Our Local Saint, From Vinnies

 Getting to know Marianne Govaerts in the time that I have, the title of 'Saint' will not sit well I am certain. 

A mother of two incredible young men, Leon and Timo, and loving partner to Clayton Thomson. Her life is filled with passion and care for others. She lovingly credits her partner for teaching her 'selflessness'. 

We have a story...it may remind you of someone. A relative, an old acquaintance, a friend...Perhaps yourself at one time.

'Numb, completely spent, out of body, the room closing in, and grasping for any clues to confirm that she wasn't, in actual fact standing in line amongst others  to be tagged, numbered, counted, following the aimless, all muted with the same humiliating truth. They were in need of help. This mother, needed food for her boys. She had to ask strangers. She had to wait in line. Her inner critic relentlessly clawing at her last strand of dignity. 

"I do not belong here" - she quietly reassured herself, looking around at unfamiliar faces. Each shadow human, had a story to tell - and no-one who cared to listen.  

After an internal check-in, her life as she knew it, flashed in front of her eyes .. her body slumped into a submissive surrender and she accepted the raw reality. "I do belong here" 

When the world, she had tried so hard to weave into a picture of perfection came crumbling down, it hit hard.  Terribly hard. 

This story, belongs to our Marianne Govaerts. Due to her personal experience, she has remained motivated to help those in need, no questions asked. This dark chapter was the catalyst to crawling her way out to a new beginning, a new learning and a new way of life.

 She found the loving care and support through her partner Clayton, who lifted her and her then very young sons up with kindness and selflessness.  

Greatly loved and respected within this community, Marianne has been instrumental in creating strong networks, building bridges, tirelessly advocating for those who cannot speak for themselves here in Picton, Marlborough and surrounding districts.  

The recent community effort organized by Marianne at St Vinnies, and supported by local heroes including Waikawa Marae, Piwaka Lodge Shiona and Nicci, Fresh Choice, Food Bank Picton, The Papatuanuku Independency Trust, and generous individuals providing baking and soup.  This was made possible by those who spend their time and effort on building people up, not breaking them down, in their time of need. 

Shiona @ Piwaka Lodge (both Nicci and Shiona are heavily involved in helping those in need

This second koha project, came only four days after the first successful 'Free Food Stall'.

Marianne commented that together, these wonderful non profit groups are a force to be reckoned. She is thankful to be a small part of this huge gathering of kind people, best supporting those most vulnerable within community. Whether elderly, the young, struggling solo parents, physically or mentally challenged, there is HOPE, there is LIGHT.  It is her personal hope that future joint projects will be organized together. It is the combining of strengths and resources that have the greatest impact. 

Empathy is the chip that motivates volunteers, mostly. 

This feature is being shared because we realise there are people from many demographics who are struggling on different levels.  Lockdowns certainly do not help. Isolation can be very damaging. Check in with your neighbors.

If you are inspired by these volunteers, please know you can start right now, where you are at. Some ways you may consider being a part of this 'Kindness Bug' (a much better virus to catch, with the most highest transmission rate ever recorded), start small, start where you are right now, start now. 

Consider the following:

• Any left overs you'd usually throw out - Freeze.  Every Friday St Vinnies Store can accept items for the food bank - frozen goods, packaged goods, anything youd like to share
• Do some extra baking - anything is welcome. These 'treats' are always received with such delight, and says loudly "Everyone deserves something more"
• You can donate via debit card EFT POS at the St Vinnies Store - anytime they are open
• Naturally any clothing donations are always welcome. 
• Get yourself a police check, and volunteer to read to a lonely senior citizen. Or just sit and listen, have a cup of tea with them. 
• Picton Volunteers Needed - Picton Resource Centre (Mariners Mall)
• As a business you may want to set up an automatic payment of $20 a month direct to St Vinnies account.  
• Look the next person you walk past, in the eye smile and say hello. 

As a front line person, Marianne gets to see it all.  

The difference is the 'Mariannes' of this world, do not care to label or judge those already suffering. There is an inner knowing that many will be reached, and one act of kindness can change someones' world forever. For others, it may just be the only kindness that person has received in an entire year. 

