July korero

Kia ora Cousins! Well thankfully the shortest day is behind us, and while it’s freezing cold down here in the South Island we can start imagining that spring is on its way.

Last newsletter I mentioned that many of the Mankelow clan appear on Bebo. James Ford suggested I also check out Facebook and guess what; there are plenty of you all there too! Maybe even more so than Bebo, which I since learned is more for the younger set. And yes, I am aware that social networking has been around for cyber years but I just never was motivated to check it out! Anyway, I am now a convert and have since found out stuff about my own brother that I never really knew before because of it. I also found there are at least three other Sarah Mankelows in the world profiled on Facebook – a humbling thought. I haven’t yet drummed up the courage to contact them yet to start our own Sarah Mankelow fan club but I will…maybe!

Connected to Facebook is Geni, a family-tree social networking site … Uncle Ray will tell you more about it further down this newsletter, but in the meantime, here’s the family stuff you need to take note of:

Important dates

15 Nov 2009 – Next committee meeting at Morton Estate Winery Café, Katikati

20 Feb 2010 - Family gathering at Ngaroma

Milestones

Congratulations on Caroline and July Hirama's 25th Wedding Anniversary 14 April.

Congratulations to Bob and Jocelyn on their 39th wedding anniversary on 27 June.

A whole lot of you also had birthdays (according to Geni) which I’m not going to list in case I miss someone and cause great offence! But I hope you all had a great day!

A commemorative rose
Chrissie Mankelow

We have had a suggestion of purchasing a rose put forward for the committee to consider. We would like feedback from as many family members as possible before our next committee meeting in November. There are two options and we want your opinions before making a decision. If you know of any families who do not get e-mails etc please pass this on.

Option one
We pay $5000 for the right to trademark the name Sarah Mankelow for a new rose variety (if that is a name we are happy with). The breeder still owns the rose and gets all royalties. The breeder will find a grower for us who will provide 50 roses for Feb 2012.

Option two
We buy the rose for $5000; we own it and get the royalties. The breeder and us have to come up with name that we are both happy with - it would have to be a name that would sell the rose in the market place. The paper war is very time consuming for this. The name would most likely be something that would not mean much to the family. For that $5000.00 it would be NZ rights only. The rose would be available forever as each rose is put into a library.

While I have been writing this I have had another email from the Breeder and he has found us a grower – Sue. She tells us there is no problem to have the roses turn up in Ngaroma in Feb 2012. The fifty roses can be delivered to the venue to give out. Guests could also order more (for 2014 delivery) or more could be budded in 2011 for delivery in the winter of 2012. These could be sent direct to the homes of your relatives.

The budding for the variety will need to be done by Feb 2010, and the grower is sending us a list of all available roses to help us decide. The rose would be registered with the International Cultivar Registration Authority - Roses (ICRA).

Please send us your thoughts on this by 15 November: mankelow1@farmside.co.nz

Reunion meeting report
Judy

Due to Caroline being sick, Melissa being called away at short notice to help on a local dairy farm I was left with the job of doing the minutes. Uncle Bert, Tim, Chrissie and I arrived at the same time, with Uncle Bert needing a cup of tea; Buster soon had the jug on, meeting underway a little bit later but all the better for the cuppa.

We really need 1 or 2 people from each branch Les, Girlie, Stanley, Ivy, Biddy, Bob, Percy, Mona and Don. Please pick someone within your branch to be your coordinator, as some families are not getting the newsletters this is where the coordinator would be handy to keep e-mails up to date and distribute the hand given copies out with each branch.

Tina Pizzini who lives at rural Hamilton has offered her place as a venue for a meeting, she will be taken up on this offer next year her meeting will be on a Sunday. Anyone else who would like to share their place as a venue let Caroline know.

Lisa had made lovely soup which Buster served to go with the shared lunch, it was a perfect Waikato day frost then lovely sunshine.

Hoping to see you at the next meeting to be at Tim Mankelow’s in November; the address is in the minutes (below).

Don’t forget to send back your indication of numbers, we know numbers will change but it will give planners a general idea of what facilities we are going to need. Thank you to those who have sent theirs back already.

Our next get together at Ngaroma should be fun with the auction if the last auction was anything to go on; we may need an extra auctioneer in case the original one gets hoarse. We changed the date to later in February away from any long weekends so I hope this change will be helpful keep the 20th of Feb free, look forward to seeing you then. Cheers!

Introducing Geni
Ray Mankelow

Geni is a Family Tree software programme that is great for visually displaying one's family connections.

Working over the internet and like Facebook, Geni is good for social networking - sending out reminders of birthdays and anniversaries.

My Barbara was first invited to use it by her first-cousin-once-removed in Canada, on Boxing Day 2007, but it was only recently that she got another prompt from someone via Facebook and decided to explore it further.

After seeing the power of family members in different parts of the world, adding information and being able to see what your relative looks like with uploaded photos, I decided to import a *'Gedcom' from my Family Tree Maker programme; that gave me my tree all in one go without typing anything.

The statistics function of Geni tells I now have 1523 members; there are 689 family members with children. In the ‘Average Life Expectancy ‘box, males average 59 years and females 61 years. Longest lifespan on my side goes to Stanley Mankelow - 97 years (1906-2003) and on Barbara's side, her Grandmother Madge - 98 years (1909-2007). I also found my earliest relative listed took me back to 1658 and he shared the same birthday as me - something I hadn't noticed before!

The Geni statistics section has a sales pitch for buying the Pro version of Geni "to see even more statistics!" But the main programme is free to use and like a lot of free internet pages, you just have to put up with advertisements. These are not too intrusive (at this stage) and I just got an 'upgrade' offer that would only cost me US$3.96 a month for two years - yah!

By comparison, the Family Tree Maker programme I bought a number of years back is somewhat clunky to use (although I did use it to check on Jean Harris' maiden name to find her in the Geni search box). The Family Tree Programme has an internet function that you can go to, but invariably you find you need to buy into their subscription plan to see the information they've found on the internet based on your search. This subscription costs a couple of hundred dollars, at US$24.95 a month. The trick here is to join the library and access their subscription link.

