Western News: December 17, 2020

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2020 

Connecting Your Local Community 

starnews.co.nz 

Orphanage 

life shapes 

‘caring’ 

volunteer 

Gala a 

chance to 

see school’s 

new look 

Sunday 21 

March 2021 

Page 3 Page 12 

city2surf.co.nz 

Leaving school behind 

at a ripe old age of 87 

• By Bea Gooding 

AFTER MORE than 71 years in 

the workforce, Fred Adams has 

only worked two jobs. 

But the final chapter of his 

most rewarding venture yet 

draws to a close today as the 

87-year-old caretaker hangs up his 

tools for the last time after three 

decades. 

Described as a “best friend” to 

many pupils and staff alike, his 

warm presence at Paparoa Street 

School each day will be missed, 

leaving big boots to fill for whoever 

takes his place. 

“I get a lot of enjoyment [in] 

meeting the children in the morning,” 

the Burnside resident said. 

“The children seem to be feeling 

sad; in a way, I am too. But I’m 

87 – age is catching up with me, 

so I might as well go out and enjoy 

things a bit more.” 

Although he could not pinpoint 

the reasoning behind his 

long-standing tenure, being able 

to brighten up a child’s day by 

acknowledging them even with 

a simple conversation was what 

kept him going. 

He recalled when a pupil was 

asked by another if Fred was a 

good friend. Initially, she said no. 

• Turn to page 11 

MEDI-PEDI 

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Medi-Pedi is a 

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instruments 

THE MEDI-PEDI 

At Feet First Podiatry 

03 348 7910 

37 Main South Road, Upper Riccarton 

PH 348 7910 | www.feetfirst.co.nz 

03 349 5050 

BITTERSWEET: After 

three decades, Paparoa 

Street School caretaker 

Fred Adams is hanging 

up his tools. 

PHOTO: GEOFF SLOAN 

We wish our clients a safe and wonderful 

Christmas and New Year. 

We will be closed from 23rd December 2020 

and re-open on 11th January 2021. 

New Dentures > Relines > Repairs > 

6 Brynley Street, Hornby, Christchurch 

www.betterdenture.co.nz

DuneDin’s fooD 

2 

Thursday December 17 2020 

GENERAL INQUIRIES Ph 379 7100 

CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING Ph 379 1100 

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PO Box 1467, Christchurch 

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NEWS 

Bea Gooding 

Ph: 021 911 576 

bea.gooding@starmedia.kiwi 

ADVERTISING 

Alana Powell 

Ph: 962 8753 

alana.powell@starmedia.kiwi 

Your local community news 

delivered to 24,894 homes 

within The Star each week. 

Templeton • Islington • Hei Hei • Broomfield 

Halswell • Oaklands • Westlake • Hornby • Ilam 

Wigram • Sockburn • Church Corner • Avonhead 

Hyde Park • Russley • Riccarton Park • Riccarton 

Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz 

what’s on 

this week 

JP Clinic 

Thursday, 9.30am-12.30pm, at 

Hornby, Saturday, 10am-noon, at 

Fendalton, Tuesday, 10am-1pm, at 

Halswell 

Fendalton, Hornby and Halswell 

libraries 

A justice of the peace will 

be available to members of the 

community to witness signatures 

and documents, certify document 

copies, hear oaths, declarations, 

affidavits or affirmations as well as 

sign citizenship, sponsorship or rates 

rebates applications. This service is 

free. 

Knit ‘n’ Yarn 

Thursday, 10.30am-2.30pm, 

at Upper Riccarton, 1-3pm, at 

Halswell, 2-3.30pm, at Fendalton, 

Tuesday, 10am-noon, at Hornby 

Fendalton, Halswell, Hornby and 

Upper Riccarton libraries 

Take your knitting, crochet, 

stitching or any other handcraft and 

enjoy the company of others. Share 

skills and be inspired. 

Citizen’s Advice Bureau 

Thursday, 9am-5pm, Friday, 9am- 

5pm 

Hornby Library 

Citizen’s Advice Bureau provides 

free, confidential advice to everyone. 

They take the time to listen and 

equip you with information, options 

and support that fit your needs. 

Free, phone 349 5236 for more 

information. 

Bookbuddies, Saturday, 10.30-11.30am, Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre 

A book group for eight to 11-year-olds who enjoy reading and want to try 

something new. An opportunity for children to discuss their favourite books. 

Each session is themed with different activities and books. 

English Conversation Club 

Thursday, 11am-noon 

Upper Riccarton Library 

The Conversation Club is a dropin 

group where anyone is welcome 

to go and practice conversations in 

English. 

Rummikub 

Thursday, 1-3pm 

Fendalton Library 

Join in on the fun and discover 

how to play Rummikub, an exciting 

strategy game for all ages. 

Free Legal Advice 

Thursday, 6.15-8.15pm 

Hornby Library 

A lawyer will be available to answer 

your legal questions. Take relevant 

documents. 

