Library notes

Let the library start your summer with fascinating life stories

This spring, as we idly dream of summer adventures that may or may not be stuck at a Covid-19 traffic light, come by the Martinborough Library to feed your restless mind on these tales of big lives lived widely and well:

A Thousand Years of Joys and Sorrows, by Ai Wei Wei. 

When his poet father is exiled to a freezing labour camp during China’s Cultural Revolution, young Ai tags along for a what becomes an “open-ended course in wilderness survival training” and a life-changing political education. A lifetime later, the now world-famous artist was himself detained in 2011 by the Chinese government. This strinking memoir seeks out parallels between the lives of father and son, but also between Ai and the prison guards who were never permitted to leave his side. A moving account of the intertwining power of freedom and memory to make us who we are.

Helen Kelly: Her Life, by Rebecca Macfie.

A hero to many, ‘that woman’ to her foes, the first female head of New Zealand’s trade union movement stirred fierce emotions across the political spectrum with her life-long struggle to better the lives of the country’s workers. In this meticulous and moving account of her too-short life, award-winning Listener journalist Rebecca Macfie explores Kelly’s own life and motivations but also gives a masterful account of a defining period in New Zealand history, as the old welfare state gives way to neoliberalism. “Clear-eyed and powerfully written, this is a book every New Zealander should read,” Kristy Johnston, Stuff.

Between Two Kingdoms: What Almost Dying Taught Me About Living, by Suleika Jaouad. 

Diagnosed with leukaemia at 22, the author set aside dreams of being a war correspondent to chronicle her own personal struggle in her celebrated “Life, Interrupted” column for the New York Times. This deeply affecting memoir takes us through her gruelling illness but also her survival and reconnection with the world. Once deemed cancer-free, she takes an epic road trip to visit the readers who cheered her on, delivering a profound—and in a pandemic, incredibly timely—meditation on the power of human connection.

If you can’t find these or any other title on the shelf, just ask—we’d love to reserve a copy for you!

Kuranui College is Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing College of the Year

Kuranui sport’s leaders with Kuranui Sports Director Kim Whiteman and Principal Simon Fuller.

Up against a strong field of nominations in this year’s Wairarapa Times-Age Sports Awards, Kuranui College succeeded in punching well above its weight to take home the coveted Wairarapa Hunting & Fishing College of the Year. 

The 2020-21 field featured local sporting goliaths Rathkeale College, St Matthew’s Collegiate and Wairarapa College, but it was the increased participation by students generated from Kuranui’s new strategic plan for sport that really impressed the judges.

The college is no stranger to innovation and it quickly recognised that it had to adapt its approach to ensure that every one of its students had an opportunity to participate. Led by Kim Whiteman, a former General Manager of Netball Wellington and expert in sports change management, the plan was developed and implemented in 2019.

The strategic focus enabled the college to increase participation at a rate greater than its school roll growth. That was an aspirational goal given that the college has experienced over a 20% growth in its roll during the same period.

The focus included: growing relationships with Kuranui’s community, especially volunteers, funders, and sponsors; the establishment of a sports specific component to the school website for parents and students; a Code of Conduct supporting students and volunteers; pride in the uniforms that are also provided free of charge. … Continue Reading

Knees up

A prescription of education and exercise rather than medication and surgery may be just what the doctor ordered for people with some  cases of bad knees according to physiotherapy researchers from La Trobe University  Melbourne.

They evaluated the effects of an education and exercise programme on almost 2,000 Australians with knee osteoarthritis. Three quarters  of the people  reported clinical meaningful  improvement in pain or quality of life  and no longer wanted knee surgery.

The Listener 

Inner Wheel South Wairarapa

At our October monthly meeting at the Offering, Debbie Lattey the District Chairman was our guest speaker.  Debbie gave an interesting talk about her time involved in Inner Wheel.The friendships she has made and the interesting people she has met.

We also now have National digital Education Series monthly for all Inner Wheel members covering a range of tools, topics, tips and tricks for using technology.

Four new members were inducted by Debbie, they were Ann Rainford, Liz Gregory, Jeanette Packman, and Sylvia Bevis. A big welcome to our new members.

Purpose of Inner Wheel New Zealand

To administer, govern and represent our members.

To foster and promote friendship among members.

To promote any charitable purpose which is beneficial to our community.

To improve our community nationally and overseas.

New members are always welcome for more information

Ph 0226533510