New Zealand

[Rosemary]

Thoughts and prayers for Christchurch and all New Zealanders at this terrible time.

We're only in February yet here in Australia we've had cyclones (and currently another in Western Australia), floods (including our city) and bushfires and now this terrible devastating earthquake has happened to our neighbours in New Zealand.

I'm sure our boys would be very saddened too having played there about a year ago and I hope all our New Zealand members and their families and friends are safe.

Best wishes
Rosemary

[alanbakewell]

Well said Rosemary. I have sat and watched these terrible events with tears in my eyes. I've just returned from my morning walk with my dog and am counting my blessings.

My thoughts and prayers are with the people of New Zealand at this time.

Alan.

[John Boyd]

Rosemary and Alan,
I am sure that your thoughts will be much appreciated by our friends, families and community members in Christchurch.
My son, a policeman, has been sent down to assist for the next two weeks and says the devastation is just beyond belief. Even the Police Station is on a lean.
I 've been in touch with John Campbell of Penumbra website and he was OK, although the keyboard player from his band is believed to be under the CTV building ( the worst affected).
Tragic news and I guess all we can do is as Alan suggests - keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
JB

[roninnes]

What happened in Christchurch makes us all grateful for what we have. The devastation witnessed on television is terrible and Angela and I send our thoughts and prayers to all those affected by this tragedy.
Also to our friends in Australia who seem to have had more than their share already our prayers are with you.
Ron

[Bill Bowley]

My thoughts and prayers are with our Kiwi brothers and sisters during this dreadful tragedy, and particularly in the days ahead as we wait for successful recovery of people trapped and the 'making safe' of dangerous building etc.

[Pitts]

Things are not that good down there right now as you all know.

Kiwis tend to be good fighters and its always good to have our big brother in Aussie come to the fore as we do for them on occasion.
Its quite funny down here Aussies and us Kiwis are always slinging off at each other but when it hits the fan as we say down here
we are there for each other.

The international support is amazing.. we have had teams arrive from all over including Australia, Japan, Singapore and many others they said tonight I think its like 700 specialist rescue workers are now here from overseas.

Lets hope they have more luck finding some more survivors..

Cheers

Ray
Rotorua
NZ

[David Martin]

We have you in our thoughts...

David & Barbara

[John Haldane]

Would just like to second all the above message's.

John H

[Pitts]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your thoughts on behalf of the people of Christchurch.

The death toll is currently 113 with some 200+missing right now.
They have declared a National Emergency which I think lets them act faster and with government input, even though the damage is limited to Christchurch.

We have had more rescue teams arrive today and Australian police to assist.
The UK and USA rescue teams are here now along with others complete with all the specialist gear.
The experts are still hopeful of finding some more alive but no one really knows right now.

Would you believe it they arrested a couple of guys today for looting... I'd lock em up for at least ten years.
Pity they aren't letting the Aussie cops keep their guns while they are over here. (in NZ the police aren't armed as routine)

I must say though it is really great of the countries around the world that have very quickly come to our aid.

Knowing the Kiwi stamina it wont be too long before we hear the sound of Strat's coming from down that way I am sure.

Once again thanks for your thoughts and to Rosemary for starting this thread...
in fact I am going over to the sunny Gold Coast next week for a few weeks R&R.
Any Shadows clubs around that area / Brisbane etc.. ?

Cheers

Ray