With Geni, you can also see who is online and what information they have added or altered. Glenda Manklow/Nelson of Prince George (descended from our Henry Mankelow's brother William's line who went to Canada - and dropped the 'e'.) has been busy updating her family's information that I had entered and so I can correct any errors on my part.

Prompted by an email from cousin Ian Kurth advising of an address change I thought I had better 'invite' Ian to join, knowing he has done a lot of research on his line of the family. Ian came back and said;

"Thanks for the e-mail. I have had a quick look at the family tree on the Geni site. I can fill in quite a lot of info about Dad’s and Barbara's family. You probably won't have much on Barb's family but you probably have quite a bit on Dads family? Don't want to duplicate things that we don't have to."

And that is the beauty of Geni, you can see and compare information and like a lot of Family Tree computer programmes you can 'merge' the information to get what you want and know is correct.

So sign up and share the buzz! But be wary this programme can be addictive, as some new Geni users have noted.

On the Air with Ray
Ray Mankelow

I have been busy this week broadcasting into Taupo on a new radio station that has a 'Local Commercial' licence. This has involved conjuring up stories off the internet for the 'local content' aspect of the stations compliance requirements. This station is undercapitalised and so there is no fat wallet to buy all of what is desired.
It is an interesting challenge and hopefully we can beat the odds and build an audience and then, the advertisers, so we can earn some dollars in these difficult times. Radio is a bit like free internet programmes where your audience have to put up with advertisements, but hopefully you offer what people want.
There has been a lot of preparatory work from unpaid helpers with technical knowledge leading up to this week. Since compliance date 1st July, I've been getting up at 5:30am at my place in Massey to record weather forecasts, local news and voice drops for between the songs, to send to the on-air computer in Taupo, insert the file in the correct place and hope it all sounds good as I can't hear the results. I finally got around to sending a text to Rita and then an email to Lyn to get them to have a listen.
So if you're in Taupo, tune in to 106.4 FM. Luckily for the week starting July 6, when I'm covering for the breakfast announcer on Coast, I don't have to try to do two programmes at once.

In the news…

Maths-mad basketball twins have same goals
By NICOLA BRENNAN - Waikato Times

Thames twins Joe and Josh Dix have much more in common than looks they study the same degree, play the same sport and are Sir Edmund Hillary scholars.

Mum Natalie wasn't surprised her eldest boys, aged 18, both wanted to do a Bachelor of Computing and Mathematical Science degree at Waikato University.

"It's probably strange for others, but not for us," Mrs Dix said. "They are the best of friends and both really enjoy maths. They have always done the same things."

Mrs Dix said identical twins Joe and Josh were so similar that they often dressed the same without even noticing.

Read more online at: http://www.stuff.co.nz/waikato-times/news/2397294/Maths-mad-basketball-twins-have-same-goals

This is your life - Jessica Mankelow

Branch of family tree where do you fit in?
Great grand-daughter of Hector and Mabel, eldest grandchild of Royce and Chrissie, Daughter of Caroline and July.

Current employment / study / motherhood etc:
Full-time mum to Nathan Brown (7 months) and also working full-time as Administration Manager for Jasco Distributing Ltd, a wholesale/distribution company based in Whakatane.

What keeps you busy? Interests?
Between work and Nathan I don’t get much spare time, but when I do I like to spend it with family and friends. I’m also currently trying to put a scrapbook together for Nathan.

Most memorable life moment:
It would have to be the birth of Nathan.

My favourite part of NZ and why...
Omaio Beach, on the East Coast, where we spend most of our summers camping with family and friends

Who/what would you be for a day?
Someone who could afford to hire out an entire paradise island for all my family and friends to enjoy.

Currently in my CD player...
I’m one of those people who puts on a CD only to listen to one or two songs then change CD’s, so I’m currently flipping between, Disturbed, Korn and Metallica

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
Most Saturday night’s if I’m not in bed then I’m still on the computer working, but once in a while we go out and socialise.

Favourite quote?

You can't be afraid of what people think...a well behaved woman never made history!

I am inspired by...

My Mummy, my Nanny, my Granny and all the other hard working women out there.

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...

Finding the humour in situations can also lead to happiness. While there are times that require you to be serious, when it is appropriate, find a way to make light of a situation that would otherwise make you unhappy.

P.S. Jessica has profiles on both Facebook and Bebo so find out more online!

Minutes of Family Meeting Held at Buster Carters

23rd May 2009
Meeting opened 11.15am

Present: Buster Carter, Bert Mankelow, Tim Mankelow, Ray Mankelow, Delwyn & Warren Connolly, Chrissie Mankelow, Natasha Connolly, Alan Thomas-Rose, and Judy Ford.
Apologies: Daniel & Melissa Ford, Caroline Hirama, Lorraine Hancock, Shirley Tregoweth, Tina Pizzini

Minutes read from meeting held at uncle Bert’s 28th February 2009 by Judy sec Tim.

Matters arising: Changing meeting days to have some on Sundays so those working on Saturdays can attend.

Getting more family representation there is 11 branches 1 or 2 representatives are needed from each branch to coordinate funding and correspondence.
Address and e-mails need constant updating many newsletters are coming back please contact Sarah or Caroline to update addresses.

