News in brief
Rural Service Centre extension a confidence vote in the local economy
“This is a major step for the group and a big vote of confidence in the local economy,” said Dave Egan, general manager of the Rural Service Centre (RSC) at the official opening of the centre’s new building extension on Thursday 21.
The extension, costing over half a million dollars, connects the RSC’s retail store to its vet clinic. It includes much-improved office space and other facilities for the staff, and improvements to the retail space.
“It has been something that we’ve wanted to do for a while,” says Nigel Harwood, who chairs the RSC board. “When we appointed Dave a couple of years ago we said to him, ‘Here’s the project; you make it happen,’ and he’s done brilliantly.”
Dave explained that the project used local tradespeople and suppliers and that the RSC was delighted with the results.
“People have noticed that the improvements to the retail space make it a much more pleasant place to shop.”
At the official opening, a plaque was unveiled, paying tribute to the efforts of Ben Hurst, a former chairman of the Golden Bay Vet Club, the organisation that evolved into the modern Rural Service Centre.
Ben’s daughter, Diane Sixtus, cut the ribbon to declare the new part of the building open, and Ben’s son David unveiled the plaque. David’s brother Michael paid tribute to the efforts of his father and other far-sighted administrators of what was then the Golden Bay Vet Club.
“It’s a lot easier for us today because of what they did. We take it for granted that we have access to a vet whenever we need one, but it wouldn’t have happened without their vision and a lot of hard work.”
The RSC also unveiled an honours board detailing all the service done by local people in the governance of the RSC.
Neil Wilson
Takaka’s water scheme concerns businesses
All major work related to the reticulated fire-fighting water scheme on Takaka’s Commercial Street will be finished by mid-December, according to the Tasman District Council.
Some businesspeople in the CBD have expressed concern at the prospect of roadworks, dust, noise and disruption during the busy visitor season.
One, who asked not to be named, said, “What if the work is held up by rain for a week or so? Our livelihood depends on the busy season, we can’t have customers put off by roadworks, even on the side streets. Better to do the work in the quiet time. I think the consultation has been poor”
TDC utilites asset manager Jeff Cuthbertson offered some reassurance.
“We’ve given an undertaking that we’ll give a brief update for all concerned parties every month. A brochure was sent around the CBD but not to residents elsewhere in Golden Bay. If anyone did not get their copy there are spares at the TDC Service Centre and the library.”
Mr Cuthbertson explained that the contract for the work was about to be awarded.
“The way the work programme is set out, the work in Commercial Street – including the reseal will be finished by mid-December. Apart from the infrastructure associated with the scheme, people won’t be able to see where we’ve been by then. The contractor is not allowed to work on that part of the scheme after mid-December. If the work is incomplete it has to be resealed anyway.”
No work on the contract will be done between mid-December and mid-January, but later there will be some “quite minor disruption” to residents and businesses in Motupipi, Reilly and Junction Streets, according to Mr Cuthbertson.
“There will be some training for fire-fighters before the system can be used in late February. I believe it [the water scheme] will assist the Fire Service no end.”
Neil Wilson
Cyclist Jack Baeur visits the Bay
ack Bauer came to a Golden Bay Mountain Bike Club social evening last week held at the Roots Bar in Takaka. He had just arrived back from Delhi where he had represented New Zealand in the Commonwealth Games as a team road cyclist. Jack grew up in the Bay and is seeing family and having a bit of R and R before his next event.
He chatted with local cyclists and his young fans collected his autograph. He has donated a signed Commonwealth Games jersey to the club to present as a prize. In November, Jack is competing in the Tour of Southland, and will be closely watched by all his local followers.
Heads Up currency rummage for NZ youth programmes
Millions of dollars’ worth of dead money is lying around New Zealand homes.
Coins and notes from pre-decimal currency days and even from the more recent coinage changes are no longer legal tender, but most people have some stashed away in a drawer somewhere. There’s a lot of foreign currency sitting doing nothing, too.
Now Lions clubs nationwide have mounted a campaign called Heads Up to call in those coins and notes. Some of the proceeds of the campaign will be used to fund the Lions Quest, a year-round life-skills programme for 250,000 students in years 8 and 9. Some of the proceeds will also be used to offer scholarships to Outward Bound, The Spirit of Adventure, The Sir Edmund Hillary Outdoor Pursuits Centre and The Duke of Edinburgh Awards.
The Reserve Bank will redeem New Zealand currency dollar for dollar and the Lions will use their international networks to return foreign currency to its country of origin and redeem it there. Currency from 25 countries, including the US, the UK, the EU, Australia, Japan, Canada and many Pacific Island nations, will be cashed in at face value.
“Lions clubs all over the country are collecting the money,” said Golden Bay Lions president Shirley Bayliss. “Resene Paints are a major sponsor so they’ve provided the tins and a national network of drop-off points. Fastway Couriers have agreed to pick up all the tins and get them to where they can be redeemed. Here in Takaka we’ve got the tins at Westpac and we’ve gathered quite a bit of money so far. It’s great that money that’s just been lying around can be gathered up and put to such good use. Even a few old coins that don’t seem to be worth much can make a difference when they’re added to everybody else’s stash. I hope everyone will think about digging out those old coins and bringing them in to Westpac to support these great programmes for New Zealand kids.”
