Report on Larry's Health

WELL DONE, LARRY ROSS.

I have never met Larry in person but over here in Hari Hari and South Westland he is a big hero to the Peaceniks who helped to make the Westland County Council Nuclear Weapon Free in the early 80's and eventually no doubt this was a small factor in the country becoming Nuclear Free 20 years ago.

By phone and mail Larry was very supportive to our small group and helped to enthuse us when energy ran low. Two young locals were so inspired by one of Larry's ideas that they rode their horses from South Westland to Wellington and among other actions presented their views and a bag of horse produce to the French Ambassador's officials. His regular mail-outs were always full of news and ideas and all of us were in awe of his news gathering skills and his ability to put it all together in an interesting manner. This was all before word processors, the Internet, Google, etc. were in common use and made such work so much easier. It was very noticeable when NZ was declared Nuclear-Free that interest in the Peace Movement decreased but Larry knew there was much more to do and again his newsletters etc kept us all going. We all wish you all the best, Larry, and may GOD bless you and yours today and always,

Jim Costello,
For Hari Hari and South Westland Peace Groups.

When I was first staying in the old house on Brighton Road (Parnell, Auckland), in 1983, I heard talk about Larry - he was the man who sent Nuclear Free literature up from Christchurch (pamphlets, and perhaps badges too? being picked up in the middle of the night by other hard working campaigners...). What I heard then impressed me, and so did the man himself when I met him in Christchurch: not only what he did, but how he was able to keep going, and to involve so many others, and especially his dedication, and his gentleness and patience with everyone. Larry has contributed so much, and encouraged so many to keep going... Larry, I was very pleased to hear that you celebrated your 80th with your closest friends and colleagues.

You are in my thoughts and prayers, Daniela Bagozzi

“ Kia ora Larry,

We had a lot of contact back in the heyday of the anti-nuclear movement. I was getting Engineers for Social Responsibility set up in Wellington (it's still going as strongly as ever) and you were involved in your quietly determined way with nuclear peacemaking. We had many meetings preaching to the converted and the unconverted, but you were always willing to front up no matter how small the turnout.

We obviously share a similar birthday in early December. I hope your illness is a temporary setback, and in the words of Frank Sinatra “If you can survive, to a 105, think of all you'll derive out of being alive…..and here is the best part, you have a head start, if you are among the very young at heart.” And you are one of those.

Kia kaha, kia tu, kia manawanui”

Gerry Te Kapa Coates MNZM
Managing Director
Wise Analysis Limited, Wellington

Many thanks for all the work you did, helping to make New Zealand a Nuclear Free Zone. This act "punched well beyond its weight", and when we travel we feel proud be New Zealanders and our stance against the US "Big Brother".

We enjoyed your visits to Rotorua at The Patch, and your enthusiasm helped us to get Rotorua Nuclear Free.

It really is amazing how many small acts can make a huge difference.

Lots of love, Mike and Meg Collins

Congratulations on your recent 80th birthday! You have been an amazing one man band working to keep New Zealand Nuclear Free. Thank you for all your efforts.

In Peace and Friendship,

David Minifie and Deborah Williams

We met Larry in the early 80s when we all worked locally (Nelson in our case) and nation wide for Nuclear Free. Larry came to town and spoke at the Girls College assembly (about 700 people) and inspired a whole campaign at that school to make the school nuclear free. The staff and students voted 2 - 1 to so declare, but the Board of Governors said "No"!. But the time was right, and the co-ed school nearby in Stoke, Nayland College did so declare and put the Nuke Free symbol up there with the sports awards. (How's that for status!) for all to see.

So Larry became a part of our lives - supplying us for years with badges, stickers, T shirts and information, and more information - and essential updates on how the nuke free campaign was going - and coming to speak.

Larry's efforts were amazing and invaluable. In fact words fail me - I doubt it's possible to know how far and wide - locally, nationally and internationally Larry's efforts have rippled.

(Winston Peters recently claimed that NZ's Nuclear Free status made it possible for us/him to act as a go between North Korea and the US, maybe preventing a war there???

Thanks Larry for being the right person, doing the right thing in the right place at the crucial time. You certainly show that one person can make a difference.

My father who lived to 106 said every day after 80 is a gift. May you have many gifts Larry.

With love from Gwen Struik and Roger Bray

Back in the 80s when I first became involved in the Peace Movement your Nuclear Free newsletter was enlightening and challenging.

We first met at a Nuclear Free presentation outside Parliament.

Your untiring work promoting Nuclear Free Zones was an inspiration, and certainly paved the way for our Nuclear Free Legislation.

Mordechai Venunu is still having a rough deal from the Israeli authorities. I know you have been networking for peace via computer.

Good work.

from Loeline Gannaway

I grew up in Christchurch in the 50s and 60s with a constant awareness of Larry's intelligent, original and compelling letters in the Christchurch newspapers.

There is no doubt he contributed enormously to the intellectual and moral ideas of my generation, especially in the ferment of the Vietnam War.

