One of the most dramatic rescues of the year took place in September. Photo / Bevan Conley
One of the most dramatic rescues of the year took place in September. Photo / Bevan Conley
September 5
The Chronicle reports the story of Huntley School student Jamie Thompson - the only female in her school's first XV side.
Thompson was only the second-ever girl to play in the school's premier rugby side after it became co-ed in 2014. In her first prep match against Wellington'sScots College, Thompson bagged a hat-trick and kicked five out of six conversions, confirming she was right where she belonged.
Huntley School student Jamie Thompson was the only girl in her school's first XV. Photo / Bevan Conley
"I just chuck on some headgear and they don't even know until the end when I take it off and we're all shaking hands," Thompson said.
According to her coach, Thompson was also quite handy at other sports, being the star of her cricket team and one of the school's best shots at clay shooting.
September 7
Whanganui High School student Liam Johnson is over the moon when he finds out the date of the election has been pushed back, making him eligible to vote.
The student turned 18 on September 20 - the day after the originally scheduled election, meaning he couldn't vote. But a resurgence of Covid-19 delayed the polls and meant he could now enrol and vote for the first time.
Liam Johnson - a lucky first time voter. Photo / Bevan Conley
"Although I wasn't expecting to vote in this election, I am prepared," Johnson said.
Unfortunately, some of Johnson's classmates weren't so lucky. Fellow student Aranga Molijn turned 18 on October 29 - only 12 days after the rescheduled date.
September 15
The election campaign is in full swing in September, with National Party leader Judith Collins paying Whanganui a visit on her journey around the nation.
Judith Collins checking out the Whanganui Air Ambulance in September. Photo / Mike Tweed
Collins had a mainly health-focused visit, visiting the headquarters of Whanganui Air Ambulance before announcing her party's dental policy, which included providing a free toothbrush and tube of toothpaste to children.
At the policy announcement, Collins was accompanied by health spokesperson and later her deputy, Shane Reti, as well as Whanganui MP Harete Hipango.
September 21
After a second wave of restrictions following the resurgence of Covid-19 in Auckland in August, Whanganui was finally back at alert level 1 for the second time, as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern made the call for the country to return to normal.
Announced at a 1pm press conference in Wellington, Ardern announced that all of New Zealand excluding Auckland would be moving to level 1 at 11.59pm that night, bringing back a sense of normality.
Cafes and restaurants no longer had to facilitate social distancing, face coverings were no longer mandatory on public transport, and events with more than 100 people could be held.
September 24
In one of the most heartwarming stories of the year, a Chronicle photographer was on the scene as the Fire Service rescued a family of trapped ducklings from a drainpipe.
According to Whanganui senior station officer Jes Sorenson, the Fire Service was called after someone spotted the mother duck peering desperately into the drain.
Senior fire officer Ian Tanner listening carefully for the remaining stuck duckling. Photo / Bevan Conley
It was a fairly simple rescue with all but one of the ducklings scooped out by the firefighters. With one duckling still stuck, firefighters made the call to flush out the drain. The ducking was later picked up as it floated out on Virginia Lake.
