Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | October 17, 2013

Civil defence – a boast and a timely reminder

This post is both a personal boast from me and a timely reminder about civil defence in light of snow storms and rain events happening around the country lately, not to mention serious earthquakes…

We all know we should be prepared for when something bad happens.

Well get off your backside and get prepared before it’s too late!

I spoke to Dom on the Farming Show today and talked about this… receiving three emails by the end of the next hour from people going out to buy those spare batteries for their radio, putting aside torches and food, and one simply logging onto civil defence websites to start getting himself organised.  Good to know I have three fans….

Here are the main messages for you:

You could be on your own for up to three days after an emergency – that includes council utilities, your local shop and first aid or medical assistance.

So you will definitely need: a first aid kit, three litres of water per person per day, access to non-perishable food (don’t forget your can opener) and battery operated torches and radio. If you have pets and toddlers or babies, don’t forget their needs. Here’s all you need to know to get through.

Now for the boast – click on this link to see the work of four wonderful Takapau School students and one volunteer firefighter (as well as me pushing record on the camera) that won the Hawkes’ Bay Regional COuncil’s Shortest Ever Disaster Movie.

P.S. The beautiful redhead is my daughter Sarah 🙂

Drop, Cover, Hold

Here’s what the regional council had to say:

 “A judging panel has awarded Takapau School 1st and 3rd place from the 17 movies entered in this year’s Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group’s Shortest Ever Disaster Movie competition, promoting the Civil Defence message of “preparedness”. ‘Drop, Cover, Hold’ was the winning entry from Takapau Primary School, with ‘Swallowed by the Sea’ winning 3rd place for the talented school.  ‘Tsunami Rap’ was an innovative entry from Havelock North Intermediate, which took 2nd place.  Hawke’s Bay CDEM Group Manager Ian Macdonald was impressed with the quality and variety of this year’s entries, saying “It’s a good reflection on the schools that enter.  These movies show off the creative talent of the students and staff, sometimes involving the whole school and community.”  Ian added, “This is a fun way to learn about and promote the “preparedness” message, not forgetting the work which goes into writing, planning, filming and editing a movie.”  For their good work, Takapau School takes away a new BBQ, a wind-up multi-function torch for all movie participants and a flip camera for the school. 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | September 11, 2013

generators needed

Urgent need for generators – big or small

 Power cuts throughout the South Island and significant damage to irrigators will mean that some dairy farmers will not be able to milk for some time and access to water will prove problematic.

Federated Farmers says most herds are at the beginning of their milking cycle, which will be demanding on farmers with out power.

“Farmers are in urgent need of generators to get them through the next few days. If you have a generator spare, there are farmers prepared to travel great lengths to get them. So please get in touch if you are able to help out,” says Katie Milne, Federated Farmers Adverse Event Spokesperson.

“We advise dairy farmers that in this event they can afford to be flexible with milking herds, reducing milking to once a day or twice in three days to get them through this.

“Dairy farmers must be careful in that they keep feeding their herds well to avoid the drying-off process as it will be harder to get cows back to full production. Cows need to be milked out properly to avoid them developing mastitis.

“An update from Orion says farmers could be with out power for up to five days in areas west of Christchurch.  It is key to check on your neighbours and ask friends and family for help if necessary. This is going to seriously hit farmers in the Canterbury region and we advise farmers who have been affected to get in touch with the Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254, if they need support or advice,” concluded Ms Milne.

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | August 12, 2013

Ram vs bike

haha

homepaddock's avatarHomepaddock

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | August 12, 2013

Deserved recognition

A very good chap just been given life membership of Federated Farmers for his response to the drought in Hawke’s Bay and for more than 30 years service.

Kevin Mitchell has become a friend since I first met him, Rae and others when I became part of the Glengarry Road/wider Te Pohue community 20 years ago. He was even my boss for a while when I was regional coordinator for HB Feds (then worked for his brother Dennis for TB Free!)

Congratulations Kev.

