Monday Sport Blast From The Past
Gordon Llewellyn is a name you have probably never heard off but he played a pivotal role in the birth of the Special Olympics movement in New Zealand.
In 1983, he and three other Hutt athletes – Colin Bailey, Peter Spijkerman and Brent Busby – made history when they attended the Summer Special Olympics in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
The trip was organised by Grant Quinn, who later said Gordon Llewellyn proved the perfect poster boy for the Special Olympics movement in New Zealand.
Llewellyn was a larger than life character with a bold personality and a fascination with the TV character Magnum PI.
Years later Quinn recalled the flight over and an announcement that came over the intercom.
"This is your captain speaking … I have a very special passenger with me in the cockpit. His name is Gordon Llewellyn from New Zealand."
Llewellyn quickly took over the microphone and proceeded to entertain the whole plane.
"Next minute Gordon was asking, or should I say demanding, that everybody on board give the team a rousing three cheers to wish the team a successful time in Baton Rouge," recalled Quinn.
The team performed well at the Olympics and athletes returned home heroes, proudly wearing their medals for weeks to make sure nobody missed their success.
Llewellyn died in August 2014 and Quinn gave the eulogy. He told mourners that Llewellyn and the other three Hutt swimmers had changed the public's perception of the intellectually disabled.
They had helped win mainstream acceptance and played a key role in promoting an organisation that now had more than 7000 active members.
Poll: Does the building consent process need to change?
We definitely need homes that are fit to live in but there are often frustrations when it comes to getting consent to modify your own home.
Do you think changes need made to the current process for building consent? 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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91.5% Yes
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8.2% No
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0.3% Other - I'll share below!
Brooklyn ANZAC Day Service reminder
Brooklyn's ANZAC Day commemoration service will be held in the top grounds of Brooklyn School on Washington Avenue starting at 10:30am followed by morning tea at the Brooklyn Community Centre on Harrison Street. The laying of wreaths and playing of the last post takes place around midday at the war memorial on Sugarloaf Hill. Everybody welcome.
Volunteers needed in Taita
Do you have trade skills? Or are you a person who is keen to help and learn? Work on the The Christ Church Taita Visitor Centre is well underway. This is a major historical taonga which was built over 160 years ago. It is a landmark in the history of European settlement in NZ and is the oldest church in Wellington.
Volunteers are now needed to assist in the fit out of the building’s interior. Are you keen to get involved in this exciting and significant project? ⬇️
Builders Labourer
This role is for anyone who would enjoy working on a building site interior and who is willing to learn new skills. Young people are especially welcome! Work may involve handling materials like Gib Board, plaster and insulation, some outdoor labour like digging trenches and laying paving. This work will be supervised by an experienced and qualified person.
Semi-skilled Tradesperson
This role is for anyone with previous building experience to assist in the fit out.
See our website for more info and to register your interest for these exciting roles:
tinyurl.com...
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