GNews 09.05.2024

THURSDAY, 09 MAY 2024 | 16,000+ copies distributed with the Ashburton Courier view online at

Bill Bradley awarded British Nuclear Test Medal

In 1957, Bill Bradley was deployed to Operation Grapple, Britain’s nuclear testing operation at a group of Pacific islands now known as Kiribati. On Sunday, the former navy warrant officer received the British Nuclear Test Medal at the Geraldine RSA, where he is a member.

Presenting the medal, Navy Lieutenant Commander Grant Finlayson said, “New Zealand’s involvement in the testing reflected Britain and New Zealand’s relationship. The medal’s an enduring symbol of gratitude from the

British government, recognising heroic service.”

He said, “The hazards were known, but the harm the tests would cause were not.”

Bill has experienced numerous cancers since data-gathering in trials of early atomic bombs and hydrogen bombs. He says, “There aren’t many of us left from that time.” Operation Grapple’s nine airdrop and balloon tests include the largest British nuclear weapon ever trialled; Grapple Y, the third in four test series, tested a hydrogen bomb with an explosive yield of around

three megatonnes of TNT. The passage of years hasn’t blurred Bill’s memory of the time. “It was very scary to see those explosions.”

Grant says that after World War II, “Britain sought to close the nuclear gap started by the United States.” Grapple Y’s energy was wellcalculated and, significantly, largely from thermonuclear fusion, not fission. Operation Grapple saw Britain achieve its aim of catching up with America. In 1958, the nations signed the US-UK Mutual Defence Agreement.

In November 2022, 70 years after Britain began nuclear weapons testing, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the British Nuclear Test Medal. Geraldine RSA president John Bray says, “It’s taken so many years for them [test participants] to get recognition for what they went through. Their illnesses mean their numbers are reduced. I was honoured to see Bill honoured with the medal.”

JAN FINLAYSON

Roland (Roly) Thomas Johnson NZD 2758, Geraldine’s last World War II veteran, died last Thursday, 2 May, just shy of 99 years old. His funeral was held on Monday, 6 May, at Geraldine Funeral Services. His daughter Melissa gave a eulogy on behalf of the family. RSA President Sqn Ldr John Bray AFM gave the military eulogy.

Roly enlisted in the navy straight from school on 16 May 1941, serving on HMNZS

Leander, HMNZS Achilles, and HMNZS Gambia It is believed he saw his first battle while still 16 years old. Roly was demobilised on 2 September 1946.

Roly was also a keen bowler and an artist of some skill, as well as a valued member of Geraldine RSA. HUGH MCCAFFERTY

Roland Johnson served on HMNZS Leander from 1941 to 1944. PHOTO: RNZN Museum

Geraldine’s last World War II veteran crosses the bar

FROM TOP LEFT: Returned and Services Association members with Bill Bradley after the presentation ceremony.

PHOTO: Jan Finlayson Bill Bradley wearing his British Nuclear Test Medal PHOTO: Hugh McCafferty Bill cuts the special cake, from his “RSA family”. PHOTO: Jan Finlayson

The battle for command of the Hislop/Peel roundabout

Once again, we are pleased to be able to showcase examples of student success. Congratulations to Aliz’e Rasmussen for bringing home the Merit Award from the Blue Light Life Skills Camp. Good luck with your ambition to join the navy. As you can see from the front page, there are plenty of retired sailors in the RSA who would be happy to have a yarn with you.

From the military to the arts. Congratulations to the GHS team for winning the South Canterbury drama competition and a chance to compete at the Sheilagh Winn Festival. Special congratulations to Ella Waldron on winning the Elizabeth Grubb Trophy and a special award for best connection to the audience.

Readers will remember that Kohl Brown (Demetrius in the play) delivered a speech on Anzac Day in which, among other things, he reflected on 16-year-olds going to fight in the trenches of World War I. Roly Johnson, who we honour on the front page, also went to war as a 16-year-old.

