Entries for women's scholarship now open
The Gillies Family Scholarship, which recognises the importance of women having educational opportunities, is now open for applications.
After receiving a $1000 donation from Jude Gillies in 2022, the Zonta Club of Oamaru launched the Gillies Family Scholarship to help women aged 25 and over with tertiary education.
The Gillies family, formerly of North Otago, now live in Auckland and continue to fund the scholarship.
Advocacy committee chairwoman Rebecca Koberstein said she was proud Zonta was able to offer the education scholarship for the fourth year.
"It acknowledges the difficulty women have in achieving higher education, as this often coincides with having to balance a family and manage financial pressures."
As a result of awarding the grant, Zonta wants to make a positive impact on the recipient's family and greater community, Mrs Koberstein said.
Last year's recipient, Holly Baylis, is studying her "last paper" towards completing a graduate diploma in arts, majoring in psychology at Massey University.
Miss Baylis said the scholarship enabled her to continue her studies by helping her obtain the resources she needed for further education.
The young mother of three children, who battled and overcame addiction, will graduate this November and already has a role in the addiction field at mental health organisation Able Minds.
"This opportunity has enabled me to apply my knowledge and experience to support and give back to the community. Thank you, Zonta for helping me pursue my passion," Miss Baylis said.
Applicants must be undertaking recognised tertiary study, be enrolled in a qualification and live in the Waitaki district.
Anyone interested in an application form can contact Zonta at oamaruzonta@gmail.com.
Applications close on Wednesday.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scoop
15 hours ago
- Scoop
Is New Zealand's New Noble False Widow Spider Dangerous?
Press Release – JAE First confirmed in Porirua in November 2024, it has since spread to Christchurch, Nelson, Northland, and Waikato. While less dangerous than the infamous black widow, its venom can still cause painful bites and potential health risks for Kiwis. The noble false widow spider (Steatoda nobilis), one of the world's most invasive spiders, has officially established itself in New Zealand. First confirmed in Porirua in November 2024, it has since spread to Christchurch, Nelson, Northland, and Waikato. While less dangerous than the infamous black widow, its venom can still cause painful bites and potential health risks for Kiwis. Where has the noble false widow spider been found in New Zealand? After the first confirmed sighting in Porirua, the noble false widow has now been seen in: Northland Waikato Wellington Nelson Christchurch This spider thrives in urban settings, especially gardens and outdoor spaces. They are often found under plant pots, tarpaulins, fence crevices, and outdoor furniture. Males are more active at night and can be seen on exterior walls or the ground around buildings. The noble false widow spider originally came from the Canary Islands and Madeira but is now widespread in Europe, the Americas, and, worryingly, New Zealand. What does the noble false widow spider look like? How to identify a noble false widow spider If you think you've spotted a noble false widow spider, look for these features: Size: Noble false widow spiders are relatively small, adult females typically have a body length of 8.5 to 14 mm, while males are slightly smaller, ranging from 7 to 10 mm. Their leg span can reach about 25 mm. Colour: Shiny dark brown or black body with cream markings that may look like a skull, although these markings can be faint or absent, particularly in adult females. Abdomen: Bulbous and rounded, similar to the shape of a black widow but lighter in colour and without their characteristic red hourglass markings. Legs: Long, reddish-orange or brown legs that are fairly thin. To view more examples of the noble false widow, check out the sightings on the iNaturalist website here. What are the effects of a noble false widow spider bite? While generally not aggressive, the noble false widow will bite if it feels threatened. Mild Effects: Redness, swelling, and pain similar to a bee sting. Serious Reactions: In rare cases, bites can lead to tissue necrosis, nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure, impaired mobility and secondary bacterial infections. Antibiotic Resistance: Some infections from bites may not respond to standard antibiotics, which is a growing medical concern according to Massey University researchers. What to do if you're bitten by a noble false widow spider While bites from the noble false widow spider are generally mild, it's still wise to treat them with care. If you think you've been bitten: Clean the bite area thoroughly with soap and water, or an antiseptic, to help prevent infection. Apply a cool compress to reduce pain and swelling. Mark the area, drawing a circle around any redness or swelling can help you see if it's spreading. Monitor your symptoms over the next few hours. Most bites clear up on their own, but watch for signs of a more serious reaction like increasing pain, fever, or spreading redness. Seek medical advice if symptoms worsen or you feel unwell. Some infections linked to noble false widow bites may be resistant to standard antibiotics, so prompt medical care can help prevent complications. If you're ever unsure, it's always better to get a bite checked by a healthcare professional — especially if you experience unusual or severe symptoms. What should you do if you see a noble false widow spider? If you find a spider that matches this description: Do not touch it directly. If safe to do so, take a photo and report your sighting on the citizen science platform iNaturalist NZ. Call a pest control expert, like JAE, if you notice multiple spiders or suspect they're breeding on your property. How to prevent noble false widow spiders around your home? Keep your home and garden less inviting for these unwelcome guests with a few simple steps: Seal gaps around doors, windows, and foundations. Keep outdoor areas tidy, especially under pots, furniture, and tarpaulins. Shake out shoes, gloves, or blankets that have been stored in sheds or garages. Book regular pest control inspections to catch infestations early.
