Marlborough Magazine - December 2021

DECEMBER 2021

Marlborough's PLACE FRONT COVER HERE

SUMMER OF MUSIC Call of the wild

FATHER’S fight

for JUSTICE

PLUS: Sport Award winners | At Home

December 2021

What’s inside Features 7–9

SOUL FOOD Marlborough music scene is set to come to life this summer

11­­—13

CALL OF THE WILD Surgery and a doctor’s warning couldn’t keep this superstar away from her sporting dreams

36–45

AT HOME Local building company is winning big with its high-end designs

48–49

SPORTING FRATERNITY HONOUR THEIR OWN Marlborough’s sporting community celebrates its top stars

7–9

11–13

Regular 27

On the Street

36–45

At Home

46–47

Art & Culture

51

What’s On

52–53

Social Pages

54 Gardening 55 Recipe

36–45

48–49

Editor’s Note

He l l o Season’s Greeting Marlborough Can you believe it’s that time of year already. Wow, has this year gone fast!

We have seen unprecedented changes in our lives, but we remain strong in the face of adversity with the hope of uniting together as the proud Kiwi nation known for our genuine values and compassion.

Summer is here. Let’s forget the craziness for a moment and feel excited that summer is here. The gift of warming light on lazy days brings more reason to smile and delight in time shared with loved

ones. Take time to focus on the positives and be in the moment. Ensure happy memories are created to be saved in your personal memory treasure chest, able to be discovered again when reminiscing of happy times that soothe the soul.

Fill your treasure chest this Christmas with love, laughter and true kiwi summer spirit.

Merry Christmas from all of us at Marlborough Magazine.

Love

Summa

EDITOR Summa Donald summa@marlboroughmedia.co.nz CONTENT EDITOR Paula Hulburt DESIGN Patrick Connor and Toni Woolf CONTRIBUTORS Paula Hulburt, Tracy Neal, Matt Brown, Peter Jones, Sarah Brown. Cathie Bell, Kat Duggan, Joya Devine, Kat Pickford, David James, Rob Duff.

ADVERTISING Rosa Tate rosa@marlboroughmedia.co.nz Gemma Bartlett gemma@marlboroughmedia.co.nz DISTRIBUTION Phil & Paula Brown, Wendy Aberthenthy.

Cover: Soul Food. Pages 11-13.

David James Photography

PUBLISHER TSM Marlborough, 52 Scott St, Blenheim www.topsouthmedia.co.nz

‘Boomtown Collective’ set to hit the stage at this years Summer Sounds Music Festival.

Soul food on the menu at summer music festival The difficult journey to finding his roots is a seminal moment in Marlborough musician Tee Bradley’s life. He tells Tracy Neal that for him, there was no other option but to write a song about it.

DAVID JAMES

A

slice of Tee’s life will be on stage, backed by the big sound of a nine-piece band near Linkwater this summer.

The finished and polished version of his song, Found, will debut at the Summer Sounds Music Festival to be staged at the Queen Charlotte Tavern over two summer dates.

Tee is helping to pull together the line-up of local and national talent to perform at the festival which is being managed by the tavern’s publican Mary Ann Surridge.

The first of the two-date festival on 18 December will be opened by the spin master, DJ Nazarite, followed by all-Māori reggae band, Katchafire and Auckland-based six-piece crew, Sons of Zion. Rapper Big Sima will also be featured who has recently collaborated with well-known Kiwi artist, Tiki Tane.

The second on 15 January will be headlined by Aucklandbased high-energy acoustic Kiwiana band White Chapel Jak. Tee’s band, Boomtown Collective will be among the lineup of local support acts set to treat the crowd. They will play original music and a “few good covers” the band has arranged itself.

“We’re an original band – we write our own music, and the first half of the set will feature original music, but we put covers into our performance.”

The band has been put together in recent months for the festival but within a few months of being heard, it has picked up other opportunities.

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“I’d describe it as quite rootsy, quite ‘dubby’ and bluesy as well, with just a little bit of rock in there as well, and we have a great horns section.”

The percussion accent is strengthened by the addition of conga and timbale (drums) and four members from the Wellington Jazz School which is part of the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University.

Tee says he met a musician who at the time was the same age as his father when he died.

“He invested his time in me and breathed life back into me again. He was a role model and taught me how to perform music, play the bass, and then encouraged me to go to music school.”

Tee enrolled in the contemporary music course at the Nelson School of Music (now the Nelson Centre of Musical Arts).

Tee – a name acquired over the years after being given the name Taani after his adoption, has deep roots in Marlborough, but it’s been a long way home.

It was 2003, and Katchafire’s star was rising.

“They had a gig in Nelson at the Phat Club. I went along and I was blown away; from that moment on I was hooked, and I really wanted to do something like that.

“I whakapapa to this land. I belong to Rangitāne o Wairau. I found my way back in 1998 when dad passed away.

“It’s been a really massive journey for me.”

“It’s taken a long, long time but I feel I’m finally there.”

Tee was born down south, adopted out at only a few weeks old and moved to Levin at the age of five.

The genesis of several of Tee’s songs is his experience of the adoption process as a Māori, and the severance of roots to which he had an unspoken connection, and for which he had long yearned.

“I was born in 1980 and got my birth certificate in 1981.”

He later went to Te Aute College – a boarding school in Hawke’s Bay for Māori students, where he formed lasting friendships and found music.

Just before lockdown last year, a week before his 40th birthday and after many years of searching, Tee found his birth family.

“My father was my main influence.

He was a musician and taught me how to play the drums first, when I was four. I played drums until I was 11 or 12 and then picked up the guitar.”

He advanced his guitar skills playing in kapa haka while at college. Music filled a hole in Tee’s life, but it never closed the gap.

“Growing up with my adoptive family in Levin, I had three sisters and all my male cousins lived here in Marlborough.

“It happened after many years of hitting roadblocks, tripping over hurdles, and almost giving up.

Music has always been in the veins of local music artist, Tee Bradley.

“I always wanted to come here – to come back to the land and live here amongst it all. When I was old enough to make that decision on my own, I did, and here I am.”

The move was also triggered by the crossroads that occurred upon the death of Tee’s father from cancer.

“For myself, I needed to get grounded again and make somewhere my home. I was lost after my father passed away, and then music came back into my life all of a sudden, and away I went again.”

“But the universe aligned, and I found this opportunity in front of me. I got this little bit of information and from that I was able to track down my family.”

Tee says it was a can of worms he had to open. He says finding his family was only the beginning, because acceptance was always

going to be the hard part.

“I reached out to them, and one reached back – my sister wrote back. She couldn’t believe it, not having known about me.”

Tee says the song he wrote in lockdown is called Found, a “beautiful, nice, slow rootsy song” with happy horn lines and a beautiful message.

“It’s not about being adopted but the hope I held on to throughout the whole journey, digging deep and learning that

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It might only be a thought, a word or a sound – it’s something that you recognise will help get you there. I had those conversations with myself a lot. if there’s something you really need, or really want to do, hold on to that thread.

“It might only be a thought, a word or a sound – it’s something that you recognise will help get you there. I had those conversations with myself a lot.”

Tee says unless you know who you are, and where you came from, you have no sense of belonging.

“You’re forever searching and searching, spiritually, physically and mentally. Once I found them, and was accepted, the relief was just like…I hadn’t felt so relaxed in my whole life.

