to celebrate but we have decided to hold off until we hit 25 years. Things really started off with Dorothy Oakley and I. We had been to see a women’s issues group and felt like there was a real need in the district for something for women to go along to. It was really good to get together once a month and invite speakers because you are quite isolated out in the country. We have made a lot of friendships and it’s been really very supportive. What does the group do? One of our ladies’ grandson was killed in a car accident getting off a bus in Greenpark. My husband and I had a trip overseas at the time and saw an idea in Scotland. A bus stopped and out of it came all these children in high-vis vests. When I came back after being away for two months, the member who lost her grandchild asked if there was anything our group could do to help. We decided to make safety vests using the money we had and it really took off from there. The district council helped at first and then we took it on ourselves and we went to individual businesses and ask them to buy the vests and put their logo on them to donate to schools. We have supplied all of the schools in Selwyn, a third of them now stand on their own. I still try to raise about $6000 each year and go around to all of the businesses to ask if they will buy some or renew the vests in the schools. That’s one of the main things our group does. We also support Ronald McDonald House with a grocery collection and we donate about five or six CONNECTED: Brenda Dunlop helped form the Selwyn Women’s Issues Group about 23 years ago, The group still continues to meet to this day. PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN boxes of groceries each year. We also do a ‘spring clean’ each year and we donate clothing to women’s suffrage. About half a dozen of our ladies make hats for the children at Cholmondeley Home. If there is a need we fill in that space. We have 80 women on our group call list and about 60 generally show up to meetings. Why do you think it is important to have a women’s issues group in Selwyn? I just think it’s lovely to have those friendships and to share with one another. It is also about what we can learn from each other. Women didn’t talk freely like they do nowadays and I’ve learned a lot from my ladies, it has been quite amazing really. Things have absolutely changed for women now since we started in 1997. We are much more open with each other now. Can you tell me about the Rolleston Residents’ Garden Competition? I think it has been going for a while but it had come to a halt a few years ago. I quite like gardening so I was asked if I would take over as president of the competition. Since I have taken over we have decided to hold it every two years. That means it is coming up this year. We have volunteer ladies that support us and offer their time. We also go to different businesses to get support to pay for the judges and a few other things. We are very grateful for those who contribute and help to make it so successful. Last time we had 36 entries and that went really well and surprisingly we had a lot of young people enter. We have decided to make it every two years because it is a lot of work for us who give our time freely. We need to have nearly $1000 every year for it to be able to run. Now that we have had trophies donated for each of our 10 categories this year •To find out more or express your interest in the Rolleston Residents’ Garden Competition phone Brenda Dunlop on 347 3073. it has made it so much easier. The categories this year include industrial and commercial as well as one for schools in the district. We plan on holding the judging over two days on October 6 and 7. It all depends on how many people enter. Then later in October we have an awards evening at the Rolleston Community Centre. How long have you lived in Selwyn? Quite a long time now. We had a pig farm in Burnham for about 40 years and then we moved into Rolleston and have been here since the first earthquake. What do you like about living here? It’s a lovely community, people are very friendly. It is really growing. Where our house is was farmland when we got here. It is truly amazing how the whole township has grown. I think there is a lot of things that you can join now, it is good for children. There are a lot of sports grounds and things like that out here so you no longer have to go into town. I don’t think I will ever be travelling into town again. I think we have enough amenities out here. Can you tell me a little bit about your family? I have my husband Norman who was a farmer when I met him, I was a city girl. He is now a property developer out here in Rolleston. We have four children and six grandchildren. I get quite involved, I love my gardening. I have an acre and a half of gardening on the farm so that has just carried on. Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of your community work? My husband and I enjoy bowls. We play outdoor bowls at West Melton. There is a club out there. We like being outside and keeping active. It is very important. Retiring after 20 years with Rolleston police • By Devon Bolger FAY SIMPSON has worked her last day at the Rolleston Police Station after 20 years. She started as station support officer in 2000 and her time has been spent mainly behind the front desk working on data entry and administration. Her career as a civilian staff member with the police began in 1991. She has enjoyed her time and is looking forward to what is next. “The staff here have been amazing, absolutely top-notch. I couldn’t rate them highly enough,” she said. Mrs Simpson and her husband now plan on moving south in about a month. “We aren’t quite at retirement age just yet but we bought a property just outside of Winton.” Her career began in 1991 at Timaru central station where she worked at the front desk. “I then relocated to Christchurch and worked in the old Christchurch central station. I worked in the accounts section and as a speed camera operator. I then worked in the Hornby and Sydenham stations also doing administration work,” she said. After about 29 years with the police, there is still one case that stands out the most, Mrs Simpson said. “There was a homicide in Caroline Bay, the boy’s name was Leif Wulff, and he was killed while I was working at the Timaru station. It was during my first year working there. “That was something that stuck with me because my oldest son was the same age, and the perpetrator wasn’t much older, so that really stuck.” Robin James Pitney was sentenced to life imprisonment after murdering Leif in 1991 when he was 15. After the Christchurch earthquake on February 22, 2011, Mrs Simpson worked with the disaster victim identification unit that was set-up at Burnham Military Camp “That was a really, really interesting experience. It’s such a well-oiled team and it was quite a privilege working with them and doing what I could to help.” Mrs Simpson had her last day at the Rolleston station on Thursday.
