To the 20 people who nominated me for a Waitematā Local Board ‘Good Citizen Award’ (apparently including Deputy Mayor Simpson).
These nominations were initiated three years ago by my biggest supporter, Martin Leach, before I became a regular contributor to the Ponsonby News.
You are amazing, Martin. Also to the six people who wrote letters to the editor disappointed that I was not awarded it, and all the members of the community who stop me in the ‘hood’ to compliment me on my articles explaining what is actually going on in our city.
I am humbled by this overwhelming support of the work that I do for my community.
My parents taught me many great things that I am grateful for. But they believed it was rude to talk about religion or politics, which I don’t agree with. The former is really about spirituality and compassion, while local body politics affect us in our day to day lives. I call it ‘the mud on the doorstep’.
I love having robust conversations with people with different views as long as it is cordial and civil.
The community also showed support previously when they bought me an iPad to do my advocacy work/calling. I love my iPad and the community.
Apart from hard core politics, I love mixing it up with edgy things that are a different level of political statement. I was pleasantly reminded of the ‘guerrilla art’ installation that a group of artists did in 2009.
We used an abandoned construction site on Vinegar Hill (now Countdown Williamson Avenue) as a ‘set’ to stage a ‘Pool Party’.
A group of women acted out synchronised swimming on the concrete of one of the levels of a carpark and the lower level, filled with rainwater, became the ‘pool’ for my inflatable crocodile pool lilo and kayaking.
When asked the purpose behind it, I responded “does there need to be one?” but that was lost on the reporter who made up a reason. I have spoken with one of the fellow organisers about doing another event and will keep you posted.
Gael Baldock, Westmere
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Published: March 2024