Latest news with #Queenstowners
Otago Daily Times
18-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Go behind the scenes with champion racer
Queenstown ski racer Alice Robinson, and one of her coaches, Tim Cafe, are the main attractions at a QAST fundraiser next month. PHOTO: GETTY IMAGES Queenstowners will have a rare chance to hear from champion ski racer Alice Robinson, and one of her home-grown coaches, at a special fundraising event next month. Robinson, 23, and Tim Cafe will be the guest speakers at Arthurs Point's Cargo Brew Hall for 'A Night Behind the Scenes: Chasing World Cup and Olympic Glory' on August 14, from 6pm. The in-depth conversation will give some insights into what it takes to compete, and succeed, at the pinnacle of world sport, with Robinson and Cafe sharing their journey to international podium success. QAST programme director Celine Arnold says the event will take a "deep dive" into Robinson's recent remarkable northern hemisphere world season, in which she won New Zealand's first-ever FIS Alpine World Championship medal, bringing home a silver in giant slalom, and finishing second overall in the world champs and World Cup standings. "It all started for Alice with QAST, and we're very proud of what she has gone on to achieve," Arnold says. Cafe, who's also a former QAST athlete, has also had a successful ski career, culminating in his selection for the 2010 Winter Olympics. "He will outline his role from a coaching perspective, and discuss the planning, training, setbacks, challenges and triumphs involved in chasing World Cup podiums, world championship medals and Olympic dreams. "It's an opportunity for the whole community to celebrate such an acclaimed local sporting duo and at the same time meet some of Queenstown's up-and-coming ski talent and help support the next generation of champions as they pursue their world stage ambitions," Arnold says. Tickets, via cost $165 per person, which includes food and drink, with a fundraising auction also planned. All proceeds will go to QAST to support its programme and athletes.
Otago Daily Times
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Arrowtowners backing new ‘back road' bus
Kylie Brittain is one of those few Queenstowners who can truly say they work on the world stage.
Otago Daily Times
04-07-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
She's living locally, working globally
Les Mills International's global events manager Kylie Brittain. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Kylie Brittain is one of those few Queenstowners who can truly say they work on the world stage. The former Destination Queenstown convention bureau manager's been global events manager for Auckland-headquartered Les Mills International for the past three years. The fitness-centric company, founded by Phillip Mills and named after his father, a former Auckland mayor and champion field athlete, is represented in 23 countries. As events manager, Brittain organises three or four global fitness events a year. Once a year, 4000 to 5000 Les Mills personnel also converge for two-day workouts and activations. "One of the cool ones we did last year in Berlin was we set it up like a car wash-type thing." Brittain's also organised events in London, in Los Angeles and Portland in the United States and Riyadh, in Saudi Arabia. Currently she's working on events in Amsterdam and Tokyo. After leaving DQ 10 years go, Brittain was senior experience manager for event company The Orange Group, then formed her own company, Ripple, with Queenstowner Samantha Stirling. "Had Covid not happened, that could still very well be going now." In applying for the Les Mills position, which for the first 15 months was contracted maternity cover, "my first response was, 'obviously, I don't live in Auckland, so I'm assuming that means I wouldn't be a viable candidate"'. "And they were basically like, 'don't let the geography put you off because we have people working remotely all the time'." Brittain, who now works out of Auckland HQ one week a month, says "the coolest thing is when you actually see these events you've spent nine months working on, come to life". "You're so proud of what you do when you see people having a good time at something you've organised, and I think that's the thing that keeps you coming back all the time."
Otago Daily Times
06-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Voluntary roles proving hard to fill
PHOTO: ODT FILES Queenstowners seem less willing to put their hands up for voluntary roles than before, a community arts stalwart says. Queenstown Arts Society chairwoman Tracy Porteous says the organisation has been looking for a treasurer for nearly six months, and the situation's "getting urgent". It's also getting difficult to fill its committee roles, something she's aware other local non-profits are also struggling with. Porteous says she's noticed a "sea change" in people's willingness to volunteer, and thinks the Covid pandemic and ensuing economic shock may be partly to blame. "I think the new economic realities of life are slowing people down in terms of giving service to the community." A fine arts photographer who has been the arts society's chair for the past 18 months, she says incorporated societies are required by law to fill the roles in their constitutions. Those requirements are set to become more stringent next year when new legislation comes into effect. When a lack of volunteers puts too onerous a burden on committee members, there's a risk of people walking away. She's urging locals to think about how they can contribute, because in her experience "you receive a lot in return". "You feel more connected, and you see the value of the effort you make, which feels good."
Otago Daily Times
31-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Farewell to a friend and colleague
She'll take the high road for a bit, and we'll take the low road. But we'll be together again, and our love will get us through to that day. That's a paraphrasing of words written by former Allied Press journalist, Louise Scott-Gallagher, 44, who died at home surrounded by family in Queenstown on May 20. Speaking at Louise's funeral service at the Queenstown Polo Ground on Sunday, friend Sarah Taylor recounted how Louise had comforted her with those words after the death of Sarah's mother. Now they offer comfort to her former colleagues at the Mountain Scene and Otago Daily Times. They will also comfort the many Queenstowners who were touched by Louise's warmth, empathy and sense of fun — and her lilting Northern Irish accent — as she went about her work as a reporter here between 2014 and 2018. Although she took up the regions editor role with the ODT in Dunedin, she continued to spend much of her time in the resort. That was because by then she was sharing a home with her future husband, Craig Gallagher — they'd met in 2017 when she interviewed him in his capacity as co-organiser of charity boxing event Thriller in the Chiller. The girl from Gillygooley, County Tyrone, had found her forever home in Queenstown with her dream man. However, in 2023, their lives were turned upside down. After finding a lump on her breast while 11 weeks' pregnant with their daughter, Lily, Louise was diagnosed with cancer. Despite an immediate mastectomy and subsequent chemotherapy, she was told last April the tumours in her body had grown and multiplied. Her overriding wish became to live long enough for Lily to remember her. She did not want her tragic family history to repeat. Her mother, Anne, had died from breast cancer at 34 — leaving four young children behind — when Louise was 3 years old. Louise and Craig began planning a wedding for later this year, but after learning three weeks ago that her treatment wasn't working, they brought those plans forward. They were married at home, in front of family and close friends, last Monday. Louise passed away peacefully the next day. At Sunday's celebration of Louise's life, friend Josie Spillane described her as the "best mum on the planet" and a woman who lived for her family and friends. A lover of parties and banter, she was a "singer, always the first on the dance floor, and often the last one home". A collector of friends around the world, her exceptional empathy meant she was the first to provide comfort and care at times of need. A prolific cook, she was a "feeder — that's how she showed love". The doting aunt of eight also showered affection on the children of friends and colleagues. Spillane recounted what Louise had written about her predicament a year ago. "I promise I'm going to confront this head-on, but while I'm doing that, I'm going to make every second count with Craig and Lily. "I live in hope, and genuinely believe a positive attitude and outlook can help, but most of all, I live every day surrounded by love and surrounded by my friends and extended families at home and our Kiwi families here in New Zealand. "They give us so much support, and I thank you for everyone."
