Letters to Live By

from Marlborough Magazine - August 2021

On the Street

letters

to live by

Steve Austin is Marlborough Heritage Trust executive director and keeper of community memories. He hopes his future self will remember the pivotal moments where passion and commitment paid off.

Dear Steve,

Remember, Marlborough offers us all space to be brilliant. Our ambitions for heritage must be well understood – what we are doing and why we are doing it. But this must be combined with perseverance if the potential is to be realised.

I hope you will be able to continue to look back and identify moments when perseverance and passion enabled our longterm goals to bear fruit. The politics of heritage (it is very vulnerable to being exploited for personal and political gain), and resource constraints within the heritage sector, mean that it is not for the faint hearted.

Motivation and determination need to be sustained over time. Heritage work is often a team marathon rather than an individual sprint. With renewed interest from Kiwi visitors, and more teaching of our history in schools, we have a bright future. I first came to Marlborough Museum to use the research facilities in 2004 and become the first museum professional employed here in 2006. It was obvious that the archives and museum had a lot of potential but there is a long journey from recognising potential to getting traction for the transformation to take place. A clearly defined strategy for heritage is essential for community museums to thrive and find their place with all the other heritage offerings of a region, it stops petty politics and the personalities distracting from the main tasks. Developing the relevance of the museum to people who may not necessarily have family roots to the area is an important consideration. Museums are the memory of a community, collections need to be cared for properly but they also need to be accessible, and this balance is one that is always a challenge. Museums are part of the service sector, and this year we have been heartened by the recent interest in the redevelopment of the Edwin Fox site in the context of the visitor economy. The Edwin Fox has huge potential as a national heritage icon, and an internationally significant artefact, to become a real hero of Picton heritage tourism, the Marlborough visitor economy, and the poster child for Picton maritime heritage. Heritage, and investment in it, is essential for community pride and regional branding. Knowing our roots inspires us through the tough times, but this is also an important part of the essence of heritage tourism, strategic investment in heritage, and sustainable development. Over the coming decades, I also hope to celebrate gains for our natural history. I am really looking forward to the coming decades which promise so much. Best wishes, Steve

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Building a Better New Zealand

On set of Random Directions group project sponsored by Screen Marlborough.

Making movie magic

The Random Directions Film Project is paving the way for grassroot film makers in Marlborough. Paula Hulburt finds out what makes the festival a standout attraction.

Towering stalks of corn brush against their backs as the muggy air sticks T-shirts to skin. A man dressed in black robes with a fake golden beard stands with his head bowed, listening to the director. The camera man is still, perfectly poised to shoulder the weight of the tools of his trade as he waits for shooting to start.

Filming is underway at Marlborough’s Omaka Maize Maze location the chosen location for an adventure film challenge which helped showcase the talents of some of the region’s most talented film makers.

For many, work on the 13 films being showcased at Blenheim’s Event Cinemas at the end of the month began years earlier. It starts as a quick sliver of a thought, gossamer thin and flimsy. Over time, the idea grows, becomes stronger, sparks into life and takes on a definite shape. Such is the creative process, explains Phil McKinnon, creator of the Random Directions Film Project. While the film makers themselves come from a variety of different backgrounds and have a wide range of skills, the initial ideas are all born from imagination, he says. “Film makers come in all shapes and sizes, all levels of skills from first time movie makers to career driven film makers, which creates a massive variety within the films being made in Blenheim.

James Mitchell and Phil McKinnon on set of Random Directions Round 1 Film ‘The Maid in the Meadow’ by James Mitchell.

“The one thing these film makers all have in common is their passion and that deserves to be celebrated.” This open-minded approach has helped many local film makers get out there and give it ago, creating their first short film via the project and bring their films to the big screen. Be it good, bad or even ugly, all short films made via this project will get their time to shine, Phil explains. “Random Directions is not your run of the mill film festival, it’s the lighter side of film making, avoiding films made for the masses and aiming for a more imaginative, quirky, anything goes approach.” It was a wish to help foster film talent and imagination that saw Phil and wife Amy McKinnon start Random Directions in 2017.

“It’s really a project made by the people, for the people,” explains Phil. “Film making in Marlborough had been around for a while but we felt something was missing, people were starting to lack motivation and inspiration. “So, we did the obvious thing and we asked people how they felt and what they wanted when it came to local film making. They wanted something different, they wanted to be able to make films without the judgment and without pressure that often comes with submitting films to film festivals. They still wanted to be able to come together at the end and view their films together.” So, The Random Directions Film Project was born; encouraging budding movie makers to create a short film based around a theme to a piece of music they must use in their film - referred to as a Random Direction.

