Fay Looney’s photography on display in her front paddock, Koru Road, Oakura, Taranaki
Doing as her mother told her launched Fay Looney into an awesome photographic career.
“She rang me up one day and said ‘there is a little job in the paper for six weeks selling school photography to country schools, you should apply for it.’ So I did what my mother told me and got the job.”
The job was selling photos for an Australian Company to schools throughout New Zealand.
“It was a new school photography company that came into country in the late 70s. They wanted sales people to go to the schools and put things in place for the photographers to come along and take the photos. I come from a sales background so I joined as a sales person.
Photography has always played a big part in the life of New Plymouth photographer Philippa Guthrie known as Pip.
Her father formed Charter and Guthrie with Roy Charters just after the war.
“I think in its hey-day in 1964 to the early 80’s there was about 12 or 13 people working for them. They were the first to get a colour paper processor in NZ so that was an amazing evolution.
“When your parents have got a business you just all help. As kids we learnt to photograph and print. We used to glaze the photos and number them. We did the delivery runs, picking up the films from the Chemists. We all had great holiday and after school jobs, which was very social and great pocket money.
“My brother and I were given a camera and we would do the receptions for the weddings. You shot everybody at the reception in those days at the tables. I see albums now that people bring out from 1960’s and 70’s, these little red ones. Actually my partner’s parents have one. It makes you laugh to see them still in pristine condition. They are a real piece of history cared for with such love, pride and memory.”
A huge BIG thank-you to everyone that has viewed my website and helped to hit 5,000!!
I am so privileged that you have all taken the time to read and follow my writing journey. Every day I grow as I discover people’s amazing and inspiring journeys. Thank you for sharing your stories through me and I look forward to meeting many more of you.
These amazing people have motivated me to start working towards writing a book sharing their inspiring stories and unfolding their journeys for everyone to read.
To celebrate 5,000 hits on my websitewww.smartwritingnz.com I am offering FIVE package deals on my photo cards.
For $20 you will receive four handmade, individually packaged, blank cards with envelopes delivered to your door and I will add a fifth free as a thank-you for your support. See photos for sets and advise me which set you have chosen.-
This one off deal will be available until the end of June. Private message me via Sharyn Smart on Facebook or email me at smartwritingnz@gmail.com to place your order and receive payment details.
SET 1 – Pond Reflection with Mt Egmont / Taranaki, – Tom Tit – Sunset Waiwakaiho – Poet’s Bridge reflection, Pukekura Park – RoseSET 2 – Heart shaped branch – TeRewarewa Bridge, Waiwakaiho – Three sisters and elephant rock with Mt Egmont / Taranaki from Tongapurutu – Kate Shepherd Rose – KingfisherSET 3 – Tui – Renunculus – Snowman – Cape Egmont Lighthouse with Mt Egmont / Taranaki – Sunset at Back Beach, New PlymouthSET 4 – Paritutu Rock from Back Beach – Monarch Butterfly – 3 Kingfishers – View from Belt Road towards Port, New Plymouth – Fantail in flight
SET 5 – Gerbera – Signet and swan – Deserted House – TeRewarewa Bridge with Mt Egmont / Taranaki, Waiwakaiho, New Plymouth – Cape Egmont Lighthouse, Taranaki
The Augusta Taranaki Mountain Airs’ typical hard-grinding game play rattled the Manawatu Jets in New Plymouth on Saturday night.
Unfortunately for the Airs the 108 – 96 loss means they remain without a win so far this season leaving Coach Daryn Shaw to head back to the drawing board.
“The effort is certainly there but it is just being consistent as a team. We have our defensive principals. We don’t want to be beaten to the middle. Some people drive to the middle. We want to force them to the side line or the base line. I know they are trying to do it but it’s just the lapses. We just need to be more consistent. We have to find a way to be more consistent and not patchy.”
Assistant Coach Willie Banks added “We have to have the energy on defence that we have on offence.”
