Lawyer Chris Menzies was a perfect choice when it came to seeking out people to play a governance role following the formation of the Southland Charity Hospital Trust. Hailing from the same rugby club as cancer care advocate Blair Vining, Midlands, and a personal friend of the Vining family – for Chris, becoming part of this inspiring project was equally obvious. We asked Chris a few questions about why he wanted to be part of this cause.

Name

Chris Menzies

Occupation and professional background

Partner at AWS Legal, practising for more than 10 years

Roles held with the Southland Charity Hospital Trust

Board member and heading up the legal committee

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

I am the President of the Midlands Rugby Club, so have had a close association with Blair and Melissa Vining

What compelled you to become involved in this cause?

I wanted to support both Blair, Missy and the wider southern region in providing health care to the unmet need. I am also through my family, indirectly affected by the inequity in New Zealand’s healthcare system. My wife’s step-father was also declined a referral for a colonoscopy, and due to the delay in having this investigative procedure completed, his cancer has now spread to other organs. He now has Stage 4 terminal cancer

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

To provide timely medical access to those in need in the Southland and Otago area. This need is not being met through current processes. I hope the Southland Charity Hospital also contributes to decreasing Southland’s appalling statistics for undiagnosed colon cancer, whilst also providing other unmet medical care

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

Too many people in our community are having their health issues going undiagnosed, particularly in relation to colon cancer. There are also many other areas of health where New Zealand – Southland and Otago in particular – are falling short and we wish to be able to assist to meet these unmet needs

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

Firstly, by ensuring members of the Southland and Otago community, who have been declined a referral by the Southern District Health Board for a colonoscopy, and do not have the resources to fund this privately, are able to obtain a timely investigative procedure. Secondly, to assist in increasing the overall health, well-being and livelihoods of people living in the Southland and Otago region

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

Our community would continue to suffer with the needless loss of loved ones with ongoing delays in being diagnosed and receiving subsequent treatment

Rosa and Kenzie from St John’s Girls School in Invercargill are doing what seems – to some – unthinkable.

“People keep saying we’re brave. But we’re just doing it for a good cause,” Rosa says.

This 25 September, the two Year Eight students are set to shave off their hair, during the last school assembly of term three. Why?

To support not just the Southland Charity Hospital, but the Cancer Society too.

The duo have spent the last several weeks working hard to reach their fundraising goal of $2000, which they plan to donate to our charity hospital’s cause. A mufti day at their school raised almost $700. After their locks are shorn, they will also donate their hair to the Cancer Society to be made into wigs, in support of Kiwis battling the disease.

The girls were inspired to take the plunge after a visit to the school by Southland Charity Hospital board member Melissa Vining, whose husband Blair’s continued advocacy for more equitable healthcare for southern New Zealanders led to the formation of the charity hospital. Their plans were also driven by the bravery of family members and other people they knew who had battled cancer.

“Lots of people are affected by it, but this is just a little thing we can do to help,” Kenzie says.

Melissa Vining says the girl’s efforts mean a lot to her personally.

“Losing their hair can be another distressing experience for people suffering from cancer to face, as it is another uncontrollable in the treatment journey to deal with. For Rosa and Kenzie to be so selfless in support of people in our community makes me feel so proud that some of the youngest members of our community are so connected to our cause. It’s a really lovely gesture, and I hope to be there supporting them on the day,” she says.

Those wanting to support Rosa and Kenzie’s fundraising efforts can do so by donating into the account listed in the picture below. In-person donations can also be made at the school office.

Reckon you’ve got what it takes to be our Shouty Squad?

This is your chance to show the people of Southland and Otago – and some of New Zealand’s favourite rugby players – you’ve got the biggest dose of community spirit in the south. Rugby heroes Anton Lienert-Brown and Damian McKenzie (along with our #socialmeds superstar Lu) want to see what you’ve got!

Pack the Park is looking for a class, rugby team, or group of mates to form the guard of honour to welcome our special line-up of players to Invercargill’s Rugby Park this 17 October. The golden requirement? We’re looking for LOUD!

To enter, simply upload a video of your group showcasing the cheer or chant you want to bring to our big game to social media (Facebook or Instagram) using #shoutysquad – and don’t forget to tag the Southland Charity Hospital.

