Tony Watkins

In 1964 Tony set out from London on a bicycle to go home to New Zealand.

I was supposed to move from Ward 81 into the Rehabilitation Ward of Auckland Hospital. A very kindly nurse came to explain what would be involved. They would help me to lead a normal life. The physios, for example, would work with me until I was able to knot my own tie. It quickly became obvious to both of us that I had no interest in being normal. I decided I would take a chance on rehabilitating myself so that I could once again lead an extraordinary life, as I had become accustomed to do.

You only have one life. It is a tragedy to waste it being normal.

In 1976 while governments were meeting in the centre of Vancouver NGOs gathered at an air force base at Jericho Beach, close to the UBC Campus. They came with chain saws and gathered driftwood off the beaches. They built a conference venue and friendships were forged through building. At WUF3 Ian Athfield was spoken of with affection as a builder rather than as an architect. The Aussies and the Kiwis were remembered for their good humour and their ability to get things done. They never stopped to ask what needed to be done. They knew. They simply got on with the job.

What would you do with a week in Tonga I asked one of the Tongans who turn up regularly to go fishing at Karaka Bay. He thought long and hard. "Go fishing." he replied.