Life + Style - 10 May 2019

21 August, 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun Ë›

Female lifeguards diving in Page 3

HOME FEATURE INSIDE

THE WEEKEND

Willow Mystery

Allan Bicker

Dash Shaw

°

May, 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 2110 August, 2015

The spirit of Napoleon Mystery of the weeping willow While exploring the Papamoa waterways, I came across an arched footbridge with an overhanging weeping willow.

Taking a photo of this rather romantic scene, I posted the picture to Facebook.

Tauranga City Councillor Steve Morris immediately responded with a cryptic photo of a painting of St Helena and a question: “Can you guess the story behind this famous Papamoa tree?”

Bemused, I called him. Earlier in the year, he’d met a group of residents at the footbridge to discuss how low the weeping willow was hanging.

As it turns out, one of them told him an interesting story.

“Apparently it was grown from a cutting of the tree above Napoleon Bonaparte’s grave on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean,” says Steve. “It’s not so much a grandchild of Napoleon’s tree, but genetically the same tree.”

Fascinated, I quickly did a Google search.

From 1815 to 1821, Napoleon was exiled to the island of Saint Helena, after his crushing defeat at Waterloo.

During his six-year sojourn, until his death, Napoleon had few distractions to take up his time and was reported to have turned to gardening.

According to a website devoted to the real Napoleon’s willow, one tree in particular “became associated with Napoleon, because it was said that he used to sit under it. It was his special place for tranquillity and reflection, and he asked to be buried under its shade”.

In 1821, he was buried on the island “in a lonely spot near a spring shaded by two weeping willows”.

Any tree that grows as a result of a cutting is a kind of duplicate tree, and as a result, such a tree was known as Napoleon’s willow wherever it was planted.

In September 1837, Francois Le Lievre - a staunch Bonapartist - stole two willow slips and a slice of bark from the tree. He was certain it held Bonaparte’s spirit. The willow shoots made it to Akaroa, where one flourished and, according to some, spawned many descendants in Canterbury.

The story goes that one of those cuttings is the willow tree next to the Papamoa footbridge.

As a newly self-appointed tree detective, I decided to phone Greg Clarke from Hawridge Developments, who’s responsible for much of the Palm Springs property development. He suggested I call Richard Hart, who has been involved in the landscaping of the waterways and subdivisions and has a good knowledge of the ecology of the area, including its notable trees.

“I’d be surprised if it was historic,” says Richard.

“The whole water course through the Papamoa area is constructed, although it’s very feasible that this could be a cutting from the Akaroa tree.

“Willows grow very easily from cuttings. One thing would be to identify what species the tree is.

“Even if it is just a story, it sounds like a damn good one.”

He contacted me later that day, saying: “I can confirm it is a weeping willow (Salix babylonica), Rosalie Liddle Crawford so the story is possible.”

, ily a nd ! e op view e lag ll to l i V ca

Find your new home at Copper Crest, a retirement community with heart, quality homes and a range of activities and facilities on your doorstep.

Our brand new two and three bedroom homes at Copper Crest offer open plan living with a high stud, creating a truly spacious feel. There’s a choice of single or double garage, appliances are included and you’ll have your own

raised garden. Be a part of an active community of like minded people who look out for each other and have fun together. You can take advantage of all the great facilities our community has on offer including indoor pool, spa and gym, library, residents’ bar and bowling green.

Call Astrid Martin to arrange a personal tour and talk about your retirement needs. Phone 578 6245 or 027 495 6650 or email sales@coppercrest.co.nz www.coppercrest.co.nz

52 Condor Drive, Pyes Pa, Tauranga.

10 May, 2019

Female lifeguards diving in Surf lifeguards from around the Bay of Plenty and Coromandel areas made waves at one of the first Wahine on Water Events, held at Whangamata Beach in April.

As part of a BP Leaders for Life Project, young volunteers Phoebe Havill, Phil Pirie, Paul Hardy and Julia Conway have been exploring ways to get more female lifeguards keen and confident to crew and drive IRBs (Inflatable Rescue Boats).

Fifty per cent of surf lifeguards are female, yet only 28 per cent of our IRB drivers are female. This is something the group want to address through pairing less experienced lifeguards with an experienced female IRB mentor. The intention of the networking day is to give women an opportunity to expand their boat experience, in a supported and relaxed environment.

The event was targeted at women from any club who would like to enjoy a fun day in an IRB, learning tips on driving and crewing from some of the best female IRB drivers in the region.