Technology Help Drop-In 

Sessions 

Tuesday, 11am-noon at Hornby, 

2-3pm, at Halswell 

Hornby Library and Te Hāpua: 

Halswell Centre 

These free drop-in sessions are 

WESTERN NEWS 

available to help you with specific 

issues including using email, 

searching the internet, using the 

library catalogue, using electronic 

resources and any other general 

computer-related queries. Go along 

with your laptop, tablet, smartphone 

or use one of the desktop computers if 

you need help with anything digital. 

DIY Gift Wrap 

Tuesday, 3.30-4.30pm 

Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre 

Design and print your own gift 

wrap. Free, no bookings required. 

Scrabble Club 

Wednesday, 1.30-3.30pm 

Te Hāpua: Halswell Centre 

If you have a way with words, go 

along and play Scrabble with one 

of the groups. Some boards will be 

provided but feel free to take your 

own. 

Not-for-profit organisations can 

send their What’s On listings to 

western@starmedia.kiwi 

november 2020 

Make an 

entrance 

Looks to steaL 

the show 

Doughnuts in 

a Zephyr 

DuneDin’s fooD 

truck scene 

Make an 

entrance 

Looks to steaL 

the show 


for the love of local 

Hitting the 

sweet spot 

Life in a 

cake shop 

Your dinner 

party menu 

Low on fuss, 

high on fancy 

for the love of local 

Hitting the 

sweet spot 

Megan 

Woods 

MP for Wigram 

Doughnuts in 

a Zephyr 

Life in a 

cake shop 

truck scene 

Your dinner 

party menu 

Low on fuss, 

high on fancy 

Please get in touch with my office if you need 

any assistance on 03 338 6347 or 

megan.woodsmp@parliament.govt.nz 



/MeganWoodsWigram 

@megan_woods 

/megancwoods 

www.style.kiwi | @StyleChristchurch 

Authorised by Megan Woods, 

8 McCarthy St, Christchurch 

Beautiful range 

of Christmas 

gifts instore 

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fitted from $10 

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WE ARE OPEN: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-1pm 

WARREN agencies 

Jewellery & Giftware 

79 Wrights Road, Middleton 

Ph: (03) 338 0171 

sales@warrenagencies.co.nz 

ONSITE 

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PARKING

WESTERN NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz 

Thursday December 17 2020 3 

Orphanage life shapes ‘caring’ volunteer 

• By Bea Gooding 

EVEN THOUGH Lesley O’Neill 

grew up without her parents, she 

never once felt like she had no 

family to turn to. 

With an absent father, and 

after her mother died of an 

illness, life changed forever 

at three-years-old when the 

Nazareth House orphanage 

in Sydenham became her new 

home. 

But having the sisters and 

other children by her side for the 

next 14 years it felt like growing 

up in a big family. 

“It was a home and there 

were a lot of other people. Like 

any upbringing, there’s always 

positives and negatives – but the 

positives totally outweighed the 

negatives,” she said. 

“I guess what happened was 

I had an experience that a lot of 

people have never had. The skills 

that I have now are part of the 

nurturing I received as a child.” 

Learning the value of hard 

work and giving back from a 

young age was what fuelled 

her drive these days to volunteer 

at the Christchurch South Fruit 

and Vegetable Collective, helping 

out with setting up the hall and 

bags in time for the delivery 

trucks. 

Her tenacity in the last six years 

was why she was nominated as a 

recipient of a Spreydon-Cashmere 

Community Service Award this 

year. 

Some of the jobs she had 

growing up was answering the 

phone or opening the door to 

visitors. But one of the biggest 

lessons she took away from it all 

was the determination the sisters 

showed when it came to keeping 

the children alive. 

“THe sisters used to go out 

into the community, begging for 

money and food to keep us all 

alive. They would come home, 

they were exhausted; their shoes 

all worn out,” said O’Neill. 

“THat taught me about caring 

for other people.” 

ESSENTIAL: 

Volunteer 

Leslie O’Neill 

and Richard 

Clemance were 

both recipients 

of a Community 

Service Award. 

PHOTO (left): 

GEOFF SLOAN 

THe fruit and vegetable collective 

processes about 200 orders of 

fresh produce each week and are 

distributed to eight community 

hubs, which is then delivered to 

homes across the city – many of 

which are on low incomes. 

“I’m not looking for a reward 

for my work, it’s about what I can 

do to support others. Fruit and 

vegetables are the food that keeps 

people alive,” she said. 

O’Neill was not the only one 

recognised from the collective. 

It was a “big surprise” and 

a “humbling” feeling when 

Richard Clemance found out he 

was also a recipient of the service 

award. 

For the past six years, he has 

helped set up and pack down 

the premises, supervised the 

unloading and packing process, 

and setting up the packing line 

for the 20 volunteers. 

THe collective purchases 

produce from wholesalers 

and supermarkets and are 

available to the public to buy 

in bags, providing a more 

affordable option for homes to 

get their 5+ A Day. 

THe delivery service also 

helped people who could not 

easily leave their homes, such as 

elderly people. 

“It gets me out of the house 

and it helps a lot of people. It’s 

also a good social time, there’s 

a good bunch of people [at the 

collective],” he said. 

