Julie Andrews dances to her own tune
She has been a volunteer with the Anglican diocese for more than 50 years, and admits sometimes people get her confused with her more famous namesake.
'They look at you twice sometimes. Often, when we get American tourists, they would get a photo with me and then go home and say they got a photo with Julie Andrews.'
As a young girl, Julie dreamed of joining her school choir.
'I was turned down. I couldn't sing,' she said.
Her decades of selfless service earned her a nomination for the Canterbury Volunteer Recognition Awards.
The Christ Church Cathedral has been central in Julie's life.
'I went to St Michael's Church School in the 1930s. We used to walk hand-in-hand down to the cathedral.'
All five of her children were baptised there.
Julie trained as a nurse before starting a family, then shifted her focus to voluntary social work – spending about 30 years helping at Christchurch Women's Hospital and the City Mission.
She also served as a verger at the cathedral, assisting clergy during services.
'I got too old, so I volunteered to work in the gift shop.'
It's the friendships she has formed through volunteering that Julie values most.
'It's been my life really, supporting people, making wonderful friends.'
Two friends in particular have become especially dear – fellow volunteers Allison Blackler and Thelma Willett.
'We call ourselves the Wednesday girls,' Julie said.
The trio have volunteered together at the cathedral gift shop for the past two decades, and they're not shy about ribbing each other.
'She keeps us on the straight and narrow, and tells us if we do something wrong,' Blackler said.
'Are you saying I'm bossy?' Julie responded.
The Wednesday Girls love their voluntary roles.
'We get to meet people from different cultures all around the world, it's great,' Blackler said.
Still, they miss the old days in the original cathedral.
'It was always busy back then, before the earthquake. So many people just wandered in, regardless of what time of the year it was.
'People still stop by (the Transitional Cathedral), just not as many. But we do get tour buses full of tourists quite often,' Julie said.
Tourists are often fascinated by the cardboard design of the building, but Julie has a more practical favourite feature.
'I love the underfloor heating.'
Among her fondest memories is the royal visit in 2014, when Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, visited the Cardboard Cathedral.
'It was so lovely to see them, they smiled at me.'
She also got to talk to Prince Charles, now King Charles and Duchess (now Queen) Camilla when they visited the Cathedral Square site in 2019.
'He said he'll be back again in 10 years when the cathedral is rebuilt.'
Julie suffered a stroke a couple of years ago, which has slowed her down slightly, but she has no plans to stop volunteering.
'I'm heading for 100, but as long as my health holds out I'm going to keep coming in as long as I can.'
When asked how she feels about the many lives she has touched over the years, Julie simply said: 'I don't think like that, no. It's just a way of life.'
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Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Julie Andrews dances to her own tune
At 93, Julie Andrews is the oldest of about 100 dedicated volunteers at Christchurch's Transitional Cathedral on Hereford St. She has been a volunteer with the Anglican diocese for more than 50 years, and admits sometimes people get her confused with her more famous namesake. 'They look at you twice sometimes. Often, when we get American tourists, they would get a photo with me and then go home and say they got a photo with Julie Andrews.' As a young girl, Julie dreamed of joining her school choir. 'I was turned down. I couldn't sing,' she said. Her decades of selfless service earned her a nomination for the Canterbury Volunteer Recognition Awards. The Christ Church Cathedral has been central in Julie's life. 'I went to St Michael's Church School in the 1930s. We used to walk hand-in-hand down to the cathedral.' All five of her children were baptised there. Julie trained as a nurse before starting a family, then shifted her focus to voluntary social work – spending about 30 years helping at Christchurch Women's Hospital and the City Mission. She also served as a verger at the cathedral, assisting clergy during services. 'I got too old, so I volunteered to work in the gift shop.' It's the friendships she has formed through volunteering that Julie values most. 'It's been my life really, supporting people, making wonderful friends.' Two friends in particular have become especially dear – fellow volunteers Allison Blackler and Thelma Willett. 'We call ourselves the Wednesday girls,' Julie said. The trio have volunteered together at the cathedral gift shop for the past two decades, and they're not shy about ribbing each other. 'She keeps us on the straight and narrow, and tells us if we do something wrong,' Blackler said. 'Are you saying I'm bossy?' Julie responded. The Wednesday Girls love their voluntary roles. 