| After leaving Tokoroa, I spent a year working in Hamilton as a student accountant before Earl & I married and moved to Wellington, where I continued to work, first as a student accountant before moving into a sole-charge, office manager’s position for a firm of auto electricians. Earl worked for the Wellington YMCA, but based in Porirua and surrounds. In 1976, we moved to Richmond, Nelson where Earl continued to work for the YMCA and I enjoyed motherhood with the birth of our first daughter Jolene. In 1979, we moved back to Hamilton, so that Earl could attend teachers college and I embarked on B Soc Sc (in Mathematics & Statistics) at Waikato University. That year also saw the birth of our second daughter Sharn.
Following the completion of his teacher training, Earl work for 3 years as an Intermediate Teacher before moving into secondary teaching when he got a position as a Phys Ed teacher at Hamilton Boys High. Meanwhile, I continued with my studies, completing a M Soc Sc in 1984. It had been my intention to become a secondary school teacher, but I was fortunate to land a position as a Junior Lecturer in Statistics at the University in 1984. This became a fully tenured lectureship in 1988. As part of my job, I was encouraged to complete a PhD. This I did on a part-time basis and, despite time off with the birth of our third daughter Brydie-Anne in 1989, I was successfully awarded my PhD in 1998. In 1991 Earl was awarded a BOT scholarship to return to University for year to complete a B Soc Sc (History). When he had finished his degree, he was "rewarded" by being informed his job at Boys High no longer existed. Earl has continued to work on short term contracts and day-to-day relief mainly at Cambridge High School. As for our family: Our eldest daughter Jolene is married and living on a farm in Aria (out of Pio Pio). She has three beautiful boys, ages 7, 4 and 8 months, and is expecting another baby in September. She homes schools so she will have her hands full. Sharn also has a six (nearly seven) year old son and has recently married and moved to Auckland, where she is hoping to join the fire service. Our youngest daughter Brydie-Anne (almost 18) has finished school and is currently working as a dental chair assistant. She has great ambitions to become a screen actress and has already had the lead female role in a full length feature film, produced here in Hamilton and due for release later this year. She still lives at home, but is threatening to "find a flat" so that she can assert her independence!! In 1993, we moved out to Rukuhia (5 mins out of Hamilton) and set up a Bed-and-Breakfast. We continue to operate this, and it fits very well with our work schedules. We have plenty of room and love to host old friends, so ... Judi & Earl McWhirter, Green Gables of Rukuhia 35 Rukuhia Road, RD 2, Ohaupo, New Zealand Phone: + 64-7-843 8511 Fax: + 64-7-843 8514 email: judi.earl@clear.net.nz skype: judiandearl Earl's Mobile: 021 327 562 Judi's Mobile: 021 583 462 Judi's work: + 64-7-838 4774 |
| Judi and Earl McWhirter |
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| In Spe Fortitudo - In Quiet Confidence Lies Your Strength |