The first training day gained a lot of attention throughout the country with other regions looking at hosting their own training days.

“It was a great day out on the water with lots of young women taking part and getting involved,” says event manager Phoebe Havill.

“We had members from right across the

Eastern Region come along; 20 who were here to gain more skills and confidence and another eight mentors and instructors who helped run the day.”

During the half-day training candidates and instructors took part in different activities and drills such as reversing trailers, engine maintenance, patient pickups and patient care, as well as driving skills.

Another member of the BP Leaders for Life Group, Phil Pirie, helped with the logistics and planning in the lead-up to the training day.

“We were really impressed with the turn-out and the support which we have received from all the club officials, instructors and parents.

Not to mention Whangamata Surf Life Saving Club - the club has been fantastic with the use of their facilities,” says Phil.

“It was heaps of fun, really well run by the instructors,” says Maggie Lowe from Whangamata SLSC who took part in the training. “I feel a lot more confident out on the water, it was such a great learning environment.”

When asked if she had any advice for those thinking of taking part in the next Wahine on Water Networking Event, Maggie said “you have to get involved! It’s so much fun and you meet loads of new people as well!”

The Wahine on Water team is already planning more training events. Details on how to get involved can be found on the Surf Life Saving New Zealand website.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Photos: Surf Life Saving NZ

Wahine on Water

life+style The Weekend Sun 3

10August, May, 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 21 2015

Photos: Bruce Barnard

4

Allan Bicker Papamoa’s fire chief retires Chief Fire Officer Allan Bicker has been a volunteer fire fighter for the Papamoa Volunteer Fire Brigade for over 30 years.

On the last day of March 2019, he quietly went into the station and hung up his chief ’s hat for the last time.

His stepson Gareth Wood had messaged me from Christchurch the night before.

“Tomorrow my hero and best friend hands in his beeper to enjoy a well and hard-earned retirement,” says Gareth. “He’s an amazing role model for me and my sisters and a very humble man.”

Allan was out driving a fire truck when I phoned him. It turns out he isn’t quite retiring altogether – he’ll still be delivering fire trucks for Fire and Emergency NZ, but his days as a volunteer fire fighter are over.

“It’s 32 and a half years,” says Allan. “Twenty-one and a half years as chief. All in Papamoa.”

Our photographer Bruce Barnard and I met him for a tour of the station and a look back over the years. His wife Sheryl remembers him joining up in 1986.

“As we moved into our house in Simpson Rd, the fire siren went,” says Sheryl. “They had an open day a couple of weeks later, he went to it, and that was it.

“Siren goes off, pager goes off and he goes off. It’s 24/7. You get used to it.”

“I had a look in the fire engine, and I was hooked,” says Allan.

Call 0800 111 313 or visit mrrental.co.nz

I look around the station. There’s no fireman’s pole. A large exhaust pipe curls down from the roof, and there are relics from yesteryear on display in the clubroom. A carbon tetrachloride fire extinguisher with a hand pump that’s more than 50 years old, an old fireman’s axe and the original stand pipes that firemen used to connect into water mains.

Discontinued in the 50s and heavy to lug around, they were replaced by alloy pipes.

A dart board for the inter-station dart tournaments is at one end. An old white cork helmet, dating back to war times, sits on a high shelf.

“They started off with brass helmets but they became too expensive,” says Allan. “Then cork ones from the UK. Then plastic. Now it’s a composite.”

The newer styles look more like a motorcycle helmet. A red helmet is worn by the station officer, yellow helmets for fire fighters, silver for regional management and black for the chief executives.

Allan as chief fire officer wears the white helmet.

“At a fire you’ll see the white helmet standing back directing the red and yellow helmets,” says Allan.

I ask him how many fires he’s been to.

“Hundreds,” he replies. It seems a majority of call outs are to houses where people have fallen asleep after putting a pot on the stove.

“There was a house fire a number of years ago in Dickson Rd, and what stood out about it was the amount of alcohol the gentleman had in his house that helped burn his house down. He had thousands of those miniature bottles.

“You can’t smell smoke when you’re asleep. It’s not

10 2019 21 May, August, 2015

“There was a house fire a number of years ago in Dickson Rd, and what stood out about it was the amount of alcohol the gentleman had in his house that helped burn his house down.

He had thousands of those miniature bottles.

the flames that kill people, it’s the smoke.”

