Mankelow korero - April 2011

Only ten months to go until the joint Mankelow Family Reunion and Ngaroma District Centennial.

Mark it on your calendar 27 – 29 January 2012. Go to www.ngaromacentenary.co.nz for more information and to register.

Caroline reports from th

e Mankelow reunion committee:

Please – we would like to see as many descendants of Sarah and George Mankelow as possible. We will be celebrating 100 years since Sarah obtained the ballot for Ngaroma Farm. We are all looking forward to meeting up with family and friends whom we haven’t seen for years. It will be a huge weekend and hopefully the turnout will be better than any of us can imagine.

We are still hav

ing trouble contacting some people so if you have moved or changed your email address please let us know. We are happy to post information if you don’t have email.

There has been lots of work going on behind the scenes and the Ngaroma community have really got behind us. They have done a wonderful job organising the District Centennial which our family reunion merges wit

h at 3.00pm on Saturday 28 January.

We would like to thank all those who have donated money to the reunion account, which got up to $20,000. We have given $10,000 to the Ngaroma Centennial Committee to go toward the marquee hire, which will be used for events throughout the weekend.

The Ngaroma Centennial Committee has set up a website, and while this is still a work in progress, you can use this to get the latest updates, and the registration forms for the dinner and dance on Saturday night and the Sunday events. You can also order the book here. Go to www.ngaromacent

enary.co.nz

Camping: there will be facilities available for those who want to camp in tents or campervans for the weekend. There will be a chiller for food but only very limited facilities for reheating or cooking food. Toilets and showers will be available at the camping area.

Parking: to keep th

e area around the hall free, we will provide parking in a paddock nearby with a shuttle van to ferry you to and from the hall.

Memorabilia: Photos and videos will be set up in the hall during the weekend for you to view. If you have anything relevant to the time and place that you are happy to lend, please let Chrissie Mankelow know and she will arrange pick-up and delivery back to you.

Refreshments: a tent with tea and coffee will be available all weekend, and another for parents to feed or settle children. After 3pm on Saturday the Ngaroma Centennial Committee will be running a cash bar, so no BYO.

Book: As many of you know, Chrissie Mankelow has put together a book called 100 Years – Memories of Ngaroma. This book will go to print in April and we would like to hear from those interesting in purchasing a copy so we know how many to print to avoid disappointment. Price is yet to be confirmed, b

ut should be $30

or less.

Programme - Mankelow Reunion January 2012

Friday 27 January

3pm – 9pm – Registration begins, followed by a get together and barbeque dinner.

Saturday 28 January

9 am – registrations for those arriving today. Meet and greet, tea and coffee.

Midday – shared lunch, speeches and cutting of the cake.

Afternoon – sports activities, bouncy castle, bullock team rides.

Programme –

Ngaroma Centenary

Saturday 28 January

3pm – registration,

cash bar and mix and mingle

6.30 – 8.30 pm – Buffet dinner in marquee, speeches, and cake.

8.30 pm - midnight – Entertainment with DJ and supper served from 9.30pm onwards.

Sunday 29 January

10 – 11 am – Church Service held jointly with NZ Army

11.30 am – lunc

h and cuppa

1.30pm – 5.30pm – bus tours leaving at half hour intervals, plus other acitivties at the hall including bullock team rides, wood chopping display. The bar will reopen at 2pm.

6.30 pm onwards

– An informal barbeque dinner.

Go to the Ngaroma website to download the registration form – www.ngaromacentenary.co.nz

HOW MANY ARE COMING?

We only have months to go before the weekend kicks off so now we need an indication of numbers so that we can

arrange things like toilets etc.

Let us know number of adults and children attending from your family, whether a campsite is required and how many copies of the book you would like.

Please contact Caroline Hirama – email hirama@farmside.co.nz

Experiences of the Christchurch earthquake
Sarah Mankelow

There’s nothing like a natural disaster to make you remember how important family is.

I was at work when the earthquake struck – in central Christchurch – just around the corner from the CTV building. When it first started everyone froze to see how long it was but when my desk jumped up and hit me I knew it was time to get under it.

When it stopped and we all stood up you couldn’t see outside the windows for white dust. The office was a mess but it wasn’t until we stepped outside that we knew just how bad it was. Joe’s Garage café right opposite was all rubble – some of our guys ran to help as one of their staff had run out and been buried in rubble. You might have seen the security camera footage of the guy that walked away from that. Well just around the corner, someone died in that rubble. We could see fire down the alleyway – we didn’t know then it was the CTV building.