“I walked around crying, knowing I had found my blood connection, my roots.”

The song has been performed a couple of times, acoustically within a trio, but not in its final, polished state with a band.

“This will be its debut, in the way I always wanted it arranged.”

This will be the fourth Summer Sounds Music Festival and the first that Tee has teamed up with Mary Ann to stage it.

“I played at last year’s which is how I met Mary Ann. I have a few contacts in the music industry so I jumped on board to help with this summer’s festival.”

Mary Ann says Tee’s contacts in the music business have given the festival a huge boost, especially securing the likes of Katchafire and Sons of Zion.

“He’s done a bloody good job. It’s such a coup securing these bands and I’m so thrilled.”

Katchafire have, in their own words, crafted a sound from the foundations of classic roots reggae and fused modern dancehall with slinky pop, cool grooves and uplifting vibes.

Sons of Zion play a fusion of reggae, heavy rock, dub and funk.

Marlborough artists to feature include Boudica Music, plus hip-hop artist and special guest, Juana Kino.

The festival will also highlight local artwork and local food delicacies at the range of stalls.

Mary Ann says the festival will be a “great big Christmas party” for Marlborough and Nelson locals, and for holidaymakers in the Sounds.

Festival goers loving the beats at the 2020 Summer Sounds Festival.

She says the festival is lucky to have recently secured government funding through the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for the next five years, after submitting a detailed business plan.

Tee hopes Boomtown Collective will keep making music together. He is currently recording with Marlborough Boys’ College te reo Māori teacher and the band’s bass player Ben Christian.

“He’s a good friend and we’ve played a lot of music together over the years. He’s also a great producer and does all the live production.

“I’m currently recording the instruments – the bass guitar, keyboards, I’ve got the horns section coming in and we’ll lay all that down, do the vocals and then put it all together.”

Tee hopes to shoot a video to go with it, and then distribute it via the range of music streaming platforms available.

“We all have a targeted sound we’re after. We all throw in our ideas and create, as musicians.”

Sounds Music Festival, R18 at the Queen Charlotte Tavern in Linkwater, 18 December from 2pm and 15 January from 3pm. Tickets available through eventfinda.co.nz and asbtheatre.com. Special thanks to sponsors: Leslie Bros, Villa Maria NZ, MTF Finance, H2o Flo Ltd, Boom Town Brewing Co, Will Porter Team Bayleys Real Estate, Destination Marlborough and Marlborough District Council

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Call of the wild

When surgeons told her she may struggle to walk properly again, Kylie Senior refused to give up. She talks to Kat Duggan about her new lease on life and her determination to make a dream come true.

SARAH BROWN

M

arlborough personal trainer Kylie Senior once lived by the theory that unless you were competing to win, there was no point.

Entering the Kathmandu Coast to Coast adventure race was always a task on the bucket list, but one frequently put off because of life obstacles which meant she wasn’t quite ready.

But when Kylie suffered a back injury, resulting in nerve damage that had the potential to leave her paralysed, her perspective changed.

"When I had my back surgery, the surgeon said, ‘you may not be able to walk properly again because of the aggressive nerve damage’, and that’s when I really realised ‘who cares if you don’t win it or don’t do well?’,” she says. “I thought to myself that I’d missed so many opportunities in the past because I didn’t think I was good enough at the time.”

Kylie’s back injury was not the first roadblock in her journey.

At the age of 19, when she was playing regional rugby for Marlborough and working as a personal trainer, she had hip troubles that led her to see a specialist in Christchurch. There, she was told she had asymmetrical femur heads, causing tears around the socket joint of her hip because of stress from exercising. She would soon need a double hip replacement unless she stopped running, rugby and kayaking, and soon.

Despite having been selected for the Tasman Mako women’s team, the news spelt the end of Kylie’s rugby career. She also thought it meant the end of her work as a personal trainer, and she began studying toward a preschool teaching diploma.

During this time, Kylie fell pregnant with her first daughter, Libby, followed closely by her twin girls, Ali and Ruby. The pregnancies resulted in a large, chronic core abdominal separation, which would later need to be repaired.

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I was petrified they were going to cut my nerve...

Kylie Senior putting in some training out on the Wairau River.

“Adding this to my list of physical challenges, I decided that it was time to strengthen and rehab the muscles to support my injuries the best I could,” she says.

Prior to having her core surgically repaired, Kylie continued to train and even went back to work as a personal trainer. She and her family made the move from Blenheim to the West Coast to allow her husband Aaron, a dog handler, to take a position in the area.

Kylie decided there was no better time to get serious about training for the Coast to Coast, however the harder she worked, the more pressure she put on her body. Ultimately, the weakness in her core led to her back injury and associated left leg nerve damage, which came to a head during a training run.

She was picked up and taken to Greymouth Hospital in the boot of a truck in severe pain, before later being taken to Christchurch Hospital for back surgery. “The surgeon told me he could fix my back, but my nerve damage would never come right, limiting my ability to walk and do everyday things,” Kylie says.“I feel like my whole life has been these roadblocks.”

Kylie had hit rock bottom, but the threat of losing the ability to even walk helped her to get things into perspective.

Her surgery happened to be during one of Christchurch’s major clusters of earthquakes.

"I was petrified they were going to cut my nerve … I grabbed somebody’s hand as we went into surgery and I said, ‘I just want to bounce on the tramp with my kids again; I don’t care about anything else’,” Kylie says.

After waking up from surgery, pain-free, Kylie’s mind turned to bigger goals, and she asked the surgeon if he thought she might be able to compete in the Coast to Coast one day.

“He laughed and said, ‘what, only the hardest run in New Zealand?’, more or less telling me that would be impossible.

But I worked hard, and I ran it two years later; I was super determined that I would run it,” she says.

After coming third in the Mountain Run in 2019, Kylie competed in the Mountain Run again, this time as part of a team competing in the entire race in 2021.

Now, she has her sights set on completing the entire

When I had my back surgery the surgeon said to me ‘you may not be able to walk properly again because of the aggressive nerve damage...

adventure race as an individual next year. The two-day event covers 243km, taking competitors over rough terrain from the West to the East Coast of New Zealand. It consists of mountain running, river kayaking and road biking. Does she think she'll win? No. But it's not about that for Kylie anymore.

“I know I’m doing this to participate,” she says. “This is a huge race, I’ll be up against some of the best multi-sporters around, but the point is just to make it through.”

Kylie’s personal training business, KFit Personal Training is back in full swing, and she spends her days juggling clients, kids and training for the biggest race of her life, set to take place in February. Many of her clients, along with friends and family are hugely to thank for getting her to this point in her journey, she says.

One client sponsored her entry fee, while two others, a couple, sponsored a new kayak. Friends have helped with childcare to enable Kylie to train around early mornings working and Aaron’s shift work, while Aaron has been an immense support and cheerleader for Kylie as well.

“Close friends and family have been instrumental in

The Wither Hills above Blenheim are a popular training ground for Kylie Senior. making this happen for me, I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to attempt one of my biggest goals, and for the support throughout this whole journey.”

She encourages anyone who is ‘waiting for a better time’ to tick off a life goal to get stuck in and act while they can, as no-one knows what’s waiting around the corner.