Thankyou Marianne, (and all of you super heroes making a difference), for running with the 'torch' in Olympian fashion, and passing that torch onto us who are inspired, and ignited by your example.  

PS: Thankyou for putting me onto our next 'feature' for Picton - Up Close & Personal

*  If interested in learning how to  best support, (not enable) individuals who are stuck in behavior and patterns that are destructive to self and others, I highly recommend a book written by Oprah and Dr Perry - its a game changer!

What Happened To You - Understanding the Science, and the recovery of Trauma

From years of researching addiction and mental unwellness, I am certain many sufferers can rehabilitate. Trauma based training and care is a whole new perspective, which I personally believe will lead the way to healing in the years to come. 

Dr Gabor Mate is an expert in this field. (A brilliant scholar and teacher, who has suffered from ADHD) 

The Best Explanation re Addiction (9 minute video)

*Personal notes, not discussed with Marianne. 

PICTON - UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

 A quick introduction is required. 

My name is Leeanne Meikle. 

I am an outsider who has been flirting around the edges of Picton, earlier this year. 

My background is sales, advertising and social media content management on behalf of small to medium size businesses. The following endeavors have been a labor of love, a contribution of sorts, celebrating community and well being through photography and written features. 

Up Close & Personal facebook pages began nine yrs ago in a Wairarapa village called Martinborough.  For those who love 'Wine Tastings' may well have visited this wonderful little place.   (this page no longer exists)

From there, I started a page called  FEILDING - UP CLOSE & PERSONAL Click here This is my home town, and it was a pleasure to write a few feature articles about some well loved locals.  

I combine blog, photography and human stories (ordinary humans, just happily doing their thing, as they contribute to the community they live in)

I completed my partial South Island roadtrip, 8 years ago, with my son who was 13yrs of age at the time.  It was my friend Nicci Fitzgerald (Piwaka Lodge click here) who was instrumental in securing some gigs for me in Picton - I mostly performed at the then Mikeys Bar and a final gig at Lochmara Lodge before returning home to the North Island. 

This was pre-Covid, and cruise ships would be a regular feature during the week.  I was lucky to have had such a fabulous outdoor venue to perform in, and day visitors off the cruise ship would flock to where the music was, as they stretched there legs (pre covid - did not spread their legs) walking around town. 

I fell in love with this beautiful town, filled with  down to earth, friendly people.  I had a feeling somewhat, that I would return one day. 

Fast forward eight years - my youngest son (who was thirteen years of age the last visit) now twenty-one years old in October. Mama has spread her wings and returned to Picton, Marlborough. (with my familys' blessing of course).

I arrived January 2021, in my transit motorhome, and sang at a few venues over a period of 3 months. I was supposed to be doing a West Coast roadtrip, but again, got held up by this wonderful place.  I landed a job at The Thirsty Pig, and adored the locals (adore).  I felt very welcome, and it was with a touch of sadness when I decided to resume my plans onto the West Coast in April this year, then onto Melbourne. 

Long story short.  HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.

My heart remains with my family and friends up North, however, my love affair belongs here in Picton. 

I have been blessed to have found fulltime work that will work fully around my gigs around Marlborough in Summer. 

The above is of no importance, however I just thought I would give you a little background to who I am and where I've come from. I am in the process of getting my 'Ducks In A Row' - work in progress!

PICTON - UP CLOSE & PERSONAL

Now this is the fun part...

This page will be about you.  The people who live here. The contributors, the volunteers, the business owners, the human stories that connect us all.  The overcomers, the struggles and the care that is shown and given, not because anyone has to, but because they want to. 

It will also feature business owner/operators, their products and services, with a fresh lens and perspective.  Up Close & Personal is a platform to inspire, connect and celebrate the ordinary, which in truth, is the the extraordinary.  

The things and people we become accustomed to, can blur into the background of our lives, when it is these strands of familiarity that bind together, strengthen and secure one another in uncertain times. 

Over the next few weeks, keep an eye out for the new posts from this blog.  There is so much good happening within this wee town. 

I am very pleased I am here, and looking forward to weaving a little bit of me, into your rich tapestry of community and good will. 

Kindest regards

Leeanne Meikle