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As World War I came to an end, a silent and deadly killer swept across the world, leaving in its wake mass devastation. This virulent assassin took a life within a matter of days, even hours. Beginning with sudden flu-like symptoms, and rapidly transforming into pneumonia, individuals literally “drowned” in the fluid which accumulated in their lungs, and their body took on a black/purple hue. Bouts of ‘flu’ hit most winters, some more severe…

He was an American writer, journalist and novelist known for his sparse and uncomplicated writing style that was also economical and understated. He led an adventurous life ending in tragic circumstances and continues to have a strong influence on 20th century fiction. Ernest Miler Hemingway was born 21 July 1899 in Oak Park, Illinois, Chicago to Clarence Edmonds Hemingway, a doctor, and Grace Hall Hemingway, a musician and suffragist. The…

While we have been in lockdown to fight the spread of Covid-19, I have been amazed by people’s ingenuity to make this a positive experience. So many organisations and individuals in Papakura and all over Counties Manukau have grouped together to help others in the community. I want to acknowledge them. And also I congratulate all the families who have looked after each other while in their Covid-19 lockdown Bubble. And thanks to those who…

The Rotary Club of Pukekohe Inc. was established in August 1945 and marks its 75th birthday on 22 August this year. The club today bears little resemblance to the one chartered the year World War 2 ended. In those days Rotary was a male-only affair with very strict rules which required members to attend pretty much every meeting, or do a “make-up” at another club. Formal dress was required at weekly meetings, and membership was limited to just…

The Covid19 pandemic was something I thought I would never see in my lifetime and I bet many people can say the same thing. When the country went into Level 4 lockdown it was only businesses of essential services which could keep pressing on. New Zealanders had to adapt to a whole new type of normal with new terminology where days were measured by case numbers and isolation and on it went. New Zealanders were suddenly told to stay at home and…

For the first time this century, the numbers of people living in absolute poverty are rising. The World Food Programme estimates that another 130 million people could be brought to the brink of starvation, leading to a new combined total of 265 million people in that dire predicament. Rates of childhood vaccination and prenatal care are precipitously declining in a number of countries, and non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and…

James Sydney Heard was a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal New Zealand Artillery (RNZA) when he first served with 161 Battery in Vietnam. During a second Tour of Duty, he served with the 1st New Zealand Army Training Team Vietnam (1-NZATTV). He retired from the NZ Army with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. · Jim Heard died in December 2019. His surviving family recently discovered the medals to be missing and are desperate to recover them. A Reward…

In winter of 1864 the three masted clipper ship the ‘Ganges’ set sail from Cobh, Ireland for a 12,000 mile journey to Auckland. Amongst almost five hundred passengers and crew onboard the 192 foot (59m) ship were newly married couple, John and Sarah Fausett from Fermanagh County. Over the next three months they would brave the perils of putrid food, overcrowded and poorly ventilated accommodation, sea sickness and in Sarah’s case, morning…

It is refreshing to see life returning to somewhat of a new normal after the lockdown for most of us. Children are back at school, some after school activities have resumed, businesses are open and you can get your fix of whatever takes your fancy at your local eatery whilst reading your monthly elocal magazine. · The lockdown left many a person wondering where their latest edition was, and we fielded lots of enquiries when the expected…

Knowing that customers were the main focus for any of Stroud Homes customers was perhaps the deciding factor for local builder Mike Wilson when he was deciding whether to take over the franchise in the area. “I’ve been building for over 16 years, and I have always given every job the very best I can to make sure that the customer is kept happy, so Stroud Homes total focus on the customer and their whole model and philosophy build around that…