Reporter’s Diary (Press, 23 September 1988)

A puzzling situation arose when Leeza Gibbons, known for her role as a television personality, arrived at Christchurch airport for Telethon in 1988. John Worthington contacted the media after his son received an autograph from Gibbons that read “Leeza Wells,” which baffled him because there was no known connection to that surname in Gibbons's family. After further investigation, it was believed that her signature was likely an abbreviated form of “Gibbons,” with the last three letters contracted, rather than being “Wells.” The odd first letter, initially thought to resemble a 'G,' may in fact be a 'Q,' potentially standing for a name like Quinten, but most speculation favoured Gibbons. Switching to Olympic trivia, the piece highlighted that several couples among Olympic athletes — specifically hammer throwers married to discus throwers, such as Harold and Olga Connolly, Peter and Suzanne Allday, and Howard and Rosemary Payne — all had twins. This curious pattern prompted some reflection on the underlying message it might convey. In a light-hearted mention, a backstory about Gisela Mauermayer, the 1936 Olympic discus champion, was presented. After World War II, she pursued a doctorate by studying ant behaviour, which seemed influenced by her experiences in the competitive sporting environment where social interactions under stress were prevalent. Additionally, an intriguing suggestion was proposed regarding a fictional new Olympic event: team dressage yachting. This whimsical notion was attributed to the creative minds behind Television New Zealand, presenting an amusing thought for sports enthusiasts. A charming tale emerged from a young man’s unfortunate breakdown while driving to Oamaru late on a Tuesday night. After his car broke down on a desolate road, he accidentally locked his keys inside and began to try to unlock the door with No. 8 wire, a resourceful approach typical of Kiwis. Luck was on his side when a bus driver offered him a free ride to the nearest town, Winchester. There, a local garage helped him retrieve his car and tow it back without charging him. Grateful for the kindness, the young man decided to leave a bit of money at the garage as a gesture of appreciation. Lastly, an anecdote concluded the article about a chance encounter at Christchurch airport involving a woman waiting to meet someone who was approached by another asking if she was gay. The hesitant response was met with a humorous twist when she was asked if she was “Gaye Smith,” illustrating the lighter aspects of human connections. Overall, the news story captures a unique blend of intrigue, humour, and warmth surrounding everyday occurrences in New Zealand life.

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