The player line-up is still a mystery. But with Rugby World Cup-winning coach Sir Graham Henry, heavyweight boxing champion Joseph Parker, and former All Blacks star Israel Dagg on the coaching bench, whoever makes the teams will be in good hands.

The names getting behind the Southland Charity Hospital’s Pack the Park event at Invercargill’s Rugby Park on October 17 have attracted plenty of national attention. There’s just one catch – cancer care advocate Blair Vining’s mate, Chris Cairns, has been demoted.

Sir Graham Henry takes top job for Blair Vining Invitational XV

Sir Graham Henry – who oversaw the All Blacks’ vindicating win at the 2011 Rugby World Cup – says he’s honoured to be part of the Pack the Park game, which will serve as the curtain-raiser before the Southland Stags take on Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup.

“You’d be hard-pressed to find anybody in New Zealand whose life hasn’t been affected by cancer in some way. I think what made people really get behind the Vining family is how, in a time when a lot of people would have quite understandably been afraid or angry at their situation, they used their voices to bring attention to the disparities in our health system. I think that’s an incredibly admirable thing,” he says. “I’m really happy to get on board and see some of New Zealand’s great rugby players take to the paddock in support of such a worthy cause. I know the Southland and Otago crowds are huge rugby fans and I’m sure we’re all in for a fantastic day.”

Champion boxer Joseph Parker and former All Black Israel Dagg pair up to lead ITM Invitational XV

But if that wasn’t enough, the coaching line-up also includes celebrated Kiwi boxer Joseph Parker and former All Black and Crusaders star Israel Dagg, who will helm the ITM Invitational XV.

“I think it takes a really special person to show the kind of tenacity Blair Vining had, when they’re going through something so devastating. He spent his last time here trying to make life better for the people of Otago and Southland. I really admired that, like a lot of Kiwis did, and I’m really pleased that I can be a small part of the Pack the Park game. It’s not only about saying thanks to the community for getting behind the Southland Charity Hospital, but to help make sure Blair’s fight carries on,” Parker says.

“I also felt a bit bad for Matt Watson, our team captain, as he’s a bit on the small side. Hopefully having me on the bench gives him a bit of a confidence boost. It might make some of the players in the other team think twice about targeting him too, if they know his water boy can be his bodyguard as well.”

“What a privilege and an honour to be a part of this great cause. Not going to lie – when I was asked if I was available to play rugby, I laughed and said ‘are you serious’, but then I saw the team sheet and had a wee giggle to myself, saying if these boys can do it then anyone can,” Dagg says. “I said yes – but as coach. In all seriousness, what the team are doing for cancer patients really hits home for me. Let’s Pack the Park and have a great evening whanau – I’m looking forward to seeing everybody there.”

Coaching line-up “like a dream”

Blair Vining’s widow, and Southland Charity Hospital board member, Melissa Vining says the coaching team line-up is “like a dream”.

“I am definitely running out of superlatives and words to express how blown away I am by how many people are willing to support the Southland Charity Hospital and our Pack the Park event. I couldn’t believe it when I heard Sir Graham Henry, Joseph Parker and Izzy Dagg were prepared to get involved. To have even caught the interest of one of them, let alone the three of them, is just crazy to me,” she says.

“Amazed, overwhelmed, humbled: it means so much to the whole charity hospital team that so many people are willing to get on board with Pack the Park, to say thanks to the people of Southland and Otago for their support of our cause. It’s an incredible way to commemorate Blair too. It means so much to Della-May, Lilly and I that his efforts to make things fairer for his community has had such a lasting impact on people,” she says.

 “And I know Blair would be absolutely stoked that people like Graham Henry want to get involved in the cause. I’m sure there would be lots of smiles and maybe one or too not-safe-for-work words.”

Evening event at Bill Richardson Transport World a sell-out

The Pack the Park game at Rugby Park on October 17 will be followed by gala dinner The Aftermatch at the spectacular Bill Richardson Transport World. Hosted by TW Events & Incentives, the gala dinner will see master of ceremonies, television personality Scotty ‘Sumo’ Stevenson, preside over a sold-out crowd of almost 700 people. The event sold-out mere hours after tickets went on sale.

Stay tuned for the latest Pack the Park updates

To find out more about the Pack the Park event – and to keep up-to-date with player announcements – follow the Southland Charity Hospital on Facebook.

