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This weeks, I am using a story I wrote about cycling promoter Jorge Sandoval in 2017. I hope you enjoy it.
Cyclist Jorge Sandoval has a story that deserves to be widely known.
Recently, he was honoured with a Lifetime Service Award by Cycling New Zealand.
In the nearly quarter of a century I have … View moreThis weeks, I am using a story I wrote about cycling promoter Jorge Sandoval in 2017. I hope you enjoy it.
Cyclist Jorge Sandoval has a story that deserves to be widely known.
Recently, he was honoured with a Lifetime Service Award by Cycling New Zealand.
In the nearly quarter of a century I have been a journalist, I have been lucky to meet many interesting people.
But one person who will always stand out is Jorge.
I first met him when he came to the Hutt News looking for publicity for the Tour of Wellington.
Over time, I got to know him well and understand his fascinating story, including his time in a Chilean concentration camp.
Initially, he did not want to talk about when he was thrown into the camp by the Pinochet regime aged 19. He was tortured and saw many fellow prisoners die.
One of the few prisoners to survive the camp, he began a remarkable journey that would ultimately lead to Lower Hutt.
He fled to Argentina and in 1976 came to New Zealand as a refugee.
His first job was working in a Petone factory where the workers treated him as if he was "dumb" because he could not speak English.
Trying to blend in, he picked up some of the words his fellow workers used, including the F...word.
Much to his embarrassment, the Chilean ambassador had to explain its meaning.
Jorge found refuge in cycling and once he joined a club, he soon flourished and was good enough to represent New Zealand.
The lack of local events to ride in eventually annoyed him so much, he set up the Tour of Wellington. It would become an international event.
Jorge lived for cycling and what he regarded as Kiwis' indifference to the sport infuriated him.
When retailers in Lower Hutt and Petone complained about streets being closed for the Tour, he was blunt in his assessment that they were small-minded and lacked vision.
As I got to know him he opened up about his time in the concentration camp.
He was never bitter and his ability to move on was commendable.
Jorge deserves his recent recognition but at a time when some people oppose New Zealand taking refugees, he serves as a reminder as to why we should be generous as a country.
Forty-one years after starting work in a Petone factory, Jorge is a highly successful promoter. He has helped family members settle here, runs his own business and has organised more than 30 international cycling tours.
That is pretty good for a bloke who arrived in our country with nothing but a good attitude.
Very exciting to be on the radio yesterday talking with the Breeze about the New Zealand pipit/pīhoihoi (Anthus novaeseelandiae). The Breeze are backing the pipit for Bird of the Year. I clocked a couple of pipits around the Wainuiomata Coast a few weeks back, it was my first sighting of them, and… View moreVery exciting to be on the radio yesterday talking with the Breeze about the New Zealand pipit/pīhoihoi (Anthus novaeseelandiae). The Breeze are backing the pipit for Bird of the Year. I clocked a couple of pipits around the Wainuiomata Coast a few weeks back, it was my first sighting of them, and the first recording of them on iNaturalist for Lower Hutt (although there are 80 observations for the Wellington Region). They look a little plain, blending well with their preferred open tussocky rocky beach/river environment, and have a call like a squeaking shopping trolley wheel, but they have the most endearing strut where as they walk they bob their tails up and down - very funky. Unfortunately this endemic bird is in decline.
This year has made many of us reflect on how we can make a difference to our communities. Our lives have been changed so much by the virus with many of us are separated from our loved ones. It makes me even more grateful that I was able to be with my father a couple of years ago when he spent his … View moreThis year has made many of us reflect on how we can make a difference to our communities. Our lives have been changed so much by the virus with many of us are separated from our loved ones. It makes me even more grateful that I was able to be with my father a couple of years ago when he spent his final days at Te Omanga hospice in comfort. I am forever grateful for the care and love he received there.
For this reason, I have decided with several friends to organise a fundraising event for the hospice. Because art is our shared passion and has helped us through so many difficult times, the focus will be specifically on artworks.
We have a range of artwork from local artists donated for this cause.
The event will be run as a silent auction at the Dowse Museum on 21st Nov @ 4pm.
For those who attend, there will be competitive bidding on small artworks, as well as food, drink and live entertainment supplied.
Ticket can be purchased at eventfinda website: www.eventfinda.co.nz...
Hi Neighbourly folk, this is an easy one.
Who are these gentlemen and what is the significance of the picture?
