Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | January 12, 2012

well done beef & lamb chefs

This PR today from Beef + Lamb NZ …

The 2012 Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards attracted an unprecedented 208 entries from restaurants nationwide, with 189 achieving the Award – a record 91% pass rate, up from 89% the previous year.

“The Christchurch earthquake saw the closure of many of the city centre’s top restaurants and put extra pressure on the remaining restaurants in suburban Christchurch, stretching them to capacity,” says Rod Slater, CEO of Beef + Lamb New Zealand Inc., organisers of the Awards.

“Add to that the challenge faced during October when restaurants in the main urban centres were inundated with overseas diners, which placed huge demands on the hospitality sector.  Additionally, there’s been a shortage of lamb available on the domestic market.  All in all, it’s been a taxing year for the restaurant industry, and they’ve risen to the challenge very well.”

The 2012 Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards recognise consistency and quality in the preparation and presentation of beef and lamb cuisine, following anonymous assessments by culinary experts late last year.

Five chefs who displayed exceptional culinary skills during the assessment process have also been named as 2012 Beef + Lamb New Zealand Ambassadors.  They are:  Brenton Low, à Deco, Whangarei; Justin Scheihing, Casito Miro, Waiheke Island; Stephen Barry, Mount Bistro, Mt Maunganui; Shaun Clauston, Logan Brown, Wellington; and Ben Batterbury, True South Dining Room, Queenstown.  In addition, Brenton Low and Stephen Barry have also been named as lifetime Platinum Ambassadors.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | January 9, 2012

new scholarship…

Westland Milk Products is proud to announce the introduction of a new scholarship fund that recognises the hardships faced by many families in both the West Coast and Canterbury communities as a result of the recent disastrous events. Good on you!

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | November 19, 2011

callout #1

Hurrah! Promise I won’t blog everytime we get a callout at the Takapau Volunteer Fire Brigade, but this is my first, so I’m allowed to!

Couldn’t have asked for better – a small grass fire that was already out on arrival thanks to a nearby farmer working on his tractor (started on the highway probably by a cigarette). Then to add to the excitement, we got sent to another grass fire down the road that turned out to be misguided directions to the first one.

So all in all, a good start for me. Got the nerves out of the road and will be all sorted for the next one. Good thing I was at my friend’s house about to have a wine when her hubby’s pager went off (cos I don’t have mine yet!)

You should have seen my hands shaking though!

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | November 16, 2011

Where were they?

Where were the drunk All Blacks when I was in Rarotonga?

I visited and loved Rarotonga when two of my friends were married there last year.  We even went to Trader Jacks. But there were no All Blacks, let alone young, drunk, naked ones.

This is what we did see. And I still miss it. Click the link to get a sneak peak of what normal people see on a normal holiday in the Cooks 🙂

Missing Rarotonga

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | November 16, 2011

still waiting

Here I am, sitting at the dining room table, checking my Facebook status before I start my working day.

Seriously, just reading the news sites before I start writing some crap of my own.

I’m also still waiting for the local fire siren to go off… I get butterflies in my stomach every time my brain thinks about it. (I’ve often told the brain to bugger off and stop thinking so much!) Seriously, I hope the first call out is a false alarm – then I can just get on with it next time!

A controlled house fire has been offered to us next weekend – what an awesome experience that will be. The heat from a house fire will put the RFTB to shame (see the last post for more explanation). But it will be nice to know there are no people inside.

There was a great response to my firefighting news. Thank you for the comments (mostly back on FB). Sadly, Michael Laws’ alleged infidelities, Paul Henry’s resignation and the Norsewood gunman from a couple of years ago are still my top posts. What do I have to do to get to the top?

There might be a boost this afternoon. I’m on The Farming Show at lunchtime (technically, sometimes I get bumped for more important people!)

I made the mistake of sending Jamie (Mackay) an invitation to a lingerie party this weekend (which he accepted!) instead of a fellow Takapau-ite Jamie Turner so no doubt I will get a hard time about that!

Firefighters in lingerie? Not good for the reputation.

The broadcaster in me is hoping for the siren to go off in the dying seconds of the interview.

“Sorry Jamie, gotta go.”

Click.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | November 12, 2011

doing my bit

Rivettingkatetaylor is one of the country’s newest volunteer firefighters.

Normally I spout forth regularly about what I get up to, especially something this major. But for some reason, I have been shy to yell about it. But now I’m not “just” a recruit – I have given up my red helmet for a yellow one. I’m official.

My CFO or Chief Fire Officer, James Ward, presenting me with my yellow helmet

Two other chaps called Damien and Jason have joined me as the three new firefighters of the Takapau Fire Brigade. Along with 15 others from Wairoa to Pahiatua. And what a week we have all had.