Pack the Park will be the curtain-raiser to the Mitre 10 Cup fixture that will see the Southland Stags take on Taranaki. General admission to the terraces is free. GA and grandstand tickets are now available at  ILT Stadium Southland, Ticketek.co.nz or at the game.

For further information, please contact Southland Charity Hospital communications manager Alana Dixon-Calder on 027 7428 817.

Planning for Pack the Park, an epic rugby game to thank the community for their support of the Southland Charity Hospital, is full steam ahead – despite the election.

The Pack the Park rugby game

The Pack the Park rugby game, set to be played as the curtain-raiser to the Southland Stags v. Taranaki match at Rugby Park in Invercargill on October 17, is being held to thank the people of Southland and Otago for rallying behind the charity hospital’s cause.

The game is also a way to pay tribute to the one year anniversary of the death of Blair Vining. The Winton man’s battle to ensure better cancer care for all New Zealanders after he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer captivated the country and was the catalyst for both the formation of a national cancer care agency as well as the Southland Charity Hospital.

A slight change in plans

Originally set to be played between the Blair Vining Invitational XV – with the team’s lineup still a secret – and the New Zealand Parliamentary Team, the change in the date of the New Zealand general election “threw a bit of a spanner in the works for a minute”, Southland Charity Hospital driving force and board member Melissa Vining says.

“I think everybody in the country has learned by now that COVID-19 has more than a few surprises in-store for us. When the new election date was originally announced our team did go into planning mode. We weighed up the pros and cons and decided our best bet was to soldier on – but, unfortunately, that does mean the New Zealand Parliamentary Team is no longer able to participate,” she says.

“We were so excited to have them on board and hope we get a chance to take them on at some point in the future. Being on the same date as the election does mean we have a few extra things to think about, mainly around ensuring that attendees at Pack the Park are still able to participate in voting, and we’re looking forward to an action-packed day.”

Team captains named

The lineup of names set to take to the paddock during the Pack the Park event at Rugby Park is a closely-guarded secret: but the duo set to lead out the players on 17 October has been announced.

New Zealander of the Year nominee and radio personality Bryce Casey from The Rock has been shoulder-tapped to lead the Blair Vining Invitational XV team.

Meanwhile, well-known TV fishing star Matt Watson – the host of The Fishing Show – will captain the opposing side (yet to be named).

“Blair would have loved that we’re putting this game on for the people of Southland and Otago. He especially would have loved hearing that Bryce and Matt have agreed to come on board. He thought Bryce was an absolute legend for his vocal support of the need for mental health awareness, and throughout his journey, Bryce was a huge support to Blair,” Melissa says.

“Blair and our daughter, Lilly, absolutely loved watching The Fishing Show. They were absolutely obsessed with it. It was their thing. That time together is a really special memory for Lilly, so for Matt to have agreed to take part as well is huge.

“I don’t know how much they know about rugby, but it’s great that they’re willing to give captaining the teams a crack for the Southland Charity Hospital cause.”

Keen to get involved for the cause

Watson says he followed Blair Vining’s story, and admired how the Central Southland man’s legacy had been carried on.

“He just seemed like such a salt-of-the-earth, good bugger. And then for Missy to carry that work on and do something that is going to make such a difference, how could I say no to being involved? What a great opportunity to be part of something so good,” he says.

“Given we’re playing a team in Blair Vining’s name, I almost feel like cheering for the other team – but that will change on game day once I strap the boots on.”

The Morning Rumble co-host Casey says he was keen to get involved because of his admiration for Blair Vining’s advocacy for his community.

“Although when I say involved, I thought more as in a ‘having a beer and talking about it, rather than playing’ capacity. That concept changed dramatically when I was named captain,” he says.

As for the players he hopes might make the line-up on the day?

“If I could have my dream pick, I’d want an enforcer to hide behind, like Andrew Hore. And someone to run the cutter like the great man Beaver (Stephen Donald).”

For further information, please contact Southland Charity Hospital communications manager Alana Dixon-Calder on 027 7428 817.

Just over 12 months ago, Otago-based The Southern Trust national grants manager Steve Bennett contacted Melissa Vining, having followed her husband Blair’s journey with bowel cancer and mission to see better cancer care for New Zealanders in the media. 