We all went to Latimer Square as it was not safe on the streets – then an aftershock hit and there were screams and everyone surged into the middle. People with bloody heads were walking around dazed or being helped by others. All I could think about was how was I going to get home to see if the kids were OK. I was about to start walking when someone came to say they were leaving in a car and I grabbed a ride. Both the children were fine – Josie at her home-carers in Opawa – William at school in Heathcote. William was in the playground when it hit – he said he tried to run but he kept falling over. Kids were crying – even the big kids he said. Of course we know now that Heathcote School was only metres away from the epi-centre. My husband Stuart got home only ten minutes after me and the kids – he’d walked from Victoria Street right through the middle of town to get to my work, then walked to Opawa where he borrowed a car to get to Heathcote. The roads were clogged with people trying to get home to loved ones and there was silt and mud everywhere.

We had no poweror water for a week. School was closed for several weeks so I and the children came up to Tauranga for five weeks to be with family. Mum and Dad, his three brothers, and my sister Robyn and her son Taylor – Nana and Bill, Aunty Bron and Uncle Mike, cousin Erin also a refugee from Christchurch where she is studying, my Uncle Brad and cousin Alana. It was great to catch up with them all and get a sense of normality that comes when you reconnect with family. We are back in Christchurch now and settling into a new sense of normality. Thanks to my family for being there for me – especially my sister Robyn.

Memorial rock and plaque

The plaque will be removed from the rock and sent to the engravers to

get edited. It will be re-attached to the rock in October 2011, to coincide with the scattering of Bert’s ashes one year after his passing. More details and dates will be posted out closer to the event.

This is your life - Ann, Keith and Samantha Solomon

It’s very hard to keep track of who is who, as families move around a lot more now than they did a few generations ago. I was at my mother’s place, (Daphne Prestidge) on the weekend when out came her photo album of her father’s and mother’s families.

My name is Mrs. Ann Solomon, my husband is Keith Solomon and our daughter is Samantha Solomon who now is 21.

My mother is Daphne Prestige nee Disher, her father was John Prestidge. They had six children; I am the only girl an

d

the youngest. My mother’s mother was Emily Eleanor Elizabeth Disher (nee Mankelow), best known as Girlie Disher and her husband was George Disher; they lived in Ngaromona , Maihihi area.

So this is where I fit in the family tree.

Over the past couple of years Keith and I have lived in our motorhome, travelling around, working in different places. We have a permanent home in Taupo that we rent out. It’s great living in the motorhome, meeting different people from different countries around the world, and your everyday kiwi person.

Singing is one of not only mine but my family’s passion. We have a karaoke system that we hire out along with ourselves, but we also enjoy going out to others and singing and having a good time.

I have two memories from my past that I have kept with me over the years. The first was lambing time. We lived at Kopu near Thames. I was about 5 or so and I had been at Nana and Pops, I asked my father could I bring a lamb home, the answer was no. Little did they know that Pop had put a lamb in the boot, so when we got home there was a noise coming from the boot, opened it up and “HELLO” there was my lamb.

The other was my horse ‘Black Beauty’ which Pop broke in for me, when he was not young and not well. I picked it out of a herd we went and saw, named her and the rest followed.

Over the years we have come across cousins, usually at funerals, so this time it will be nice to meet family in a different situation. We are intending to come to the reunion next year to say hi to everyone.

See you there.

Ann Solomon

Mankelow korero Christmas 2010

Ngā mihi o te Kirihimete me te Tau Hou - Seasons greetings for Christmas and the New Year.

Only four more sleeps until we fly back to Tauranga for a Mankelow family Christmas. It’s a bitter-sweet thought as this year we are celebrating with one less amongst our midst. Granddad Bert won’t be there to munch through Robyn’s homemade shortbread, to share a beer with dad over Christmas lunch, or to watch the children excitedly open their presents.

We will be remembering him with love this Christmas. Thanks to all those who attended his funeral in October, and to those that sent through a personal memory of Bert for this newsletter.

I hope Tim doesn’t mind, but I have also written down his very moving tribute to his father as it has such a strong message for us all.

Memories of Bert Mankelow….

“For those that don’t know me I’m Tim, the youngest of the four brothers.

As I sit in the sun out in the back yard at home, thinking of you and what has been; fond memories abound. I look though old photos of you and me, sitting, eating and sharing ice-creams, playing with the hose. Zoom slides and more. The stories of my older brothers being put in their place for picking on me. The many times I’ve been disciplined that put me in good stead in my adult years. The respect that you taught me for my elders and my family. Many fun times at the top ford trying to keep up with you. The way you taught me to use koura to catch trout. Staying at the campsite having a wash in the freezing cold water. The great times we had out fishing at Pahoia, slaying the snapper, only ever taking enough for a feed. Respect the resource for others you told me. The way we talked about current events, rugby and the issues of my life.