The Papamoa station has one fire engine, with 20 volunteer fire fighters who all live within a five kilometre radius. There’s four-and-a-half minutes from when the siren goes off until the truck leaves.

Socks, boots, trousers and jacket are positioned ready to jump into, taking only 30 seconds to get dressed.

“Our siren goes up and down three times and turns itself off. Te Puke’s goes up and down until somebody turns it off, so it could be longer than three times,” says Allan.

Allan explains how the Papamoa station is a fire station not a fire rescue station.

“We haven’t got rescue gear, only a fire engine. We do carry a first aid kit and defibrillator. We’re there as fire protection and respond as a pump.

“We are co-responders, all trained in CPR,” says Allan, “responding to Code Purple alerts, which is respiratory, cardiac and the possibility of the person dying. Often we get there before the ambulance.

“Our first response area is from the end of Papamoa East to Royal Palm Boulevard. Our second response area is as far as Tiara Place. Mount Maunganui Brigade respond to that area as well.”

“People don’t realise they are volunteers,” says Sheryl. “There’s no reimbursement for petrol. They can get called in the middle of the night. They just do it because they want to help the community.”

Allan also works for Fire and Emergency NZ, shifting fire engines around what is called Region 2.

“It’s living the dream. This is a semi-retirement job, no stress and you get to meet a lot of people. And

every now and then they fly me down to Wellington to bring a new fire engine back up.”

Deputy Chief Brent Sanford is looking forward to a special farewell planned for his chief in the next couple of months.

“Only about eight per cent do over 25 years’ service,” says Brent. “Most do about ten years. Allan is a very noble man, and very quiet. He’s passionate about the fire service, and very quiet about taking recognition.”

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

Phone Carlene: 07 281 1519 or 0800 00 58 43 www.southerncrosspartners.co.nz

life+style The Weekend Sun 5

6

May, 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 2110August, 2015

Dash Shaw Painted animated movies With the growing number of animators in Tauranga and Rotorua, it’s great news to hear that Dash Shaw will be coming to town.

Thanks to the support of the US Embassy, the Tauranga Art Gallery is flying Dash to New Zealand to speak at the gallery on Saturday, May 18.

His visit is part of the ‘Mega World’ exhibition ‘Anti-heroes: The Art of Conscious Cartoonists and Comic Book Creators’ that is running from February 23 to June 9. Curated by Craig McClure, this exhibition celebrates comic books and cartooning, and the powerfully empathetic way cartoonists have of representing the world.

For those who don’t know, Dash is a US film animator, comic book writer/artist, whose most recent animation ‘My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea’ stars the voice talents of Jason Schwartzman, Lena Dunham, Reggie Watts, Maya Rudolph, and Susan Sarandon.

The film is showing now, for the first time in Australasia, at Tauranga Art Gallery and screening daily at 10.30am, 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm.

The talk in May is a unique and exciting opportunity to hear from this international artist who is at the forefront of comics and animation.

He’s well-known for his comic book work, from which he moved into animation.

How did it all begin?

Dash had drawn a comic short story titled ‘My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea’ in early 2009.

“When I was a high school student, in the nineties, there were two main schools of comic books: autobio comics and adventure comics.

“The idea behind the story was to combine these two opposing schools. It was based on real feelings and experiences. I had a character named Dash working at a school newspaper with other students and wanting to be a cartoonist, but it was thrown into a boy’s adventure-style action comic.”

Dash recalls seeing the James Cameron movie ‘Titanic’ as a teenager and eventually thinking about writing his short story as a disaster movie, but keeping everything based on actual high school scenarios.

“I thought ‘My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea’ was a funny story idea with a funny title, and I liked how it was coloured in a very extreme, almost abstract way.

“I kept thinking about it and wanted to expand it into something larger. When I started making more animations, my mind went back to that piece. Gradually more ideas came into view, like the school being four floors and each floor being designated to a grade - a video game-like structure.

US Filmmaker Magazine ranked ‘My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea’ in the top three films of 2016, calling it an ‘instant cult classic’ that was the ‘funniest film’ they had seen all year.

Dash Shaw’s wife Jane Samborski was the film’s

10 August, May, 2019 21 2015

life+style The Weekend Sun 7

“I thought ‘My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea’

The

was a funny story idea with a funny title.”

lead animator, and she will be joining Dash in New Zealand.

Fans of the ‘number eight wire’ philosophy will enjoy hearing how Dash made the film.

