Inspirational fish
FISH OF THE DAY 1
William H. Pickering (1910-2004), Rocket Man.
Born in Wellington, he headed the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which launched the USA’s first satellite (‘Explorer 1’) on 28 January 1958 - four months after the Russians launched ‘Sputnik’. He oversaw the exploration of our moon and solar system by NASA’s unmanned space flight program. Although he lived in the USA, he was a strong supporter of science education in New Zealand.
For more go to: https://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2004/mar/HQ_04094_pickering.html
FISH OF THE DAY 2
Rosemary Dempsey, Onion Dip Originator.
In the 1950s, Rosemary worked in Nestle New Zealand’s test kitchen in Auckland. By mixing an unlikely combination of onion dip and reduced cream, she created a true Kiwi summer staple.
For more go to: https://thespinoff.co.nz/society/20-02-2017/finding-rosemary-in-search-of-the-unsung-hero-who-invented-kiwi-onion-dip/
FISH OF THE DAY 3
Maurice Wilkins, Scientist.
Maurice was born in Wellington in 1916, and went on to share the 1962 Nobel Prize with James Watson and Francis Crick for their 1953 work in determining the structure of DNA. Crick stated that he had found the secret of life. Together they transformed the science of genetics.
For more go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Wilkins
FISH OF THE DAY 4
Mary Muller, Suffragist.
Mary arrived in Blenheim from England in 1851. Under the pen name of ‘Femmina’, she wrote to NZ papers and politicians about the need to give women the vote. Kate Sheppard described her as New Zealand’s pioneer suffragist. Their efforts were rewarded in 1893, when NZ women became the first in the world to get the vote.
For more go to: https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/1m59/muller-mary-anne
FISH OF THE DAY 5
Richard Pearse, First to Fly.
This Kiwi farmer/genius built and flew the first ‘heavier than air’ aircraft to take off under its own power, on 31 March 1903 in Timaru. The bamboo and scrap- metal plane flew about 140 metres before it crashed into a gorse bush. Unfortunately, the flight was poorly documented, allowing the Wright Brothers to claim the first flight 9 months later on 17 Dec 1903.
For more go to: https://my.christchurchcitylibraries.com/richard-william-pearse/
FISH OF THE DAY 6
Whina Cooper (1895-1994), Teacher, Farmer, Community Leader, Dame.
“The Treaty was signed so that we could all live as one nation in Aotearoa.” Born at Te Karaka in Hokianga, she spent her whole life working for the rights of her people, particularly to improve the lot of Maori women. In 1975, at the age of 80 years, she led a march of 5,000 people from Te Hapau in the far north to Parliament in Wellington. Marking a new era of protest and reform, it sought to dramatise Maori determination to retain land and culture and galvanise Maori and Pakeha support.
For more go to: https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/5c32/cooper-whina
FISH OF THE DAY 7
Jim Faed, Haematologist.
In the 1990s, Hepatitis C screening became available for blood transfusions. However, it was expensive, and the Government of the time refused to fund routine screening of donor blood. As director of Dunedin Hospital blood bank, Jim, against political pressure, organised local funding. Under his watch no patient contracted Hepatitis C from Dunedin donor blood. Unfortunately, patients in other district health boards were not so lucky.
For more go to: http://www.otago.ac.nz/dsm/people/expertise/profile/index.html?id=719
FISH OF THE DAY 8
Jenny Harper, Director of Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu.
Jenny oversaw a programme of 101 Outer Spaces projects during the aftermath of the 2010-11 earthquakes. Breaking out of the art gallery building, Jenny and her team thoughtfully curated provocative and healing art works and small-scale exhibitions inside three rented spaces as well as outside and around the devastated city. Creating conversations, challenging perceptions, they brought colour, ideas and comfort to the people of Christchurch.
For more go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jenny_Harper
FISH OF THE DAY 9
Te Whiti (d 1907), Peaceful Protester.
Born into Te Ati Awa, a Taranaki iwi, during the turmoil of the ‘Musket wars.’ He took part in the Taranaki wars of the early 1860s, but in the mid 1860s decided to pursue a strategy of passive resistance. Te Whiti and his people started to plough confiscated land owned by settlers, offering bread and song to a force of 1,600 armed constabulary in 1881. Soldiers systematically wrecked his home village, Parihaka. Te Whiti was arrested, held without trial until 1883. The ploughing campaigns continued and Maori support grew through to the beginning of the 20th century. Parihaka became the symbol of peaceful resistance and a rallying point for many Maori.
For more go to: https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2t34/te-whiti-o-rongomai-iii-erueti
FISH OF THE DAY 10
Elisabeth Yates, First Woman Mayor in the British Empire.
Elisabeth was elected mayor of Onehunga in 1893. Overcoming many barriers in her one-year tenure, she left a valuable legacy, including liquidating all the borough’s debt, upgrading the roads and reorganising the fire brigade.
For more go to: https://teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/2y1/yates-elizabeth
Be an inspirational fish. Give chocfish.
Every fish counts. Every person counts.