Reunion topics

Woodchopping is looking positive to go ahead on the Sunday.
Car parking is sorted at this stage will be in Mike Johnstone’s paddock, parking volunteers will be arranged near the time.
Toilets, showers & skip hire will be looked into later on as all hire will need to be known 12 months ahead of the reunion and hire everything from one firm.
Catering BBQ lunch for Sunday; a charge to apply to cover cost of food etc.
Saturday night dinner to be discussed further into 2010.
Photos sharing of digital sticks 1 or 2 people to coordinate putting them together. A continual screening in the hall of early photos which Chrissie has collected in the course or her book.
Funding still aiming for $1000 per branch some branches has achieved this target. E.g. Hector’s branch 4 children $ 250 each. Royce – 4 children & 9 working grandchildren = $17 each per year.
Attendance: to get families to fill in the indication of attendance form which will be in the newsletters.
Entertainment: A heritage trail of the district to be looked into, along with games suggested at the last meeting e.g. tug o war
Finance: Our bank balance stands at $609.68, $ 5000 out at 8% and $5000 out at 4%. One matures end of July and the other beginning of August 2009.
An auction or donated items to be held at the next family get together at Ngaroma Hall to be held on Saturday 20 February 2010.
The next meeting to be hosted by Tim Mankelow at Morton Estate Winery Cafeteria on November 15th 11.00am 2389 Main Road, Katikati, bring something for a shared lunch, everyone welcome.

Meeting closed at 12.25pm

May 2009

Kia ora
Greetings from the chilly south! Winter keeps teasing us down here by putting on some lovely Indian summer days – up to 24 degrees – then bringing us back to earth with a high of 13 – brrr!
Some of you may have seen my name appear on Close-up last week – that’s the advantage (or disadvantage) of having a name like Mankelow - everyone knows it’s you! For those that didn’t catch it, I managed to win an autographed copy of the “Great New Zealand Songbook” just by writing an email about why I think defines New Zealand music. I am sure that all you overseas Mankelows will connect with the slogan by which they are promoting the book – “music to bring you home”. There’s nothing like a good kiwi song to transport you back to Te Awamutu …
Well I struggled this time around to find someone willing to ‘volunteer’ to fill out our “this is your life” questionnaire. But many of you seem very willing to share yourselves online. I was motivated this month to check out Bebo for the first time. A search on the keyword Mankelow came up with over 50 entries – click Bebo Mankelows to follow the link to search results. It seems like many of you keep in touch with family and friends, chat online, post photos of your loved ones, and create slideshows of your lives as you live them via Bebo – and what a great way to do it! The world becomes a smaller place when we can connect so easily despite being countries apart.
Our newly established family committee met for the first time this February and will meet again 23 May. How many families can say they are large enough to have their own committee! As Scribe says on my newly won CD - ‘not many’!

From the Reunion Committee
Caroline Hirama

Hi everyone my name is Caroline Hirama and I have the job as secretary for the committee along with Melissa Ford. So you will be getting reports in most newsletters to keep you all informed with what’s going on.
About 12 of us turned up at Uncle Bert’s in Tauranga for our first family meeting followed by a shared lunch, which was going to be in the garden but due to the wild weather we were confined indoors.
We had a good meeting, great to see every one there. The meetings are open to anyone wishing to come, the more the merrier, as they say. So hope we see a few new faces at the next meeting which will be held at Buster Carters on 23rd May. I’m sure the Waikato will turn on better weather. See the minutes of the meeting for the address.
We would also like an indication of numbers for the reunion so that we have an idea of what facilities are going to be needed in regards to attendance and accommodation. We will have an area set aside where people will be able to pitch their tents etc. We need approx numbers so we can organize water, toilets etc. Also we need e-mail addresses and postal addresses as we have some bounce back each time we try to send e-mails to some people. So if you could please fill in the form below and e-mail, post, or phone it back to me it would be much appreciated.
My e-mail is hirama@farmside.co.nz mobile 0274416241. Chrissie’s phone number is 07 8727824 and her e-mail is mankelow1@farmside.co.nz address is 249 Adam Rd, R D 7, Te Awamutu.
If there is anyone you know who is not receiving the newsletters and would like to please let us know and we will add them to the list. We also post some newsletters to the ones with no internet access.



Name ________________________________________________________

Address ______________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Phone Numbers ________________________________________________

Email ________________________________________________________

Approximate Number Attending from your family _____________________

Numbers for camping (Tents, Vans etc) ______________________________

Minutes of family meeting

held 28 February 2009At Bert Mankelow residence, Tauranga
Meeting Opened: 11.00am
Present: Buster Carter, Bert Mankelow, Judy Ford, Sheryl Andrews, Tim Mankelow, Delwyn & Warren Connolly, Anne Mankelow, Caroline Hirama, Daniel & Melissa Ford and Chrissie Mankelow.
Apologies: Ray Mankelow
Election of Officers:
- Chairperson: Tim Mankelow 2nd Buster Carter
- Deputy Chairperson: Buster Carter 2nd Judy Ford
- Secretary: Caroline Hirama 2nd Anne Mankelow
Minutes from Family Reunion Meeting held on Anniversary weekend 2009 were read by Caroline. 2nd Caroline Hirama
Matters arising:
Open meeting policy: Anyone can attend a committee meeting. Dates and venues will be placed into newsletters along with minutes from meeting. People attending to bring something for a shared lunch.
Representatives: More representatives are needed from each branch of the family to attend meetings. In time 1x family member in each branch will be needed as a contact and organizer for their branch.
Newsletters: The address book needs to be updated (email addresses, phone numbers and postal addresses) and a hard copy of the newsletter to go out to those who request one.
Other topics discussed:
Entertainment:
· Kids Games – e.g. Bouncy Castle, 3-legged Race etc.
· Teenage/Adult – e.g. tug of War, Boot Throwing etc.
· A Fashion Parade of Early era.
Need a couple of volunteers from the age groups to come up with ideas for activities.
Band for entertainment on the Saturday night – Party Pete?
Wood chopping booked for the Saturday, Chrissie to ask if they can change it to Sunday which will be the Open Day.
Car parking:
Daniel to approach Mike Johnson regarding car parking opposite hall. If not available, will need a shuttle to and from car parking.
Volunteers needed for car parking.
Hall Grounds:
· The hall to be used for food storage and memorabilia.
· Marquee for eating plus another for entertainment.
· Toilets and showers to be hired. For every 500 people it is recommended to have 16x toilets.
· Daniel to organize site plan for council
· First aid tent and provisions
· Skips to be hired for rubbish
· Volunteers for janitor duties
Catering:
· Caterer to be hired for Saturday dinner. Must be self-contained.
· Des Camon (Tui Catering) to be approached for price.
· BBQ lunch for Sunday.
· Meat donations.
Photography:
· Approach newspapers to see if they want to do an article about it.
· Approach Ray Mankelow for ideas.
Funding:
Lottery Grants Commission will consider grants for reunions but not generally family reunions. Possibility of it being a centennial District reunion, not favoured due to incorporation of Ngaroma District (Ngaroma Hall Society)
Next meeting: To be held at: Buster Carter’s309 Burns RdTE AWAMUTU Phone: (07) 871 7956
23 May 2009 @ 11.00am
Meeting closed: 12.11pm