The movie was drawn mostly in his kitchen in Brooklyn, by himself and Jane, along with a few people he knows from alternative comics like Frank Santoro. With limited means, the sinking high school concept was the perfect choice. Painting all the backgrounds was relatively easy because they were just school backgrounds or abstract. Having limited means became a strength, rather than a hindrance.

Dash’s first love is comic books, graphic novels and zines, so the animations that hold his interest come from that place too. He particularly likes the early Astro Boy cartoons

by Osamu Tezuka.

“He was a cartoonist, and then he applied his storytelling, drawing and composition skills to make beautiful, traditional animations. Most of the Japanese animations I admire are based on comic books, and drawn by comic book artists.”

The original drawings, painted in acrylic on bristol board, are then scanned into a computer.

“Jane is trained as an animator. She’s a master at complicated body movements. She would animate the more intricate gestures in pencil and I would go over it in ink so it’d all look consistent.”

The result is a unique sensory experience,

Is it time to

The World

REPLACE?

There’s no denying that having a heat pump makes life so much more comfortable whether you’re battling the chill of the New Zealand winter or the heat of summer. Having a reliable unit in your home can ensure that you’re comfortable and dry throughout the year.

reflecting Dash’s aesthetic vision. There is a stroboscopic sequence, incredible liquid light effects and other refreshing visuals. Comic fans will appreciate this.

The deadpan humour in the movie will also appeal. It’s a disaster movie, yet the characters are talking about school things, or acne, or friends.

After making ‘My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea’, he started work on his next film ‘Cryptozoo’.

“It’s about a zoo that rescues and houses mythological creatures, and it’s a painted movie. It has some live-action elements in it.”

Dash Shaw’s talk begins 10.30am at Tauranga Art Gallery on Saturday May 18. Entry is free for NZ residents but donations are appreciated.

Is it time to REPLACE?

There’s no denying that having a heat pump so muchamore whether However,makes therelifecomes timecomfortable when your trusty old air you’re battling the chill of the New Zealand conditioner just doesn’t perform as well as itwinter once did. or the heat of summer. Having a reliable unit in Excessive noise, repairs, unusually high energy your homecostly can ensure that you’re comfortable costs andand uneven heatingtheand cooling are some signs dry throughout year.

that your heat pump/air conditioning unit might be on However, there comes a time when your trusty old air the way out. conditioner just doesn’t perform as well as it once did.

Excessive noise, costly repairs, unusually high energy costs and uneven heating and cooling are some signs When space heating canconditioning amount unit to up tobe on that your heat pump/air might the way out.

Rosalie Liddle Crawford

34%

UP

C

ENERGY BILL1

OF YOUR ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD When space heating can amount to up to

YOUR ANNUAL You may34 want consider replacing your old 1 %toOF ENERGY BILL HOUSEHOLD air conditioner

You may want to consider replacing your old air conditioner

29% HOT WATER

3434%%

HEATING SPACE SPACE HEATING AND COOLING AND COOLING

29% HOT WATER

13% OTHER APPLIENCES 13% OTHER APPLIENCES

8%

LIGHTING

6%

OVEN

8% 6%

1

1

UP

REFRIGERATION 10% REFRIGERATION 10% LIGHTING OVEN

Electricity Cost breakdown https://www.branz.co.nz/cms_show_download.php?id=a9f5f2812c5d7d3d53fdaba15f2c14d591749353 pg. 31 Household Energy End-use Project (HEEP)

Electricity Cost breakdown https://www.branz.co.nz/cms_show_download.php?id=a9f5f2812c5d7d3d53fdaba15f2c14d591749353 pg. 31 Household Energy End-use Project (HEEP)

It’s e

8

May, 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 2110August, 2015

Combining style and sustainability Thorne Group has built a light, breezy home that not only stands as a beautiful home, but is also eco-friendly and healthier to live in.

The Thorne Group’s new show home at The Lakes seamlessly combines design and eco-consciousness.

The home, positioned on a 528 square metre site, has been purpose-built to gain accreditation as a six-star Homestar rated home.

The Homestar rating system is a comprehensive, independent, national rating tool that measures the health, warmth and efficiency of New Zealand Homes. It’s not just ticking boxes – a Homestar rating looks at everything from window placement to the materials used to construct the home, and everything must comply to receive a rating.

Principal architectural designer for the Thorne Group and qualified Homestar accredited practitioner and assessor Jon McAlpine designed the new show home.