He believed others should give 

it a go. 

“It doesn’t matter how much 

or how little it is, every little bit 

helps,” Clemance said. 

“I try my best; someone’s got 

to do it.” 

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Contact: Sarah.ilamMP@parliament.govt.nz 

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4 Thursday December 17 2020 


WESTERN NEWS 

03 322 4548 | Easy Parking 

17 Lillian Street, Halswell 

Open Mon-Fri 9.30am - 5.00pm 

Saturday 10.00am - 1.00pm 

LAYBY WELCOME 

Event raises $8000 in spite of cancellation 

A WOMEN’S club has raised 

more than $8000 towards 

crucial research for children 

with bowel disease, in spite of 

the cancellation of their major 

fundraising event. 

The Inner Wheel Club of 

Riccarton was meant to host a 

charitable fashion parade this 

year, but it was cancelled twice 

due to Covid-19 public gathering 

restrictions. 

But they were still able to 

present $8300 to Cure Kids as 

the majority of ticket holders 

still decided to donate the price 

of their ticket anyway. 

Cure Kids, best known for 

Red Nose Day, is the country’s 

largest funder of child health 

research. 

The proceeds will enable the 

charity to take on an intern 

over the summer, who will be 

researching the safety, feasibility 

and satisfaction of long-distance 

out-patient consultations 

for children with inflammatory 

bowel disease. 

“We heard a mother say 

how not a day goes by when 

she doesn’t wish for a cure for 

gastrointestinal failure. That 

rang a bell with us all,” said 

Bobbity Murfitt, of the Inner 

Wheel Club. 

“So the idea of hosting a 

fashion showcase was born. We 

wanted to give love, time and 

fundraising to the amazing 

hands-on work and research of 

Cure Kids.” 

The Riccarton club is part of 

Inner Wheel – an international 

Womens’ Service Club, who 

aim to foster true friendship, 

service to others, and the 

promotion of international 

understanding. 

The showcase was meant to 

feature “models” sporting the 

latest fashion for both men and 

women from Maxwell Fashion, 

based in Halswell. 

Originally, it was to be held 

in April at Riccarton Park but 

was rescheduled to August 12 

following the Covid-19 level 4 

lockdown. 

“But on the evening of 

August 11, the Covid-19 level 

went up and functions were 

reduced to very small numbers. 

We were devastated,” said 

Murfitt. 

“We had to cancel and we 

decided not to try again.’ 

IN NEED: Jordan Walker, 

of Cure Kids (left), Bobbity 

Murfitt and Lesley Compton, 

of Inner Wheel Club 

of Riccarton, and Amanda 

Piper-Randle (right) of Cure 

Kids, presenting a donation 

towards child medical 

research.’ 

Can’t fit a new bike 

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A Ride Forever course is the next best thing. Grab the 

motorcyclist in your life a $20 voucher for Christmas. 

Get yours now at rideforever.co.nz/xmas 

Funded by the Motorcycle Safety Levy. 

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Phone or text 027 555 7079 

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Come in and meet our roving Santa! 

He will be here from 18 – 24 December 

between 11am – 1pm and 1.30pm – 4pm. 

Santa will be spreading lots of Christmas 

cheer to all. Selfies welcome! 

Gift Vouchers available from our Centre 

Management Office located upstairs 

between Subway and Maxwell Drycleaners. 

Saturday 19 December 

Sunday 20 December 

Monday 21 December 

Tuesday 22 December 

Wednesday 23 December 

Thursday 24 December 

Friday 25 December 

Saturday 26 December 

Sunday 27 December 

Monday 28 December 

Tuesday 29 December 

Wednesday 30 December 

Thursday 31 January 

Friday 1 January 

Saturday 2 January 

Sunday 3 January 

Monday 4 January 

9am – 6pm 

9am – 6pm 

9am – 8pm 

9am – 8pm 

9am – 8pm 

9am – 6pm 

CLOSED 

9am – 6pm 

10am – 5pm 

10am – 5pm 

10am – 5pm 

10am – 5pm 

9am – 6pm 

CLOSED 

9am – 6pm 

10am – 5pm 

10am – 5pm 

256 Barrington Street, Christchurch 8024 

Tuesday 5 January: Normal hours resume 

www.barrington.nz Phone: 03 332 4221

Mike Dixon Building fence 1000 x 500 v2 06072017.pdf 1 6/07/17 10:32 AM 



WESTERN NEWS 

st thOMas Of canterBury cOllege 

rOwing squads 2020/21 

As a sport, rowing provides those who compete a unique opportunity to 

engage in a discipline unparalleled by most. Perseverance, resilience and 

a rich culture of community are but a few of the many benefits offered to 

those involved in the sport. 

PrOudly sPOnsOred By... 

At St Thomas of Canterbury College, the students 

are encouraged to involve themselves in the 

rowing programme, which provides similar 

notions of dedication and determination, built 

upon the foundation of brotherhood, which 

is informed by the special character of the 

College. Our young men are inspired by both the 

collective history of the sport as well as a shared 

sense of commitment to each other. Rowing 

at school-age level promotes effective time 

management skills and has a notable effect on 

academic achievement, as students become more 

productive with their time. Most of the students 

cite these benefits themselves as the reason 

for their continuing service the sport, while also 

noting a real sense of personal growth achieved 

as a result. 

