West Franklin Breeze - April 2022 by West Franklin Breeze

Ac I n tio si n de O PD

B r e eze WEST

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16 Bowen Street, Waiuku

09 280 4232 info@gographics.co.nz

VOLUME 3, EDITION 3

Gwyn Marshall and her 168 year family legacy at Graham’s Beach

A breath of fresh air for West Franklin

ARTICLE ON PAGE 6

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

PH: 09 235 7835

Locals vexed over cemetery debarkle

STORY TIFFANY BROWN

Johnny McDonald

reality on the ground. As such there is a risk that a plot may be showing as available for purchase, when in fact it may have already been used (or already sold). This issue has arisen because Auckland Council has inherited incomplete burial records from years gone by. “Obviously this creates signiﬁcant risk in regard to plots already with people in them or sold. I am not sure there could be a worse situation for a grieving family or family with someone already in a plot without a headstone or marker. “The cemeteries team are currently looking into options to resolve this risk, which requires them to do a thing called “ground-truth” which will show which plots are genuinely unused. Remember that plots are not

Covid-19 News

Information updates on our website

www.waiukumedical.co.nz

APRIL 2022

Service station long overdue for facelift

Some local West Franklin residents have been very concerned recently about decisions to close Waiuku Cemetery for burials and ash interments. Former Franklin District Councillor Peter Sands told the Breeze that he was very disappointed about the apparent closure, and wanted to know more about what was behind the decision. Another life-long resident John McDonald said “I am the fourth John Martin McDonald of my family with the previous three buried in Waiuku Cemetery. When my time has come, I want the right to be able to be buried at the same cemetery to complete the line of history.” Another Waiuku family who lost a family member recently was unable to have her ashes interred at Waiuku and the family chose St Bride’s cemetery at Mauku instead. Franklin Local Board chairman Andy Baker made contact with the Cemeteries Division of Council for comment and he gives an explanation of the decision. “It appears that burials and ash interments can still be made at Waiuku Cemetery where plots have been pre-purchased. “It has recently come to light that the historic burial records don’t appear to be fully aligned with the actual

FRANKLIN

Peter Sands

sold sequentially but randomly so there will be empty plots in amongst full ones. I have asked that this work be given priority and treated with urgency due to the isolated nature of Waiuku and desire for people to be buried there again,” said Andy. There is work underway to expand the existing cemetery and develop a further 406 body plots, 658 ash plots and 12 ash octagons later this calendar year. This work is done by a specialist team within Community Facilities based in the city because cemeteries are actually deemed a regional asset so their governance falls under the Governing Body. Andy says he has been ad-

vised by them that the work to create the new section has gone out to tender and with winter approaching it realistically won’t be until spring when the weather is more suited to earthworks of this type that the work will be done. “The sad thing is that the issue with the burial records has come to light before the new section is ready to go so we are faced with a terribly upsetting situation where new plots cannot be sold. I have asked the cemetery team manager for urgency and explained how signiﬁcant this is for a town like Waiuku where there is really only one cemetery for locals,” he said.

Waiuku locals have long speculated about the dilapidated, empty half of the building adjacent to Orchard and Fields fruit and vegetable shop on Queen Street. The building formerly housed a Shell petrol station, but the operation closed down about Each time I drive ﬁve years after past, I am disgusted that a building could be Paramjit Saroy left in such a delapidated state. purchased the I love Waiuku and this just building. At that degrades our image. time Paramjit - Dan Lynch owned the fruit Former Franklin District and vegetable Councillor shop. A subsequent prospective tenant, Challenge, told Paramjit that local council required an upgrade to the drainage capacity on site because of its connection to Glenbrook Steel Mill, and that the upgrade would cost the building owner $450,000. Paramjit was not able to cover such an expense, and the building fell into disuse. He then wanted to move out of the grocery business to concentrate on his Glenbrook farm where he grows coriander, chillies, capsicum and other seasonal produce, so he sold the Orchard and Fields business and they became a new tenant. - Continued on page 2

We continue to have staff shortages arising from COVID isolation requirements, we are trying to cope as best we can and consequently our current call-waiting and call-back times are much longer than usual, we thank you for your patience. We are providing a RAT testing service for symptomatic patients registered at Waiuku Health Centre by appointment only. Unfortunately, we are unable to see casual patients currently and ask they go to Testing station at Pukekohe Showgrounds or to Franklin Urgent Care in Manukau Road, Pukekohe. We are continuing to provide Covid 19 vaccinations for all ages from 5 years old. Appointments should be made by emailing covidvax@waiukumedical.co.nz or ring after 11am on 09 2359102. We are able to do some outreach community vaccination so If you or someone you know is house bound and unable to come into the centre, please email a request to covidvax@waiukumedical.co.nz. A nurse will contact you. Please do not come into the Medical Centre if you have Covid symptoms e.g., Cough, Cold, Sore throat or flu like aches and pains. We are continuing to see all patients with these symptoms outside in our Car park.

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Service station long overdue for facelift

COMMENT AND OPINION

My rugby passion and my fear of the future I am going to do something a bit different this month and start off by talking about one of my great passions in life . . . rugby and in particular club rugby. For many years I have been a club delegate to the Counties Manukau Rugby Union and for the past few years the Chairman of the Council of Delegates. This volunteer group set the rugby competition structure for senior club rugby and the rules those competitions operate under. The place sport in general has in our society has certainly shifted in the last decade as we see more sports on television which encourages young people away from traditional open air codes, worries about injuries and playing conditions. The advent of on-line activities, where from the comfort of your home, you can compete in nearly any sport you like against people around the world without fear of getting wet, muddy or injured. The impact of the movement away from our national game is more evident the further away from the population base you get. In Counties our rural clubs are really ﬁnding the going tough as the ability to attract local players, sponsors, administrators and supporters declines. A diminishing pool of available participants has hit home. Hopefully they won’t mind me saying, but Waiuku Rugby Club is not immune to this and with long serving players retiring, others moving on and only a small number of younger players coming through, the number of new members is very limited. With their very good local

- Continued from page 1

coaches, the club is extremely keen for a few more numbers so they can keep Waiuku in the hunt for rugby supremacy this year. Covid has had a massive impact everywhere including sports like rugby. At the time of writing we await a decision from NZ Rugby in regard to mandates which hopefully will remove one of the hurdles for the club. The Waiuku club has a massive history, it is one of the cornerstones of the union and has had some of Counties’ favourite sons (and daughters more recently) come through the club. So please, if you want to keep the mighty red and green on the park, head on down to the club for training and drag some mates along. Consultation on Auckland Council’s annual budget has now come to an end, and pleasingly it appears there is real interest in what was proposed in the Mayor’s ﬁrst proposal. Whilst the Franklin Local Board has its views on the proposal, we will wait to see what people in our community have said before we weigh everything up and give our feedback to the Mayor and Councillors who will ultimately make the ﬁnal decision. What I do know is that we have certainly been smacked around by Covid, but we are not alone in that sense. The key thing for me is that we need to make sure where we spend the money we do have and what we spend it on is the best for the whole region including Franklin. I have been disappointed by some regional decisions of late so I will be looking for a more regional approach.

