### From the President’s Desk

**Graeme Faulkner, President, Grey Power Marlborough**

The election is now finally over and we are able to move on to different things. We did however have three very successful meet the candidates meetings in Picton and Blenheim, for which nine candidates turned up.

It was pleasing to note just prior to the election that all of the candidates supported the appointment of a seniors’ commissioner. Grey Power has been asking for this for a number of years so it was good to see it come to fruition.

Grey Power Federation held its AGM two weeks ago after three previous attempts were thwarted by Covid-19. Numbers attending were also down for that reason.

We did, however, elect a new president, Jan Pentecost, who will also be the first female president for Grey Power.

Jan is very interested in lobby visits to Parliament and will continue to do so as the leader in the future. We all look forward to working with Jan.

Grey Power also continues to support the Clubs of Marlborough by taking part in a recent open day. Although not completely successful, it has given us food for thought for future action.

This is a great asset to the town; for our older members who may feel lonely, this establishment can offer a great deal of support and a chance to meet new friends.

### Grey Power NZ president shares vision

**Jan Pentecost, President, Grey Power NZ Federation**

Martin Luther King Jr started his famous 1963 speech with the words, ‘‘I have a dream’’, and although his dream of a world based on equal civic and economic rights, and an end to racism, is one I have also, my dream for older people in New Zealand, through Grey Power, is carry out our first constitutional objective to advance, support and protect the welfare and wellbeing of older persons in New Zealand.

The core business of Grey Power, therefore, is to do this through advocating.

I have heard members and others say that Grey Power achieves very little and I guess perceptions of what counts as success differ.

However, we do have gains from lobbying, which is not just a job for the Federation Board. Every member association plays a part by advocating in its patch, providing their experiences to the board so we have a strong evidence base to work with.

Some years ago, well-known lobbyist Doug Bailey provided the Board and an AGM with sound knowledge on how to lobby negotiate effectively. Some of us took this advice on board and followed it up with our own research.

Doug said it usually takes a long time to change things; that we can’t just visit a decision-maker, bash the table, make overt threats and get what we want overnight. It is a long and incremental process.

I think we do make a difference. Just having access to politicians and others is a good start; many other organisations don’t have that. The fact that just before the election all the main political parties, for the first time, agreed to support a seniors’ commissioner, after years of lobbying by Grey Power, is a good example of an important gain for us.

My vision, as the newly elected Grey Power president, is based on two basic features.

Firstly, competent leadership at the governance and management level is based on decisiveness, courage, passion, trust, respect for others and humility. To be humble, in this context, is to accept that I don’t know everything, but that I do know where to go for new ideas and other information.

For me, effective leadership is expressed well in the following two quotes:

"It is better to lead from behind and to put others in front, especially when you celebrate victory when nice things occur. You take the front line when there is danger. Then people will appreciate your leadership." - Nelson Mandela

"A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way." – John C. Maxwell

And I have some ideas about how board effectiveness and efficiency can be achieved.

For example, training & mentoring for the Federation board, delegating relevant responsibilities to those with the expertise to deal with them, and utilising the knowledge and expertise of Grey Power members and others across the country to encourage all decision-makers to embrace Grey Power policies are all part of the scheme.

Second is clear, concise communication, built on wide- spread collaboration, trust, respect and precise goals, all supported by good planning and effective conflict management. This cannot be emphasised enough.

This means communication in its widest sense based on the goals in the modernisation plan and adopted by the 2012 AGM. These goals include directions to the Grey Power Federation regarding its leadership role in the public debate and targeting specific issues which should be high profile, small in number and achievable.

There is no doubt that we have done and continue work on most of the modernisation plan goals, perhaps without realising it, but more action is needed to ensure Grey Power communications are much improved both internally and externally.

We also need to continue communication with like-minded organisations and as an example, Grey Power is putting evidence together regarding home care service cuts with the PSA and E Tu unions.

Communication requires balance, however, and although much Grey Power work goes on behind the scenes and it is difficult to know how much information we should provide to members, the board needs to ensure there is not information overload.

A final comment. Associations like Marlborough are the life blood of the Grey Power Federation, so please accept my sincere thanks for all the work you do for older folk in your district.

### From the Vice-President

**Gayle Chambers, Vice President, Grey Power Marlborough**

It was great to see many associations present at the 2020 AGM, despite uncertainty around Covid-19 preventing some smaller associations from attending.

Associations voted in Jan Pentecost, to replace outgoing president Mac Welsh. Jan has been on the board of Grey Power Federation for many years, holding many roles. I believe Jan will be a fantastic leading advocate in Parliament and will work hard to lobby on behalf of seniors.