This season the College boasts its biggest squad 

in its 15-year history, with 32 boys committing 

themselves to the programme. Although small 

in comparison to other programmes, St Thomas 

Rowing makes up for it in its approach to inclusive 

practice and preservation of culture, so as to 

insure a richer experience. The programme 

continues to benefit from the Old Boys’ Network, 

with a large contingent of former St Thomas 

rowers making up the coaching team, while the 

Selwyn River remains the Squad’s base. The boys 

continue to compete at regattas on Lake Hood 

(Ashburton) and Lake Ruataniwha (Twizel) with 

high expectations set for the year ahead. The 

squad is looking forward to getting a full season 

of racing under their belts with the hope of it 

culminating at the Maadi Cup at Karapiro in the 

new year. 

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Former Sheppard home open for visits 

THE PUBLIC can now visit 

the former Fendalton home 

of suffragist Kate Sheppard, 

who was at the centre of the 

campaign to get New Zealand 

women the right to vote. 

The Clyde Rd home was 

bought by the Government 

last year for $4.5 million so 

that it could be used as a heritage 

venue and educational 

centre where people could 

learn about trailblazing Kiwi 

women. 

It dates back to 1888 and 

was used as the base for Kate 

Sheppard’s suffrage campaign. 

This week Prime Minister 

Jacinda Ardern formally 

opened Te Whare Waiutuutu 

Kate Sheppard House, 

which will be managed 

by Heritage New Zealand 

Pouhere Taonga. 

The opening ceremony 

marks the completion of the 

first stage of repurposing the 

house as a visitor experience, 

which tells the story of 

the achievements of Kate 

Sheppard and other women 

who worked tirelessly to 

achieve women’s suffrage. 

“This was the place where 

Kate Sheppard and other 

suffragists wrote pamphlets, 

prepared speeches, collected 

petition signatures, 

and worked towards New 

Zealand becoming the first 

self-governing country in 

the world where women won 

the right to vote in 1893,” Dr 

Christine Whybrew, Heritage 

New Zealand Southern heritage 

assets manager said. 

“It was here that the petition 

– which included thousands 

of signatures from supporters 

all over the country – was 

pasted together before being 

presented to Parliament.” 

Unable to deliver the petition 

herself, MP Sir John Hall 

did it in Kate Sheppard’s place, 

famously kicking the 270mlong 

scroll across the floor of 

Parliament’s debating chamber, 

allowing all present to see 

the signatures for themselves 

as the scroll unrolled. 

“Because New Zealand 

was the first country to give 

women the right to vote, this 

place is also internationally 

significant in the wider story 

of universal suffrage,” says Dr 

Whybrew. 

“We are honoured to have 

the responsibility of caring 

EDUCATION: 

Iconic 

suffragette 

Kate 

Sheppard’s 

former Clyde 

Rd home is 

now open to 

the public. 

PHOTO: 

NEWSLINE 

for this place, and sharing its 

stories with visitors from New 

Zealand and the rest of the 

world.” 

Besides being open to 

the public to visit, Heritage 

New Zealand plans to make 

Te Whare Waiutuutu Kate 

Sheppard House available 

for a range of future use 

options – including school 

visits and special activities – 

highlighting the legacy of Kate 

Sheppard and the suffrage 

movement, and its relevance 

today. 

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Thank you to everyone who has supported 

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WESTERN NEWS 

Year 8 students at Templeton School used their artistic skills 

and talent to complete a series of artworks to represent New 

Zealand’s involvement in war. Their artworks will feature in the 

newly landscaped garden area at the Templeton RSA next door 

to the school. 

Above – The year 8 artists hard at 

work. 

Left – Hazel Witton and Savanna 

Gaule. 

Below left – Willow Austin 

Below – Lucy Burson 

Mackenzie Vercoe 

Maya Dalton 

Ashleigh Woodgate 

Peraksana Thayakaran 

Sunday 

21 MaRCh 

#Areyouupforit? 

14km, 6km 

Community 

Fun Run Event 

The perfect 

Xmas gift 

Visit city2surf.co.nz before Dec 31st to secure your earlybird entry for just $20!



Year 8 Camp 2020 - Glentui 

This year the Year 8 end of year camp 

was held at Glentui Meadows near 

Oxford from Tuesday 1 to Friday 4 

December 2020. 

Traditionally the Year 8 students see out 

the end of their time at Oaklands with 

a week long camp in Wellington. Due 

to a long list of contributing factors, a 

Wellington Camp was not a possibility 

this year. 

Once the initial and understandable 

disappointment was out of the way 

we set to organising an alternative 

camp. Glentui Meadows was very 

accommodating at short notice and in 

the end a fantastic camp was had by all. 

Over the four days the students 

participated in river safety, bivouac 

building, archery tag, abseiling, 

Hub 4 Ready, Set, Swim! 