The Airs took 33 rebounds with the Jets 35 and the Airs had 22 points off the bench whereas the Jets had 33.
Lachie Fenwick shoots over Ali Granger Photo – Ken Davies
The top of the NBL table Nelson Giants gave the Taranaki Mountain Airs home crowd a very impressive game on Friday night in New Plymouth.
The Giants controlled the game from start to finish with super defence and impressive shooting to reach a final score 109 – 80. The Airs home crowd was left in no doubt why they have six wins while the Airs struggle to claim their first.
The Augusta Taranaki Mountainairs import Chris Hagan was out with an injury and this left Coach Daryn Shaw struggling the entire game.
“We got a good whipping. Unlike previous games we have always been in them. This game was always going to be difficult and without Chris it just got harder as we rely quite heavily on our import. We had guys trying to initiate our offence who aren’t used to doing it.
“They (Giants) capitalised on the turnovers and got an easy bucket. That doesn’t look good. They are a big athletic team with great defence.”
Nelson’s McKenzie Moore had a super game with fast breaks and slam dunks and was quite often found unmarked. His speed and agility was amazing to watch as he added 33 impressive points to the scoreboard.
He was also responsible for six steals, four rebounds and 12 assists.
As a small group of New Plymouth volunteers touched down back home in New Plymouth Steve Bowkett was already planning a third trip back to Tacloban.
“Right up to the last day we were still meeting people that we would of liked to help. I would like to go back in September.”
“I’ve told my church that I will go back. It does tug on the heart strings. You see the need and how badly off they are. You just give a hand. I enjoy it and it’s fun.
“We don’t give out any cash. They might ask but we just build them a house, give them a sack of rice, school supplies or something like that.”
A furniture builder by trade and owner of Artesano in Fitzroy, New Plymouth, he enjoys travelling to disaster areas around the world helping others by offering whatever skills he can.
“Last year we started in Barangay 79 after Typhoon Yolanda ravaged the Phillipines. A local, Emma, gave us a list of people around her neighbourhood that really needed help. I still hear from a few of them on facebook.
This trip Steve was joined by Justin Butler, Zavia Smith and Lynette Betteridge.
“It took quite awhile to get a team but I got the right people at the right time. We worked well together.”
The Augusta Taranaki Mountain Airs battled hard against the Hawkes Bay Hawks at the TSB stadium in New Plymouth last night.
Airs Aaron Bailey-Nowell and Brad Anderson both showed great leadership and commitment as each team battled for the lead.
The lead changed 13 times and was tied a further seven in the tightly contested game. The Hawks came out the victor 118 – 90 in the final minutes of the game.
Captain Aaron Bailey-Nowell said he found the loss frustrating.
“It is the same things that have been haunting us over these 5 loses that we have had. It’s the execution down the stretch and playing defence.
“I thought Sulieman showed why he’s the all star 5 in the MVP. He really took over the game but we could have stepped up as a team defensively. Another one down and we just have to go back to the drawing board.”
“It felt like a really tight game. I thought it could have got away on us a couple of times. They pulled out to a double digital lead at one stage. So showing true fight we know how to fight back but it’s just getting over the hump and getting the win.
“I always try and lead by example and hope that it rubs off on the guys. It’s a game of 40 minutes. We showed that we are right there but we can’t get over the hump.”
Airs Ashton McQueen watches as team mate Aaron Fuller leaps for the hoop.
The Augusta Taranaki Mountain Airs played a very competitive home game against the Wellington Saints in their opening game of the season.
They matched the Saints play for play during the first two quarters even though three of their players had 2 fouls early in the first quarter at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth.
Saints Coach Cameron Pero said he thinks the Airs will give a lot of teams trouble this season.
“It’s typical Mountain Airs basketball, I have come here and lost before. They played good basketball and we are very, very happy to come away with a win.
“We have had a month to prepare knowing we are going to play each other and we are just unsure what each other runs because on game night not everyone ran their stuff.
