10 years ago in The GB Weekly
Peace activist Kate Dewes spoke at a public meeting about New Zealand’s role in nuclear disarmament. Ms Dewes was a pioneer of the World Court Project, which worked to ban and make illegal the threat and use of nuclear weapons.
Collingwood Ceilidh, a white-knuckle barn dance, was organised as a fundraiser at the area school.
Issues in the Letters to the Editor included mussels and a cancer cure, GE-free Golden Bay, the restrictions in the Bay Lit writing competition, cycling in the Bay, Y2K trade disruption, genetic engineering, the proposed site for a skateboard park, failure of parental supervision.
Central Takaka School unveiled its new sealife mural. Queen Neptune (mural designer Philly Hall) presided over the occasion and all the children celebrated by wearing fish masks in keeping with the theme.
Pene Ralph completed her relief sculpture, A Carpet of the Cycle of Life, outside the former library in Takaka. She said that it was great to be working with engineers to make our towns more beautiful.
Collingwood won the 1999 Senior B rugby competition with a nail-biting 22-17 victory over the Wanderers. Coach Barry Yeatman said that having Todd Blackadder on the sideline was great support.
Five Bay artists were selected for the 1999 Wearable Art Awards: Claire Prebble, Sara Hornibrooke, Debra Price, Sarah Thomas and Melina Martin.
Twelve protected birds were shot on Sopers Island during their preparations for nesting.
Roger File was appointed principal of Golden Bay High School. He had been the deputy principal at Northland College for five years.
The Village Green Acquisition Society sent letters to businesses on Commercial Street asking for help to meet the $2200 shortfall needed to obtain freehold ownership of the Village Green.
Organic farming was languishing in New Zealand compared to overseas developments, said leading organics expert Bob Crowder, who was due to speak in Takaka.
New developments regarding almost 40 applications for mussel spat-catching sites in the Bay were the subject of a meeting called by the Friends of Golden Bay. Alan Vaughan said it was totally unacceptable for a handful of individuals to gain access to almost 8000 hectares of public sea space for private profit without full consideration of the effects on Golden Bay residents.
About 200 students from Nelson Boys and Girls Colleges visited Golden Bay High School for competitive games of rugby, soccer and netball. The local teams won a narrow majority of 7 out of the 13 games.
Collingwood won the winter hockey competition with 24 points, narrowly beating the Hoihos with 23.
GBHS Year 11 students enjoyed three days’ work experience. Luke Kirner discovered what farm work meant at Tony Reilly’s dairy farm.
The August community board meeting covered unrestrained dogs at Pakawau beach; hazardous roadside vegetation overhanging Lewis Street; approval of hardfill for a 50-metre stretch of Orion Street; a toilet on the Selwyn Street reserve; a speed restriction at Pakawau; a decision to approve the purchase of a new $9000 electrocardiograph machine out of the Port Dividend Fund for the medical centre; “totally new insides” for the town clock, and unwanted vehicles were to be accepted free of charge at the transfer station.
Upper Takaka won the Nelson Marlborough Region Fire Brigade Schrollum Shield. The golf tournament was to be held in Takaka the following year, but Peter Baker said that they may build a course in Upper Takaka, “even if it’s just one hole”.
Youth in town; what is there for them to do? A meeting of people from a wide range of organisations shared their concerns about local youth. The general understanding was that many of the young people of concern had been through pretty traumatic situations. Sergeant Arthur Clarence said that most young people were good and honest.
Local opinion seemed to be slightly favouring the recent lowering of the legal drinking age. Youth worker Chris Pomeroy said that he opposed lowering the drinking age because of the social implications.
