G'DAY

We are an informal group of ex-pat Kiwis living in Victoria, Canada who get together for social, sporting and cultural activities and to stay connected to our kiwi roots. We also publish an occassional newsletter "Caniwi Chronicles" which is sent by email to Kiwis living in Victoria and elsewhere in Canada.

ALL BLACKS COACH GRAHAM HENRY
IN VICTORIA - January 2008

Graham Henry signs for local Caniwi Steve Inglis

Graham Henry spreading the AB Gospel to SMUS boys

Recently re-selected All Black coach, Graham Henry, visited Victoria to run coaching clinics with schools...and give his wife a holiday as she'd never seen Canada. Graham held an open session for the local rugby community and we got to see him put St Michaels University School First XV through their paces (see photo). The boys performed well, perfecting drills designed to help players develop vision so they learn which gap to attack.

Graham then asked for questions from the crowd, and the All Black loss in the quarterfinals of the recent world cup inevitably came up. Graham diplomatically referred to it involving "circumstances beyond our control". So I guess the ref's mental blanks are now officially an "Act of God". At the dinner in his honour later, Graham added they'd decided to stop whining about it. Though, he did say he thought the laws of the game should be simplified, and lamented that the NZRFU just can't compete with the big bucks offered by European Clubs now.

After the coaching session, a few of us lucky Caniwis got to meet the man some regard as the luckiest man in NZ. He was pleased to meet some fellow countrymen so far from home, and we had a good chat. Caniwi Steve Inglis made himself available for the All Blacks as a utility back (see photo). Next stop for Graham was a Vancouver Canucks' game. So expect some big hits and ice hockey moves to freshen the All Black game this year. Thanks for making time for us in your busy schedule, Graham. All the best for claiming the elusive silverware back home in 2011.

ANZAC DAY - April 2007

Caniwis Remembrance Wreath

War Memorial - Parliament Buildings, Victoria BC

Anzac Day, the 25th of April, honours all those who served, and made great sacrifices, for New Zealand and Australia in past wars. It has been commemorated in various parts of Canada for many years, most notably in Winnipeg, where many Kiwi and Aussie airmen trained in WWII. However, 2007, was the first year the ex-pat Kiwis of Victoria marked the occasion, and we’re indebted to Ken Agate for hosting this event at Blethering Place.

After a karakia from David Geary, honouring a member of his whanau who had died at Gallipoli, serving with the Pioneer Battalion, Keith Morrison was introduced as the main speaker. He gave an excellent summary of the history, traditions and controversies associated with Anzac Day. The 25th of April 1915 being the day on which Australian and New Zealand forces landed on the Gallipoli peninsula. They met fierce resistance from the Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold strike to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stale-mate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months.

At the end of 1915, the Allied forces were evacuated after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian and 2,700 New Zealand soldiers died. This experience is seen as being pivotal in shaping the character of New Zealand and Australia. Although the ANZACS fought under British command, they would from then on consider themselves as having national identities quite separate from Great Britain.

Anzac Day is now seen as a ceremonial occasion. Commemorative services are held at dawn, the time of the original landing, across both nations. Later in the day, ex-servicemen and women meet and join in marches through the major cities and commemorative ceremonies are held at war memorials around both countries.

Our second speaker was John Wilton. He spoke about how Anzac Day has also become a day to remember all those who suffer during wartime, not just those who served in armed forces, and how we can continue to strive for peace today.

This was followed by Holly Redchurch reading the poem In Flanders Field by Canadian John McRae (1872-1918). Holly’s Mum, Fleur, lead us in Laurence Binyon’s eternal promise:
They shall not grow old / As we that are left grow old / Age shall not weary them / Nor the years condemn / At the going down of the sun / And in the morning / We will remember them.

Then there was an opportunity to give personal remembrances of family members who had served in past wars. Bruce Howe spoke of how his father was wounded the day after the 1915 landing and spent the war convalescing in England. Terry Langridge shared stories of his relative Bertie and a photo of his plane before its last fateful fight. And it was said that many gentle men were brutalised by wars. It was humbling to realise just how many families have been touched by wars long since gone, and continue to be so. The names of those we wished to remember were placed on a wreath, which was later laid at the war memorial outside parliament buildings in Victoria (see photos).

Thanks to David Graham, And the Band Played Waltzing Matilda had been played during the commemoration, and we finished with The Last Post, standing to honour the ANZACS. I would like to thank all those who attended and helped to make this a very special occasion. Hopefully, this will be the first of many such commemorations.

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WAITANGI DAY DINNER

February 2006

NZ High Commissioner to Ottawa Graham Kelly addresses the crowd

Victoria BC’s Waitangi Day 2006 had a little bit of everything, something for everyone, and was 100 % PURE NEW ZEALAND. Highlight of this years event was our chance to host the NZ High Commissioner to Canada, the illustrious Graham Kelly and his charming wife Janette. We offer a gracious curtsy to their Excellencies for making time in their busy schedules to drop in. It was an honour and pleasure for all concerned.

The High Commissioner’s inspirational speech on the continued importance of the treaty to all New Zealanders set the tone for the evening. Thanks to Katherine Gordon for the koha of her acclaimed BC book SLOCAN : PORTRAIT OF A VALLEY as a gift to the HC. And a big shout-out to Carina Diller for giving us her insights into the Tiriti o Waitangi in relation to her work with the Aboriginal Peoples of Canada.

Te Wikitoria Cultural Group performed their usual waiata and haka to the delight of everyone. A big thanks to all those who joined in, including the High Ccommissioner, to make a haka that shook the tweed curtains of Oak Bay.

However, the surprise appearance of Miss New Zealand 1966 was the highlight of the evening for many. She didn’t look a day over 49, stole the show and a few hearts! But with her show-stopping climax it was time for many to head home and hit the cold showers

All in all it everyone managed to celebrate our National Day in good spirits and great style, as we hope it was on the original Waitangi Day 166 years ago.

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Victoria kiwis turn out to support NZ team at the Worlds

Kiwi Curlers Victorious in Victoria !

A boisterous contingent of Caniwis turned out to support the New Zealand Curling team when they competed in the World Championships in 2005.

HANGI

The other big social event on our calender is the annual hangi held each summer at Dave Cresswell's farm in Metchosin, just outside of Victoria. In 2005 more than 500 people attended to taste the awesome food, from the pots of mussels, to the lamb, beef, chicken, pork and bear (yes bear!) meat that came out of the hangi pit. Finished off with a heavenly assortment of pavlovas, and of course some liquid refreshment. Dave has been hosting this event for 15 years and it just keeps getting better and better!

Lifting the hangi out of the ground -photo by Lesya Williams

For those of you who dont know, a hangi is a traditional Maori method of cooking which involves steaming the food in the pit in the ground filled with hot rocks. The result is a smoked steamed flavour which is unique and for New Zealanders here its the highlight of the year.

Unpacking the hangi baskets - photo by Lesya Williams

Copyright 2006