War Memories

Toni Pyl

Part 10

On the evening of May 24^th 1945 an old friend of mine rushed into the house shouting that the war had ended! We were urged to come out onto the streets and celebrate but I was already in bed and wasn’t allowed to go out. That night I wept with rage!

The next day was like a dream, there were white notices everywhere saying the Germans had capitulated and we were well and truly free!

It was another beautiful day and the sky was full of low flying aeroplanes. In the town where I went to school, a crowd had gathered at the Town Hall and were looking up at a Dutch flag being hoisted up. The crowd quivered and broke into singing the national anthem, no wonder some people were in tears. At school the flag was raised as well and we were then sent home for a long holiday. … Continue Reading

We Are the Very Model of a Modern University

BY JOHN ANSELL

(with a nod to Gilbert and Sullivan)

We are the very model of a modern university

We’ve done away with knowledge and we’re all about diversity

Indigenous ethnicity and gender multiplicity

And when we get offended how we generate publicity!

We’re cuddly Marxist-Leninists and Islamist apologists

And Helen Clarxist feminists, indigenous ethnologists

We have our NZUSA to help the LGBTQ

And if you’re brown and being put down we’ll stop the white man beating you! … Continue Reading

SYLVIA at the ANZAC Hall, Featherston – from Thursday 14 March.

The Greytown Little Theatre’s next production will be, ‘Sylvia’ by A.R Gurney and will be presented for a 7-performance season at the ANZAC Hall, Featherston from Thursday 14 March.

‘Sylvia’ is a heart-warming comedy about the special relationship between a man, his dog and his wife. Director, Lynn Bushell says, “We treat our dogs as if they are human and this is what we see in ‘Sylvia’, we really learn what the term a man’s best friend means.”

Greg (James Riley) is suffering from a midlife crisis, whereas Kate (Lucy Cooper), his wife, enjoys the freedom of no kids and a new career which leads to a relationship on opposing paths. Into this mix comes a lost dog, the irrepressible, adorable Sylvia (Victoria Stevens) who adopts Greg as her saviour and follows his home. Chaos reigns as Sylvia’s attempts to fit into the household create havoc. With well-meaning but often dubious advice from Tom, Phyllis and a Therapist (Rachel Hope) Greg and Kate come to learn the power of unconditional love to heal a relationship. … Continue Reading

Wharekaka News

Wharekaka now has three residents who have reached the milestone of 100 years old.  Our most recent being Dennis Maugham.  Dennis has written some amazing stories on his life as a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy during the second world war, and we are very privileged to read these.

We welcome back the intergenerational play group with their monthly visits along with Digital Seniors who are meeting twice a month in Wharekaka’s dining room. Please feel free to come along and join both groups.

A big thanks to Tom Bunny (pedal power) and Joe from Green Jersey Cycles for taking residents on bike rides around the town.  This is great and I know those who take part really enjoy themselves.

We look forward to a busy New Year and are very grateful for all the wonderful support we receive from the community.