A little bit about me...
Hi , my name is Andrea Dorn and I am a Neighbourly Lead for St Heliers. Forgive me if you have read this previously as I wrote a long '' spiel'' and somehow deleted it I think!! I am an animal lover and have a cat called Pedro who is about 12 years old now but still a very ''elegant, youthful looking boy''. Another love is music and I sing in the Grace Joel Singers ' Choir and we practise weekly for concerts which we give periodically. We choose a new Repertoire about every 3 months so this keeps us on our '' toes'' so to speak. Yesterday we chose songs for our Christmas Repertoire and we'll be giving Christmas concerts later in the year. It's good exercise and fun!
I also enjoy the theatre and movies and did try to get a movie group going but , unfortunately, that hasn't got going so if you also like the theatre and movies , do get in touch and we can arrange an outing . I'm also always up for a coffee , either at my home or out somewhere. I look forward to meeting other ''new'' neighbours as it's great to know one's neighbours and good security also. Looking forward to reading about others and their interests. Cheers.
What workplace change would you like to see most?
This coming Monday is Labour Day in New Zealand. This public holiday marks when the eight-hour workday and 48-hour workweek became law in 1899. The idea started with Samuel Parnell, a carpenter in Wellington, who in 1840 refused to work more than eight hours a day. Since skilled workers were in short supply, his employer had to agree.
As more skilled workers arrived, employers tried to change working conditions, but Parnell and others kept pushing for better rights. In 1890, Parnell led a Labour Day parade of 1,500 people to promote the eight-hour day. He passed away shortly after, and nine years later, Labour Day became an official public holiday.
Do you feel that we have reached the ideal in working environments yet? What rights are you passionate about relating to employment? Share your thoughts!
Six tips for improving security around your home
1) Improve outdoor lighting
Ensure that streets, driveways, and front yards are well-lit. Motion-sensor lights around homes deter trespassers by reducing hiding spots and illuminating their movements.
2) Trim your trees
Overgrown shrubs and trees provide cover for intruders. Keeping them well-trimmed around windows and doors improves visibility and reduces potential hiding spots.
3) Secure Entry Points
Ensure doors, windows, and gates are always closed when you are away from the house. Upgrade to more secure locks, deadbolts, or even smart locks for added protection.
4) Add a security camera
Place security cameras in the main entry points to your home. Doorbell cameras are also relatively cheap and a great way to keep track of who is visiting your home when you aren't there.
5) Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
You could reach out to members on Neighbourly to form a group of neighbors who can regularly keep an eye out for suspicious activity and report it. You could also check with Neighbourhood Support to see what is existing in your area.
6) Introduce yourself to your neighbours
The closer you are to your neighbors, the more likely they’ll notice when something unusual or suspicious is happening around your property
Feel free to share anything that you do around your area to deter crime.
What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?
Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.
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