The pool is warm, the weather is 

sunnier and Hub 4 are enjoying their 

swimming lessons. 

During Hub 4’s swimming lessons the 

students have been learning about and 

practicing the following: 

- Floating on their back keeping their 

legs above the water 

- Kicking while on their back holding 

onto a kick board 

- Kicking on their back with arms above 

head, locked next to their ears, chest 

up, from one end of the pool to another 

- Safe entry into the pool by sitting with 

their legs in and using the correct hand 

orienteering and bubble soccer. It was 

great to see so many people stepping 

outside of their comfort zones and 

giving things a go. We had a lot of 

fun and a lot of laughs and a lot of 

memories were made. 

Another camp highlight was the trek to 

the top of nearby Mount Richardson. 

At 1048m above sea level, reaching 

the summit of this ‘Mighty Beast’ was 

no easy feat but everyone dug deep 

and made it to the top and back. The 

hours of physical effort were all worth it 

when we returned to a dinner of butter 

chicken! I’m pretty sure everyone had 

seconds! 

The swimming pool at the camp was 

well received by everyone and many 

hours were spent cooling down after our 

placement to ease themselves into the 

water 

- Diving forward into the water and 

kicking a length 

We are lifelong learners who 

aspire to excellence 

Term 3 update 

37 Cunningham Pl, Halswell | Ph. 03 322 8735 

E. admin@oaklands.school.nz | www.oaklands.school.nz 

busy days of activities. 

As always we appreciate the efforts and 

time of the parent helpers that came 

along on camp. We simply could not do 

what we do without them. Our thanks 

go to Nigel, Grant, Rebecca, 

Michelle, Susan, Kirsten, 

Larissa and Nicky for 

generously volunteering 

your time to help out. 

A big shout out to Mr Brown 

for all of his hard work to 

get this alternative camp up 

and running. Top work Mr 

Brown! 

Another shout out to Mr Sy 

who jumped in boots and all 

to his first ever school camp. 

Ka rawe Mr Sy! 

A big thank you 

to New World 

Halswell for the 

donation of the 

Little Garden 

seedlings. 

Hub 2 at Willowbank! 

Hub 2 went on a trip to Willowbank. 

Children were so excited when they 

arrived at school and were keen to get 

on the bus as soon as possible. 

Children explored the park in small groups 

and also got to attend a ‘Keeper Talk’. 

Trips like this wouldn’t be possible 

without whanau support so a special 

thank-you to all the parents who offered 

to help on the trip and to the ones who 

came along with us. 

Please enjoy the photos from our trip 

and some highlights shared by Hub 2 

children. 

My favourite animal was the eels 

because they got so close to us – 

Lachlan 

I liked the ducks because they followed 

us for the whole trip – Charlotte 

I learnt that if we cut down trees we 

should plant new trees so animals can 

live – Angie 

We saw 2 kiwis, kiwis have a long beak 

– Beau 

I learnt how to keep kiwis safe, we need 

to make sure predators don’t eat their 

eggs – Blaire 

I liked the iguana because it was a really 

big lizard – Sam 

My favourite part of the trip was the bus 

ride because it was fun - Ella 

I liked the bunny rabbits because I got 

to pat a really big one – Yushin 

Literacy 

Week 2020 

Last week, our whole 

community joined in to 

celebrate our love of 

books.



WESTERN NEWS 

Merry Christmas 

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The Western News and supporting businesses wish readers and customers a safe and happy holiday season. 

Thank you for supporting local



‘It’s rewarding to be acknowledged by the children’ 

• From page 1 

“I thought, oh no, what’s coming 

next? But then she said ‘no, 

he’s my very best friend,’” said 

Fred. 

“You meet some wonderful 

children on the way which keeps 

you going. It brightens them up 

in the morning, and it brightens 

us elderly people too. 

“It’s rewarding to be acknowledged 

by the children. It’s important 

to connect with them – it is a 

school after all, that’s what we’re 

there for.” 

Fred played a crucial role in 

making sure the school’s facilities 

were up to scratch ahead of the 

learning day. At nearly 90-yearsold, 

he would work four hours 

each day; two in the morning and 

two in the evening. 

The pupils saw him in the 

morning just as he was finishing 

his morning duties before 9am 

and were often eager for a chat. 

A usual lap around the school 

involves checking each classroom 

and can take upwards of about 40 

minutes. It was a chance to sneak 

in some exercise – an aspect of 

the job he considered to be one of 

his favourites. 

In this time he ensures the 

heaters are switched on, the 

printers have paper, the wheelie 

bins are emptied, or to check 

“whether the cleaners have done 

a good job overnight.” 

At night, he is in charge of 

making sure the windows and 

doors are locked while keeping 

an eye on the school hall area. 

Fred has been a friendly face 

at the school since 1990. It was 

only his second job ever, having 

worked at a number of post offices 

in the South Island for 40 

Fred Adams with the Super Rugby trophy, and with his wife, Pearl, on their 60th wedding 

anniversary. 

years prior. 