We have a class tonight 6pm at Avalon Public Hall, 14 Maybe Road, Lower Hutt. Your first class with us is always free. If you can't make it tonight we have other classes on Saturday morning and Monday evenings at Dyer Street School Hall. Full details are on our website … View moreWe have a class tonight 6pm at Avalon Public Hall, 14 Maybe Road, Lower Hutt. Your first class with us is always free. If you can't make it tonight we have other classes on Saturday morning and Monday evenings at Dyer Street School Hall. Full details are on our website www.stateofmotion.co.nz...
Tranzit will be running a new Airport Flyer service starting in early 2021.
The bad news for Hutt residents is that it does not include the Hutt Valley.
Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry said he was also disappointed by the decision, which he called “short-sighted”.
“I will be writing to … View moreTranzit will be running a new Airport Flyer service starting in early 2021.
The bad news for Hutt residents is that it does not include the Hutt Valley.
Lower Hutt mayor Campbell Barry said he was also disappointed by the decision, which he called “short-sighted”.
“I will be writing to Wellington Airport and their new operator to challenge this decision, and ask them to reconsider their commitment to Lower Hutt,” he said.
Now is the time to have your say on the impact of wastewater overflows on the rivers and streams in the Hutt Valley ?
We want to know what’s important to you. ?
Your input will help our work in planning for future improvements to our network.
Click below to have your say today ?
If you’re considering installing curtains in your home, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is whether you’d prefer to buy ready-made curtains or have them custom-made especially for your home.
Get exactly what you want - There’s no need to compromise when you choose to have … View moreIf you’re considering installing curtains in your home, one of the first things you’ll need to decide is whether you’d prefer to buy ready-made curtains or have them custom-made especially for your home.
Get exactly what you want - There’s no need to compromise when you choose to have your curtains custom-made; you’ll get exactly what you want and it will be the perfect for your space. A good company will send a consultant to meet with you at your home who will bring with them a wide variety of actual fabric samples so you can see how different colours, patterns and textures look in your space.
The right curtains for the right rooms - You’ll get experienced, professional advice about which type of curtains is best for certain rooms and purposes. For instance, if you want curtains for bedrooms where blocking light is the main priority, your consultant will be able to talk you through the different lining options to achieve this.
A perfect fit - Another benefit of having your curtains custom-made is that your window measurements will be taken by someone who really knows what they’re doing.
Excellent quality - There’s no doubt the finished product will be impeccably made with special attention to detail. And there’s peace of mind knowing your curtains are backed by a decent product warranty.
Finance - By choosing a specialist blind manufacturer there may be the possibility of a finance option to help make it affordable.
Professional installation - And the service will be end-to-end with professional installation also often included.
Things to consider when choosing custom-made curtains – Good things take time; from consultation to having the finished product installed you could be looking at a 3 to 4 week wait if not longer. The initial cost of having custom-made curtains would likely be a more expensive option over ready-made. However, this cost is easily justified by the quality of the product.
Reasons to AVOID ready-made curtains
Whether online or from a store, ready-made curtains are often seen as a fast and cost effective option.
Potentially limited options - The first thing to know about buying ready-made curtains is that you might not get what you want OR what you need. Unlike Russells’ custom-made curtains, most ready-made curtains are not made in New Zealand. They are mass-produced in a finite number of sizes. These can be quite common sizes so you may get lucky and find something that fits your window. However, most people find ready-made curtains are either slightly too wide and overlap the frame, or not wide enough, letting through light. Be prepared to dedicate some time to shopping around to find curtains that are just the right colour, pattern and size for your home.
Measurement mishaps - You will need to measure your own windows; do so carefully. How to measure for curtains differs depending on what kind of curtains you want too so be sure to research the best method.
Inferior quality - Cheaper ready-made curtains may seem like a good deal initially, but long term (and curtains are a long term household item) inferior quality will end up costing you.
No professional installation - And finally, when buying ready-made curtains, you may also need to budget for professional installation if you’re not confident in your own skills.
No matter if you have custom or ready made curtains, Curtain Clean can take care of all your cleaning needs! Call us on 0800 579 0501 if you have any questions
Despite the bad early morning weather last Saturday we had a fantastic time meeting with members of the community at the Pāuatahanui Lamb & Calf Day.
We had conversations with over 300 people about sediment in our streams, riparian planting, wetlands, pest plants, pest animals and native … View moreDespite the bad early morning weather last Saturday we had a fantastic time meeting with members of the community at the Pāuatahanui Lamb & Calf Day.
We had conversations with over 300 people about sediment in our streams, riparian planting, wetlands, pest plants, pest animals and native planting.
