Miranda finds her calling

Life as a postie wasn't the diversity Miranda Cooper-Grundy was looking for until she graduated from the police force on June 28.
Formerly of Masterton, Constable Cooper-Grundy is now based at Upper Hutt police station while her husband Bob commutes to Masterton where he teaches at Makoura College.
"I had thought about joining the police for a few years but there was an age limit so I couldn't. Once I found out they had changed the age limit I decided to apply because of the variety in the job and it being both inside and outdoors work."
After working as a photogrammetrist, mapping aerial photography, a postie and having extensively travelled overseas, the police force is her niche, she said. "I started in the Hutt on July 11 so I'm still finding my feet a bit and it's all very new to me."
Mrs Cooper-Grundy was one of 72 recruits who completed the five-month training in Porirua who had a 100 per cent pass rate.
"That kind of pass rate is quite uncommon and I was really surprised when I got told I had graduated top of wing. I knew I'd done well in some areas but didn't think I would take out the overall award."
A leather briefcase was the prize for her efforts as well as a mobile phone after also winning the practical prize, she said.
Currently in a two-year probation period, she said the nightshift isn't as bad as she expected it to be. "There's so much to learn it's all pretty mind-boggling at the moment."
Living on base at Porirua for five months was difficult but life-long friends were made, she said.
"Because I'm a bit older, I found it hard living in close quarters. It was a cross between a boarding hostel and a military base.The biggest challenge was keeping fit and finding the time to exercise among studying."