News in Brief
St John Caring Caller scheme
Do you know people who are on their own who would appreciate friendly contact and a regular check that all is well when friends and family cannot be there? And would you like to help as a caller?
A confidential and free Caring Caller service run by St John started this month in Golden Bay.
For the users of the service it is a real comfort to know that someone cares enough about them to phone on a daily basis if necessary. We all hear stories from time to time of someone on their own who had a fall or became unwell, and who was not discovered for days or considerably longer. This service is not a help line, but if the caller is concerned, the appropriate provider would be contacted.
The Golden Bay Caring Caller co-ordinator is Bronwen Thorneycroft.
“St John’s record elsewhere in New Zealand shows that great friendships can develop between the Caring Callers and the users of the service,” said Bronwen. “Our Caring Callers are an invisible workforce in St John. They do a fantastic job just being a human contact for those who are lonely and isolated.”
If you would you like to have a regular caller, or would like to volunteer to be a Caring Caller, phone 525 8627 and ask for the Caring Caller service.
Submitted by St John
Old computers, phones and cameras
Nelson/Tasman residents can dispose of their old PCs, computer peripherals, mobile phones and digital cameras during eDay on Saturday 12 September, 9am-3pm at Fonterra.
eDay, a free nationwide computer recycling event, is expected to divert over 1,000 tonnes of electronic waste from landfills nationally and will enable the recovery of materials such as gold, copper and aluminium.
“We received fantastic support from Nelson/Tasman residents at last year’s event and are delighted to be involved again this year and give our community the chance to dispose of their old computer equipment in an environmentally-friendly way,” said Mary Curnow of Waste Education Services.
People are advised to wipe all data from computer hard drives as well as removable media such as floppy disks and PC cards before handing them over for recycling.
Only computer equipment, mobile phones and digital cameras can be recycled in the eDay collection. Other electronic equipment including televisions and stereos will not be accepted.
For local information contact co-ordinator Mary Curnow on 03 545 9176 or <marycurnow@nec.org.nz>
Submitted by Nelson City Council
Kea survive 1080 operation
Research into the outcomes for kea of aerial 1080 predator control operations has found all kea monitored during a recent aerial 1080 operation in Kahurangi National Park have survived.
In the monitoring, 13 kea were caught and tagged with radio transmitters prior to the Animal Health Board operation in June over 15,000 hectares on the eastern slopes of the Arthur Range. All 13 kea were found to be alive one month after the operation.
The kea monitoring was part of a three-year research programme looking at the benefits and risks of 1080 to kea. The study is measuring kea nesting success resulting from 1080 predator control, survival of kea, and researching operational methods that provide the least risk and most benefit to kea.
Department of Conservation scientific officer Josh Kemp, who leads the research programme, said monitoring of kea in the Mt Arthur area would now focus on kea nesting success over the next two years to determine the benefits of the 1080 pest control for the kea.
“We would expect kea nests to do well in the Mt Arthur area this year as aerial 1080 operations achieve large reductions in numbers of possums, rats and stoats that prey on eggs and chicks. A previous study in Nelson Lakes National Park found about 40% of kea nests were preyed upon by various pests. Adult kea can also be killed by introduced predators.”
Submitted by DOC
Council business
Full council, Thursday 20 August
Community boards and resident associations. Councillors discussed Mayor Kempthorne’s proposal regarding improving the relationships between council and the local community boards and resident associations. It was decided that the CEO and managers examine the issues and report back to council with suggested changes. Any significant changes will be instituted for the next term of council.
Cr Riley said that both the Motueka and Golden Bay Community Boards are doing a good job.
Amalgamation petition. Mayor Kempthorne said that there are quite a few areas of miscommunication from our community that need clarification. Council has requested staff to report back on the likely cost that will be associated with responding to the amalgamation petition, and to inform the community on factual answers to questions raised in a timely manner.
Golden Bay Medical Centre. Council intends to undertake a boundary adjustment at the property.
Prepared by The GB Weekly
Full TDC committee information can be found at <www.tasman.govt.nz/index.php?Committees>.
Measles reappears in district
A child in Marlborough has become the first reported case of measles in the district since December 2003. The child was immunised with the first measles mumps and rubella immunisation on time at 15 months and was not yet due for the second dose at four years.
Nelson Marlborough medical officer of health Dr Ed Kiddle said, “Up to 10 percent of children are not fully protected by the first dose of MMR, but the two doses of MMR give very high protection against measles.”
He said measles is extremely infectious and susceptible people can pick up the infection even after an hour in the same room. “In this case no source of the measles could be identified.”
Dr Kiddle reminded parents that measles could be a very serious disease and the confirmation of a case in our region is a strong reminder to make sure that their children were immunised. If parents were not sure if their child’s immunisations were up to date they should contact their family doctor or practice nurse.
He said it was likely that the country was headed for an epidemic of measles and the Ministry of Health is now recommending that the first MMR vaccine be given to children at 12 months of age. The second one to complete the course could be given one month later.
Measles usually starts with a fever, conjunctivitis (red eyes), runny nose and small, irregular spots on the lining of the mouth, inside the cheeks, white in colour surrounded by a bright red ring. The red skin rash that people associate with measles usually appears several days after the first symptoms appear and may last for up to a week. The person is infectious from when they become unwell and for about four days after the appearance of the rash.
If you think your child or someone in your family has measles, phone your doctor first and get their advice. Don’t just arrive at the waiting room with a case of suspected measles. Submitted by NMDHB
