Osteoporosis New Zealand

Extraordinary Russell resident awarded

Age is no impediment to one's zest for life, if 90-year-old yoga teacher, Ms Lyndsay Nichols of Russell is any indication.

Lyndsay was one of three New Zealanders to receive an award at the Osteoporosis New Zealand You Deserve a Medal ceremony in Parliament last night. The awards - open to all New Zealanders aged 65 and over - aim to encourage older people to stay physically active – a key contributor to maintaining bone health.

Having trained with the Russell Kerr Ballet School in Auckland, just four years ago Lyndsay was dancing a principal role in a production at Auckland University's Maidment Theatre. Her weekly yoga classes comprise an equal number of men and women and, having given up her car 25 years ago, she walks on a daily basis around the steep hills of her home in Russell.

Lyndsay has a deep concern for environmental issues and a passion for her community. She loves a philosophical discussion, paints in oils, writes poetry and prose, and joins community groups – whether for a winter theatrical stage production, a poetry reading or the Russell Writers' Group – with an enthusiasm that defies her age.

Described as a 'beacon of light' by all who know her, Lyndsay Nichols is not only an inspiration to her community, but to Osteoporosis New Zealand in awarding her the Osteoporosis New Zealand 10th Anniversary Medal.

Lyndsay joins two other extraordinary New Zealanders on the winner's platform – Mr Robin Smith, 86 of Dunedin who begins each day with a 1000 metre swim at 6am, attends weekly Tai Chi classes and runs Age Concern's Steady as You Go exercise group, alongside his involvement with University of the 3rd Age, Otago Alzheimer’s Society and Knox Church Social Justice work group; and 97-year-old Lillian Langton of Auckland who, despite suffering a fractured pelvis and hip, continues to work for Meals on Wheels – a role she has performed for 30 years - for those less mobile than herself.

Claire Mackintosh, Chair of Osteoporosis New Zealand, said: "It is essential that we recognise these inspirational individuals who make an effort to stay physically active and look after their bones. The awards evening is a tribute to their success, with a real feel good factor felt by all on this momentous occasion.

"Our You Deserve a Medal awards take place during Osteoporosis Awareness Week and it is amazing that year after year we continue to receive such inspirational nominations for the awards – testament to the many older Kiwis who make it a priority to stay fit and active. We would love to be able to present a medal to each and every one of the amazing people who were nominated this year."

Executive Director of Osteoporosis New Zealand, Julia Gallagher says, "A bone healthy diet and regular exercise offer so many benefits to our health from an overall improved sense of wellbeing to helping prevent falls through improved balance and muscle strength.

Keeping fit also helps slow bone loss and reduces the risk of osteoporosis – a disease that affects about half of Kiwi women and nearly one third of men over the age of 60 years."

Ms Lyndsay Nichols was presented with her award in Parliament last night by the Minister for Health, Tony Ryall, and Osteoporosis New Zealand's 'bone ambassadors' Caroline Evers-Swindell and Georgina Earl.