Born in 1933, he hails from Arrowtown, 

Central Otago, where 

he grew up with his parents and 

four siblings. 

His father was the last official 

town baker from the “olden days,” 

and his original oven was now 

incorporated at the Lakes District 

Museum and Gallery. 

For Fred, life was not always 

rosy in the picture-perfect town. 

Part of his childhood was during 

a time when the world was 

engulfed in war. 

His neighbour, along with his 

cousin, Bobby Jones, were both 

killed in Italy, when a stray shell 

landed and exploded where they 

were. 

“I was born in the Granny 

Jones’ Cottage. During my time 

I used to go out chasing rabbits 

on hills at some of the farms 

where there were rabbit holes, so 

I would put my ferrets in [them],” 

said Fred. 

“We never had a lot, so it was 

quite a struggle in the early days.” 

Soon after leaving high school 

in Queenstown at 15-years-old, 

he secured a job at the post office 

in Arrowtown working at 

the counter and the telephone 

exchange. 

Wanting to further his skills in 

the field, he went to morse school 

in Trentham, Upper Hutt, a year 

and a half after he started his first 

job. 

“I used to love the morse, it’s 

like another music system. I was 

16-years-old at the time I went to 

morse school, where we had to 

do 10 words a minute. I 

was fourth in my class,” he said. 

His big break finally came in 

1965 when he was appointed as 

postmaster of the Beckenham 

post office following a move to 

Christchurch. 

Over the years he also served at 

offices in St Albans and Papanui 

before he officially left the industry 

in 1987, when the country’s 

postal services were overhauled 

and restructured following financial 

difficulties. 

After a long overseas holiday 

with his wife and children, he 

got back in the game and eventually 

took up the role of Paparoa 

Street’s caretaker after it was 

advertised in the newspaper. 

“A lot has changed over the 

years – like we used to use a hand 

mower, but now they use rideons. 

We used to do the cleaning 

too before it went to contractors,” 

he said. 

“The school has also grown – 

there was 300 when I started, and 

it got up to about 600.” 

Fred fell in love with the postmaster’s 

daughter, Pearl, while 

working at 

the office in Hanmer Springs, 

and eventually married in 1957. 

The couple share three children 

together. 

His close friendship with the 

postmaster prevented any hostility 

between the pair in spite of 

the marriage to his daughter. 

Another joy in his life stems 

from his life-long passion of 

rugby. 

“I’ve always loved rugby, I 

played at Balfour Rugby Club 

in Southland – I even played a 

match against Robin Archer, who 

was an All Black.” 

Although Fred did not have 

any big plans for his retirement, 

he was already sure of at least one 

thing. 

“I won’t be doing any more 

work that’s for sure. I plan to do 

plenty of walking around the 

blocks here and try to keep and 

as fit as I can.”

12 



WESTERN NEWS 

Gala a chance to see 

school’s new look 

• By Kim Thomas 

FOOD, FAMILY, fun and 

festivity were all in abundance 

at the recent Oaklands School 

twilight gala. 

The gala also provided an 

opportunity for the Halswell 

community to tour the school’s 

recently completed campus redevelopment. 

President of the Oaklands Te 

Kura o Ōwaka Parent Teacher 

Association Cameron Montague- 

Ebbs said the gala was typically 

the school’s biggest fundraising 

event. 

In previous years money 

raised had gone towards paying 

for a new junior playground 

and educational equipment and 

furniture. 

This year the fundraising aspect 

of the gala was secondary to 

bringing people together. 

Said Montague-Ebbs: “We (the 

PTA) were so pleased with the 

turnout at the gala. Hundreds 

of families came to see students 

perform songs, waiata and 

dances. They seemed to enjoy the 

food and entertainment on offer 

and it felt like there was a real 

buzz with people catching up 

and enjoying the warm weather 

and being together.” 

Oaklands Te Kura o Ōwaka 

principal Margaret Trotter said 

it was a delight to see the school 

filled with families celebrating 

the end of what had been a challenging 

year. 

“The students work really hard 

on perfecting their gala performances 

and seem to really enjoy 

entertaining their families and 

whanau on gala night,” she said 

“The PTA also work hard to 

organise this important community 

event and we are grateful to 

all the volunteers for their efforts. 

“It was a pleasure to show 

SPECTACLE: 

The 

Oaklands 

School 

twilight 

gala was 

the school’s 

biggest 

fundraising 

event. 

community members, including 

parents of former pupils, through 

the recently completed redevelopment 

of the school.” 

The redevelopment included 

the construction of three new 

buildings and refurbishment and 

modernisation of others, including 

the school’s two original red 

brick blocks. 

The school hall was currently 

getting a new roof and being 

painted. 

This work would be finished 

by the end of February next year, 

Trotter said. The next stage was 

the landscaping of the school. 

‘The Brotherhood’ gets 

behind men facing adversity 

STUDENTS FROM St Thomas 

of Canterbury College are the 

first campaign donors to a 

new initiative for men facing 

adversity in Christchurch. 

‘The Brotherhood’ 

programme based at He Waka 

Tapu in Wainoni is all about 

activating the community to 

provide men with toiletries, 

quality clothing and bedding, 

along with other donations that 

support overall well-being. 

