John Bradley has hung up his rain gauge after 40 years without missing a day. Without fail, the 78-year-old former deputy principal at Balaclava school took rain gauge readings and provided wind and cloud information for the MetService from January 1, 1976 to December 31, 2015.
What is one strong childhood memory?
The night of the 5th and 6th of August, 1945. I was aged 7 years. Well after midnight at the Timaru railway station my big brother, NZ 5690 L/cpl Sapper Bradley PJA, POW Number 8377, Front Stalag 183, Stalag VIII B, Lamsdorf (Lambinowice), Poland, arrived home by troop train. Our family were there to meet him. Over our front door was a banner which read ''Welcome Home Phill''. We stayed up until almost morning. Such excitement, as I have never experienced since.
What is your message?
Family is so important, so, support one another. Develop genuine friendships slowly and carefully. Acknowledge kindness shown. Consider and support those in need. Exercise discernment. Be reliable and practical.
If you were going to an island and could only take three things, what would they be and why?
My King James Bible, a water desalination/purification unit and my fishing bag containing my equipment. The good book and the essentials for life; water and food.
What's something only your family knows about you?
How I have measured up as a son, sibling, husband, parent, grandparent, and great -grandparent.
You are a new addition to the crayon box. What colour are you, and why?
Red. A primary, and therefore, a strong colour.