Treasurer’s Report 28/2/09
Bank statements are sent to us every three months.
1 Sept 08
Balance Carried Forward - 1640.00
Closing Balance - 2787.27
We also have 5081.17 on Term Deposit at 8%

Family milestones and notices

Chrissie Mankelow
Congratulations and Best Wishes to June Teague and Dick Singleton on their marriage on 28 March 2009.

Congratulations to Lindberg Kaaka and Tuaine Taru on the birth of their son Logan Teariki on the 7 January 2009.

Our thoughts are with Georgina Kaaka, Chris Reid and their little daughter Alice May who has had a stroke. She will be in the Royal Melbourne Children’s Hospital for at least 6 weeks depending on Rehab.

Money matters: I have put another $5000 on term deposit @ 4%. The two deposits fall due in September and I will put the two together and reinvest $10,000 at that time. Our thanks go to all who are donating.
It was a disappointing attendance at our family get together on the 24 January because of the other big events held on that weekend. It has been decided to change the date next year and will let people know nearer to the time. However it was a very nice day for all who attended.
We held two auctions:
1. A stool donated by Bob Ford was bought by Lloydie Kaaka for $250 and it has been donated to the Hall with a plaque attached.
2. Tim Mankelow donated a Wine barrel which raised $50

Mankelows in the news
A rather amusing piece featured in the Waikato Times recently, quoting our very own Constable Chris Mankelow…
Tuesday, 3 March 2009, 12:38 pm -Press Release: New Zealand Police
Police Applaud Pluck of Elderly Victim
Hamilton Police are commending the actions of a frightened elderly woman who when confronted by an aggressive youth trying to gain access to her home fought him off with a rolling pin early Saturday morning.
Constable Chris Mankelow said when officers arrived at the woman's Enderley address the offender was so embarrassed he virtually leapt into the Police car.
"The woman who is aged in her seventies and lives on her own was awoken about 3.30am by a man swearing and banging on her door claiming he lived there.
"The poor lady has lived there for about 30 years and assured the 15-year-old he had the wrong house and to go away but he wouldn't and our operator could hear him yelling abuse at her."
Before Police could arrive the boy smashed the glass window of the woman's back door and tried to reach through to unlock it but couldn't quite reach.
"So he's stuck his head in and the victim has promptly struck him on the head with her rolling pin, she noticed he was still there so she's hit him a second and third time.
"When we arrived we found the offender crying. He'd had had a wee 'accident' and stripped down to his boxers and was pretty keen to be taken away. He's since been bailed to his parents care and referred to Youth Aid for follow up action."
Mr Mankelow said responding officers were quite impressed by the sprightly pensioner.
"She was a bit shaken but had the presence of mind to ring 111 and raise the alarm.
"While we always recommend caution in such circumstances she can be commended for her actions, it's quite clear the offender has come off second best in this incident."

Joy and Bob Miller would like to share this cutting
of their granddaughter.
Click on the clipping image to view and read ...

Christmas korero

Christmas is a time more than any other when family is the most important thing. Mankelow descendants around the world will all be with their families on that one special day – 25 December – isn’t that a pleasant thought?
Here are just a few different ways that people around the world say Merry Christmas!
Argentine: Feliz Navidad
Croatian: Sretan Bozic
French: Joyeux Noel
Galician: Bo Nada
Greek: Kala Christouyenna!
Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka
Indonesian: Selamat Hari Natal
Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha
Maori: Meri Kirihimete
Portuguese: Feliz Natal
Rumanian: Sarbatori vesele
Samoan: La Maunia Le Kilisimasi Ma Le Tausaga Fou
Serbian: Hristos se rodi.
Thai: Sawadee Pee Mai
Vietnamese: Chung Mung Giang Sinh

Call for keen committee members
This newsletter is all about keeping in touch and generating momentum in preparation for the big family reunion planned for 2012. Next year, we’d like to start the ball really rolling with the establishment of a steering committee to start planning the big event. Before the next family get together we’d like expressions of interest from people keen to lend their time and skills. The committee will probably only meet two or three times in the first year to work our goals and how we are going to achieve them. We need people with good organisational skills, fund-raising skills etc.
If you are interested, contact Chrissie Mankelow at her new email address: mankelow1@farmside.co.nz

Financial report
The bank account as at the 21 November is at $2,732.55 with $5,081.17 in the term deposit so it is looking good; thanks to all who are contributing.
Bob Ford has donated a Rata stool to raffle or auction at the next get together for funds.

Milestones
In our last newsletter we mentioned that the plaque on the memorial rock was being updated. This went to plan, with Uncle Bert attaching it with the help of Les Disher, oldest grandson.

In the photo are; Craig Kaaka, Lyn, Marama's eldest Lachlin Reid, Uncle Bert, Royce, Marama Kaaka and Lloydie.

Betty Powell passed away on 17 Oct. We wish all the Mankelow family a very Merry Xmas and all the very best for the New Year. Margie Pryor & Ian Powell Australia

New Mankelows

Royce and Chrissie are proud to announce the birth of their first grandchild - son to Jessica Mankelow and Matt Brown on 19 November -9lb 5ozs. (left)
Clive has a new grandson - Wiremu Uira Pennell - to Luana and Gordon on 2 November -8lb 1ozs. Wiremu with sister Kahu Rangi. (right)


Newsworthy Mankelow
Joy and Bob Miller would like to share this cutting of their granddaughter - see above.

