News in brief
Anna Coddington and Julia Deans
Two darlings of the New Zealand music scene are set to join forces in what is destined to be the most enchanting tour of the year. Anna Coddington and Julia Deans will head out on The Keepsakes Tour from 28 April.
Julia Deans is surely the possessor of one of modern rock’s most interesting voices; able to shift elegantly between soaring falsetto and assured growl. Known primarily as the charismatic frontwoman of Fur Patrol, Julia released her debut solo album Modern Fables in 2010 to critical acclaim. As well as being a world-class vocal talent, Deans has proven herself as a prolific songwriter, having being recently nominated for both the prestigious Silver Scroll Award and The Taite Music Prize.
Anna Coddington is one of New Zealand’s foremost heroines of independent pop music, as is evident on her debut solo album The Lake and new sophomore release Cat & Bird. Anna has been quietly kicking around New Zealand’s music scene for some time, fronting casually released pop gems by her former bands Handsome Geoffrey and Duchess and performing with musical collective Fly My Pretties.
Thursday 5 May: The Mussel Inn $20.
Friday 20 May: The Boat House, Nelson $25.
Calling all volunteers for Collingwood’s St John First Response Unit
St John is calling on the Collingwood community to get involved with a new St John first response unit.
The St John Golden Bay area committee is purchasing a Toyota Hiace 4WD for use as a St John first response vehicle in the Collingwood area, and it needs volunteers to help run it.
The first response vehicle will be based in at the Collingwood Fire Station and will dramatically decrease the time patients in remote areas wait for help in an emergency.
The vehicle will help St John provide quicker medical care in the Collingwood community and surrounds, says Stuart Chalmers, St John area committee chair. “This vehicle will be a real community effort. For example, the fit-out of the vehicle will be done by local tradespeople.”
Barry Howell, Nelson Marlborough district operations manager, says similar first response units operate in Tapawera and Okiwi Bay.
“Our first response vehicle arrives at the scene of an emergency, provides initial medical assistance, arranges for the nearest road or air ambulance, and remains on-site caring for the patient until help arrives.”
Mr Howell says St John is calling for expressions of interest from members of the Collingwood community to be part of the crew.
“This unit is very much a partnership between St John and the people of Collingwood. We’re asking for a show of support from the community to help us get this service of the ground. If all goes well we would like to be up and running by 1 July.”
Interested applicants are asked to contact either Sue Netto, team manager, on 525 8010 or Stuart Chalmers on 525 9492.
Submitted by St John
Gibbs Hill Track winter mountain-biking to continue
Mountain-bikers can again ride Abel Tasman National Park’s Gibb’s Hill Track from Sunday 1 May until 1 October, having been given continued winter access to the track after a two-year trial.
The 10-kilometre Gibbs Hill Track runs between Wainui and Totaranui. People can just ride the track or make a 23-kilometre round trip by also cycling on roads between Wainui and Totaranui.
Nelson Marlborough Conservation Board chair Ross Hall said the track was enjoyed by mountain bikers as an easily-accessed, pleasant winter ride.
“It is steep so biking can be strenuous, requiring reasonable fitness, but it is otherwise not too difficult and the track provides spectacular
views of Tasman and Golden bays,” says Mr Ross.
Gibbs Hill Track, graded an intermediate-level mountain biking track, can be cycled in either direction. No more than eight riders are allowed in a group. Mountain bikers need to adhere to the mountain bikers’ code which includes showing respect and consideration to walkers.
Approval was given to mountain biking continuing on the track after a DOC evaluation of the trial found it had little impact on the track surface and on other track users.
Three-year mountain biking trials are taking place in nearby Kahurangi National Park until the end of 2013. A five-month winter-season mountain biking trial on the Heaphy Track also starts on Sunday 1 May and will run until 30 September. Year-round trials are running on the Flora Saddle to Barron Flat and Kill Devil tracks.
Submitted by DOC
Rural Women New Zealand welcomes Rural Broadband Initiative announcement
Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) congratulations Telecom and Vodafone on the announcement that the Government will run with their bid under the Rural Broadband Initiative.
“It is a great step forward after a long period of inactivity in the rollout of rural broadband for rural communities,” says RWNZ national president, Liz Evans.
“We acknowledge the pragmatic approach of Minister of Communications, Hon Steven Joyce, in recognising the benefits of Telecom and Vodafone working together to build on their existing infrastructure to provide flexible broadband solutions for rural areas.
“With our strong focus on equity for rural customers, we are also pleased to note that wholesale prices will be comparable to urban pricing.
“For the same reason, we invite Minister Steven Joyce to come up with a fair and innovative solution for the 20 per cent of rural customers who will not be covered by this agreement. Many of these customers live in isolated areas where their only option will be the more expensive satellite option.
“We also look forward to seeing competitive rural deals from other telcos who will have open access to the fibre and wireless networks being established by Telecom and Vodafone under the Rural Broadband Initiative.”
While RWNZ realises the rollout is a big task, involving laying 3,100km of fibre and building 154 new cellphone towers, the organisation welcomes advance on the six-year contracted timeframe to complete this rollout.
Submitted by Rural Women New Zealand