The home features a large separate lounge with high raking ceilings and a built-in window seat and cabinetry. This lounge is seamlessly extended using over lit glazing to the versatile extension of the home, which is the ideal spot to enjoy a barbecue or entertain.

The open plan kitchen and dining area extends the space further by opening to another outdoor area that is perfect for enjoying the outdoors or entertaining. Tucked away behind the functional kitchen – which features a bold callacatta marble backsplash and natural stone – is a large walk-in pantry on one side and a cosy study nook on the other.

This space can be closed off by a large steel-frame glass door with reeded glass, which also helps with heat retention in winter. The raw feeling of this door is in stark but complementary comparison to the soft, warm feel of the interior cedar linings that connect the interior and exterior. The ‘open-plan’ feel is nurtured by the large opening and increases flexibility by closing the space off when required. The steel and reeded glass door was custom-made to

10 May, 2019

define the space.

A cedar spine wall creates the interior connection between the living and dining areas and extends to the exterior, which features a cedar slat eyebrow roof extending over the deck to create shade and filtered natural light.

Natural and sustainable flooring choices of textural wood and a carpet made from recycled fishnets really show that it’s possible to build a stylish home that also boasts a six-star Homestar rating.

The interiors of the home employ a mixture of natural materials that work together to create an organic, earthy feel.

“We wanted to do something that was bold and pushed the boundaries a little bit, whilst still being warm and welcoming,” says Thorne Group’s Lisa Buck. “We took design influence from Parisian and European design.

“Annique from Gezellig Interiors and I worked closely together to define the overall look and feel we wanted to achieve, then added the interior styling to finish the home.”

This resulted in a homey yet sophisticated feel for the house, combining a neutral, soft exterior with a bold, slightly more serious interior. This home is a perfect example of what can be achieved when design and environmental consciousness combine and are carefully constructed by a talented and knowledgeable design and build team.

And much like the family name suggests, the Thorne Group team understands the importance of being a friendly, personal and approachable business.

“Every home we design and build carries our family name,” says Thorne Group director Peter Buck. “That family brand is the best guarantee on the market. We are fastidious about quality.

“We always encourage people to chat with previous clients – word of mouth has built our business and we are extremely proud of this.”

“Throughout the design process, our architectural team consistently plans construction details with project managers, builders and suppliers. This ensures the best practise in detailing and the most efficient allocation of materials,” says Thorne Group director Aaron Thorne.

“Designing and building someone’s home is the single biggest financial commitment they will ever make, and it can be perceived as stressful.

“We take the stress out of the process; our focus is ensuring the client enjoys the journey.

“In addition, as the architectural designers and builders are all working within the same company, there is just one single source of accountability,” says Aaron.

“We have one project manager and one lead builder working on each home.

“Ultimately we are value creators for our clients – building beautiful, liveable spaces both big and small.”

Visit the show home for yourself to really grasp this connection between design and eco-consciousness. The show home is located at 59 Te Ranga Memorial Drive, The Lakes.

life+style The Weekend Sun 9

10

May, 2019 life+style The Weekend Sun 2110August, 2015

NEW ARRIVALS AT THE DESIGN DEPOT

°˛ August, May , ˜˛°˙ ˜° ˜˛°˝

life+style The Weekend Sun °°

LOOKING AT BUILDING IN THE BAY?

Visit our beautiful showhomes today and find out how easy it is to build new with Signature Homes Palm Springs Showhome Modern family friendly home, beautiful on the outside, fashionable on the inside.

The Lakes Showhome

VOG20190505

This home perfectly illustrates how Signature Homes can modify one of their pre-designed plans to fit the needs and wants of the customer, as well as respond to the local environment.

VISIT OUR MOBILE SALES CENTRE, HARBOUR RIDGE, OMOKOROA AND TALK TO OUR AWARD WINNING TEAM MOBILE SALES CENTRE: Ridge Drive, Harbour Ridge, Omokoroa | Open Mon-Sun 1pm-4pm

LAKES SHOWHOME: Cnr Lakes Boulevard & Puhirake Cres, The Lakes | Open Mon-Sun 1pm-4pm PALM SPRINGS SHOWHOME: 107 The Boulevard, Palm Springs, Papamoa | Open Mon-Sun 1pm-4pm

OFFICE SHOWROOM: Cnr 16th Ave & Fraser St, Tauranga | Open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

signature.co.nz | 0800 102 105

°˜

life+style The Weekend Sun ˜° August, ˜˛°˝