MANKELOW KORERO DECEMBER 2009

Felice Navidad – I wanna wish you a Merry Christmas!

Important dates:
27 Feb 2010 - Family gathering at Ngaroma

Facebook and Geni updates:
By Ray Mankelow
Geni has been great as more people got into the programme, updating and correcting information and adding photos. Photos of folk as they are today, is great for getting a feel how others are coping with life and absorbing all that experience.

The important thing for those joining the programme, is to be invited by someone already there, rather than adding in all this family information that might already be there and so creating 'merge issues'.

It was good to call on Robyn, Rita and Lyn in Taupo and for Robyn to get Rita to quickly correct her information "I wasn't married to that guy" (or some such expression). Robyn then added in memories of Grandad Mankelow when he was living with Aunty Freda and the girls in Otorohanga.

Are any family members on Facebook using the related Family Connection programme, FamilyLink.com? How many are into that and do they find its features useful? I myself haven’t got the hang of that one.

Sharing the memories like this is wonderful for adding to our knowledge of and appreciation of what our greater family means to us. Keep sharing folks!

Reunion meeting report:
By Judy Ford
Thank you Tim for the fantastic day we all had at the winery.
The venue for our meeting was spot on, Tim was a very good host with cups out and water boiling for a cup of tea as we arrived, a spacious room with plenty of chairs which took a while to fill. With plenty of time to chat before our last car load arrived late; thank goodness for texting so we knew not to start without them. There were plenty of vacant chairs which I thought Bay of Plenty families may have filled seeing we had our meeting over that way so people didn’t have to travel as far to participate.

We made good progress so I think our centennial day will come together well. When we have our annual get together in late February - this time so as not to coincide with long weekends - we will bring you all up to speed at 11am. With raffles and the auction and lucky dip for the kids it should be a good day out so circle the date 27 Feb 2010 - come early for a cuppa before the meeting.

The meeting was not only the highlight; Tim took us on a tour of the winery before we had our lunch to give us a good appetite. As we went through the door of this massive warehouse, the champagne were the first lot of bins with bottles up the right way working and others upside down with a little cup inside called a bidule (I learnt that word so that was good as I didn’t know that!). This catches the sediment, which is then frozen with liquid nitrogen to get it out of the bottle, sweet wine is then added. This process can take from two to seven years before it is capped for good so no wonder it is so expensive. It was a very big warehouse with rows and rows of pallets stacked five or six high, then through to the state-of-the-art bottling machine just massive; then came the room at 18 degrees with all the stainless steel vats rows and rows which was about 3 million litres and about 5000 tons of grapes so there was lots of wine which we had to taste. We tried Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay then onto red Cabernet Sauvignon then Monte Pulcinao (mafia wine), then Merlot. The pick of the bunch was the Riesling and the Monte Pulcinao - real smooth - then on outside to more vats of 100,000 and 200,000lts with their cooling jackets on, lots of wine I must say. Then back inside up the steps along the top of the vats, what a sight! Back to the lunch room with our appetites enhanced we happily enjoyed our delicious lunch.

Tim also had a large bag of asparagus for us to take home to sample - they were lovely and fresh and delicious and for the keen fishermen some oak chips which had been infused in red wine to try we'll have to wait to report on that one.

We had a wonderful day so thank you Tim we could not help but stop at the wine shop as we drove out as we got to taste some more lovely wine before we purchased to enjoy at home.

Meeting held 15 November 2009 at Morton Estate Winery
Present: Royce, Chrissie, Delwyn, Tim, Clive, Judy, Lorraine, Neil, Ray, Barbara and Anne
Apologies: Dan, Melissa, Warren, Sheryl Andrews, June Teague, Uncle Bert and Buster
Tim read the minutes. Judy/Clive

Matters arising from the minutes
The family ‘Get Together’ that was to be held on the 20 February at Ngaroma has now been changed to 27 February at Ngaroma Hall.

No members have come forward to represent their branch of the family, which is very disappointing. Ray thought Geni might help create some interest but once we get closer to the time we may get more support.

Donations of any spare items e.g. fruit, veges, anything that can be auctioned would be great for the family ‘Get Together’ to help raise some extra funds for our big day in 2012.

Anne Mankelow is going to organise prizes for the lucky dip for the children. Thank you Anne.

Wood chopping looking like it will go ahead for the Sunday.
Parking will not be a problem
We can hire (gas) showers and toilets from Hirequip
Keep Sunday lunch pretty simple because, people will be tired.
BBQ from the Vets or R D 1 may be a possibility.
Caroline to check prices for hiring Brownie Spits.

Ray getting photos together with Chrissie, we will be sharing photos at the next meeting.

Fundraising going O.K. Balance $1,468.53 in everyday account, $11,106.02 investment.
Investment times go with the best rates at the time. Thank you Chrissie for the great job organising the finances.

At family meeting check attendance forms for the Centenary in 2012.

Rose: General feelings are that it is a lovely idea but it does cost a lot. We will just keep the rock and maintain that for now. A suggestion was put forward for another plaque to go on the rock for the Centenary.

Book: Chrissie is going to submit manuscript with application form for the Lotto funding to help with the printing etc.

Our funds are for hiring toilets, marques and water etc. The money from the book and the dinner will pay for themselves. We can’t get extra funding for any family Centenaries but we can if it is a district one. When the next public meeting for the Ngaroma District is held, we will be represented.