“There are barriers for everybody, but it’s up to you, we have all got choices … What really helped me was the support of everyone else thinking I could do this and helping out where they can. It actually does take a village,” she says

Hope after the storm Mistletoe Bay Eco-Village and Campground is a popular place for school camps, as well as somewhere families return to year after year for summer holidays. Marlborough Magazine looks at how the non-for-profit charity is coping with one of the worst winters in living memory.

C

ars packed to the brim with all the fun stuff of summer mean Kenepuru Road is usually a bustling hive of activity. Excited faces peer expectantly through finger smudged windows as smaller family members fidget. The scent of sunscreen pervades as picnics are stowed, togs found and jandals slid on.

Mistletoe’s managers, Zoe Rich-Ryan and Nick Henry, have the bay’s facilities tidied up after a terrible winter of storms, wind, and rain, Cathie says.

This year, the road is eerily quiet; closed off to traffic since the huge July storm wrought its fury across the region. As repair work is painstakingly carried out, the popular eco village and campground that has been at the centre of so many quintessential Kiwi summers is accessible only by water. Holidaymakers are cancelling their bookings at the bay and making other plans.

In the small shop, the shelves are stocked with a bigger range of goods than in past years as well as espresso coffees and icecreams. Attention to detail has been key in restoring the storm ravaged resort.

However, Mistletoe Bay Trust chair Cathie Bell says the lack of road access means that the atmosphere at the campground will be special this summer.

It was heartbreaking for those who have worked so hard to make Mistletoe Bay the special place it is, says Cathie.

But as the sun starts to shine again, hopes are high for a memorable season.

“Normally, the bay is busy with cars, trailers, and campervans driving in and out all the time. This summer, there won’t be those vehicles – it’s going to be much quieter.

“It has been a horrendous time for Sounds residents, and made it a terrible winter for them and our managers. The weather made the second lockdown even more difficult.”

Their hard work and dedication and that of the team who hold Mistletoe Bay in their hearts means that summer at Mistletoe Bay has been saved.

The Marlborough Sounds have been really battered by the weather this past winter, Cathie says.

Mistletoe Bay Eco-Village and Campground is run by a trust of local people. It was set up in 2004 by the founding trustees to ensure there was an affordable, easily accessible and high quality school camp experience available for all local schools to use and benefit from in the Marlborough Sounds.

PHELPS PHOTOGRAPHY

Mayfield School principal David Nott, deputy principal Kirstie Stone, Mistletoe Charitable Foundation chairman Simon Heath, Mistletoe Bay Trust chair Cathie Bell and board chairman Martin Rowe, along with some excited students to make a grant to give Mayfield School’s years 5 and 6 students a school camp at Mistletoe Bay this month (December).

School camps are the campground’s main focus, but it also provides accommodation to the public as well. The commercial operation enables the trust to subsidise its school camp offering to make it more accessible.

Mistletoe Bay Eco-Village and Campground managers Nick Henry and Zoe Rich-Ryan are hoping for a good summer after the worst winter in the Marlborough Sounds in living memory. Photo: Supplied

The Mistletoe Bay Trust has offered a scholarship scheme since 2008 that any school going to camp at the bay can access so that students have a helping hand to meet the costs of school camp.

For the past six years, this has been supported by the Mistletoe Charitable Foundation, which has raised a capital fund to provide ongoing revenue to boost the scholarship programme.

The trust usually subsidises several students each year to attend school camps at Mistletoe Bay, but thanks to the foundation, Mayfield School’s 29 year 5 and 6 students will be going to camp at Mistletoe Bay on the last week of the primary school term this month.

This is the first time a whole school class group has been funded.

Accompanied by principal David Nott, deputy principal Kirstie Stone, another senior teacher and some parent helpers, the children will get to do a full range of activities available at Mistletoe Bay, including swimming, fishing, kayaking, paddle boarding, bush walking, and glowworm watching.

David says the students are really looking forward to the camp, with permission slips coming back in record fast time.

Mistletoe Charitable Foundation chair Simon Heath says the foundation had been set up to ensure there was funding available for any child to enjoy the Mistletoe Bay experience.

“Cost can be a factor for some families and we are very pleased to be able to help so that no child misses out.”

He firmly believes the Marlborough Sounds are an incredible place that should be available to all Marlborough people, especially families and children to learn in, protect and to enjoy.

This new chapter in the Mistletoe Bay story is the next in an adventure that has captured generations.

“As a trust, we’re thrilled that the foundation has provided this opportunity, and very grateful to the foundation’s many sponsors and donors who can be proud of the way their donations have been put to use,” Cathie says.

Mistletoe Bay is a great place for school camps, she said, but it’s an experience that can be had by anyone at any time of year.

“This summer is a good opportunity to grab a water taxi from Picton out to Mistletoe Bay and experience the bay at its best. The Marlborough Sounds is a wonderful place and it’s a brilliant part of our backyard.”

Fight for freedom An accusation of unlawful sexual connection tore his family apart and sent him to prison. Acquitted and then found not guilty Mitchell Laing talks to Paula Hulburt about the three-year battle to clear his name.

I

t was the worst moment of his life. Tears welled as he fought for control, watching until the car carrying his son and daughter disappeared. Standing on the pavement outside their school, heart sore and bewildered, the father of three was reluctant to return home without the children he had cared for since babyhood.

His mouth was dry and his skin clammy; he began to shiver as shock set in. His mind clamoured as he wrestled with the unthinkable: his children had been taken off him. Images of them flickered in his mind’s eye, his tiny blonde-haired baby daughter in his arms, his son beaming as he unwrapped birthday gifts.

Allegations of unlawful sexual contact with a child aged 12 or under had been made against him and when he arrived to pick up his children from school, the police and Oranga Tamariki staff were waiting. His children, he was told, would be removed from his care immediately.

“It was horrific.”

He takes a deep breath in. Talking about the incident almost three years ago is still painful. Arrested, charged, convicted, imprisoned, acquitted, retried, and then found not guilty, the journey to clear his name has been long and painful.

Just days after being found not guilty at a second trial by a jury at Nelson Court, the dark-haired dad is still reeling in the wake of the events which cost him his family and his freedom.

The former furniture store manager expressed his innocence from the start.

What followed he says, is a nightmare he wouldn’t wish on his worst enemy. He gives a wry laugh as he explains how sure he was that the accusations would amount to nothing. “I was a bit too confident. I knew I hadn’t done anything and put my faith in the justice system. Ultimately, justice has been done but, God, it took a long time.”

“I got a call from Oranga Tamariki as I was driving. I thought it was a joke and just hung up,” Mitchell, 43, explains. But arriving at the Nelson school, he was met by social workers and the police.

Invited by police to attend a voluntary interview, Mitchell readily agreed, confident he could quickly clear his name. He was so sure the allegations would come to nothing he turned down his right to legal representation. “I just didn’t think I needed it,” he says.

“No one would tell me what was going on, just that a serious allegation had been made. The children were taken away for their own safety.

Heart thudding loudly in his ears, he sat opposite Detective Neil Kitchen in an interview room on the first anniversary

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December 2021

of his own dad’s death. His every word and gesture was recorded and later played back to the court.

The nature of the allegations were still unknown to him. Near the end of a two-hour long interview, the detective revealed the complaints. It was a shocking revelation.

“I literally couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I felt sick,” he says. Pausing for a few moments before he can continue, Mitchell says he has no idea what sparked the accusations.