Now I must do these things on my own. I hope you will watch over me and help me out. I will miss you. The family is blessed and strong. I love you dad.”

Timothy Mankelow 9 October 2010.

From Joy and Bob Miller: We had a surprise visit from Uncle Bert, Robert and Jos. They called in on their way home from their trip of a life time by helicopter to White Island. Uncle Bert said it was something he wanted to do while he was still fit enough. He had really enjoyed it and was so glad he went. Sadly this was the last time Bert set foot into our home.

From Anne Mankelow: My memories of Bert are crackers & cheese for morning tea then him saying "there is fruit cake in the tin you could have had a piece of that."

Lovely fresh produce from his garden. New potatoes, carrots or beans & delicious tree ripened apples (YUM)

From Sherryll Andrews (Mankelow): Tuesday mornings - housework day. As i arrive he is usually sitting on his chair outside the shed. There's no hurry is there he says sit for a while with me in the sun. The stories flow so easily some from many years ago but never forgotten - what a memory he has. Many fond memories of THE TOP FORD & THE WAIPAPA RIVER. I could sit for hours and listen to all the adventures.

From Cody, Kathy, Samara and Amber Mankelow: On our last visit to Aunty Doreen before her passing, my daughters Samara and Amber took a shine to a very scruffy old garden gnome perched in Uncle Bert's garden. Much to the girls delight, Uncle Bert with his mischievous smile promptly loads the old garden gnome into the back of the car. Back home in Puhoi two young girls had a wonderful time scrubbing and painting a new shiny suit on the gnome. Today, he still sits here in our Puhoi Garden watching over all the fairies and elves just as Uncle Bert said he would :)

It was always a pleasure catching up with Uncle Bert. Even the last time we visited him at the hospital, he had clearly had enough but he still had a big smile and warm friendly hug for us. We will miss him.

New members of the Mankelow family:

Patience Serenity-Rose Ford-Bennett

Born 28 May 2010 - to proud parents Rebecca Trubshoe and Damian Bennett

Lily-Rose Georgina Oates

Born 8 June 2010 - to proud parents Natasha Connolly and Allan Rose.

Bailey Ngaroimata Onemaru Kaaka

Born 9 June 2010 - to proud parents Lindberg Kaaka and Tuaine Taru

Nathan George Wahanui Reid

27 August 2010 - to proud parents Marama Kaaka and Chris Reid

Anniversary Weekend 2011: Our next Family Get together will be held on Sunday 30 January with a shared lunch followed by an Auction. There will also be the lucky dip for the children.

1 November 2010

Kia ora

It’s been a month since Bert passed on. And a long time since our last korero! I’d like to just take this opportunity to say while the occasion was sad; it was great to see so many family at Granddad’s funeral. Around 200 people showed up to say their last respects to the last of the first Sarah Mankelow’s children. I’d like to make a special mention of Rikki Wikeepa, Cath and Delwyn who all singled me out to say hi and thanks for the newsletters. I really appreciated it – even if I seemed a little vague at the time!

I’ve posted a few of the photos from this occasion on my facebook page – even those of you not signed up to facebook can go and have a look by following this link:

I’d like to lay down a challenge to you all; I hope to do a full korero at Christmas – with meeting updates and a “this is your life” from the Mankelow resident in Amsterdam – so you have four weeks to each send me a memory of Bert. It could be a fu

nny story like the bee-hive story told by Laurie at the funeral. It could be just a ser

ies of thoughts, memories or triggers. I will compile them all and share them with you at Christmas time.

To get you started here are a few of mine: home-made pickles, riding in the back of the ute up to Ngatuhoa, his happy whistle, the spoils from a successful hunt hanging up in the garage, Christmas in the backyard of nineteenth avenue with all my cousins and getting my first ten speed, picnics at the beach with the back of the ute as our table.

So the gauntlet is laid – send me back your thoughts and stories by the beginning of December. Also, if you know someone has changed their email address lately, let us know as I am getting a few bounce-backs. Ray has put the mailing list on google docs so can you all access it and check if we have the latest emails for you and your whanau.

Ka kite ano

Bert

Outside the shed

he sits.

A seat in the sun,

warmed by habit

white painted, wooden chair

reserved, waiting.

The shed

Stores the labours and tools

of a well-lived life, and

well stacked wood:

comforting, reliable, constant.

