Ashburton Guardian by Ashburton Guardian

APRIL 2 2022

WEEKEND

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‘We are so grateful’ An outpouring of love has been humbling and even a little overwhelming for Methven’s Lynda Topp (right) and wife Donna after a tragic cancer revelation. The iconic Topp twins, Dames Lynda and Jools, both have breast cancer, leaving New Zealand’s much-loved singing sisters with their toughest gig yet. READ MORE P11

‘I CAN BREATHE’

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2 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Thanks so much Ashburton Taylor can now finally breathe and eat properly Daryl Holden

Check out our video on our Facebook page https://www.facebook. com/ashguardian

Courageous Ashburton teenager Taylor Doyle has provided the most uplifting and heartfelt news from her hospital bed in Sydney. “I can breathe,’’ Taylor said in a raw video message this week, tears of joy rolling down her face after successful surgery for her debilitating vascular condition, median acute ligament syndrome (MALS), which has made her life a misery for months. The rare condition, which Taylor has had since last May, is when tissue in the chest area compresses the artery that supplies blood to the organs in the upper abdomen. It makes eating, drinking, and sometimes breathing, painfully difficult. The enormity of waking from surgery and being able to take deep breaths without pain was obvious, and certainly not lost on her mother Zalie Doyle, who was at her side. “Oh, baby, that’s exciting,’’ Zalie said before her precious daughter dared to dream a simple thing most healthy kids perhaps take for granted. “Yeah. I might win a running race now,’’ Taylor said, her breathing still stilted, tears still streaming down her face. Running races may have to wait for a while because, as successful as the operation was, the 14-year-old’s recovery won’t be instantaneous. The surgeon who performed the operation has said complete recovery would be counted in months and not anything less. “. . . so she still has a way to go,’’ Doyle said. “He is very hopeful (that) she should continue to see improvements as her surgical pain settles and the nerves and surrounding tissue also heal.” The surgeon’s considered response was understandable, but the Doyles will take it, especially Taylor. After all, this is a girl who has

Oh, yes: This is what eating a double cheeseburger pain free for the ﬁrst time in a year looks like for Ashburton’s courageous Taylor Doyle. The 14-year-old has had a successful operation in Sydney for her rare and debilitating upper abdomen condition. PHOTO ZALIE DOYLE spent more than 100 nights in hospital, who underwent a battery of tests to find out what was wrong and who suffered worrying weight loss because the pain and nausea symptoms worsened when she ate and drank. She was often left malnourished and dehydrated and had to

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be fed with a tube for six months. She was also forced to miss much of her first year at high school, which was part of a never-ending nightmare for the youngster who, as part of her journey, even wrote and performed a song appropriately called: “I’m sick of it’’. But perhaps now there is real

hope for the future. For a normal future. For a future without pain when you eat, drink and breathe. It doesn’t appear too much to ask for a girl and a family, who are indebted to the Ashburton community. They stepped up when it was so desperately needed, with a fundraising page rais-

ing a tick over $35,000 in under six weeks. That money helped pay for the specialist surgery in Australia because it could not be performed in New Zealand. “This would not have been possible without our community,” Doyle said.

NEWS 3

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Petition just the start; ﬁght far from over Malcolm Hopwood Bereaved Ashburton parents Claire and Gerard Rushton are prepared to see their meningitis petition through to the very end. The Rushtons, who lost teenage daughter Courtenay to meningitis in 2014, know there is still much to do after delivering a 6357-signature petition on behalf of the Meningitis Foundation to Parliament on Thursday. The petition calls for a potentially life-saving meningococcal vaccine to be free for all Year 11 students or 16-year-olds, urging the Government to extend the age band of those who qualify for it on the national immunisation schedule. “We’re taking a break this weekend and then we’ll start to prepare our submission to the select committee on health,” Claire Rushton said after their emotionally draining day in Wellington where they met MPs from all the parties and carried out numerous media interviews, starting at 5.40am. “We don’t want one more person to die of meningitis.”