Our all-star judges will be checking out your entries to decide a winner. If your group makes the cut, you’ll score seats in the grandstand at Rugby Park for the Pack the Park game.

Let’s see what you’ve got!

How to enter:

Step one: Organise the shoutiest, spiritiest, loudest group of primary school students (aged years one to eight). Come up with a unique cheer or chant, and polish that routine!

Step two: Film your entry – don’t forget, if you’re filming on a smartphone to hold it horizontally – not vertically!

Step three: Hop on Facebook or Instagram. Upload your video, using the hashtag #shoutysquad – and make sure you tag the Southland Charity Hospital!

Step four: That’s it! Easy as!

Terms and conditions:

  • Prize is for a maximum number of 30
  • One entry per class/rugby team
  • The entry/video may contain more than 30, but the prize is for 30 attendees
  • Those in the video must be aged between year 1 and year 8
  • All participants in the video must be aware that the video will be shared on social media using the hashtag #shoutysquad to enter and will be publicly available
  • The Southland Charity Hospital and The Blair Vining Epic Journey social media channels may choose to share an entrant’s video. This does not guarantee that the video shared will win
  • Videos entered are not guaranteed to be shared on our channels
  • The winning entry may be required to be available to an interview
  • The winning entry must be available on Saturday 17 October for the game
  • The winning entry must have their own adult supervision and organise their own transport to and from the game
  • The winning entry will have supervision to line up on the field and exit the field, they must return to their parent/caregiver/teacher to watch the game
  • Supervision during the game is not the responsibility of the event organisers

Donation advances hospital fundraising 

For Advance Agriculture, donating $10,000 to the Southland Charity Hospital was a pretty straightforward decision.  

“It’s just a great cause,” commercial director Iain Wilson says.  

“Any one of us could have to use it one day, and it really hit home as far as that goes. It’s good people trying to do really good things, and that really fits with the ethos of our company.” 

A locally-owned Gore-based company, Advance Agriculture supplies agricultural chemicals, seed, spray equipment and Precision Ag to the rural sector in Southland and Otago.  

The decision to donate $10,000 to the hospital was made before Covid-19 caused massive disruption to the country, but was ratified afterwards – it was simply a decision the company was always going to stick with.  

“It’s a great local charity and we’re a local company. It (the charity hospital) is going to support Southlanders and people in Otago; it could be our clients or our employees,” Iain says. 

Southland Charity Hospital board member Melissa Vining says the $10,000 donation is incredibly generous.  

“To have local businesses like Advance Agriculture give so generously during such challenging times gave us not only the funds but the confidence to keep pushing on with the project during very uncertain times,” she says.

“We are just continuously overwhelmed by the support of our amazing community. This donation from Advance Agriculture is massive; it’s going to help so much and we are extremely grateful.”  

Team captain turned head coach turned assistant, Chris Cairns, has spoken out about his role in Pack the Park.

Former All Blacks coach Sir Graham ‘Ted’ Henry, heavyweight boxing champ Joseph Parker, and former All Black backfielder Israel Dagg were announced as coaches for the event. Dagg and Parker will coach the ITM Invitational XV. Henry will be joined by assistant coach Chris Cairns in helming the AB Lime Blair Vining XV.

Taking on the assistant coach role

Not to be confused with the former Black Cap who shares his namesake, Chris Cairns is a great friend of the late cancer care advocate. Cairns promises he’s not feeling too wounded after being dropped from the top job following the announcement Henry was keen to take part.

“I keep getting asked how I feel about being demoted to assistant coach. I think it’s interesting that is the assumption. Graham has an impressive record, no doubt, but six out of eight seasons undefeated as the Drummond Limehills Star junior coach has to count for something,” Cairns says.

Cairns served as captain during Blair Vining’s bucket list game of footy, played to a packed crowd at Midlands Rugby Club in January 2019. Radio personality Bryce Casey will serve in the role this time around.

“I do have some concerns for the skipper of our team this year. Bryce has taken over my old job and I know firsthand that the guys playing in this game play hard. They suddenly think they’re 23 again. They can still hit hard. Bryce needs to lead from the front. Graham and I will need to work out some way of motivating him to perform as Blair would have wanted his skipper to.”

