Sunday, February 22, 2015

Rakiura Rocks

Little rain, not getting home until 8pm and dragging firewood before work has resulted in an impressive pile of firewood but not much else. I've taken the weekend off and caught up on some chores and the rest will have to wait as I'm determined to get a blog up tonight!

We've had a wee mystery going on in the village starting with a few painted signs made of plywood appearing at various places including this one outside the shop...


Over the next few days more signs appeared and most people, locals and tourists alike, were commenting on them when they came into the shop. Of course we were all in the dark too and rumours were bandied about and spread like wildfire. Was it to do with the school? Who was moving the signs in the middle of the night? Who had neat letter-writing skills - and the patience to cut, paint and finish off these masterpieces?

A few days later new signs appeared - Rakiura Rocks, You Rock, We All Rock - and they all seemed to be moving closer to the shop...


The village was buzzing with rumours and positive vibes - I think it was the only topic of conversation in the shop last week and on Thursday a new sign appeared to say that all would be revealed on Friday at 3pm. On the way home that night I took some photos and put the camera down by the computer so didn't have it with me on Friday. I was serving in the shop at 3pm so missed the speeches but the handout explained the 'You Rock' Project which 'publicly recognises people for their inherent goodness' and 'links together and bonds a community by inspiring people to love and appreciate themselves and their neighbours'. The signs stayed outside the shop Friday afternoon and all of Saturday so I made a quick trip down yesterday morning to snap them. The signs were photographed with their namesakes and then they will be given away. The fantastic group of 10 or so residents who made this happen and kept the secret so well are to be applauded for their efforts - what a neat thing to do!




Check out the website that started it all off and appreciate the members of your community/family that make a positive difference.