Leading from the front issuu

PICTURE THIS —
A GLITTERING AWARDS CEREMONY
by kerry kitione
It was February, 2012 and Pat had been nominated as a
finalist for the Senior New Zealander of the Year. Great
excitement. Pat and Helen Lloyd, his companion, were
flying to Auckland the afternoon of the ceremony (a bit
late I thought), and were going straight to the Langham
Hotel (now the Cordis) where Pat would change into his
glad rags ready for the big night. I had flown up earlier
and changed at daughter Jesma’s house and we were to
meet Pat and Helen at the hotel.
Meanwhile, the ‘still in Napier’ couple were settling
into their seats on the plane, ready to fly into the blue
when Helen suddenly said, “Pat, your suit! I’ve left it in
the van!” “Never mind”, said the unflappable Pat, “I’ll
wear what I’ve got on”. “Over my dead body,” was Helen’s
reply, “I’m not going with you in those Op Shop clothes”.”
Helen quickly went to the flight attendant and explained
the situation. “I’m sorry,” she said “but we’re
about to close the cabin doors”. Helen then told her Pat
was a finalist in the New Zealander of the Year ceremony
in a few hours’ time. “How fast can you run?” asked the
attendant. “Just go!” Away went Helen as quickly as she
could, huffing and puffing. In the meantime the attendant
had told the pilot and passengers why their departure
was somewhat delayed. The suit was hauled out of
the van and Helen panted back, up the steps and into
the plane, where she received spontaneous applause
from all on board.
And so the time had come. Our party of 10 had met at
the Langham. Pat looking smart in his hired black suit,
and we were enjoying a glass of champagne in the foyer.
We started moving to our table and I noticed Pat was
walking in a stilted sort of way. I looked down and saw
the sole of one of his shoes had come loose. “Pat,” I
said “look at your shoe — the sole is loose!” “Never mind.
I’ll manage”, he said. “You can’t go up on the stage like
that, flapping like a seal”. I dashed to the reception desk
and for the second time that day, Pat’s situation was explained.
“I’m sorry, Madam”, replied the concierge, “all we
can offer is a rubber band”. I hurried back, twisted the
band twice around the shoe and up Pat toddled to the
stage, with none at the gathering any the wiser and he
made a great speech. We were very proud of him.
Above: Pat was a finalist for the New Zealander of the Year Awards in 2012 and although he didn’t win it was a great honour to be
nominated; Good mate John Harré is thrilled to accompany Pat on his big night in Tinsel Town, at The Langham in Auckland for the
New Zealander of the Year Awards, 2012; James Barnes honours Pat and joins the happy group.
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Awards, travel, parties – fun, fun, fun!