Pack the Park 2020 in honour of Blair Vining

Pack the Park is a thanks to Otago and Southland for supporting the charity hospital. It will also commemorate the first anniversary of the death of Blair Vining. His call for more equitable cancer care throughout New Zealand following his diagnosis of terminal bowel cancer captured the hearts of the nation.

Cairns says his mate would be amazed to see how many people have agreed to take part in the event. The squad named yesterday includes former All Blacks Stephen Donald, Mils Muliaina, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn and more.

“What I do know is that Blair would be so excited to have all these top-class players, coaches, athletes and celebrities involved. They are selfless people, just as he was. What Missy and the team down here are doing is an amazing thing for the southern community,” Cairns says. “I feel privileged to be part of it. I hope everyone will get behind it in any way they can.

“Blair might have still been with us now if we as a country were properly funded in the health sector. It’s a small thing to ask of people, to get behind the Southland Charity Hospital and its mission. One day, it will save lives – and it could be your mate next time. Blair gave up so much for us as a country in his last days. It drained him, but he did it anyway.

“Pack the Park – it’s literally the least we can do.”

Get ready for 17 October

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

To find out more about the Pack the Park event follow the Southland Charity Hospital on Facebook. A social media ‘Guess Who’ campaign on the page will also drop clues on players each week.

The game will be the curtain-raiser to the Mitre 10 Cup fixture that will see Southland 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.

The day has finally arrived: members of the squads set to play at Pack the Park 2020 have been revealed. Most of them, anyway. Among them? Celebrated names like Stephen Donald, Ma’a Nonu and more.

To pay tribute to the community that has supported its cause – and to mark the first anniversary of the death of cancer care advocate, Blair Vining – the Southland Charity Hospital will bring Pack the Park to Rugby Park in Invercargill on 17 October. The game will see the Sir Graham Henry and Chris Cairns-coached AB Lime Blair Vining XV take on the ITM Invitational XV, coached by Israel Dagg and Joseph Parker.

This morning, charity hospital board member Melissa Vining and former Southland and All Black representative Corey Flynn revealed the marquee names set to take part. Among them are union superstars including Stephen ‘Beaver’ Donald – the unlikely hero of the All Blacks’ 2011 Rugby World Cup win – Ma’a Nonu, Ali Williams, and even Carlos Spencer. Southland fan favourites Jimmy Cowan and Jason Rutledge, as well as former All Blacks Mils Muliaina and Pita Alatini, will also make an appearance. Adding to the excitement, Otago stalwarts Brendan Laney, Kelvin Middleton, and John Blaikie have also been named. They will play alongside friends and former teammates of Blair Vining.

“Both of the teams are stacked with incredible players, which is amazing,” Vining says. “We’re so pleased so many of them were willing to get on board with Pack the Park, to say thanks to the people of Southland and Otago.”

The Southland Charity Hospital would also be revealing further players during the coming weeks, through its ‘Guess Who’ social media campaign on Facebook. Three clues will be released about a selected player throughout the week, with the big reveal set to happen on the Southland Charity Hospital’s Facebook page every Thursday night. Fans who correctly guess the players go in the draw to win a jersey signed by members of both teams.

“It’s such a star-studded roster. A special mention has to go to Corey Flynn. He’s been a huge supporter of the charity hospital since the very beginning. It’s thanks to him that so many of the guys have agreed to come out of retirement and play for us. All of his arm twisting has definitely paid off, and we hope the crowd really enjoy coming out and seeing so many rugby heroes out on the field,” Vining says.

Pack the Park will be followed by gala dinner The Aftermatch at the spectacular Bill Richardson Transport World. Master of ceremonies, television personality Scotty ‘Sumo’ Stevenson, will preside over a sold-out crowd of almost 700 people. The event sold-out mere hours after tickets went on sale.

Pack the Park will be the curtain-raiser to the Mitre 10 Cup fixture that will see Southland take on Taranaki. General admission to the terraces is free, and does not require a ticket. Grandstand tickets are also available. Tickets will give punters entry to both the Pack the Park game and the Mitre 10 Cup fixture following it, which will see the Southland Stags take on Taranaki. Tickets are now available at ILT Stadium Southland or www.ticketek.co.nz. Meanwhile, sales will also be available on the day, subject to availability.