Ray and Barb’s European Excursion


Our daughter Jeantine had offered us a trip to see her in Amsterdam as her 60th birthday gifts for both of us and this was planned from mid-July with Ray having to be back at work on the 1st September... (Photo shows Ray with Alan Mankelow)




Read on at http://rayandbarbseuropeanexcursion2008.blogspot.com/

Introducing: Chrissie Georgina Mankelow

Branch of the family tree: I'm married to Royce, second son of Hector. We have 4 children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandson.

Current employment: Retired but was a nurse most of my working life.

What keeps you busy? Interests: Gardening, trying to keep Mabel’s garden looking not too bad. Genealogy, reading historical novels and hand crafts. A lot of these have had to go on the back-burner while I put together the book of memories of 100 years in Ngaroma.

Most memorable life moment: The first time I set foot in Graceland Memphis U.S.A. I expected to see a mansion but although it had beautiful furniture etc. it still seemed to be a family home and not as big as I thought.

My favourite part of N.Z. and why: Adam Rd. where we have our small block of land with all my family and things around me.

Who/what would you be for a day: A well loved and fed cat with no cares in the world.

Currently on my CD player: Elvis and Country and Western music.

Where will you find me at 10pm on a Saturday night: in bed most nights.

Favourite quote? Do unto others as you would have them do to you. An oldy but goody.

I am inspired by: My dad who was a hard working and gentle man.

If I could give you just one tip, it would be: family is really important - be there for them no matter what.








The photo is of Nathan at 1 week and myself. Contact Chrissie at mankelow1@farmside.co.nz

Housekeeping
If you are about to change email addresses, or know a family member who has recently changed their email address, please let me know to update the mailing list of Mankelow Korero. ContactSarah at smankelow@gmail.com.

September 08

Kia ora
Here in Aotearoa winter is on its way out the door and Spring is knocking to come in! Daffodils are blooming here in Christchurch – how about with you! The warmer weather does wonders to lift the spirits. Hope this newsletter finds you all well. You will see from this edition’s profile – Introducing Graeme Mankelow – that this newsletter is reaching family members far and wide beyond the borders of the Long White Cloud. Its so interesting to find out what makes us all Mankelows… read below to find out.
Christmas is fast approaching and I hope to have a final newsletter for 2008 produced just before the holidays. So please, I’d appreciate anything you’d like to contribute for the next edition of Mankelow Korero by November 30 – anything and everything please! Births, deaths, marriages, trips and holidays, memories and fantasies, marathons run or game shows survived, invitations to Christmas festivities - but be warned if you win lotto we might hit you up to contribute to the reunion funds!
Sarah

Chrissie’s report
On Queen’s Birthday weekend, Uncle Bert with Judy, Lynette and her family, and Royce and I had a drive around Ngaroma. Uncle Bert showed us where the early pioneers lived and I was able to take photos of the places they lived. We also watched Uncle Bert remove the plaque from the memorial rock so as we could update the death dates.

The updates have been done and we have made a date for Uncle Bert to replace the plaque. This day will be Saturday 20 September. We will have a shared lunch at the hall and all are welcome.
We hope to also hold a grocery raffle on this day to help raise funds. Please bring an item to add to the raffle and a $1 or two to buy a ticket. Bye for now
Chrissie

Financial report
Our account is looking good as at the 8 August the ballance was $5906.56; thank you everyone. Judy and I put $5000 into a term deposit to get higher interest. Reminder to put your contribution into this bank account - 'Ngaroma Reunion Account', Account no. 123-134-0034760-50. Don't forget to insert your name as you make your deposit so we can keep track of who it's from.

New Mankelows
Attached to this addition of korero are the new additions to the Ford branch of our family tree. The baby in the Santa suit is Lexi Anne Ford, born on the 9 July to proud parents Dan and Melissa. Lexi weighed 4100gr (9lb) and was 53cm long; she is a bonnie girl and already sleeping through the night. The other second photo is of Rebecca and Damian's Legion Frederick Mark Bennett-Ford. Born on 28 of July weighing 8lb 14oz, he is a bonny lad. Lexi is my granddaughter and Legion is a great grandson and aren't they two good birth weights - it must be their heritage good stock that they come from! Judy.

Newsworthy Mankelows
A photo appeared in the Weekend Sun on April 24 2008 featuring Margaret Mankelow (second from left), as part of a story on the achievements of the Merivale Community Centre, where Margaret does volunteer work.
Jocelyn Mankelow also featured in Tauranga’s community rag in a story about her success with joining a local walking group and losing weight. Congrats Mum – but you still haven’t sent me a copy of the clipping!

From a conversation with Les Mankelow…

It was you that got the detonator blown up in your face wasn't it.
No, powder.

They figured they had to get you to the hospital and there was only one man in the district with two horses and a buggy. And he said no for a starter, he had no shoes on his horses and he would not go. Your mother had to beg and pray for him to go and I think he must have come and had a look at you first and then decided that maybe you did need to go to hospital.

Who was that man, it didn’t say his name?

No, it didn’t say his name

I think I remember rightly, father was chopping bush with Dave Pretty at that particular time; he wasn’t home.

You remember the incident fairly well?
Oh I remember it all right; you don’t forget those sorts of things.

What was your memory of it, what was it like while you blinded that sort of thing?
Well it was a weird sensation I’ll tell you this because you could hear people walking and you didn’t know whether it was day or night. You see. And ah, the nursey used to come in and my face was all bandaged up, all the hair was gone off me head, I was blind and I had two slits in there, like cut.

This nurse came in one morning I never spoke, and she said can you see me, and I said just a little bit out of one eye. And she rushed over and she put both hands over me eyes like that. And (….) put me in a dark room. They kept me there for several days there in this dark room and when me eyesight got more light, things got better and I could see they said, would you like pull the bed up by the window so’s you can look out at the traffic cause it was right out on the main street coming down here, Alexander Street going towards the railway station on the other side, right opposite … road was the hospital there and boy I got ear ache and I don’t know which was the worse, being blind or having ear ache in both ears.