Advertise your business Talk to Chris today sales@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Breeze

Ideally, Paramjit would like to demolish the whole building and establish new shops on the site which would not require any expensive drainage work, but the tenant, who signed a 30-year lease, doesn’t want to move. Paramjit currently has two architects working on potential plans for shops, laundries or a daycare facility, which would

call for a partial demolition of 1 the unused part of the building. He has also spoken to popular fast food restaurants 6 9 McDonalds and KFC about leasing the space, but has been told the population of Waiuku 4 is still too small to warrant the establishing of one of these big 8 name fast food outlets.2 1sudoku.com Paramjit estimates the whole exercise may take a year to complete, with architect planning, demolition, council requirements, covid restriction

Waiuku Fire Brigade Callouts

FEBRUARY

Kidd Road

MVA

Kemp Road

MVA

Glenbrook Road

Vegetation

Te Toro Road

Power lines down

Greenock Drive

Vegetation

Greenock Drive

Vegetation

Mondello Lane

Assist with lift

King Street

Rubbish

Matakawau Road

MVA

Kitchener Road

Private fire alarm

Queen Street

Roof canopy loose

Churchill Terrace

Aerial loose on house

Harbourcrest Drive

Building materials blowing in the wind

Mellsop Avenue

Tree into house

Awhitu Road

Horse stuck down bank

Tram Gully Road

Animal rescue (stood down)

Aka Aka Stream Road

Vegetation

Fernleigh Avenue

Car on fire

Victoria Avenue

Motorbike on fire

Hatton Road

Vegetation (stood down)

Creamery Road

Medical

7 7

hold ups and short stafﬁng, and rebuild. But he said he didn’t want to wait any longer, and the construction needed to happen as soon as possible. n° 38757 - Level Hard

1su

6 2

5 1

1sudoku.com

8 n° 39573 - Level Hard

Answers on page 10

1su

Crossword

Crossword No XC251608 2

MARCH

4 8

10 11

6 — W1 Crew tasked to Pollok to assist a male patient in his 60s involved in a motorbike accident. He was flown to Middlemore Hospital in a serious condition.

Awhitu

9 — W1 Crew tasked to Awhitu to assist a female patient in her 60s suffering a medical complaint. She was flown to Auckland Hospital in a serious condition.

Awhitu

29 — W1 Crew tasked to Awhitu to assist a male patient in his 30s suffering a medical complaint. He was flown to Middlemore Hospital in a critical condition. 30 — W1 Crew tasked to Pollok to assist a male patient in his 50s involved in a vehicle rollover in a ditch. The patient was trapped and bystanders held his head above water. He was flown to Auckland City Hospital in a critical condition.

So the focus is back on the lower level crime. One is burnouts and skids which I know is really annoying people. These normally happen around town at intersections and on country roads nearby. So here is a warning: Waiuku folk are getting sick of the burnt rubber around town and noise. Usual Police action, once we ID the car, is a door knock at the driver’s house with a warrant to seize the car, which will be impounded for 28 days. A probable appearance in court will follow for sustained loss of traction which means disqualiﬁcation. The owner of the car also gets to pay for the towage of his car and storage fees for 28 days if they want the car back. We ask

Page 1/2 - Check the solutions, print more sudoku puzzles for free and p

MONTHLY MISSIONS

26 27

ACROSS

DOWN 7 See, Carl’s terribly negligent (8)

7 See, Carl’s terribly negligent 1 (6) Left a container with old South A 9 Rope(8) provides a trail possibly 10 Exercise 9 Rope provides a trail possibly (6) involving old writer 2 (3) To beat Germany, Spain needs s After(3) collapse of trial be exonerated initially 10 Exercise involving old 11 writer skill (6) and set free (8) 11 After collapse of trial be exonerated initially 3 Lawyer-speak is absurd, alleges with Sgt Dean Borrell 12 Man meets English student in church (6) and set free (8) (8) 13 See hate, seething hate (6) 12 Man meets English student in church (6) or another 4 Votes 15 Joint in one capital (8) and chooses to oust leader 13 See hate, seething hate 16 (6)Sky’s position is beyond comprehension 5 I restate problem (5,4,4) in dissertation 20 Is Tory clothing in 15 Joint in one capital or another (8) leader wearing female 6 Kate somehow gets male editor discomfort? (8) 16 Sky’s position is beyond comprehension (5,4,4) (4,4) 22 Long to be in a north German city (6) 20toIsrecord Tory leader wearing 25 female clothing in 8 Daughter keeps mansion in a me Body decoration is rubbish also (6) for any witnesses discomfort? (8) honest opinion (5,4,4) 26 Bury woman in space (8) any such driving22 offending Long to be in a north German city (6) 14 (3) Priest’s vestment for a pound (3 27 Partly expandable container 28 Italian city is very pleasant end of June (6)lively (8) on their phones and senddecoration is rubbish 25 Body also (6) 16 around Like cartoon that’s 29 Make known opening of17 deli is near behind (8) 26 Bury woman in space (8) Leave unfashionable foo images to us. 27 Partly expandable container (3) 18 Mattress could be most elegant ( DOWN A warning to everybody is 28 Italian city is very pleasant around end of June 19 Tree, or remains of it after fire ( 1 Left a container with old South American (6) to slow down through (6) town 21 Runs away from antelope, startl 2 To beat Germany, Spain needs show of great and abide by the29 appropriMake known opening of deli is near (8) extent (6) skill (6) 23 Girl’s 3 Lawyer-speak is absurd, alleges judgeproducing finally (8)seasonal songs ate speed. My small team 4 Votes and chooses to oust24 leader (6) down, please pass (6) Broken issues about five tickets a 5 I restate problem in dissertation (8) 6 Kate somehow gets male editor to pay attention day for some real excessive (4,4) speeds: a recent example 8 Daughter keeps mansion in a mess, to give an honest opinion (5,4,4) was 73 km in a 50km limit 14 Priest’s vestment for a pound (3) in the early evening, this is 16 Like cartoon that’s lively (8) 17 Leave behind unfashionable football shirt (8) dangerous to other roads 18 Mattress could be most elegant (8) users and pedestrians. 19 Tree, or remains of it after fire (3) 21 Runs away from antelope, startled to some Finally we have a new ofextent (6) ficer join us, Constable Ter23 Girl’s producing seasonal songs (6) 24 Broken down, please pass (6) ry Oram who has worked for many years at Pukekohe Ph. 09 238 5188 and knows Waiuku very Mob. 021 343 335 www. sepio.co.nz well, he is now full time at Specialists in commercial Waiuku. and domestic insurance — Dean Answers on page 10

Watch out for burnouts and speeds it’s up the driveway: secure everything. The Pukekohe burglary squad executed a search warrant recently and recovered a few stolen items, some we couldn’t ﬁnd an owner for, so a good reason to report all crime. You can do this by ringing 105 or online. Of course anything happening now is a 111 call. At last we have got a full crew at the station and as does Pukekohe police who help us out when we are off duty. We are back to our more regular work after having returned from Covid duties at the roadblocks, MIQ hotels and protests everywhere. That really impacted on our usual Police work. We’ve also got teams like road policing fully staffed and back in town.

ACROSS

We helped our colleagues at Tuakau last week and executed a search warrant at a cannabis grow house. This large rural house was used to grow cannabis on a large commercial scale. Every room was jammed full of growing cannabis under lights and on irrigation systems. Cannabis was also growing in the garages, sheds and a shipping container. About 350 plants were recovered and two persons arrested. Plenty work left to locate the other growers. We have had a handful of burglaries and cars getting broken into in Waiuku town and nearby. Common items are farm quad bikes, cars and tools. Please make sure you take valuables out of your car and lock it, even if

THE BREEZE

Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust

Pollok

APRIL 2022

Pollok

Sudoku 2

APRIL 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

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Ofﬁce Supplies 16 Bowen Street, Waiuku

Andrew Bayly MP for Port Waikato Port Waikato Electorate Office 7 Wesley St, Pukekohe 09 238 5977 andrew@baylymp.co.nz AndrewBaylyMP

Regional parks management review Hearings into Auckland Council’s draft Regional Parks Management Plan have been scheduled for May after a 12-week consultation period which closed early in March. Franklin Local Board chair Andy Baker says despite some claims, regional parks will continue to be owned and managed by the council on behalf of Aucklanders. “Claims there are plans to change that are wrong. Our regional parks are staying under council guardianship for the beneﬁt of all Aucklanders, now and into the future.”