The court was silent as Crown Solicitor Mark O'Donoghue outlined the case against Mitchell for a second time. Two years earlier in the same court, he was found guilty and sentenced to six years imprisonment at Christchurch Men’s Prison. “I felt like I was falling through a trap door. I never expected to be found guilty, I thought the truth would come out. It was a living hell.”

Mitchell spent 20 months behind bars determined to clear his name. Painstakingly, he penned reams of notes and made calls to new defence lawyer Steven Zindel. Finally, the Court of Appeal heard his case and he was acquitted.

Defence lawyer Michael Vesty had not presented all the relevant evidence in court, contrary to his client’s wishes. It is an error that Mitchell paid for dearly, he says.

“I wish I’d pushed more and trusted less. I wish I had just gone with Steven in the first place. He listened to me and I trusted him.”

Squinting in the bright sunlight outside the prison, Mitchell left with just one bag, packed tight with paperwork relating to his case. His personal belongings were few, a small zip lock plastic bag containing cheap toothpaste, a toothbrush and a handful of important phone numbers carefully taped to a homemade box.

It was, he says, a bittersweet moment.

“I was free but not really. The whole thing was still hanging over me, my children weren’t with me and I had a huge battle ahead.”

For almost all their lives, Mitchell’s three children had depended on their dad. Their mother had left when they were very young. Months would pass where they didn’t hear from her, he says.

I felt like I was falling through a trap door. I never expected to be found guilty, I thought the truth would come out. It was a living hell.

In his first interview with Nelson Detective Neil Kitchen, Mitchell is seen struggling to explain the terrible accusations – the fact he had no handy excuse ready pointed towards the claims being false, his lawyer later pointed out in court.

The jury were quick to return not guilty verdicts to all six charges, coming to their decision in just an hour and 45 minutes. Held in custody while the jury retired, Mitchell says he tried to sleep. Rest would come in brief interludes before he woke with a start, remnants of terrible nightmares lingering. “I’d wake up and find it was actually true. It was like Ground Hog Day.” Standing before District Court Judge Jo Rielly as the jury revealed their verdict was a surreal experience, Mitchell says.

He knew his future was hanging in the balance.

Blood rushed from his head as he heard the words “not guilty” over and over. Tears followed. But the overwhelming relief, the lifting of a burden, he expected to feel has happened yet, Mitchell explains.

“It still feels like it’s hanging over me. My children and I were always together, we were a family and then one day we weren’t. I don’t know if we’ll ever get that back.

Being apart from them was torture.

“I worry about them and would like to find a way for us all to be together again one day.

Born in Australia, the three children returned to New Zealand with Mitchell who settled in Nelson but by the time he was released from prison, all were living in different homes.

“I missed so much of their growing up and we have a lot of ground to cover. I just hope one day, we can be a family, but it will never be the same ever again.

After his release, Mitchell spent time with his brother near Dunedin before choosing to make a fresh start in Blenheim.

‘I may have finally got justice but the cost of all this to our family has been too high.”

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Classic Stamps owner Paul Wales may have 40,000 stamps for sale at any one time and thanks to a super-efficient cataloging system he knows exactly where to find each one.

Stamping his mark on collecting Collecting stamps has taken Blenheim man Paul Wales all over the world. He speaks with Frank Nelson about his passion which he has made his business.

P

aul Wales says “the thrill of the chase” is what fuels his ongoing passion for stamp collecting, a love affair which has already endured more than six decades. “I enjoy buying a $10 stamp as much as a $1000 stamp.”

Paul is renowned internationally as an authority on the stamps and postal history of New Zealand and Antarctica, with a handful of books, numerous magazine articles and dozens of public presentations and awards under his belt.

But for this Blenheim resident, stamps have become much more than just a hobby. Over the years Paul has become a serious collector and fulltime dealer, travelling the world to buy, sell and exhibit as far afield as America, England, Australia and Hong Kong.

He was one of the first dealers to become a member of the Royal Philatelic Society of London. In 2016 he was made a Fellow of the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand, he is a past president of the New Zealand Stamp Dealers Association, and spent about 10 years on the National Philatelic Trust.

Pre-Covid he was regularly jetting off to those far-flung destinations, often with $250,000 to $300,000 worth of stamps nestled quietly out of sight in his briefcase.

Paul was born and grew up in Lyttelton and when he was about eight, his dad gave him a pack of 2000 assorted stamps of the world. “He was a serious stamp collector… he got me into it,” Paul said.

And although Covid has put a crimp in the travel schedule, he and his wife, Elaine Bruce, continue to service a global customer base through their online business, Classic Stamps.

Here collectors can comb through an average of 30,000 to 40,000 stamps and related postal items while the business also holds two or three online auctions each year.

Every day, stamps leave Blenheim bound for buyers around the world. Recent negotiations have involved customers in Gibraltar, China and Peru, all wanting to improve their New Zealand collections.

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December 2021

But while many lads of that age might have been only temporarily enthused by such a gift, in Paul’s case those stamps helped set the course of his entire life.

After leaving high school in Christchurch, he joined the Ministry of Works as a draughtsman helping design buildings, roads, airports, power plants and other projects.

He enjoyed the job so much he stayed for the next 32 years, eventually taking early retirement at 50. That’s when he launched his second career as a stamp dealer in Christchurch

before moving to Blenheim about eight years ago.

He remained an avid collector throughout his time as a draughtsman, only dabbling in a bit of selling on the side to help support his own collection and a few other activities, most notably drag racing.

Rocketing along a track at more than 300kmh might not normally be associated with the more sedate pursuit of stamps; however, for about 10 years Paul, a self-confessed “car nut”, left his fair share of rubber at Templeton’s Ruapuna Motorsport Park.

As a collector he has long specialised in New Zealand stamps plus those connected to Antarctica. His interest in that remote area grew as Christchurch became the gateway for Americans going down to the ice under Operation Deep Freeze.

I’ve had clients who know I’ve got something and they don’t ask the price.

Paul regards exhibiting at national and international shows as a great way of sharing his stamps and in-depth research while signalling to potential clients that he’s not just another dealer but also a serious and very knowledgeable collector himself.

“I got to know some of the sailors and they would take down envelopes and get them used at the different bases where New Zealand and the Americans had post offices,” he said.

However, it’s not a cheap exercise. Fairs in the U.S. can cost between $5000 and $10,000 for a stand, and he has been known to fly to the UK to buy at auction and then fly straight home again.

Elite stamp collecting can be a game of fine margins. Stamps that might seem almost identical to the untrained eye can be much-prized for slight variations in inks and colour shades, watermarks, paper … even perforations.

At the higher levels of collecting stamps and other postal history, the money involved can start to add up. Paul said one of his most valuable sales was a rare pair of New Zealand’s first 1d stamps from 1855.

Paul has become an expert on such technical quality control issues in New Zealand, given talks about them and staged medal-winning exhibits culled from his own collections.

He’s reluctant to get into specifics but admits he deals with some well-heeled collectors. “I’ve had clients who know I’ve got something and they don’t ask the price,” he says.

For example, his exhibition showing some of the hundreds of differences among just 19 everyday stamps issued in the early 1970s, has won many top awards, starting at the 1977 Pan Pacific Philatelic Exhibition, in Christchurch.

Paul relishes the camaraderie with other collectors, some of whom have become good friends, hosting him on trips abroad and staying with him when visiting this country.