The Brotherhood is based on 

the successful Christchurch 

Aunties model, which has been 

operating for more than four 

years. 

Heather Milne co-ordinates 

both projects, and says she was 

incredibly impressed at the 

kindness demonstrated by the St 

Thomas of Canterbury students. 

“Toiletries such as shampoo, 

toothbrushes, and deodorant 

mean that men are more confident 

when attending courses, 

training, and job interviews” she 

said. 

Aidan Baker, religious education 

teacher at St Thomas of 

Canterbury College, responded 

quickly to the request for help to 

support men who are attending 

programmes around addiction, 

family violence, and suicide 

prevention. 

BROTHERS TOGETHER: 

St Thomas of Canterbury 

College students Sam 

Pritchard and Callaghan 

Jones with some of the 

school’s donations. 

He said the year 13 leadership 

team created the motto, 

‘brothers together, brothers 

forever.’ 

“This was an awesome 

opportunity for our junior 

syndicate to demonstrate the 

school’s core values as well as 

help the men of our community 

coming up to Christmas.” 

www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.nz



Sunday 

21 MaRCh 

#Areyouupforit? 

14km, 6km 

Community 

Fun Run Event 

The perfect 

Xmas gift 

Visit city2surf.co.nz before Dec 31st 

to secure your earlybird entry for just $20!

14 



WESTERN NEWS 

TREATING OUR 

COMMUNITIES 

Order your favourite Christmas Cookies now and 

help St John continue to treat all of us. 

WWW.COOKIETIME.CO.NZ 

St John does not provide ambulance services in Wellington or Wairarapa regions.



Classifieds Contact us today Phone our local team 03 379 1100 

Christmas 

Church 

Services 

in your community 

Anglican 

Christmas at the 

Transitional Cathedral 

SUNDAY 20 DECEMBER 

8.00am Holy Eucharist 

10.00am Choral Eucharist 

7.00pm Service of 9 Lessons & Carols 

TUESDAY 22 DECEMBER 

3.00pm Children’s Christmas Service 

with Animals 

THURSDAY 24 DECEMBER ~ 

Christmas Eve 

6.00pm Carol Recital by the Cathedral Choir 

10.15pm Carol Singing 

11.00pm The First Eucharist of 

Christmas 

Sermon: Bishop Peter Carrell 

Music: The Cathedral Choir 

FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER ~ Christmas 

8.00am Holy Eucharist & Carols 

10.00am Choral Eucharist 

Sermon: Dean Lawrence Kimberley 

Music: The Cathedral Choir 

5.00pm Choral Evensong 

Music: The men of the Cathedral Choir 

Anglican 

St. Peter's Anglican 

Church 

Church Corner 

Sunday 20 Dec 

8.00am Holy Communion 

9.30am Carol Service 

Christmas Eve 24 Dec 

11.15pm Candlelit Carol 

Singing & Midnight Holy 

Communion 

Christmas Day 25 Dec 

8.00am Festive Communion 

& Carols 

9.30am All Age Christmas 

Celebration & Communion 

St. Luke's Anglican 

Church 

School Road, Yaldhurst 

Sunday 20 Dec 

9.30am Holy Communion 

Christmas Eve 24 Dec 

5.00pm Children’s Service - 

Dress-ups provided 

Christmas Day 25 Dec 

9.30am Festive Communion 

& Carols 

All welcome 

VICAR - The Ven. Nick Mountfort 

Phone 027 721 4909 

www.stpeterschurch.nz 

Wanted To Buy 

AAA Buying goods 

quality furniture, beds, 

stoves, washing machines, 

fridge freezers. Same day 

service. Selwyn Dealers. 

Phone 980 5812 or 027 

313 8156 

TOOLS Garden, 

garage, woodworking, 

mechanical, engineering, 

sawbenches, lathes, cash 

buyer, ph 355-2045 

Trades & Services 

ROOF 

PAINTING 24/7 

Rope & harness 

a speciality, 

no scaffolding 

required, 

30 years of 

breathtaking 

experience. 

FREE QUOTES 

20% OFF other 

roof quotes 

Exterior staining, 

exterior painting, 

water blasting. 

Moss and mould 

treatment $300. 

Phone Kevin 

027 561 4629 


BLOCKED 

DRAINS? 

