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Sometimes the worst situations in life really can have a silver lining and that's how it is for ONE News Good Sorts Gill Fahey and Margaret Sweet.
Tired of Winston Peters' anti-immigration rants in the late 90's, they started a group with a different message, to make immigrants feel welcome here.
At the Riccarton Bridge Club on a Thursday, it's a real smorgesboard of names and faces.
It's the Christchurch Newcomers Club. New New Zealanders talking and listening to Kiwi volunteers
Gill Fahey and Margaret Sweet started the newcomers club 14 years ago. Their motivation was the words of New Zealand First politician Winston Peters.
"We heard people all around us saying if New Zealand doesn't want us, we should go. And Gill and I stood up and said 'Those people don't speak for us, lots of New Zealand people don't feel like that'," says Margaret.
So they met once a week, to teach people like Pete who came 12 years ago and stayed.
"I emigrate in 1997 and I just wanted an English conversation so I came here," says Pete.
And each meeting is becoming more valuable because Gill's sick, very sick. She doesn't have a lot of Thursday's left.
Gill comes straight from the hospital to the newcomers club, it means that much and has taught her a lot.
"You feel very small when you realize how little you know about some of the cultures'" says Gill.
Gill is a brave woman who wasn't going to let a little thing called terminal cancer stop her leaving the club she started, the way she always has, under her own steam.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentRuralWomenNZ said on 2011-06-17 @ 09:09 NZDT: Report abusive post
Hey! We thought you might be interested in the aftersocks projects that will raise money for the Chch Mayoral Fund. The idea came from two Cantabrian sisters called Justine and Jo Ottey. Check out the website www.aftersocks.co.nz from the 20th June or www.facebook.com/aftersocks.
Jazz1 said on 2010-05-24 @ 14:59 NZDT: Report abusive post
Love this segment! What great people!
margi21 said on 2010-04-07 @ 21:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
I have this guys heart i would be dead if it wasent for him , thanks barry !
Jankeal said on 2009-12-25 @ 23:57 NZDT: Report abusive post
Tim is my father and i'd just like to say that i'm proud of what he does bringing happiness to others lives and yet still finds time to talk and see his grandchildren. For a man who's had it rough the last 2-3 years it hasn't slowed him down and he still has time for everyone. Good on you dad/Pop!
TheHoltens said on 2009-12-21 @ 11:34 NZDT: Report abusive post
The piece about Mark Granthams brought tears to my eyes. What an inspirational young man. Has made me look at myself and realise what little I do for the wider community. Thanks Mark :)