Latest news with #LocalLegend
Otago Daily Times
24-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Local Legend: Francis ‘‘Dribbles'' Parker
PHOTO: NICK BROOK Clutha cup-week's second Silver Fern Farms-Clutha Leader Local Legend needs no introduction and was not hard to find. Clutha's prominent field-side commentator and sports corespondent Francis "Dribbles" Parker is notoriously camera-shy, but yielded to peer-pressure during the halftime break of the Steamers' final match. Covering countless rugby and cricket encounters for your favourite publications, Francis Parker's prose ranges from frank and punchy to refined and thoughtful, the whole time walking-the-talk as an active sportsman himself. "We'll get this on the spit tomorrow, eh boys? "Cheers Silver Fern!" Clutha's latest lamb leg recipient announced.
Otago Daily Times
03-07-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Local legend: Wayne Hollows
PHOTO: NICK BROOK Multiple mail-ins may make Owaka's own Wayne Hollows the most nominatedSilver Fern Farms Local Legend ever. Here are some samples: "Wayne was a volunteer ambulance officer for 12 years and has been on the hall committee for several years, the cemetery committee for 20 years and the swimming pool committee for 35 years." "He puts a lot of volunteer time into the Owaka community, helping keep the local pool running through the summer, building the recently completed helipad, retaining wall and steps and path plus plenty more." "He is a 47-year member of Owaka Lions and is always giving his time to turn community project ideas into reality, as well as running his own business." The semi-retired builder was at a loss to explain what drives his community spirit, "I think I'm lucky to have skills the groups and projects can find so much use for," he said.
Otago Daily Times
05-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Local Legend: Wayne Morrison
Local Legend Wayne Morrison with neighbour and nominator, June Waters. PHOTO: NICK BROOK The Otago Daily Times has played a regular role for this week's Silver Fern Farms, Clutha Leader Local Legend winner. Every morning in Balclutha, 72-year-old Wayne Morrison walks from his neighbour's letterbox, up her sloping driveway to bring the Otago Daily Times to her door. For the past three years, Wayne has brought 95-year-old June Waters her newspaper — a simple act of kindness that speaks volumes. Wayne, a father of two and grandfather of four, spent 49 years at the local freezing works before retiring. He volunteers at Cross Recreation Centre. Wayne, with his wife of 45 years, Loesje, has lived next to Mrs Waters for five years. Mrs Waters, a great-grandmother of 21, relies on a walking frame but is sharp as ever and quick with a smile. "I get help from Wayne, Meals on Wheels, Access care ... I have family in and out regularly. Somebody does my garden. Somebody does my lawns. Bruce brings round my groceries. Ruth comes and does my house work." Born in Gisborne and a Clutha resident since 1951, she proudly said, "I've still got it up top, my memory — which is better than the other way around". Her recent award for 70 years' service with the South Otago Women's Institute proves her legacy of community spirit and making friends. "She spent a lifetime helping others," Mr Morrison, himself an ODT online subscriber, said. "Now it's our turn." He said his whole street had a great neighbourly attitude and accepted his Local Legend lamb leg on their behalf — adding he might even ask a few of them around for a roast.