Squads –

AB Lime Blair Vining XV
Stephen Donald, Blair Vining, Carlos Spencer, Ma'a Nonu, Graham Henry, Chris Cairns

Squad: Andrew Hore, Ali Williams, Bryce Casey (captain), Jason Rutledge, Corey Flynn, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ma’a Nonu, Carlos Spencer, Pita Alatini, Daniel Pinn, Mils Muliaina, Ben McHugh, Brian ‘Norty’ Anderson, Damian Pulley, Craig Robins, Joe Robins, Quinn Robins, Al Jones, James Caldwell, Matt O’Connell, Scott Carmody, Mana Harrison

Coach: Sir Graham Henry

Assistant coach: Chris Cairns

Hydration specialist: Corey Price

Doctor: Peter Finlayson

Physio: Karl McDonald, SportsMed Southern Physiotherapy

Manager: Derek Cowie

ITM Invitational XV
Matt Watson, ITM Fishing Show, Joseph Parker

Davin Heaps, Tii Tii Paulo, John Blaikie, Kelvin Middleton, Hale T-Pole, Matt Watson (captain), Andy Ellis, Brendon Laney, Dwayne Sweeney, Neil Brew, Shaun Vining, Willie Walker, Callum Rutledge, Pete Thomson, John Officer, Tere Cummings, Chris Menzies, Brendon Mitchell, Craig Valli, Hayden Gentle, Vinnie Cruickshank, Gregor Laughton

Coach: Israel ‘Izzy’ Dagg

Assistant coach: Joseph Parker

Hydration specialist: Brad Anderson

Physio: Craig McColl, Windsor Street Physio

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

The Southland Charity Hospital has launched its ‘Guess Who’ campaign on social media, to tease the players set to appear at Pack the Park 2020.

To thank those who have supported its cause, the charity hospital will bring the event to Invercargill’s Rugby Park on 17 October. The game will also commemorate the first anniversary of the death of cancer care advocate Blair Vining. The game will see the Blair Vining Invitational XV will take on the ITM Invitational XV.

Big names announced

Already some star names have been announced. Former All Blacks coach, Sir Graham Henry, will helm the Blair Vining Invitational XV (alongside Blair’s great friend, Chris Cairns). Meanwhile, champion heavyweight boxer Joseph Parker and former All Blacks star Israel ‘Izzy’ Dagg will lead the ITM Invitational XV. The Blair Vining Invitational XV will be captained by radio personality, The Rock Morning Rumble’s Bryce Casey. Captain of the ITM Invitational XV will be popular television host Matt Watson, from The ITM Fishing Show. The public has been having fun guessing the rugby players who will also take part.

‘Guess Who’ campaign hits social media

The Southland Charity Hospital promises the line-up won’t disappoint. It’s ‘Guess Who’ social media campaign has begun dropping hints about some of the legends fans can expect to see on the day.

Three clues will be released about a selected player throughout the week. The big reveal will happen on the Southland Charity Hospital’s Facebook page every Thursday night.

“A couple of the boys, who were great friends of Blair’s, have really taken it upon themselves to wrangle some fantastic players for us,” charity hospital board member Melissa Vining says. “I still can’t get over how many of them are so willing to give their time and energy to come out of retirement, lace up the boots and put their bodies on the line for the Southland Charity Hospital’s cause. I’m so grateful that so many people want to be part of saying thank you to the community of the deep south.

“We’ve got an amazing mix of fan favourites taking part, and I hope people love following along and guessing who is set to play,” she says.

Those who correctly guess each player go in the draw to win a signed jersey.

Get ready for Pack the Park 2020

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

Don’t miss out – get your tickets today

Pack the Park will be the curtain-raiser to the Mitre 10 Cup fixture that will see Southland take on Taranaki. General admission to the terraces is free. GA and grandstand tickets are now available at  ILT Stadium Southland or Ticketek.co.nz. Meanwhile, sales will also be available on the day. However, the charity hospital is expecting a capacity crowd.

To find out more – and to follow the Guess Who campaign – follow the Southland Charity Hospital on Facebook.