Media Release Archives - Southern Charity Hospital

Over Waitangi weekend a group of shearers, pressers, rousies, wool handlers, and support crew came together for the Shear4Blair Shearathon. Thanks to their marathon effort they have raised over $200,000 for the Southland Charity Hospital with more still to come.

The fundraising total had previously been reported at over $130,000. This included the shearers wages, cash donations, sponsorships, and donated products that were auctioned off.

The total was given a huge boost yesterday following a significant cash donation from an anonymous donor, increasing the total to over $200,000 so far.

An amazing event that surpassed expectations

According to Southland Charity Hospital board member Melissa Vining there are no words to describe what this amazing group of people achieved.

“It was an awesome event. It was emotional to watch the shearers and their support crew working, especially as they closed in on, and surpassed, their 10,000th lamb,” she said.

The Shear4Blair event was held from 6am on Sunday through to 2pm on Monday at Wohelo Station woolshed in Moa Flat, West Otago.

Event organiser Jared Manihera said the event went better than anticipated, despite having to be postponed a day due to the weather.

“It really blew us away with the level of support we received. It’s hard to believe how many people volunteered their time and supported the event with donations, sponsorships, and products to be auctioned.”

Putting in the hard yards

*The Shear4Blair tally board was regularly updated to show how the team was tracking.*

The event saw shearers putting their bodies on the line as they completed 24 hours of shearing time, broken into twelve two-hour runs. Four key shearers completed the full 24 hours and several supporting shearers who rotated through the remaining three stands.

The four key shearers were Brayden Clifford, Cole Wells, Eru Weeds, and David Gower.

*Brayden Clifford was one of the four key shearers, completing 24 hours of shearing during the Shear4Blair Shearathon. Credit: Findlater Photography*

Manihera said he is so proud of all those involved in the weekend and how hard they worked, but he was particularly proud of the four 24-hour shearers.

“Now that it’s over everyone’s reflecting on the weekend and realising what we achieved.”

“I’ve talked to Brayden, Cole, Eru, and David and they all say they’re a bit sore, still a bit tired, but mostly just over the moon about what they’ve done.”

“For them, it was all about the cause. They worked so hard and pushed their way through to the end.”

“Everyone had their own reasons for being involved. Many of us have been touched by cancer in some way and this was a way of fighting back against that.”

A team effort

The idea for the Shear4Blair came from Matt Hunt. He was set to be on the first stand until a last-minute injury saw Clifford step in as the shearer and Hunt supporting him in the pens.

*Matt Hunt supported Brayden Clifford from the pens after a last-minute injury meant he wasn’t able to shear. Credit: Findlater Photography*

Among the supporting shearers was a shearing legend, 81-year-old Snow Quinn. He even brought his gear, the first time it had been used since 1978.

Another supporting shearer was Shaun Bradley, a West Otago farm manager and cancer survivor. In 2020 the first shearathon was held to raise funds for Bradley’s cancer treatment. When he heard about the Shear4Blair he jumped at the chance to be involved. Bradley supported shearers for most of the event before picking up the combs in the final two-hour run. He finished the run with a tally of 50 lambs.

A massive thanks and congratulations

On behalf of the Southland Charity Hospital, Vining would like to extend a massive thank you and congratulations to the Shear4Blair organisers, the shearers, and their support crew for their incredible effort and for generously donating your time for this event. Particularly the shearers, who worked so hard and donated their wages to the hospital.

Thanks also to Audio Visual Design & Print for the fantastic work live streaming the event, and to Matt Chisholm for hosting the live stream and entertaining viewers with a variety of interviews and commentary.

The total amount raised from the Shear4Blair will be confirmed in the coming weeks as sponsorships and auction sales are finalised. The money raised from this event will be used to purchase medical equipment for the hospital, which is expected to open later this year.

Shear4Blair photo gallery

Gallery credit: Findlater Photography

*Eru Weeds overcame a serious injury to participate in the Shear4Blair, finishing with a tally of 1891 lambs.*

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.

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.

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.

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.