ST HELIERS PTA MEETING ENTERS WEEK THREE AS WELLINGTON DAD REFUSES TO LEAVE HALL
Bloke arrived with a thermos on the 4th. Nobody's had the nerve to ask him to go.
A St Heliers Primary PTA meeting scheduled to end at 8.30pm on the 4th is now into its 19th day. A visiting Island Bay parent brought a two-litre thermos and has, by all accounts, settled in.
The parent, Rowan Meecham, is in Auckland visiting his sister. He tagged along because she was on the baking roster. Meecham has since offered opinions on the school zone review, the pickup lane, the sausage sizzle supplier, and the acoustics of the hall.
"He's very informed," said PTA treasurer Philippa Grewcock, who has missed a barre class, a book club, and her wedding anniversary. "He keeps saying 'in Island Bay we do it differently'. The thermos does not appear to be emptying. I've stopped looking at it."
Attempts to close the meeting have been thwarted by Meecham raising a point of order. Most recently it was about whether Griffin's or Cookie Time should supply the Term 3 fundraiser biscuit. A vote was held. He abstained, then spoke for eleven minutes on why.
Principal Deirdre Callaghan said the school was "comfortable with the situation for now" but had quietly moved Year 4 recorder practice to the library. Meecham, contacted at the hall on Tuesday, said he was "just about to wrap up" and asked if anyone wanted a top-up.
His sister has stopped answering the phone.
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Reader Letters
★ Trev_Hornby
Bloody meetings!
★ Margaret_F
What bugs me is how these meetings never actually achieve anything. Reminds me of those endless gatherings in our day, back in the 80s, where nothing moved forward because of indecisive chatter! Gerald would have sorted it out in no time.
★ BarryBishopdale
Back in my day, we wouldn't have tolerated this nonsense. The council needs a shake-up. It's because of them and their lack of action that these issues persist. Bloody useless!
JoannePetone
Honestly, I think this dad's got the right idea. Sometimes you have to plant your feet and make sure your voice is heard. Otherwise, things just get swept under the rug.
ropeable_dave
Mate, you're dreaming if you think anything's getting resolved. Same old members, same old arguments every damned time.
couchgremlin
LMAO.
Sandra McKenzie
Rowan's marathon meeting sessions are both commitment and madness. I applaud his dedication but question if sustained occupation truly drives change. Still, he's got them talking, hasn't he?
★ BarryBishopdale
Sandra, the problem is not his dedication but the council's inaction. Back in my day, people took charge instead of squatting!
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