Wairarapa’s locally owned community newspaper
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 30, 2019
INSIDE: Ar t the recipe for a happy, healthy life P5
P4
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No barriers in sight for Shane Hayley Gastmeier Shane Haskell’s life has been all about breaking down barriers – for himself, and now for others. At age 17 he became legally blind with a genetic condition, Leber hereditary optic
Shane Haskell and France Aziz are passionate about helping people ÿ nd employment. PHOTO/HAYLEY GASTMEIER
neuropathy. Despite being encouraged to give up the riskier activities that teenagers enjoy, Shane refused to let the disability hold him back. He kept riding his bike, playing golf, and the now 48-year-old only gave up playing rugby two years ago. Shane’s experience has given him a unique
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Peter & Jenny Giddens
perspective which he now uses to help and inspire other people. He recently took on the role as Wairarapa’s supported employment consultant for Community Connections, based in Masterton, Shane’s hometown. Community Connections – Te Hapori Awhina Tangata supports people who have a disability in many ways so they can live as independently as possible. Shane’s specific focus with the organisation is helping people into work. “We support people in job searching, work experience, applying for jobs and the interview process. “When people gain work they feel happier and valued in the community. Continued on page 4
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Hope for a sustainable future
Masterton Intermediate School pupils Ebony Wills (left), 13, Hannah Davies, 12, and Sarah Flemming, 13. PHOTO/HAYLEY GASTMEIER
Masterton Intermediate School students EBONY WILLS, HANNAH DAVIES, AND SARAH FLEMMING investigate the impacts of the planet’s changing climate and simple steps we can take to improve the situation. Climate change is a real problem with real consequences. And we all need to do something about it. As the world warms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense, sea levels are rising, prolonged droughts are putting pressure on food crops, and many animal and plant species are being driven to extinction. The way we are going now, by 2050 there will be more plastic than fish in
the world’s oceans. It’s hard to imagine what we as individuals can do to resolve a problem of this scale and severity. But it doesn’t have to be this way – according to studies we can change our future just by doing small things in our everyday lives. Here are a few things you can do to help: Use the car as little as possible, walk, bike or using shared transport will make a big difference. Planting trees or bushes traps the CO2, which helps
clean the air and gives us fresh oxygen in return. Reduce the amount of meat you consume. Try to buy organic and local foods or products whenever possible. Compost your food scraps. Grow your own fruit and vegetables. Each time you buy a new appliance, look for the energy star label (a red label with star rating). Change to energyefficient light bulbs. It’s not about changing your life suddenly but more about understanding what the problem is and how you make a difference by just getting a reusable bag or composting your food scraps. If you would like to find out more, look up David Continued on page 4
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