Letters to Editor, 7 August
Old-time dance
On Saturday 12 September there will be an “Old-Time Dance”. A group of about 20 people are coming over from Motueka to join in. A venue has not been confirmed because we’re not sure of the numbers that may be interested. If you are interested could you please (ASAP) leave a message at 525 8876. Depending on the response then I will confirm a venue of a suitable size. Also, please tell us the names of dances you know so we can have the music on hand.
Dave Myall, GB Recreation co-ordinator
Anti-violence referendum
I too would totally agree with Dot Marshall’s comment (GBW Letters 24/7) being “against violence but for child correction”.
Recently my niece witnessed a two-year-old being soundly slapped for playing with another child’s toy. My niece expressed to me how barbaric this seemed and how it could have easily been avoided by some positive behaviour from the parent. Having to witness this scene was distressing for my niece and her two wee boys, as well as being a negative outcome for the child receiving the punishment.
So I totally agree with Emma Brazendale (GBW Letters 31/7) who points out that “physical punishment produces negative outcomes for children”.
There is a briefing sheet on child discipline and the law provided by the following organisations: Barnados, EPOCH NZ, Jigsaw, National Collective of Independent Women’s Refuges, Plunket, Save the Children NZ, Unicef, National Network of Stopping Violence Services, Institute of Public Policy at AUT, Te Kahui Mana Ririki, Relationship Services, Childspace, Parents Centres NZ Inc.
The key points expressed in this paper state: New Zealand’s child discipline law is working well. Parents are not being prosecuted for minor assaults. The law supports positive parenting. The law increases children’s protection from assault. Referendum 2009 is unnecessary and expensive but now inevitable. A yes vote supports the law. To view the law visit <http://yesvote.org.nz/section59law>.
Pam Pruden
Gibbs Hill Challenge
This Sunday 9 August the Gibbs Hill Challenge will be cycled and run. The event involves cycling from GBHS, leaving at 9.15am, along Rototai Rd to Cassidy’s Corner and then along Abel Tasman Drive to the Wainui car park.
From here they run over Gibbs Hill to Totaranui, then around the coastal route back to Wainui followed by the final cycle leg along Abel Tasman Drive and Meihana Street back to the high school.
All cyclists are aware that the roads will still be open and that normal road rules will apply, but we ask that all drivers be extra alert that day, especially from Pohara onwards where the roads are narrow and winding.
Mountain bikers, if you are in the area that day, please remember that most of our runners will be huffing and puffing heaps (I will be) and so may not hear you coming.
Thank you all for you consideration.
Wouter de Maat
(on behalf of the organising committee)
Tramping on private property
Being a regular tramper with our local Tramping Club and the Wednesday Walkers, I have had the opportunity to walk over many privately owned properties. In the past few years I have been to quite a few throughout the Bay. I know it is something that cannot be taken for granted, and in this public way I would like to thank all those landowners for their hospitality, sometimes stretching far beyond giving access. “Thank you very much” for giving us trampers so much to enjoy. You know who you are.
Elly de Lange
Phone calling cards
Have you noticed your calling card decreasing when you know you’ve hardly used it? Now that they’ve got us used to them, the greedy buggers have pulled a sneaky. They now take all calls in 4 minutes increments - so if you leave a message on an answerphone of 30 seconds you’re charged 4 minutes; if you talk 4 minutes and 1 second you’re charged 8 minutes.
TV outages. For all people who do not have a dish and have had so many outages in the past year - some for over 24 hours. TV1 in Auckland had no idea this was happening in the Bay. Here is a number to let them know. ChCh 03 961 8500 (they will transfer you).
Aline d’Aoust
National Radio reception in the Bay
I wrote to The GB Weekly early this year concerning the difficulty of reception of National Radio on both AM and FM channels since April 2008.
Several people rang me as a result, complaining of similar difficulties. I’ve been sent a report by the TDC engineering services committee on their decision following a meeting in mid-June.
It has been recommended “that further investigation be made into existing pump station sites in Golden Bay that are in close proximity to residential sites and causing interference to determine the feasibility of retrofitting EMC filtering devices. Also that all new pump installations with VSDs or SSs include filtering devices and meet the required standards.” Quote from report conclusion.
My thanks to the TDC for following up this matter for those with difficulties.
Karen Brookes
Joan Whiting Rest Home
Just to avoid any possible misunderstandings from last week’s article (GBW 31/7) on the Joan Whiting Rest Home, it’s quite true that our wages bill is up nearly 30 per cent. But that doesn’t mean the wonderful people who work there are getting a really hefty pay rise - although they certainly deserve it.
The increase in staff costs is partly due to the fact that we have employed more staff. And that’s because our fine facility has been almost full over the past year. That’s no surprise to anyone who spends time there as a visitor. The place and people are truly special. To lift a staff quote from our website (www.joanwhiting.org.nz): “You always have to remember, this isn’t just ‘a rest home’. It’s their home. In a sense I can say we are their servants. And we absolutely respect that.”
Sadly, we are at the end of the financial road. If the Integrated Health Services project does not go ahead, the Joan Whiting cannot survive without a big lottery win, a fairy godmother or a Government which recognises that small non-for-profit rest homes in remote areas deserve special funding.
Christopher Mitson, Joan Whiting trustee
My Mum has recently returned to Joan Whiting Rest Home after a stay in Golden Bay Hospital. I feel overwhelmed by the care and kindness shown by both facilities. This would seem to be a reflection of good management and happy, well-trained and appreciated staff. In contrast to our experience of privately owned rest homes and larger hospitals, these facilities have a heart and soul. Our family members are treated with respect and their individual needs are fully recognised and catered to.
As a member of the Golden Bay community I urge all of us to watch carefully the development of an integrated health facility, and lobby to retain these unique qualities regardless of location. “Home is where the heart is”.
Kristeen Campbell
The following are the questions that I shall be sending to the IMG:
1) Will the IMG be consulting with the people of Golden Bay over the proposed integrated health complex as previously promised?
2) When will this happen?
3) How much money will the people of the Bay be expected to raise?
4) Are all the GB Medical Centre Trust trustees willing to hand over the assets that they have managed for the people of the Bay who provided them for the medical centre?
5) Have all the doctors agreed to give up their private practices in the Bay in favour of being employed by the Primary Health Organisation?
6) Will the Primary Health Organisation manage the medical centre, hospital and rest home funding streams?
7) Have nurses been told that charitable trusts may not be required to abide by the MECA (multi-employer collective agreement) salaries?
8) Have the people of Golden Bay agreed to hand over to a new trust all medical centre and rest home assets that they have donated over the past 40 years?
9) Has the DHB agreed to provide continuing support for the Joan Whiting Rest Home until agreement is reached and a new suitable complex built?
Liza Eastman
