Otago Skinks

Last weekend I was fortunate enough to be at the release back into the wild of 12 Otago Skinks.
The Central Otago Ecological Trust has built a predator proof fence around a large outcrop of schist rock south of where I live, named the Mokomoko Dryland Sanctuary. Though it is not a big area, it is ideal for a population of this large colourful lizard.
There were speeches, a bit of a background on the Trust, and a bit of history of the skink, large numbers of which used to populate this land. Cats, rats and other nasties have meant that there has not been one found in the wild here since the mid 1970's. A shame really, as they are a very good animal for photographs, if you are quick enough. Anyway, the event was organised by very enthusiastic Landcare scientist Grant Norbury, and there were many other experts there as well. The skinks were named by the children from the Alexandra Primary School, and the one in the photo is 'Stumpy', though I could not see why he deserved such a name.
The hands in the photo belong to Steph Hicks, who has been working with lizards for some time, and school children Hannah Dudfield and Tess Diver. While it would have been nice if Stumpy had stopped for a few seconds after being released so we could get photos, he thought the shady bit just in front of him looked like the place to be and he took off. I hope he and his mates enjoy their new home.

12 years

Last weekend the local branch of the Air Training Corps celebrated 25 years in existence. Started by RSA stalwart Bill McDougal and WW2 Hurricane pilot Howard Hinton, this erstwhile organisation has provided opportunities for young people to get out and about, and get experience of Airforce life.
However, the organisation would be nothing without motivated people to run it. During the celebrations, a presentation was made to Squadron Leader Jill Checketts, for 12 years of leading this group. Described by senior members as 'a brilliant Squadron Leader' she was honoured by the organisation, her family, the Airforce, and the local community. All well deserved.
In the above photo, Warrant Officer "Buzz" Harvey pins the long service badge on the lapel of Jill Checketts.

Well done.....

Well done Teresa.
Brother B. J. Lauren Cup for Christian Leadership.
Trophy for Most Consistent Netballer, 1st Seven.
Meritorious Award for Contribution to the College Community.
And several other things. It was all going too fast for me.
Just imagine what else you could get next year.

Free Lunch

Last week, Chef was invited to be a judge at our local school. The 'Great School Bakeoff' was taking place, and it being lunch time I thought I would tag along to see what was on offer. The class was divided into teams of 4, and they had to source the food, make a menu, cook the meal, set the table, and set an extra place for the judges. I do not know who did the dishes. I must say that the range of food on offer was considerable, and I did not wish to be a judge at all.
During all this, the Member of Parliament for Dunedin North, Pete Hodgson, turned up. I think he was on his way to somewhere else, and just called in. His presence did not worry the children who at that stage were tucking in.
The table the judges chose to win was not the table pictured above. This table's menu was all caught by the boys at the table, and consisted of wild pork sausages, smoked trout, cold roast rabbit slices and potato chips, and some sort of home made bread. All washed down with ginger beer. Desert was chocolate ice cream with lashings of chocolate sauce. The smoked trout was one of the best I have tasted. I could not get an answer when I asked where he had caught it, but the boy assured me he had done everything himself, and smoked it with a light coating of brown sugar. Chef told me later the only reason this table did not win was because they had no vegetables. "But they were all boys!" I protested.
In the above photo, Hon. Pete Hodgson admires the handy work of the 'Kiwi' Table team. I don't think he got anything to eat.

Malcolm and Yvette 2

I have been so busy over the last few weeks that posting on this blog has become a bit behind.
I thought I would revisit Malcolm and Yvette's wedding, just so I can mention the Chef. She made the cake for this wedding and it was something a bit different. I may have seen something like this before, but do not remember it. Anyway, 100 cup cakes of three different flavours made an impressive sight. In the above photo I have just the top of it, so you can see the detail.

Malcolm and Yvette

Well, it has now been done.
We have a large bridge in this town, it crosses the biggest river in New Zealand, the Clutha. However, it has not always been here. Before 1956, I think it was, the river was crossed using a single lane swing bridge, with piers made from schist, the local rock. These piers still stand in the river.
For some years I have wanted to stand a bride and her new husband on one of these old piers to take a photo. Malcolm and Yvette jumped at the chance to do something a bit different, as she knew she would not be wearing a big white dress, and they thought with a bit of help from their friends, they would be able to do it. It all depended on how high the river would be. Up a bit would be an advantage, too low would be problem, but solvable. In the end, getting there was relatively easy.
So I took some photos like this one, then rushed around to the other side, put on a longer lens, and took more photos looking through both piers.
I was quite pleased with the results, though now I have done it, I can think of all the things I should have done. Never mind. I can save these for the future.
I also must have a look at it when the sun is fully on it, as I am not sure we would have got the same results in full sun.
Thank you Malcolm and Yvette for having a go. It was good fun. In fact the whole day was good fun.

Old Photos

One of the projects I have been working on over the last few weeks, is the re-photographing of the old photos at the Roxburgh Rugby Club. One of the members, John McKinnel, has been collecting old photos from around the district for some time. The above photo, taken originally in 1890, remains in very good condition. John has put together a team of 'middle aged' former players to name all the people in the photos, and to a large degree they have done well. In some of this countries smaller communities, there is always some relation left who knows who was in his father's or grandfather's team.
If you have any photos from the Coal Creek, Millers Flat, Roxburgh or Ettrick Rugby Clubs of the past, contact me and I will put you onto John.
As someone pointed out, many times the old team photo is the only image in existence of many of these young men.