“That’s an offshoot which I really do enjoy.”

For highly-specialised stamp collector Paul Wales, the hobby involves a lot of research and some detailed detective work.

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December 2021

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ON THE STREET Michelle Bradley, a local professional fashion stylist also known for her role when she managed Hotel Durville shares with us her fashion style and tips.

What are you wearing today?

My typical look of jeans and jacket. I have on a We Are The Others Navy blue Jacket, Paula Ryan sleeveless top, Levi jeans and my super comfy R.M.Williams suede boots from Thomas’s.

Do you have a usual style?

Edgy, smart casual. Usually black or monochrome. I love a military style vibe.

Comfort is paramount.

What item do you have the most of in your wardrobe?

Jackets and coats!! I have multiple black jackets in various styles also some in a pop of colour to wear back over black.

What looks or trends do you like right now?

I love that you can wear sneakers with everything from sports wear to evening wear.

Do you have a style rule you’d like to share?

My advice is to always wear your colour palette and pieces that suit your shape and personality regardless of the current trends.

What is your favourite all time buy?

My Heartwings black leather biker style jacket with hand painted tattoo art on the sleeves. It has just gotten better with age like your favourite cardi.

Worst clothing disaster?

Ordering a jumpsuit online. The fit and the fabric were shocking.

A wardrobe staple everyone should invest in?

A good quality classic style tailored jacket.

It will never date and can be worn over casual wear, as a business look or with formal wear.

Which celebrity’s sense of style do you admire?

Coco Chanel. Effortless, simplistic elegance. Love her man pant.

Finish this sentence. You would never catch me wearing?

High stiletto heels! Love the look but can’t do the pain LOL.

A peaceful space to nurture your mind and body…

Sydne Lane Mind+Body, which opened 1st November on the corner of Battys Road and New Renwick Road, is owned by well-known local business woman Karen Sydne (Scott.)

A

s a qualified beauty therapist/hairdresser who owned clinics, Karen has always had a love for the beauty industry and a passion of caring for clients. Along with her qualifications as a hypnotherapist and high performance business/life coach, she can offer the complete nurturing mind and body package for overall well-being.

Karen says, “with the changing circumstances and uncertainties, it’s important to provide services which are uplifting for people, to give your time and expertise to make them feel special. Business and the challenging complexities, is what I truly love. I’m driven with the desire to create new ideas and implement them – my passion is helping define what my customers most want and need.”

Previously having owned 14 different businesses, Karen has the expertise to deliver the ultimate experience to clients and is very excited to be able to welcome new and old clients.

Maybe you’re a Mum who is running around doing 101 things feeling stressed and tired, an overwhelmed business owner, a sportsperson, a wrung-out over worked farmer, a grandma, or simply because you know you are important, we are there for everyone. For mind/body health it is important to take time out and treat yourself – it really is priceless.

STOP, relax and take care of your overall well-being, to be nurtured and taken care of, to look good and feel great so you can put your best foot forward, go out and live your life with confidence. “I want people to leave my business feeling better than when they arrived.”

“We also offer a great selection of gifts and skincare products including the beautiful well known Pure Fiji range and Matis Paris, a personal favourite of Karen’s as she has used it for over 15 years - beautiful, silky smooth creams that turn back time – it’s like botox in a bottle.”

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December 2021

Karen, along with beauty therapist Courtney Corcoran– James, offers a full range of beauty services including gel nails/toenails, eyelash extensions, waxing and spray tanning, facials, eyelash/eyebrow tinting. “Our goal is to expand services, build the business, and take on more staff.”

Hypnotherapy covers everything from hormonal issues, menopause, weight loss, stress/anxiety to confidence and quit smoking. As a Mindset Coach/Hypnotherapist, Karen offers consultations to help point you in the right direction.

For more details, visit www.karensydne.com.

Karen & Courtney look forward to welcoming you to the clinic where you can relax, have a tea or coffee, take time out and be pampered. With the roadworks finished and the new roundabout in place, there is easy access and plenty of FREE parking.

For appointments at Sydne Lane Mind+Body, phone 021 025 78786 or send a message via Facebook.

PROMOTION

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Narellan Pools Marlborough The team behind Narellan Pools Marlborough have been installing fibreglass swimming pools since 2005, we are super experienced at transforming backyards. We pride ourselves in providing New Zealand made quality products with a lifetime structural in-ground warranty to our customers.

start, so you know you are making an informed and secure decision, with no hidden costs and nasty surprises. From conception to completion, we are with you every step of your new swimming pool journey!

If you’re looking for a gorgeous pool and some fantastic fencing to compliment it, you can rely on Narellan Pools Marlborough for a holistic service.

We at Narellan Pools will take you through the entire installation process, custom tailoring a solution that meets your needs, budget and we will provide you with all details right from the After care pool maintenance is important and therefore we provide water testing, after hour services for faults as well as chemicals in-store.

Phone us on 0508 476 657

My Home

My

home

Dion and Meg Simmonds have lived at 226 Wrekin Road for a little over a year and enjoy some of the best views in Marlborough. Their beautiful home has been designed to make the most of their hillside haven.

KAREN RANKIN DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY: ROB DUFF

Where is your home, how long have you been there and who lives there?

What inspired the décor and how would you describe it?

We share our property with Toby and Tessa the rag doll cats, Ruby the kune kune pig, Isaac and Harry the Galloway cattle and three sheep.

There’s little need for decorating when you have views all the way to the North Island. I purchased the wallpaper mural before we had even moved in. I was nervous that it might look too outlandish, but we love it. There aren’t many homes where you can display something so large.

What four words would you use to describe your home?

Views, views, views, views

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What do you love most about where you live?

The space and light and views. It’s wonderful to have friends and family visit. They can relax in their own wing. Every room has incredible views and with floor to ceiling windows there is always light. We only close the curtains on the coldest of winter nights.

The BBQ area is such an asset. The landscaping is so well designed that it is rarely windy at the house even though we are at the top of a hill. Dion made the table specifically to fit the space.

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December 2021

What piece would you never part with?

I Love Marie Kondo’s advice about decluttering so we try to only have things around us that we love. If it doesn’t “spark joy” why have it in the house.

I’ve always loved pot plants and they thrive in the light here.

The huge fern in the entrance hall is over 25 years old.

Where is your favourite spot in the house to spend time?

Absolutely everywhere. Each room has its own ambience and slightly different view. You can even lie in the bath with the windows pulled open and gaze out towards Havelock.

It’s lovely for guests who can lie in bed looking over the pool and out to the lights over Blenheim. It’s amazing to look down on helicopters frost fighting in the valleys in spring and all types of vintage planes fly over. We are also surrounded by wildlife. The hawks have sometimes flown so low they swooped under the patio roof. There are geese in a neighbours’ pond and peacocks living a few hills away.

Where do you prefer to shop for homewares?

I like things that are a little out of the ordinary so Cinnamon House is always filled with inspiration. We really enjoy creating things ourselves or turning a bargain find into something no one else has.

Do you splurge or save on things for the house?

Save (well mostly anyway)

Have you done any renovations?

We’ve done lots and lots of maintenance to bring the property up to scratch. We added the wallpaper mural.

Favourite room in the house?

One of the guest bedrooms has the best view of the pool, vineyards and out to Wellington and you can see planes land at Marlborough Airport.

