23 days ago

Sawdust

The Team from Humans of Christchurch Ōtautahi

"I’m known all over New Zealand as Sawdust."

"When we left the mill we were all covered in sawdust. We used to go to the pub - four guys and me, had our little corner. By the time we left there was about half a metre of sawdust on the floor. I was called Chuck for a start, and it evolved to Sawdust.

I was not a particularly bright child at school; I was good at woodwork, geography, and things like that. I came here to Akaroa High School. When I was 18, I went into my compulsory military training. That was very successful. I stayed a wee bit long which took us on big trips to Fiji and whatever areas needed peacekeeping overseas.

I did firewood from the age of 15. I built my own saw bench in those days. I bought an Austin Seven, I jacked this Austin Seven up in the air, put the belt on the back wheel and built a sawbench.

My father saw an opening after all the sawmills in Banks Peninsula closed down after 1890. They planted macrocarpa and pine trees to get shelter, and because the trees were big enough to mill he started milling over there in 1945 then we shifted from Okains Bay to Duvauchelle Bay.
I got pretty well involved with it, you know. Dealing with builders all the time and cutting timber for their houses or whatever they were doing. Timber was cut at the sawmill at Duvauchelle - some of it went to the Chatham Islands. The first chainsaws arrived in about 1950 - sometimes it took longer to get the chainsaw going and than if you cut it with a hand saw!

It took me four years to build my house, all made of macrocarpa. I had to keep my business going as well. That's a real thing of self-satisfaction. Going to the bays, cutting down the tree, carting it, sawing it up, bringing it here and building a house out of that - not many people get that opportunity."

- Don (Sawdust)

View more stories, or nominate someone: @humansofchch
www.humansofchch.org...

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Would you want an unconventional funeral?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Funerals can cost as much as $22,000 and the planning can be stressful especially at a time when loved ones are grieving. Some New Zealanders are re-imagining funerals by making their own coffin or having a relaxed ceremony at home. Would you want a less traditional funeral? Share your thoughts below.

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the Conversations column of your local paper.

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Would you want an unconventional funeral?
  • 84.7% Yes
    84.7% Complete
  • 13.3% No
    13.3% Complete
  • 2% Other - I'll share below!
    2% Complete
1389 votes
9 days ago

Arthrits Pain

Rae from Rangiora

Hello Neighbours

I'm offering 5 people who suffer with Arthritis a free 15 min treatment using my Bioptron Medical Light. Registered with Medsafe, manufactured in Switzerland, The medical solution for your health and wellbeing.

We all know the pain and struggles that come with arthritis. The stiffness, inflammation, and limited mobility can make everyday tasks feel like a burden. You may know anyone or you yourself may be suffering from this chronic condition.

According to Arthritis New Zealand, about 670,000 kiwis over the age of 15 have at least one type of arthritis, which is 17% of the population. This number increases with age, with more than 45% of people over the age of 65 having some form of arthritis.

Arthritis is so common that it likely affects someone in nearly every household. Luckily, Bioptron Light Therapy has been proven to be an effective treatment for arthritis. It is one of the certified medical indications of this revolutionary technology.

By stimulating blood circulation, reducing inflammation and relieving muscle spasms, Bioptron Light Therapy can provide much-needed relief from arthritis symptoms. The recommended treatment time is just 4–10 minutes for pain treatment at a distance of 10 cm.

Imagine being able to enjoy daily activities without constant joint pain. With just ten minutes a day, Bioptron Light Therapy can help you, your loved ones, and your clients regain their freedom and quality of life. It's a non-invasive, drug-free option for managing arthritis that can be used in the comfort of their own home.

You don't have to let arthritis control your life. Take back control and live a brighter, pain-free future with Bioptron Light Therapy.

Room to Heal Rangiora
Email: raeimmersioncosmetics@gmail.com
www.immersioncosmetics.co.nz...

11 hours ago

Celebrating Our Resident Authors On World Book Day

Charles Upham Retirement Village

It was World Book Day on the 23rd of April, so what better time to celebrate some of our talented residents who have published books.

They range from children’s books, to poems, from non-fiction to a first novel - and all are proof that there is no age limit when it comes to creativity!

Click read more for the full story.

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