On 13 July 1943, his ship, HMNZS Leander, was torpedoed in the Battle of Kolombangara. Superb damage control saved her from sinking, but by the time she limped into Devonport, it was clear that she would need extensive repairs. (nzhistory.govt.nz). What a terrifying experience for such a young man. In saluting Roly Johnson’s memory, we salute all who served. HUGH

Life skills camp inspires teen’s navy career

After a life-changing experience at the Blue Light Burnham Life Skills Camp, Aliz’e Rasmussen (15) from Geraldine High School has set his sights on a career in the New Zealand Navy, with plans to complete the LSV (Limited Service Volunteer) course in the next six months.

Reflecting on his time at the Burnham Life Skills Camp, Aliz’e says his most memorable experience was with the staff at the NZDF Youth Development Unit. “Meeting Staff McDonald; he has inspired me so much,” he says. Connections like this have left a lasting impact on Aliz’e, igniting a passion and drive within him to pursue his dreams.

Despite facing tough challenges during the camp, particularly the drills, Aliz’e found the strength to overcome them. “At first, I was laughing so much trying to do them, and then

I just got it, and now I love doing drills. I still do them at home.”

A lasting moment for Aliz’e was winning an award at the end of camp graduation, a tribute to his hard work and dedication. “I had to doublecheck they had really called my name,” he says. “I was so proud of myself and how much confidence this course has given me.”

Asked if he has a message for other teens considering attending a Blue Light Life Skills camp, Aliz’e says, “I one hundred per cent recommend it. It is really great for you. I have been telling everyone how great it has been and that they should go.”

Aliz’e was referred to the Blue Light Life Skills Camp by Senior Constable Hinemoa McMahon from New Zealand Police, Timaru. Asked about referring young people to Blue Light Life Skills,

Senior Constable McMahon says, “Do it; you will never regret being part of this process. The Blue Light Life Skills camp changes young people’s lives. It builds confidence and forges friendships along the way.”

New Zealand Blue Light has run this highly successful programme in partnership with the New Zealand Defence Force for the past 12 years and has adventure-based experiential learning as a key part of the programme. The programme provides 14-17-year olds with critical life skills such as self-development, selfcontrol, and teamwork that will enable young people to be successful at home, school, communities, and employment. Up to 12 courses are held each year in Auckland, Trentham, Central North Island and Burnham locations.

SUBMITTED

Southern Lights dazzle local

Early last Thursday morning, local resident Martyn Lea captured the Southern Lights aka Aurora Australis in the sky above Templer Street. Martyn says, “It was a beautiful spectacle, and a privilege to witness it.”

The light display happens when the sun releases a massive burst of solar wind and magnetic fi elds into space. These solar winds carry particles that interact with the earth’s magnetic field, colliding to produce energy releases in the form of auroras. The auroral colours, mainly green, red and sometimes violet, are due to oxygen and nitrogen. (universetoday.com)

The best time to see the Southern Lights, is during the autumn and winter months of March until September, when the nights are longest and darkest. FI MCCAFFERTY

FROM LEFT: Reviewing Officer Squadron Leader Craig Thornley, Officer Commanding of the Youth Development Unit South with Overall Merit Winner Aliz’e Rasmussen. PHOTO: Supplied

GHS students to compete in national Shakespeare festival

A Geraldine High School (GHS) Shakespeare troupe is headed for the national secondary schools’ Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival at King’s Birthday weekend. The four young actors won the South Canterbury competition’s 15-minute section with the ‘quarrelling lovers’ scene from A Midsummer Night’s Dream “It was so much fun, and the performance quality was really high”, says Year-13 student

as Hermia and Kohl Brown and Spersunder Pitoc, both Year 12, as Demetrius and Lysander.

Ella also took home the Elizabeth Grubb Trophy for Outstanding Performance of a Role and a special award for Best Connection with the Audience.

Boisterous with comedy swirling from characters’ drugged sleep, Act III, Scene ii is challenging, but Eliza Williams, GHS Head of

understood the play to get the fun of it and to help the audience understand and enjoy it. I’m proud because what they did was beyond their years.”

