North Canterbury News: April 18, 2024

8 North
NEWS
Canterbury News, April 18, 2024
Discovering poetry
ataged 71 years
ByROBYN BRISTOW
Peter Boyd’s dream is to stay home and
write beautiful poetry.
In the past six months the 71­year­old
has penned 41 poems, and they
continue to flow.
Peter is loving having found poetry
despite never having written any before
October last year.
‘‘Inspiration is aamazing thing.
‘‘I never get up in the morning and
think Iamgoing to write poetry. It just
happens, or it doesn’t,’’ he says.
It is along way from long hours in
bakeries and fast food outlets, where he
spent his working life, along with 12
years at Caltex, until he becameill,
nearly dying and having to learn to walk
again.
He says Caltex has been very
generous and he still works for the
company,now at Bishopdale.
In his down time he has pen in hand,
his scrap book open, and the words
begin to flow, alot of the time it feels
like the ‘‘pen is doing it on its own’’.
His life of poetry began after avisit to
afriend at Cust, where adiscussion on
his poetry ensued. He suggested Peter
go home and give poetry ago.
‘‘I wrote acouple of poems, and he
was impressed,’’ Peter says. So he
carried on writing poems about things
he sees, things people say, things
people do, and the places he visits,and
the what he listens to on the radio.
DudleyPark pool in Rangiora, and
radio station Compass FM feature in
his poems.
Peter says in the ideal world he may
Lovingly framed ... Peter Boyd holds a
framed poem he has penned.
PHOTO: ROBYN BRISTOW
compile his poetry into abook, or sell
framed copies at local businesses.
Sadly he says he is not fit enough to
be able to take his poetry to town via
‘‘open mike’’.
But for now he is happy just writing in
simple language —‘‘no fancy words’’.
‘‘I write so everyone who reads or
writes can understand. Alot have a
moral to them, alot are funny.
‘‘I would just like people to enjoy
them.’’
Plenty of job options
There are opportunities aplenty for
Hurunui’s young job seekers.
Hurunui Council’s Mayors Taskforce
for Jobs (MTFJ)Programme had abumper
2023 that saw 35 MTFJ job placements.
It is now calling for new candidates.
Youth TeamLeader Jo Sherwood says
the programme is building on last year’s
strengths, with two new faces at the helm
and local businesses already on the
lookout for young people.
‘‘We’re celebrating engaging two new
passionate and energetic people in our
MTFJ programme.’’
Chris Sutherland is the new
Programme Lead, along with Youth coordinator
Anna Scott as Youth Connector.
‘‘Chris and Anna have already
connected some young people into
employment and they’re looking out for
more job seekers,’’ Ms Sherwood says.
MTFJ supports young people aged 16­24
who are not working, studying or training,
into sustainable employment.
Chris and Anna’s roles arefunded
through the Ministry of Social
Development, Ms Sherwood says.
‘Chris has been connecting with local
businesses and has identified anumber of
jobs, from auto apprenticeships to café
and farm work to Class 2drivers, and
more.’’
Chris has awealth of experience as a
business owner, recruiter and
compliance adviser, and is involved in the
community, Sherwood says.
‘‘Anna brings with her ahuge energy
and passion for young people.
‘‘Having taught school­aged and young
adults at community college, owned her
own business and been involved in
hospitality and events, she brings arange
of skills thatwill support our young
people to become work ready,’’ Ms
Sherwood says.
She says MTFJ is agreat way to connect
local businesses and young jobseekers.
Connecting ... Chris Sutherland (left),
Hurunui Council’s MTFJ Programme Lead,
and Anna Scott, Hurunui MTFJ Youth
Connector, are working to connect young
people with jobs.
PHOTO: SUPPLIED
‘‘Even if it’s for short­term work
experiences over one day, or longer for a
few weeks.
‘‘Experience in the job industry helps
our young people gain skills and get work
ready.’’
MTFJ is anationwide partnership
between Local Government New Zealand
(LGNZ) and the Ministry of Social
Development (MSD) that has astrong
focus on getting young people into
sustainable employment.
Ayoung person in Hurunuilooking to
get an important first step on the
employment ladder, get in touch with
MTFJ through Council’s website at
hurunui.govt.nz/community/businesssupport/1­mayors­taskforce­for­jobs,
or
ring Chris or Anna at 03 3148816.
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