Photos from Levin to Dunedin - Classic Ben, By Ben Waller.
What is this "Classic Ben" all about. There are two points to be made. Classic Ben is different to Classic Coke. Although some would argue that there is or was a "New Ben" the "Old Ben" was always a part of it too. Unlike Coke where the Classic is quite distinct "Classic Ben" can be found at any time. Second point, "Classic Ben" can be found in other categories as well. Try 80's people or Old family for example. I'm sure that the pictures will speak for themselves to a large extent. The photo to the right is from my job at the Levin Borough Council, with the parks and recreation department. It was my summer job after Massey so it was 1987 I guess. It is truly a "Classic Ben" shot. They had grown a pineapple in the begonia house and someone had arranged for a photographer from The Levin Chronicle to come along. No one wanted their photo taken so I was chucked a pineapple and told to have my photo taken pretending to harvest it. When it came out in the paper my boss told me I was holding it upside-down.
Again with the classic hair. Ben preparing for a rafting trip. Basically trying on a borrowed wet suit before the event. The wetsuit was a couple of sizes too small really, so I needed to see if it would fit before the main event. As it happened many people hassled me for the rudeness of the wetsuit before the rafting began, but after the trip the people without, even obscene, wetsuits were remarkably subdued. I think this one was after 7th form but before Massey so late 1986 or early 1987.
Me on my CB250 "Super Hawk". So this was most likely 1989. I had bought the bike from Dale (who can be seen here 80's people again) It was my second bike (like a second car) for the commute to work, to save the expensive, and then regularly exploding, 2 stroke RD 250 LC for the weekends. On this instance it was in Levin at Graham St. I assume that Matt took this photo. Notice the cool shoes, Bata Bullets, or All Stars.
This is the first "real" Camera House days photo. I was with Camera House Johnsonville from September 1989 until December 1996, with a brief stint at DAC. Many people have said that I should put more Camera House stuff on the web, so this is a start. This one was taken by one of the summer students that worked for us, I think it was Jenny. Other summer students include Johnathan Swadling, who wore borrowed pants for the interview, and what looked like band pants when he got the job. Makes you wonder about the future success of The Camera House Johnsonville Summer Students.
London, Paris, New York, Eketahuna. You could get T-shirts that said that. Eketahuna is a small town, there are smaller more rural places though. It's a sort of New Zealand joke, I guess. Kind of every one knows this is nowhere. I think this one was taken by Dale who had an NSR 250 at the time I would have had my GSX 750. So at a wild guess 1992 - 1993. Most likely before Dale went to Auz. The Ettamogah Pub is different, and can bee seen here, if I get organised.
I've been talking about my GSX (750 ES) so it seams only fair to have a photo of it. This one was taken in Tawa and is shortly after it was "oranged". It was me making it "orange" that should be considered "Classic Ben". After all anyone else would have more common sense. I really wanted an orange MKII Escort, at the time but couldn't find a good one.
This is the guy some would call the "New Ben". I don't know why I've put him here, for completeness I guess. Date either November 1995 or April 1996. You will notice "The Cat In The Hat" tshirt and the "Fred Flintstone" socks. Compare the hair with the previously "Hairy Ben" found here. If there ever was a "New Ben" this is him. The other person in the photo is Jacquie. Who is different from the Camera House Jacqui. I don't think there ever was a "New Ben" and feel that the whole concept is misguided.
As I am trying to keep them in order this comes next. Ben at Avebury which is another stone circle near Stone Henge. This one is much bigger, and en-circles a whole town. That's me sitting in one of the upright stones. February 1998.
Boxes in Maitland St mark the arrival of student life for Ben. Note the classic single matters on the floor, and the general jumble.
London, Paris, New York, Eketahuna, again. I'm sure this one had made it on to my web page somewhere else, but I can't see it. This time it's me and Alex in the photo. Date is 26 June 98.
Also June 1998. Alex and Ben at the Tui brewery, Mangatainoka. Which is just north of Pahiatua. Which is 26 kilometres north of Ekatahuna.
Ben in the doghouse at Northumberland St.
Page created 31 08 2000 while in Nelson England If you like this page you might also like The Good Old Days which features more bikes and Castlepoint.

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