Here’s the press release.  I was going to add a cool photo I took of him during the drought before the most recent one…. but my burglars have it. That’s another story.

Drought “response hero” gets life membership

A long-standing Federated Farmers member has been granted life membership of Federated Farmers. Former Hawke’s Bay provincial president, Kevin Mitchell, was bestowed the honour after more than 30 years of outstanding service to the Federation.

 “It is the least our organisation can do,” said Will Foley the current Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay provincial president.

 ”Kevin was my first introduction to Federated Farmers and has been an inspiration.  He has always strived to uphold the Federation’s drive to achieve profitable and sustainable farming.

 “Kevin has worked tirelessly, giving up much of his time for the cause of his provincial members ensuring their voice is heard at a local level. 

 “Luckily for myself as current president, I still have the services of Kevin on my executive and so we all as members continue to benefit from his involvement.

 “Kevin showed great diligence and tenacity in assisting with the recent drought, on the Hawke’s Bay Drought Committee.

 “Hawke’s Bay was hit just as hard as anywhere else and all Hawke’s Bay farmers were offered the opportunity to purchase feed with reduced shipping and handling costs. Kevin was involved alongside Rural Support Trust-East Coast in making that happen, Mr Foley said.  

 Federated Farmers’ National President, Bruce Wills, a former Hawke’s Bay provincial president, also spoke warmly of Mr Mitchell.

 “Kevin is a great guy and has done so much for farmers in the Hawke’s Bay region. This is a special award for a very special person,” he added.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | August 9, 2013

Environment Awards open

Entries are open for the nationwide Ballance Farm Environment Awards.

Because I am in Hawke’s Bay, here is the press release from the East Coast:

East Coast Farmers Tell Story through Farm Environment Awards

Graeme Williams and Derry Stovell entered the 2013 Ballance Farm Environment Awards because they wanted to highlight the value of East Cape hill country.

Graeme and Derry farm 700ha (effective) ‘Mangaroa’, a steep hill-country property southwest of Tokomaru Bay.

They were encouraged to enter the competition by other farmers who asked them to represent the Gisborne region.

“We felt this place tells a real story,” says Graeme.

“Most people think that erodible East Coast hill country should be in forestry, but we wanted to show that sheep and beef farms like this can make a sustainable economic return.”

Around 58,000 trees have been planted on Mangaroa, mainly for erosion control, shelter and even stock feed.

Graeme says the efforts of his parents have “come to fruition”, proving a two-tier system of trees and livestock is financially and environmentally viable.

Ballance Farm Environment Award (BFEA) judges agreed, noting Mangaroa “is achieving high production figures with sought after stock”.

Surrounded by forestry blocks, the property runs 4800 stock units but is split into just 12 paddocks.

Graeme makes no apology for using historic farming practices.

“If you keep that old sports coat for long enough, it will come back into fashion.”

Graeme and Derry won two category awards in the 2013 East Coast Ballance Farm Environment Awards, including the Massey University Discovery Award. This award acknowledges the discovery of economically and environmentally sustainable farming systems. It “recognises farmers and farming families who have been proactive in seeking or developing knowledge and applying that knowledge to move their farming business to a more sustainable state”.

BFEA judges were impressed with the strategic use of willow and poplar plantings on Mangaroa. They also noted the use of willows as a “living hay barn” to feed stock in dry conditions.

Mangaroa also won the East Coast Farming For The Future Award.

Graeme says the Ballance Farm Environment Awards were “a great thing to be part of”.

He says the judging was conducted in an informal and enjoyable manner.

“The judges were there to listen to your story. I found the whole process very interesting.”

Derry also enjoyed participating in the Awards and she and Graeme are now actively encouraging other farmers to enter the competition.

Graeme says the Awards play an important role in highlighting environmental issues and showcasing some of the good work being done on farms.

He says the competition gets important messages out to both rural and urban audiences.

“The majority of farmers are very aware of these issues and they know that being a good conservationist puts more money in your hip pocket.”