From all accounts here, he has had a life very well lived and I join with everyone else in wishing him the very best – and to emphasize his impact was far wider than just those who were fortunate enough to know him well personally.

Kind Regards

Alan Wilkinson - Bay of Islands

Dear Larry,

Congratulations on reaching your 80th birthday! Larry, you have long been an inspiration in your vision for world peace.

To my mind, you did more than anyone else to help make Aotearoa/New Zealand to become nuclear-free. You picked up the idea of declaring NZ nuclear free step by step, place by place, and ran with it brilliantly. Working with you in the mid-1980s was always stimulating and action-oriented! Producing and distributing all that endless resource material was a terrific boost and support for the nuclear-free and peace movement across Aotearoa/NZ. You channelled all your boundless energies into a richly rewarding and vital programme to help save New Zealanders and the planet's peoples in general with your speaking tours and hosting key American visitors like ex-CIA agent Ralph McGehee and military hero Colonel Hackworth, among various other vital activities.

It has been great to see that your passion and analysis has been unrelenting right up to your 80th anniversary! Your Pacific Ecologist article "On the Edge of the Nuclear Abyss: Why Aotearoa New Zealand must stay nuclear-free" (PE, issue 13, Summer 2006/7) has all the fire of your belief in the desperate work necessary to pull us back f rom this abyss. More than anyone I ever met, Larry, you know the potentially dark abyss in the human mind and the need for us to rise above it. You spent your life striving for this spiritual elevation in the most humanly practical way and were eminently instrumental in achieving a positive outcome for so many people here.

All the best,

Dennis Small

Kia Ora Larry,

In 2004 I did my MA on New Zealand local nuclear free zones. And of course you cannot tell this story without talking about Larry Ross. At every turn in my year of research their was Larry and his committed team - his newsletters filling archives of small peace groups around the country. His maps of the progress found in local council files.

I'll always be grateful for the time Larry spoke with me and answered questions for hours and with as much conviction as ever. Thank you Larry for never ceasing to share your vision with us.

Jo Stone

Larry,

Telling the truth is something which we all aspire to do. Telling the truth to the world requires both bravery and a message of extraordinary power and resonance. Larry, you had that message - that the nuclear race is madness, and that there was and is another way, being followed by New Zealand - and you have the guts to keep saying it.
The respect which you have gained for the stand you took, the words you spoke and the leadership you showed is immeasurable. We are with you at your time of need. May you spend the rest of your days in the peace which you have fought for.

Very best wishes,

Tim Barnett
Member of Parliament
Christchurch Central

Peace on Earth

At this time of year, when peace on earth is the topic of the day, let's envision it not as a sentiment but as a realizable goal. A goal to dedicate our lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to.

I have just had a Christmas with my daughter, son-in-law and their two wonderful children. Along with my son and his family, I have all the reasons I need to do what I can, where I can, when I can, the best I can to make the misery of the present a memory of the past and the starting point of a new future for us all.

May this season be the one for us to be the founders of peace for all seasons.

Thank you for BEING in my life. You are the gift.

Michael Kessler

When I first came to New Zealand (1987) it was the Christchurch anti-nuclear people with whom I first came into contact. Fellow "Reagan Refugee" Bob Leonard and his family were my instant friends and that led me directly to Larry Ross (another North American) and his Nuclear Free Zone committee.

Larry's dedication then and in the many years before and after is amazing and it gave me something inspiringly anti-nuclear to slot into even before eventually settling down in Wellington . Over the years Larry provided as much information as I could have wanted (more, actually) and it often became the source of ideas for my letters to the editor.

Visiting Larry at his house in New Brighton on occasional journeys to Christchurch was an experience. Hardly in the door I would be joined with other volunteers doing "peace work" stuffing envelopes or photo copying anti-nuclear literature. There was no apparent space in the part of the house I saw which didn't have boxes full of papers stuffed into/under it - all dedicated to Larry's passion for a nuclear free world. I would always leave with stickers, badges, etc and the mailing address to order more.

Thank you Larry - you and your associates are an inspiration.

Dick Keller - Wellington

Who's Next? Please add your piece of this story.

back The Fight for Peace Continues

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I would like to thank the people who have taken the time to send a piece for this patchwork and express their gratitude for Larry's efforts. Everyone has something new to say and it is so great for Larry to have all of your good wishes to warm his heart at this time in his life.
The true comradeship that has evolved from working together on the different campaigns that Larry has instigated is priceless. Without these selfless people and their generosity none of this would have been possible. New Zealand would not have a Nuclear Free Policy, we would not be putting together this patchwork to add to the history of this country, and the world would be a poorer place. Thank you so much, all you willing workers, for all you have done. You have achieved something quite unique in the world by standing up for what you believe in and defending what you love.

Please let me know if I have missed a typing error or you need your piece edited. I shall rectify it as soon as possible.
Layout and colour, etc. may change as more are added. We reserve the right to edit pieces if they are to be included.

Keeping NZ Nuclear-Free - Larry spent his life working for this cause, please don't throw away this valuable asset.