Latest news with #AgeConcernSouthCanterbury
Otago Daily Times
12-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Tireless supporter's work recognised
Taking a break from Friday Club kitchen duties are newly-named dignity champion Kerry Burton (left) and her mother Patricia Andreassend. PHOTO: SHELLEY INON A selfless Timaru grandmother has been named an honorary Age Concern dignity champion. Kerry Burton received her award at Age Concern South Canterbury's Friday Club last week. Miss Burton said she did shed a few tears when receiving her award. Dignity champions are nominated by people in Age Concern nationwide, to celebrate those who have made an impact in their area, supporting the wellbeing and upholding the dignity and value of older people in the community. While a person was celebrated every month of the year, there had not been a Dignity Champion in South Canterbury for two years. Miss Burton said she had been a street child at the age of 15. While her mother had made a point of telling her the door was always open, she had found it difficult to give up that life. She said she would steal clothes off clotheslines to keep warm. Two decades ago Miss Burton had gone to church and changed her life around. She was a mother to five children — Aleisha, Amy, Alannah, Shikota and Danielle — and a grandmother to 15 grandchildren, one of whom, 4-year-old Storm, lived with her. "She's slow in her development, and has just started to walk. "We have had a journey with Storm, but she is my little angel." Despite having her hands full, she had decided 12 years ago give back to the community. She had been a key volunteer at the Friday Club for over a decade, cooking lunches for the event and even getting her mother Patricia Andreassend to volunteer too. She had also prepared lunches at Oceanview Heights School and served on the school's board of trustees. The Age Concern South Canterbury nomination said she had "quietly made life better for many". She said the place allowed her a spot to smile, joke and be silly. "They give me a hard time, always asking 'are you smiling today?'. "I love this place."
Otago Daily Times
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Lives of nonagenarians put on stage
Being positive about the future and looking forward to life are some of the key messages in an upcoming South Canterbury Drama League production. The Secret Lives of Extremely Old People by New Zealand poet and novelist Rachel McAlpine will be taking centre stage at the Playhouse next week. The comical play dives into the lives of older people, showing what really goes on behind closed doors and touches on the many ups and downs of ageing. Debutant director Chris Thomas said the play was full of heart and humour. "It's all about celebrating life at every age and looking at ageing from a fresh perspective." He said the play showed unexpected stories of older folks and proved that just because they were older their lives were not any less interesting. "Ninety-year-olds have a life, they look forward to their life and what happens in it. "Yes, there are problems, they have this, they have that but they still love life and get on living it. "The play is very well written. While there is the critique of some things like our hospital system or government, it's actually really positive." The performance features a cast of six characters over the age of 90 and includes a couple who have been married for more than 70 years, a character with dementia, a gigging musician and another with a substantial number of grandchildren. Mr Thomas, who is also the manager of Age Concern South Canterbury, said his work with the organisation had been very beneficial when it came to directing the show. "You'd really have to go and learn, you'd have to go and spend some time in a rest-home, or in a group setting where people are 90 years old. "Fortunately, I have. "Quite a few of our clients, and the people that we support are in their 90s, so I know what they're like." He said he had heard every line of the play spoken by someone in the community or by Age Concern clients and members. "Our oldest cast member for this play is 82 and the youngest is 28. "It's been really fun working with everyone. I will have to say to them sometimes like 'you can't sit down like that, you're a 90-year-old' or 'walk with little steps and walk slower'." There will be a special show on May 14 which will be used as a fundraiser for Age Concern South Canterbury, he said. "When we got the rights to the show I immediately approached the drama league and asked it we could have a night that we could use as a fundraiser, so it's been really good. "Tickets for that one are $35 and before the performance Rachel McAlpine will offer a personal introduction to the play." He said the proceeds would help fund vital programmes for older people in the community. "It's a chance to enjoy a great show and support a great cause that makes a real difference for older adults in South Canterbury." Mr Thomas said he had really enjoyed stepping into a directorial role for the first time. "For a start it was like, 'geez, what am I supposed to do?'. "I've found you have to be very focused, quite often on the little things like where a chair is or how they are talking to the audience. "I've found myself being quite picky about things. "It's been good, I'm certainly ready for the play and if given the opportunity, I would definitely like to direct again." He said it had been a fantastic journey for everyone involved. Show dates: Friday May 9 and May 16 — 7.30pm Saturday May 10 and May 17 — 2pm Sunday May 11 — 2pm Thursday May 15 — 7.30pm Tickets are $30 and can be purchased from the iTicket website or by visiting the Information Centre.