Kids got to play with our catchment model to learn about sediment, streams, gullies and wetlands. We did trapping demonstrations and swapped weeds from gardens with gorgeous native plants! 🌱
🏠 Stay home if you're feeling unwell.
🤳🏽 Scan the QR codes when you're out and about.
😷 Masks are recommended on public transport.
👐 Wash your hands thoroughly.
Stuff has an article that Hutt Intermediate and Boulcott Schools have been told about a Covid19, LOW WORRY case, but schools informed.
Interesting it is NOT yet up on Neighbourly.
If you are heading to the Remutaka Forest Park this summer, please remember there is a population of wild kiwi.
Dogs are biggest threat to kiwi so please keep your dog on a lead.
There are about 200 kiwi in the park, some of them near Sunny Grove (Wainuiomata) and the population is growing thanks … View moreIf you are heading to the Remutaka Forest Park this summer, please remember there is a population of wild kiwi.
Dogs are biggest threat to kiwi so please keep your dog on a lead.
There are about 200 kiwi in the park, some of them near Sunny Grove (Wainuiomata) and the population is growing thanks to the hard work of the Remutaka Conservation Trust.
The kiwi is our national bird and it needs your help to survive.
Meet Sydney from Napier. His owner, Lisa Brownlee, says he enjoys the warmer weather.
The Pet of the Day will no longer be appearing in the Dominion Post and instead you will find it on Neighbourly every Saturday. If you want your pet featured, email us on yourpet@dompost.co.nz
Taita College celebrated their Senior Prizegiving on Thursday 29 October and wish to
congratulate all the students on their wonderful success!
Our Head students for 2021 are Nikita Old, Teila Leuila and Junior Misa.
Scholarships to the value of $130,000 were awarded this year to the … View moreTaita College celebrated their Senior Prizegiving on Thursday 29 October and wish to
congratulate all the students on their wonderful success!
Our Head students for 2021 are Nikita Old, Teila Leuila and Junior Misa.
Scholarships to the value of $130,000 were awarded this year to the following students, we are very grateful to our benefactors and scholarship providers.
These scholarships are life changing and make a significant difference to our rangatahi and families.
Kayla Faitele was named Dux for 2020 and received the $1,000 Mexican Supplies
Scholarship. She was also awarded the Te Herenga Waka Scholarship worth $50,000 from Victoria University in Wellington.
Nikita Old and Mia Welsh-Duffin were both recipients of First Foundation Scholarships to the value of $22,000 each.
Deborah Yu received a $13,000 scholarship from Otago University.
Penina Sitagata was the recipient of the Victoria Tongarewa Scholarship worth $5,000.
William Bower was the recipient of the Titiro Whakarunga Scholarship, funded by the
Winton and Margaret Bear Charitable Trust worth $4,000. He also received a scholarship from KPMG where he received a laptop.
Marshall Kennedy-Newton was the recipient of the Joyce & John Kellett Scholarship worth $4,000.
Shontelle Schuster received the Prime Ministers’ Vocational Excellence Award worth $2,000.
Dianna Revell received the Susan Taylor Scholarship valued at $2,000 and a laptop.
Arwen van der Raaij received the Kia Kaha Scholarship valued at $2,000 and a laptop.
Margaret Hopoi and William Judge both received a scholarship worth $1,000 from Uniplas.
Arleen Edmonds and William Judge both received a laptop to the value of $1,000 each for the Ka Maro Te Kaki o te Kotuku Scholarship.
Dallas Naik was the recipient of the New Zealand School of Tourism Scholarship.
Whāia te iti kahurangi ki te tūohu koe me he maunga teitei.
Aim high for what is truly valuable, be persistent and don’t let obstacles stop you from reaching your goal.
Hi Neighbours - looking for a fun-filled afternoon for the family? For just $10 for a child ticket and $15 for an adult, please join us at our Christmas concert.
With all your Christmas favourites, featuring a beautiful Samoan choir and other special guests, this promises to be a delightful day… View moreHi Neighbours - looking for a fun-filled afternoon for the family? For just $10 for a child ticket and $15 for an adult, please join us at our Christmas concert.
With all your Christmas favourites, featuring a beautiful Samoan choir and other special guests, this promises to be a delightful day out. We’ll also have bouncy castles and face paints before the show for the little ones.
If you would like tickets, please do act quickly, as this will sell out fast.
Sunday 13 December 2.30pm at the Michael Fowler Centre. Pre-concert entertainment from 1.30pm in the Renouf Foyer.
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