### Share paths safely

**Brian McNamara, Publicity Officer**

My walking companion and I had been talking of the need for a protocol for the use of a shared space between cyclist and pedestrian.

This conversation was prompted by near misses with cyclists on the Taylor River reserve and the footpath in Market Street.

New signs on the Taylor River reserve paths provide that.

1. Keep left.
2. Move off path when stopped.
3. Warn when approaching.

The signs on the path depict an older man walking with his hands behind his back.

Such a person is much in danger if hit by a cyclist, or caused to fall in avoiding a collision.

Grey Power asks for some consideration for people and respect for the rules when using this and other walkways.

### Subscriptions due

**New members welcome**

Paid your sub yet? Subscriptions still need to be paid, since you are a member until you resign. Our budget is based on a predicted income mainly from subs.

In this newsletter you will read our work at local and national level goes on.

Our office staff are currently working on next year’s discount book, obtaining good deals for Grey Power members.

We attended the Auckland AGM and discussed keeping social housing for pensioners a high priority.

Having recently met with the Mayor, our advocacy work goes on; as with our MP, keeping them both informed of seniors’ issues to further advocate and act upon.

Housing, health and seniors’ employment issues are still monitored. We keep you abreast of progress locally and nationally.

We continue to represent members at the Older Person’s Forum with agencies and district councillors.

All this to support you? Paid your sub yet? Thought of joining us?

### New social housing for Blenheim

Committee member Russell Hopkins reports that Kainga Ora Housing NZ has announced the building of 108 new rental houses in Blenheim over the next four years.

They will be mainly two- bedroomed and located in the Brewer St, Girling Avenue and Farmar St areas. Some existing HNZ houses in the same areas will be renovated for three bedrooms or plus homes.

The National Housing Waiting List shows 202 Marlborough families are seeking a home.

November 2020

### From the President’s Desk

**Graeme Faulkner, President, Grey Power Marlborough**

Well, once again our lives have been slightly altered by entry into level 2.

Hopefully this will be short lived and the Ministry of Health will be able to devise a package that will allow it to control any further outbreaks with a lot smaller impact on the community.

Our new discount book is being prepared by Kim, in the office, and if any business would like to place an advertisement in this book please contact her at the office.

We have further meetings with the Clubs of Marlborough with the hope that we will be able to make it more attractive for attendance by our members.

It already offers a great deal of different gains and opportunities for you to take part in.

Hopefully, in the near future, we will have a combined open day and when this is held, I urge all of
our members who have thought of joining the clubs but have not, to come along and have a look.
Once finalised the date will be published.

### So, why vote?

**Brian McNamara, Publicity Officer**

This is a message to members and seniors. Many 18-24 year olds have not yet enrolled to vote. Could we exercise the wisdom of our years and advise them of the good reasons why it is important to enrol and to vote, rather than just leaving it to "the olds"?

- "If you don’t vote, you can’t complain" might work.
- "Be suspicious of someone who discourages you from voting; they probably have an agenda that does not favour you!"
- Appeals to ‘civic responsibility’ might work; voting makes you the equal of every adult in the country, as we all have an equal vote.
- "It does matter" who is in government.
- "Others fought and died for our right to vote. Honour them by exercising it."
- "If you don’t vote, you have to put up with the government that others want, and maybe not of your choice."
- If they say to you "My vote won’t count", then relate the story of a local candidate for council who lost by very, very few votes. My wife and I still regret that we had not got motivated enough to get out and vote for her.
- "If you get informed enough to vote wisely, then you will feel more part of the community."
- "Where you expect to be in three years time will be largely affected by who you vote in now."

In 1972, I couldn’t wait to vote. In 1969, aged 18 in Christchurch, I went to a street corner meeting with Harry Lake, the Minister of Finance, and asked a question, then to a town hall meeting with Keith Holyoake, the Prime Minister, and to a meeting at university with Norm Kirk, where I asked a question of him.

Sixteen elections later, here we are again, and it’s still just as important as the first time!

### 2020 General Election candidates’ meetings

After the local paper ceased to host electorate meetings, Grey Power has stepped up and run meetings for its members and extended a welcome also to the general public to attend.

The proposed meetings in August and early September were postponed as a result of the Covid-19 inspired shifting of election day to October 17.

They are your chance to meet the candidates and seek answers to your questions.