From all the traffic noise?
No no, the cold draft coming in cause they opened up the window you see. I remember that ear ache, I never forgot that. When you have your sight and been blind, well you know what it, you hear people talking about being blind well I know what its like to be blind.

How long do you think you were sightless for?
Oh for about three weeks I think.

It must have been awful, to see you come in like that.
Yeah … flung a match. And when, on a very hot day a match like, you sort of can’t see the flame you know, and I threw it …. you get me. And I’d just realised that and it went off in me face aye, foof! And they said I was lucky that my face was never scarred and left .. left disfigured aye. So that’s how I pulled though that one.

Girlie talked about all these different treatments you used to get for all cuts and bruises
Oh yes yes- the old bush remedies

Bush remedies yes. Burnt salt, burning wound, nose? sulphur, five finger leaves, cobwebs to stop bleeding.
Cobwebs? Oh yes, I suppose that would be a good idea

What were the five finger leaves used for?
Well ah, its an old Maori remedy that actually, ah, if you got a – I fell down the … years ago, and ah must of hurt the bone in my knee, swelled up like that and an old Maori come along and said oh it takes a Maori cure and he said …five miles from a quack ..
And he held them by a hot fire till they wilted and he put them on flat same as you would put a hot cloth on from boiling water, as hot as you could bear it. He piled all these leaves and then wrapped them round and in the like a poultice
It’s good for chilblains too.

I hear that a good dose of golden syrup and sulphur was a good cleaning out agent.
That’s right!


Introducing…
Graeme Donald Mankelow.

Which branch of family tree do you fit in?
Middle child of Don, who was married to Nola. I was born in 1954 and am now 54 yrs old. I have 2 kids from my first wife Pam, known to most of you as Constable Pamela Mankelow who now lives in Gisborne. My eldest child Joanne is 36, married to Toni Murray. I have one grandson Rawiri Murray aged 7. My son Nelson is 34, unmarried and lives in Denmark where he is a qualified bricklayer. I am now happily married to Lisa, a Filipino American who has 3 children of her own, and the youngest of who lives with us in Hawaii in his last year of school.

Current employment / study
Have been in the building trade since I was 15, did my apprenticeship from 15 till I was 21. I was a mailman for 2 years after that, and then was in the possum trade in Ngaroma alongside Percy and Dad. I then moved to Katikati where Dad, Percy and I had a portable sawmill for many years. I moved to Hawaii after my divorce in 1987 and have been self-employed building houses ever since.

What keeps you busy? Interests
Had a houseboat in Hawaii for many years and spent every spare moment having fun. Built a smaller version of my houseboat in Katikati last year and have my plans ready for the next one on file.

Most memorable life moment
I have several, but one dearest to my heart was the 2-month RV trip I took with Uncle Bert and Dad across the USA back in the early 90s. Every night over a couple of drinks (and some nights a couple too many) I would listen to the two of them re-living there childhoods. We had many, many good laughs and I still cherish that trip fondly.

My favourite part of NZ and why...
Ngaroma, where I had many wonderful childhood memories. My first holiday there was at Aunty Ivy's. On the first day she couldn't remember my name and asked me what it was. When I answered Graeme, her first response was "what kind of name is that? I am going to give you a real name while you're staying with me" and she decided to call me Jack. (I always believed the name was from a childhood sweetheart of hers, but that was just my take). So the name has stuck with me till today, all my cousins and family call me Jack in NZ. But in the States it is Graeme, and yes all the judges call me that too.

Who/what would you be for a day
I always envied my Dad's ability to play the guitar and sing in tune at the good old parties in the past. So I guess I would like to be me with dad's skills on the guitar.

Currently in my CD player.
Kenney Chesney – “She Thinks my tractor's Sexy”
It reminds me of the many times doing hay in Ngaroma growing up as a kid. You kids of my age should listen to it and see what you think:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2KmzFABujM

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
In bed with the Mankelow snore, or on my lazy boy with the snore while the TV watches me...

Favourite quote?
“I'm not as good as I once was but I'm as good once as I ever was!”

I am inspired by...
Still inspired by my 2 favourite uncles, Bert and Percy; and my Dad Don, and also all of the older generation Mankelows.

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Cherish family and friends.

June 2008

Winter is here with a vengeance – these southerly blasts are a good reason to stay tucked up in doors, reading all the news from the whanau! Hope you enjoy this latest edition, and keep the contributions coming in. Next newsletter due in two months time – I look forward to hearing what the winter season find you doing.

Financial report
Our bank balance as at 3rd June was $4879.66. Thank you to all who have contributed.

Milestones
Pamela Watts (Royce's granddaughter) celebrated her 21st birthday in the Parawera Hall 26th April 2008. A wonderful night was had by all.

Josie Wynne Mankelow Webb was born at 2.26pm on Monday 16 June 2008. Weighing in at a healthy 3.9kg (8 pounds 9 ounces), 56cm long, she made a swift appearance a few days early.
Mum and bubs both doing well – little sister for William Webb; another granddaughter for Bob and Joc Mankelow and great granddaughter for Bert.