SELWYN TIMES Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Wednesday April 29 2020 7 Environment Canterbury – we’re here to help During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are all having to adapt to new ways of working. Our main focus, as for all New Zealanders, is taking every possible step to keep family, staff and colleagues safe and healthy at home. There have been several legislative changes and decisions that impact Environment Canterbury’s daily operations – ‘essential’ and otherwise. We’ve highlighted the key changes below, and where to find the most up-to-date information. Referring to our website – www.ecan.govt.nz – will be key as we navigate the different alert levels. You can also call our customer services team on 0800 324 636 with any questions you may have. We are also looking at COVID-19 recovery projects and what contribution can be made through those projects to the wider regional and national recovery post-lockdown. Kia atawhai, kia haumaru | Be kind, be safe COVID-19 information The first place for information regarding what can and cannot be done at the different alert levels under COVID-19 is the Government website: www.covid19.govt.nz. This is the central source of information. Several activities Environment Canterbury has oversight of contribute to the health of your families and the community, particularly under alert level restrictions and as we head into winter. As well as the information provided below, rolling updates with more detail are available on the Environment Canterbury website www.ecan.govt.nz: • Home heating: While we know that smoke from wood burners is a contributor to urban air pollution, it is essential for people to stay warm in their homes. If you are using a wood burner, regardless of its age, we advise you to use good burning technique and good quality wood. Wood burner upgrades, where applicable, should continue once alert level restrictions allow. • Outdoor burning: Fire and Emergency NZ is asking people to refrain from any outdoor burning while we are at Alert Levels 3 and 4. This is to help limit the exposure and risk to their crews responding to calls. • Essential services: These include (but are not limited to): natural hazard event monitoring; flood response; remote air quality monitoring; and public transport. • Compliance monitoring and enforcement: Many of our normal processes relating to CME will continue, but with some changes related to alert level restrictions. We’re mindful that the COVID-19 restrictions have placed unexpected financial strain on many businesses and individuals that we deal with regularly, and that consent holders in particular may still be required to pay for services that continue during this period. Please know that staff are available to discuss options for those of you experiencing financial hardship. Get in touch with us • Facebook: @EnvironmentCanterbury • Customer services: 0800 324 636 • Public transport: metro@ecan.govt.nz • Snap Send Solve app Public Transport Some of you going back to work or school during Level 3 will need public transport as an important part of your day. Our greater Christchurch network is now operating a Saturday timetable running Monday – Saturday, and a Sunday timetable running on Sundays, for most services. No fares are being charged. In Timaru the MyWay on-demand service is operating alongside the Timaru Link. Visit metroinfo.co.nz for more detail and updates as alert levels change or email metro@ecan.govt.nz Civil Defence Many of our staff are involved with the Canterbury Civil Defence Emergency Management response to COVID-19, responsible for supporting the nationally-led response at a regional level. Civil Defence staff play a vital role in responding to both local, regional, and national emergencies. They fill a variety of roles across planning, intelligence, operations, logistics, welfare and public information functions to help ensure the community is safe. Keep up-to-date on Facebook: @CanterburyEM Key contacts for COVID-19 Government website: www.covid19.govt.nz and helpline 0800 779 997 Canterbury helpline: 0800 24 24 11 Healthline: 0800 358 5453 Need to talk? Call or text 1737 or www.allright.org.nz/campaigns/getting-through-together Essential business enquiries: 0800 22 66 57 or essential@mbie.govt.nz Financial support: 0800 559 009 or www.workandincome.govt.nz Reporting breaches of Alert Level restrictions: 105.police.govt.nz Queries about transport: essentialtravel@transport.govt.nz E20/7918 Facilitating sustainable development in the Canterbury region www.ecan.govt.nz
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Selwyn Times: April 29, 2020

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