The Spinoff
3 days ago
- The Spinoff
What Canterbury can teach the rest of the country about insurance stress
In Canterbury, some people are still dealing with insurance claims nearly 15 years after the earthquakes – and worsening climate change means more New Zealanders may have this emotional and financial toll ahead of them. Kate Dewes has a four-drawer filing cabinet in the garage of her house in Riccarton, Christchurch; it's filled with documents related to the series of insurance claims and disputed cases she went through to get her home repaired following the 2010 Christchurch earthquake. 'Our general experience was traumatic,' Dewes says. After filing a claim following the initial earthquake, the damage to Dewes' house wasn't completely repaired. She and her husband, Robert Green, asked for the repairs to be fully completed, which became an ordeal that sent them to the High Court, where they had to pay for their own lawyers and expert witnesses. Dewes' case was particularly high profile; it was used as a kind of test case for the Canterbury Earthquakes Insurance Tribunal and a short film was made about Dewes' experience. It is only recently, after nearly 15 years, that her family has been able to live in a fully repaired home, which doesn't leak or have falling chimneys. 'You saw how I looked in the film – I'm much calmer now. We've got our home back,' Dewes says, sitting in her restored study. Following the Christchurch earthquakes of 2011 and 2011, insurance claims were an ongoing reminder of the disaster. 'From research in Australia, and anecdotally here, we've heard that disputing an insurance claim can be more distressing than the experience of the disaster itself,' says Lauren Vinnell, a lecturer in psychology at Massey University who studies disasters. 'Insurance is a really important part of recovery; if claims are settled quickly, people are less likely to move, businesses are less likely to close.' The years following the Canterbury earthquakes showed this acutely. Ilan Noy, a professor of economics, specialises in the impacts of disaster and climate change at Victoria University of Wellington, and has pored through economic data showing how the quakes reshaped Christchurch. 'Data from eight years following the earthquakes show increased levels of anxiety and stress,' he says. He looked at insurance specifically, comparing people in the red zone who accepted a government buyout of their house at its capital value (CV) to those who made an insurance claim. On a financial level, many people made the wrong choice – they could have got more money from the government than via insurance, or vice versa, with the choice largely influenced by what their neighbours were doing. But people who went through the government buyout process tended to be happier, even if they hadn't got the best deal financially. 'It's a lot more straightforward to tick a box and get the money within weeks,' Noy says. Negotiating with private insurance meant both sides paying for experts, making arguments about what the damage was. 'It's not terribly surprising that that process is more cumbersome than just going with the CV,' Noy says. Cantabrians' experience with insurance disputes, on a financial and emotional level, has something to teach the rest of the country as disasters exacerbated by climate change continue. Natural hazards like flooding, landslides and wildfires are more intense and frequent in a hotter climate. This is already affecting insurance. Areas with recurrent flooding, for example, have had their premiums hiked; Nick Smith, Nelson mayor, has pointed out that the council's hazard map, identifying risky areas, affected insurance premiums and house sales. Hundreds of insurance claims have already been made following the recent Nelson-Tasman floods. An independent reference group led by the Ministry of the Environment recently examined the issue of how to pay for climate buyouts in a report on climate adaptation. 'In the past, local and central government have offered buyouts of up to the full value of properties affected by natural hazards. These decisions reduce incentives for people to understand and manage their own risk, can distort property prices, and have given rise to an expectation that buyouts will continue, creating a moral hazard,' the report said. It recommended slowly phasing out buyouts over 20 years, as well as changing land-use patterns to reduce future risks. It's not just people in earthquake-damaged Canterbury who will be negotiating with insurers and the government for the value of their primary asset, it will be people everywhere. Vinnell's research team, a collaboration between Massey's Centre for Disaster Research and the University of Canterbury, has just launched a survey, trying to get a better understanding of the experience of disputing insurance claims, beyond Canterbury. 'People in a disaster situation are often physically and psychologically traumatised,' she says. 'We're interested in how this interacts with dealing with an insurance dispute.' Vinnell and the other researchers will use the survey as a starting point, also interviewing people about their experiences. While she expects that most people will have had a negative experience, she's also interested in people who have had disputes resolved quickly, and how they feel about it as a result. The mundane details, of emails and photos, documentation and going through policies line by line, look like office work. But it implicates your home – a major financial asset – and where you can live. Dewes would sometimes stay up all night preparing documents for hearings in the morning. 