4
September 2020
NORTHERN FARMING LIFESTYLES
SURVIVED TO TELL THE STORY by Ann van Engelen
Lifestyle block and deer farm owner John Vujcich has lived and worked in the rural community for many years, is a Far North District Councillor and has a story of survival to tell. PART TWO
A
fter a farming accident where he lost his right foot in September 2013, John is now very aware of the lifesaving services the Northland Rescue Helicopters provide. “I was in a wheelchair for a while and am coping well with missing a foot. I now understand the difficulties of those who are in the Paralympics,” says John. “You get an appreciation of what people live with every day — mine is an artificial foot. I can’t do the nine-second 100-metre sprint anymore, not that I could before but I can do most things. “If it wasn’t for the rescue chopper I would certainly not have survived. One of the pilots recently told my brother
Peter, a doctor, that rescue-chopper pilot Sue Dinkelacker established an exclusive club for those who have been rescued by helicopter. “It helps raise awareness and funds for the organisation. I immediately joined and became their first member. I think it is very fitting considering they saved my life. I encourage all those who have been rescued by the service to join. It doesn’t matter where in the country, or world, you were rescued. It is a great initiative — you can get more information at Haastclub.com.” The Haast Club membership is a way to commemorate a personal rescue with the logo being the Haast eagle.
SILO & BULK DELIVERIES Silo deliveries of Stock feed and Fertiliser. Bulk deliveries of palm kernel, woodchip, sawdust and post peelings.
Being an amputee, John says he has a new appreciation for people who are involved in events such as the Paralympics “The purpose of the club is to offer a tangible ‘legacy-quality’ collectable to remind you of your experience, and create a talking point to share your story while raising funds for New Zealand Rescue Helicopter Trusts,” says Sue. “Many different types of helicopters have saved people over the last halfa-century. Helicopter-shaped artwork would be recognised as a specific
chopper, whereas an eagle symbolises them all. Inspired by the eagle that snatched Gandalf to safety in the Tolkien stories, the Haast Club artworks depict the largest eagle ever to have existed in the world, the extinct New Zealand Haast’s eagle.” John has been a councillor at the Far North District Council since September 2013 and lives on a lifestyle block
Call Dan: 021 407 255 PO Box 253, Kerikeri
JOHN DEERE 100 SERIES RIDE-ON MOWERS
will create a ring fenced dedicated fund for road sealing with a subsidy of 80% for Northland.
E110 • • • • •
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from
4,278 INCL GST
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL CERVUS EQUIPMENT BRANCH TO LEARN MORE!
Matt King Northland’s hardworking local MP Authorised by Matt King, Parliament Buildings, Wellington
0800 333 734
CervusEquipment.co.nz ^Warranty term limited to years or hours used, whichever comes first and varies by model. Image is for illustrative purposes only.