What should every home have?

Great big windows.

Best money spent?

The wood for the table at the BBQ. Dion is terrific at making things out of scrap. I just love it.

Best tip to keep a home looking good?

Give everyone a glass of wine and hope they don’t mind that you spent most of the day outside in the sunshine rather than fussing over the cleaning.

Do you always agree on décor?

Of course …… eventually.

Best memory in the house so far?

Swimming in the pool with two of Dion’s children Tahlia and George. We had huge, inflatable pool toys and so much fun.

Note: Dion and Meg have decided to move to start a new adventure in a new home and have put their property at 226 Wrekin Road on the market with Harcourts. Check out harcourts.co.nz/Property/967021/BL9814/226-Wrekin-Road If you could see yourself at home here, contact a Harcourts Sales Consultant to make an appointment for a private viewing.

Upgrade your home with an exterior repaint Summer has arrived and it’s the ideal time to give your home some love with an exterior repaint by Marlborough Plastering.

M

arlborough Plastering is the region’s premier exterior plastering company, which specialises in a wide range of exterior plaster cladding and waterproofing systems.

As well as new builds, the team are experts in exterior cladding maintenance including house washes and plaster repairs and repaints.

Marlborough Plastering owner Mike Douglas says while there are clear aesthetic benefits to giving your home a fresh coat of paint, there are other logistic advantages to maintaining the cladding of your home.

“A fresh coat of paint gives an instant lift to any property, improving its street appeal and adding value to your home,” Mike says.

“An exterior repaint is one of the easiest and most costeffective ways to increase your home’s value, and absolutely worthwhile if you’re thinking of selling.”

“Think of paint and cladding maintenance as protection for your home.

A well maintained exterior prevents moisture from seeping in and causing mold and mildew damage which can create a real headache further down the line.”

When it comes to paint, not all are created equal.

After more than 25 years in the industry, Mike knows it’s worth spending a little extra for the best quality paint for the job.

While repainting your home provides one of the least expensive investments for one of the biggest returns on investment, other advantages of cladding maintenance can accumulate over time as cost-saving measures.

Owner/Operator Mike Douglas “You want an exterior paint that has been specifically designed to provide a tough, hard wearing finish and provides protection from all the elements,” he says.

Regularly maintaining the cladding on your home, helps spread your maintenance costs, provides protection from the elements and improves the longevity of your home’s cladding, Mike says.

Whether you are looking at selling your home or maintaining and protecting your biggest asset, there are few improvements as practical as house painting - and summer is the ideal time to get the job done.

“We recommend keeping the bottom edges of your cladding free of dirt and garden vegetation, washing regularly with low pressure water and brush and addressing any cracked plaster, deteriorating paint or leaking windows and junctions quickly to prevent further damage.”

PROMOTION

For more information and home inspiration, check out Marlborough Plastering online: www. marlboroughplastering.co.nz and Facebook/ marlboroughplastering. Or for free advice and quotes, give Mike a call: 0800 944748 or 021572800

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December 2021

Blue sky thinking Two recent builds by award-winning building company George Guthrie Construction are fantastic examples of the high-end designs they’ve been working on of late.

ROB DUFF

B

uilt with efficiency and comfort in mind, they’re each architecturally designed homes, albeit in rather contrasting settings.

The variety of work is part of the fun for George Guthrie and his team, who pride themselves on their ability to work on all sorts of homes, at all sorts of price points.

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Proud to partner with George Guthrie Construction

CARTERS Blenheim

03 577 5344

32 New Renwick Road

A clever meld of wood and steel make the build pleasing to the eye.

AWATERE VALLEY Designed by Rural Workshop Architecture, RWA, this compact home on an exposed site in the Awatere Valley was designed for a couple who previously spent the majority of their time in warm climates of the Northern Hemisphere.

A desire to achieve the ‘Gold Standard’ in terms of thermal performance and construction set the tone of the design, which includes a fully insulated slab, structural insulated panels, and European-style timber window and door joinery.

“SIPs [Structurally Insulated Panels] are engineered, and that’s a different way of building than your traditional frames,” George says.

“Because they are so high performing, they create a super efficient home, they are highly insulated; the R-Value is very high on them. They are airtight, and a warmer, healthier option.”

Situated to take in the stunning scenery surrounding the property, it has windows and doors which on some angles look out toward Cape Campbell and Wellington, while others take in breathtaking views of the Southern Alps and Mt Tapuae-o-uenuku.

Between Jarrod and George, the couple were able to work through a series of design options to suit their vision and their very specific budget.

Outside, the home is clad in Coloursteel in the rustic colour ‘Scoria’, with a little bit of timber added to the mix, alongside the timber joinery.

The two bedroom, two bathroom home features a ducted air conditioning transfer system, keeping the home at a constant temperature and bringing fresh air from the outside in, circulating it throughout the house.

Despite no underfloor heating, the home is so passive that warmth is absorbed and held in the floor, and outside noises are calmed thanks to high level insulation and quality materials.

George Guthrie Construction marketing manager, Kate Guthrie, says the home offers a feeling of serenity amid the area’s sometimes harsh natural elements.

“Our clients are originally from Singapore, and they’ve never lived in the Southern Hemisphere before. They took their time to order blinds for windows as wanted to establish where the sun rises and sets during different seasons.

“They came out here and stumbled across that land, really,” George says.

New to the area, as well as to building their own home, the couple placed a lot of trust in their designer, Jarrod Midgley, and the George Guthrie Construction team.

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“It’s quite an exposed area, but you walk in and there’s just the most calm feeling. It’s quite a surreal feeling when you walk in for the first time,” she says.

“It’s got such an amazing feeling about it; it’s calm, and you can still hear the wind outside but it feels very serene inside.”

High spec, quality materials and low energy homes are increasingly being requested in New Zealand, with many taking inspiration from overseas, George says.

The couple are in the process of having a new office space built, which will be a high spec, low energy building once complete, likely next year.

“Now more than ever there is an opportunity to do better environmentally and design for health and wellness, and we’re embracing that … the interior will focus on biophilic design, designing for health and productivity for our tenants.”

The couple and their team enjoy working on modern homes that are comfortable and healthy for their clients, while also being eco-friendly. Their new office space will help them to showcase and educate people on what can be done in this space.

“It’s very exciting for us,” Kate says.

“The co-shared office space will be a super cool, innovative and forward-thinking space that focuses on wellness architecture, sustainability, durability and minimising our waste,” Kate says.

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The modern, airy space makes the perfect family home.

SPRINGLANDS Set in one of Blenheim’s most established suburbs, Springlands, this new build was designed to provide a modern space for the young family who lives within it, while also paying tribute to the original cottage that occupied the site.

Looking from the outside, one would be forgiven for thinking that they were visiting the original home, however inside, it is a modern, brand new space.

Also designed by RWA, this home was constructed with a mix of materials, creating three bedrooms, two bathrooms and an open plan living area.

A central courtyard creates a centrepiece for the home, accessible from both the living areas and bedrooms, and is complemented by high raking ceilings and high-level glazing inside.

Exposed polished floors with underfloor heating add to the home’s warmth.

Pro Clima Intello wrap has been used on the interior walls to create an airtight home, contributing toward the client’s vision to explore ‘best practice’ options when it comes to thermal efficiency.