Mum’s unveiling
By Judy
Hello family,
Just wanting to share with you all our lovely day at Mums unveiling held on Queens birthday weekend , it was quite a busy time Lyn and Lloydie arriving at Ngaroma 11pm on a frosty night on the Thursday due to Maramas' plane being late by about 3 hours from Australia. Craig had flown in earlier in the day from Hong Kong so they arrived tired with Lachlan, Maramas' boy being motion sick on the plane and in the car on the way down he was really miserable by the time he got here, a cup of tea and everyone rolled into bed. The next day was perfect chilly not a cloud in the sky. The hall was prepared with plenty of helpers potatoes were peeled carrots pumpkin roasts all put out to defrost and the big snapper from North put out to defrost also, fire wood got tables set up Warren bringing out the last of supplies on his way home from work fresh bread and milk.
Saturday morning was a 8 am start with sandwiches to make and loaves to spread cakes to put out fire to light everything was set up so when we got back to the hall there was no hi cups. Lyn Lloydie and I picked up the beautiful cloth from Mikes which Lena had made, she had white with lace on top and edged with fine tassel and four ribbons attached, and headed our way to town to put it on early only to find several people already there 2 hours early, they all went off to have some lunch once they got the time right. We put the cloth in place and whiled away the time visiting all the folk on the hill.
People started to arrive visiting loved ones on their way, there was a good gathering of family and friends, the service was taken by Lloydie with Georgina saying the opening prayer, Royce welcoming everyone, me doing the reading from Romans chi 12 v 14 as Mum and Dad were always caring and loving to other people, and I often read her that passage on a Sunday, the grandchildren Hector Craig Noeline and Rachel done the unveiling , Clive read the inscription, and Lyn said the closing prayer, Some of the young ones left to come back to the hall to stoke the fire and get the urn boiling. After farewelling those who could not come back to the hall we made our way out to Ngaroma, the day was warm and fine after a slow start. There was plenty of food and a comfortable setting to relax and catch up with everyone. The grand daughters took over the kitchen and produced a hearty dinner of roast pork, lamb, beef, corned beef, raw fish, mussels, mashed potatoes peas carrots and the pumpkin with gravy, apple sauce and mint sauce as condiments, dessert was all the lovely cakes that was left on the table with a cupper of what ever.
We had 73 for dinner so it wasn’t a bad effort for the young ones to cope with; the washing up was done in a flash!!!!!
The evening came to a close at 2am after some good discussions on family affairs. One motion was passed that the plaque be removed from the rock and be bought up to date.
The Sunday morning was breakfast at the hall, bacon, sausages, and fried leftovers veges, then the clean up got under way which was done in a flash with Neil on the mop once again. We were privileged to have Uncle Bert join us for the weekend ,he had stayed at Royce’s' for the couple of nights, on the Monday Royce and Chrissie came out for lunch then a interesting afternoon was spent with Uncle Bert taking us all on a history drive of the district. The angle post that was put in before the First World War by one of the settlers with his initials carved in it, the old water hole down Brownies hill, and old house sites where the huge tree stumps are all that is left. WE are a very lucky family to have all this at our doorstep. Before we went on our drive Uncle Bert removed the plaque with Royce’s help from the rock so once I've got it engraved, maybe we'll get the same crew to screw it back on with a afternoon tea I'll keep you all posted
Cheers from a cold wet Ngaroma, Judy


Introducing…

Karen Forbes

Four generations:
The photo is of Carl holding Isla, Mum and I.

Born in Te Awamutu on the 17/08/60

Branch of family tree where do you fit in?
Granddaughter of Les and Ruby
Daughter of Allan and Anne
Married to Alan for 14 years. I have 2 sons, Carl 27 (Katikati) and Jason 25 (Kalgoolie) and Alan has 1 daughter, Alana 27 (Morrinsville). We have 5 grandchildren

Current employment / study
Alan and I own a transport company in Tokoroa, mostly carting logs within the central North Island

What keeps you busy?
Work, grandkids, reading, rugby and motor racing. I’m not sure where the petrol head thing comes from.

Most memorable life moment
There have been many but I think it would have to be, being at the birth of my granddaughter Isla

My favourite part of NZ and why...
Lake Rotoma. A beautiful piece of paradise, where our caravan sits right on the lake edge. Heaven!!! A place where we have made some wonderful friends

Who/what would you be for a day?
I have always wanted to be able to sing. Unfortunately I sound like a strangled cat. So if I could sing well for just one day I would be extremely happy

Currently in my CD player...
Duffy-Rockferry
David Campbell-The Swing Session
Bit of a contrast, but I’m loving them both

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
This time of the year, at home by the fire with a good book
In the summer, on the edge of Lake Rotoma probably with a book in one hand and a Sauvignon in the other

Favourite quote?
Do unto others as you would have others do unto you

I am inspired by...
My Mother: She is so caring, compassionate, nonjudgmental and hardworking. The world needs more just like her

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Smile it costs you nothing J

April 2008

Well the weather is cooling down and daylight savings has ended, which might dampen a few spirits - time for another newsletter to warm the cockles of your heart. Thanks to all those who sent emails of appreciation in the last few months and contributions to the latest newsletter. It's good to know the newsletter is being read, enjoyed and passed onto others. Our email list is growing all the time thanks to some hard work by Chrissie to spread the word. I hope you all enjoy this latest edition. Next newsletter will be in two months time (hopefully - baby is due in June!) so could all contributions be in by 6 June.

P.S. Does anyone have a photo of Les and Ruby's old house? Could you please send a copy to Chrissie Mankelow.

Milestones

Reminder: Mabel's headstone unveiling 31 May at 2pm at the Te Awamutu Cemetery. Then join us afterwards at the Ngaroma Hall for a cup of tea, followed with a meal later on.

Trent Mankelow of Wellington married Louise on 8 Feb in Johnsonville. It was a spectacular day, brilliant sunshine and none of the usual Wellington wind. The wedding party all look gorgeous! Wedding photos are here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nastymcfly/sets/72157604063833203/

Cody Mankelow has been helping his mother clean up around the yard and house in preparation for the get together of invited guests 26 April, to help her reflect of changes in her life since 1948. I guess that's a round-about way of saying 'happy 60th birthday Barbara'!

Financial reportAccount update as at 10 April $2311.78. Please keep the money rolling in. Thanks to the families who are putting money in regularly. Judy wants to remind you please get $1000 per branch if possible.

Mankelow abroad
By June Teague

Here is a short story of my travels in South America.

Towards the end of last year myself and 15 others left these shores for a dream holiday in South America. After arriving in Santiago Chile and a quick look around we were on our way to Ecuador. Our first encounter with something unusual was to board the Chiva express - a cross between a bus and a train that ran on rail lines and had seating on the top for an exhilirating ride through the countryside and down the Devil's nose switchback and the avenue of the volcanoes, past colourful markets stocked with dressed chickens, fish,cooked pigs, fruits and veges and many crafts, most sitting in the hot sun. Ponchos were supplied when the weather turned nasty - hail and even snow which made all head inside the Chiva.

