8
Thursday August 13, 2020
Challenge thanks MPI By Gerald Rillstone
During lock-down right through level four and beyond Johnsonville based Challenge 2000 delivered thousands of meals and a big part of the supply was pork from the Ministry of Primary Industries. Project manager founder of Challenge 2000 Kitty McKinley says during the lock-down they took over the nearby church hall and turned it into a food and well-being distribution centre. At Level 1 they were approached by the ministry for primary industries and chosen as the receiver of large amounts of pork that could not be sold or exported. All of this meat Kitty says was gratefully received and then both delivered to families fresh and some of it cooked and delivered as fully cooked meals. “As a result senior staff from the ministry of primary industries were invited to visit Challenge 2000 to hear about the difference we could make because they thought who might benefit from the situation they found themselves in,” she says. During the lock-down the govern-
Attending the thank you afternoon tea for the Ministry of Primary Industries, Simon Mc Donald, principal advisor, Barney Anderson special advisor, Damian Dempsey director of Challenge 2000, Karen Adair deputy director MPI, Kitty McKinley Founder Project Manager Challenge 2000 and Labour Ohariu MP Greg O'Connor.
ment bought pork off farmers and circulated it to community agencies throughout the country, Kitty says they received around 12 pallet’s of pork already butchered both fresh and frozen cuts. They found chiller space for it
with the help of some generous businesses in the community and were able to give people going through a really tough time a real lift. Part of the support given to the community by Challenge 2000
along with the pork included activity packs for kids and added to this Kitty says some of the schools the organisation is involved with instructed teachers to stay out of contact with the children during lock-down and with some families
in difficult circumstance her volunteers stepped in to help. “Some of them didn’t have a lot of money and their parents were losing their jobs and the schools would phone us and we would deliver stuff to them,” Kitty says.
Railway safety in the spotlight
Safety around railways is being highlighted in Wellington this week.
Rail Safety Week, 10-16 August 2020, has set the wheels in motion to raise awareness for safely crossing railway tracks to reduce the number of near misses, with backing from Metlink. Yesterday, TrackSAFE and Kiwirail cohosted a launch event at Wellington Railway Station to set the tone for an educational and awareness building week, which will include Metlink operator Transdev’s hand out sessions that invite the public to talk about rail safety. Metlink general manager Scott
Gallacher says, “Rail safety is a critical message that our region needs to be aware of and continue to practice, whether you are a pedestrian or driving a car. “This week plays an important role in reinforcing the seriousness of crossing tracks the right way, so we can ensure our communities are healthy and safe.” Throughout this week resources and information will be available to bring to the forefront of the community’s mind the importance of being alert, following the warning signs
and taking no risks when crossing rail track lines. Greater Wellington transport chair Roger Blakeley says, “We have four lines that make up our rail network that have provided over 4 million trips this year alone, so it’s vital we all play our part in educating children and whānau to safely make use of them. “Rail and track safety is also about protecting the wellbeing of our train drivers who experience near misses frequently due to distracted and risk-taking individuals, ” Roger says.
Outward Bound courses push students to new heights Marsden School Open Morning Tour Marsden’s spacious campus, learn about Visible WellbeingTM and see the school in action on Friday 14 August, between 8.45am and 12pm. Register at marsden.school.nz/experience Marsden School Girls Years 1–13, Co-ed Preschool Enrolments 2021 due
For Wellington Year 12 students Trazel Moses-Wharepapa and Alex Greenfield, going to Outward Bound presented an opportunity to develop their leadership skills and grow their confidence. Trazel, from Wainuiomata High School and Alex, from Naenae College joined 12 other secondary students from eight Wellington schools at Poneke, an Outward Bound course designed for the region’s young leaders. For 21 days, the group pushed themselves mentally and physically, and challenged their beliefs in a range of activities held in the Outward Bound school in Anakiwa and its surrounds in the Queen Charlotte Sound. Outward Bound has been transforming the lives of New Zealanders since 1962, with more than 65,000 New Zealanders attending courses de-
signed to help them to reach their full potential through outdoor adventure. Outward Bound School Director Simon Graney says most students find their course transformative. “During their time at Outward Bound they learn to build courage and resilience and experience success as a member of a team, identify their own values, develop an appreciation for the natural environment and experience being of service,” said Simon. Sixteen year old Alex says he found not knowing what was coming next challenging. “The instructors never told us anything in advance. I struggled with that because usually I know what I’m doing for the day or for the week. I learned a lot – especially to trust myself and back my decisions and not always ask for reassurance.” Getting up early for a run was Trazel’s biggest challenge, but says
she learned that “it’s not always good to be comfortable. Push yourself.” Both say their experiences at Outward Bound have boosted their confidence and helped formulate their future plans. “I have learnt new skills along the way and I have new found confidence, and the ability to lead groups and other people,” says Alex. Trazel agrees and says that her experience has helped her with her future plans. “I feel like I can do anything!” The Poneke Outward Bound course is made possible through the generous support of the Girls Friendly Society (GFS), Moore Markhams, Tai Shan Foundation, Kapura, Winton and Margaret Bear, Kathryn Jones and David Long, the Findex Community Fund, Macpac and individuals who believe in the young people of the Wellington region.