This introductory piece is being written by me, Malcolm Sparrow, as I'm the one who does these interviews - so here I am talking to myself! I realise that's the first sign of madness ... Needless to say I'm a bit hesitant about including myself in this 'series' but am doing so for the simple reason that if I'm asking other people to be featured here, I felt that I should be willing to do so too.
My primary role in the community is coordinator of the Tawa Community Centre*. I was told recently that my name had come up in a conversation at Tawa Intermediate. "Who's he?" asked one student. The other replied, "He's the community guy." I like to think that sums it up fairly well.
* No longer the case. See note at bottom of the page.
Where were you born, Malcolm? (he asks himself).
Christchurch.
Where did you grow up?
Christchurch - lived there for more than 40 years.
What high school/university did you go to?
Middleton Grange (in Christchurch). Started a commerce degree at Canterbury University but gave it away once I realised I didn't like journal entries and suchlike.
What is your line of work?
Earlier on it was the insurance field, clerical and subsequently sales. In the last couple of decades, desktop publishing (plus publication marketing and distribution) and some website work. Heavy community involvement in more recent years, including taking on the role at the community centre in May 2007.
What about family?
Married to Karen. We have 2 daughters, one at university and the other at Tawa College.
Update - October 2010: The older finishes university this month to start a teaching career, and the younger finishes college this year to start at university in 2011.
What are your interests/hobbies?
Community life in Tawa - besides my work and this website, I'm involved in leading an intermediate-age church-based youth group and am on the Tawa College Board of Trustees. Family and church life. Also interested in general web stuff, photography (tens of thousands of photos - lots of NZ scenes), geography & travel (especially US & UK), exploring New Zealand, bush walks, armchair sports fan, small-time Coca-cola collector, part-time motorcyclist.
How long have you lived in Tawa?
Since October 1996.
What do you think is great about Tawa?
It's a great place to live, like a separate town in its own way. The schools work together well, the churches work together well, and the community as a whole does too. That's exemplified in the Tawa Schools & Community Music Festival involving 700-800 locals every two years. And Tawa has to be one of the best suburbs in New Zealand in which to bring up a family.
What, if anything, would improve Tawa?
A few more events which bring the community together as a whole.
What is your favourite dessert?
Black forest gateau.
Favourite sports team(s)?
The Crusaders (without a doubt!). And to a lesser degree, Tottenham Hotspur.
Favourite musical groups/style of music?
Elvis Presley, the Beach Boys, American Graffiti music, Simon & Garfunkel, etc. Most Tawa Music Festivals' music. And, in my humble opinion, one of the greatest pieces of music ever, "Conquest of Paradise", which just happens to be the Crusaders' theme music!
Favourite holiday destination in New Zealand?
Hard to separate between Golden Bay and Arrowtown/Queenstown way.
Favourite sayings?
I have a 'collection' of hundreds of good quotes. Some of my favourites are:
"A river is powerful because many drops of water have learned the secret of co-operation."
"Lord, help me to be the person my dog thinks I am."
"The most important things in life are not things."
"We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give."
And I like to think I'm in the first category in this one: .
"There are three types of people in this world - people who makes things happen, people who watch things happen, and people who don't even know it's happened."
If you could meet any three people (alive or dead), who would they be?
Walt Disney
Abraham Lincoln
John Newton (who wrote "Amazing Grace")
What three things would you take with you if you were stuck on a desert island?
Access to the web if possible, a constant supply of Tip Top chocolate ice cream, and some Beach Boys' music (seems kind of appropriate!).
What is one talent you would like that you do not have?
To be a whiz on the computer, to master every program I set my mind to and, in particular, be able to compile great websites.
What is one talent you have that you could not do without?
Good organisational strengths and a few innovative ideas from time to time.
What accomplishments/achievements in your life give you the most satisfaction/pride?
Winning the by-election in April 2005 for a place on the Tawa Community Board was pretty special. Doing the same again in November 2009.
Getting to Jade Stadium three times between 2005 and 2008 to see the Crusaders win the Super 12/14 Final title.
Having a great family.
What are two or three interesting things about you that local people may not know?
In my younger days I got to motorcycle from pretty much one end of NZ to the other, and most places in between (over a few years, that is).
I lived in England for about three years in the 1980s and spent two consecutive months "on the trains" gadding about Europe.
I've been fortunate enough to have got to Disneyland ten times** so far, and would go there every year if time and money permitted. Unfortunately they don't!
What are three things you would like to do before you die?
To visit all 50 states in the USA - six** to go - and to get to Mt Rushmore** in person.
To see my kids happily married with families of their own.
Live in a community where neighbours care for neighbours and everybody feels genuinely inter-connected.
Compiled September 2009.
* November 2010 update:
In November 2009 Malcolm won a by-election for a place on the Tawa Community Board, a part-time community role. He is no longer coordinator at the Tawa Community Centre as the by-election win meant that he had to resign from the Centre.
Malcolm was re-elected to the Tawa Community Board in the October 2010 local body elections. In November he was voted chair of the community board.
** October 2011 update:
In September 2011 Malcolm was fortunate enough to visit the USA for three and a half weeks. Certain items above therefore need updating. He has now achieved his goal of getting to Mt Rushmore, he has five US states left to visit, and he has now been to Disneyland eleven times.
