A flick through Our People's files show how diverse Rotorua's population is. Photo / File
A flick through Our People's files show how diverse Rotorua's population is. Photo / File
The Rotorua Daily Post's Our People profiles return for their 2015 series tomorrow.
Since they were launched in May 2009, readers have been introduced to a staggering cross-section of those from within our community or who've had their roots here. They are based on the premise that everyone has astory to tell - as Our People will continue to prove.
The ages of those featured range from 11 to 100. The 11-year-old was home-schooled Baxter Johnston, the centenarian long-time Tarawera resident George McAlonan. George died 10 days after he'd been up boogying on his walking frame at his big birthday bash.
George is a classic example of how Our People came into being. It's a question I'm often asked and the reason's almost brutal in its honesty. I became sick of going to funerals and finding out how wonderful people were when it was too late to acknowledge them in their lifetimes.
A flick through Our People's files show how diverse Rotorua's population is, the number of faiths also continue to surprise. "Run of the mill" religions aside, among those I've chatted with are Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, a Baha'i, a Taoist and avowed non-believers.
Occupations are equally various. There's been a knight of the realm, judges, sportspeople, cleaners, collectors, carvers and a cobbler.
And in the "only in Rotorua" category come the number of talented local musos, Maori in particular, but not necessarily so.
I must give a special thank you to this newspaper's award-winning photographers. It's their eye-catching pictures that give Our People the life force words never can.
If you know anyone who should be profiled I'll add their names to 2015's already-lengthy list - but please get their permission first.
Some people are intensely private, I respect that.
Please email your authorised Our People suggestions to news@dailypost.co.nz with your contact details and theirs.
It's also fine to nominate yourself - you know you better than anyone else does.-Tomorrow's Our People features Emma Rigby, a 30-something local girl whose name is becoming as well known in London as in her home town.
