Letters Friday 3 September 2010
Golden Bay High School’s My Fair Lady
On a wet rainy night last Wednesday the audience in the high school assembly hall sat quietly awaiting the curtain up on the 1956 Broadway smash hit Lerner & Loewe’s My Fair Lady. At the final curtain they showed by applause their enthusiasm and pleasure for a smooth-running, flawless performance by the full cast of this big show. The accents by the lead players were perfect throughout the entire show and the timing by the support actors was just right. The large young chorus coped well with the well-known hit numbers and the choreography was precise. Direction had drilled the cast well. Congratulations to everyone. A great show - well done.
Jim Chambers
What a success! A flawless job of students, parents and supporters who put the effort into Friday night’s My Fair Lady and as Melinda Machin said in closing: “It’s worth it!” And it absolutely was.
I’d like to extend my deepest appreciations to everybody who was involved in this, my most favorite play. It was a real pleasure to see all these young, talented actors performing in one of the most difficult styles – a musical.
Remarkably well-done scenes throughout with not only grand performances from each student on stage but also terrific support from those behind the scene; such as piano accompaniment, costumes, lighting, decoration and others (not forgetting those silent but heavy-lifting stage workers).
Making impeccable performances, huge kudos to vocally gifted Tui Kraal and George Machin. As well, Timo Stoffregen and Kerri Kohler-Saunders recreated their roles funnier and more joy-filled than the original! Finally, the excellent dancing of David Hutchinson, the strong character portrayal by Gina Udell and the sheer enthusiasm of the rest of the cast created an unimaginably joyful performance! My heartfelt thanks to all who took part in this outstanding production! You were brilliant!
Inna Dooley
Congratulations to Melinda Machin and her cast and crew for a delightfully vibrant production of My Fair Lady.
Moira Tilling
I have attended many amateur productions in the past and, at times, have been embarassed and disappointed by poor professional standards: lines not learned, actors thinking it was all a bit of a joke, actors lined up across the stage because the director didn’t direct well enough, etc.
Congratulations to all those involved in My Fair Lady. What a pleasure it was to watch “real” characters on stage, not actors. Direction was tight. Everyone worked as a team.
John Lipton
Santa Parade
The Takaka Santa Parade will be held on Saturday 18 December. There was an amazing turnout last year and we welcome “almost everybody” to enter a float or to join the parade in costume. Please contact me for further information on 525 8876.
Dave Myall, GB Recreation co-ordinator
National Clean-Up Week
Once again we are approaching the time for our annual Clean-Up of Golden Bay. Officially it runs from the 17-24 September but like the previous 18 clean-ups that Keep Golden Bay Beautiful has organised, it happens throughout September. If people would like to contact me, confirming that they are happy to clean up their stretch of road/beach again, please email me at katsi@xtra.co.nz or ring after 5pm on 525 8332. Any new volunteers are most welcome.
We are aware the marine farmers covered all the coastline within Golden Bay a couple of months ago but there will be fresh litter on some beaches by now.
If picking up litter is not your thing, join one of the many Coast Care, Stream Care or other planting working bees being held this month.
Kathy Hindmarsh
Secretary, Keep Golden Bay Beautiful
Local body elections
Knuckle Hill (GBW letters 27/8) is correct. There is concern about turning the clock back. Those with memories that extend for more than six years will recall Port Tarakohe reportedly racking up a $3.1m debt without any accounts produced to substantiate that or any other figure.
There is a huge amount of reading and information to understand and assimilate in council reports these days. For example, some recent agendas for corporate services, community services, environment and planning and engineering services committees were 136, 140, 147 and 166 pages respectively. It is vital that our elected representatives are able to oversee and govern the council corporation.
The crucial 2009-19 Long Term Council Community Plan comprises two volumes and 645 pages and the “every day” 2010-11 Annual Plan, 257 pages.
We need to elect the most capable candidates available from Golden Bay to serve on Tasman District Council in Richmond. “Hiss” is no substitute for knowledgeable, informed debate in 2010.
Joe Bell
I’m standing for TDC this year and voting happens by post in around five weeks’ time. There are five locals standing for two positions.
If you don’t normally vote for your local councillors because you can’t see the point, don’t understand what it’s all about or feel that you can’t make any difference to what council does, you might like to check out what I stand for and how I operate. Go to the national website <www.elections2010.co.nz> then to Tasman region, Golden Bay ward. If you are over 18, have lived in the Bay for over a month and have a residential address you are eligible for a Special Vote right up until voting day on 9 October. See Postshop or TDC Service Centre in Takaka.
Martine Bouillir
It is with great regret we read of Joe’s decision to withdraw his nomination as a Community Board member. Joe has given us 15 years of his total commitment to our community, which very few of us would be prepared to do. Joe, as with all our present community board members, has always been available to us with any concerns we have had. He has always followed these up and reported back to us. He has had to cope with much frustration and battling for the good of the whole community. His persistence has been remarkable. He has served us extremely well and certainly now deserves time for himself and other interests. Thank you, Joe, you certainly deserve a medal for all you have done. Enjoy your “retirement”.
Anne and Des Gentleman
Golden Bay Clubs and Services.
At the Heartlands office there is a very comprehensive document available to all, listing the clubs and services in our area(call in for a copy or ask Wendy to email it to you).This has been built over 20 or so years, firstly by the Takaka Business Association, followed by the Golden Bay Development and Employment Centre which was set up after the closure of Golden Bay Cement Works. The accuracy of the contacts in the document does depend on the clubs providing change of officers’ infomation to Wendy at Heartlands. Remember to update your information as officers change, and if you are a new group get on the list.
Sheryl Nalder, Golden Bay Community Workers Inc