He sits in contentment,

relishing a moment of quiet reverie.

The happy whistle signals

all is right in the world.

Always the same tune.

A gentle spring breeze

carries the last notes skyward

leaving us with the memories

and a seat in the sun.

Sarah and Robyn (Grand-daughters)

September 2010 (backdated post)

SSGT Robert (Bob) Mankelow RNZIR

One of the features of Army Reserve (ARes) personnel is their commitment to service and to their unit. Often such service is measured in decades. Given that Army Reserve personnel have civilian careers, in addition to their ARes commitment, such long service has great merit and is worthy of recognition.

SSGT Mankelow receiving his 2nd clasp to the Efficiency Medal in 2002 from the Mayor of Rotorua.

Staff Sergeant Robert (Bob) Mankelow is a good example of commitment and utility that often typifies senior Territorial Force staff.

Staff Sergeant RJ Mankelow enlisted in the NZ Army on 4 January 1967. He was awarded the Efficiency Medal on 10 May 1979; first clasp on 12 October 1992, second clasp on 5 March 2003 and third clasp on 22 June 2009. SSGT Mankelow is currently an Instructor with the training team. He has served 6th (Hauraki) Battalion Group for 43 years, and continues to be an active, energetic and willing participant in Battalion Group activities.

SSGT Mankelow is also a long-serving member of the 6th Hauraki Regiment Association, having been on its committee since inception. He occupies the role of Bar Manager, in which duty he is conspicuous at Anzac Day. The Association bar contributes funding to the 6 Hau unit private fund and SSGT Mankelow works hard to ensure that the bar remains available to soldiers and Association members alike. He also ensures that Regimental merchandise is displayed and available for sale. He is active in providing support in the construction of the Association’s museum displays, alongside Sergeant Tony Fraser. SSGT Mankelow remains an active and valued member of the Association.

Bob’s civilian career commenced in 1965, when he commenced training as a fitter, turner, machinist. He was the top apprentice in his class and was rewarded by his employer with attendance at an Outward Bound course in Anakiwa in 1966. And so began a life long romance with the outdoors, and, with youth development.

During 1966, Bob was involved with the setting up and running (by a group of Outward Bound old boys) of a youth programme called Compass, developing 16 to 21 year olds.

A year later, in 1967, he was invited to become involved with the Kaimai Youth Camp Society and the Ngatuhoa Lodge facility as Secretary and Treasurer. He retained this position (Secretary / Treasurer) for 25 years.

Deciding that he was interested in outdoor education, he became a seasonal outdoor education instructor at Ngatuhoa Lodge, working during the Summers. He continued in this role for 14 years. Because he had taken a bit of a pay decrease, he supplemented his income by working the winter months as a field instructor for the New Zealand Forest Service, teaching staff bushcraft and outdoor living skills. He also took on some summer interpretation duties for visitors to the NZ Forest Service parks in the area. Marking himself as a young man of energy, he worked a third (part-time) job in town.

In 1987, when the Department of Conservation replaced the New Zealand Forest Service, Bob was invited to join the Department as a Ranger. During the next ten years he was involved with duties relating to marine mammals, threatened species, off-shore islands and recreational facilities.

In 1997 Bob left the Department of Conservation and worked for Work and Income New Zealand delivering skills to their Youth at Risk programme.

In 1999, Bob became a contractor to Environment Bay of Plenty delivering environmental monitoring services. Bob remains on contract to Environment Bay of Plenty currently.

Continuing his involvement in youth development, Bob has been involved with Youth Search and Rescue delivering bush craft and search skills to youth aged 14 to 17 years who have joined the search and rescue organisation. Bob is a member of Search and Rescue.

In recent times Bob has also delivered training to the SAS in rongo (the medicinal use of plants). Because of his skills in bush craft, Bob was appointed, and continues, as an assessor with the Mountain Safety Council. There can be little doubt that such community minded individuals make a significant contribution. Bob Mankelow is marked out as a man of commitment and energy. While ‘serving the Colours,’ he has also made an outstanding contribution to both the environment and youth development. SSGT Robert Mankelow is an excellent example of those long-serving individuals that live the Army ethos and are a rich part of the tapestry of the Army Reserve.

http://www.armyreserve.mil.nz/news/2010/ssgt-robert-mankelow-rnzir.htm

This is your life - Jeantine Michelle Mankelow

branch of family tree where do you fit in?