With minor changes, they’ll take the scene to Wellington’s St James Theatre for the national event alongside 48 other entries. Eliza says the tweaks will be simple: They’ll have bare feet (bedsocks slipped at regionals), and “They’re going to have to be 10 times bigger at the St James.”

Two days of on-stage competition are preceded by theatre workshops, followed by a raft of awards and follow-ons, and rounded off with feedback sessions at Parliament’s Banquet Hall. The 2024 National Sheilah Winn Shakespeare Festival is from 30 May to 3 June. Find out more here sgcnz.org.nz/programmes.

JAN FINLAYSON

Local Swifities analyse Tortured Poets

American pop singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is nudging the musical world’s axis if a recent soiree led by local woman Amy Ross at Geraldine’s The Record Keeper is anything to go by.

Swifties were there in numbers to soak up and analyse the megastar’s much-anticipated new 31-song double album, The Tortured Poets Department. Amy says, “It was so great to be around like-minded people who enjoy Taylor Swift and were able to talk about the music in depth.” After each track, played on vinyl, the group traversed its metaphors and references.

The group played a small part in a shifting of ley lines in the global music scene. On the day, Tortured Poets, Swift’s fourteenth album, was at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. Notably, 859,000 vinyl copies had been sold in six configurations in the biggest week for vinyl in decades. It’s part of a re-embrace of the non-

downloadable format by music lovers of all ages. Younger people dominated the local event. Amy says, “People are collecting Taylor’s vinyl and have bought others. It’s the way she wants people to listen [to her music]. I haven’t got a record player yet, but hopefully, one day, I’ll have one. It’ll be so cool.”

Record Keeper co-owner Stephen Drew says, “Taylor Swift’s support for vinyl is phenomenal. It’s getting a new demographic into it. Music’s going onto vinyl; most new sales in the United States are on vinyl; some musicians just do vinyl and not CD.”

JAN FINLAYSON

Amy Ross (front) with (from left) and fellow Swifties Amy Thomlinson, Chanalee WalterDuncan, and Kate Payne. PHOTO: Jan Finlayson

FROM LEFT: Sheilah Winn Shakespeare entrants Kohl Brown, Spersunder Pitoc, Imma Del La Torre, and Ella Waldron. Their wardrobe is modern pyjamas in keeping with their characters’ sleeping and Shakespeare’s use of mostly contemporaneous settings. PHOTO: Jan Finlayson

Rhythmix to sing the ABC of music

The Rhythmix Singers will give two concerts at the end of May to raise money for Family Worx Foodbank and Anglican Care’s Oceans Grief Café programme. They will perform a concert in Trinity Church, Timaru, on 25 May and in St Mary’s Church, Geraldine, the following day.

The concert’s theme is ‘ABC of Music’ and features iconic songs by ABBA, the Beatles, the BeeGees, Leonard Cohen, and more. Guest performers are the Height of Harmony barbershop choir, now led by Dean Roberts, and talented Geraldine singer Molly Fetu.

Musical director Glenys Carson, along with the Rhythmix Singers, encourages everyone to come and enjoy an afternoon of ‘feel-good’ music while supporting a great cause.

The ABC of Music concert is at Trinity Church, Timaru, on Saturday, 25 May at 2pm and at St Mary’s Church, Geraldine, on Sunday 26 May at 2pm. Refreshments after each concert will provide a chance to socialise. Tickets are $20 at the door, in advance and online from Newman’s Music in Timaru, and LOUK Clothing in Geraldine. SUBMITTED

The Breeze’s Breakfast Show host OJ at Barker’s Foodstore and Eatery with local jazz singer Lois May. PHOTO: Jan Finlayson Breakfast with OJ at Barker’s

Monday, early birds at Barker’s Foodstore and Eatery breakfasted to the sounds of OJ on The Breeze and local jazz singer Lois May. OJ’s Busk & Brunch is doing the rounds of South Canterbury and North Otago. Barker’s business manager, Kristy Phillips, says, “It’s exciting to have this for people in Geraldine; a privilege.” Lois’ set included a diverse repertoire from Burt Bacharach and Fats Waller to her own jazz tunes. JAN FINLAYSON

The Rhythmix Singers are looking forward to performing some of music’s most iconic songs while raising money for two great causes.

