Happy Birthday Teresa

Dear Teresa,
I know you have complained in the past about not appearing on my blog, but that can't be helped. You have made it now.
I hope you have a great 18th Birthday today. I am sure your 200 odd friends with you where you are will help you celebrate, and I worry that maybe there will be no cake left for your brothers.
When you look back on what you have achieved in the last 18 years, you should be proud. You have always known how to smile, you never walked, you just got up and ran, and you were never short of something to say, though for the first 10 years you shouted rather than spoke. No one can ever doubt your enthusiasm for life, and I hope it lasts you forever. The most enthusiastic will always be the leaders.
Have a great day.

You talk funny 5

In the above photo, Genny Hanning explains something about the Hart Walker to Dr. Maureen Murphy and her husband, Al Brandel.
Today, Al sent me the following link, which I am going to try and put on here. I am quite chuffed because it has some of my photos on it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcO3-aTe2Xg&NR=1

You talk funny 4

In the above photo, Dr. Maureen Murphy, wife of Lions International President Al Brandel, gets a hug from a young lady who is about to be measured for her first Hart Walker. She has Cerebral Palsy.
Yesterday I got the following email which I quote in part....
Hi All,
At last nights 'Heroes Awards' banquet at the International Convention in Minneapolis the Multiple District Hart Walker project took out first place from finalists from around the world. MD Hart Walker coordinator Genny Hanning was on hand to receive the award from IP Al Brandel.
What a wonderful recognition for this New Zealand project and the work that Genny is doing.
Wow - significant recognition to the Lions of New Zealand and a special leader.
Please pass this award information on to your district teams and particularly to your local Hart Walker coordinators.
Cheers,
David Darwick.
Well done Genny. Keep up the good work.

50 years of life

In the above photo, Rob is about to cut into one of the Chef's cakes. He is celebrating his 50th birthday, and two hours before this photo was taken had no idea he was going to have a party. A well organised surprise by his wife Gill meant he knew nothing and suspected less. It was a surprise to me as well, and I am pleased I did not email him birthday greetings earlier in the day.
Rob says the first 50 years have been 'interesting', and thinks that he will be happy if the next 50 were not quite so interesting.
I noticed that though the cake was not quite finished when we left, we were not allowed to take home what was left.
We have all been invited to assemble again in 10 years time for a replay. I am looking forward to it.

50 years service 2

These two gentlemen pictured with their wives have served the Ravensbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade for a total of fifty years. Ross Bryant (on the left) joined the Brigade a couple of months ahead of Neale Davys, twenty five years ago. Both received the Gold Star award on the same night in front of a big crowd of friends and relations at the Ravensbourne Hall. During both of their speeches, they acknowledged the help their wives had given them during this time, which is why I included them in the photo. And these guys left this room and went and cut two huge cakes. I am sure they would have to have another party to eat them.
They are the Chief and Deputy Chief of the Brigade, and are both highly respected in the community. This was pointed out by all those who spoke.
Some other awards are usually presented on Gold Star night, and this Brigade was well represented with talented members.
I had another job early the next morning, but when I left at midnight, the party was just getting started.

50 years of service

Fifty years? These two don't look old enough.
Over the last few weeks I have been privileged to do the photos for three Gold Star presentations. When a Fireman or woman serves for twenty five years, they receive a Gold Star. Only about 5% of people who signup ever receive this award. So why have I called this post 50 years of service? Because these two here both worked as volunteers for the Clyde Volunteer Fire Brigade for twenty five years. Carol Haig has worked as the treasurer and other rolls for many years, and her husband John Haig has put in 25 years of fire fighting. He is currently the Deputy Fire Chief of the Brigade. He is also the coach of their very good competition team, and has a turnout record up in the mid 90% area.
The brigade honoured them with the full dine and dance, and everyone, which seemed to be most of the town, had a great time.

Six Years 2

I am not sure, but I think the person with his hand on the ball here is Isaac Ross. He is a new All Black, and is playing against France, at Carisbrook, Dunedin. I have done no research on this, but I think he is 22, which is young for a lock. Though the All Blacks lost this game, (rather than the French winning it), this new lock had a good game, and went even better in the second test a week later. The point I am making is that the difference between him and those who play in the under 16 or under 17 grades is only 6 years. I wonder if Isaac's parents thought of him being an All Black when he was 16? Of course they did, his father was an All Black as well.
I will watch this guy with interest, as I have really enjoyed watching that other powerhouse of All Black forward play, Brad Thorn.

Six Years

At this time of the year, winter sports dominate my working life. I do hundreds of team photos, from all parts of the province, and into some other areas as well. I do get to see a game every now and then. I went to this game between St. Kevin's College Second's and South Otago High Second's because one of our sons, Michael Lamont, locks the scrum for St. Kevins. In the above photo, he is just about to get the ball in the line out. Though the boy on the right has his hand in front, Michael was able to take the ball with two hands, so win it. Both players are being lifted, and for me it seems a long way up.
Michael is sixteen, and most of this team are around that age. They enjoy this game, because there is a position in the team for anyone who wants to play. Big tall people, short, slow, fast, heavy, light, it makes no difference, there is a position in the team for you. In my next post, I will explain the title.

Faster.

We are right in the thick of the Rugby season now, and I have been trying to do some action shots from various games. Carrying the ball in this photo is Jared Cook. Jared plays for St. Kevin's College second fifteen, though I would be happy to have him in the Firsts. But the interesting thing about this photo is the body language of the boy from South Otago High School, who Jared has just gone passed. He is so annoyed he has dropped his head to try and get the extra speed required to catch up. Jared proved here that though he does not look that fast, he is in fact very quick, and none of the defenders could get to him. He ran from about the halfway and scored well inside the corner flag. St. Kevin's went on to win this game, as they have done with all their others, but did not have it all their own way. It was a good game to watch, and I had good reason to watch it.