The dog's tale: Morgan and Judi Hilton-Jones
Morgan and Judi Hilton Jones know that rural life is full of unexpected twists and turns. And that you need teamwork to face them. Both from Northland country backgrounds, they started their farming life together in 1992 with 25 acres, 20 calves and insurance from FMG.
In 2008 they moved with daughters Rachel and Caitlin onto their Gill Road block in Kaitaia. Told by old hands that the first year on a new farm was always the hardest they toughed out the wettest winter for in recent memory. Heavy rainfall saw Morgan out in the paddock in his waders, and the family looked forward to getting through to the first year anniversary.
Then, one year and three days after they had moved onto the farm - a tornado ripped on through the property.
The family had been down at Kawakawa for a swim meet. They had heard about the tornado but on scanning their home on the drive back thought it had passed right through. As usual, Morgan went down to feed his dogs. Surprised to find one of the dog’s dinner bowls missing, he took a second look around, and realised that the tornado had struck.
Next morning a thorough check of the farm found the dog’s bowl two paddocks over. Happily the stock was unharmed. And although there were trees uprooted and roofing iron scattered across the fields a new shed was the only real requirement. A call to the FMG 0800 number and Hazel Bird the FMG assessor was out the next day.
“It’s the first time we’d made a claim and FMG made it easy, said Judi. “We knew we could trust their reputation”
And the hungry pup? She got dinner!