Granddaughter of Herbert Mankelow, Daughter of Ray Mankelow

current employment / study

I am a contract software developer and currently taking some time off to enjoy the summer and think about my next move, but previously was working at ING and Tom Tom, and a small Dutch company called Strawberries.

what keeps you busy? interests

Music - I love checking out new bands and going to concerts. I have always loved music, probably aided by my father constantly surrounding us with it, but now living in a city with a constant supply of good bands visiting this seems to have turned into a hobby.

Travelling - I like to visit new places and explore new cultures, which is a major reason I am living in Amsterdam and not New Zealand.

Photography - I enjoy taking pictures, my camera is a constant companion with me on every trip I go on, if you are on my facebook no doubt you will already know this. I would like to do more while I am not travelling but Amsterdam can be a busy place.

Shopping - this one is going to get me in trouble with my mother, but what can I say I love to shop and with no kids to support and a good paying job this is possible (don't worry Mum I still have lots of savings :))

Cycling - You can't live in Amsterdam and not own a bike, and this is one of the reasons I really love this city. You can get anywhere on your bike in 20 mins, and there is no better way to shake the sleep from your eyes or release the daily stress than a bike ride.

Yoga/Pilates/Dance - along with cycling, this is what keeps me fit and keeps me sane :)

I like to keep busy :)

Most memorable life moment

Stoned off your head and answering the door to the police at 3 in the morning is perhaps not a good way to meet your neighbours for the first time! Yet this is what happened when some of my friends from London came to visit me in Amsterdam. They may not appreciate this story as they are still in denial, but you should be able to laugh at yourself I say.

Part of the standard tour of Amsterdam includes sampling the local fare, marajuana, which is legal to smoke in the Netherlands. As neither my friends or I smoke, we decided to sample the brownies, 1 each, first mistake. Ignoring the advice on the label we ate the whole thing, fairly quickly, second mistake. The night quickly turned hilarious and I can remember trying to hide from the police and all holding hands like little kids when crossing the road. Somehow we made it home. The problem with brownies though, is it is a mix and you never know exactly how much marajuna is in each piece, hence why the instructions say to eat a little bit and wait an hour to see how you feel before having more. Unfortuantely there seemed to be quite a lot in ours and after the hilarity passed we all quickly descended into the depths of paranoia. It got to the point that we all thought we were going to die and we rang the ambulance for help, which always amuses people over here. They told us we would be fine and to eat some sugary food. Goodbye expensive chocolates we had purchased earlier that day, hello to my friend making glasses of sugar water following her own personal receipe of 1/2 glass sugar, 1/2 glass of water and forcing everyone to drink them. My friend who I called in the morning to help with the aftermath said he found piles of sugar all over the house. I'm not sure what impression we must have given to the ambulance staff as they sent the police over. Hence my first memory of meeting my neighbours is standing around downstairs surrounded by the them, and their elderly parents who where over for the weekend, all in pjyamas talking to 3 policemen. The police, who were probably relieved to find we had not taken hallucinogenics, just laughed at us and told us we would be fine. We spent the rest of the night taking turns hugging the toliet seat. My advice, follow the instructions.

My favourite part of NZ and why...

My favourite part of NZ are the west coast beaches of Auckland. Although there is many a sunny beach in Europe with white sand and pristine clear water, nothing can compare to the untamed wild beauty of these beaches. Or to the feeling you get from standing hot and sweaty on a lookout platform of the nearby bush and looking out to the ocean with not another soul in sight.

Who/what would you be for a day?

I am perhaps more shallow than I would like to believe, as I would not change places with some great world leader and try to change the world or some great brain to find out what it is like to comprehend this world on another level, but I think for just one day I would change places with a rock star to see what the buzz of being on stage is like. Perhpas with Karen O, from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, who puts on a pretty mean stage performance.

Currently in my CD player...

Well too much to mention really, but some of my recent disoveries are, Band of Skulls, Angus & Julia Stone, Stornoway, Broken Bells. Basically anything Indie Rock, with a touch, of pop, country and folk thrown in there.

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?

You are always spoilt for choice in Amsterdam, could be at a cocktail bar, at a concert, at a house party, at one of the visiting festivals, out for dinner with friends, or as this week tired from too many nights out during the week, enjoying some time at home watching movies and listening to music.

Favourite quote?

'I firmly believe in making your life a work of art.' - Katherine Oktober Mathews. This is actually a quote from a friend of mine, who has it as her byline on facebook. If everyone would live their life with this in mind, this world would be a more colourful place.

I am inspired by...

I am inspired by the free spirits who live their life with passion and live to create. Their music, pictures, movies, writing leaves me in awe, and makes me want to create also.