Meningitis is particularly dangerous because it shares symptoms, which include fever, a stiff neck and headache, with the flu. It is also fast-moving, with many children and teenagers dying from the virus within 24 hours of contracting it. Since Courtenay’s death at age 16, the Rushtons have campaigned hard for the free availability of vaccines covering the most common strains of meningococcal disease. The couple were appreciative of the Ashburton Guardian’s coverage of their campaign and also the support from National’s health spokesman, Dr Shane Reti. “He (Reti) said the wheels will move very quickly and wants the submission to be in front of the select committee this year,” Claire said. “We’ll start working on it from next week. We’re doing it for every child in New Zealand.” Despite the turmoil and triumph of their efforts in the capital on Thursday, which by coincidence included coming across five strangers with a direct connection with meningitis, they’ll continue their journey for change with one terrible regret. “We still returned home to Ashburton without our daughter,” Claire said. Claire Rushton’s story: Pages 12-13

Ashburton’s Claire and Gerard Rushton outside Parliament where they presented their meningitis petition, calling for a potentially life-saving meningococcal vaccine to be free for all Year 11 students or 16-year-olds. Their daughter Courtenay died from meningitis in 2014 when she was just 16.

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4 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Fighting for the right to farm MPI pushed us into receivership, but we will not go away Pat Deavoll

High profile dairy farmers Aad and Wilma van Leeuwen are embroiled in a massive mycoplasma bovis compensation battle with the Ministry of Primary Industries that could be worth $12 million to the South Canterbury couple. The van Leeuwens, who lease nine dairy farms and six dry stock farms, have already been paid $6.3 million by MPI. But they’re now seeking further compensation for professional consultancy fees, bank charges, and assorted other costs. “We have experts that have worked out that the compensation still due to us is about $12m,’’ Aad said. “Now MPI is refusing to pay us anything further.’’ The van Leeuwens had a High Court win in 2020 after the judge rejected MPI’s bid to strike out the case. MPI then agreed to a special resolution process and the claim would now go to arbitration. “The law says that if MPI comes in and slaughters all your stock, you will get compensated,’’ Aad said. “You let them do that and then

Family dynasty: Members of the van Leeuwen dairy farm family, who are seeking a massive extra mycoplasma bovis compensation payout from the Ministry of Primary Industries. you end up fighting for years for compensation. It’s a mockery really.” The case was scheduled for a five-day hearing session before the arbitrator would make a binding decision. And van Leeuwen said their battle was not just about themselves, “but also for all those oth-

ers out there that have suffered losses after MPI promised them (they would) never be worse or better off after slaughtering their stock”. The van Leeuwens’ giant dairy operation, consisting of 14 farms, five dairy barns, and 10,000 cows, went into receivership in April last year after having capital structure

issues with its second-tier financer. They had sold two dairy farms prior to receivership and were working to sell the remainder to Rural Land Company (RLC) when they were put in receivership. Subsequently, they sold their assets to RLC for $114 million. They now lease the operation back, with the expectation that

their children would take over the leases in the future. “When we got M. bovis, the bank wanted to get rid of us because we were diseased,’’ he said. “They had no faith in MPI paying us compensation. That led to us obtaining second-tier financing, which came at a huge cost. For us to be able to retain our farming business, we had to sell to RLC and lease the assets back – effectively losing ownership of our assets because of MPI exercising its biosecurity powers.” MPI needed to take a hard look at itself because the whole process was absolutely appalling, Aad said. “When you are dealing with a business that has been built up over 35 years with hard work, you work on the assumption that if MPI comes and kills your animals it must compensate you,’’ he said. “But when compensation doesn’t happen for years, the farmer is left in a desperate situation. We think there should have been money paid upfront to secure the farmer, with eradication (of livestock) following that critical step. “We feel MPI didn’t play fairly and their actions pushed us into receivership, probably in the hope we would go away. Well, we will not go away and will fight for the compensation that is rightfully owed to us.”

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Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

NEWS 5

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Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

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NEWS 7

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

‘We’ll sit there and eyeball them’ Mayor challenges community to have annual plan say Jonathan Leask Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown is ready to look ratepayers in the eye and discuss the draft annual plan. The Ashburton District Council will immediately roll out a consultation process after it adopts its draft annual plan on Wednesday and Brown is pushing for the community to take the opportunity to submit constructive feedback through official channels. The council has signalled the plan would include a 9.4 per cent rate rise, the highest increase in over a decade. Brown knows that means there will be plenty of questions coming council’s way. “We always expect them and welcome them,” Brown said. “We’ll have a good conversation with the community.” Assuming there is no last minute detour, councillors will approve the draft for consultation on Wednesday. They’d then go on a consultation offensive from Thursday. It plans to hold an online discussion that day before facing up to ratepayers in Ashburton, Methven, and Rakaia over three