'We get to meet people from different cultures all around the world, it's great,' Blackler said. Still, they miss the old days in the original cathedral. 'It was always busy back then, before the earthquake. So many people just wandered in, regardless of what time of the year it was. 'People still stop by (the Transitional Cathedral), just not as many. But we do get tour buses full of tourists quite often,' Julie said. Tourists are often fascinated by the cardboard design of the building, but Julie has a more practical favourite feature. 'I love the underfloor heating.' Among her fondest memories is the royal visit in 2014, when Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, visited the Cardboard Cathedral. 'It was so lovely to see them, they smiled at me.' She also got to talk to Prince Charles, now King Charles and Duchess (now Queen) Camilla when they visited the Cathedral Square site in 2019. 'He said he'll be back again in 10 years when the cathedral is rebuilt.' Julie suffered a stroke a couple of years ago, which has slowed her down slightly, but she has no plans to stop volunteering. 'I'm heading for 100, but as long as my health holds out I'm going to keep coming in as long as I can.' When asked how she feels about the many lives she has touched over the years, Julie simply said: 'I don't think like that, no. It's just a way of life.'
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
A good run
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Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Over there
Tennessee-Class battleship USS California passes Clifton Gardens on Sydney Harbour during a naval visit, pictured from The Sun newspaper's aeroplane. — Otago Witness, 4.8.1925 Otago Museum needs friends Sydney, July 30: There is a distinct American flavour about Sydney just now — in the shops, in the streets, in the trams, in fact, wherever one moves. The American sailors, like our own British tars, appear to find one of their chief delights in wandering about the streets and establishing chance acquaintances. The procession of American sailors and marines through the crowded city streets was frankly disappointing for the comparative lack of cheering. In a big procession like this the crowds look for the martial air, for the rousing music of bands at short intervals, and for that something that stirs the blood. In this big march there were only two bands, which set such lively American tunes that the tars rushed through the city rather than marched with that clock-like, disciplined step which is one of the glories of British marching. Again, the entry of the fleet lacked something of the spectacular because of the very slow progress of the ships, at long intervals, up the harbour. But it was a fine pageant, nevertheless, especially with the great flock of aeroplanes and seaplanes (the latter from the visiting ships) circling about. It was the greatest air pageant Sydney has seen. — by ODT Sydney correspondent At the present time the Museum is confronted with two problems. First is the provision of accommodation for the large and rapidly-growing collections that have in existing circumstances to be housed in the basement. There are thousands of articles which are lying on shelves. A very great increase in the annual income is required. Fortunately the Museum has a number of warm supporters, and the creation of an Association of Friends of the Museum will assure additional revenue. The whole of the subscriptions of members will be available for the purchase of material in clearly defined fields, and, though for a period the proceeds may not be great, they will be highly welcome. A grant of £200 is made by the City Council, but although the payment of such a sum involves a distinctly inadequate recognition of what the existence of the Museum is to the citizens, there is no absolute certainty as to the continuance of the revenue from this source. The establishment of an endowment fund, from which an assured income will be obtained, is greatly to be desired if the Museum is to be supplied with the finance that will enable it to be furnished and equipped in a manner that will admit of the effective exhibition of the wealth of collections of the greatest possible interest of which it is the repository. Substantial support must be offered by residents of ample means who realise the importance, practical as well as scientific, of the maintenance of a museum of high standing in the city. The Otago Museum is fortunate in the possession of a number of collections of rare value. The limitations of its finance prevent it from housing and displaying these collections advantageously. Trees felled on trunk road A start has been made on cutting down the large trees in the plantations which run between the two tram lines on the Anderson's Bay road. Only small shrubs will in future be grown on the plantation. It was found that the high-growing trees were a source of danger, as they prevented a clear view being obtained of vehicular traffic at the various intersections. — ODT, 8.8.1925
