Colenso - The Heart of the Mackenzie Country

Copyright 2015 by Sean Colenso. 720207 Library of Congress Control Number: 2015912570 ISBN: Softcover 978-1-4990-9745-0 Hardcover 978-1-4990-9744-3 EBook 978-1-4990-9746-7 All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Rev. date: 05/26/2016 Xlibris 0800-443-678 www.xlibris.co.nz Contents For the dam dwellers. The men and women who worked on the hydro scheme.

Those who worked, lived and grew up in the Mackenzie Basin and for those who lost their lives. Born in Otematata, in the Waitaki Valley during the construction of the Avimore dam, my parents followed the hydro power project to Twizel in the heart of the Mackenzie basin in 1971. It was here I grew up. It was a time when life was less complicated. No cell phones, computers were something you saw on Lost in Space and Star Trek, you called people Mr or Mrs and if you got into mischief, the local policeman would give you a clip around the ear. We walked to school, rode bikes without helmets and spent the summer days on the river.

It was the place I loved the place I would never leave but all good things must come to an end and in the early 1980s, the hydro scheme was completed and we had to move. We moved from Twizel to Burnham Military Camp, 32kms south of Christchurch and two years later, I went to back to Twizel over the Easter break for a long weekend. It was there I met with an old mate, Stuart Wilkinson, whom I not only went to school with, but were also at kindergarten together at Otematata. Stuart was living in Dunedin, so, instead of going back to Christchurch, I headed south and Dunedin became my new home. I spent 10 years in Dunedin and it is still a place Im fond of. Dunedin was where I was married and not long after moved further south to Balclutha with my wifes job.

After 2 years, we were transferred to Palmerston North, where our first child, Sarah was born. After spending only 18 months in Palmerston North, we were transferred again, to Belfast, Northern Ireland for 2 years. Sarah was 10 months old and I had the privilege of becoming a house dad, something the Irish found hard to get their heads around. In saying that, I found the Irish people to be warm and friendly. I made good friends in Belfast and it was there where our son, Ryan came into the world. Belfast and its people will always hold a special place in my heart.

When our two years was up, it was back home to New Zealand, where we were based in Auckland for 2 years. From Auckland we moved to Paraparaumu, Kapiti, on the west coast of the north island. It was here where my wife and I parted ways and there I stayed, self employed in the landscape and property maintenance industry. In 2014 I fell seriously ill. A virus that had attacked the heart muscle landed me in Christchurch hospital where I spent over a week in the cardio care unit. It was explained to me that my heart was slowing down and had almost come to a stop.

Fortunately, it was caught in time and being relatively fit and being in the care of a wonderful nursing staff in the cardio care unit, I have now almost made a full recovery. My thanks go to the cardio team and to the nursing staff of the cardio care unit at Christchurch hospital. Words alone cannot express the gratitude I have for you all. Your care and compassion goes far beyond the call of duty. After being discharged from hospital, with Doctors orders to, Take it easy, I decided it was time to go home. Home being the place in my heart, the place I lived, where I grew up.

A place where I could get away from the hustle and bustle. A place where I could take it easy, relax and recover. That place was Twizel. The place I loved the place I would never leave. Being an isolated town nestled beneath the Southern alps of New Zealand, Twizel is a very unique place. Unique in the fact that all those who lived and worked here, no matter where in the world they are now living, are still a community.

The sight of a postcard, a glimpse on a television commercial or a simple photograph of the area, stirs memories and a yearning for home. So it was back home to the Mackenzie High Country. It was the beginning of summer, the beginning a new journey. A time of new beginnings. Of course I had to keep busy, and although I tried, the physical work I was used to, I couldnt manage. This was new to me, after all, there was never a job to big or too small.

Feelings of uselessness were beginning to creep in, frustration at not being able to do what I knew I was capable of doing, wanting to sleep after a walk to the shop. I had to sit still, accept I was recovering from a serious heart condition and think where to go from here. What better place to sit and contemplate than under a willow tree by the river. I spent a lot of time on the river over summer. A walk upstream against the current was good exercise, a good way to wash away the old and prepare for the new. It was during this time, as things became clearer, I noticed my physical vision become clearer.

Since being discharged from hospital, colour was more vivid, the landscape, birds, leaves seemed more detailed. It was like a layer of film had been peeled from my eyes. Looking up to the snow capped alps, I could see the blue in the ice, the trees were a vibrant green, wild flowers of vibrant colours. I had to photograph what I could see. I had to share it. I was home but had to find a place to live.

It was at this time I ran into an old friend, Garth Lancaster and his wife Gayle. Garth and Gayle had been living in Australia and had recently returned to New Zealand and were living in Christchurch. They had a house in Twizel, which would be vacant when they headed back to Christchurch. Problem solved. Thank you Garth and Gayle, two people with very big hearts and willing to help out where you could. Your support has been greatly appreciated.

Things were coming together and a more positive attitude to my condition had taken hold. The photographs I was taking were not doing justice to what I could see, so my next hospital appointment in Christchurch included a spot of camera shopping. So here I am. Im home, Im happy and have discovered a new passion. A new journey begins. Life throws challenges at us all.

Sometimes those challenges are openings to make changes, to do something new. Have the courage to walk through the doors that open for you, for the courage gives you the inner strength to conquer the mountains you thought impossible to climb. Coming from the south,the entrance to Twizel. Mt Cook a welcome sight. The Southern Alps and Mt Cook provide Lake Pukaki with stunning views. Waterfall Mountain, a sure sign of good weather.