Locking up and leaving for adventure
If you’ve seen the current Ryman TV commercial, then you’ve probably seen Judy rowing past the camera on a beautiful still Auckland morning.
Rowing is one of Judy’s passions, and she’s had great success with it, competing up and down the country since picking up the sport in her 50s. A highlight in her rowing career was in 2017 when Judy, along with her rowing partner Alison, competed in The World Masters Games, winning a silver medal in the 1000m Women’s Pairs.
She currently holds the title of top women's single sculler in the 70-75 year age group in New Zealand and is second in the North Island for the 65-75 year age group.
Adventure is in Judy’s DNA. She’s always up for hitting the open road and exploring the fantastic wilderness that Aotearoa has to offer. When she’s not rowing, Judy loves to hike. And she’s no stranger to several hard South Island trails.
Having a lifestyle this active and busy means that Judy doesn’t want to be worrying about her home while she is away. She chose Ryman’s Murray Halberg Village because it suits all her needs, right down to the location near the water as well as all the safety and security benefits.
“It’s a lock up and leave it situation,” she says.
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I am heavy forward, but backward, I’m not. What am I?
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Poll: Should drivers retake the theory test every 10 years?
Drivers get where they need to go, but sometimes it seems that we are all abiding by different road rules (for example, the varying ways drivers indicate around a roundabout).
Do you think drivers should be required to take a quick driving theory test every 10 years?
Vote in the poll and share any road rules that you've seen bent! 😱
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48.6% Yes
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49.4% No
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1.9% Other - I'll share below
Hero
“I was born and raised in war. To be honest, those are not good memories.
I really like Iran, and I really miss it, but I couldn’t be myself there. Even though my family didn’t like my decision, I left Iran. I promised myself that I would do whatever I can for all communities, especially for the kids, so they do not have the same experience I had.
I studied software engineering in Iran and left in 2006. I went to Malaysia and stayed in Kuala Lumpur for seven years. I was admitted to Lincoln University to do my PhD here, but unfortunately, I couldn’t afford the expenses. I requested a scholarship, but they told me I had to be there for six months first. So, I stayed in Malaysia and did my PhD in network security. In December 2013, I came to New Zealand with a work visa.
It took me a while to connect with the Iranian community here. I volunteered with the Multicultural Council, SPCA, and community patrol, and I established the Christchurch Iranian Society in 2017. Before that, I started working on Radio Toranj, the only Farsi-language radio show in New Zealand.
One of the reasons I started organizing cultural events was to showcase Iranian culture. I wanted to show people that we have delicious food, colorful dresses, traditional customs, and our own instruments. My hope was to show people that we are not what you see in the media.
I am working to involve all the communities that celebrate Nowruz, the Persian New Year, in the Nowruz festival in March 2025. We want to share this celebration not only with our community but with the public as well. It’s better when it’s shared.
I remember the first time someone from Dunedin called me and asked, Hero, can you help? Something happened, and they keep declining Iranian visa applications. When I heard that, I felt insulted. We are still human, so how can they do that?
Through this journey, I’ve learned a lot. Every single day, people with different cases call me, and I try to share my knowledge and guide them as much as I can.
I have received several awards, including the Christchurch Civic Award and an Award of Recognition for my contributions to the community during the pandemic. In 2021, I established Canterbury Kia Ora Academy, a charitable trust. Through this charity, I can help other communities as well, not just the Iranian community.”
- Hero
View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org......
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