Articles by Sally Sumner

_Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, studying, sacrifice and most of all, love of what you are doing or learning to do._ · — Pele The words of a true legend, recognised by some as the best player of the beautiful game EVER and words that rang true for a group of Franklin United Academy members who were lucky enough to spend part of their recent school holidays training in Porirua, Wellington at the highly regarded…

It’s hard to imagine that behind the wide smile, bright eyes and amazing mop of dark brown curls sitting across from me, is a young man who in recent years has struggled with his own mental health. For Caleb Ihaia though it is a reality. Despite chatting confidently and articulately today about his recent experiences walking the Inca Trail, to raise awareness and funds for the Mental Health Foundation. It is a far cry from the way he felt, five…

Cars these days are built to go fast and most modern cars are well equipped with any number of safety features designed to keep those inside them safe in case of an accident. But it is often something that gets overlooked in the importance stakes, something that only has the same surface area as the palm of your hand that keeps you on the road. Your Tyres! Archie’s Tyremart has recently opened at 20 Queen St in central Pukekohe to provide…

I’m writing this on deadline day, we print in four hours, and someone in their wisdom has decided to waterblast the office roof, think bees, many, many bees all angry and upset, disturbed and buzzing and desperate to get into your head. That is what is sounds like, not very convivial to last minute creative morsels for heroic headlines and inspiring sentences. It did though get me thinking about how we can choose to react to situations as a…

As someone who has lived in rural Franklin for 20 years, Blackhawk Law Limited’s sole director, Kim-Shiree Grant, has seen immense change in the area. Kim-Shiree is not only familiar with the local farming scene, she's also aware of the way the use of rural properties are changing as Auckland city spreads its tentacles further south with rural properties quickly becoming zoned for residential. · “We have a vested interest in the area and the…

For the ninth year running ex pat Yorkshire people have gathered at the Pukekohe Cosmopolitan club during July for a series of traditional Yorkshire Day events. The event, which attracted 120 people this year, was attended by Bill Cashmore the Deputy Mayor of Auckland along with Andy Baker a member of the Franklin local Board. It commenced with the ceremonial arrival of the Yorkshire Flag which is mounted on a parade pole. The flag bears the…

In early October, this year at the Trusts Arena in Auckland, the National Gymnastics Championships will once again bring talented children from all over New Zealand to participate and compete over 5 days. It really is the BIG event in the gymnastics calendar and involves Artistic, Rhythmic, Trampoline, Tumble & Aerobic disciplines. Franklin Gymsports have 9 children that have qualified to attend Nationals this year. Niamh in Woman’s Artistic…

The feedback we had on last month’s Franklin Photo News story was amazing. What an incredible feat to scan all the pages of a magazine that 40 years ago was the social media of the day. The stories that have flown in about the people and events that are featured in the magazine have been both poignant, fascinating and humorous. Imagine my delight then, when one of the original photographers, Barbara McGrath (nee Watkins) popped into the office…

Legacies can be amazing things, they shape who we are and where we have come from. They can also influence where we want to go and what we want to achieve. It was a family legacy of craftsmanship that influenced Nick Bosanac to craft out a business using skills handed to him through the generations. His Great, Great Grandfather was a carpenter in a bustling European town, surrounded by centuries of inspirational architecture and craftsmanship.…

Temperatures may be dropping as we head for our two coldest months of the year, but things at elocal are hotting up! It always a pleasure to work every month with our local businesses and community groups and highlight all the great things about them and this month is no exception. From graphic designers, building companies, and barn door crafters, July elocal showcases some of the area’s finest. · Editorially this month we feature the second…