Joy found in ‘blessed’ area

Jacquie Jarry, 60, from Beach Haven, works for Neighbourhood Support North Shore

How long have you lived here and where are you from?

I went to school in Orewa way before there were so many houses. I roamed the hills and played in the bush or surfed at the local beach. I had a wonderful childhood.

I now live in Beach Haven. I am 60 this year and have five totally wonderful children, two who are married. I have four beautiful grandchildren and two step-sons. Life is full.

I have served in an organisation called ToughLove for around 18 years, supporting parents with teens who are acting up. I’ve just recently resigned from this role and am about to launch my own mini programme called Feral.

I’ve always been a person who loves to gather people, so I put on movie nights, parties, games nights and, for the past three-anda-half years, I’ve worked part time as manager for Neighbourhood Support on the North Shore. I totally love this job as I’m meeting new people all the time. I get to go to loads of parties where I give a safety talk and support people to

‘‘I get to go to loads of parties where I give a safety talk and support people to meet their neighbours.’’

meet their neighbours. Often people have been burgled, so these gatherings bring that village feel to their little corner of the street.

I’m very interested in the Hebrew roots of my Bible faith and have just finished a year-long Torah study: a wonderful journey of discovery and learning.

Describe your neighbourhood.

Very multicultural like most of the North Shore. A great community though with parks, bush walks, beaches, good food shops, cafes, schools. We are blessed. We have a well-run friendly community house, squash courts, bowling and rugby club. All great venues. We have churches and cre` ches so we’re pretty covered. No big supermarket, but not far to Highbury or Glenfield.

What is your earliest memory of the Shore?

The little Anglican church called St Nicholas before it was the Pacific Island preschool on Beach Haven Road.

What are the greatest advantages to living here?

Close to town, if you want some night life. Close to the beach and not far to get out to the country. Quite central really.

Where is your favourite North Shore beach and why?

I guess Beach Haven and

Island Bay. When you swim there, there are no houses to be seen and it is close to home, just three minutes’ drive. You have to go at high tide but I just love those two spots. We get the most lovely sunsets and they are great places for a BBQ and a glass of wine in the evening in summer.

Who is the person you admire the most and why?

No one really sticks out. I meet so many people and I feel people just do the best they can.

What do you like least about the Shore and how can we fix it?

The traffic in the mornings. I have no idea how to fix it.

Where is the best place to have a meal?

Sagar Indian Restaurant is a favourite of ours. Lovely food, gracious people. We go there pretty often.

What do you like to do during the weekends?

Go for little tiki tours in our old caravan, kayak, swim, bush walks or, when we’re at home, have people over. I usually work on a Sunday afternoon at a neighbourhood gathering.