Seaport Scene Issue 316

Joseph Sullivan Reunites with Rowing Buddies

Joseph celebrates his win with his partner and rowing mates. Back Row: Dane Boswell, Daniel Karena, Rob Hellstrom and Ryan Gaudin. Front Row: James Ashley, Kieran Gaudin, Joseph Sullivan, Holly Ross and Jimmy Giles.

In good old kiwi style Joseph Sullivan caught up with his mates for the first time since his amazing gold medal win. In a relaxed atmosphere he was greeted with 'gidday mate'or 'good job' before being offered a local Moa beer.

Joseph seems a hugely modest man, happy to accept good natured jibes from his friends about his new found Olympic hero status. He says of his former rowing companions, "they keep you pretty grounded".

While we at home were jumping up in the air, screaming in delight, knowing that Joseph and his partner Nathan Cohen were gold medal winners, Joseph's first thought crossing the finish line was, "did we win? I didn’t know until I looked at the screen. I was just happy we finished."

Although he appears a quiet, laid back sort of guy, he was thrilled by the support from his home town and spoke of the Haka that Queen Charlotte College had recorded and sent to him, "I got sent that just before the race; that was pretty emotional. It was very cool".

His partner Holly and his parents were right by his side in London and after answering many supportive calls, he chose to contact his grandparents and share the awesome moment.

Now he will return to Picton this Sunday 26 August to celebrate with the proud locals. Appropriately situated right next to the water on London Quay at 1pm, he will be saying hi and signing autographs for keen fans.

And one word to describe his enormous achievement? "Relief.", he says.

OTHER STORIES IN THIS ISSUE

• Letter to the Editor
• Picton, home of...
• Wilding Pine Control
• Bounce Bounces Back
• Classifieds
• Spot the Knot
• Cold Play Tickets - Last Chance
• Sunbathing Seals
• Interislander celebrates its 50th
• Lucky Dusky Dolphin Calf Rescued from Discarded Net
• Love Your Parks
• Happy 95th Birthday Reg
• Picton Allstars
• Netball Team
• Picton Provedoring Food Show
• Seaport Happenings
• Seaport Sessions
• Waitohi Prizegiving Evening
• Reflections from Picton Museum
• Library Lines
• On The Beat with Constable Newcombe
• Meet the Picton police
• Check the Specs
• Picton Memories 3 - Jenny MacDonald
• Mikey’s has Enthusiastic New Owners
• New Digger in Town
• Rob Burn's Daily Dose from Italy
• Local Woman Finalist in Brancott Estate WOW Awards Show

Get your copy of the Seaport Scene at one of the following outlets:

Picton: The Seaport Scene Office, FreshChoice, Take Note, Healthcare Pharmacy, Picton Library, On The Spot, Challenge Service Station, Picton Four Square
Blenheim: Perrys Book Shop

Don't forget:

Win Coldplay tickets! Submit a photo of you reading the Seport Scene for a chance to win.
Submit your poems or stories for the Writers Corner
Send us your stunning images of the place we live.

Seaport Scene Issue 315

GOLD for Joseph Sullivan and Picton

Picton Boy Joseph Sullivan knows how to produce two things: heart attacks in his family and friends and a gold medal winning race finish. Coming from fourth place at the 1750m mark, Joseph, and rowing partner Nathan Cohen, sprinted home and crossed the line to win the final of the Mens Double Sculls at the 2012 Olympic Games, becoming his home town hero.

Joseph, and partner Nathan from Invercargill, with their mind blowing sprint, won the first gold for New Zealand in these games, and have also honoured their respective clubs and local districts with their provinces' first ever gold medals.

Joseph has been rowing since 2001 when he showed up at the Picton Rowing Club one afternoon to be told bluntly by Picton Rowing Club coach Dave Bugler “You here for the rowing? – you’ll be no good you're too ………. small”. Joseph’s sheer grit and determination has never put him off any challenge he has had thrown at him including dedicated at early morning trainings and endless hours rowing up and down rivers. He has proven he has the ability to take on the best the world can offer and bring home gold.

Read the rest of Susan O'Rourke's story and see heaps of photos in Issue 315.

OTHER STORIES IN THIS ISSUE

• Captain's Table
• Spot the knot - Try again this week and find out where it was in issue 314.
• Maud Island Frog
• Picton Pool Trust – We're not giving up!
• Cost is the barrier to a new pool for Picton
• On The Beat with Constable Newcombe
• Picton School Disco
• Picton School Year 5 and 6 Camp
• Seaport Happenings
• Seen on the Scene
• Reflections from Picton Muesem - Ngakuta Bay
• Library Lines
• Writers Corner
• Lion Ladies Reunion
• Customers Rate Spinnaker Restaurant
• Hot Rods in Picton
• Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival
• Scoop’s Sports with Sam Swain
• Waitohi Win
• Sailors First in the Silver Fleet: Rob Burn's Daily Dose
• Stand Up Comedy Night a Huge Hit

Get your copy of the Seaport Scene at one of the following outlets:

• Picton: The Seaport Scene Office, FreshChoice, Take Note, Healthcare Pharmacy, Picton Library, On The Spot, Challenge Service Station, Picton Four Square
• Blenheim: Perrys Book Shop

Don't forget:

• Win Coldplay tickets! Submit a photo of you reading the Seport Scene for a chance to win.
• Submit your poems or stories for the Writers Corner
• Send us your stunning images of the place we live.