Entries for the 2014 Ballance Farm Environment Awards are now open. Entering the Awards is easy, with information and entry forms available on-line at www.bfea.org.nz

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | August 1, 2013

sober, burgled and bad words

Short and sweet today.

Sober all month due to cancer fundraising through Dry July. GRUMPY!

Burgled last weekend. GRUMPY!

Had to put large amounts of money in the kids swear jar. GRUMPY!

Love Waipukurau Police. (Hate they can’t find the culprit but rate them all highly anyway. So would NOT want their job.

&%&^$&^%^& burglars should get a real *&^&^$&$ job and leave law-abiding people (*&*&^%^%$ alone to feel safe and secure in their own homes.

Heading for the swear jar again.

At least I will be able to have a CC & dry after squash tonight 🙂 Yay for the first of August.

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | July 11, 2013

another cheeky little fantail

Two little fantails kept me company hanging out the washing the other day. I went in to get my camera and the little buggers had gone when I came back out.

fantail

So, I was happy to see this photo from my old working pal Duncan Brown pop up on Facebook.

Here’s to the people I think of when a fantail hangs around. I have told you about it before 🙂  Read about it….

 

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Posted in Family

Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | July 4, 2013

No whining for another 28 days…

No whining in the rivettingkate household for 28 days. Actually, there will be lots of whining, because I am not wining.

I think it has muddled my brain and I am only three days in. Tonight will be the test. No CC&dry after playing squash. Or tomorrow, no glass of merlot at the end of a long week.

Dry July is the reason. Cancer support is the cause.

dry july

Dry July raises funds to create better environments and support networks for patients and their families. To do this Dry July partners with a number of hospitals and organisations across New Zealand and Australia to fund projects that support adult cancer patients.

And it’s good for our livers and waistlines at the same time!

To support me please visit here

I would love some more donations. Especially once the first week is over!!!!

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | July 1, 2013

Jamie Fitzgerald comes to Takapau

A taste for adventure… Takapau was blown away last week by someone who already has a chapter in NZ’s history books – and he’s not finished yet!

Perhaps not as global as Sir Edmund Hillary, pictured below, with the object of attention for rivettingkate this week – Jamie Fitzgerald.

Sorry Jamie, you’re not an object… but you know what I mean!

jamie and sir ed 2

 

So who is Jamie Fitzgerald?

He is one of the two adventurers in the TV One series First Crossings, which is about to start its second series.

In 2007, Jamie was the first Kiwi to reach the South Pole unsupported on foot with fellow adventurer Kevin Biggar (52 days… I took a picture from his presentation (off the big screen, like the one of Sir Ed) of his body before and after the 52-day expedition – he lost 30kg thanks to dragging a 160kg sled over rough ice complete with torn hamstrings for the second half of the 1200km journey!

Jamie also holds the world record for rowing across the Atlantic Ocean in a row-boat and is a double NZ representative in rowing and surf lifesaving.

His campaign “The Big Walk” saw hundreds of young kiwis have adventurous, learning-based experiences throughout New Zealand.   
I didn’t know this until I googled him, but he also managed the training for 7000 Rugby World Cup 2011 volunteers.

He was in little old Takapau to speak at a fundraising event for Takapau School on Friday night. He spent the afternoon with children  from the school though. Lachlan thought he was just the bees-knees – especially when Jamie chose him to go up the front and put his jacket on.

Jamie calls for volunteers

Jamie calls for volunteers

‘

Lachlan puts on the jacket

Lachlan puts on the jacket

and the gloves

and the gloves

then Rebecca pretends to be the wind while Lachlan tries to do up the zip before he gets frostbite (10 seconds!)

then Rebecca pretends to be the wind while Lachlan tries to do up the zip before he gets frostbite (10 seconds!)

The school had a few surprises for him - firstly singing him the Split Enz song Six Months in a Leaky Boat (helped by Jack)

The school had a few surprises for him – firstly singing him the Split Enz song Six Months in a Leaky Boat (helped by Jack)

then doing a spot of Jump Jam - in particular Boogie Wonderland from the penguin extravaganza Happy Feet!

then doing a spot of Jump Jam – in particular Boogie Wonderland from the penguin extravaganza Happy Feet!