The new meeting dates are:

- Wednesday September 30, 10am, St Andrew’s Church Hall, 5 Henry Street, Blenheim.
- Thursday October 1, 10am, Picton RSA, 66 Wellington Street, Picton.
- Thursday October 1, 7pm, The Wesley Centre, 26 Burleigh Road, Blenheim.

### Explore the Taylor River reserve

**Brian McNamara, Publicity Officer**

Kilometres of grassed, treed river berm expanses with views out to the hills and vineyards where people can walk, ride and bike on wide, firm paths and enjoy the exercise and the special character of a Blenheim treasure: the river.

Look at the photo. It invites us to walk up or down on either the left or right bank, to have a coffee at a cafe as part of the experience, to cross the bridge to either side of town. It pictures some of the beauty of water and sky, of bird life and plantings, of the history of our major town.

Access to the river is so easy here. Buses run close by, car parks are available and the river reserve is comfortably available to scooter, bike or footwear. It is no trouble to walk out on one side of the river and return on the other, as far as you like; even to the Taylor Dam if you want a good long walk! You can start and finish anywhere on the river. There are many access points.

Information pamphlets and maps are available at the Marlborough District Council offices.

See you out walking!

### September members meeting

**When:**
Thursday September 17, 2pm.
**Where:**
Marlborough Community Centre meeting room, Alfred St, down the hall from Grey Power.
**Who:**
Sergeant Mike Porter, New Zealand Police, will address issues of concern to the elderly, such as hoax phone calls, robbery and how to stay safe. This is a rerun of an earlier cancelled meeting.

### All aboard the railway

The Blenheim Riverside Railway Society is running return trips to Omaka using its historic steam locomotive ‘Donald’ on the first Sunday of the month to raise money.

Grey Power members can help counter the loss of revenue from cruise ship passengers, and enjoy this most enjoyable local ride.

There are great wee trips to journey behind a diesel locomotive for one-hour return along the Taylor River at 1.45pm, or for 25 minutes return across to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre at 1.15pm and 3pm.

At Omaka, enjoy refreshments at the museum and return to the home station at Brayshaw Park on the later train; or do it all in a single round trip.

The diesel train runs to Munro Street at the moment. It is possible for a keen walker to take a one-way trip to Munro Street and then return to Brayshaw Park on foot, enjoying our special Blenheim river ambience in two ways.

Once the work is done on the footpath-widening downstream, the trains will recommence going to Beaver Station in central Blenheim by The Boathouse Theatre.

This month there are trips on Sunday September 20 and 27, Wednesday September 30, and steam on Sunday October 4.

Prices range from $12 adult and $6 child to Munro Street; $7 adult and $4 to Omaka; combination
fare $17 adult, $8 child, $50 family (2A + 3C). The steam train to Omaka costs $15 adult and \$7 child.

For further information visit www.riversiderailway.nz

### Join the clubs; get involved

**Brian McNamara, Publicity Officer**

What’s happening at the Clubs of Marlborough in September? It seems many of our Grey Power membership are members also of the Clubs of Marlborough. The committees of both are talking together to work out some arrangements of mutual benefit.

We know that many people, as they advance into older age, can get lonely with loss of family, partners, employment, and all the other changes that occur with longevity. Many men, in particular, endure loneliness and isolation at this time of life.

This is why we advocate that members get into volunteer work and join clubs and organisations; that we get involved in the community in all the ways that makes Marlborough special.

This is why we run articles on walks of Marlborough, on sharing the pleasure of a good walk with a friend. It’s why we run each school term an article on what our school children are up to, for us to join in and be a part of with our conversation with our young.

This is why we suggest the Clubs of Marlborough as a good place join, with its clubs, facilities, entertainment and cafe opportunities; even as a base from which to strike out for a walk along the river or across to Pollard Park, or around the centre of town, and enjoy its ambience.

With that introduction and exhortation to get out there as fully as you can, here’s what Clubs of Marlborough offers in September (dependent on Covid- 19 levels):

**Friday 5-7pm:** Happy Hour

**Every Thursday:** Housie, 12.30pm, RSA Lounge.

**Saturday September 12:** Live entertainment 7pm, Vintage Vibes

**Tuesday September 15 & 29:** "Go for Gold" Tuesday \$10 lunch specials from 11am, raffles and Chocolate Wheel from 12.30pm

**Saturday September 19:** Live entertainment 7pm, singer- guitarist Wayne Love

**Friday September 25:** Abba Tribute Show, \$25, tickets available at reception.

**Thursday October 1:** Club Open Day for Grey Power members and public. Details to be advertised.

Latest news