Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.
Teacher who inspired and created leaders
I recently stumbled across a story about a Wellington teacher and athletic coach who died recently and was taken by the life he had led and the amazingly positive impact he had on so many others. It is a fantastic thing to live a life well and leave it with so many people united in their praise and admiration. Neville Paul, 71 died doing something he loved as well – suffering a heart attack whilst coaching at the national cross-country championships in Christchurch.
“The former physics, science, and physical education teacher left a mark on his students, many of which have gone on to break records and win awards locally and internationally.
“Among his students is gold medal-winning Paralympian Tim Prendergast, who said he did not believe he would have achieved what he did without Paul. Prendergast said he was 12 when he met Paul and was still coming to terms with losing his vision to a degenerative condition which left him legally blind. Prendergast said he was lucky enough to have Paul as his coach through three Paralympic Games, including when he won a gold medal in the 800m T13 in Athens.
“Close friend Ben Ruthe said Prendergast was Paul’s greatest success, but in general Paul ‘created great men. At times he was raw as hell, but somehow through the rawness, most of the people that he coached were actually quite refined. I don’t know how many head boys at Wellington College he coached. Pretty much everyone who was in the senior team ended up being prefects. He just kept creating leaders everywhere he went.” (Source: “Beloved ex-Wellington College teacher and athletics coach Neville Paul dies,” by Melissa Nightingale, August 5, www.nzherald.co.nz).
5 stars – It is a huge upside to leave this life having left a mark on so many other people.
A dog’s tale for new All Black
In an amusing twist on the ‘dog ate my homework’ excuse, newly named All Back Leroy Carter found that the passport he needed to travel to Argentina with the men in black had been eaten by his dog.
“The utility back with the Hamilton-based Chiefs was one of four uncapped players included in Scott Robertson’s Championship squad. The phone call from Robertson informing him of his selection had come as a massive surprise. Carter was rushing to get things together for the squad’s assembly and departure when he realised the family dog had intercepted his passport.
“‘I got my passport out to take a photo to send to the [team] manager and I just left it on my bedside table,’ Carter said. ‘My partner went to the gym and left my dog home alone and it’s gone down the hallway, jumped on the bed and just chewed up the passport and my teeth aligners. It was a bit of a shambles yesterday. I was trying to get an emergency one but I think it’s all [sorted] now. I thought it would happen to me, something like that, so no point getting stressed about it.'” (Source: “‘The dog ate my passport’: All Blacks rookie sorts pet’s mess to rescue debut,” August 7, www.guardian.co.uk).
5 stars – a great yarn – and a happy ending. Total upside!
Frances Hodgkins painting discovered in UK
A British man who bought a painting for £35 ($78) found it was immensely more valuable after having it appraised on TV show, Fake or Fortune, hosted by Antiques Roadshow host Fiona Bruce. The painting was in fact created by one of New Zealand’s most venerated artists, Frances Hodgkins and worth $100,000.
“Art blogger Robjn Cantus bought the painting from an auction in 2019, when Hertfordshire County Council were selling off paintings from the Pictures for Schools scheme. The scheme bought modern British art to lend to schools and ‘give children artwork that was inspiring to look at’.
“Art dealer Philip Mould, the co-host of the show, originally estimated the work could be worth over $60,000 if its provenance could be proven. The Fake or Fortune team then launched a probe across the UK and called in the services of New Zealand experts to discover if the painting was a Hodgkins original.
Frances Hodgkins expert Mary Kisler was beamed in from Auckland to deliver the news. ‘I emphatically think it is by Frances Hodgkins,’ she revealed. Mould said Kisler’s verdict meant the painting could be worth $100,000.” (Source: “Frances Hodgkins painting worth over $100,000 uncovered by BBC show,” by Chris Marriner, August 6, www.stuff.co.nz).
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