Letters to editor 7 November 2008
Social work placement thanks
Now that my placement for social work is over, I would like to thank all the people involved at Golden Bay Community Workers for your support and training. Special arohanui to Glynn and Sheryl; your work seems endless. Our beautiful community is so very lucky to have you both, yet you still had time to train me and help me with my issues. Thanks also to our community; your support keeps me going in my study. Thanks and love to my parents, your support is amazing. Again thanks to all. Arohanui.
Jason Duff
Calling all men
White Ribbon Day is Tuesday 25 November. It is an international day when men wear a white ribbon to show that they do not condone violence towards women. It is a chance to draw attention to family violence and raise awareness of ways in which people can seek help to change their behaviour.
In New Zealand most violence against women takes place in the home, with one woman killed every 28 days by their partner or ex-partner.
White Ribbon Day is an opportunity for individuals and businesses to take part in efforts to end family violence. This could be through displaying posters around your workplace or shop window, by wearing a white ribbon and encouraging your collegues to do so as well.
I am looking for a group of men to help give out white ribbons to men in Takaka on 25 November, spreading the word that violence is not OK. If you feel that you could give an hour of your time to do this, or would like to request ribbons or posters for your workplace, please contact me on 525 8876 or 027 641 4418. Remember, Violence-Free Golden Bay - It's Up To You!
Emma Brazendale, Violence-Free Golden Bay co-ordinator
Camera on bike helmet
A cyclist was killed by a milk tanker last week in the Coromandel. Ten cyclists get killed every year on New Zealand roads, and many more are injured. The way things are going at present, I will probably be the next statistic here in Golden Bay.
Some drivers seem to like to pass cyclists as close as they possibly can. Passing at 100kmph on long straight roads within a whisker of my body, when the whole road is empty. This is #&*%$# crazy. These people need to get out and ride a bike. Then other drivers like to swoop past on blind bends or while another vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, again missing me and my bike by the merest fraction. This is illegal.
To catch the illegal manoeuvres, I have purchased a helmet-mounted video camera. This will film anyone doing anything wrong and the evidence can be passed on to the police or Utube. Big brother or what! But this strategy has helped reduce the incidence of cyclist deaths in many cities around the world.
Many thanks to the majority of careful drivers in Golden Bay.
Peter Blasdale
More than an easily-forgotten public loo
It's great that 25 people did their bit on the art project at Ligar Bay public toilet. Some folks had never painted before and quickly got over being self-conscious in a safe, non-judgmental, non-competitive recreation environment. It's contemplative and instantly rewarding. One elderly lady cried because she was physically reminded how much she enjoyed painting and making art in younger years.
For other folks, it's a busy family life and season for garden planting, yet they came to mark their presence on the wall. Even if it was for 15 minutes, it helped to evolve the bigger picture and feeling that one's place in the world can actually make a difference. For years to come this will be reinforced with a smile when driving through Ligar Bay. Now it's more than an easily-forgotten public loo on the roadside, it's a landmark to a community expanding the view. See you on the next wall. Haere mai ki te takaro (come and play). Thanks to TDC for the opportunity.
Chris Finlayson
Currency, crisis and community resilience
On Monday 10 November, 7.30 pm, at Aubergine Café, Takaka, former GB resident Christoph Hensch will present a public talk entitled "Currency, Crisis & Community Resilience: Why there's never enough money and what we can do about it".
After stints in banking and relief work, for the last decade Christoph has studied complementary currencies. He's a trustee of the Living Economies Trust NZ (www.le.org.nz). At the invitation of Transition Town Motueka, he's presenting the same talk there on Friday 14 November and an all-day workshop Saturday entitled "Economics As If All Life Mattered".
In the context of the current financial meltdown and its consequences, Transition Towns and community currencies, Christoph's talk will be an exploration of the role of money, alternatives to the current financial monoculture, and the design of complementary currencies to build community resilience in the face of global financial disorder.
Joanna Piekarski for Golden Bay H.A.N.D.S.
We reap what we sow
I never thought I'd see the day when a racist party eg The Maori Party, could hold the balance of power. Imagine the outcry if a White Power party was in the same position - it's happened before! This country is facing huge difficulties and needs compassionate if not forward-thinking ministers - we don't need separatists and malcontents. I urge all voters to consider the future of the next generation, and not to think of their selfish selves.
Oh by the way - does anybody care about the poor deaf girl who was brutally murdered by that vicious low-life? Seems a good reason for the death penalty.
Mark Phillips
Rahui Katene, Māori Party candidate for Te Tai Tonga: I agree with Mark Phillips on one thing - we reap what we sow. As a parent, I drew inspiration from the verse, "If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient. If a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.' The Māori Party is based on values such as these - values from our ancestors which inspire us to treat each other with mutual respect, to value the relationships we have with each other. In essence, that is the meaning of the Treaty of Waitangi.
Our party is based on philosophies which promote whanau ora (family wellbeing); economic prosperity for all; and the Treaty. All New Zealanders have a unique opportunity to invest in an strong and independent Māori voice in the new Parliament. We believe that the future of Aotearoa must be shaped by us all; and we are ready to use our influence with integrity.
Teentheatre, Kidztheatre
Thank you Teentheatre, Kidztheatre and to Ronnie Short and team for a wonderful evening's entertainment at "Lamentable Comedy" and "MmmmBeth!" Doing Shakespeare with a cast so young is no easy task. I know that the work for such a production is huge. Actors in both plays, you were all brilliant. Ryan Winter, your embodiment of the humour of Shakespeare to 2008 deserves special mention. Congratulations to all. I can't wait for the next production.
Helen Kingston
Santa Parade
Golden Bay Santa Parade is on again on Saturday 20 December 2008, starting at 10am from Solly's yard. Floats, tractors, Little Honey traction engine, decorated bikes, masks and the man himself, Santa. See you there.
Shirley Bayliss, Secretary, GB Collectable Vehicle Club