'When I was up all night with the photocopier going, using my computer, something that kept me strong was knowing that it could help a whole lot of other people settle – but I got close to a breakdown.' Her hope is that her case will set a precedent for others. After featuring in the short film, she had people come to her house 'bawling their eyes out' over their experiences with insurance claims, and wanting to talk to someone about it. Dewes has worked as peace campaigner and researcher; she was able to pay for lawyers and experts and was confident dealing with documents, which isn't the case for everyone. Still, the experience of disputing the insurance claim felt harrowing. 'In the end, the earthquakes were an absolute doddle compared to the insurance company,' says Robert Green, Dewes' husband. Continuing to find the money for lawyers was stressful, as was the fact that Green was diagnosed with cancer in 2013. 'I don't allow myself to think about what I could have done with the last 15 years if we hadn't had to deal with this – you'd just become resentful,' says Green. Dewes imagines more time with her kids and grandkids; less time living in a cold, leaky house, waiting for repairs. Both have practical tips for people preparing to dispute insurance claims. 'Take notes, of everything,' Dewes says. When calling an insurance company, write down what you've discussed; take photos and keep evidence of work you've done on your home in case the cause of damage is debated afterwards. She's also heard of people whose computers and documents are destroyed in a disaster; she recommends digital and hard copies of documents, kept at a different location. Insurance makes calculations to insure homes based on risk and profit, Noy says. But having ultra-high premiums – like, say, $50,000 – isn't a good look as a business, so in areas exposed to severe natural hazards, insurers may simply refuse to insure houses. 'Insurance is always a one-year contract, so every year insurers can recalculate the risk,' Noy says. Events like Auckland's 2023 floods have caused insurers to advocate for greater flood protection in areas where inundation is likely. For politicians, choosing to pay for buyouts of houses after a disaster isn't a financial calculation, but a political one. 'It's more about electability than cost,' Noy says. Telling people that their home, and likely their greatest asset, is now impossible to sell because it can't be publicly bought out or privately insured following a disaster is always going to be unpopular. Noy has called the current system, where the government has no set position on buyouts, the 'worst' possible policy option – especially because money spent on buyouts is money not spent on planning and preparing for future disasters. Vinnell has talked to the Natural Hazards Commission and the Insurance Council, both of which are interested in the outcomes of her research into the emotional effect of insurance disputes. 'We're particularly interested in how one experience might shape decisions to dispute insurance in the future,' she says. Homes are linked to emotions as well as mortgages and bank accounts. 'How much do insurance claims take into account the value of staying in your neighbourhood, choosing to rebuild or repair?' The number of people dealing with insurance disputes is likely to keep rising as disasters continue. 'I can see that this problem is going to get worse because of climate change, let alone another major earthquake,' Green says. Both he and Dewes feel for the many people who share their experience of living in damaged houses, not knowing when they will get a resolution. 'My heart aches for anyone else who has to go through what we went through,' Dewes says.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Entries for women's scholarship now open
Zonta Club of Oamaru advocacy committee chairwoman Rebecca Koberstein. PHOTO: SUPPLIED The Gillies Family Scholarship, which recognises the importance of women having educational opportunities, is now open for applications. After receiving a $1000 donation from Jude Gillies in 2022, the Zonta Club of Oamaru launched the Gillies Family Scholarship to help women aged 25 and over with tertiary education. The Gillies family, formerly of North Otago, now live in Auckland and continue to fund the scholarship. Advocacy committee chairwoman Rebecca Koberstein said she was proud Zonta was able to offer the education scholarship for the fourth year. "It acknowledges the difficulty women have in achieving higher education, as this often coincides with having to balance a family and manage financial pressures." As a result of awarding the grant, Zonta wants to make a positive impact on the recipient's family and greater community, Mrs Koberstein said. Last year's recipient, Holly Baylis, is studying her "last paper" towards completing a graduate diploma in arts, majoring in psychology at Massey University. Miss Baylis said the scholarship enabled her to continue her studies by helping her obtain the resources she needed for further education. The young mother of three children, who battled and overcame addiction, will graduate this November and already has a role in the addiction field at mental health organisation Able Minds. "This opportunity has enabled me to apply my knowledge and experience to support and give back to the community. Thank you, Zonta for helping me pursue my passion," Miss Baylis said. Applicants must be undertaking recognised tertiary study, be enrolled in a qualification and live in the Waitaki district. Anyone interested in an application form can contact Zonta at oamaruzonta@ Applications close on Wednesday.