Hoses. Dividing breeches, collecting breeches, branch deliveries. Ladders. (Foot the ladder! Ladder Footed! Prepare to under run! Under run!) Portable pumps and portable dams. Water, foam, CO2, dry powder. Fire breaks. Oxygen – Heat – Fuel.  Knots. Lines (NOT ROPES!)

Focus. Commitment. Team work. All culminating, technically in the passing out parade but realistically, one day earlier, sitting in a little concrete room with a fire burning in the corner.

The “RiftB”. RFTB. Realistic Fire Training Building. Freaking awesome – that’s what RFTB stands for.

The Fire Service has so many acronyms!! One of them is PPE, Personal Protective Equipment, in our case Level 1s (overalls, workboots, general purpose gloves) and Level 2s (more substantial clothing, structure gloves and fire boots) and breathing apparatus (BA). Everyone had told us about the time pressure to get your breathing apparatus on and working. Don and start…. 90 seconds later…. swing, shoulder straps, mask neck strap, waist straps, turn on cylinder, mask, straps, first breath mechanism, mask cavity test, low pressure test… wait…. flash hood, helmet, gloves. did I forget anything? No-one’s yelling at me. Tally to entry control and in we go.

Stay low. Watch the smoke. Watch the flames. Over pressure zones, under pressure zones, neutral planes. Take your glove off and reach up – how hot is it? (Really…!)

Visability is low under the smoke layer. Stand up. Visability zero.

Sit down. Control your breathing. No panic. Search techniques. Tunnels and hatches. Warning whistles.  Laboured breathing. Control. No panic. No problem.

Firefighter Kate Taylor. That’s me. How cool is that?

The most important people in my life this week? Paul#1, Paul#2 and Paul#3 (otherwise known as Shep), Mike – the amazing knowledge tap (who changes colour after a day in the RFTB);  VSO Steve with the creative photographic skills and everyone else that came to help teach a rough bunch of volunteers how to be firefighters. Thank you.

The second most important people in my life this week? Syndicate two: Damien, Gator (Calvin) from Pongaroa, Meager (Mark Eager) from Napier, Luke (Tikokino) and Cameron (Ormondville).

Syndicate 2 - Luke, Damien, Gator, Cameron, Mark and I. Overalls aren't the most flattering item of clothing... lol

Not to mention the other faces from the week – Jason (Takapau);  Amanda and Andrew (Wairoa); Matthew and Bjorn from Taradale; Lucy from Napier;  Mike from Hastings; John from Haumoana; Alan from Waipawa, Mark the publican from the Porangahau Duke of Edinburgh pub; and Shaun and Michael from Pahiatua – all of whom, at one stage or another, were on the other end of line, a hose or a ladder (or all running together inside a bunch of lines tied together with extremely stunning reef knots).

that's me about seven from the right -yes, the short one in the middle row!

Never, of course, underestimating the power of the wonderful people we all left at home – allowing us to spend a week learning how to be firefighters. Thank you to my Thomas, Sarah and Lachlan, it’s nice to be home.

I have had an awesome week. Now I just have to wait for a callout….

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | October 25, 2011

Happy 110th birthday

October 25th has been in my memory for a long time.

It’s just past the anniversary of my first date with Thomas (now husband of 14 years). It’s around the anniversary of when we moved into our home (2004).

The day after Labour Day? The day before my niece Alice’s birthday (phew, yes, remembered to send gift!)

October 25 has always been Uncle Mervyn’s birthday.

I was a little girl when Uncle Mervyn, who was in fact my Grandfather’s cousin, came to help paint the house, then lambing, then tailing (docking for the North Islanders), then haymaking….. he stayed for a decade! When old age started to catch up with him and he needed to be nearer a hospital, he moved back to his home near Dunedin to live with his daughter.  Sadly he died a few years later.

Uncle Mervyn and Grandad: Mervyn Fulton Valpy with his cousin Harry Bryant at Kinloch (mid 1970s)

I remember his smile; his thick black glasses (usually wonky or I think, fixed with tape); his rough woollen trousers and his cardies and vests; the lollies (ah, the lollies) and his gnarly, weathered, old hands with the knuckles that cracked when you pulled his fingers. Rides in his old Humber and visits to the seaside when he went home to Brighton.

"Helping" Uncle Mervyn do some gardening at The Glen

Rivett girls with Dad and Uncle Mervyn at Shantytown in 1974. That's me gazing up adoringly at my Uncle Mervyn

I was only 18 months old when Uncle Mervyn arrived. AS the youngest of four little girls, I was the luckiest to get almost four pre-school years with my permanent babysitter. I was a sponge – soaking in stories and books (and those lollies!) We used to read, read and read some more. Uncle Mervyn is one of the reasons I am good at reading and writing and also why I love being at home spending time with my children.He gave me an awesome start in my career while I was still in nappies so never underestimate the effect you have on young people!

cheeky!