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

Never think you can't. Your life will only be as big/rich as you dare to dream. Or in the words of Franklin D Roosevelt 'Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds''.

April (part two)

Kia ora!

You weren’t expecting to hear from me again so soon I bet! Some late editions to the newsletter have come in and it’s the “business” end of Mankelow korero so we thought we would send it out now rather than wait for the next newsletter in a couple of months.

But since we last talked I’ve had the chance to whiz north to see the folks at home, including my Granddad Bert. He is the last surviving child of Granny (Sarah) Mankelow, who I am named after of course. This visit was an eye-opener for me. He’s changed a lot – age has finally caught him up. Granddad is always chirpy, cheerful and full of life. You always know when he is happy and content because of his trademark whistle – it makes everyone around him smile to hear it. But his body is not keeping up with his fantastically sharp mind and he is very aware of approaching mortality. I am a little afraid that I may have missed my last chance to have a really good sit down and talk with him about his life and all that he has experienced.

Chrissie in her musings below talks about how great it was to see the younger generations catching up and meeting with the older ones. Granddad Bert is the last of his generation so I implore all Mankelow descendants that have not yet met Granddad Bert, that you do so at the next possible opportunity. The next family meeting, gathering or visit to Tauranga, go and see Bert. Hell, why not make a special trip. He’s well worth the visit.

(Photo is Bert with great-granddaughter Josie who is not quite two)

Family meeting held at - Ngaroma Hall

27 February 2010

MINUTES

Meeting opened at 11.45am

Apologies:

Lorraine & Neil Hancock, Cody Mankelow, Buster Carter, Lyn & Lloydie Kaaka, Tina Pizzini, Rita & Robin & Lynette, Kerry

Financial:

Current account: $2260.33

Investment Account: $11,213.07

Matters arising from minutes:

• People will be staying over-night camping in tents or vans etc.
• We would like ideas from people as to what they would like put on the plaque that will go on the rock to commemorate our celebrations.

Discussion

Big discussion about asking the Ngaroma Community if they would like to organise the Sunday as this will be open to the public to celebrate the 100 years of the Ngaroma District and many people have asked to come (past and present residents). We will share the costs between the family and community days. Saturday will be the day for Family Reunion with a dinner and dance in the evening.

It was general opinion that we write a letter and send to the Ngaroma Community to give them the opportunity to be part of the celebrations.

Housekeeping matters

Please could we have donations to help pay for the hireage of the hall for today.

There is a lucky dip for the children.

There are raffle tickets also available.

The auction will be held after lunch.

Next meeting will be held in Hamilton after the Ngaroma AGM

Meeting Closed at 12.30pm

MUSINGS

Chrissie Mankelow

February 27 was a lovely warm and sunny day. We welcomed a few new faces to the ones that usually turn up and I think all had a good time. Uncle Bert was a bit disappointed that there were not more attending but it was lovely to see younger family members this year, who had not met any of the older generations, enjoy meeting and talking with them. We hope to see the younger generations all come to the centennial and get to know their cousins. We hope to have interesting things to do and also for them to find out more about Granny (Sarah) Mankelow and her life in the district. While she was alive she really enjoyed having her family around her and I’m sure the reunion will keep that alive.

After lunch we held an aution of donated items, which caused great hilarity with the buyers trying to outbid each other. The items included two CDs; one of Glen Campbell and the other a signed copy of John Rowles; a rose bush, two bottles of wine (one red and one white), cups and saucers, a sugar basin, jug and a Christmas plate. These items bought in $92 for our funds. We also had a grocery raffle and a well-received lucky dip for the children.

THANK YOU so much to the families who donated to our funds, which are now looking really healthy. The money is for hiring items for the reunion in 2012, such as marquees, which are expensive, tents, toilets etc. We will also have to buy in water that will need to be trucked in.

April edition korero

Kia ora

Wow – thanks so much whanau for all the wonderful contributions to this newsletter. It’s been amazing getting all your emails and updates and hearing what you have all been up to. And now I get to share it around!

Coming up!

Saturday 26 June at 3pm – Clive’s 70^th birthday party, Ngaroma hall. RSVP to Hector or Chanelle on 07 872 3500.

Mankelow family commended for river clean-up

The Mankelow family of Cody, Kathy, Samara, Amber have recently been rewarded for their good deeds in looking after a corner of Aotearoa that is special to them.

They got a Commended Award in the ‘Beyond Recycling Community’ category of ARC’s (Auckland Regional Council) Sustainability 2010 Awards. The Beyond Recycling award is awarded to a community group or family for commitment, partnerships and practical action to reduce or reuse waste.