He says the network of protected spaces gives access to 41,000 hectares in 28 parks, the network built up over a long time, and that the draft plan outlines how council manages that over the next decade. “The plan protects access, proposes a response to climate change, addresses the protection of our biodiversity and also opens the way for more collaboration with volunteers and urges meaningful mana whenua partnerships.” Andy says online commentary that ownership of the parks would be transferred to the Hauraki Gulf Forum was unhelpful.

Authorised by Andrew Bayly, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

“There is no intention to transfer the administration and governance of parks to any party. What the draft proposes is a process to investigate formally including regional parks in the Gulf coastal area into the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park. “That would mean collaboration with the marine park and would have no effect on ownership or management, since the Hauraki Gulf Forum is only an advisory body.” The plan is online at www.akhaveyoursay.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/regional-parks-management-plan.

Seaweek low key this year

COCKY RECKONS

Some of the collection of rubbish which littered west coast shores this year.

Seaweek (last week of March) is an annual national week about the sea hosted by the NZ Association for Environmental Education (NZAEE). Seaweek is a time for volunteers to get to know our waters, their habitats, characteristics, and inhabitants better. “Sadly Seaweek in West Franklin was very low key this year, because of lockdown restrictions, so we just had the annual collection of beach debris by the Seacleaners team,” said Anna McNaughton, one of the Coast Care co-ordinators. “All the rubbish we send off, has been collected from our West Coast

gaps. We are hoping that we can also return to the annual Five Bays walks in 2023. We lost one due to the terrorism alert in 2019, then the next three due to Covid.” Anna also made comment about the amount of feedback she is still getting about vehicles on the beach, especially Karioitahi. “The indiscriminate driving is particularly by youths on motorbikes, completely oblivious to the safety of others. I am aware the police continue to have a presence at Karioitahi to help try and restrict this behaviour, but they can’t be there all the time,” said Anna.

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APRIL 2022

Trades need more apprentices Construction is booming in New Zealand and there is a real need for more tradespeople across many sectors to keep up with the demand. As a Charitable Trust, ATT (the Apprenticeship Training Trust) has been managing apprenticeships nationally for more than 30 years. They secure places with host businesses in plumbing, gasﬁtting, drainlaying and electrical, so apprentices can concentrate on learning from experienced trades people within an established company. ATT also support apprentices’ attendance at training institution courses, to ensure they have correct tools and PPE. Area Managers also offer mentoring and guidance until they qualify. Jayden is a 21-year-old, third year electrical apprentice with ATT in Auckland and is really enjoying the experience. “ATT found me a host busiHome and Business Computer Support ness to work with, supplied me with my • Home computer support health and Franklin wide onsite • Business IT support safety gear, service. • WIFI setup for large home and help me • Computer repairs & upgrades with my offFOR GREAT • Antivirus solutions site training SERVICE CALL: • Smart device setup and anything • Email setup 09 235 5300 that I have to • Printer setup 021 111 4122 • Home and office network

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do for schoolwork,” he says. The variety of work is a real challenge, and he loves doing something new every day. “Since starting the electrical apprenticeship I’ve learnt a wide variety of new skills, things that have helped me day to day, and things that have helped me with my personal hobby, which is working on cars, and that’s just been fantastic.” Alice is also an electrical apprentice, who started her journey with ATT last year. She says an electrical apprenticeship appealed to her because it involves both physical aspects while also drawing on science and maths. “I really enjoyed physics and calculus at school, although they are hard, this brings both of them together,” she says. The type of person she thinks would do well in an electrical apprenticeship would be someone who enjoys ‘doing.’ “I’ve always been very practical, which is why this was a draw for me,” she says. “You’ve got to understand the physics and the maths, but it also ties in the physical, so someone who learns by being hands-on, would probably very much like this job.” “My friends and family, anybody I’ve talked to about this has been very supportive of the fact that I’m doing a trade and that I’m in a male-dominated industry,” Alice says. “They’re like, hey, this is actually a really good idea that can take you anywhere.”

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Vintage sax lives again

STORY SANDY SMITH

Mike Derecourt is a well-known name in the local music scene. His story goes back to his childhood, when his father taught him to play the saxophone. Then at about age eight years old the family moved to Waipipi to take over the running of his grandparents’ dairy farm, and that’s when Mike’s long association with the Waiuku music scene began. “I joined the local brass band and learned to play the trombone. We would play at the ANZAC day parades every year”. “As I got older I picked up the guitar and ended up in a guitar band. It was a four piece band with base, rhythm and lead guitar, and drums. I started off as the rhythm guitarist but ended up as lead. We used to play at local dances; it was a fun thing,” said Mike. “Since then, I’ve played guitar in the local Waiuku Country Music band for the last 30 years.” After some time away from the brass band, Mike rejoined. Later, “the brass band morphed literally overnight into the Waiuku Stage Band and that’s when I switched from trombone to

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saxophone. This was a rehearsal band but we did play at different venues. I remember playing at View Road School years ago. We also travelled up to Auckland and played in clubs.” When asked if Mike had learned any other instruments, he recalled that his father did get him to take piano lessons for a while with Florence McIntosh, a piano teacher on Victoria Avenue, but it didn’t last long. “It wasn’t me. Dad eventually rang her up and asked how I was doing. He worked out that it was a waste of time.” The saxophone is still Mike’s instrument of choice, and that’s where this story takes an interesting twist. Mike has been singing and playing saxophone at the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Club each Tuesday afternoon to encourage members to come back to the club, after the effects of Covid resulted in a drop in patronage. On one particular Tuesday Mike was approached by someone who also owned a saxophone. “I was playing. The lady came into the club. We got talking and she told me about her alto saxaphone, which needed some work and I said I’d take a look. She came back to the club the following Tuesday and simply gave the instrument to me.” Mike was surprised by the woman’s generosity. The owner of the saxophone didn’t know exactly how old it was so Mike looked up the serial number to try to establish its age. “I estimated from what I found out that the saxophone is definitely vintage and possibly made in the 1930s, though I can’t verify this date. “I have renovated the instrument to the degree that I can now play it and it sounds really nice. It’s more like a professional instrument compared to my original one. Ergonomically it’s designed to fit the hand perfectly.” The Tuesday music sessions are still held at the Cosmopolitan Club. Mike confirmed that he’s still doing a show every week. “Come and enjoy the music. I’m playing a mix of jazz and also rock-n-roll.” Mike has a mix of dancers moving to his tunes “including ballroom and line dancers.” Or you may wish to simply sit and listen to the new vintage sax!

