The Alma G II fully restored and now in her “rightful place” outside the Swordfish Club in Kororāreka-Russell.
An old game-fishing launch has just been restored at Ōpua boatbuilders CMC Design.
She has quite a history. She was originally owned by the Arlidge family from 1927 and launched as the Zane Grey. The launch of the boat was timed for Zane Grey’s second trip to New Zealand and he asked if it could be named after him.
She was advertised as “the most up-to-date boat in the bay being speedy and comfortable with all the latest fishing tackle and swivel chairs for deep sea fishing”.
Rumour has it, though, the Arlidge family and Zane Grey had a falling out and the boat was renamed Alma G II around 1931. She stayed with the family for many decades until reluctantly being let go in 1977.
She eventually found her way to a paddock where the new owner was expected to tackle the restoration project. That didn’t happen.
The Arlidge family had kept an eye on the boat over the years and approached the recent owner to purchase her and welcome her back to the family fold. She arrived at the boatyard of Waitemātā Woodies who contacted Craig McInnes of CMC Design and the refurbishment began in earnest.
The restoration project took 18 months and Sian Steward, manager and customer relations at CMC Design, said when the boat arrived at their premises you could see through parts of the hull with failing seams, rotten boards and bare wood growing moss.
“The project was never going to be for the faint of heart, every aspect had to be handled meticulously to last another 100 years,” she said.
“It was back-breaking work but a wonderful, challenging and uplifting project all at once and the owners were determined to create a family heirloom in their grandfather’s name.”
The Alma G II is now back in her “true spot” moored in front of The Swordfish Club in Kororāreka-Russell.
Charitable Trust and chess championship
Our Kerikeri Charitable Trust is getting a new secretary. After five years in the job, Lasse Dannesoen Pedersen has decided to step down.
The trust expressed its thanks saying: “Lasse has worked tirelessly to make a difference and as our secretary he ensured everything from paperwork to processes was meticulously organised.”
It’s not the only charitable trust involvement he has. He founded and has organised the Northland Chess Championship, which has been held in Kerikeri for the past three years and which reacquainted him with the game. He also runs the fortnightly Northland Chess Club.
“I hadn’t played for years but the late Ron Lanning came from Auckland and wanted to set up a tournament in Northland and I became the local co-ordinator.
“Now we have over 130 participants and it is thriving.”
If you surmised he’s from Denmark based on his name, you’d be right. He sold up everything there 17 years ago. He first visited Fiji and was involved in a conservation project there before coming to New Zealand which is where he decided to remain.
“I wanted to try something new so I did some travel around New Zealand and decided to stay put and apply for residency.
“I met my wife Diana who was a teacher in Dargaville and we now have a child, Rose, who is 11 years old so I am stopping here,” he said.
His day job is as a support person for the Ministry of Education. He remains involved with the chess tournament and, no doubt, will be involved with other organisations when he has stepped down from Our Kerikeri. He is passionate about the environment.
It is 1939 and the Kerikeri Red Cross was established with 50 members. They were primarily focused on preparing and sending parcels to Kiwi servicemen who were overseas during World War II.
Fast forward 85 years and the branch has over 40 members, 20 of whom are newer members who have moved to Kerikeri. They are from a dozen countries from around the world and what they have found is a community in Kerikeri through the Red Cross. They have formed an international group to connect with each other.
The volunteers continue to raise funds to help Red Cross respond to humanitarian needs close to home such as during Cyclone Gabrielle and the other severe weather events of early 2023. And they assist with adverse and philanthropic needs elsewhere in the world.
Two weeks ago the Kerikeri branch gathered at Kingston House to celebrate the 85-year milestone. Deputy Mayor Kelly Stratford, councillor Steve McNally, chairwoman of New Zealand Red Cross Northern Area Council, Nancy Kereroa-Yorke, and presidents of the Red Cross branches in Whangārei, Kaitāia and Waiheke were present, as well as local members past and present, family and friends.
Two of the branch’s longest-serving members, Margaret Church and Yvonne Rippon, who have been members for more than 30 years, were both recently presented with honorary lifetime membership awards. These awards are rarely issued and reflect the service the two women have given and continue to give through their volunteering with the branch’s craft group.
Susie Barlow, the newly-elected president of the Kerikeri branch, said anyone can become a member of the New Zealand Red Cross.
A knit and craft group meets on Friday mornings at the Red Cross Service Centre in Butler Rd, Red Cross volunteers deliver Meals on Wheels and first aid training courses are conducted.
Next year, the New Zealand Red Cross will mark 110 years since the organisation was first established in New Zealand in 1915.
For more information: redcross.org.nz/volunteer.
Proving that a church organisation can have a sense of humour is a sign in the Christ Church, Russell carpark. It reads “Pray and Display” and gives instructions on getting a ticket to park.
The amusing notice was the brainchild of the church’s people’s warden, Michael Hooper of Riverside Homestead B ’n’ B in Puketona Rd, Paihia. He passed the concept by the church council which gave him the go-ahead to do it.
Christ Church is New Zealand’s oldest working church, built in 1836 and was registered under the Historic Places Act 1980. During the battle in 1845 between British forces and Māori toa (warriors), Kāwiti and Hone Heke, the church received a number of bullet holes which are still visible today.
The Pray and Display sign was made by Kerikeri Design and Print and was eventually erected by Hooper himself and Dan Hirzal from Property Maintenance Bay of Islands. Hooper said there are multiple reasons for the sign.
“It’s meant to ensure there is parking for churchgoers, particularly on a Sunday and it encourages those parking to visit the church and enjoy the peace.
“It isn’t a shoppers’ carpark although shoppers use it quite a bit.”
He said visitors to the church can contribute to the coffers and support the church but so few visitors, especially those from out of town or overseas, don’t realise the church doesn’t receive any monetary contribution from anywhere outside of the church.
“The church, it is reliant on donations as a source of income for maintaining the church and the grounds.”
Those wanting to park in the church grounds can pick up a half day pass from the vestibule inside the church and put it under the car’s wiper. It’s an honesty system and helps as a contribution to the church.
Hooper said they have had nothing but good comments about the sign from far and wide.
The latest news bites from around the region.