“When we first started out, we had no idea how popular this concept would be within the Blenheim Film Making community,” enthuses Phil. “There were 19 people drawing in the first year with the goal to create a short film via the project.” Local filmmaker James Mitchell says the group has helped put enjoyment back into the process. “Over the last few years, Random Directions has been a great way to be creative with a fantastic and diverse group of people. “The idea is that filmmaking should be a fun atmosphere and enjoyment on set is as important as the joy of seeing the finished film for the first time.

“I’ve been involved with Random Directions since its inception and highly recommend it as the best way to get involved with creative filmmakers here in Marlborough.” The 2021 Film Festival will showcase 13 locally made short movies created over the last two years via the Random Directions Film Project and local comedy group Skitz on Screen.

All 13 films having been created and filmed in Marlborough-

by-Marlborough movie makers. “It’s very exciting and humbling to be in our 4th year, heading into our 5th, and to now be showcasing these Marlborough made movies publicly for everyone to enjoy,” smiles Phil. He laughs as he remembers the first screening at the Marlborough Museum and shakes his head ruefully. “We ran our first screening of films made via Round One of the film project privately, for film makers only, in 2018 at the Marlborough Museum with quite a few setbacks and sound difficulties on our end.”

From coping with sound problems to screening around COVID-19 alert levels, the film industry can be fraught. But it is the overwhelming sense of fun and achievement which makes it all worthwhile for Phil.

“So we have come a long way having had our first public screening at Event Cinemas last year here in Blenheim during Level 2 and the support from the locals was great so we are really looking forward to our first public, COVID free festival. “I think the films we will be screening this year are the most random yet with a lot of laughs and fun to be had.” The 2021 Random Direction Film Festival is playing at Event Cinemas Blenheim on Sunday 29 August at 7.30pm. Tickets are now on Sale at Event Cinemas Blenheim and via the Event Cinemas website.

On set of Random Directions Round 3 Film '18' by Amy Bain. Photo: Supplied

For more information on the Film Festival and the Random Directions Film Project visit the Facebook page @randomdirectionsNZ or go to randomdirections.co.nz

Full steam ahead

Steam Incorporated’s Danny Greene will be one of the steam locomotive drivers at the heart of a new heritage train journey. Inspired by Sir Edmund Hillary, the new venture, which will get underway in March 2022, will take passengers on a 13-day journey of the South Island.

How long have you been a driver and what path did you take to become one?

Forty-one years, my father saw an advert for drivers. I remember it said something along the lines of “be one of the few people to see the dawn over the horizon whilst being responsible for carrying some of the most precious freight.”

The heritage engines are special, how does it feel to drive one?

It’s a privilege, these engines are preserved really well, keeping the essence of what they were back in the day with some modern safety equipment under the hood.

What are the most important skills needed to work with the older engines?

Understanding how they operate and learn how to get the most out of the machine whilst not working them too hard. These 100-year-old locos don’t have any warning lights or buzzers, you really need to keep your eye on the ball and your ear to the ground.

What view do you never tire off?

My favourite stretch of line would have to be between Pines and Kaikoura it is a breath-taking section of track. Travelling through the numerous tunnels whilst being right on the coast is impressive. The engines are very striking, do you get a lot of attention when you’re driving and how do you normally respond?

Driving modern trains gathers the attention of young ones and rail enthusiasts however, when you step onto the foot plate of a Steam locomotive like Ab 608 everyone stops and waves and of course I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t give them a toot and a wave back. Seeing everyone get such a massive buzz out of what we do makes the job really special.

What engine is your personal favourite and why?

Da 1410 would have to be my favourite, although not a Steam loco it was built in 1955 so is still very much heritage, it’s fitted with a steam engine style brake whilst still having the horsepower and comfort of a modern locomotive so I guess you could say I enjoy taking a break from the Steam engine for some extra horsepower and comfort every now and then. Ab 608 would have to be a close second.

Can you tell us one fact about the engines you drive that most people won’t know?

Ab 608 is the locomotive I drive the most in recent times. In 1929 it was named “Passchendaele” to commemorate the railwaymen that we lost during the battle of Passchendaele. To the best of my knowledge, it was the only locomotive that received an official name whilst in NZR service.

