Spirit of the ages

OPINION: Capturing the spirit of Southland in a photo was simple — just use children at play, writes Gerry Forde in this week's Southlander.

But I wondered, does that spirit of joy, energy and zest for life last to the end of life?

In my role as speaker at the Rowena Jackson Retirement Village Open Day I put it to the test.

First game was showing your pride in Southland by putting a hand in the air. Then two hands, then three! And sure enough, there were a few legs going up!

Next was play-acting the landing of the first Europeans in Waikawa.

I was amazed to see an old fella, pushing a frame, come forward.

He scored the part of an Irish navvy and had to load the landing boat with trunks, chairs, a table and a piano.

He managed because you can do anything when you're play-acting!

At the end, the old fella turned to me and said with passion: "I may be 74 and riddled with arthritis but when I'm in the pool here, I'm 24 and full of go!"

He's still got it!

Next, a balloon blowing contest between the men and women won, of course, by the women.

Then I pushed it too far a balloon popping contest. No takers. I'd found the limit on senior playfulness and risk taking.

Then suddenly up popped a solid looking old guy.

"I'll take you on Gerry!"

Someone said "go" and in a flash the old boy dropped like a rock on top of the balloon. I had to follow suit.

There was a "pop" then a split second later another "pop" followed by a "crack".

Turned out the old boy was Ack Soper and the first "pop" was his balloon and the "crack" was his head against the chair.

The rugged All Black number eight still hasn't felt it and was on his feet generously awarding me the victory.

That's the spirit!

In the end, the photo to capture the Southland spirit features two outstanding Spirit of Nation student leaders from St Joseph's Alena Saili and Daniel Balloch running through Queens Park, full of life and energy.

Still, I'll never forget that lost photo opportunity at Rowena Jackson when Ack Soper went down on the balloon like he used to go down on the ball for the All Blacks we never lose the spirit in the south.

» Gerry Forde is the Venture Southland regional identity brand manager.

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