The George Guthrie team were only too happy to work with the Pro Clima Intello Wrap system, presenting a challenge in that it requires a completely different approach to construction than traditional weather-proofing options.

“This was a lovely home to work on for a lovely family, and it’s always nice to create beautiful homes for great people,” Kate says.

“We love working with new and innovative products.”

Wood and brick work harmoniously together to create the perfect outside space.

George and Kate established George Guthrie Construction in Marlborough after moving to the region in 2008.

Last year, the company won Gold at the House of the Year Competition for their work on a compact family home in Marlborough’s Omaka Valley.

The team works hard to build strong relationships with both clients and local architects, earning themselves a trusted reputation in the industry.

“We work closely with the architects; we’ve got really good relationships with them … we are a solution driven company

and we like to get to know the people we work with,” Kate says.

“George, while he’s not so much on the tools now, he’s the one behind the scenes project managing, and he’s got a really good relationship with our clients.”

The couple are supported by a talented team, who all make their own mark on the business and contribute to the high quality workmanship and service.

“We’ve got a really cool group of guys; they all get on really well and there’s a lot of respect among the old guys and the young guys,” George says. From Jane in the office to young

43

Aaron, whose completing his apprenticeship with us, we’re very lucky to be surrounded by and attract brilliant people.

They have invested in top-quality building software, BuilderTrend, and offer extra value for each of their clients where they can.

Using BuilderTrend, the team is able to manage projects and liaise with clients wherever in the world they may be.

“BuilderTrend is a fantastic tool for our clients, and for all new clients we also offer two hours of interior design expertise from one of Marlborough’s leading designers, Jenny Saggers, of Collaborate,” Kate says.

“Collaborate works closely with the client to help them understand things like materials, products and colours … making it easier for them to visualise their new home.”

While the business has naturally progressed to working on high end residential builds, alongside some light commercial work, the team is only happy to work on projects of all budget levels, George says.

Ola and Marie Höglund at their Höglund Glass Studio.

The magic of glass G

lass can be mesmerising and at the Höglund Glass Studio just out of Richmond, Nelson, there is a world of beautiful glass objects to be mesmerised by in all colours of the rainbow. Famous the world over for their extraordinary level of glass crafting skill, the Höglund family have never lost their desire to make glass art affordable.

To that end the extensive gallery is a showcase of the diversity of their work that includes many beautiful gifts under $100.

Some items such as their twisted oil and vinegar bottles and goblets remain as sought after as they ever were. “We would be unpopular if we stopped making them,” laughs Marie. Their birds in many colours may look delicate but have travelled all over the world as gifts.

Jewellery is a passion for Marie and long-serving staff member Mel who work together to produce gorgeous pendants, earrings and cufflinks from dichroic glass, a process that combines melted glass with tiny layers of metals and oxides to give a diversity of colour hues and iridescence that is unique to each piece. From $75 to $95, and these can be beautifully gift-wrapped too.

Höglunds is very much a family affair. Along with Marie and Ola who established the business in Nelson in 1984, glass pieces are now made on site by themselves, son Ossie and daughter-in-law Annie. Their other son Oliver produces glass lampshades in Australia which are also sold in the gallery.

“We really enjoy all working together,” says Marie. “Even our grandchildren are involved with one currently sewing masks

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December 2021

that are for sale in the shop.” Marie and Mel have recently developed their own brand of glycerine soap with no animal fats or petrochemicals in their makeup. Providing moisture to the skin and leaving it soft and smooth, even they look like blocks of coloured glass.

Most mornings, from Monday to Friday, the public can enjoy watching the glassblowers at work. This is completely free of charge and an opportunity to see the depth of skill that goes into every single piece. “People just love watching the workshop in action. It is such an ancient art form that never loses its fascination.”

Back in the extensive gallery with its magnificent displays, the swirling colours of the glass objects capture the light and shine. From small bowls and vases that blend pinks, purples and blues to the jellyfish paperweights that sit on lighted stands and on to the large art vases in rich orange and black, there is a world of pieces to choose from. The Top of the South is so fortunate to have such a gallery and making it a destination from wherever you are is a must.

Höglund Art Glass 52 Lansdowne Road, Appleby, Richmond Ph 03 544 6500 Visitors welcome 10am – 4pm hoglundartglass.com

47

Sporting fraternity honour their own

By Peter Jones

ROWING NZ

Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year Tom Murray, pictured rowing a single at the 2021 New Zealand champs.

I

t took Tom Murray and his crew-mates in the Kiwi eight just a tick under five and half minutes to cement their place in New Zealand rowing folklore.

However, the 2021 Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year’s journey to get to the finish line at the Tokyo Olympic Games took much, much longer and began in underwhelming fashion.

The 27-year-old began his glittering career began as a “somewhat reluctant” schoolboy novice at Marlborough Boys’ College, 12 years ago.

Tom recalled his early reluctance to throw his lot in with the rowing community. After being persuaded to try out on the rowing machine he produced a score good enough to excite the coaches, but immediately declared that he “had absolutely no interest whatsoever in rowing”.

“I don’t think I had even seen a rowing race at that stage. I managed a polite ‘no thank you’ and said, ‘see you next year’.

“Then, in 2010, I also posted a good score and this time I was not given a choice,” he recalled.

“I was told to get down to the Wairau River and I haven’t really left since.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

Success at Maadi Cup and national regattas as a member of the Blenheim Rowing Club quickly followed, leading into a trip into the 2016 Olympics as part of the Kiwi big boat crew.

A sixth place in Rio merely fuelled Tom’s appetite for success and, despite enjoying considerable success in the national pair over three seasons, he opted to return to the eight and a shot at gold in his sport’s blue riband event.

After being forced to travel to Europe for the ‘last chance regatta’ in early 2021, racing through a Covid-ravaged landscape, the eight qualified their boat for the deferred Tokyo showpiece and, between stays in MIQ, set about perfecting the technique that would strike gold at the Sea Forest Waterway.

Beaten in their opening race on the Olympic course, the Kiwis were forced to row a repechage, using the opportunity to perfect a game plan that would ultimately propel them past traditional front-runners Germany, Great Britain, USA and the Netherlands. Their success elevated the 2021 big boat alongside the much-feted 1972 eight who won in Munich, this country’s only previous eights gold.

Being born and bred in provincial Marlborough, then rising to the top of international sport, has given Tom a unique insight into what sets New Zealand athletes apart and allows us to punch above our weight on the world stage.

Tom put it down to two things – the support teams who had put their personal lives on hold to provide a framework for success, and “small town New Zealand”.

“And it’s not just in rowing,” he added. “We are constantly punching above our weight on the world stage.

Jade Otway – Junior Sportswoman of the Year.

William Exton – Junior Sportsman of the Year.

“It starts at grassroots level … the fundraisers, the volunteers.

The people of Blenheim who have given so generously over the years to sports teams to try and get our young athletes around the country and around the world, to try and be a better version of themselves. It’s unreal and not just in Blenheim, it happens all around the country.

“They get right behind their young athletes that are trying to find some direction.

“I am so humbled when I get out the medal now and see how that has affected those that have followed my journey.”

While Tom’s effort was an obvious standout, he had some stiff competition when the other four category winners at this year’s Marlborough Sports Awards were chosen.

