19 Comments
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Peter's avatar

We have a help each other relationship over the years, it has been a pleasure working alongside you although in a different capacity.

I enjoyed reading your personal interest articles.

Very sorry to hear of your ill health and poor prognosis. Travel well Jamie

Peter Williams

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Elaine Tipu's avatar

Awesome story. Jamie you are a legend, and a very special work colleague and friend.

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Cynthia Johnson's avatar

I was so shocked to hear about your health troubles. I always enjoyed chatting to you when I worked at the Times. Very classy and decent guy, you don't deserve this mongrel illness

Cynthia Johnson, Christchurch

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Cynthia Johnson's avatar

I was so shocked to hear about your health troubles. I always enjoyed chatting to you when I worked at the Times. Very classy and decent guy, you don't deserve this mongrel illness

Cynthia Johnson, Christchurch

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Cynthia Johnson's avatar

I was so shocked to hear about your health troubles. I always enjoyed chatting to you when I worked at the Times. Very classy and decent guy, you don't deserve this mongrel illness

Cynthia Johnson, Christchurch

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Cynthia Johnson's avatar

I was so shocked to hear about your health troubles. I always enjoyed chatting to you when I worked at the Times. Very classy and decent guy, you don't deserve this mongrel illness

Cynthia Johnson, Christchurch

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Des Coppins's avatar

Jamie, I reckon it was in the early 80’s when I made phone contact with you to join the Friday Flash team.

I’m not sure who referred you to me, Don Wright, maybe , or Taylor Strong , or it could well have been a “ Letter to the Editor” you submitted to the racing weekly.

At the time you were working outside racing, maybe in the grocery trade?

In any case on the phone chat I will never forget your enthusiasm to be a lowly paid contributor.

For you it was the foot in the door in racing that clearly outweighed any monetary returns.

When the paper went north from Wellington and set up shop in Auckland I believe you carried on your contributions until sadly the paper folded just a few years later.

You have clearly done your chosen craft proud and the respect your colleagues have with you is obvious.

I’m so pleased I made that phone call to you all those years ago and it goes without saying all three codes agree.

God bless Jamie

Des Coppins

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Emma Jarman's avatar

So sorry to read this Jamie. Not only did you give many years of service to the racing community but you stepped up to take on completely different articles over the years - I will always be incredibly thankful for all the times you went out of your way to come into school and interview music students for stories with their sucess with events such as Rockquest, Chamber Music, and NZ rep groups for things like the national brass band. You were always so kind and caring when interviewing the students and worked hard to get all the details right - not easy at all when it was completely different world to the trackside stories you did. You were always a brilliant advocate for community stories during your time at the Southland Times and it didn't go unnoticed by me or the families of the students you interviewed. Warm regards, Emma Jarman

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Jill Smolenski nee Fraser's avatar

So sorry to read of your prognosis Jamie. We first met all those years ago when I started out in Harness Racing in Invercargill and lucky to reconnect again when I was managing Nevele R Stud. You have never changed. Always a kind and humble man. Mum and I send our love and wish you a peaceful journey's end. The good ones always go too soon.

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Dennis Todd's avatar

Sorry to hear about your health Jamie may the hot chocolates keep pouring we will forever cherish our memories. Dennis Cheryl & girls

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Dennis Todd's avatar

Sorry to hear about your health Jamie may the hot chocolates keep pouring we will forever cherish our memories. Dennis Cheryl & girls

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Dennis Todd's avatar

Sorry to hear about your health Jamie may the hot chocolates keep pouring we will forever cherish our memories. Dennis Cheryl & girls

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Debbie Shirley's avatar

What a great article Jamie. I am so sorry to hear the news of your current health situation. Mark and I am thinking of you and wish you all the best for the journey you face.

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Courtney Clark's avatar

Sorry to hear you are so unwell Jamie - very unfair..I always enjoyed working with you at the Southland Times..

Take care

Courtney Pierce

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Anne Hill's avatar

Hi Jamie,Just read a lovely article of your life and how true it is.A proud Southlander .I have lovely memories of when your mum was sick as I had played many a round of golf at the park.

You were the best son a Mum could have had when Mum was ill.

Fond memories Jamie

Anne and Russell Hill

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Michelle Tohill's avatar

Jamie have many memories of you and dad, John Morrison working together and he loved the chats you shared.

Loved reading your journey.

So sorry to hear of your diagnosis.

Travel well Jamie.

Michelle

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