Act of kindness about giving back
The Otago Daily Times helps Balclutha neighbours Wayne Morrison and June Waters keep close. PHOTO: NICK BROOK
The Otago Daily Times has played a regular role in a full-circle friendship.
Every morning, six days a week, 72-year-old Wayne Morrison walks from his Balclutha neighbour's letterbox up her sloping driveway to bring the Otago Daily Times to her door.
For the past three years, Mr Morrison has brought 95-year-old June Waters her newspaper — a simple act of kindness that speaks volumes.
Mr Morrison, a father of two and grandfather of four, spent 49 years at the local freezing works before retiring.
He volunteers at Cross Recreation Centre and with his wife of 45 years, Loesje, has lived next to June for five years.
Mrs Waters, a great-grandmother of 21, relies on a walking frame but is as sharp as ever and quick with a smile.
''I get help from Wayne, Meals on Wheels, Access care ... I have family in and out regularly. Somebody does my garden. Somebody does my lawns. Bruce brings round my groceries. Ruth comes and does my housework."
Born in Gisborne and a Clutha resident since 1951, she proudly said: "I've still got it up top, my memory — which is better than the other way around."
Her recent award for 70 years' service to the South Otago Women's Institute is proof of her community spirit.
"She spent a lifetime helping others,' Mr Morrison, himself an ODT online subscriber, said.
"Now it's our turn.'
nick.brook@odt.co.nz
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Green Island shed fire fuelled by loose hay
Firefighters attend a shed fire at a property in Bush Rd, Green Island, on May 8. PHOTOS: GREGOR RICHARDSON Loose hay strewn across the floor is believed to have fuelled a fire that burnt a Green Island shed to a crisp. On May 8, a large commercial shed in Bush Rd, Green Island went up in flames, prompting a large-scale firefighter response from around the city. In the fire investigation report, released to the Otago Daily Times under the Official Information Act, it said the cause of the fire was an accidental electrical failure. It said trickle chargers were mounted to a post near the tractor's front wheel and were connected by a switch and multi-board. There was an electrical fault in the chargers — the report said they could have either short-circuited or arched — which ignited loose hay strewn all over the shed's floor. Hay was also stored both at the front and rear of the shed, the report said. Wind carried the flames from the front of the shed to the back. Firefighters walk through smoke at the Bush Rd property. In the blaze, a tractor was destroyed, a car in the front of the shed was burned out, and an old Austin truck was severely fire damaged. Crews from the Roslyn, St Kilda, Dunedin, Wakari, Lookout Point, Mosgiel and Portobello stations all ended up attending after the initial call came in at 3.10pm. On arrival, the shed had largely already been destroyed. The roof had collapsed, and flames had consumed most of the structure. Once the fire was out, it was noted the most severe damage was near the tractor and front bay, where the fire started. Heavy machinery was used to remove parts of the building, helping crews to extinguish flames. A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said they recommended keeping any potentially flammable material, such as loose hay, away from potential heat or spark generating areas such as electrical sockets or equipment.
Otago Daily Times
13-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Act of kindness about giving back
The Otago Daily Times helps Balclutha neighbours Wayne Morrison and June Waters keep close. PHOTO: NICK BROOK The Otago Daily Times has played a regular role in a full-circle friendship. Every morning, six days a week, 72-year-old Wayne Morrison walks from his Balclutha neighbour's letterbox up her sloping driveway to bring the Otago Daily Times to her door. For the past three years, Mr Morrison has brought 95-year-old June Waters her newspaper — a simple act of kindness that speaks volumes. Mr Morrison, a father of two and grandfather of four, spent 49 years at the local freezing works before retiring. He volunteers at Cross Recreation Centre and with his wife of 45 years, Loesje, has lived next to June for five years. Mrs Waters, a great-grandmother of 21, relies on a walking frame but is as sharp as ever and quick with a smile. ''I get help from Wayne, Meals on Wheels, Access care ... I have family in and out regularly. Somebody does my garden. Somebody does my lawns. Bruce brings round my groceries. Ruth comes and does my housework." Born in Gisborne and a Clutha resident since 1951, she proudly said: "I've still got it up top, my memory — which is better than the other way around." Her recent award for 70 years' service to the South Otago Women's Institute is proof of her community spirit. "She spent a lifetime helping others,' Mr Morrison, himself an ODT online subscriber, said. "Now it's our turn.'
Otago Daily Times
05-06-2025
- Otago Daily Times
Local Legend: Wayne Morrison
Local Legend Wayne Morrison with neighbour and nominator, June Waters. PHOTO: NICK BROOK The Otago Daily Times has played a regular role for this week's Silver Fern Farms, Clutha Leader Local Legend winner. Every morning in Balclutha, 72-year-old Wayne Morrison walks from his neighbour's letterbox, up her sloping driveway to bring the Otago Daily Times to her door. For the past three years, Wayne has brought 95-year-old June Waters her newspaper — a simple act of kindness that speaks volumes. Wayne, a father of two and grandfather of four, spent 49 years at the local freezing works before retiring. He volunteers at Cross Recreation Centre. Wayne, with his wife of 45 years, Loesje, has lived next to Mrs Waters for five years. Mrs Waters, a great-grandmother of 21, relies on a walking frame but is sharp as ever and quick with a smile. "I get help from Wayne, Meals on Wheels, Access care ... I have family in and out regularly. Somebody does my garden. Somebody does my lawns. Bruce brings round my groceries. Ruth comes and does my house work." Born in Gisborne and a Clutha resident since 1951, she proudly said, "I've still got it up top, my memory — which is better than the other way around". Her recent award for 70 years' service with the South Otago Women's Institute proves her legacy of community spirit and making friends. "She spent a lifetime helping others," Mr Morrison, himself an ODT online subscriber, said. "Now it's our turn." He said his whole street had a great neighbourly attitude and accepted his Local Legend lamb leg on their behalf — adding he might even ask a few of them around for a roast.