A Bullock team is available to come for the weekend. We will need to pay for their travel costs.

Next meeting will be held at Ngaroma Hall at the family ‘Get Together’ at 10:30am, with a cup of tea, and then followed by shared lunch and auctions and activities.

Meeting closed 12:15pm

This is your life - Cody Mankelow

Branch of family tree where do you fit in?
Son of Allan and Anne Mankelow, Allan is the son of Leslie Mankelow and Ruby Mankelow. Married to Kathryn Mankelow - we have two beautiful daughters Samara Cody and Amber Louise.

Current employment / study
We run the Puhoi River Canoe Hire offering kayaking trips from the Historic Puhoi Village to the Wenderholm Regional Park. Check our website and if you are ever in our neck of the woods and have time be sure to call in.

I also work at Mt Ruapehu in the winter season as a snow-groomer operator.

What keeps you busy? Interests.

My family, my work, fishing, kayaking, skiing

Most memorable life moment
Too many but my recent fantastic trip to Europe with my family was the best.

My favourite part of NZ and why...
Whakapapa Skifield - it's where I love to play.

Who/what would you be for a day?
The next big lotto winner

Currently in my CD player...
Santana

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
These days in bed!!!!

Favourite quote?
What my first girlfriend said to me – “Wow! That's a big one.........Ha Ha!”

I am inspired by...
My Grandfather Les Mankelow he was my best friend.

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Look after your body – it’s the only one you've got.

PUHOI RIVER CANOE HIRE LTDBOX 404065PUHOI 0951PH: (0064) 09 422 0891FAX: (0064) 09 422 0881E: puhoicanoes@clear.net.nzWEB: http://www.puhoirivercanoes.co.nz/

MANKELOW KORERO OCT 2009

Firstly, apologies for not getting around to posting OCtober newsletter until December - Time was just "oh oh oh slipping away from me"

Kia ora all

Important dates

Our next committee meeting is on 15 November at Morton Estate Winery Cafe, Katikati. Remember all are welcome to help with ideas for our Reunion 2012.

The meeting will be hosted by Tim Mankelow at Morton Estate Winery Cafeteria on November 15, 11.00am 2389 Main Road, Katikati, bring something for a shared lunch, everyone welcome.


There is a change of date for the Ngaroma get together in February. It will now be 27 February 2010.

Milestones
Congratulations to Noeline and Gordon Watts on their 25th Wedding Anniversary 22nd September.
Congratulations to Lloydie Kaaka on his 70th birthday the party being held 20th September.

Finance
As at 1st September 2009 there was a ballance of $1127.28 in our account and we have invested $11,000 in a term deposit @4.75% maturing 8th May 2010. Thanks to those who are putting money in regularly.

Your feedback on the rose idea please
We want to hear from as many family members as possible please about the suggestion of a commemorative rose. We have had very little response so far – Jeanette’s thoughts are further below.

Please reply to Chrissie mankelow1@farmside.co.nz by 15 November.

Do you support getting a rose – yes or no?

If yes, which option did you prefer – one or two?

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.

Thanks Chrissie

Why the idea of the rose
By Jeanette
I was having a cup of tea one morning looking at a rose in my garden. I started thinking to myself, what an amazing flower this is. We send it to people when a baby is born. We send them to people to say I love you. We send them to people when someone dies. We plant hundreds of them in memorial gardens. There is no other plant like it in the world. We name them after famous people when they die as a lasting memorial. Lady Di has one.
So that is what got me thinking why couldn't the Mankelows have one?
After the reunion is well gone, if there is a rose planted in families gardens all over the country, we will never forget. Every year when it flowers we will be reminded of where it came from and what it stands for. The generations that follow will be told who it was named after and why it became what it is.
To have a rose breed and named just for your family is so special.

Think of this. In years to come you are walking around your garden with your great-grand child who says. That rose smells so nice grandma. You would then be able to say, well that rose is named after your great-great-great grandmother and was bred just for a reunion we had way back in 2012.

This is your life – Luana Pennell

Where do you live
Mortdale Sydney NSW Australia

Branch of family tree where do you fit in?

Granddaughter of Hector and Mabel, Daughter of Clive and the late Kahu and Wife to Gordon Pennell

Current employment / study / motherhood etc:

Full-time wife to Gordon and full time mum to Phoenix (10) Phabeyn (8) Kahurangi (5) and Wiremu 8mths, these children of mine are enough work (hehe)

What keeps you busy? Interests?
My kids keep me on my toes 24/7 and other than that it’s sports 3 times a week and every Saturday

Most memorable life moment:

So many of them, but one I’ll never forget is burying my mother

My favourite part of NZ and why...

Ngaroma, I just love that place

Who/what would you be for a day?

A person with no bill’s (do these people exists)

Currently in my CD player...
Ardijah, Dobbie Brothers, Credence Clear Water Revival, and more

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
Sitting outside watching a game and having a beer

Favorite quote?
Just do it

I am inspired by...
Not sure but I love to learn new things from all out there

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Smile it makes all around feel happy give everything you get a chance just do it, you only have to try it once.

P.S. I have profiles on Facebook, Bebo, Myspace and myyearbook so find out more online! Username is gordzgirl

This newsletter is online at: http://mankelow.blogspot.com/

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.