Combined Voices

 If you are a regular to our Facebook and Instagram Stories you may have seen a couple of days ago we shared about a TVNZ program,  National Treasures that screened on Monday night.

While it was the Kaiapoi Maori Chief car rug that adorned the Queen's knee on her visit to New Zealand in the 1950's that we sat on the edge of our seats to see.  We were pleasantly surprised by the segment not much before featuring the wool shed at  Burnview Station in Herbertville on New Zealand's East Coast, carved with the names of the shearers and wool hands of generations before.  

During the interview with Mavis Mullins, she shared her story of her four generations of family that have worked the station including her grandmother, Mavis Barclay who worked there as a wool classer in the 1930's. Mavis spoke with passion and knowledge of her family history and connection to the work ethic that brings her to the farm today.  She reminded me, YES sharing the story of wool, the positives and innovations that creative New Zealanders are doing is going to keep turning that tide to a wool resurgence.

"Shed is steeped in history"
"There is something really special about walking into a woolshed"

"Burnview Station has a proud history"
"New Zealand was built on the back of a sheep"

"It's actually a story about nation building of Aotearoa New Zealand.  We just have to listen to it"
"For us this is about whanau, we worked as a family, and you know, that kaupapa still kind of resonates today"
"...give pride to people and industry"
"...we have a value proposition"

And from the presenter:  "I also have learnt that wool is probably going to be our future. e hoa ma. I mean, it's sustainable. It's good for the environment."

"So perhaps in the future we should return to wool"

It filled me with pride and excitement to hear these things.  It's the story we share here at Fresh Retro Love, it's the story of our nation's wool farmers and the story that will change things for generations ahead.  Let us not lose our sheep nation status, let us be known for our beautiful wool production and the innovative and quality items made from this wondrous fibre.  

Keep sharing YOUR story of wool, big or small and watch that tide come in. 

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National Treasures is available  on TVNZ Now for viewing.  This episode was Season 1, Episode 4