Category Archives: High Commission

Yarn September October 2025

We recently had a road trip to Cleveland, Ohio, and enjoyed some great sights, sites and scenery going and coming. But in all seven states through which we passed, smoky skies reminded us of the northern Manitoba bushfires.

Over 2 million hectares are affected, making them the worst on record. Which is why it was heartening to learn of the assistance from Kiwi and Aussie firefighting teams [July 13, 2025]:

“Fire and Emergency New Zealand deployed an additional 43-person taskforce to Manitoba, Canada, to bolster the local response to more than 500 actives wildfires currently burning in the region.

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Yarn for September-October

The Southern Yarn for September and October is ready.

guest editor: Jenny Gates

It’s a lot of work and a big commitment to produce a newsletter on a regular basis, and because we’re so appreciative of Charlie Powell’s efforts, I’m guesting here in his stead. Thank you, Mr Editor.

In this our 75th year, there is much to celebrate, not the least of which is we are still a going concern and an active club with a committed executive driving things along. And to make the year even more special, we are planning on a wide swath of events for you to enjoy.

On September 27, a group of us will be at the Blue Bombers game to cheer on the team and Aussie punter Jamieson Sheahan. And that will be followed by our very special 75th anniversary dinner (p.1), as well as the AGM at a new, more relaxed venue – more info on that and other upcoming events in the Nov/Dec issue. In this issue, enjoy reading about the golf tournament (p.1), Toby and Jen’s adventure and the Haka Camp report (p.3), news from down under (p.4), a new book from a new member (p.5), the next installment in our history (p. 6), the AFL update (p. 7) and all about birds (p. 8).

Thanks to Charlie, Peter, Toby, Penny, Mike, and our advertisers. Enjoy the read. — Jenny

Yarn May June 2023

The Southern YarnSpring has sprung,
The sun is ris,
I wonder where the birdies is…

They will no doubt be flocking through soon, mostly on their way further north. Thankfully some regulars have stayed around through the winter months – chickadees and nuthatches – and visit our feeders daily.

We took a walk through Kings Park a couple of weeks ago and saw a fleet of pelicans on the river (more than 100). Some were perched on bits of remaining ice. Further along the track, Judy was buzzed by a cheeky chickadee. Luckily, she had come prepared with some black sunflower seeds in her pocket and was soon treated to that unique pleasure of having them feed from her hand. Birds I view this issue is about wood ducks (p.8).

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Yarn Dec 2020 /Jan 2021

The Southern Yarn for December 2020 and January 2021

The final 2020 issue of The Southern Yarn is also the FIRST issue for 2021. Read it now, or if you prefer, some of you can wait for the B&W one on yellow paper version to wend its way through the post to you. 

Here is the Editorial to get you started.

Just as “Google” came into our vocabulary several years ago, now, thanks to the pandemic, the new understanding of “Zoom” has become commonplace. What a gift! (Every cloud has a silver lining!). Meetings and birthday parties have been enhanced, under the circumstances, by this sharing technology, which facilitates virtual togetherness. Zoom will no doubt play a useful role for many Canadian families this Christmas as COVID restrictions continue to be necessary. Kudos to the Kiwis and Aussies for managing to come through their lock-downs much more successfully than most!

The other understanding of “zoom” played a big part of this past year for me. My trusty Canon SX720 HS with 40x optical zoom brought me up close to many new birds – some of which I share in this month’s Birds I View (back page).

In Getting to Know, p.7, you will learn about a very resourceful lady named Gladys Sandford. And, in 100 years ago, on page 6, how Qantas was started. All this and so much more!

With little in the way of Club event reports, I am again grateful to Jenny Gates for her contributions to this issue, including the “Lady in Red” piece; also to Peter, Brian, Terry D., Jodie S. and our advertisers.

YOU, too, are encouraged to become a Yarn contributor! Don’t be shy – share. Make the most of your Christmas, as we say goodbye to this year,

Stay safe!