A few days later we left the city of Guaquil to fly to the Galapagos Islands off the coast. We then boarded a ship which was to be our home for a few days while we visited several islands to see the species found only there, such as marine iguanas (hundreds of them) some up to a metre in length which blended into the surrounding landscape. Many birds including Darwin finches, frigate birds and our favourites blue boobies with beautiful turqoise coloured feet. Sea lions,lava cactus and giant tortoises which can live to 200 years old.

After waiting for the rain to clear we were finally able to land on the dirt air strip in the Amazon rain forest at Kapawi. Here we stayed in huts made from the wood of palm trees and thatched with palm leaves which remained completely watertight even in the torrential rain. Each day guides took us in native Achuar canoes to different parts of the jungle to see birds, large insects, frogs - amall and poisoness ones, colourful butterflies. The local Achuar indians get everything they need from the jungle.

The altitude tested us a we moved into Peru home of the Incas. Wearing their colourful costumes they would pose for photos and a thankyou for a donation.I was impressed by the building skills of the ancient Incas who built their villages of stone without any mortar and each block shaped and fitted to the next so tightly that not even a pin could be put between. Great excavations are continuing to unearth more ancient ruins. We climbed up and around Machu Pichu and the hillside terraces. Land is still farmed in this way on the mountain sides. Corn and potatoes - all 4000 varieties are grown in the hills and valleys. Cultivation is done by hand and ploughing by oxen.

A visit was made to the reed islands on Lake Titicaca. The highest navigable lake in the world. The lake in that area is 11 metres deep and reed houses are built on top of the islands.There is even a floating school where the pupils entertained us with singing. The women make beautiful handcrafts to sell. We spent a few days onboard a catamaran and were entertained with dancing and music by the local band and presented with garlands of flowers.

The city of La Paz in Bolivia was at the highest altitude and found even turning over in bed made us breathless.We survived on coca tea and anti altitude sickness pills. The streets were mostly very narrow, the people quite poor with favellas (ghettos) housing them on the higher areas of the city. They were friendly, colourfully dressed, especially the women in very full skirts and bowler hats.

Into the city of Beunos Aires and the tango dancers of Argentina. The centre of the city was a vibrant place with plenty of shops selling leather goods. Meals out included huge steaks. The Iguazu falls was a very spectacular sight and through a series of walkways we were able to take in the awesome cascading water. A boat trip under the falls was especially thrilling as we sped through the rapids and stopped briefly under the falls getting soaked in the process.

The final country we visited was Brazil with the famous statue of Christ on Corcovado hill in Rio de Janiero, so high up that a lot of the time was covered in low cloud making photos tricky.We took the cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf where monkeys played in the trees. Copacabana beach and it's neighbour Ipinema beach were beatiful sandy beaches and close to our hotel. Sand sculptures were a feature of the beach and even a football stadium right on the beach. A samba show was the highlight with truly magnificient costumes and beautiful dancers.

So 5 fantastic weeks passed with such contrasts from simple living Indian people in remote mountain areas of the Andes to bustling cities. The skill in architecture and astromony of the ancient Incas, ornate churchs and cathedrals, beggars,colourful shops, all made the trip memorable.

This is just a brief review of what I saw in a once in a lifetime experience.

Newsworthy Mankelows

This is a selection of clippings from papers that appeared over the last few months, featuring some of our Mankelow whanau.

Bay News, 12 Dec 2007 "Making a mural masterpiece"
There's a mural masterpiece at Maungatapu School. A group of eight young, gifted and talented visual art students at the school have created the mural and entered it in the Resene's Mural Masterpiece competition. The group of eight included Moshea Mankelow.

Bay News, 12 Dec 2007 "Pam and Constable Ted are moving on"
Pam Mankelow and popular companion Constable Ted - known to thousands of school children - are off to Gisborne. Pam Mankelow very nearly didn't become a policewoman. The first time she applied to join the police force they said she was six months too old. Then the age limit was raised to 40 and she was accepted. Now after 15 years of policing in the Tauranga District, the last nine as Police Education Officer, Constable Pam Mankelow is moving on. She's off to Gisborne in January to work in Youth Education on the East Coast.

The Weekend Sun, 11 January 2008 Passing muster.
Former Tauranga community constable Pam Mankelow is hoping Gisborne wineries have hitching rails.www.thesun.co.nz/Archives/Issue_375_January_11_2008_IDL=6_IDT=372_ID=13390_.html

Introducing Margie Pryor

Where do you live?
Australia

Where do you fit in the family tree?
Auntie Ivy brought up my twin sister Rosemary Powell

Current employment
Dairy farmer.
We have been dairy farming in Australia for the past 14 years. Most of this time has been in the Atherton Tablelands at Cairns. We also share-farmed in Victoria for 4 years. Victoria is like good old kiwi land in many ways, lots of rye grass, haymaking etc but dairy farms are a lot cheaper than NZ. Here it QLD it is very different dairying to NZ there is lots of green grass but no protein much and there are the awful shellback tick which will kill your calves real quick. It is very warm with lots of rain which dear kiwi land could do with at the moment.

What keeps me busy?
Milking, rearing calfs, farm work. We milk a jersey and first cross herd from kiwi bulls. We hope to retire in the next few years all going well.

My most memorable life moment
When my grandaughter Thalia was born

My favourite part of nz and why
Ngaroma where my childhood was spent with Aunty Ivy and Uncle Bobby and my sister.The wonderful years of helping dear Aunty Ivy on her dairy must have given me the taste for milking.

Who/ what would you be for a day
A man to see how they tick

Currently in my CD player
Elizabeth Marvelly

Where would you find me at 10pm on saturday night
In bed

Favourite quote
Love your fellow man

I am inspired by
The American Native Indian

If I could give one tip what would it be
Love all animals and love your family always

REGARDS TO YOU ALL MARGIE PRYOR MILLAA MILLAA QLD