Billy T: Life and Times of Billy T James (book)
Billy T: Life and Times of Billy T James (book)
by Matt Elliott
2009
Paperback, 384 pages
Very good condition
Billy T James was a larger-than-life comedian who gave us some of our best belly laughs, creating enduring characters as he poked the borax at race relations in New Zealand. His characters were Kiwi through and through and we loved him for it.
When he died in his early forties, of complications following a heart transplant, we were shocked - first by his premature death, and then by one of the first highly publicised interracial body-snatching incidents.
His widow, Lynn Matthews, and a number of Billy's closest friends have cooperated with author Matt Elliott to tell the story behind the cheeky grin. The result is perceptive, poignant, funny and endearing - just like Billy T.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Craigs Workplace Giving for Christmas in Waikato focused on front line
It has been a delight for us to again coordinate the annual Christmas-time Workplace Giving by Craigs Investment Partners' Hamilton branch.
We've now passed on $13,100 in grants of various sizes from Craigs and its staff to the five Waikato community organisations they have chosen this year, namely Cambridge Lifeskills, Cambridge Tree Trust, Hamilton Land Search & Rescue, Paws 4 Life (who provided the photo below) and Waikato Women's Refuge - Te Whakaruruhau.
Quinton de Bruin, Investment Adviser at Craigs says: “We’re really proud of our Workplace Giving program here at Craigs.”
“Employees opt in to donate from their monthly pay cheque, building up funds over the year which we then donate to charities in need at Christmas time.
“Craigs also matches employee donations dollar for dollar, up to $500 per person per annum, so it’s a great way to be able to make a meaningful impact in our local community,” says Quinton.
We say well played Craigs Investment Partners!
Poll: Would you ever buy a total doer upper?
Housing stock is starting to move on the Coromandel Peninsula, including a dilapidated place one block back from Whitianga's Buffalo Beach that sold to a Hamilton bargain hunter for $500,000.
Real estate companies are starting to see more deals go, however, prices have stabilised with high supply levels still outstripping demand.
Would you ever buy a total doer upper? Tell us your reasons in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
-
0% Yes
-
40% Maybe
-
60% No