What goes around, comes around
When I started writing this book I had no real idea how it would be received, and whether it would have any interest at all.
After the launch of the book in Palmerston North and Wellington and the article written in the Auckland Herald by Neil Reid my expectations changed and that the book could sell well. Neil wrote to me after he had read my book and conducted his interview with me over the phone, and this is what he said:-
Thank you so much for your time on the phone. I loved reading your book - it is so honest and so inspirational - but it has taken on a whole new life after talking to you! As mentioned, I love my rugby history, I am coming up 47, but I have a special interest in old school All Black/world rugby history. The worst thing with books is to read a biography/autobiography from a modern day player and so much truth is missing ... your book is just incredible ... the ultimate tale of inspiration and redemption.
I have been a reporter for 27 years now, and I have to pass on that my interview with you is one of the best I have ever done, in terms of your honesty and your story. Thank you so much for all of your time ... and I am looking forward to giving our chat the prominence in our paper on April 28 it deserves. You are a remarkable and inspirational New Zealander! Best regards and respect always, ~Neil Reid New Zealand Herald
Then I received this letter from a pupil from Wadestown School in Wellington where I taught in 1955.
I would like to attend your book launch this evening but I play the US stock markets overnight
and am asleep at that time - I have to get up at 9.45pm and go through the night! I wish you well with your book-sounds very interesting, and I remember my days at Wadestown school with affection AND to be taught by an All Black!
Best regards,
~Onny Parun
(Parun OBE is a former tennis player of Croatian descent from New Zealand, who was among the world's top 20 for five years and who reached the quarterfinals at Wimbledon in 1971 and 1972. Wikipedia)
The Class of 1955
Members of the Class of 1955 who attended the Wellington Book Launch function
Another letter from a member of the “Class of 55” came all the way from Spain just to remind ourselves of how small the world really is. Tina wrote:-
Hi Nev, (although you were, and probably always will be, ‘Sir’ to me!!). It was quite a thing in my family. You were so revered and it was always, ‘Sir said this’ and ‘Sir said that’, so all my family referred to you for ever as ‘Sir’. The year you taught us was a happy year in my memory, and it’s good to be able to tell you that.
My husband was a primary teacher for a few years, and he too, was revered by many of his pupils. Even I, by association, got a little bit of that.
The year we all turned 60, Wadestown School had its 125 year celebration. Susie (Curtis) (1st right bottom row in the class photo) worked hard for the year leading up to that weekend to get in touch with as many as possible from our class. In the end 35 attended some part of celebrations. I came over from the UK several from Australia, Robert Elwin (3 from left middle row) from Canada and others from all around NZ. It was fantastic. We all got on so well that we’ve met up several times since. The Wellingtonians meet at least annually. I go home every 3 years and look forward to our reunions so much. One of the guys said it’s like getting together with your cousins. We were very fortunate in that it was generally a stable class so we knew each other for a long time.
I sat up in bed here in our house in Spain and listened to your radio interview. I was really chuffed to be able to tune into it. Heather McFarlane (5th from left bottom row) has been a fantastic ‘social secretary’ for the class and keeps us all informed of comings and goings. Sadly Kitty Hilton (next to Susie) died last year and several went to her funeral. Heather told us of your proposed broadcast and how to catch it later.
It was great hearing your interview, some parts of which I knew as my husband is a keen rugby follower and has followed your career. I really enjoyed hearing about your Wales trip. We used to live in Cardiff and went to Cardiff Arms Park to watch the ABs there in 1973. What a fantastic experience that was and I can imagine how wonderfully you were treated. It was a really lovely story and I’m so pleased that it was such a happy outcome for you and your son and family.
We are going back to the UK tonight where they are in the middle of a cold snap. It’s 30 degrees here in Alicante today so it will be a rude shock for us. However we are back in 3 weeks for 2 months so it won’t be too hard!!!!
We will be here for the rugby World Cup so hope to catch it by streaming from the UK. We were here for the last World Cup. We couldn’t find a bar anywhere showing it. My husband was frantic to hear it and we eventually heard the second half via an Australian broadcast on the computer. We went mad at the end but had no one to share it with as all our friends and neighbours are Spanish and not into rugby. We went up onto our roof terrace and waved the NZ and AB flags anyway.
I’ve burbled on for too long but just wanted to tell you the impression you made on me, (and many others, from the comments on the class emails since the interview).
Kind regards,
Tina Leslie (Christine Powrie, 5th from right bottom row)
Mayor Grant Smith and Neven at the Palmerston North book launch on 30 April 2019
Nev.
To find out more about Neven MacEwan, his blog or his book, When the Crowd Stops Roaring, visit nevenmacewan.co.nz