Leading from the front issuu

MEMORIES, INFLUENCES,
AND THANKS PAT
by jesma magill
IN THE 60S
As a young kid it was pretty cool having a dad who had
a personal mantra; “It has to be fun”, and a balancing
driving force for him has always been, “Meet needs in
the community where you see them”.
FIRST MEMORY
Driving with Pat in his huge green Plymouth with its
large rear fins and a bench seat in front, while he unwraps
the cellophane from a pack of Rothmans, lights
a ciggie and the enticing aroma of sulphur rises from
the just-lit match. Although I went on to have a five-year
smoking career before losing the allure of the sulphur
haze, I in no way attribute my addiction to my dad, although
I will say one’s sense of smell is a powerful thing.
PUKETITIRI
Living off grid at the bach meant tin baths by the fire and
the early lesson of not letting your body touch the tin
closest to the fireplace. Catherine cooking on the coal
range in the kitchen — scones, soups, casseroles. Fights
for the top bunks, sliding games on roly-poly cushions
along the lino floor, dripping hot wax over our hands
then peeling back the wax once it had cooled; kept us
amused for hours. Yes, we were very lucky no one was
burnt.
Feeling grateful for being introduced to nature and the
environment by our parents and having appreciation for
it imprinted on our DNA. Gratitude for being humbled by
the grandeur of the landscape, going bush, glow worms,
dipping in waterfalls, hot mineral pools, cold river swims.
Puk will remain as important to our future as it has been
to our past.
ENVIRONMENTALIST
Around the same time Pat was asked to join Forest &
Bird and take on the role of chairman, I remember joining
him at White Pine Bush while he worked on slashing
a track through the undergrowth. He says I helped
him, but being only four at the time I suspect my presence
was more about giving Catherine a break. Regardless,
the consequences of those early experiences were
priceless gifts and to this day, walking through the bush
is a salve to body and soul.
GOTTA GET AWAY
Pat loves adventures, Cath did too and often during the
school holidays we would head off for places unknown
and exciting. Even though it rained most of the time,
walking the Milford Track was a highlight. I was eightyears-old
at the time, apparently not always a happy
tramper and Pat piggy-backed me much of the way. That
experience and seeing the South Island then is another
magnificient memory.
Opposite, walking with THE shipmate on his 93rd birthday; Above: One of many magic moments, meeting Hone Tuwhare at the
Napier Public Library with Pat and niece Jerri Magill who was too young to be impressed.
244
A big presence in our lives