PHOTO: Supplied ABBA, Burt Bacharach, Bee Gees, Leonard Chohen and the Beatles are just some of the iconic acts whose songs feature in the show.

PHOTOS: Muscat Daily, Entertainment Weekly, YouTube, Billboard, Brittanica

FULL RANGE OF LARGE AND SMALL VETERINARY SERVICES

Professional, experienced and caring rinarians Purpose-built, modern facilities Ample off-road parking

24hr On-Call Emergency Services

CLINIC HOURS: 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday PHONE: 93 9060

EMAIL: clinic@gatewayvets.co.nz

SHARE THE AROHA

STALL OUTSIDE GERALDINE KINDERGARTEN for all your surplus produce (and other goodies). Give what you can, take what you need.

IN THE SHED

NEWCOMERS ‘24 NEW TO GERALDINE?

Keen to meet new people and learn a bit more about what the area has to offer? Come along to Newcomers ‘24 Mundell’s Cafe, 38 Waihi Terrace Monday, 13 May @ 10am for some friendly chat over a coffee. We meet regularly on the second Monday of each month at Mundell’s.

TUESDAY 10:30am-12pm

9am-10.30am

Join the Shedders weekly at Borough Council Depot 117 Talbot Street (behind the Scout Den) 10am on Thursdays and Saturdays

CONTACTS

John Twidle: 027 681 5244 Richard Rowley: 021 234 7787 Brian Mowat-Gainsford: 022 069 3981

menshedgeraldine@gmail.com

If you think you would be interested in this please send us a message on Facebook, email activities2@waihilodge.co.nz or call 03 693 8131.

GERALDINE GRIEF CAFE

ST MARY’S CHURCH

MONDAY, 11 MARCH, 1.30PM

Come join us for a conversation and discussion about the grief life journey. Find ideas that help each day get brighter. CONTACT: Alexia 027 623 267 Sue 027 362 7593

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HEALTH & WELLBEING

THE HONEY SHOP Plenty of honey still at The Honey Shop, Woodbury Road Corner. Also Honey Dew available.

37, M Oliver 37, M Amos 36, D Law 36. 30.04.24 18-H Eclectic Cup: R Hobbs 71, J Kidd 71, P Tulisi 73, H Oldfield 73, J Gallichan 74, M Holmes 74. 9-H Stableford: C Ford 19, G Gibson 18, K Turner 16, G Hamilton 15. GRANDE VUE GOLF CLUB 05.05.24 Final of Fourball played with Geoff Patrick & Phil Cushnie coming out on top after a tight match with Joe Cox & Jack Rate rest of field played a stableford. 1st R Ramsay 83-19-6440stbs, B Miller 80-14-66-38, M Lang 79-12-67-37, G Marshall 79-11-68-36, J Jones 80-13-67-36, C Seaton 89-20-69-36, P Natuia 72-3-69-36, A Muff 84-15-69-35, C McNulty 85-16-69-35, J Bayley 103-32-71-34, D Law 8310-73-33, T Kerr 84-12-72-32,P Cushnie 88-15-73-31, J Cox 85-10-75-31, J Muff 84-10-74-30, J Rate 90-16-74-30, G A Patrick 90-16-74-30, B Pearsall 88-13-75-29, G Patrick 83-7-76-28, M Denton 100-24-76-27, L Pearsall 99-18-81-26, J Bell 89-11-78-36. N/P #18 C McNulty. Twos G Marshall, B Miller, L Pearsall, J Jones, P Cushnie, J Cox, P Natuia #10 (Eagle).

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Barbara Brown, Juliet Marsden, Bryan Dew & Carol Millar