In their own words they describe the project;

“Every year for the past 16 or so years we have run a rubbish clean-up by kayak on the Puhoi River. We run this in conjunction with 'Clean up NZ week' and offer free kayaks to anyone who would like to come and help us keep this waterway clean.

The first couple of years we collected almost a full large skip of rubbish with lots of big items like washing machines, car tyres and engines. The last few years we are down to around half a trailer load which is fantastic. We have had help from other Mankelow family members; Anne Mankelow, Sherryl (nee Mankelow) and Merv Andrews all kindly donated time to come and help us one year. As we are always out and about on the river or at the Wenderholm Regional Park we are always collecting rubbish.”

I am sure every member of our whanau will offer their congratulations for an award so justly deserved. Great community spirit, in caring for your own backyard.

Photo shows from L to R; Cody Mankelow, Samara Mankelow, Amber Mankelow, Kathy Mankelow and Bill Burrell Auckland City Councilor.

Milestones

The fun thing about facebook…is being able to share family photos with those at a distance; such as the wonderful collection of wedding photos of Jamie and Megan Heffield (nee Watts) taken Rosenvale, Te Awamutu. You all look absolutely wonderful, congratulations on your big day.

Happy birthday to my mum Jocelyn Mankelow for turning 60 in March and to my neice Keziah who turned 13 yesterday! Those of you signed up to Geni will know who else has had a birthday recently – unless like Cody M (Ray’s Cody not Allen’s) you have got sick of the constant emails and tagged them as spam!

Kia Ora from Lu Pennell in Sydney

Just a quick note to you all out there that on Saturday 26 June at 3pm in the Ngaroma hall, We will be celebrating the birth of Clive Mankelow who turns 70.

I know that he will be sending invites out to all he can but for the ones that he misses or can’t find addresses for, please see this as your invite also.

On 16 July we are having a second 70^th birthday for Clive in Brisbane as some of the family can not make it home in June. If you would like to come to this event please contact me asap and I will give you further info. But all that I can tell you is that there’s going to be one big family holiday in the Gold Coast for a week or two before we celebrate in Brisbane.

Please if you have any questions please ring Clive, Hector or Chanelle on 07 872 3500. Or if you are game you can contact me on 0061295802164 or via email gordzgurl@bigpond.com or text +61419599014.

Mankelows overseas

Shannon and Des Cannons

Our second eldest daughter (Renee) has just had her first child, born on Valentines Day, February 14 2010 in Brisbane. Seth Carter Blair was 7lb 10 or for the young ones 3470gms. Des and I have spent five weeks over there to be present when he was born. (see the photos on facebook!)

We also went over there to find an opportunity to arrange our lifestyle to spend our winters in Oz and the summers in New Zealand cruising in our motorhome. Well we didn’t find that but we did find an opportunity of a lifetime really. We have got a full-time position in Melbourne, living on a very wealthy man’s playground; 330 acres on the Mornington Peninsula of which 51 acres is in vineyards. We are really there just for security for the place so when the owner and his wife come down to stay for a weekend, we just have to make sure the house is ready for them, with the beds made up etc. We have our own accommodation, looking down over the land down to the ocean and onto the one km of private beach. They have two full-time gardeners, one stockman to look after the Angus on the property, people to look after the vines, and a part-time caretaker. When we are not playing tennis on the tennis court or swimming in the pool we are driving around on the golf buggies just checking that everything is in order. This is what we call early retirement, with a lovely financial package to go along with it.

So our eldest daughter and her husband will be living in our house on our farm in Oropi, and we have just built a little self-contained flat at the end, so that when we come home for holidays we will have our own little place. We are now heading off around the East Coast for 10 days in our motorhome before we head off to America to do a 14-day cruise from San Diego to Alaska, and getting off in Vancouver with my brother Graeme and his wife Lisa. We will then fly back to Australia to begin our new position in May. We are just 50 years old and have really learned in life that as one door closes another one opens, and never be afraid to walk through it. Life is short, so do as much as you can with it. As Don (my dad) use to say, enjoy life because you are dead a lot longer than you are alive.

Staying over at Granny’s (Mabel Mankelow 18 / 4 / 1919 )

A grandchild’s memories
When we stayed at Granny’s we always got up early because the kitchen would be warm as Granny would have the coal range going. She would open the oven door and we’d put on a pair of knitted slippers, warm our feet in the oven and sip our cup of tea that she'd make for us and sit on the corner of the coal range. When it was really cold, we’d bring our clothes out and put them in the oven to warm them up before we put them on.

