Aiming for top at 81

An octogenarian is breaking down barriers and paving new pathways. Hawera's Daphne Keighley is the New Zealand Savage Club's first dominion executive, gaining the hot seat at a recent national annual meeting. Keighley has her eyes on the presidential badge and estimates that she should be the country's first woman to make it to the top. It has been her goal since 1975 - long before women were even allowed to be members of the group. "It'll be great if I can," she said. Keighley's husband George, now deceased, was rangatira (Taranaki-wide president) from 1976-77 and dominion president (New Zealand-wide) from 1990 to 1992. Not wanting to miss out on all the fun, Keighley and some of the other wives of Savage Club members had formed their own Wahine Club in 1975. Based on the same principles of performance, fellowship and charitable works, the Wahine met every month for 25 years. In 2001 they disbanded; the Savage Club had changed its policy to allow women to join during the 1990s and Keighley felt it was her time to shine. She joined both Hawera and Eltham's Savage Clubs and worked her way through the ranks. In 2009 she became Taranaki's first female rangatira, an office she held until 2012. As dominion executive, the 81-year-old has to work her way through junior vice-president and senior vice-president roles before she can take her place as the country's first female Savage Club lead. Keighley said she should be on track to take office when she is 88 years old. "It takes you about six years or so, you've got to work yourself up," she said. But she has never shied away from the work it takes. The friendship, opportunities to perform, and the chance to be a part of something special have always drawn her towards the Savage Clubs' structure. - Taranaki http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/10433396/Aiming-for-top-at-81 PETRA FINER PETRA.FINER@DAILYNEWS.CO.NZ Last updated 11:33 28/08/2014

Church to celebrate centenary

Waitara Knox Church centennial celebrations organing committee members met yesterday to discuss plans for the church's 100 year celebrations being held over Labour Weekend. From left, Janet Finer (committee member), Lynette Hodge, (Elder) Ian Finer, (Elder) John Hodge (Elder) and Graham Armstrong (Elder) and Session clerk. Waitara's Knox Presbyterian Church is ringing up 100 years next month and will celebrate with three days of festivities. The world was at war when the church opened its doors for the first time on Waitara's Grey St on October 21, 1914, and the wooden building weathered time and the elements until earthquake concerns required its replacement. The modern building now on the site, which opened in early 2013, is much more than a church. Boasting a basketball court, gym, childrens' play centre, offices, a conference room and a large auditorium, the church elders look on it as a a community hub as much as a place of worship. Labour Weekend, just a couple of days after the actual anniversary date, has been selected as the time to stage the celebrations. After an informal meet and greet on the evening of Friday, October 24, things kick off in earnest Saturday morning with the cutting of the anniversary cake followed by lunch. In line with the church's support of democracy in all things, the events for Saturday afternoon will be decided by a vote. Options might include egg and spoon races, things the whole family can enjoy or maybe a bus tour. A dinner dance will follow on Saturday night, and the usual Sunday morning church gathering will see ministers who served the church in past years taking part in a special thanksgiving service. Those interested in attending the centenary celebrations or getting further information can contact Lisa Parsons at lisa@waitara.org.nz or phone the church at 06 754 4356. Jeff Stone is a Witt journalism student - Taranaki Daily News http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/10462674/Church-to-celebrate-centenary

Maori Quartet brings past flooding back

On Thursday night I spent an evening with The Modern Maori Quartet. And by the time I left the TSB Showplace Theatre I felt I had stepped out for an evening with my grandfather, father, uncles and cousins. A nostalgic couple of hours being swept away by the melodies, harmonies, a degree of suaveness sprinkled with a healthy dose of humour that epitomised those gentlemen whose memories linger in my heart. I was expecting a revamped version of the Kontikis or Howard Morrison Quartet, and was pleasantly pleased to be transported back in time by classics that paid tribute to some of my childhood musical heroes. When I closed my eyes I was half expecting my father to be holding out his hand ready to sweep me into a slow waltz on the dance floor. Crooning is an art that many young musicians today have yet to fully value, but when it gets delivered with the panache of seasoned performers I'd suggest they should take notice. With a combination of 20 years' acting, song writing and musicianship, The Modern Maori Quartet have got that entertainment appeal that goes beyond just good singing. Described as fried bread with golden syrup, for that first-bite, yummy sensation, they definitely bring that good vibes factor into their performance. But it would be unfair to say this show is just based on past Maori Cabarets acts. Filtering through their programme were more modern, familiar tunes; Baby I've been watching you set the scene for original songs that have the potential to be iconic for a new generation; that lazy Sunday afternoon kind of feel that has your cousins reaching for their guitars. Hitting our screens tonight as part of the TVNZ variety show Happy Hour, The Modern Maori Quartet will be the show's resident act. No doubt their obvious entertainment value will increase, but I suspect the show will only give the viewers just a sample of their talent. And being at a Maori party might just become fashionable. But if you want a night out with your dad even if he is no longer around, get to one of their performances. You will hear him humming along with you. - Taranaki Daily News AMOKURA PANOHO Last updated 05:00 06/09/2014