From there, Jamie went on to speak to a packed Waipawa Municipal Theatre.

Here are some pictures from his presentation and the auction to follow. Remember they have been shrunk in quality so you don’t have trouble loading them on NZ’s famous rural broadband….

 

ANZ drinks

theatre tables

jamie

jamie6

 

jamie9

jamie5

jamie8

auction magpies

that’s a signed Hawke’s Bay Magpies rugby jersey – one of the many fantastic items up for auction on the night. Black.. White… All right. C’mon the Bay! Whoops, not a rugby blog…

 

If you ever get the chance to hear Jamie speak please jump at the chance. It’s one of those life-changing moments.

Thank you to the school PTA and Sarah von D in particular for bringing him here and to Rotary for hosting its annual dinner on our behalf. The auction after Jamie’s talk raised more than $16,000 towards a new school bus 🙂 plus profits from ticket sales.

We shall be watching the second series of First Crossings with personal interest now we have met the man.

Thank you Jamie. We wish you luck in your future endeavours – of which I am sure there will be many!

 

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Posted by: rivettingkatetaylor | June 14, 2013

New face of Young Farmers

 

Just weeks after Tim van de Molen became the face of Young Farmers with the Cloak of Knowledge and the ANZ Young Farmer of the Year trophy … it’s the turn of Pleasant Point dairy farmer Cole Groves to smile for the cameras.

Cole has been voted the new Chairman for New Zealand Young Farmers (Paul Olsen stepped down after a two-year term – well done on your achievements Paul 🙂 ).

“It’s a fantastic group of people”, Mr Groves said in a Young Farmers press release this morning. “It’s a big honour”.

Mr Groves previously served on the board as an elected member for two years and views his new appointment as an opportunity to give back to an organisation that has given him plenty. He says he has gained “so much out of my involvement with Young Farmers; from self-development to growing my business contacts”.

Cole competing in the AgriSports of the Young Farmer Contest Grand Final in 2011

Cole competing in the AgriSports of the Young Farmer Contest Grand Final in 2011

Cole dealing with a Human Resources Challenge at the historic Brancepeth Homestead in Wairarapa - 2011 Grand Final

Cole dealing with a Human Resources Challenge at the historic Brancepeth Homestead in Wairarapa – 2011 Grand Final

 

 

The press release continued…

The twenty-six-year-old dairy farmer from Pleasant Point considers Young Farmers an integral part of New Zealand’s agriculture industry.

“Young Farmers tends to act as a glue for the industry – we help develop the future leaders of agriculture and contribute to a skilled and capable workforce.”

Cole also commented on the continued progress of the organisation.

“Young Farmers has come a long way. Industry partners are now coming to us whereas five years ago we were the ones going to them. The success has also been driven by our increasing membership, dedicated volunteers, our office staff and the growing network of past members.”

Retention of members is high on the list of priorities for the new chairman.

“It’s important to make sure there is a flow through from all the programmes and keep members in the ‘pipeline’ of Young Farmers”, said Mr Groves.

Engagement is paramount in order to help grow membership and keep people involved in Young Farmers.

“Our [the board’s] goal is to involve the members more. Members need to feel connected; they need to believe in Young Farmers. From the 17 year old who leaves school to join a club to the 27 year old who wants something more for their business or career – we need to make sure that we can provide it, every step of the way”, he said.

“Members are the success of the organisation. To us, they are the owners, whatever we do at the strategy level of the board is focused on the members”, said Mr Groves.

Mr Groves studied at Lincoln University and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in agriculture science with honours.

Speaking of Lincoln, here is Patrick Aldwell on the right... one of three interview judges grilling Cole in 2011 Grand Final

Speaking of Lincoln, here is Patrick Aldwell on the right… one of three interview judges grilling Cole in 2011 Grand Final

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