WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2023
Wairarapa’s locally owned community newspaper
I N S I D E : C LO S E - K N I T FA M I LY H O N O U R ‘AW E S O M E’ M U M P3
Blooming lovely P10
Richmond Funeral Home Light refreshments
No property inspection fees!*
Community Service of Remembrance
We don’t charge additional fees Phone 06 377 4961 for our property inspections. 186 Chapel St, Kuripuni, Masterton *Terms and conditions apply
E office@mastertonrentals.co.nz www.mastertonrentals.co.nz
to be held at
The Richmond Chapel, Richmond Rd, Carterton Everyone is Sunday 3rd Dec 2023 at 3 pm. welcome. www.richmondfuneralhome.co.nz
will be served.
Let us support one another this Christmas.
Tried, Trusted & Proven FAMILY OWNED & OPERATED
FLAIR FOR ALL YOUR FLOORING NEEDS
CALL IN AND SEE US IN STORE 97-101 High St North, Carterton Ph 06 379 4055
Sailing the oceans of hope Lucy Cooper
lucy.cooper@age.co.nz
When Greytown resident Ronnie Hopkinson told Midweek she used to work as a promotional adviser for cosmetics firm Estée Lauder, it was no surprise. Elegant and glamorous, wearing lipstick to match the pale pink shade of her jacket, she describes herself as “having been born with my makeup on”. But in 2015, Ronnie’s life was turned upsidedown when she was
diagnosed with primaryprogressive multiple sclerosis [MS]. She described receiving the news as “devastating, absolutely devastating”. “You don’t know what’s ahead of you and you don’t know how severe the symptoms are going to be.” What Ronnie probably couldn’t have imagined, was that ahead of her were new lifelong friendships, renewed confidence and adventures on the high seas, thanks to the sailing charity Oceans of Hope. Today, with three Oceans of Hope adventures under her lifebelt, Ronnie wants to encourage other people with MS to believe that “things are possible and some of them are life-changing”. Continued on page 4
Ronnie [left] on her third Oceans of Hope adventure. PHOTO/SUPPLIED
Kick back, relax. Swift Vibe will take you there.
9-inch touchscreen • Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto Wireless Qi charging pad • Climate air con • Keyless start • Reverse camera • 5 star ANCAP safety • Added body protection
STOCK AVAILABLE NOW! FROM
$32,500
+ORC +CCF
*optional accessories pictured are additional
Both corners Dixon & Harlequin Streets Masterton | 0800 104 103 | www.eastwoodmotorgroup.co.nz