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Friday 14 February 2020
Riding the road for mental health
Community Board JO RICHARDS
Getting ready for the big ride: Golden Bay fundraisers Jo-Anna (left) and Sandy McKay. Photo: Supplied. RONNIE SHORT
Cousins Jo-Anna and Sandy McKay are cycling the South Island to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation and Golden Bay’s Te Whare Mahana. Motivated by their own personal journeys of loss and the ensuing challenges to maintain mental health, they have instigated a Give A Little page (see details at end of article). The bike tour idea came about when JoAnna was inspired by a friend undertaking the Te Awaroa trail. Jo-Anna decided to do a tour of the South Island and fundraise for mental health. Having lost her son Jack to suicide in 2018, she finds it healing to mark special occasions in a meaningful way. Hence the day she leaves from Farewell Spit, 6 March, is Jack’s birthday. She asked Sandy, who is a Coast-to-Coast achiever, to join her. She has also suffered the loss of a child, to cot death. Sandy attends Bay Fitness in Rockville, run by her daughter, Renee Riley. Jo-Anna particularly enjoys the
water aerobics run by Bay Fitness, and says the classes have really helped their fitness levels. They agree there are two factors important in “keeping on top of things”. One is exercise, the other is supportive people. Jo-Anna has always been into tramping, “My spirit is most free in the bush,” she said. She walks the beach with her husband and their dog, enjoys swimming and riding her e-bike. The plan is to set off each day at first light, to avoid the most trying factor – the wind. Their route will take them through the Buller, to the West Coast, to Wanaka, then Queenstown. From there the intention is to reach Bluff on 15 March where, as Jo-Anna said, “We need to turn and burn.” She has to return to her job at Golden Bay Community Health and Sandy to her supervisor’s position at Kakariki Kids Early Childhood Centre. Their first day will be the longest. From Farewell Spit to Murchison is 228 kilometres. Jo-Anna will bike from Farewell Spit to Takaka, with family and friends doing legs in between,
and Sandy will start her leg at Kohatu. Supporters include Jo-Anna’s son Sam, who will be joining them at intervals throughout the journey. They have the use of a campervan, kindly sponsored by Roxanne, Sandy’s sister, who will also join a segment of the tour. Special mention goes to Ross Keeley, of Rev Bikes, Richmond, who has generously donated a 70s vintage-style e-bike valued at $4000, for which raffle tickets are being sold. Local Golden Bay businesses have also been supportive. “Mental health touches everyone,” said Jo-Anna, “and everyone has been hugely supportive and generous.” To make a donation, go to: givealittle.co.nz/cause/two-mothers-bikingthe-south-island. For 24/7 on-call emergency response and support for mental health issues, contact Te Whare Mahana, Community Mental Health Service on 525 7647.
Golden Bay Community Board’s first meeting of the new year began where the final meeting of the old one had left off – talking about freedom camping. Other topics raised in public forum included dogs on Tata Beach, civil defence, affordable housing, the Rec Centre playground and making the pavements of Takaka motability scooter friendly. Presentations were made by about a new cycleway between Takaka and Paines Ford, and on the importance of emergency planning. Jill Pearson opened contributions to public forum by pointing out that under the Freedom Camping Act, it was entirely legal to prohibit the activity in Golden Bay. “Council don’t have to provide anything at all…We are not morally obliged to offer free camping.” She proposed that, failing a total ban, a “single paddock” with minimal facilities and located away from all water bodies could be provided. She recognised that taking a hard line with freedom campers would initially increase compliance costs but said it would be worth the effort “to enhance the quality of life” in the Bay. She closed with a request. “I ask the community board to use its influence to prohibit freedom camping in Golden Bay.” Cynthia McConville spoke on behalf of Ron Eckman. Referring to photographs showing litter and toilet waste at the Waitapu Bridge site, Cynthia said the photos spoke for themselves. “Freedom camping is out of control.” And she called on council to take urgent action. “Close the Waitapu site immediately.” Cynthia delivered a similar message on behalf of Forest and Bird. Showing the meeting various items of litter which she had recently retrieved from the Waitapu Bridge site, Cynthia explained that in the event of a flood, all the discarded refuse would be washed into the river and marine environment. She said she had collected a similar haul of garbage from the Taupata Stream site and urged council to re-think their approach to site designation. “This is a strong message to TDC that freedom camping sites should be well away from rivers, streams and the coast.” Later in the meeting, board member Dave Gowland kicked off a lengthy discussion with his proposal to completely prohibit freedom camping in the Bay. “There are too many freedom campers. I don’t see an alternative other than a ban. We should be strong; we want a total ban.” Continued on page 3
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THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2020
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ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
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