Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Ruud Kleinpaste: The legacy of Sir Peter Blake

Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Show Notes

The legacy of Sir Peter Blake is a lot bigger than many people are aware of. We know him from his yachting around the world: America’s Cup, Whitbread, etc, etc. Wonderful stuff! My first connection with Peter was via his mother Joyce, who rang me on talkback radio (Newstalk ZB of course) to see if I could help Peter and his sailing team with an outbreak of fleas in the guys’ wetsuits. A boxful of Permethrin was dispatched to a port in South America – that worked! I kept an eye on Sir Peter’s activities. He became more and more involved with environmental work, not just in New Zealand, but right around the planet. He sailed with a message and spread the importance of environmental Education. “Seamaster” was the home of Blake’s Expedition Journey. December 6th, 2001, was the tragic end of Sir Peter’s life, but his environmental work never stopped. The Sir Peter Blake Trust was established, —later becoming Blake— to continue Peter’s mission: environmental awareness, activities, adventures with New Zealanders, especially kids (and teachers!) to instil a deeper sense of Kaitiakitanga within them. A lot of people became involved. Blake Inspire (for teachers), Blake NZ Virtual reality, Blake Expeditions, Blake Ambassadors, Blake Awards, and Blake Young Leaders Awards. These two weeks we’ll take about 70 teachers to Tawharanui Reserve, and to Goat island if weather is okay, and Campbells Bay to look for Marine life. We'll collect plankton at Murrays Bay, go to Centennial Park to work with freshwater quality, invertebrates and fishes, and visit the Stardome/Planetarium. We'll also go to schools with great environmental work and there are talks and work with artists – all parts of an inspirational number of Curriculum bits. A group of teachers involved with Blake Inspire. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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