At the time, Blair was undergoing treatment and the charity hospital was barely an idea.  

Conscious of the challenges various regions faced in terms of accessing specific healthcare, and aware of the very public work Blair and Melissa were doing to address that, Bennett reached out, to see when and how the trust might be able to help.   

A year later, and that much-needed help has come in the form of a $150,000 grant.  

For The Southern Trust, it was simply a great fit. With a focus on health and community outcomes, the Southland Charity Hospital ticked several boxes when it came to funding criteria. Bennett says knowing how passionate the community is about the initiative also made a big difference. 

“We engage with organisations on a professional level, but having somebody like Melissa there, putting her heart and soul into it, that really makes a difference in the success of a lot of organisations,” he says.  

“That it will support people from Otago and Southland is fantastic, but really there is such tremendous support for the charity hospital from far and wide across the community.”  

Vining says the grant from The Southern Trust was invaluable. 

“Steve has kept in touch with us from day one, when the hospital was barely an idea, and the trust was so willing to help and support this cause,” she says. 

“To receive a grant of this value is incredible. We are so grateful. It brings us another step closer to getting it built and providing the services people need and deserve.” 

Part of the legacy Blair left when he passed away, the charity hospital will provide free health services to those in Southland and Otago who are unable to access care through the public or private health systems.  

Tickets to a gala dinner set to benefit the Southland Charity Hospital have sold out – just a handful of hours after going on sale.

The Aftermatch will be held at spectacular Bill’s Shed venue at Bill Richardson Transport World on October 17. The evening promises to blend lots of laughs, plenty of entertainment, fantastic food, and great company – all in the name of an incredible cause.

Southland Charity Hospital board member Melissa Vining says she is incredulous that tables to the glamorous affair were snaffled up so quickly. Almost 700 people are set to attend.

“I was watching the tables get snaffled up and thought I was imagining things. Every time we do something I am just overwhelmed at the support our community shows for the charity hospital – it honestly blows me away,” she says.

“We’re looking forward to a fantastic night, and we’re so humbled that so many other people are too.”

All of the standard tables at the event were sold out less than three hours after going on sale last night. The corporate ‘Pit Lane’ tables were sold out by this morning. The ‘Pit Lane’ tables will have a prime position inside the venue – housed in the largest private automotive museum of its type in the world – and will include personal table service from the TW Events & Incentives and Transport World teams.

The evening will be MC’d by television personality Scotty ‘Sumo’ Stevenson.

The Aftermatch will be held after the Pack the Park rugby game, set to be played as the curtain-raiser to the Southland Stags v. Taranaki match at Rugby Park in Invercargill. The game is being held to thank the people of Southland and Otago for rallying behind the charity hospital’s cause. The game is also a way to pay tribute to the one year anniversary of the death of Blair Vining. The Winton man’s battle to ensure better cancer care for all New Zealanders after he was diagnosed with terminal bowel cancer captivated the country and was the catalyst for both the formation of a national cancer care agency as well as the Southland Charity Hospital.

For further information, please contact Southland Charity Hospital communications manager Alana Dixon-Calder on 027 7428 817.

Our board chairman, Dr Murray Pfeifer, is hugely respected within the medical community here in the deep south. We feel incredibly privileged to have him serve as board chairman for the Southland Charity Hospital. Dr Pfeifer arrived at Southland Hospital soon after graduating from medical school. Aside from brief stints in the United Kingdom and Dunedin, he has spent the rest of his career – more than four decades – at Southland Hospital. A pioneer of breast cancer care in the southern region, his expertise has been invaluable in the formation of our charity hospital. We asked Dr Murray Pfeifer why he wanted to be part of our cause.

Name

Dr Murray Pfeifer

Occupation and professional background

General surgeon

Roles held with the Southland Charity Hospital Trust

Board chairman

How did you hear about plans to create the charity hospital?

Like many others, I heard of plans to create the charity hospital in 2019. Blair and Melissa Vining’s story was one that captured the attention of almost everybody in New Zealand. This hospital will be a lasting tribute to the late Blair Vining.

What compelled you to become involved in this cause?