“It’s the second year for Streaky (Coach Shaw) and he has come on leaps and bounds. I don’t think he is a new coach any more but has a few games under his belt and it definitely showed tonight.
“I didn’t think we hit our straps. I think we were good in some respects but poor in others. We need to address some obvious issues.
“On saying that, I still commend our guys for coming out of here with a tough win. It was tough, really tough and we were able to just keep ahead of them.”
Sydnie Maxwell on her new travel scoot with her mother Maree and members of the Naki Boyz team.
Sydnie Maxwell is leaving everybody in her dust as she powers away on her new electric travel scoot sponsored by The Variety Bash and Rotary.
“I have cerebral palsy so that means I use 10 times more energy than the average human being so I do need to preserve my energy when I can. The travel scoot is great for me.
“It’s definitely really awesome as I can collapse it myself and then my friend can stick it in the boot of her car. I couldn’t do that with my wheelchair as it is way too heavy.”
The 25th Variety Trillian Bash started in New Plymouth this year with 35 vehicles assembling at East End Surf Club for some presentations before hitting the road.
Ambassador Suzy Cato was there to share her love for the bash. She really enjoys meeting so many amazing people as she travels the country with the bashers.
“The Bash is a great way of promoting Variety, especially through the small towns where Variety can play a huge part of a child’s life.
“It’s meeting the people – that’s the highlight for me. By talking to them and sharing your love for the bash the love is shared!”
Sharyn Smart talks with Brando Yelavich after he completes a 600 day navigation around the wild coastline of NZ.
Brando Yelavich finishing his epic over 8,000 km journey around the NZ coastline.
Making an extreme decision to “clean up” his life changed Brando Yelavich from a troubled youth to inspirational hero.
“Go big or go home. I think that if you are going to do something you might as well give it a 110%. You only do it once, especially if you are walking around NZ. I’m not going to do that again! – he laughs.
The 21-year-old has just returned from his latest adventure at Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand in Anikiwa.
“I had no idea what was going to happen at Outward Bound. So it was just like once again going into the unknown and just living. I wasn’t nervous at all but just excited for an adventure of 21 days in my element.
“I quickly discovered outward bound was completely different to my solo adventure as it was team based. You were forced to be in very close proximity to 14 other people for 21 days. You pretty much can’t escape people. It turns these 14 strangers into family members or friends for life which was absolutely amazing.”
Scooby checks out the new friendship chair presented to Egmont Village School – Photo by Sharyn Smart
Pupils at Egmont Village School now have a friendship chair thanks to the Scooby Doo Crew.
Fred aka Warren Haakma, Velma aka Fay Haakma and Scooby aka Cees Meeuwsen crew the Mystery Machine.
They couldn’t wait one more sleep for the official Variety Trillian Bash to start as they presented their friendship chair to the school.
Fred explained how the friendship chair worked to the children, staff and parents.
“If you are a bit sad and lonely when you sit on the friendship chair that is a sign for someone else to come and sit next to you and be your friend.”
Egmont Village School Principal Raewyn Rutherford said they were privileged to receive the chair and she could see little girls using it heaps because they often came up to staff and said ‘no-one will play with me today’.
“I thought the offer of the friendship chair was wonderful. We found out about three weeks ago that we had been chosen as the recipients.
“I think the idea of having the chair is great. It is a really lovely idea that fits in nicely with our values of giving, sharing and helping others that we have in place at school.
Fred AKA Warren Haakma has been bashing for 20 years and has only missed three road trips. Thelma AKA Fay has done 6 main bashes along with 8 mini bashes and says “it’s something that gets in your blood and you just have to do it for the kids”.
“It can get quite emotional sometimes when you are seeing the joy it brings or the difference you make when you are giving an insulin pump, a wheelchair or a scooter to a kid that really needs the help.”
Team members of What a Load of Bull and The Tron were there to support the Scooby Doo Crew as they handed out giveaways before letting the children inspect their vehicles.
Both Scooby Doo Crew and What a Load of Bull display a tribute photo of westie comedian Ewen Gilmour.