On the job

Working is a fact of life for many Marlburians, but why do we choose the jobs we have and what makes them special? Christine McNeil finds out.

CHRISTINE MCNEIL

In the swim of things

As a child, Kayley Wiffen spent hours splashing about in the pools at Stadium 2000 while her older sister trained in water sports. For the now lifeguard, it was the start of a special bond with the complex and its people. Self-described people person Kayley loves her job. “I did grow up here. I got to swim and be in the water quite a bit,” she explains. Employed as a lifeguard where a keen eye, and strong swimming skills are a must, Kayley can carry out rescue techniques, and is First Aid certified. She is also trained to understand and carry out the technical aspects of pool water testing and safety check procedures for the steam rooms, sauna, and spa. Given the opportunity to teach swim school, Kayley finds it ‘very, very, rewarding, and fun’. She says, ‘I had another wee boy float for the first time by himself today; I was really, really proud’. Kayley’s passion and enthusiasm for her job are clear, whether it is keeping the community safe, or interacting with her swim school charges. What Kayley most appreciates, is her supportive work environment. “They really care about us employees, they always try to push us forward to be our best.”

A matter of pride

Mike Johnston from Tyreland had wanted to be a pilot but had to change course to support a young family. What has been a loss to aviation, is undoubtedly a gain for the automotive industry as listening to him talk about his work, his obvious sense of enjoyment, passion and ambition, he clearly enjoys what he does. Established in 1998 the business now supports seven staff. Nobody came past Main Street in the early days, Matt explains, ‘it felt like the Bronx, back then. Today, it feels like we’re in the greater CBD’. With an established commercial clientele in the viticulture industry, the past few years has seen the business pivot towards increasing retail sales opportunities. It’s a competitive environment: ‘Blenheim has 27 or 28 tyre dealers’ Mike says, ever humble about his success.

Part of a country-wide co-operative, Mike uses his business knowledge to support the group. ‘‘I’m heavily involved with the Board of Directors, who work to embed standards of practice, refine customer engagement practices and raise the profile of the tyre industry,” he explains.

Not just book smart

Nestled in the pages of the thousands of books lining the shelves, countless worlds wait to be discovered. The library has long been a lure for readers and information seekers, but a revolution of sorts is taking place- quietly of course. Community Engagement Coordinator with Marlborough District Council Duncan Mackenzie is a man on a mission; to boost visitor numbers and make the Marlborough libraries the social hubs he believes they can be. Responsible for identifying groups that do not generally use the library, Duncan says his job is about listening rather than telling. To date, reaching out into the community has seen Duncan engage with educationalists, students, and viticulture representatives. Speaking to the diverse demographic of people that live in Marlborough, Duncan sees the region’s libraries as vital community assets. Activities that encourage community get - togethers are already underway in Picton. In Blenheim staff are looking forward to having more adaptable spaces when the new library is completed. Duncan says the library is not just ‘a big communal bookshelf’; the use of technology has transformed the ways in which people are now able to engage. Whether it is learning how to print in 3D, interacting with programmable robots, or accessing the extensive range of online international newspapers and magazines, the library offers interesting opportunities for everyone, he says. Duncan, a willing Marlborough advocate, is using his people skills and community networks to deliver a great library experience for everyone. “Being able to make better things happen for our community, for me, that’s a great thing,” he grins.

Groomed to perfection

Her hair falls in small curls over her ears, glossy and knot free but Sue McManaway’s latest client isn’t interested in admiring her new look, she’s spotted her owner and is excited to leave. Treating her furry clients as if they were her own and making sure every tail is wagging has helped trained veterinary nurse Sally McManaway make the most of her talents. Moving next door from Alabama Vets in Blenheim to set up Sally’s Grooming in 1998, Sally called on family and industry mentors to help develop her skills. Starting off with two or three clients a week, Sally says she deals mostly with dogs, some cats, and even the odd rabbit. From humble beginnings she has worked hard to grow the business which means so much to her.

Most of the animals she cares for are repeat clients and with a reputation for achieving grooming success with ‘dogs that no-one else will touch’, Sally is proud of all she has done. But, she says, it takes more than knowing about shampoos and conditioners. As well as keeping an eye on their wellbeing, Sally aims to make sure each animal enjoys their pamper time. Sally is now passing that knowledge on, giving her a great sense of pride to see staff progressing and growing in confidence. Its not just a job, it’s a labour of love, she explains.

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