APRIL 2022

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t r o f m co COZY

NZCU opens new branch NZCU Steelsands is your local Credit Union, proudly serving the members of Waiuku and the wider Franklin district for over 40 years. Traditionally, the Credit Union has been available to the staff and contractors working for NZ Steel, Waiuku’s largest employer for many decades. However, in more recent years, we have been excited to expand our services to our local community. In the past 15 years, NZCU Steeslands has grown substantially to incorporate another Credit Union based at the Alliance meat works in Invercargill and also the Oil Reﬁnery at Marsden Point. Most recently welcoming what was previously known as the Employees’ Credit Union based in Penrose (Now Manukau City) in 2020. With over 4000 members and growing year by year, we

are very excited to announce that we are expanding our NZ Steel Glenbrook office into the main street of Waiuku, opening a brand-new branch at 64 Queen Street, Waiuku. This will enable us to provide banking services to anyone in the community who may wish to join the Credit Union. You do not have to work at NZ Steel to be a member. Anyone can join! Our Waiuku office opens on Monday 4 April and will offer a full range of banking products and services (however this will be a cashless branch with no cash or ATM onsite). The opening hours will be Monday to Friday 9.00am – 3.00pm. We are delighted to advise that we will continue to run our Glenbrook office at NZ Steel alongside our Waiuku office, sharing the staff between both offices. We are also excited to be of-

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168 years of family legacy at Graham’s Beach STORY ANNIE CHAPPELL

Gwyn Marshall (great grand-daughter)

In 2022, the family matriarch, Gwyn Marshall, the great-grand daughter of William Graham, is still in residence at Graham’s Beach. Gwyn married Tony Marshall in 1948 and together raised their three children Keith, Marion and Claire. Gwyn has a brilliant memory – not only of her own life time experiences living at Graham’s Beach, but also eye widening tales told to her by her Dad and Grandad (who understood basic te reo Māori). They told about a bygone time when the local tribes visited in their waka dressed in full regalia, her family greeting them with affection and respect. Gwyn remembers as a regular part of life of how they used to row to Onehunga, 25 kilometres away to obtain provisions for the house and garden. She recalls her father having a beautiful rowing style. Gwyn is a much respected and beloved character in the district and has faithfully followed in the now 168-year-old tradition her great grandmother established of delivering “cheerful and cordial hospitality” to all her visitors. Gwyn’s daughter Marion O’Neil, lives in Waiuku, but is a frequent visitor to help with the mahi. Second cousins David Sutherland and Lynette Livingstone also still live at the beach. Set on the gorgeous white sands of the Manukau Harbour side of the Awhitu Peninsula sits Graham’s Beach. 168 years ago, two likely lads Edward Logan and William Graham, the former a Canadian the latter a Scottish native born in 1816 in Renfrewshire, met on the Bendigo goldfields whilst seeking to find their fortunes after leaving their respective homelands. They had been encouraged by their families (who had already settled in various corners of the earth) with constant letters hailing the merits of Canada, U.S.A, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand as places to settle. William and Edward were apparently very successful in their search for gold, and this whetted their desire to seek still greener pastures. After completing their own due diligence, they determined that life in New Zealand seemed like a promising idea. Accordingly, in 1854 they packed up their

Original Graham’s Beach cottage with Graham family descendants

wives and children, possessions and gold and set out for another adventure. It was however a slightly more dramatic adventure than expected, even by the standards of the day. About six weeks later, having gone through a shipwreck, death, and loss of all their possessions, they arrived in the frontier town of Onehunga. A few months after their arrival in 1854 they became the first European settlers at Kauri Point (as Graham’s Beach was then known). William Graham and Edward Logan saw a great future in the Manukau, which was the nearest port to Australia. They both registered in the Southern Division of the 1854 electoral roll as settlers, freehold estate living at Kaihau, Manukau. They were the only settlers on the roll in that area. William built his home near the creek at the eastern end of the beach and Edward Logan by the creek towards the western side of the property. This land would have been mostly covered with bracken and manuka, as the forest there had been burnt off in earlier years. William must have spent most of 1855 clearing and digging. 1856 was an eventful year for the Logans and the Grahams. In February 1856 he dug his first crop of potatoes. They were grown on the flat land where Willow Park is now. Other crops sown included oats, wheat, carrots, and onions. By 1857 William Graham must have had a large area cultivated as in August that year he had planted around 460kg of seed potatoes as well as wheat and oats. Their idyllic life was interrupted by the years of local wars during which the families had to vacate their land. After all danger had passed, the settlers were allowed to return to their homes to assess the damage and once more plant their gardens, find the animals that had been turned out into the bush and re-establish themselves after being away for almost a year. In a letter written on the 19 August 1870 to his sister Christina McIntyre in Salt Lake City, William commented he had been very unwell. His wife Marion had been in bad health for a long time and both she and their daughter Annie were never free of asthma. William said he would like to sell his farm but since the war, it was impossi-

ble to sell and the only money he could raise would be from selling his twenty-five head of cows and steers. He wrote “Marion is in great glee to go to Utah since the climate is so healthy.” The reality was William felt too old to travel and Marion was not well enough. From 1870 to the time of his death in 1889 William appeared very active, even if he felt under the weather. In November 1885 the settlers in the area had been invited to Kauri Point to celebrate the golden wedding of Marion and William. Sadly, at one o’clock on Sunday the 3 April 1887, they gathered again at Kauri Point to follow the Marion’s funeral procession to the Awhitu Cemetery. She had lost her five month’s fight with cancer and had died at home on 1 April 1887, aged 70 years. In an obituary published in the N.Z. Herald on Monday 25 April 1887 it said “As appears from our obituary, another of our earliest and most respected fellow-colonists has passed away in the person of Mrs Marion Graham, the wife of Mr William Graham, of Kauri Point Awitu. For over forty years travellers and visitors in the Awitu district will gratefully remember her ever cheerful and cordial hospitality when settlers were very few. Mrs Graham, accompanied by her husband left South Australia at the time Captain (Sir) George Grey was Governor, to settle in Auckland forty-six years ago.” William, although he had his daughter and her family living at the beach, did not seem to get over Marion’s death. He had suffered from stomach ulcers for some time and on the 20 August 1889, sitting in his chair out in the sun, he died aged 73 years. He was also buried at Awhitu Cemetery. After William’s death Kauri Point was renamed Graham’s Beach. Remarkably there has been a constant Graham family presence at the beach all through those 168 years. Source: Pioneers of the Manukau 1996 – P. Vause, M. Dillon

William Graham family descendants L-R David Sutherland, Marion O’Neil, Lynette Livingston (greatgreat grandchildren) Seated Gwyn Marshall (great grand-daughter)

APRIL 2022

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Whiteside pool “frustrating”

STORY SANDY SMITH

The FLB has approved $100,000 worth of repairs to the Whiteside Pools. It’s for waterpipe, concourse and retaining wall, and the work will be done so that the pool is fully repaired and ready for summer. iteside pools, are all in the west and deciding where to put new facilities isn’t straight-forward, Sharlene says. “Council has a robust way of evaluating need. With a current pool, even with maintenance issues, Waiuku is down the list.” Matthew says a new pool would cost millions. “You could expect a covered pool to come in at about $1million a metre, so the 50-metre pool some are calling for, might cost around $50 million with operating and maintenance costs on top. “We don’t have the money to build a new pool. Council ﬁnances are being stretched by Covid and there would be no support for jumping the queue.” All three dismiss calls for a targeted rate. “It’s possible but it would mean a massive, long-term rates increase to cover not only the build but the ongoing costs,” Andy says. He’s frustrated by ongoing claims Council has hidden or squandered money raised by the community before Auckland Council came into being. “The only budget brought over from

John Bell (Frequent pool user) “The Whiteside Pool could have a lot more TLC at minimum cost; for example, repair the leaks, install some sort of solar heating, and conduct a general tidy up. Instead, we had, this summer, a neglected little pool and paddling pool, lane markers stored in the Gents changing rooms, and inconsistent opening times. In addition, there were various acts of vandalism and there was a lack of trained staﬀ.”

