New Plymouth – Page 3 – Smart Writing

Lantern House Trust supports community

July 14, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

This story is about two families who have gone to extreme lengths to ensure not only their own children but many families in the future have a safe, nurturing environment to grow in.

Sheri and Andy Hay’s daughter Monique is 20-years-old and has very high special needs as she has Dravet syndrome. She has autistic features and requires 24 hour care.

Monique Hay.jpg.opt401x439o0,0s401x439 Mitchell Landers 1.jpg.opt401x360o0,0s401x360

Julie and Roger’s son Mitchell has just turned 20-years-old. He has very high special needs as he has Cornelia de Lange syndrome and also requires 24 hour care.

These two special needs young adults are part of an increasing group that society is failing. More funding along with better support has to be found to work along-side families to enable their children to have a greater quality of life.

Heart but No Wins for Fighting Airs

July 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

19068447649_d2c86a8067 The Airs’ season ends winless but with huge heart.

As the season ends for the Augusta Taranaki MountainAirs the records are mounting even though win eluded them.

On Sunday night the Airs came out fighting and gave their home crowd an awesome end to the season. Aaron Fuller played an outstanding game breaking the NBL record scoring 54 points in a game and pulling in 19 rebounds.

“It feels good to take the record but it would have been a lot sweeter to finish the season with a win. Individually it is kind of good but I would have rather got a win with the team to be honest,” said Fuller.

“Tonight’s game felt pretty good until we made a mistake and didn’t go into overtime. It would have been better to have a win but I mean we had some injuries. We just kept fighting and I’m proud of our guys in how we finished the season. We just didn’t lay down and give up but we kept fighting.”

The Airs challenged the Super City Rangers the entire game with the lead changing 12 times. The Rangers jumped ahead 14 points with the Airs’ determination pulling them back in to the game.

With import Chris Hagan out with injury Houston O’Riley stepped in to help adding 11 points, five turnovers, one steal and three assists.

Airs Suffer Heavy Defeat

July 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

A win still evades the Augusta Taranaki MountainAirs as they went down heavily to the Canterbury Rams in New Plymouth last night 106 – 68.

Coach Daryn Shaw said it is a constant struggle to keep the team motivated.

“We just had no energy tonight. We were just flat. We found it hard to get into a rhythm. We just couldn’t combat their size and their zones.”

The highlight of the game was an outstanding performance by Xavier Shaw with the game high of 18 points, 12 rebounds, two assists, one steal and three turnovers.

“It felt good. I just tried to bring some energy off the bench. I tried to lift the intensity on the court. It was good that my shots were able to fall and it got my confidence up which was good.

“Stats wise it was probably my best game yet. I just go out there and play as hard as I can. That is all I can do.”

Quintin Bailey also made the most of his 13 minutes of game time adding six points, four rebounds, one assist, one steal and one turnover.

Airs come off second in scrappy battle with Rangers

July 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

The Augusta Taranaki Mountainairs attacked the James Blond Supercity Rangers head on in front of a home crowd last night at the TSB Stadium in New Plymouth.

In a battle that resembled a rugby game more than a basketball game, bodies were sent flying and at one stage were even stacked up as Rangers’ Reuben Te Rangi flattened Airs’ Derek Albertson.

“On the score sheet we don’t have the biggest line ups and don’t have the biggest names. You look at that team. Anyone of their players can be in the starting five in the country really. We always look to come out and take everybody by surprise and work our arses off. I think we did a pretty good job,” said Albertson.

“We have to take positives out of everything. We only lost to them by 2 last time. We are a young inexperienced team and we are still growing.”

During most of the first quarter the Airs were matching the Rangers. Airs’ Brad Anderson was shooting well from deep while both Aaron Fuller and Dyson King-Hawea had a strong game on defence as well as attack.

Lantern House Trust brings community together to build a “home”

June 26, 2015July 3, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Dow AgriSciences

Dow AgroSciences, Habitat for Humanity and the Lantern House Trust have partnered to build a residential home in Inglewood.

The house will home up to five disabled people with their caregivers which is a first for Taranaki.

“It’s really exciting to come here and work on this house where we are collaborating to not just make it a home for a family but for the young adults who have disabilities to live together with their caretakers,” said Production Leader, Shannon Oglesby.

“This is our 6^th house in Taranaki and I’ve been involved in several that Dow has done in the United States. We are excited to get a team out today to work together to make some significant progress.

The company is very passionate about every build and uses each opportunity for team building.

“We have expertise at our manufacturing facility like electrical, construction and engineering so it was fun to get people to come out and use their skills to help.

“We’ve got people from all our different functions, manufacturing, supply chain, commercial all working together from leaders to operators to engineers. We wanted to get a cross section to come out and work together to build.”

Dow AgroSciences have been involved in Habitat for Humanity globally for over 30 years.

“This is our second one in Inglewood, though this build is different from the first, being a residential home. There are then two in New Plymouth and two in Waitara,” said office manager, Dana Candy.

“We have people volunteering today that don’t necessarily work or interact with each other each on a daily basis at work so it’s great seeing them here working alongside each other doing something a little bit different.”

Staff member and volunteer Clare Nolan said when the call went out so many people stepped forward it was overwhelming.

“I think that it is fair to say that the idea of helping out was very, very popular amongst the staff. We have got two shifts with 10 on each shift as we had more people than we could accommodate.

“We intended to paint, but of course with the weather that didn’t work out so we have been doing insulation. We have brought one of our builders with us so he is out the back helping with the carpentry. We have got some of the maintenance staff in here helping out with the roof.”

Sherry and Andy Hay along with Julie and Roger Landers formed Lantern House Trust to ensure the future care and safety of their children.

“We are all quite similar in our philosophies of raising our kids and we are quite proactive about making sure there are good choices and they have a good quality of life. We go out there actively looking for those things,” said Julie Landers.

Jay-Jay Harvey and Enrique Johns talk about week one on Dancing with the Stars

June 10, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Photo supplied “Jay-Jay Harvey and Enrique Johns please take to the floor!!”

These are words that Jay-Jay is still coming to grips with after being talked into taking part in Dancing with the Stars NZ 2015.

“At first I said no as I thought it wouldn’t be cool. I didn’t think I would have the time and I had no interest at that time. Then I got talked into it by Dom and my best friend and my boss. So I decided – oh fine I’ll do it – and now I love it!!

Jay-Jay and Enrique have spent many hours together rehearsing with Enrique talking leave from his job to ensure his full focus is on the show.

“It’s been SO tough. It is completely out of any realm of anything I have ever done before. I’m uncomfortable …..

Enrique jumps in and adds “You are out of your comfort zone! She likes to be the boss!!”

Jay-Jay bursts into laughter and admits “yea I like to be the boss.”

Fay Looney shares her extraordinary photographic career

May 29, 2015July 3, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Fay Looney's photography on display in her front paddock, Koru Road, Oakura, Taranaki — 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.

Pip Guthrie talks about life as a photographer

May 20, 2015July 3, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

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.”

Jets leave Airs still searching for their first win

May 17, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

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.

Nelson Giants blast Augusta Mountainairs

May 2, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

Lachie Fenwick shoots over Ali Granger Photo - Ken Davies — 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.

Hawks win battle over the Airs

April 29, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

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.”

Variety Bashers and Rotary join forces to enhance lives.

April 8, 2015 by Sharyn Smart

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 25^th 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!”