The Monday Q&A: Whanganui mobility advocate Noeline Lane

Noeline Lane believes getting together for a cup of tea and a good yarn is always helpful. Photo / Bevan Conley

Every Monday, the Chronicle fires 10 questions at a local. This week, Liz Wylie talks to community campaigner and mobility advocate Noeline Lane. Ten years ago she successfully petitioned for a pedestrian crossing in Gonville and later formed the support group Pedestrians on Wheels.

What else would you like people to know about Noeline Lane?

A lot of people might not know that I worked as a teaching assistant as well as a netball coach and lunch lady at Castlecliff School for nine years. I loved all that.

You managed to get 400 signatures for the Abbott St pedestrian crossing in 2009. How did that come about?

I went to the opening of the Gonville Library and mayor Michael Laws was there so I said to him "come for a walk with me" and I asked him "Can you see anywhere to safely cross the road?"

And it started there really. It was not just about people like me using mobility scooters; it is about people in wheelchairs, using walking frames, pushing prams and strollers. We still need more safe crossing places in Whanganui.

The group you founded, Pedestrians on Wheels has gone into recess since you lost some of your members; what kind of support would you like to see for people who face mobility challenges in Whanganui?

Even though the group isn't running anymore, it's still nice to get together for a good cup of tea and a yarn.

I'm busy helping my family to look after 5-year-old twins at the moment but I still like to support other people having mobility problems.

I would like to see some help from a larger agency and training and support for people who are new to using motorised mobility transport.

Have you ever thought about standing for local office?

No, other people have asked me that but I think the buggers would kick me out in no time.

I have spoken at council meetings and got some good responses though.

Once I rode all the way down one side of Victoria Ave and back up the other to identify all the worst bits for people using wheeled transport.

When Jack Bullock was on council, he came for a ride on a scooter and Josh Chandulal-Mackay has ridden from Gonville to town with me.

Senior roading engineer Brent Holmes has been out with me a couple of times as well.

Good on them because you don't really get it when you're a non-disabled person.

Is Whanganui your hometown?

Yes, I was born and bred here. I went to Aranui School, then Rutherford and I did my third form year at Whanganui High School before we moved to Motuoapa, and I finished high school at Tongariro School.

Did you enjoy living there?

Yes, but I was very happy to come back to Whanganui.

What do you like most about living here?

I think we're a lucky little place - but big enough to have plenty of places to go.

I think the riverside walkway is great. It's really accessible and people always say hello and some stop to chat.

Would you like to see a "wheeled pedestrians" precinct in Whanganui?

Yes, I think with an ageing population there will be more people using all kinds of wheeled mobility in town and there needs to be more mobility parking as well.

What was the best holiday you ever had?

One year we went on a fantastic trip down one coast of the South Island and back up the other.

I can't remember how old I was but my sister and I went with our parents and grandparents. It was fantastic.

What's the best book you've read?

I love Lesley Pearse's books. It's such a great series and you really become the main character when you read them.

At the moment I'm reading The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Riley and I'm really enjoying those books.