Local mother of two active children

the former Franklin District Council was tagged for a new sports park, with ﬁelds, lights, changing rooms and other facilities upgraded. There was certainly not enough to plan a new pool let alone build one.” Council’s community facilities network plan does recognise the need for leisure space in Franklin to be investigated. “Any investigation would consider existing facilities, with new ones subject to needs assessments that consider what is in place and how far people need to travel to use them, and how new facilities might ﬁt in a regional context,” Sharlene says. The Board also maintains a swimming pool grant programme rural schools can use to open their pools to the public over summer, and helps fund surf lifesaving and Coastguard services to support safe use of the area’s beaches.

“

Closures in the wake of maintenance issues and vandalism at Waiuku’s Whiteside Pool have fueled calls for improved facilities. “It’s frustrating we’ve had to deal with leaks and vandalism leaving the town without a pool,” Franklin Local Board chair Andy Baker says. “That’s seen renewed calls for a new pool and many online comments that are just wrong.” Despite calls for a new pool, Andy and Waiuku board representatives Sharlene Druyven and Matthew Murphy say it’s not something that can just happen. “We are seeing huge growth, but it’s not unique to Waiuku,” Andy says. “it’s putting pressure on many areas, including community facilities. “Waiuku will grow in the coming years, but its growth will be dwarfed by developments in places like Drury and Beachlands, which is already bigger than Waiuku but have no pools.” Franklin’s three public pools, the Leisure Centre, the Jubilee and Wh-

“I am all in support of a Sports Hub Centre, a venue that can cater for Waiuku, the peninsula and surrounding rural areas for the sporting venues we lack. This would alleviate the stress and time consumption of afternoon/evening or weekend travel to Pukekohe or neighbouring towns for practices, lessons or games. An all year round, functional 50m, covered, warm, pool would be a massive benefit to the community. Drowning is a huge fear to many and lessons provide the skill and confidence when partaking in water activities. A local basketball court, gymnastics club, hockey field, dance studio etc, under “one roof” would be greatly welcomed and appreciated by most parents here. Sport and after school activities are a huge part of our children’s development and plays a big role in terms of their mental and physical well-being. Sadly due to lack or seasonal restrictions of local facilities and travel many lose out on these opportunities.”

Leslie Wright (Waiuku Swimming Club) “If we are that far down the list we should expect that council would maintain the pools. I realise that it was impossible to repair the leaks to the toddlers and learners pool during the season but would expect that repairs are done so that the opening in December 2022 will go ahead as scheduled and not be delayed. So many families with toddlers missed out this summer. As for vandalism I assume that the people who enter the pool come over the top of the changing shed. Could this not be investigated and a barrier be erected so that this would ﬁx that problem?”

Sue Markram (Lobbyist for a new pool in Waiuku) “I agree that the facilities need to be improved or replaced and it’s granted that this can’t ‘just happen’ to quote Andy Baker and Waiuku Board representatives but we need to have a viable future plan. I have to disagree with the statement that a new pool would cost $50 million; the four pools built at Northern Arena, for example, only cost $15 million. Regarding paying for a new pool, we need to start seeing this issue more holistically rather than narrowly – that is, from a rates perspective only. For example, using a mix of rates, local fund raising and Ministry of Education funding and armed with a proper business plan, a new pool would be possible to be achieved. Regarding the needs assessment, this process started nearly two years ago. Apart from the issue of having to travel to a decent facility, the importance of having a pool and dedicated swimming education programmes in the Waiuku area is highlighted by the fact that we have more drownings than anywhere in New Zealand.”

admin@grahamsfunerals.co.nz 09 235 8380 37 Kitchener Road, Waiuku grahamsfunerals.co.nz

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Board focuses on Mill Road interchange

APRIL 2022

Ballet in Waiuku

STORY SANDY SMITH

From time to time the Breeze will publish an article with a story subject outside the paper’s distribution area. In this story about the Mill Road interchange at Bombay, West Frankliners often travel this way as they access the motorway. The Franklin Local Board first raised concerns about the Bombay interchange with Waka Kotahi during one of their regular Papakura to Bombay project update meetings. These meetings have been held with the Board since mid-2019. In response to the Board’s concerns, investigations started confirmed various safety and congestion issues at the interchange site. Since then, Waka Kotahi has been working through complex traffic analysis and modelling work to identify interim improvements, given that any major upgrade of the interchange is not anticipated until the long-term. Initial assessments and modelling

were then widened to include the adjacent BP Bombay Service Centre which is experiencing similar issues. Waka Kotahi has continued to meet regularly with the Franklin Local Board to provide progress updates of their investigations. The most recent meeting late last month. At this meeting, Waka Kotahi advised that they are currently working with BP and Auckland Transport to identify a preferred option. At the request of the Franklin Local Board Chair, Waka Kotahi has reached out to the Bombay Collision Crossroads Action Group with the offer to meet and update them on progress of investigations.

Dance has always been Kirsty Farrow’s passion. Originally from Whangarei, Kirsty learned ballet and jazz from the age of five-years-old. She attended the Whangarei Academy of Dance, studying under the late Deborah Phillips. That’s also where Kirsty started her career as a dance teacher. “I started helping out with the younger students, teaching them ballet, while I was learning jazz and ballet,” said Kirsty. After completing school at Whangarei Girls High, Kirsty moved to Hamilton in 2008 to attend Waikato University where she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies and also graduated with a Diploma in Primary Teaching. In Kirsty’s second year of her bachelor’s degree she won a Sir Edmond Hillary Scholarship for dance. “That was really good. They provided mentoring about how to be a leader in my field and they also paid a lot of my tuition fees for university,” explained Kirsty. “I applied for the scholarship twice and got it on my second application. It’s quite difficult to win one. You need to show you have excelled in a particular sport or art, show leadership and maintain good grades.”

At Waikato University Kirsty exended up in MIQ and then moved to tended her dancing skills. “I did a lot the Franklin district. “I had friends of contemporary dance and perforfrom Waiuku so we rented for a while in mances. Contemporary dance is less Pukekohe and then set on the misformal and more interpretive sion to get our first house which than ballet, blending several “Starting my own wasn’t easy during Covid dance techniques.” restrictions but we did it dance school has been a dream I’ve had While in the Waikato and we now love it. We love since I was a child. Kirsty attended and taught the small community and I knew there were no at the Valerie Lissette being close to the beach.” ballet classes in School of Dance. “I conMost recently, Kirsty Waiuku so I decided tinued my ballet training started a dance school in to give it a go.” with Valerie and completed Waiuku called Create Dance my Advanced 1 RAD (Royal Studio. “Starting my own Academy of Dance) exam and condance school has been a dream I’ve tinued working on Advanced 2. These had since I was a child. I knew there are some of the highest levels of ballet were no ballet classes in Waiuku so I training. Meanwhile, I was teaching the decided to give it a go. I liaised with three to five-year-old ballet students, Barry Gibbon, who is chairman of the while adding in with some jazz.” West Franklin Community Trust which Kirsty’s teaching experience doesn’t administers the War Memorial Hall, stop there, however. She also taught and then left a post in the local Grapedance for Waikato Chinese School, vine page for Waiuku on Facebook.” managed a holiday programme called Since then, Kirsty hasn’t looked back. Arts on Show and was a cheerleader for After taking in her first set of stuWaikato Rugby as well as an All Star dents on 1 March 2022, the classes are cheerleading coach. booming. “I have two classes that are Once her studies were completed, full and have waiting lists. People seem Kirsty’s life was about to get even more grateful I’ve brought ballet to Waiuku.” exciting. After meeting her husband in Currently Kirsty is focusing on the Hamilton, she jetted off to his home three to seven-year-old ballet students town of Dorset, England. “Mike was in but is planning on starting classes for New Zealand to do his flying training older groups next term. She is keen to and when he went back to England I eventually have classes for all ages. In went with him. We ended up in Brighfact Kirsty is a Silver Swans licensee, ton and I was in England from 2013 trained to teach the 55 plus group, so until 2020.” watch this space! During that time in England Kirsty If you are interested in connecting trained with the Royal Academy of with Kirsty on Facebook you’ll find her Dance gaining a Diploma in Dance at Create Dance Studio’s Facebook page Teaching studies. “That was really cool (www.facebook.com/createdancenz) as I got the whole English experience and the email to use is and got to go to graduation in London dancewithkirsty@outlook.com and shake hands with Darcey Bussell, a famous ballerina.” When asked, why did you come back and why to Waiuku, Kirsty explained that is was always her and Mike’s plan to return to New Zealand and settle down. “Mike got a job with Air New Zealand and then Covid hit so he lost that opportunity but we decided to come back anyway.” Kirsty Farrow Due to the timing, Kirsty and Mike