The Sportswoman of the Year was Olympic silver medalwinning rower Ella Greenslade, a member of the Wairau Rowing Club for the past four seasons. Ella was part of the NZ women’s eight at the Games, who finished second in a thrilling final. She also bagged a silver medal in the women’s pair at the national championships.

The Junior Sportsman of the Year is karter William Exton.

During his first year in senior ranks William won all three of the Kartsport NZ titles available to him, taking out South Island, National Sprint and NZ Schools crowns, in varying track conditions and against top-level opposition, underlining his status as one of the nation’s leading drivers.

Jade Otway has dominated the Junior Sportswoman of the Year category in recent times and this year was no exception.

The 18-year-old took out the New Zealand under-18 singles title, among many others during another superb season. Jade was named New Zealand Tennis’s female Junior Player of the Year and is currently ranked New Zealand's top junior player and sixth overall.

Ella Greenslade – Sportswoman of the Year.

Photo supplied

Maurice Symes and Craig MacDonell – Team of the Year. Photo supplied

Team of the Year are local lawn bowlers Maurice Symes and Craig MacDonell, the 2021 national fours champions.

The seasoned performers represented Marlborough with distinction at the 2020-21 national championships. Maurice, from the Blenheim club, and Craig, from Riverside, joined forces with Te Puke’s John Gray and Steve Beel of Mount Maunganui to form an unstoppable composite four. They prevailed 20-19 in a nail-biting decider, getting the better of a four stacked with national representatives.

Due to Covid restraints, the 2021 Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year dinner, organised by Marlborough Weekly, Sport Tasman and Blenheim Round Table, was unable to be held as planned.

A visual link to the awards is available on YouTube and Marlborough Media’s Facebook site, with footage of Tom receiving the trophy from last year’s winner Callum Saunders, and a recap of the eights final.

MARLBOROUGH SPORTS AWARDS WINNERS 2021 Glenn Kirby, Bayleys Marlborough Junior Sportswoman of the Year - JADE OTWAY Redwood Trust Junior Sportsman of the Year WILLIAM EXTON MoreFM Sportswoman of the Year - ELLA GREENSLADE New World Blenheim Sportsman of the Year - TOM MURRAY WK Advisors and Accountants Team of the Year MAURICE SYMES AND CRAIG MACDONELL Sport Tasman, Blenheim Round Table, Marlborough Media Sportsperson of the Year - TOM MURRAY

Captivating displays, amazing stories, joyflights and excellent coffee!

Open 9am - 5pm (Last entry at 4pm) Closed Christmas Day 79 Aerodrome Rd, Blenheim Ph (03) 579 1305 www.omaka.org.nz

MARLBOROUGH EVENTS GUIDE

Pick up your copy from Marlborough District Council

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3 4

Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 Noel Leeming

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1.

Anton Wilke and Alan Preston

2.

Brian Dawson and Chris Walbran

3.

Bryan and Nicky Simpson

4.

Carmel Horsley and Hayden Lawton

5.

Richard Evans and Sam Kenny

6.

Nicky Simpson and Louisa Murray

7.

Kelly Miller and Richard Vercoe

8.

Jonathan Cappie, Bryan Simpson and Darren McDonald

9.

5

Rosa Tate, Pete Coldwell, Hayden Lawton and Leigh Somerville

10. Zoe Gray and Alistair Schorn

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MARLBOROUGH MAG

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Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 Vanilla Hayes

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1.

Aaron and Leanne Hayes

2.

Jacqui Lloyd, Craig Young and Tracey Green

3.

Anton Wilke and Janet Enwright

4.

Eva Pemper and Zoe Gray

5.

Alan Preston and Alistair Schorn

6.

Karen Mooney and Bronwyn Barnes

7.

Louisa Murray and Stephen Overton

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Leanne Hayes, Alan Preston and Pete Coldwell

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Rosa Tate, Leanne Hayes and Olivia Nuttall

10. Steve Gallop and Aaron Hayes

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MARLBOROUGH MAG

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Keep the moisture in and the bugs out Christmas is just around the corner and the holidays are in sight. With the weather growing warmer, enjoy the fruits of your labour and remember to ask a neighbour to water your garden if you are going away.

Key points for this month: •

Strawberries will start to ripen, protect them from birds and ensure they get plenty of water.

•

Keep planting salad crops for summer harvesting.

•

Protect vegetable crops from white butterfly and insects.

•

Continue to plant colour in pots and the garden for Christmas and summer displays.

•

Sow seeds of summer flowering annuals.

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Plant swan plants to attract butterflies into the garden.

•

Indoor plants are a great Christmas gift. Poinsettias are a traditional favourite.

•

Holiday time, check watering systems are working or install new ones.

Kitchen Garden Water less often but more thoroughly, the water needs to reach the subsoil where the plants can use it. Take your time and check that the soil is wet to at least 5cm.

Water in the early morning or early evening to reduce evaporation.

If you are going to be away, harvest as much as you can. Weed, feed and water well before you go.

Watch out for pests and take action as soon as possible to prevent them becoming a larger problem. Spray late in the day when the bees have gone home.

Protect cabbages and cauliflowers with Derris Dust to prevent white butterfly caterpillar and diamondback moth. Make sure you get to the undersides where they like to lay their eggs.

Pick courgettes while they are small as they quickly grow in to marrow if you leave them.

Stagger planting of green salad crops like mizuna, lettuce and mesclun for continuous supply.

Sow seeds. In most areas seeds can be planted directly in to the garden: beetroot, beans, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower, radish, spinach and silverbeet.

Plant seedlings: beans, pumpkin, courgettes, carrots, beetroot, radish, capsicum, eggplant, melons, spring onions, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and spinach.

Plant grapes, kiwifruit, tamarillos, rhubarb, passionfruit, strawberries and summerberries, add compost to the soil as you do.

Keep your citrus and passionfruit well watered. Mulch around the root zone as we move into the warmer weather; keep the mulch material away from the trunk.

Spray copper oxychloride again this month on citrus fruit and passionfruit.

Apply a side dressing of blood and bone to all vegetables.

Feed all vegetables with liquid fertiliser every two weeks.

Control slugs and snails with bait as they love fresh vegetables!

Garden Colour Keep your pots well watered, they will dry out quickly, water daily if necessary. Add a water retention product to the soil to help retain moisture.

Plant for bees: pineapple sage, bergamot, lemon balm, blue salvia, coreopsis, gaillardia alyssum, rosemary. They love these simple flowers.

Plant avocados, they need a very well drained position, insert the stake at the time of planting. Mulch to conserve water.

Sow seeds. In most areas seeds can be planted directly in to the garden: aster, cosmos, cornflowers, petunia, marigold, phlox, portulaca, and verbena.

Feed tomatoes every fortnight with a fast acting tomato food. Ensure they are firmly staked, well watered and remove the laterals (side growth) when they are small.

Plant seedlings: aquilegias, aster, chrysanthemum, cosmos, dahlia, dianthus, nasturtium, marigolds, petunia, phlox, portulaca, salvia, verbena, viscaria and zinnia.

Mound up the soil around your potatoes and side dress with blood and bone; water the fertiliser in to the soil.

Plant perennials, keep new plantings well watered.

Continue to feed strawberries and water them well, cover with netting if birds are becoming a problem.

Keep an eye on your roses and spray with an insecticide to prevent pests and diseases if required. Spray late in the day when the bees have gone home.

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