Neil Wilson
Get growing: Movember fuzzy fundraiser will have a Men’s Health Night finale
Movember will be celebrated in style this year.
A men’s health night is planned for the Telegraph Hotel on Tuesday 30 November. Moustaches grown for the month of Movember will be judged, rewarded and then shaved off as part of the evening’s entertainment.
“Men wishing to participate might need some warning to get their mos started,” says men’s health worker Philip Chapman. “We want it to be a fun night, but there is a really serious message to share as well. Men are over-represented in the figures for many kinds of cancers—such as skin, bowel, lung and liver cancer—and there are some other messages we’ve got to get through as well.”
Speakers at the health night will include Philip himself, Kevin Hague MP, a counsellor attached to the Male Room in Nelson, and Dr Struan Clark from the Golden Bay Medical Centre. Men can also have free blood pressure and blood sugar tests taken on the night.
“The last men’s health night we had at the Mussel Inn a couple of years ago was a great success and lots of guys told us we should do this kind of thing more often,” says Phil. “So, here we are. Our country has no men’s health policy and of course no tagged budget for men’s health, so men have to do it for themselves. I know that men care about their health and I know that many services need to do men’s health better. Nights like this can be part of the solution.”
Phil said the Movember movement is now a fundraiser for two main causes—men’s mental health and men’s cancer.
“If you want to be involved, go to NZ.Movember.com and decide whether to be a grower or a donator. The money raised is used directly on programmes and initiatives that make a difference to men.”
Moustache-growing starts today, and the health night at the Telegraph runs from 7.30 to 9pm on Tuesday 30 November. Free drinks and nibbles will be served.
Neil Wilson
Luminate Festival returns for its fourth year of music and inspiration
Luminate, an earth-friendly festival of music, art, dance, creativity and sustainability, will take place at Canaan Downs from 27 January to 1 February 2011.
“This unique Tasman event is becoming a highlight of the summer, where people can escape from the busyness of their everyday lives, and enjoy an affordable fun-packed holiday with their friends and family in a beautiful natural setting,” says one of the festival directors, Maia. “It has become renowned for delivering an impressive programme of music, cultural activities and inspirational workshops, and is generating significant interest in New Zealand and overseas.”
The five-day event will take place over Nelson anniversary weekend and the adjacent days, and is once more organised by the Luminate Festival Educational and Spiritual Trust.
Maia says that Luminate is a place to re-energise on the dance floor, participate in workshops, be inspired about living sustainably, receive a massage, join in drumming around the fire, relax with a warm chai, watch an enlightening movie, be in harmony with nature, and celebrate a sense of conscious community.
Early Bird tickets are on sale now until 5 November from GB Organics, Flurmo and Everyman Records. The ticket price includes one week’s camping, entrance to all workshops during the five days, all performance and entertainment, and access to amenities.
This year Teen Tickets are available at a reduced price to teenagers aged 14 to 17.
“This will help Luminate be even more affordable to families,” says Maia. “Many of the educational, creative and cultural activities are suitable for both adults and children. All teens must show proof of age and be accompanied by a guardian responsible for them at the festival to gain admission.”
This year the Luminate Trust has received additional funding from the Tasman District Council, Creative Communities NZ, Pub Charity and the Nelson Environment Centre.
“Luminate’s success has only been possible due to the significant amount of volunteer hours and in-kind contributions, and support from the local and wider community,” says Maia.
More information on the festival can be found on the website, <www.luminatefestival.co.nz>.
Neil Wilson
Pacifica Grandmothers Council to visit
Robin Youngblood will be bringing a delegation from the Pacifica Grandmothers Council to Golden Bay on 20 November. Women and men who are dedicated to a return of the ways of the Earth will talk, sit in ceremony, listen and give teachings.
The visiting council members are inviting people in Golden Bay to consider becoming an elder to sit on a newly formed Grandmothers Council. Tuesday 23 November has been set aside for the council forming.
The purpose of a council is to develop a strong network of resources to support, share and unite people through projects. Projects engaged by other councils include building sustainable communities, bartering, trading, preserving language, lore, customs and ceremony, sharing knowledge, medicines and healing and inspiring the younger generations.
Please reflect on it - and if you feel called to this work, you are welcome at this stage to make contact and field any questions to Steve du Feu on 525 9087.
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Disposal of unwanted medicines
Nelson Bays Primary Health (NBPH) has decided to repeat the Disposal of Unwanted Medicines through Pharmacies (DUMP) campaign this year. The DUMP campaign will run during November, to allow us to compare the medicines returned in 2010 with the medicines returned to the November 2009 DUMP.
People are being asked to spring-clean their cupboards, review their medicines, and return all old, out-of-date, unwanted or unused medicines to any pharmacy in the Nelson Bays Region for safe disposal. Pharmacies will have a supply of DUMP bags that can be taken away and filled. The returned, unwanted medicines will be collected from pharmacies during November. All returns are confidential. The medicines returned will be analysed by NBPH and then taken for disposal.
Safe disposal of medicines promotes a safer environment for everyone, and the information learned from the analysis of the returned medicines will help Nelson Bays Primary Health work to improve the health of the local population, by focusing projects where there is an identified need.
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