Eat with a conscious mind Conscious Eating.

Research says we make two hundred food decisions a day, most of them subconsciously. Many forces compete for power over these decision moments: old habits and a need for instant gratification, a food industry that fills our head space with products that work well for them, not so for us. Fluctuating blood sugar levels that push us towards high energy foods that are heavily processed, are no good to us or our environment. This is often the way of life in the subconscious state – a victim to stronger forces, detrimental to our long-term wellness.

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500g zucchini 1 cup green peas

1. Grate zucchini into a colander, sprinkle sea salt, mix through, sit for 10 minutes.

1 bunch parsley chopped

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1 bunch mint chopped

3. In a mixing bowl, add zucchini, parsley, mint, peas, spring onion, pepper, lemon zest, eggs, salt, almond meal (more if needed to hold mix).

4 spring onions, sliced sea salt black pepper

To change this story, we need to turn our minds on and make decisions consciously and choose to eat for health. This doesn’t happen by chance; it needs change and change is always hard. If this is you, know that you are not alone. Many of us have been there or are still there. A simple first step to change is to know your food.. Learn about nutritive, health promoting foods and include them in your meals. Next, learn to cook flavourful, nutrient dense recipes. When you are deliberate in choosing what and when to eat, you create two hundred opportunities to nourish yourself every day. Here is a recipe to help you get started!

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APRIL 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Advertise your business

Showcase for local artists

STORY SANDY SMITH

The Franklin Arts Festival Society was started over thirty years ago to showcase local artists. According to Lois Templeton “the last two years have been very hit and miss. In 2020 we held a pop-up show in the New Zealand Steel Gallery. It was successful but we had to limit the show to 150 works whereas normally we would have about 800 works. “Also, the way we organised the entries was different from past events. We had everything in the same space, so if you were a textile artist or an oil painter or a ceramics artist everyone’s work was shown together. In the past the works had been grouped according to medium. “Then for the 2021 show we decided to stay with the mixed medium approach and we organised the works by themes. Therefore, we had ceramics, glass, paintings photography etc., grouped together under headings such as ‘Water’, ‘Industry’, ‘Light’, ‘Strength’, ‘Connection’ and ‘Youth’.” However, despite the committee’s best efforts, the 2021 event had to be postponed due to COVID-19 restrictions. Eventually the festival took place in March 2022. Lois explained that there are prizes for each themed group of works and then there is an overall prize. “This year’s supreme prize was a woven cloak by Prem Tyler. We also have a special prize only for Franklin artists called the Audrey Thomas prize.

A key characteristic of the Franklin Arts Festival that makes it unique is that it does not screen works but allows anyone to submit up to three works. “Usually Waiuku is very well represented and the large majority of artists showing their work tend to be amateur artists,” said Lois. One such artist is Waiuku resident Lorraine Bunning. Lorraine has always been an art enthusiast and recently entered one of her acrylic paintings in the ‘Water’ section. “You never know what judges are looking for, so there’s always a chance. At the end of the day, it’s an opportunity for me to show my art; it’s a fun thing to do and can be motivating. It’s also great to look at other people’s art. Some of the works are just amazing.” Other locals who won prizes were Sharon Eason who achieved second place in the ‘Water’ themed pieces with her work ‘Te Moana Nui’ and Otaua photographer Heather Child won second place in the ‘Light’ section with “Whiriwhiri Hills’. Leonie Richardson won ﬁrst prize in the ‘Industry’ section with her work called ‘golden scars’; it was a picture of the Waihi Mine and she had highlighted scars on the landscape. Leonie has been involved in the festival for many years and is also on the organising committee. “I’ve been an artist since I was a child and have ﬁve years of tertiary education from what used to be called Auckland Technical Institute and also the University of

Lions ANZAC support

‘Golden scars’ by Leonie Richardson

Western Sydney. I exhibited a lot when I lived in Australia. I was surprised when I won my category. I was so caught up in the organisation of the event it didn’t really sink in,” said Leonie. Leonie also mentioned that Lois had won a merit for her ‘Connections’ entry ‘Remember the Daisy Chain.’ In addition, she suggested that “it would be great to have a local art show supporting the West Franklin team of artists and enthusiasts.” Lois explained that the changes they had made in the way they categorise the art and also the addition of an online portal. For those who would like to view or even purchase one of the winning works, they are on display in the Franklin Art Gallery and can be seen online at franklinartsfestival.co.nz. Advertorial

Waiuku Lions Club have long been involved with all aspects of ANZAC commemoration services within our community. Lions have always helped with the selling of poppies in the Waiuku community, but our service does not stop there. We don’t just participate in our local parade dressed in our Lions finery with our badges sparkling in the morning sun and sporting our biggest volunteer Lions members Barry Gibbon with Phoenix Daines, president Ivy smiles. We provide transportation for Tapsell and Derek Robbins march at the last Anzac prcession. older veterans and wheelchair users to the parade start or direct to the Cenotaph ceedings were done, we would provide yummy where we also provide the seating. refreshments and a cuppa for all of our veterans. Waiuku Lions were also involved in the design With Covid concerns in 2020, the decision and installation of the solar powered lighting of was made to cancel public Anzac events for the the cenotaph, this installation was paid for with first time since 1992. Commemorations included the proceeds from the 100 year of WW1 events #StandatDawn when Waiuku Lions members held in 2014-18. joined New Zealanders up and down the counIn pre-Covid 19 times, after we had laid our try, united in respect for service persons and Club wreath and the parade and town hall proveterans. We stuck to our bubbles and we stood at dawn at our letterboxes. Veterans wore their medals just as they would for traditional public Anzac Day gatherings. 2021 brought another change of pace for Waiuku Lions. After many years of setting up refreshments in the town hall after the Anzac service, we hosted a sit down lunch at our Lions Station for the veterans and visiting band. So how will Anzac Day 2022 look? There can be no Anzac Parade under Traffic Light Red. Are you looking for a way to help your local The RSA has been told they can do something community? Do you want to give back? respectful — maybe a small, informal event at Lions can help you with that! the Cenotaph with the public adhering to covid Email waiuku@lionsclubs.org.nz social-distancing guidelines – perhaps under www.facebook.com/waiukulions the trees at Massey Park. Whatever the decision, Waiuku Lions will be standing proudly behind Anzac 2022 with our biggest smiles beaming, honouring our service men and women and working together to make a fabulous tomorrow. Come and join to be a Lion, and work with us.

Local people helping local people for over 50 years.