As a general surgeon, I have been working in both public and private practice in this community for 40 years. I’m proud of the achievements of the existing health services in Southland. However, in my day-to-day practice I am constantly aware of our inability to provide for the health needs of many of our people. Over a number of years, I have had a close association with the Canterbury Charity Hospital. I have felt inspired by their achievements in addressing the unmet need in that community. I’m excited about the prospect of being involved in a similar facility for the benefit of our people here in southern New Zealand.

What are your hopes or goals for our charity hospital?

I hope the Southland Charity Hospital is able to address some of the needs of our community that are currently not being met. I hope we can provide healthcare for those from Southland and Otago in a timely manner, in order to optimise their health outcomes.

Why is the work being done by the charity hospital so crucial?

A number of people throughout Southland and Otago are unable to access the healthcare they need, either through the public or private health systems. The Southland Charity Hospital will give those people the opportunity to get diagnostic tests and treatment they otherwise wouldn’t be able to access.

How will the Southland Charity Hospital make a difference in our community?

The south of New Zealand has one of the highest incidences of bowel cancer in the country. By initially focusing on this area of need, the charity hospital will be able to address a particularly concerning area of healthcare requirements. After working to address this, the charity hospital – with its flexible, agile structure – will then be able to look at addressing the next area of concern. The charity hospital, once established, will enhance both the physical and the mental wellbeing of the many that it will serve. For some it will be lifesaving.

If the Southland Charity Hospital did not exist, what would life look like for people in our community?

My hope is that health outcomes in Southland and Otago will benefit immensely from the formation of the charity hospital. Our communities need to be able to access early diagnosis and treatment in order to ensure people can lead long, healthy lives.

Calling all tradespeople – the Southland Charity Hospital needs your help to turn our vision into a reality. We are set to host an information evening for tradies keen to get involved in our cause, on 26 August 2020.

Come along and talk to Southland Charity Hospital board members and those from our project team about how you can be part of this incredible project. Download the poster below for more details.

Southland-Charity-Hospital-volunteer-tradespeopleDownload

UPDATE: Please note, an earlier version of this article stated stand tickets will cost $15. This is incorrect. Those sitting in the stands during the Pack the Park and Southland Stags games will pay standard admission prices for this.

The Southland Charity Hospital is by the community, for the community: and it is set to bring something pretty special to the public with Pack the Park 2020.

To pay tribute to everybody who has supported the cause – and to mark the first anniversary of the death of cancer care advocate, Blair Vining, whose epic fight for more equitable healthcare treatment directly led to the formation of the hospital – the Southland Charity Hospital will bring the ‘Pack the Park’ event to Rugby Park in Invercargill this October. The game will see the Blair Vining Invitational XV take on the New Zealand Parliamentary rugby team.

Southland Charity Hospital board member Melissa Vining, Blair Vining’s wife, says Pack the Park is about saying thanks to a community that has provided plenty of support.

“We are so close to realising our vision of bringing the Southland Charity Hospital to life, and there’s just no way we could have achieved all that we have if it wasn’t for the people of Southland and Otago supporting us every step of the way,” she says.

“To say thank you to the people of the south, we wanted to do something extra special – and we’re privileged that so many people want to help us say thank you.”

Pack the Park 2020

An A-list line-up is set to suit up and take to the paddock: but for now, the Southland Charity Hospital is remaining tight-lipped on who exactly the crowd can expect to see on the field and on the sidelines.

“We’re planning to announce names as we get closer to the time, but at the moment, it’s completely top secret,” Vining teased. “All we can say is, stay tuned. We’ve been blown away by the support the Southland Charity Hospital has received from all corners of the community, and we’re humbled that so many top-calibre people are keen to be part of this.”

Working with Rugby Southland, the Pack the Park game will serve as curtain-raiser to the Southland Stags taking on Taranaki in the Mitre 10 Cup. Entry to the terraces will be free while those in the stands will pay standard charges for the double-banger rugby spectacular.

The Southland Charity Hospital is seeking sponsors for the game, which will also be televised live on SKY Sport.

“We know this is an event that is really going to excite a lot of people in our community and we’d love to encourage our community from all over Otago and Southland to make a day of it, and get amongst an atmosphere that we probably won’t ever see again,” Vining says.

The Aftermatch

The Pack the Park event will be followed by a gala dinner event at Bill Richardson Transport World. Tables of 10 will be sold to ‘The Aftermatch’ function. Tickets will go on sale later this month.

