Meet Helen Gowland a motivated Committee member

I have been asked to write a profile, so here goes.  
I was born in Rangiora in 1945 on a farm with a difference…A flax farm. The flax was used by Donaghys rope and twine company to make twine for the hay bales. It was a good life and we had 200 acres to roam free on.
I went to primary school at Southbrook, a small 3 roomed school that had pupils from infants through to intermediate. It was a real culture shock for us to go from that wee school to Rangiora High School. School was not my favourite place to be, but I loved the
sporting side of it and did love reading, and next to computers I still love a good book.

I married young and have 3 children, they were born close together so kept me rather busy for a few years.
Almost 2 yrs ago, I decided to get a computer. I had never used one before but I was sure I could manage it, and as my daughter said, “Mum, we can keep in touch so easy.” So I joined SeniorNet to get some lessons - just loved it and what it had to offer. I especially enjoy the photography and craft side and take an active part in the DIG club.  I enjoy trying out new things and passing that info on to others, so have become a Tutor. As a committee member I’m helping to set up a new website, which is very interesting (and sometimes confusing).  What a great set of people I have met at SeniorNet, from all walks of life and with the computer in common. 

My partner Stu and I have 10 grandchildren between us and they all phone me at times when they have a problem on the computer, and they tell their mates that “Gran will work it out” So I’m laughingly called Techno Gran. However they can still teach me heaps and I’m listening.
 
I’ve worked as a sewing machinist, seasonal work in the orchards, on the toll exchange, as a cleaner, at the Pack House and an engineering firm. I enjoyed that even though it was long hours and heavy work but I learnt how to take machinery apart, fix it and put it together, also the art of welding, lathe work etc.

Volunteering as a Story Gran at a kindergarten was so much fun and what a lot you can learn from 3 & 4 yr olds.

Craft work is a great love and I rarely buy cards, so much more fun making your own. I always loved photography and received my first camera on my 16th
birthday…a Box Brownie, which I still have and would never part with it. I have a great record of photos of my children and now my Grandchildren.  

I played a lot of sport over the years, Badminton took top place for ages and then I went on to play squash, which I continued  into my 50’s. However, heavy work and sport took its toll and last year I needed a knee replacement.  

Last year I did something that I had always admired others doing and that was a sky dive. From 14,000ft, what an adrenalin buzz. So pleased I did it.  
Helen