Breeze

Talk to Chris today, phone 020 4089 9939

Do you know that -

Lions Club of Waiuku

PAGE 9

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APRIL 2022

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A new VIEW from Hartmann House

O’Hara Private Plan Change

STORY TIFFANY BROWN

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After a protracted two year wait caused by Covid restrictions and lockdowns, a new marketing venture is about to launch at historic Hartmann House on the George Doherty Green by the Waiuku Estuary. The historic cottage, which is owned by Waiuku Museum, is being transformed into a public showroom and shared space for The VIEW, a new collaborative venture and the brainchild of Linda Newall from The Roost accommodation providers. Linda said the concept came into being when Covid hit, changing the events landscape in the area. The VIEW had been two years in the planning and it had been a big journey to get to this stage. “What we’re seeing is a need for people to have gatherings for all sorts of reasons. We have such beautiful venues in the area, but some people in Waiuku don’t even know about them.” Linda said Waiuku boasts caterers, DJs, bouncy castles, transport, MCs, hair and beauty professionals, celebrants and wedding planners; all the services and products needed to plan any sort of gathering or occasion. “There’s nothing you can’t get in Waiuku for your event.” The VIEW stands for ‘Venues, Inspiration, Events, Weddings’ and will

feature a website, launching on Easter weekend, and social media promotion. The gallery will have on display visual examples and information about VIEW vendors, and will act as a showroom and shared meeting space for collaborations between vendors and the public. Linda, who is actively involved in the Waiuku Business and Development Association (WBDA) said she is passionate about buying local and trying local. “The VIEW is totally Waiuku-centric. Our aim is to put Waiuku on the map as the location of choice for any type of gathering, from baby showers to reunions, to a corporate event, or a meet-

up between six friends. We’ve seen that people need the opportunity to gather; to reignite and reconnect.” Linda said she owed huge thanks to Waiuku Museum for their belief in her vision, and patience during the extended delay in launching The VIEW. “Every time we were almost ready, there was another lockdown. The team at Waiuku Museum have been really wonderful.” The VIEW showroom at Hartmann House is set to open to the public on Saturday 16 April. If you have a product or service that may ﬁt with this event industry collaboration, please contact Linda Newall, linda.newall@xtra.co.nz

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Thinking of a lifestyle move to the country?

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because the of living experience can be very different. It may be a wish to get involved in rural activities such as growing animals or crops — an excellent reason as long as it’s realistically thought out. Then there is the question of whether to buy an existing small lot complete with housing, shedding, fencing and roading or to buy an empty piece of land which may have been subdivided from a farm. There is a vast difference in the required commitment and the need for resources between these options. There are a number of businesses which can beneﬁt greatly from being moved to a small rural lot. As an example, tradies may ﬁnd the ability to build a shed and yard at home ideal. For this group, there would be few parts of New Zealand where there is a more optimistic outlook for development than the Franklin region with massive industrial and residential resettlement occurring now.

Breeze

Advertising Sales: Chris Stabler: sales@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Publishers: Bill & Ngaire Deed: bill@westfranklinbreeze.nz

Editorial: Tiffany Brown: tiffany@westfranklinbreeze.nz Sandy Smith: sandy@westfranklinbreeze.nz

B r e eze WEST

FRANKLIN

6200 copies

delivered to Waiuku and the four rural districts. Published by Breeze Publications, Waiuku

APRIL 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

PAGE 11

Your A–Z of Trades & Services

Mike’s Lifestyle Block Services

WE’RE LOCAL AND WE COME TO YOU

Registered Chemical Applicator Spraying: Boom & Spot Mowing & Topping Fertilising Harrowing

Why Harrisons?

for all your paddock needs

Ph 021 331 019

ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN

• It’s easy, we’re mobile, so we come to you • Huge range of the latest carpets, vinyls, vinyl planking and laminate to suit all decors and budgets • Best price guarantee* • Get Fly Buys with every purchase • Finance options available (Q card, Gem visa)

FOR HIRE

SEPTIC TANKS

mobile bathroom | toilet facilities Jeff & Lynette Millen M: 027 44 88 666 E: southauckland@outbackbathrooms.co.nz www.outbackbathrooms.co.nz

Certifi ed Drainlayers

CARPETS & FLOORING

ALAN WILSON PLUMBING

AGRICULTURE

FOR ENQUIRIES:

PH 09 235 9066

info@waiukuwastedisposal.co.nz

CALL 0800 SUCKA1 0800 78252 1

PAINTING

SEPTIC TANKS

PAINTING

SEPTIC TAKEAWAYS

Tim Morrison

SEPTIC TANK CLEANING harrisonscarpet.co.nz

Jeff: 027 200 2000 446 Jeff 027 446

CARPET CLEANING

PAINTING

0800 279 009 BOOKKEEPING

Local Family Business for over 35 years Free Measure and Quote PHONE: 235 3664 www.ciflooring.co.nz

STORE IT ALL Level 5 ﬁnishes • Wallpaper ﬁnishes • Fixing & stopping services • Commercial • Residential • Specialist coatings

Carolyn Foley

All interior and exterior renovations, bathroom renovations, new decks and deck renovations, most handyman tasks. Franklin based.

CONCRETE

PAINTING

SURVEYORS

ACTUAL CONCRETE

ACRAFLEC DAIRY WALL COATINGS SUITABLE FOR NEW AND USED DAIRIES

ELECTRICAL

PARTS BLASTING

TOILET HIRE

Free quotes, all work guaranteed. Domestic, commercial, industrial, rural services. New, maintenance and renovations.

ELECTRICAL

BAKER VAPOUR BLAST

Vapour & Media Blasting Resurfacing & Restoration

waiukuportabletoilets@gmail.com

PLUMBING

Ph Dennis 027 478 3230

Tom Kane Electrical

New home builds Renovations and Alterations Decks and Fences

• Domestic • Commercial • Rural

Ltd

• Maintenance & Installations

WATER

CERTIFIED TRADESMEN OFFERING A RANGE OF SERVICES INCLUDING: DIGGER HIRE • GAS HOT WATER • CCTV/DRAIN UNBLOCKING

CALL NOW 09 235 9066

PH: 027 277 2346 • tkane@xtra.co.nz

EMAIL: service@alanwilsonplumbing.co.nz WEB: www.alanwilsonplumbing.co.nz

ELECTRICAL

PUMPS

Caravan Hire

Household Water Deliveries Tank Cleaning Swimming Pool Fills Commercial – Industrial – Roading Tip Truck Hire Registered Water Carrier 09 294 7378 | 021 072 7163 info@apluswater.co.nz www.apluswater.co.nz

VEHICLE SERVICING

GUBB PUMP & WELL SERVICES DESIGN, SUPPLY, INSTALL

• Accommodation needs • Ideal extra bedroom

MECHANICAL REPAIRS Specialists in vehicle servicing

Pump Servicing • Bore Servicing • Water filtration • Plumbing supplies • Builders mix and cement • Sand

Phone Lynette & Jeff Millen

AFTER HOURS AVAILABLE

Mobile 021 533 585

CARPETS & FLOORING

WAIUKU PORTABLE TOILET HIRE

0800 58 25 32

027 641 1616 kelvin@bakervapourblast.co.nz www.bakervapourblast.co.nz

D Excell Builders

Local Family Business for over 35 years Free Measure and Quote PHONE: 235 3664 www.ciflooring.co.nz

Contact David Lawrie or Ben Young 14 Hall St, Pukekohe Ph 09 238 6369 Email: office@madsen-lawrie.co.nz www.madsen-lawrie.co.nz