For further information

For more, please contact Southland Charity Hospital communications manager Alana Dixon-Calder on 027 7428 817.

Thank you

A special thanks to our friend Dan Frew for the beautiful photos of Blair Vining at the first Pack the Park event in Winton in January 2019.

UPDATE: Helen has resigned as manager as of December 2021. We’re grateful for her contribution and everything she’s done for the Southland Charity Hospital.

Our brand-new general manager, Helen Robinson, had a baptism by fire when she took on her role with the Southland Charity Hospital.

Originally from England, and having moved to Invercargill from Shetland (an archipelago in the Northern Isles of Scotland), she started with the hospital on Wednesday 29 July – just two days before our inaugural Buy A Brick Day.

Suffice to say, it was a busy way to start her new job. Keep reading to get to know a bit more about Helen.

Name?

Helen Robinson

Occupation and professional background?

Background is in Managment of specialist care / support services. My most recent position before moving to New Zealand was with a not-for-profit organisation.

Roles held with the Southland Charity Hospital?

General manager

How did you hear about plans to create the Southland Charity Hospital?

I started to see posts about its formation on social media, and then saw the general manager position advertised. 

What compelled you to become involved in this cause?

I felt my skills and experience would fit well with the organisation as well as being a cause close to my heart. I was impressed with the  energy and drive to make the Southland Charity Hospital a reality.

What are your hopes or goals for the Southland Charity Hospital?

To be a high-quality, well-regarded facility providing healthcare to people that would otherwise be unable to access such care.

Why is the work being done by the Southland Charity Hospital so crucial?

To enable ALL people to have fair access to the healthcare they need regardless of where they live or their economic status.

How will the Southland Charity Hospital make a difference in our community?

It will not only offer the healthcare to people but will be a valued community asset that can adapt and expand with the needs of the community.

If the Southland Charity Hospital did not exist, what would life look like for people in our community?

People would continue to experience inequitable healthcare and potentially some would continue to fall through the cracks of the system.

Southland Charity Hospital, SBS Bank
Southland Charity Hospital manager Helen Robinson meets with SBS Bank chief executive Shaun Drylie.
Photo: Dakota Brown, Back 9 Creative

The Southland Charity Hospital has partnered with SBS Bank to ensure everybody can get behind its wildly successful ‘Buy A Brick’ fundraising campaign.

Media and communications manager Alana Dixon-Calder says the Southland Charity Hospital team is thrilled to have the support of the Invercargill-based bank.

“The public response to our Buy A Brick campaign has been off-the-charts. The whole team has been blown away by the number of people who have wanted to get involved and support our cause. We wanted to make sure that everybody who was keen to get behind the hospital was able to do so. To have SBS come on board and offer a place for people to make in-person donations is huge for us,” she says.

“We say the hospital is by the community, for the community, and our Buy A Brick campaign has been the epitome of that. People have really responded to the idea of being part of a lasting tribute to the community support that has turned the charity hospital from an idea to a reality,” Ms Dixon-Calder says.

SBS Bank chief executive Shaun Drylie said his team was delighted to be able to provide the community with a way to donate and help make a difference.

“We’ve made it possible for anyone to visit an SBS branch around the country to donate via cash or cheque directly to the campaign. And we haven’t limited it just to our Invercargill, Windsor and Gore branches – if there are Southlanders living in the likes of Tauranga, Christchurch, Hamilton or wherever one of our branches is, then they’re able to show their support.

“This is an ongoing commitment for SBS Bank and something we’ll offer long-term – if people want to make a donation in person then we’ll be able to make it happen.”

The charity hospital began selling supporter’s bricks in exchange for donations in July. These can be engraved with a personal message, and will form the path from the hospital’s carpark to its doors. Supporters can alternatively purchase granite commemorative plaques. These will be placed on-site in a memorial garden dedicated to cancer care advocate, the late Blair Vining. The charity hospital’s first-ever Buy A Brick Day, which encouraged schools and businesses around the country to don red, white and black to raise funds to buy the supporter’s bricks, was held on Friday. Its initial goal of reaching $1 million was met on the day.

So far the Buy A Brick campaign has sold more than 7000 and 280 commemorative plaques. Sales have come from far-flung places including Norway and the United States, as well as throughout Australia and New Zealand.