From tragedy to exotic fashion
Tragedy sometimes brings positive outcomes. Former model and fashion entrepreneur Judy Dodwell had just left New Zealand for a new life in Bahrain with her husband and two sons when she received a phone call she has never forgotten.
Her beautiful daughter had been tragically killed in a car accident near Queenstown.
The news shocked the family. Nicola, who excelled at school and was deputy head prefect, was travelling to Queenstown with a friend for a holiday job when the car spun out of control. Nicola was flung to her death on the roadside.
In a new country, in a new culture, Judy admits she did not cope with her loss. Paralysed with grief she found it impossible to complete even the smallest tasks. Her two sons needed their mother and parenting them both seemed to be all she could do.
Five years passed until one day she read in a magazine, "Success only comes by a change of attitude."
This sentence stayed in her mind, reminding her of previous success in life as an international model and the positive outlook she had at that time.
Judy determined to change her attitude, use her knowledge and skills and start her own modelling school, ignoring Bahrain's ban on expatriate women working.
After one year she was shut down. Judy would not close without a fight however so she appealed, was granted an audience with the highest government officials and finally her licence was granted by the king.
Judy's company Visual Image, Academy of Modelling expanded rapidly and before long Judy provided models for Formula 1 and Jewellery Arabia.
At the same time she amassed an exotic and amazing wardrobe of garments.
This spectacular Arabic fashion, which has been stored for over two decades, will be shown to the public for the first time this month at St Barnabas Church.
This is a first for the earthquake damaged newly restored and reopened church. Judy hopes to raise the final amount of money owing to pay for the earthquake repairs. She will install her cat walk down the centre isle and make use of the state of the art new sound system in the church.
All models are local and trained by Judy.
DETAILS
WHEN: November 24, 8pm.
WHERE: St Barnabas Church, Fendalton, Christchurch.
ENTRY: Tickets are $30 and available from the St Barnabas church office from 9am-3pm and the Ballantynes Department Store customer service desk.
- Words by Olive Lawson and Judy Dodwell. Photo - Amanda Dodwell.
recall reminder for faulty bathroom heaters prone to fires
Recall reminder for faulty bathroom heaters prone to fires
3:28 pm today
www.rnz.co.nz...
The Serene S2068 model that was recalled last year due to a manufacturing defect. Photo: Supplied / WorkSafe
Households are being urged to check their bathroom heaters to ensure they're not a recalled model that has caused numerous fires.
This time last year the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) issued a compulsory recall for a specific model of Serene heaters, warning of a significant risk to lives and property.
Since then 16,000 heaters have been decommissioned, but MBIE estimates there are still thousands in operation in Kiwi homes.
MBIE spokesperson Ian Caplin said the recalled heaters have caused 19 fires, including two after the recall notice was issued.
"That's 19 fire events too many, they're obviously very dangerous.
"They've been recalled but it is something where there are plenty of them about so we would urge people to check if they've got them. If they've got them, switch them off."
Caplin said MBIE estimates there are approximately 28,000 Serene S2068 heaters still in properties across the country.
"Technically it is a criminal offence to use them because they are prohibited from use.
"They're considered by the regulator to be so unsafe that it's not just an offence to supply and sell them, it's an offence to switch them on."
He said anyone who discovered they had a recalled heater should switch it off and get it professionally disconnected by an electrician or the supplier it was bought from.
"We know over Christmas there were two fires because of these heaters, and as the heaters get older and the known issues inside them get worse, and as we get into colder months, we are likely to see more and more fires occur."
MBIE had been working with Master Electricians to improve the information available around the recall, both to New Zealand households and to the electricians and suppliers who were undertaking the recalls.
"We have also discussed the recall with the Insurance Council who have advised that a fire that occurs from these heaters may not be covered by your home insurance if you do not act on the recall guidance, so keeping them in your homes not only risks lives, but your savings too," Caplin said.
"We've heard from our overseas counterparts that they only see around 20 percent of the products returned when a recall is issued.
"The fact that we have almost 37 percent returned really highlights the work being done, but also the need for more people to make sure they are checking their bathrooms."
Find out more about how to check if your heater was included in the recall, what other models pose a risk, and what you can do if you have one of these heaters on the Consumer Protection website
Poll: Is your nearest emergency department up to scratch?
Concerns have been raised about Nelson Hospital with complaints of lack of staffing and excessive wait times. Do you have confidence in your local emergency department?
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37% Yes, it serves us well
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62.2% No, I have concerns
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0.8% Other - I'll share below
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