STROTHER RECORDS and interesting facts

A couple years back, Michael Jnr and I were talking about putting together a book of Strother Records. We were super keen when we first started out, but haven't done much for a long time. It's not so much finding the time (at least for me it isn't), it's finding the motivation and coming to grips with the magnitude of the project. However, we do have some records and interesting facts that have been brought to our attention, so I thought as a matter of interest I would share some with you.

NAMES
Peni-o-terangi has the longest first name
Ani, Tia and Jay have the shortest first names
Seddon Kimball Craig Richard Cassidy holds has longest full name
As for the shortest full name, it's a bit of a mystery. I have always thought that Grandma Strother didn't have a middle name, which means she would hold the record. However, Uncle Craig has told me that he thought she may have a middle name but he wasn't sure what it was. In that case, the record would belong to Uncle Gordon, who doesn't have a middle name.

BASKETBALL
Riki was the only one to play for the National Basketball team. He did so from 1992-1997 with his last game being against Yugoslavia. In his time as a Tall Black he played against Magic Johnson, and managed to get a fastbreak dunk in the game. Unfortunately, the cameras missed it. So we only got to hear the crowd cheer and the commentators say that he dunked it. Pretty lame TV3, pretty lame! He also played First Division in 1987, and then from 1991-2003 winning 3 titles with Auckland and 2 with Waikato.

Also, Mason (94,95) and Nina (95) both represented New Zealand at the Under 20s level. Mason played over 100 First Division games for Auckland and Waikato from 2000-2004 winning a title with Auckland and 2 with Waikato.

The family members to play for the A1s were: Riki, Karly, Daniel, Porky, Nina, Mason and Uncle Ken. Of course Uncle Ken was known more for coaching both the A1 Boys and Girls. He led the Boys to seven national titles and the Girls to one.
It's important to mention that Dennis played for the A1s at Wellington Boys College.

RUGBY
Dad coached the First XV for a number of years starting as an assistant in 1979. He was head coach from 1980-1988, 1995. In 1986 the First XV held the Moascar Cup, the most coveted trophy in NZ Secondary Schools rugby. He coached Richie Blackmore (NZ League rep), Jamie Joseph (All Black and current coach of the Highlanders), Norm Berryman (All Black), Eugene Sharrock (All Black trialist), and of course Uncle Gordon (first Maori coroner and current rugby referee).
The family members to play for the First XV were: Uncle Gordon, Daniel and Steven. Daniel played first class rugby for Waikato making his debut against Bay of Plenty.

GOLF
Uncle Howard holds the record for the lowest score on an 18-hole golf course with 71
Dad holds the record for the short 9 course with 25. Uncle Howard said he thinks he remembers getting a 25, but that has yet to be confirmed.
Dad also holds the record for most holes-in-one with 3, and yours truly is the youngest to score a hole-in-one, aged 16. Uncle Mark also has a hole-in-one to his name.
Uncle Howard has won the most Strother tournaments with 7 (2 in the Best Ball format), and Aaron is the youngest winner, aged 13.

EDUCATION
You would think that the Walmsleys would own all these awards, which is basically true (although I don't have that information available yet), but the youngest to sit School Certificate, University Entrance and Bursary was Jennae. She sat Maori in Forms 2, 3 and 4. She scored an A in School Cert and Bursary, and a 1 for UE.
The only current PhD is Uncle Michael, although Michael Jnr is working on his, and of course Kaea is studying to be a doctor.

CHURCH
The only family member to serve as a Stake President is Uncle Scott. Grandpa Strother served on a Stake Presidency and Temple Presidency, and was a bishop and Branch President. Other bishops include Uncle Ken, Dad, Uncle Gordon, Uncle Scott (I think), Uncle Michael, Mason (currently) and Michael Butters (currently). Karly is in a Bishopric, and I believe dad has been in a Bishopric for a total of 17 years. Uncle Michael was the youngest bishop, aged 24. Pater is the only one to have a former All Black preside at his baptism. (Todd Miller)

MISSIONS
The most common mission is the Melbourne/South Mission. That is where Uncle Clive, Aunty Lynette, Uncle Howard, Riki and Karly served. Three have served in New Zealand. Richard (Auckland) Aunty Lorena (Christchurch) and me (Wellington). All in all 37 family members have served missions in nine different countries. Good work guys! Michael Jnr holds the record for cheapest transfer ($2). He literally ran to his next area. Not sure where the 2 dollars came in though.

MUSIC
Lani was a member of Elemeno P which debut album "Love and Disrepect" was released July 4th, 2003 which was top of the charts in NZ and number one on the RIANZ albums chart. Other albums released included "Trouble in Paradise" (2005) and the self-titled Elemeno P (2008). In 2006, Elemeno P won Best Group at the NZ Music Awards.

(BAD) HEALTH
Uncle Craig holds the record for most medical conditions on his medic alert bracelet. (Of course he's also the only one WITH a medic alert bracelet) It reads: asthma, Allergy Frozen Plasma, Anaphylaxis, Hepatitis C, Aortic Valve Replacement, S.B.E Prophylaxis on Anticoagulants. Just don't ask me what they mean. You could ask Kaea. Uncle Craig doesn't however, hold the record for most operations. That would be me with 12. 5 ear, 3 lung, 2 heart, tonsils and adnoids. I know Uncle Craig is jealous. And lastly, Uncle Craig has the longest recorded hospital stay (3 weeks).

EATING CONTESTS
Cameron, Richard and Porky are the only ones I know of that were in eating contests. Cameron ate 6 hotdogs in 2 minutes in Japan losing only to a professional eating contest guy (no, it wasn't Kobiyashi), Richard ate 23 slices of pizza at an Elders Quorum activity on his mission and Porky ate about 20 or so slices of pizza at an Priests Quorum. I might have been 23 also. Gee, no wonder they don't have all you can eat at Pizza Hutt anymore!
The eating contests we have now only involve toothpicks and chopsticks. I think Ryan holds the record with 59 Baked Beans eaten in one minute (with toothpick) and Coleman holds the record for most uncooked grains of rice picked up and put into another bowl with chopsticks (29)

THINGS NOT IN ANY PARTICULAR CATEGORY
Uncle Mark has built a trebuchet replica (a medieval catapult for throwing heavy stones) that has a counterweight of 70 kgs, and can throw a 4-pound shotput 53 metres.
Some nitwit decided to hula hoop for 3 hours, 1 minute, 5 seconds without stopping. I wonder who that was?
Roman has the fastest rubix cube time of 43 seconds
Ryan has limboed at the height of approx 40 centrimetres.
Michael Jnr has the fastest time for reciting all of the Articles of Faith (60 seconds)

While this isn't extensive it gives a little insight as to how talented and how awesome you guys are. If you have records that you want to make known let me or Michael Jnr know.