• Video inspection 

• Waterblasting 

• liquid Waste 

pH: 03 365 7960 

24 hours // 7 days 

info@h20jet.co.nz 

www.h20jet.co.nz 

HALSWELL 

GLASS & GLAZING 2017 LTD 

THE PET DOOR SPECIALIST 

• PET DOORS 

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ALL SUBURBS COVERED FOR 

ALL YOUR GLAZING NEEDS 

PHONE GAIL ON 

322 7999 OR 021 CAT DOOR 

(228 3667) 


Electrician 

Registered Master 

Electrician 

• No Callout or Travel 

Fees 

• Reasonable Rates 

Domestic 

Commercial 

Industrial 

• Installations, 

Repairs, Maintenance 

Free Quotes & Advice 

Phone Tom 

0274 355 496 

or 347 9252 

E tomx2@xtra.co.nz 

BATHROOM 

CARPET LAYING 

Renovations, complete Exp. Repairs, uplifting, 

service from start to finish, relaying, restretching. 

free quotes, ph Dave 027 Phone John on 0800 

334 4125 

BRICKLAYER 

003181, 027 240 7416 

jflattery@xtra.co.nz 

George Lockyer. Over GUTTER CLEANING 

40 years bricklaying Gutter cleaning special 

experience. UK trained. from $99 plus gst for a 

Insurance work, EQC whole house clean””. 

repairs. Heritage Free Quotes, call Morgan 

brickwork & stonework Thomas today 022 375 

a speciality. No job too 8506 

small. Governers Bay. PAINTING 

Home 329 9344. Cell 

027 684 4046. E mail 

georgelockyer@xtra.co.nz 

Indoor / Outdoor, over 30 

yrs exp, same day quotes, 

ph Steve 021 255 7968 

From family cars to work trucks, and 

supercars to fixer-uppers no matter 

what you're looking for you can find it 

all with Drivesouth. 


SCRAP METAL 

Dominion Trading Co Ltd 

• Scrap metal buyers 

• Canterbury owned & operated 

• Top prices paid $$$ 

• Open Saturday morning 

Open Mon-Fri 8am – 4.30pm Sat. 8.30am-12.30pm 

www.happyscrappy.co.nz 

03 343 9993 333 Blenheim Rd 

STUMP GRINDING 

Best price guarantee Tony 

0275 588 895 

TILING 

Flooring - Splashbacks - 

Wall incl tile removal, reg 

master tiler, ph Dave 027 

334 4125 

VHS VIDEO TAPES 

& all camera tapes 

converted to DVD or 

USB. Video taping 

special occasions, www. 

grahamsvideo.co.nz ph 03 

338-1655 

234 Hereford St 

Latimer Square 

ChristChurch 

Cathedral 

Transitional 

Your next set of keys are just one click 

away - visit drivesouth.co.nz 

CHRiSTMaS eVe 

THuRSday 24 deC 

4pm Christingle for 

Children in the Church 

For children and families 

re-enacting Christmas 

story - children come 

dressed as Angels or 

Shepherds! 

10.45pm in the Church 

Traditional Midnight 

Service with candlelights 

and choir. 

CHRiSTMaS day 

FRiday 25 deC 

8am, 9am and 10.15am 

in the Church 

Traditional Communion 

with carols. 

10am in the Hall 

Family Christmas 

Communion with Carols. 

Vicar Canon Mark 

Chamberlain Parish 

Office 351 7064 

www.stbarnabus.org.nz 

Cnr Tui St and Fendalton Rd 

Christmas 

Church 

Services 

in your community



WESTERN NEWS 

Keeping you 

close to home 

You’ll find our Parkstone 

Care Home on 66 

Brodie Street, Located 

in the leafy green 

suburb of Ilam, right 

next to New World Ilam. 

Our viewings have strict COVID-19 protective measures in place 

For availability and advice contact (03) 341 5704 

We have rooms available for hospital and short stay care. 

Our comfortable care home offers a high standard of care, with bright 

and spacious indoor and outdoor communal areas. Understanding 

what you need is paramount, so we take the time to work with you 

and your family, to help make the best decisions together. 

66 Brodie Street, Ilam 

bupa.co.nz 

Call 

today to 

enquire


Thursday December 17 2020 17 

Season’s greetings 

Dear Wigram Resident, 

There is no doubt that 2020 has been a year like no other. It has been challenging 

in so many ways and I want to thank everyone for their wonderful efforts as part of 

the team of 5 million who looked after one another during the lockdown. 

I also want to thank the many thousands of essential workers who live in our 

corner of Christchurch who have worked to keep us safe. 

I hope you have a chance to have a rest, catch your breath and spend some time 

in the sun with your loved ones. Merry Christmas! 

Hon Megan Woods - MP for Wigram 

Authorised by Hon Megan Woods MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington



WESTERN NEWS 

Authorised by Hon Megan Woods MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington 

My electorate office will close on 

Friday 18 th December 2020 

and will reopen on 

Monday 18 th January 2021




From Monday 18 th January 2021 my office 

hours will be: 

Mon-Tues — 10am-3pm 

Wednesday — CLOSED 

Thurs-Fri — 10am-3pm



WESTERN NEWS 


Megan Woods 

MP for Wigram 

Minister of Energy and Resources 

Minister of Housing 

Minister of Research, Science and Innovation 

Associate Minister of Finance 

Wigram Electorate Office 

03 338 6347 

megan.woodsmp@parliament.govt.nz 

Shop 8, McCarthy Street Shops, 

Corner McCarthy Street & Rowley Avenue, 

Hoon Hay, Christchurch 8025 

PO Box 33164, Barrington, Christchurch 8244 

/MeganWoodsWigram 

@megan_woods 

/megancwoods

Western News: December 17, 2020

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