Mia is not the only member of the Boothroyd family who is putting her considerable talents to good use for the benefit of the community. Her sister Annise, an Otago medical student, has been a resident of Knox over the past two years, supported by a Knox and Salmond Foundation Scholarship in both years. In 2024 she was awarded the Mackay Gift, a scholarship for medical students named after Dr Norman Reay Mackay, a Specialist Physician and a resident of Knox College 1919-1923. Like her sister Mia, Annise has tutored for several papers this year, specifically in Health Sciences First Year.
In 2024, Annise was honoured by her appointment as Beadle of Knox, an ancient position held in past times by an officer of the church to oversee the organisation of ceremonial events. In its modern format, the Beadle oversees the organisation of formal occasions such as the Knox Garden Party and Community dinners, operating in the same way as a modern day Events Coordinator.
Alongside her busy University activities, Annise manages to fit in a personal passion – long distance running – and is turning this into a funding opportunity to raise money for a local charity that is close to her heart: the Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust. Annise is spending her summer running all the Great Walks of New Zealand, a mammoth challenge (522.80kms trail running and 145kms by kayak) to draw attention to the work the Helicopter Trust does to facilitate safe access to outdoor recreation for all. As a medic in the NZ Army Reserves (SHSS, RNZAMC), Annise is particularly interested in aeromedical rescue, and this is another factor that is driving her fundraising efforts.
The tracks she will be tackling run through some of the most spectacular scenery in Aotearoa, including the Tongariro Northern Circuit (44.9km), the Whanganui River Journey (87km-145km kayak), the Waikeremoana Track (46km), the Routeburn Track (33km), the Milford Track (53.5km) and the Kepler Track (60km). Annise will also be running the newest Great Walk, the Hump Ridge Track (60km), which was inducted as an official Great Walk in October 2024.
Annise has created a Give a Little page and is reporting on her adventures in a blog.
Please do visit the site to see how Annise is getting along and view her wonderful photos, some of which are included below. She has set a target of $5,000 and it would be great if while you’re browsing you might want to support her efforts by contributing to this very worthy cause.
Annise is writing a journal of her adventure and has kindly shared with us extracts and photos from her entries for the first two sections she tackled, the Heaphy Track and Abel Tasman Coast Track.
"The Start of the Journey – the Heaphy Track (78.4km) Sunday 27 October 2024
With the region having over 140mm of rainfall the day before; I decided to start the track and make a decision by the swing bridge as to whether to continue. As it turned out, the rivers had receded quickly overnight and the track was in good condition. From Karamea to Brown Hut, the Heaphy Track begins with 16km following the roaring West Coast to Heaphy Hut (which would be an awesome hut to stay at, either as part of the whole track or just a 5hr overnight from the Karamea end). It then follows the Heaphy River for 8km to Lewis Shelter before a further 12km of incline to James Mackay Hut. Now above the bush, I followed the ridge for 17km in a mixture of heavy rain and hail (getting completely saturated) before reaching Gouland Downs Hut. Another 7km of incline to Perry Saddle Hut shortly before I reached the highest point of the track, at 915m. By this point, it was mid-afternoon and I was glad to be able to spend the final 17km going downhill to Brown Hut and the carpark.
At 78.4km and 2200m elevation, the Heaphy took 10.45 hours of running time, or just under 12hrs total including water-on-water-off stops at the huts.
Some classic parts of the track: Boot Pole corner, the new swing bridge, the Heaphy River inlet and the divided seat to mark the West Coast/Nelson-Tasman Districts, along with the many weka.
I have now completed the longest track in what will hopefully be the worst conditions!"
Left: The beginning of the Heaphy Track as it moves away from the coastline
Right: A cheeky weka on the Heaphy Track.
"The Abel Tasman Coast Track (60km) Thursday 31 October 2024
Following the Abel Tasman Coastline for 60km, I ran my second Great Walk yesterday (30/10/2024). There are three estuary crossings, two of which usually have high tide alternatives. With low tide at 15.30, I ran from Marahau to Wainui Bay in order to cross the Awaroa inlet at 14.00. However, due to improvements on the Torrent high tide track, I had to cross the Torrent river four hours either side of low tide. This meant starting before 05.00 for some awesome running through dawn with the waking wildlife.
Having passed Torrent River by 07.00, I had a long time before I could cross at Awaroa, so I took it easy and arrived a few hours early for a swim while I waited for the estuary to recede. After an awesome crossing, it was another 22.4km to Wainui Bay. It got very hot and humid from midday, meaning more electrolytes were taken on board and sighs were uttered as I approached yet another headland. However, it was a super day overall, with beautiful beaches and coastlines to increase excitement for summer. If anyone is interested in starting trail running, I would highly recommend the Abel Tasman. It is a gorgeous part of the country with easy track conditions (minus some steep climbs, but that's what Baldwin Street training is for!).
Highlights: dawn, views, lunch with weka chicks, Awaroa crossing, the final descent."
Left: Sunrise at Anchorage Bay (Abel Tasman Coast Track).
Right: The Awaroa estuary crossing (Abel Tasman Coast Track).
The Boothroyd/Drury sisters are both, in their different fields, working hard and with generosity and passion to make Aotearoa New Zealand a better place. They are shining examples of what people can do when they recognise areas of need and take responsibility to address them. The Foundation for Knox and Salmond Colleges is proud of their commitment and congratulates them on stepping up to the challenges that face our world. Mia and Annise, you are inspirations to us all!
The Heaphy Track
Left: The beginning of the Heaphy Track as it moves away from the coastline
Centre: The new swing bridge on the Heaphy Track (24km from Karamea end)
Right: Cloud approaching across the top of the Heaphy Track.
The Abel Tasman Coast Track
Left: The Torrent Bay High Tide crossing.
Right: A river at Onetahuti Bay.