Meet our Bot Tot Wrangler

Meet our Bot Tot Wrangler

Blog, Member of the Month, News

Leonie Jackson Leonie has been a dedicated CHS Member and volunteer for a significant period, dating back to her early involvement with her parents, Rae and Harold Mintrom, at the monthly plant sales table. Despite being a busy mother of three boys and a Primary School teacher, Leonie actively contributed to the legendary annual CHS … Read More

Get to know Rachel Vogan

Member of the Month

Since I can remember, my world has been full of flowers and plants. Being a self-confessed plantaholic with a passion for all things botanical, I am blessed to have a vocation that indulges my love of plants. Growing up at the head of the Akaroa harbour, on the family farm in Duvauchelle, it was Nana Vogan who led me down the garden path.

Get to know Paulette Smaill

Member of the Month

Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood? I was born in Christchurch, the second eldest of six girls and one boy. It was a busy, noisy creative household. My Mum was incredibly nurturing, efficient and house proud. She gave us her time willingly and introduced me to wonders of … Read More

Get to know Gaynor & Roger Allen

Member of the Month

Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood? Gaynor was born in Timaru, was educated and worked there until 1967 when Roger and she married. Roger was born in Motueka, educated in Dunedin, and moved to Timaru. We have been married 50 years in October, and wherever we shift to … Read More

Get to know Matthew Beuzenberg

Member Area, Member of the Month

Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood? I was born in Christchurch and spent most of my childhood in Heathcote Valley and then in Cracroft. Where do you live now? I am currently living in Cracroft with my parents and brother. I am attending Cashmere High School as a … Read More

Get to know Valerie Gwilliams

Member of the Month

Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood? I was born and brought up in Christchurch. I spent my childhood in St Albans and went to Elmwood School which in those days went to Form 2 as Heaton had just opened and was for boys only, and then on to … Read More

Get to know Dylan Parker

Member of the Month

Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood? I was born in Timaru and my family lived in Fairlie until I was 5, then we moved to the Marlborough Sounds where my parents worked at the Outward Bound School. After being in the Sounds for 8 years my family moved … Read More

Get to know Nancy Meherne

Member of the Month

Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood? I was born in Wellington in 1929.  At six months of age I moved to Ohakune beside Mt Ruapehu with my parents and two brothers.  These were the depression days.  We had a big vegetable garden and hens in one of Railway … Read More

Get to know Kowhai Thompson

Member of the Month

Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood? I was born in Christchurch and grew up in Sumner. Our house was on Clifton hill and backed onto Richmond Hill farm. My brother and I spent a lot of time building huts in the pine trees and catching tadpoles in the … Read More

Get to know Gail Scrivener

Member of the Month

Where were you born and where did you spend most of your childhood?
I was born, raised and educated in Christchurch. On leaving high school I entered the travel industry and was fortunate to guide for a variety of interest groups and travel extensively throughout the world. Later I had the privilege of being manger of PGG Travel, Focus Travel, AA Travel Hereford Street and eventually my own travel broking business.