When I travelled in my Fiat 125 from Christchurch to my new home in Dunedin as a newly minted Police Constable in the early 1980s, it was the beginning of life long affection for the Edinburgh of the south. Three of us new Constables got “posted” to Dunedin after a year as a police cadet.

One of my colleagues then is still one of my best friends (top 2 rating!) and we flatted for the first few weeks in his mother’s house while she was visiting family in The Netherlands. Then it was boarding with Mrs Martin, who was a regular landlady for new police officers in the southern city. Only downside was the Saturday cook-up of tripe. But she understood nightshift and the need to sleep during the day.

When I walked up George Street on a crisp evening recently I stopped at 521 – a historic home – where I rented a studio apartment from a local biology professor after Mrs Martin. The home was beautiful and he had divided it into charming apartments whilst keeping the structural design including an elegant ballroom, for common use (although it seemed too good to hang around in for some reason). It’s looking a bit unloved and appears to still be in several flats.

The next morning we spend half a day with a great group of leaders who we’ve been working with for the last few months – developing a new and authentic leadership for the individuals and company. We’ve had story-telling, 360s, a psychometric assessment, and lots of small group work and feedback. Today was about OBT – the one big thing that the leaders have honed to the leadership development opportunity that is going to make the most difference. Something new to work on.

As I walked past the old police station on my evening’s walk  – now returned to its former glory as offices, I was struck by how fabulous the city looked. Clean, accessible, and stunning architecture, much of it restored. A new precinct in the main street George St – the retail quarter – has a modern pedestrian and two wheeled zone. And grown up playground equipment. Love it!

Some of our leaders are focussing on bring the right attitude to work – bringing joy and positivity to a world that, right now, can feel pretty tough. Not in a “smile and it will be all good” way, but in an authentic and empowering way that builds trust and working together with care.

I sent some of my photos of the evening’s walk to my friend and former police colleague, now resident in Melbourne for many years. He still has connections to Dunedin – a brother who lives next door to his late mother’s house – where my journey started.

His text back to me read “Dunedin is looking exotic and prosperous. And clean”.  I agree.

And fun too – that seesaw is a must try!

Stephen

Notes:

• Ōtepoti is the Māori name for upper harbour area where Dunedin city was developed.
• Dùn Èideann – Scottish Gaelic name for Edinburgh
• More photos from my walk: