Monthly Archive for August, 2004

August 2004 – Paul Jeffries

Published by Paul Jeffries on August 22, 2004 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments

The month started with Ray and Richard, two volunteers from Cambridge, spending a week in Malakula finishing a water tank from the last trip. Thanks for a great effort.

The Vodafone Team arrive
Thanks to the foresight and continued support of the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation, new ground was broken in Vanuatu this month.

Beatrice, Katherine, Anthony and David made a difference to the lives of over five hundred people. With the help of the World of Difference Team I chose four Vodafone staff to join me on this latest trip to build water tanks in two remote villages on Malakula. Let me start by saying that if this is the calibre of the staff at Vodafone, then I am proud to have had an association with them all.

From day one I could tell that this was going to be a great experience for the four, and also anyone who came in contact with them. With the inclusion of a very good friend of mine, Thomas Lipp, (Poppa Tom) we worked and played hard as a team. From mixing concrete, plastering tanks, and playing with the local kids, to cooking and doing dishes. Everyone pulled their weight and bonded well.

At the end of the first tank, the girls were presented with island dresses. This in itself I think shows how well they were received into village life as it is special for village people to give such a gift. After the team left I was given several letters to bring home for them from people who were really taken with their friendship.

The work was hot, heavy and at times physically tough. It was great for me as I could sit down and point the finger with four able bodied youngsters running left and right.

I think the photos describe best the commitment these five made to the project, so I’ll let them tell the story. I know that this experience will stay with these four for a lifetime.

I think I can speak for them as well when I thank the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation for empowering Beatrice, Katherine, David and Anthony to make a world of difference.

Guys, if you ever want to do it again I would be proud to take you all on another wee adventure.

Mifella, Chief Andre Peter and Chief Jacob wanam tankyu tumas.

August 2004 – Margaret Suman

Published by Margaret Suman on August 22, 2004 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments

Rumour has it that Spring is right around the corner, but after having three snow days here in Dunedin, it’s hard to believe. However, lots happened in August despite the weather.

Planting Days
Tavora – early in August, the Trust hosted the Department of Conservation Technical Services group at our habitat north of Dunedin. They have been coming to the site for the past three years as a team building exercise for their office staff. It’s great having them back year after year as they love to check out what happened with “their” plants. Over 300 plants were planted on the beach and the hillside.

A day like this also gives us a chance to talk to other conservationists in a more casual manner. One of the field officers that works quite closely with the Trust was extremely complimentary of the Trust and discussed with us other ways to obtain funding and keep riding this wonderful wave we are on with such wonderful support.

North Head – (Catlins) we planted 270 plants on the land of a farmer who has been extremely supportive of the Trust for many years and has nesting penguins on his land. This was great day planting with Trustees, our own office staff and the farmer. North Head is one of our steepest sites (see photo). In the afternoon we took the opportunity to talk to a land developer in Curio Bay and took the opportunity to express our concerns over the new housing developments planned close to nesting sites.

Okia – Public Planting day. We planted 230 plants. This was the last of our three public planting days and coincided with Conservation Week. We were worried about the weather as snow was predicted, but surprisingly we had 20 volunteers some from as far away as Milton as well as a Department of Conservation Ranger who came just because he wanted to. Documentary maker Rob Harley was with us, and it was great to discuss with him exactly what we are doing down here.

Fellow VFNZ World of Difference Recipient
Victoria Carpenter came down to Dunedin this month to judge a Wearable Arts contest at a local school. Fortunately, we were able to spend a little time with her and even check out the contest. Victoria seemed to truly enjoy her involvement with the school. Hopefully, she will be back for a longer visit next time and we can take her out to one of our habitats.

Student Worker
We now have a 16-year-old volunteer who comes out on Wednesdays for work experience. He gets along well with all of us and we enjoy having him at the nursery. For a little male company we share him with Ranger Dave who takes him to work on the habitats from time to time. It’s great to be given the chance to help him get his life “back on track”.

The Nursery
Yes, all is well at the Nursery. The sun is finally coming over the hill earlier and earlier each day. We’ve done quite a lot of seed sowing and some of our root cuttings from 6 months ago are finally taking hold. We are particularly proud to have been able to grow a native broom, which because of its palatability for sheep is now an uncommon sight on the Otago Peninsula. And of course, our Olearia fragrantisima cuttings, which have the reputation of being very problematic to grow from cuttings, we have managed to pot on. You know it doesn’t take much to make us happy. Even our regular volunteers take pride in finding a seedling coming up in the seed trays or potting on some of the more successful root cuttings.

Library
We have been talking quite a bit between the two of us on how we need to build up a collection of plant identification and propagation books. Many times we are out at the nursery discussing propagation techniques or plant species but have no literature to refer to. Finally we have had the time to do some research and actually build up a very small reference library. We are quite excited to have all of this information right at our fingertips.

Future trips
We are desperately trying to make time to go see a few nurseries here in the South Island as well as the North Island. It’s always good to see how other nurseries handle problem plants or see other techniques. Sometimes it’s just good to discuss different methods of propagation.

We are also planning a trip to Stewart Island in November to observe and record the natural vegetation that penguins nest and breed in to help us with our re-vegetation work here on mainland New Zealand.

Can’t believe we are already into our 8th month. Time is really flying.

Cheers
Anita and Margaret

August 2004 – Tracey Napa

Published by Tracey Napa on August 2, 2004 in Diary Updates. 0 Comments

I have just arrived back from the Gold Coast where I have been attending a four-day Australasian Mental Health forum. The forum was made up of a range of expert international guest speakers, and covered a comprehensive range of topics, relevant to Australian and NZ Mental Health Services. 1000 people attended the forum, and the atmosphere was charged with enthusiasm to share knowledge and gain from the whole experience.

The theme of the forum was “Harvesting Hope Through The Lifespan”. It was an excellent opportunity to meet new friends and network with those who are service providers, users or both. Many of the wonderful people with whom I made a connection were consumers who are working in a specialist field and are drawing from their wealth of personal experience and insights in order to make a vital impact on the quality of service delivery.

All presentations covered highly relevant topics over the four days, including Mental Health Meets Social and Emotional Well-being, The Clubhouse Model: Communities of Hope, Recovery and Belonging in Society, Family Forum: New Initiatives that Promote Recovery and Well-being.

I was impressed by the consumer perspective given on several of the topics, as it is really important to get those service users who are directly involved in client assessments to give their own input into how the mental health services are serving their needs and working to support their process of recovery.

It was refreshing to hear evidence of the promotion and implementation of assessment needs that enable consumers and clinicians to engage in dialogue that supports collaborative treatment planning. I felt it was very valuable to relate this principal to the resource development work I had completed this month, which involved adapting the standard needs assessment support plan to be more visually inspiring. I added colorful pictures to help make the messages more accessible, as our Deaf clients relate well to visual aids as many have limited English skills.

I really enjoyed a powerful and moving performance given by the Te Whare Tapa Wha. The presentation consisted of a drama using indigenous instruments, waiata, dance and poetry, through which four whanau members portrayed the four cornerstones of health. They related the elements of Wairua (spirit), Hinengaro (mind), Tinana (body) and Whanau to their own dramatisation of their personal journey from life shattering mental anguish through to recovery and wellness. This cultural model addresses the importance of treating the whole person compassionately and respectfully by nurturing to the mental, social, emotional and spiritual elements holistically.

I would like to mention here a fond farewell to our lovely former manager/team leader, Linda Hall, who has contributed passion and immense support to the Deaf Mental Health Service from its conception two years ago. We miss her and extend our utmost gratitude for her vital and instrumental involvement towards the Service’s development and success. Cheers Linda!