Fallen locks show teens' priority

A group of Hawera High School students will feel the cold in the next few weeks as they get used to their new looks. Nine students agreed to have their heads shaved, and one decided to wax his legs, for donations from friends and family for the school's annual Shave-a-thon to raise funds for the cancer society. Year 12 student Ethan Arbuckle dedicated his falling locks to his granddad, who was diagnosed with cancer a year and a half ago. Arbuckle was "a bit more comfortable" shaving his hair for a second year running. While, Riana Robinson's effort last year inspired Nikita Barry to get in behind the event this year. However, when the clippers were going through her hair, she wasn't too sure what she had committed herself too. "I was thinking what have a put myself into. I'm going to have no hair for a while," she said. Crowd favourite, Stewart Melrose was too in love with his hair, so decided to wax his legs. "I waxed my legs instead because I figured it would be a laugh and deep down I couldn't part with my hair." Although the 17-year-old wasn't laughing as the wax strips came off. He was in tears of pain, leaving him thinking, "what am I doing with my life." "I honestly have full respect to anyone who waxes their legs 'cause that stuff hurts," he said. Melrose said the pain he put himself through was worth every cent he made. "It's for a really good cause, and it was all worth it to raise money for cancer." Melrose raised $600 for the event with the help of friends, family and teachers who paid as much as $50 to pull a wax strip from his legs. It was his first time involved with the shave-a-thon, but he is considering doing it next year, when he may even part with his hair. Teacher-in-charge Anna Campbell said each year the event gets bigger and better. "I'm super impressed with how the whole school has got in behind everyone." We already have kids asking ‘can we sign up for next year'." The school set a fundraising target of $4000, which doubled with door sales of more than 350 students who filled the school hall to watch and other fundraising. - TaranakiOLIVIA WATT Last updated 09:57 04/09/2014

Murray loves to roll up sleeves

Murray loves to roll up sleeves CLIFF HUNT- TARANAKI STAR Last updated 11:44 28/08/2014 Star manager Cliff Hunt , who worked his way up from the shop floor, talks with people who don't mind getting their hands dirty - the kind of people who make South Taranaki a great place to live. -------------------- Forty-five years is a long time at one place - and still loving every minute of it is local joiner Murray West of Arthur Brown Construction. "I can remember two dates," Murray said, "May 8, 1967 when I first started work for Waipari Timber; and August 4, 1969 when I started with Browns." Murray has had two jobs, starting his apprenticeship with Waipari before he was transferred to Arthur Brown Construction, and has been to two schools - Manaia Primary and Hawera High School. In the early days, Murray, whose parents farmed on Roundbush Rd, Manaia, had to get up early to bike to Manaia, catch the Egmont Tourist Bus to Hawera. And then do the same to get home. After bussing and biking for a few years Murray bought his first car- a 1967 Volkswagen. In 1969, when he first started work for Browns, the joinery manager was Bruce Oakes and 14 years later, when he retired, Murray took over his job. He held the position for the next 27 years before he stepped down to go back to the shop floor. Now the joinery manager is Jason Cameron, who was one of Murray's apprentices. "I just love being back on the ‘bench' - working with my hands again. A lot of solid timber was used in the early days but now Melteca, custom-wood and aluminium is used. But it has made the job a lot easier," Murray said. These days Murray, besides working for Browns, runs a Bed and Breakfast on Waihi Rd with his wife Christina. http://www.stuff.co.nz/taranaki-daily-news/news/south-taranaki-star/10433395/Murray-loves-to-roll-up-sleeves