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Kaipara vet and author Rory Dean is using tales from his life as a rural vet to help others write a new chapter of their own.
The Scottish-born vet, whose book Adventures of a Country Vet was published in 2024, is a volunteer community ambassador for the Rural Youth and Adult Literacy Trust (RYALT), with a percentage of profits from every book sold going towards helping people improve their literacy skills.
Dean has called Kaipara home for the past eight years, but his journey into rural veterinary practice began on the other side of the world.
Growing up in an isolated part of Scotland, he worked on farms after school and on weekends. It was while watching a vet tending to animals that he realised it was something he wanted to do.
After several years of writing, Dean published Adventures of a Country Vet. The book is a dash of memoir, a pinch of humorous tales and a slice of insight into, as he puts it, “some of the not-so-great parts about being a rural vet”.
It was during his work as a rural vet that Dean noticed the impacts of low literacy. He says it is a much bigger problem than people may realise, particularly in rural communities, and it was his own love of writing that inspired him to get involved with RYALT.
“I have firsthand experience of seeing the effects of low literacy while working; there are a lot of really interesting workarounds.”
Dean says in the past people may have used excuses such as asking someone else to read something for them because they have forgotten their glasses, but with many things now being online, he says people with low literacy may find it much harder to hide.
He says there is a significant stigma around poor literacy, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
“Knowing that an organisation like RYALT is there can be really encouraging for people to know they can seek help. Their programmes are all online, the coaches are amazing, and it’s free, so it’s really great.”
Around one in four New Zealanders aged 16 to 65 have low literacy proficiency, according to the OECD’s 2023 Survey of Adult Skills.
“While we might think about low literacy as just someone who, unfortunately, for whatever reason, didn’t learn to read and write, there are also people who have dyslexia and lack confidence. RYALT coaches are experienced in dealing with that sort of thing and supporting people through their journey.”
RYALT was established in Port Waikato in 2011 to provide literacy support for people in isolated rural communities. The Trust connects learners with volunteer coaches around the country, using video conferencing, phone and mail. In 2018, it expanded its work to include teenagers, with a focus on preventing literacy difficulties continuing into adulthood.
Over the years, there have been many success stories from the programme.
“There are some really neat stories of how these amazing coaches have given people the skills to totally change their lives. One of our students was able to write a book about their journey, which just speaks to how invaluable RYALT is,” Dean says.
Dean says that for some people, reaching out for help is often the hardest part, but once they take that leap, the door opens to many possibilities.
“Learning to read and write can really bring confidence and a sense of self-worth. It’s never too late.”
Those interested in learning more about RYALT and its work can visit adultliteracy.ac.nz
WIN a signed copy of ‘Adventures of a Country Vet’
Mangawhai Focus has one signed copy of Rory Dean’s book to give away. To go in the draw, ‘like’ Mangawhai Focus on Facebook and message us your name and phone number with Adventures of a Country Vet Giveaway in the message. Or, write your name, address, daytime phone number and the name of the book you’d like to win on the back of an envelope and post it to Local Matters, 17 Neville St, Warkworth 0941. Entries close September 12.
