Good Sorts - Ina de Paauw-Fontein

After spending most of her life in the Netherlands, Waimate is now ‘home’ to volunteer Ina de Paauw-Fontein (70).

Ina was born in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in 1953 and did her schooling there, though she taught herself how to read and write before she started. At 11 she went to high school and did a science-based program, which consisted of all forms of science and maths subjects, as well as all the mandatory subjects that included four languages.

In 1972 she went and studied Nursing and afterwards worked as a Nurse Night Manager (charge nurse) in the Womens’ Clinic at Amsterdam Hospital. She then studied teaching and became a Nurse Lecturer, which she did until she went back to practical Nursing and was a Nurse Manager in a Rehabilitation Home. In 1989 Ina left Nursing, and became a Funeral Director, the first woman in the Netherlands to be a managing director of a large funeral company, who didn’t have family ties to it.

Then in 1994 she started her own funeral business and became a well-known Funeral Director, due to her unorthodox and renewed approach to the industry. Ina first came to New Zealand in 2006, where she disembarked in Lyttleton, Christchurch, after her trip along Antarctica and reconnected with her high school sweetheart Frank Fontein, whom she later married.

In 2010 after her marriage she moved from the Netherlands to Christchurch, New Zealand. She started out working for her husband’s teeth whitening business and then was employed as a part-time minutes secretary.

From there she was asked if she would give Kura Kaupapa Māori a helping hand in administration and organisation. She also continued with her work as a celebrant, which she still does today. To celebrate her 60th birthday, Ina went back and visited the Netherlands and on her return to New Zealand, it was decided by her and Frank to leave Christchurch and move to Waimate.

On moving to Waimate she worked as a jam maker for Butler’s Berry Farm and then as an in-home caregiver until the person she cared for passed away. After that she worked at St Kevins College in Oamaru as a Teacher Aid for Second Language Learners until she retired, which then allowed her to focus her time and energy on Positive Waimate Inc.

Ina started volunteering around the age of 16, when she became a Scout leader and over the years has volunteered in many different aspects within the communities she has lived in.

She said volunteering was the normal thing to do in her family, as her parents encouraged it. “I have never shied away from putting my hand to a job that needed doing.” On moving to Waimate, Ina became involved in Positive Waimate Inc and is now their treasurer.

She said volunteering for Positive Waimate Inc has been one of the most rewarding and enjoyable committees she has been involved in, as it brings joy to the community. “Positive Waimate Inc is a grass roots committee, that was started by Mandy Tangney, who thought it would be nice for her grandchildren and the community to have a Christmas Parade.

“The community has gotten right behind it and supports what we do. It is very satisfying to see what you do is well supported. “I can see that by having a sold-out baking stall when we are at the Community Market.” Ina is also the secretary for the Waimate Savage Club and is on the list of helpers for the Waimate Community Radio Station. She said the Savage Club is a thoroughly enjoyable club to participate in, as you can either entertain or be entertained. “It is a stage for anyone of any age to show their talents on. “There is so much laughter there, which is good for the soul.”

Two other committees Ina is involved in are the Waimate District Council (WDC) Community and Sports (Sports New Zealand) Grants committee and the Waimate Creative Communities Scheme committee for projects related to the arts. The committees get requests for funding for different projects in the community. Ina said volunteering in the Waimate community is a wonderful experience, as the community believe in and support what we do.

“You won’t feel the joy of volunteering unless you try it. “So, if you have a bit of time on your hands, why not try volunteering a few hours a week and bring a bit of joy to the community and smiles to peoples’ faces. “It is worth it.” If you are ‘curious’ and would like to know about any of the volunteer groups Ina is involved in please contact her on 021 0556 755.

Ina said moving to Waimate from Christchurch was the best decision her she and her husband Frank made, as it has amazing people and is a ‘lovely’ town to live in. She said it has everything that you need available to you, good facilities, and a great environment. “Waimate has an enormous community feel to it. “I like the people I encounter; they are willing to accept people for who they are, without immediate judgment. “I love Waimate; I just can’t help it.” By Amelia King