1936 days ago

Monday Sport Blast From The Past

Reporter Community News

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.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

As reported in the Post, there’s a $30 million funding gap in financial mentoring. This has led to services closing and mentors stepping in unpaid just to keep helping people in need 🪙💰🪙

One proposed solution? Small levies on industries that profit from financial hardship — like banks, casinos, and similar companies.

So we want to hear what you think:
Should the government ask these industries to contribute?

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Should the government levy industries that contribute to financial hardship?
  • 60.9% Yes, supporting people is important!
    60.9% Complete
  • 23.5% No, individuals should take responsibility
    23.5% Complete
  • 15.6% ... It is complicated
    15.6% Complete
327 votes
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11 hours ago

SHOP LOCAL THIS WEEKEND - FARMERS MARKET SOLWAY SHOWGROUNDS JUDDS ROAD MASTERTON

Lynne from Masterton District

Come along to our Farmers Market & Crafts held EVERY Saturday Rain or Shine
BRING YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS ALONG FOR MORNING TEA AND COFFEE, AND HAVE A BROWSE AROUND OUR WONDERFUL MARKET

HOT OFF THE PRESS:

OUT AND ABOUT CATERING – Yammy will be at the market with her yummy chutneys, chilly range, Sauerkrauts, Relish, Pickles and Marmalades

DANIEL’S SPUDS are back at the market this week. Agria potatoes freshly dug this week.

WHAREMUKU ORCHARD is back this week also.

FRESH LOCAL VEGES also for sale

THE CLAREVILLE BAKERY is back this week with all our customer favourites.

And of course, there is always lots on offer: Hot Food, fresh Coffee, Fresh Vege stall, Yummy Honey, fresh bread to name just a few.

We have a fabulous array of creative gifts on display and available for purchase.
wooden toys, embroidered tea towels, olive oil, Crocheted toys, woollen items to mention just a few

We even have live music to get your toes tapping and we are always ready for a friendly chat. For a great day out or an early morning visit we have something for everyone.


We have a new Facebook page:
Wairarapa Farmers Market 2025 - have a look and view our newsletter for this week, or alternatively sign up to receive the newsletter into your inbox.
We also have a Eftpos terminal where you can access cash for your Farmers Market purchases. Come and have a look, I’m sure you will be pleasantly surprised.
Look forward to seeing you.

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14 hours ago

FRESH LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES - WAIRARAPA FARMERS MARKET JUDDS RD MASTERTON

Lynne from Masterton District

FRESH LOCALLY GROWN VEGETABLES
Make sure you come along this weekend and purchase our Organic and Spray free vegetables from our Market Shop sourced weekly.
Find us at the Solway Showgrounds, under the grandstand, Judds Road Masterton 9am-1pm

This week we have:
ORGANIC:
Cherry Tomatoes
Cauliflower
Beetroot bunches
Rainbox Chard
Radicchio
Parsley

SPRAY FREE:
Lettuce – Buttercrunch
Lettuce – Green frilly
Lettuce – Baby Cos
Pak Choi
Basil
Courgettes
Watercress

Look forward to seeing you