BUILDING

235 3500

LAND SURVEYORS

Phone Bruce Cameron 0274 988 412

Ph Jim 022 181 0729

CARAVANS

MADSEN LAWRIE

JOHN 021 501 438

Call Brian 0220 616 614 or 09 235 0350 www.progressiveelectrics.co.nz

0ver 45 yrs experience Licenced LBP

021 293 6250

14 Hosking Place, Waiuku

www.nzpaintingservices.co.nz

For all your concrete needs CONTACT US FOR YOUR NEXT HOME IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

All Sizes

m: 021 451 778 | e: nzpaint_plaster@xtra.co.nz

Mob: 021 886 475 Ph: 09 235 5014 Email: franklincarpetcleaning@xtra.co.nz

Check our reputation at www.nocowboys.co.nz

Mob: 027 476 1306 STORAGE

FRANKLIN CARPET CLEANING LTD Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning

BUILDING

0800 48 25 32

14 Constable Road, Waiuku

ROOFING

EQUIPMENT / MECHANICS

Hall & Hyland Machinery Ltd. P.O. Box 225, Waiuku • 13 Martyn Street, Waiuku

Ph: 235 8748 • Mobile 027 496 1108

09 235 8268

mobilemechanicalrepairs.nz

VETERINARY SERVICES

Classic Roofing Solutions New

027 493 1223

Ph: (09) 235 2323 • 5 Leonard St, Waiuku

roofs and

Re-roofing • Repairs • Senior Discount

Over 40 years roofing experience

vet

Need a

for your pet? WAIUKU 09 235 9101 PUKEKOHE 09 238 7486

PAGE 12

APRIL 2022

WESTFRANKLINBREEZE.NZ

Mary Richardson . . . a lady with many talents

W E S T

Local Legends

STORY SANDY SMITH

Mary Richardson (nee Ramsay) was born in Onehunga, Auckland in 1931 to an English mother and ﬁrst generation Kiwi father. After marrying local watch maker Sydney Richardson, Mary moved to Waiuku in November 1953. Sydney’s family ran the local Waiuku watchmaking and jewellery shop. When asked what it was like when she ﬁrst moved to Waiuku, Mary said,

“It was a bit of a shock to the system when I first arrived as I wasn’t used to being of interest to others, but eventually I settled in and became a local. Country towns worked differently back then, compared to the city.” Mary became a trained nurse before moving to Waiuku. “I left nursing, married and came down here and promptly had four children in ﬁve years, so I was fairly well occupied. When my youngest was about eight I went back to work and did night duty at Franklin Memorial Hospital which was, in those days, a maternity hospital. I worked there for some years part time until the Auckland Hospital Board clamped down on the part-timers. Then I did strawberry picking for a season. Later, Dr Howden approached me and I was appointed his practice nurse for about 17 years. He had his own rooms on Queen Street opposite the then Wesley Methodist Church. Later he built a medical centre next door to the BNZ where the family support people are now.” Mary talked fondly about her involvement in the local Methodist

Many older residents in West Franklin will remember the long established Richardson Watchmakers and Jewellers. Three generations of the family were involved in the shop until it closed in 2016 after 89 years in business. When Mary Richardson married Syd and came to Waiuku, not only did she work in the shop but she was involved in many other activities.

church where she sang in the choir and was active in the women’s group there. “Eventually the Methodist church amalgamated with St Andrews, where I still attend when I am able.” As well as being active in the church, Mary also contributed to the local community through her love of baking which started when she was a child. “I was the eldest of four children and one of my younger sisters had downs syndrome and was blind. Looking after her was a lot of work for my mother, so from the age of eight or nine, I was doing much of the cooking and child minding and I just became interested in cooking. Also, my father was a keen gardener and so I had plenty of produce to deal with and that became my norm. “Later, when I was a nurse I did a spell in the diet kitchen and I had to learn how to make salt free bread so I became interested in bread-making. Then the school approached me and for a number of years I did night classes at the college. I started off taking bread-making classes. These were six week long courses and I did these a couple of times a year. Then I branched out to other cooking. “After the night classes were abandoned I was approached by the local paper The Post, to do recipes and that was for about three or four years.” Mary also had an interest in gardening and ﬂoral art, and enjoyed her membership of the Franklin Rose Society. When my father-in-law died my husband took over the shop, so I

ESCORTED RAIL TOUR

F R A N K L I N

worked there with him for 20 years before retiring at the age of 75. My husband kept working right up until three weeks before he died.” Mary is now 91. When asked about her secret to longevity, Mary noted she’d had a chronic and permanent leg ulcer which had put her in hospital 25 times over the course of her life, and had just recently had come out of hospital again. However, she went on to say that her long life was the result of “dogged determination. I had heart surgery in 2009, but apart from that I’ve kept reasonably well. I try to keep as active as I can. I have good family support too.” When asked how she has managed during Covid, Mary said “it hasn’t been a great worry to me as I’m getting older and I’m quietening down, so it hasn’t been too distressing but I can understand it has affected other people more vigorously than that.” Mary’s life has not always been easy. She lost her husband and then youngest son, Ian, within six months of each other. However, she is supported by her remaining children, Leonie, Mark and Joanne, and has been blessed with ﬁve grandchildren and two great grandchildren. And what about Waiuku, how does she feel about still being in this small rural town? Mary responded by saying, “I’ve been helped all through my life by wonderful people. I have found Waiuku a very warm and welcoming place to live and I really wouldn’t like to be anywhere else.”

Upcoming GVR Trips ANZAC Day - 25 April Departs: Waiuku | Glenbrook | Pukekohe Travel with the GVR to Hamilton where we turn left and head towards the Kaimai ranges. Travel to Hobbiton or onwards to Tokoroa and return. For info or to book visit: www.gvr.org.nz

Mothers Day Eve Express - 7 May Departs: Waiuku | Glenbrook | Pukekohe

Departs: Thursday 7 July 2022 Returns: Tuesday 19 July 2022

Join us from Glenbrook or Pukekohe Stations.

Treat someone special to a day out with the GVR to Hamilton where you can enjoy a buffet lunch or remain on board for an extended day away! For info or to book visit: www.gvr.org.nz

Mothers Day High Tea - 8 May

At the Glenbrook Vintage Railway Travel in resplendent style on the GVR where you can enjoy a High Tea on our First Class Carriages. This is proudly catered by The Shires Waiuku For info or to book visit: www.gvr.org.nz

Discover Ruapehu

Join the Glenbrook Vintage Railway as we travel East & West across the North Island taking in parts of the country steeped in history, scenery and railway lines less travelled. Highlights - Travelling on GVR’s private Diesel-hauled heritage train on lines not usually served by passenger trains - featuring vintage carriages with open-air viewing balconies. - Passing through the scenic central plateau - steeped with railway history and including mighty viaducts and the world famous Raurimu Spiral - Traversing the scenic Manawatu Gorge - only accessible by rail - Following the east coast on the line to the Art Deco city of Napier - Ascending the steep Westmere Bank on the line to New Plymouth - great views of Mt Taranaki - Overnight stays at Ohakune, Napier, Masterton, Palmerston North, New Plymouth, and National Park - Specially selected ‘optional activities’ including special bus tours - Complimentary light refreshments served onboard the train at your seat - Extensive and diverting commentary and local history from our knowledgeable guides

Book now to avoid disappointment!

Fares start from:

$3890 per person twin share

More info: www.gvr.org.nz Email: railtours@gvr.org Phone: 020 4872 665

Rail TOurs

Faress From Fa Fare

$199

13 -15 15 May Ma 10 -12 June 5 -7 August