It is his wonderful memory that sees me celebrate his birthday every year. Sometimes I wonder what Uncle Mervyn would have made of the grown-up Katie.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | October 19, 2011

I love Boundary Stream

Don’t we all have a conservation gem on our backdoor step that we think we should visit more often?

For me and I believe for many Hawke’s Bay people, this applies to the Department of Conservation’s Boundary Stream Scenic Reserve and the nearby Tutira Country Park (Hawke’s Bay Regional Council).

I will get more written about this over the next few days, I hope, but basically Boundary Stream is a mainland island sanctuary and includes half a dozen tracks ranging from easy and short to high level of fitness required.  It has Shine Falls, Bell Rock and the Lake Opouahi kiwi creche. At this time of year, the birdsong is phenomenal.

If you want native birds around, especially tui, the moral of the story is to plant kowhai.

I’m gutted – I have to pay $60 for an upgrade to get my own video on here! Unless I upload to YouTube first and then link. Okay. Coming soon…… (now is later so here they are)

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | October 4, 2011

sheep theft

Just shearing this (sic) sharing this press release from Federated Farmers, which is no laughing matter.

 

Mackenzie sheep ‘stolen for a particular market’

The manager of Ribbonwood Station at Omarama has requested all media inquiries relating to the theft of 200 pregnant ewes, be directed to Federated Farmers.

“I would ask the media to please speak with Federated Farmers,” said the manager of Ribbonwood Station.

 “I can confirm we have laid a complaint with the Police regarding this theft. It’s a major financial blow.

“On 26 August we undertook a stock count but by 15 September, when we’d brought our sheep in for pre-lamb shearing, we’d lost 200 ewes.   

“Speaking to neighbouring farmers, it seems around 600 stock have been stolen over the past three years.  That’s concerning,” the manager said.

 Federated Farmers believes the resources needed to steal 200 in-lamb ewes, around two percent of the sheep run on Ribbonwood Station, indicates a degree of
sophistication. “Stock are clearly being stolen for a particular market given they’re in-lamb ewes. I would remind farmers to only use reputable suppliers when purchasing stock,” commented Jeanette Maxwell, Federated Farmers Meat & Fibre chairperson. 

“The number of ewes stolen needed a stock truck, musterers and dogs.  You are talking about a sizeable and sophisticated operation. It
underscores why our rural security spokesperson, David Rose, is currently finalising a letter of agreement with the Police.  

“Yet the Police need help from those who live in rural areas.  We’re asking people to be extra vigilant because these stock will have been moved somewhere. 
If merino ewes appear on a block, as if from nowhere, it may well be worth calling you local Police.   

“If stock are legitimate, there will be a paper trail.  We’d also ask farmers to keep an eye out for unknown stock agents offering capital stock.  

“For farmers concerned about theft please work with your neighbours.  Record license plate numbers or take photographs of people or vehicles acting suspiciously.

“Above all, we need farmers to do what Ribbonwood Station did and that’s to report stock theft to the Police.  This helps the Police assess the scale of the
problem because stock theft is a serious crime. 

“Federated Farmers is working with the Police to improve rural security because we all need to work together to combat rural crime,” Mrs Maxwell concluded.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | September 15, 2011

Eat that frog

No, not eat the frog’s legs in favour of the French at the RWC.

This is something I was sent via email today that I enjoyed and thought I would share.

Get More Done In Less Time = Eat That Frog.

If you are like me, you are overwhelmed with too much to do and too little time. As you struggle to get caught up, new tasks and responsibilities keep rolling in, like the waves of the ocean. Because of this, you will never be able to do everything you have to do.

For this reason, and perhaps more than ever before, your ability as a leader is to select your most important task at each moment, and then to get started on that task, get it done both quickly and effectively. To help you and others be more effective and efficient, we must remember the story about frogs!

Mark Twain once said that if the first thing you do each morning is to eat a live frog, you can go through the day with the satisfaction of knowing that that is probably the worst thing that is going to happen to you all day long. Your “frog” is your biggest, most important task, the one you are mostly likely to procrastinate on if you don’t do something about it. It is also the one task that can have the greatest positive impact on your life and results for you and your organization. 

The first rule of frog eating is this:

If you have to eat two frogs, eat the ugliest one first.

This is another way of saying that if you and those you lead have two important tasks before you, start with the biggest, hardest, and most important task first. Discipline yourself to begin immediately and then to persist until the task is complete before you go on to something else.

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