Our days were always very busy, whether we were working in the woolshed, yards, chipping noddy thistles, moving stock or doing any number of jobs on the farm, we were never bored. We didn’t look at it as work because it's just what we did, and when we did it we talked, laughed and listened to Granny or another adult tell stories about the old days as we walked for miles around the old farm at Ngaroma - what wonderful companionship we had. At smoko time we would share a cup of tea and some homemade goodies that Granny always found time to bake (We always stopped for smoko).

There was always time to play at Granny’s, and always some other kids staying at Granny’s or Aunty Ivy’s. We made mud and sawdust pies in the wood pile, bringing water up from the little creek by the clothes line - the same little creek we spent hours in looking for fresh water crayfish to take home and cook. Sometimes we'd head off to Aunty Ivy’s to go eeling.

Granny also had a treadle machine which we spent hours on, using scraps of material she gave us to make dolls clothes - this is most probably where I learnt my sewing skills.

Granny also took us visiting whether it was just a walk down the road to Aunty Ivy’s, to other family or to one of her friends. We were always on our best behaviour for Granny; she never had to growl at any of us. In fact, I don’t think I ever heard Granny get cross about anything or at anyone.

At the end of the day after we’d had a wash, eaten a good dinner and helped with the dishes, we’d settle in the lounge where Granny would sit and knit, and we’d play cards, knit or watch 14” black and white TV. At bedtime Granny would fill up our hotties in their brightly-coloured knitted covers and off to bed we’d go. Sometimes we got to sleep in her bed. She’d have a couple of us in bed with her and how she ever slept I don’t know. We’d go to sleep thinking of all the exciting things we’d do the next day.

I have lots of memories of growing up in Ngaroma but this note isn’t just about the memories, it's about the best Granny in the world and the best stay-overs possible.

From our family historian Ray…

I'm kind of stuck on resolving 'which William' is the correct ancestor line for Thomas Mank(t)elow. Jean Shortland's research suggests it should be William Mabb Manktelow and Glenda of Prince George (second-cousin once removed) has a different William based on research by Arthur Mankelow in Tonbridge, Kent. Glenda reports that Arthur, in getting on in years, does not wish to revisit his efforts from years ago.

I have asked Susan Young of the Mankies Yahoo group if she can suggest someone that could shed some light on the options. So far, I have not heard back.

Interesting that, whichever William you choose, you end up connected to the same William and Martha.

Geni photo demo

Ray Mankelow

I would like to demonstrate how to use the Geni identify frame, with a photo of Bert and Doreen with Don and Nola.
Discovering this cropping technique has saved me having to separately crop people out of photos and then saving the individual photos to upload. Instead, using this tool means you only have to upload one photo, and then select individuals within it.

(1) The first picture shows the default size of the identifying frame. You ignore entering the identifying name until after you have re-sized the frame,illustrated in the next pic.

2) shows the altered frame - I've dragged it out to better frame the person and then name them.

(3) shows the frame and name, after you've 'done identifying' and are hovering the mouse/cursor over the person.

(4) shows the dialogue box that opens when searching for the correct name.

In summary, drag the frame to suit rather than just accept the default frame - and use this on group shots to save uploading multiple cropped portions of a photo.

This is your life – Bob Mankelow

Robert John (Bob) named after my mother’s father.

(Photo left is Bob with grand-daughter #8)

Branch of family tree where do you fit in?
I’m Herbert's (bert) eldest son; younger siblings are Ray, Des and Tim.

Current employment / study
Contract work for the Regional Council, Environment Bay of Plenty, monitoring the protection areas on privately-owned land that received grant money from the council.

What keeps you busy? Interests…
I'm heavily involved in the community, Mountain Safety Council, Land Search and Rescue, Youth Search and Rescue, Ngatuhoa lodge, Hauraki Assn, and still serving in the Territorials at 63.

Most memorable life moment
Outward Bound in November 66, one of the problems with getting older is that there is lots of memorable life moments, how do you rate them?

My favourite part of NZ and why...
I've seen many and they all have special memories, a recent one was eating whitebait fritters at Karamea, after walking the Heaphy and before the Whangapeka.

Who/what would you be for a day?
I'm happy with who I am

Currently in my CD player...
The wife’s music

Where will you find me at 10pm on Saturday night?
More often than not camping out in the bush somewhere.

Favourite quote?
Good judgement comes from experience, experience comes from bad judgement

I am inspired by..
By my children and grandchildren.

If I could give you just one tip, it would be...
Smile - it disarms those who would do you harm

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/