2018 Issue 89 www.skillwise.org.nz The SkillWise Journal

The SkillWise Journal I ssue 89 Pa ge 2

Family Forum #4 We held our fourth forum with the people we support and their families/support staff on May 1st, this time with people who live in the central suburbs. Thanks to all who came and participated in the discussions. It feels like the changes we are making to work in a person- driven way are gaining momentum, and it was great to hear about the exciting community opportunities people are already involved in.

Amarillo, Texas. Dunedin model railway exhibition 2018

Over the weekend of 11th to 14th May the SkillWise model making group again attended the Dunedin train show at the Taieri Club in Mosgiel. Gary Buchanan, John Pike, Kevin Horne and Stephen Cooper along with Gavin and Stan and volunteers Doug and Paul set up and operated the layout using USA Free-Mo modules. We had the largest layout at 12m long. It performed well over the weekend and we had some nice comments from the public, including two Kiwis who had lived in Amarillo and a woman from Texas who thought we had travelled from Texas rather than ! Some of us also helped Kevin Prince operate his East German layout. After the show closed on Saturday we visited the American Modular Groups’ clubroom and layout, then attended the dinner for the organisers, exhibitors and traders at the Holy Cross Centre restaurant. An excellent meal with huge portions so big that nobody went back for seconds!

Gavin is moving on from SkillWise to progress his career in a new organisation. Gavin worked at SkillWise as our Operations Manager (and as a Community Facilitator before that) for over 12 years! Gavin’s passion in the disability community is second to none. He will be missed dearly at SkillWise. He will still be around Christchurch and will keep in touch at SkillWise events in future. He is greatly respected by the entire SkillWise community and we wish him all the very best in his future adventures. Thank you for your tireless effort and enthusiasm in and around the office.

Farewell Gavin The SkillWise Journal I ssue 89 Pa ge 3

John sadly passed away at the end of May this Introductory Drama Group year. He was a very active and friendly person who is greatly missed at SkillWise. John was very The Ministry of Youth Development granted loving and kind and always had a smile on his us the funds to provide some introductory face. John attended SkillWise for a long time and drama groups for a ten week period. The we would like to send his family our best wishes groups are made up of younger participants during this difficult time. from across Christchurch with a wide range of disabilities. These groups will learn various theatre techniques and practices, in a relaxed environment. No prior theatre experience necessary.

The 2018 HAT Tee Ball Final was held in April and the Tune in to the SkillWise Dragons took on the SkillWise Giants. It was a SkillWise very tense match which was very competitive. Mitchell was at the forefront of all the action for the Giants, putting Radio Show his body on the line several times for the good of his team. on the last Leon and Kerry made some crucial interceptions for the Thursday of Dragons that kept the score tight. Congratulations to the every month Dragons who managed to come away with the trophy. Dragons 14-10 Giants.

Check out the brand new Many Hats website at www.manyhatstheatre.co.nz

Make sure you check us out on Facebook! We are always posting “What’s New” in our community! SkillWise: www.facebook.com/SkillWiseCHCH The White Room: search “The White Room Creative Space” Employment Support: www.facebook.com/SkillwiseEmploymentSupport Pa ge 4 The SkillWise Journal I ssue 89

Metro Awards Winter Word Search Mark and Mitchell attended the Christchurch Metro Cricket Regional Club Awards evening in April. They collected the Craig McMillan Cup on behalf of their team, The Incredibles. Huge thanks to Metro Cricket!

Front page photos: 1) Tim carving a stone sculpture. 2) Trent in the end of season Winter is here! So here are the ‘Winter themed’ words to find: exhibition match. Snow Flakes - Winter - Scarf - Heater - Frozen - Sugarplum 3) Gavin awarding Kerry an Open Iceberg - Warmth - Soup - Gloves - Fog - Cold Pumpkin Wānanga certificate. Boots - Jacket - Blanket - Frosty - Firewood - Hail - Blizzard 4) Nick building at the Menzshed. 5) Mitchell and Daniel playing Badminton at Cowles Stadium.

Sponsors Board 2018

THE LAMAR CHARITABLE TRUST Philip Brown Fund Wilks Charitable Trust