What a Load of Bull team – Photo by Jacqui Madelin.
What a Load of Bull team captain Lyndon Tamblyn was encouraged and then supported by the late Ewan Gilmour into being a variety basher.
“I was selling beef jerky and I didn’t really know who Ewan Gilmour was. He kept taking my samples at a trade show. I said if you like it that much have a bag!”
Later that evening he went on stage and told jokes. In the middle of the jokes he stops and eats his beef jerky and says Lyndon the guy down the back, he’s got beef jerky.”
“I thought you are actually quite a good bloke. I got to know him over a number of shows we did together with him the comedian and me an exhibitor. We bounced off each other and it was just great.
“He said you should do the variety bash. I quickly said I would love to and the rest is history.”
The official 25th Variety Trillian Bash kicked off the next morning with 35 vehicles assembling at East End Surf Club for breakfast.
Thunderbirds are GO team with Suzy Cato (pink suit) – Photo by Jacqui Madelin
Dresssed as Lady Penelope Variety Club Ambassador Suzy Cato was set to travel in style with the Thunderbirds are GO crew as they left New Plymouth.
“The BASH is a great way of promoting Variety, especially through the small towns where Variety can play a huge part of a child’s life. We don’t go down the main roads. We go off all the little side tracks and side roads. We meander our way across the country.
In doing that we meet a whole lot of people we wouldn’t normally meet, we see a whole lot of amazing scenery and get to go to places that the average kiwi wouldn’t get to do.
It’s meeting the people – that’s the highlight for me. By talking to them and sharing your love for the bash the love is shared!”
Suzy has been involved in many Variety Bashes and is excited to be celebrating 25 years.
“We watched a montage of clips last night as part of the celebration dinner. Oh that brought back some memories. There were some fun times; crazy times and very wet times but definitely all were fun times.
Suzy Cato takes control of the Mystery Machine – Photo by Jacqui Madelin
Proud to be one of the Variety Club Ambassadors Suzy Cato just wants to say:-
“If you see one of our crazy cars please toot or give us a wave. If we are wandering along the street maybe drop some gold coins into the bucket. Every single dollar is going to those kiwi kids to help make their lives a little brighter, to put smiles on their faces and it’s all about having heaps of fun. We are sunshine vehicles – it’s a wonderful event!”
To donate online to the Scooby Doo team go to https://varietybash2015.everydayhero.com/nz/scooby-crew
2015 Bash 6th to 14th March
This will be the 25th Anniversary Bash. Starting in New Plymouth, teams will travel South to Wellington, then back up to finish in Auckland.
The event will be capped off by a Gala Function celebrating 25 Years of Bashing in NZ.
This will be one of the bigger bashes covering all the towns that the bash teams reside in, so get your fun stops organised, extra beds ready or maybe shift towns for the week but hey the Bash is coming to your town!
CJ the Clown busy at work entertaining on the Children’s Ward at Taranaki Base Hospital.
For many the word “clown” conjures up spooky images from a Stephen King movie.
Not so for staff, patients and family members at Taranaki Base Hospital who share the wards with a very different type of clown – a Care Clown.
Wayne Annand aka CJ the Clown is a volunteer at the Hospital spending many hours with patients and staff offering a kind, caring listening ear along with crafting hundreds of balloon creations.
“Finding out about Care Clowning drastically changed my life. It is the perfect fit for me. You can paint a clown smile on but the clown still has to come from within.”
Over the past eight years it has allowed Wayne’s quiet demeanour and mischievous personality to shine. Added to this is his huge compassion to comfort, distract and relax children and adults alike developing into an amazing resource.
“It took me a long time to become a clown. The clown is in you, it has to be, otherwise you can’t do it, but it took me a long time to bring that character out.
“Care clowning changed me from being an entertainer at parties to just wanting to be a care clown.”
“I donate my time and skills because if you really enjoy something and it means a lot to you as a person why wouldn’t you do it for free.