Consultation ONLINE Online virtual feedback: April 7 at 7pm via council’s Facebook or YouTube channels, or via the itsourplace.nz website. COMMUNITY MEETINGS Ashburton Event Centre. April 11, 7pm Mt Hutt Memorial Hall. April 12, 7pm Rakaia Bowling Club. April 13, 7pm. nights to detail the planned $70.6 million spending on day-to-day running costs and projects to improve services and facilities in the district. The immediate consultation

push is to open the conversation and discuss the rationale behind the decisions, providing the “best opportunity for everyone to participate”. There is always plenty of online chatter but often it doesn’t flow through the official channels, Brown said. “This is the community’s opportunity to air their concerns. “Not through Facebook, or any other method, but directly to the people making decisions. “We’ll sit there and eyeball them, either on screen or faceto-face, and let them tell us what they are thinking constructively.” The consultation document and full draft annual plan would be available to the public from April 7, with the submission period running until May 6.

Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown says the consultation with the community will allow residents to have their say on the draft annual plan.

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8 NEWS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Covid forces changes to Anzac Day observance Malcolm Hopwood The Ashburton RSA is planning changes to Anzac Day observance this year. In its 106th year, the RSA has discontinued its cemetery service and the traditional marches prior to the dawn and civic services on April 25. President, Merv Brenton, said, with the ongoing pandemic, it’s important for people to space out, and this can’t be achieved at Ashburton cemetery or with people marching to the cenotaph. People attending the dawn or civic services, which traditionally attract crowds of more than 1000, can find their own space in and around the cenotaph at Baring Square West. “I’m asking those who normally march to ‘fall in’ at 6.25am for the dawn service and 10.45am for the civic service,” he said. “RSA members, scouts, guides and service groups, can also assemble in their own groups.” “The public is invited to both services but, if they feel com-

promised, they can stand and observe at their gateway at dawn, like they did two years ago.” Major Cezarne Rogers, officer in charge of the Ashburton Cadet Unit, and Merv Brenton, will speak at the dawn service and Mayor, Neil Brown, and Merv Brenton, at the 11am civic ceremony. Kate Guthrie, Gavin Hunt and Jim Lischner will play reveille and last post at respective services. Members of the armed services have been told to stay

away from Anzac Day observance because of Covid and Brenton confirmed personnel won’t be coming from Burnham Military Camp to Ashburton this year. He sees Anzac Day as the most important day in RSA’s life as it provides an opportunity to commemorate lives lost during New Zealand’s conflicts and to recognise names on cenotaphs and gravestones around New Zealand. “We also remember those veterans who are still suffering

from war and mental health issues,” he said. Poppy Day will be held on Friday, April 22, and Brenton is asking the community to support the appeal. About 25 collection boxes are being distributed to venues around Ashburton as an alternative to purchasing poppies in the CBD. “The road works in East Street last year prevented many people from donating to the appeal so I’m hoping for a better response this year,” he said.

Summer school plans new courses for 2023 The Methven Summer School is going ahead next year. The school, held from January 5-10 this year, was affected by the pandemic with reduced attendances. Instead of over 200 people who normally attend, numbers were down to 160. Summer school chairperson, Sandy Redmond, said organisers feared a loss but the financial outcome has shown a slight profit. “We’ve evaluated feedback from this year’s attendees and are now confirming tutors and courses for 2023,” she said. “We’ve already approached new tutors offering different courses from previous years, plus some of our favourites are returning.” The summer school has also appointed a new co-ordinator, Rosa Watson, from Methven. “It’s important we continue. We’re there to encourage adult learning and to promote Methven and its attractions over summer,” she said. “We don’t get funding, so our challenge is to cover costs.” The summer school, from January 5-10, 2023, hopes to confirm courses by July and seek applications the following month.

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NEWS 9

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Upgraded track an ‘instant hit’ Lili Haydon Ashburton Mountain Bike Club president James Reid says he “couldn’t be happier’’ with the flash new track in town. A new asphalted track has just opened at Mountain Bike Ashburton’s Loop and Skills Park on Dobson Street west by the bridge, and it’s proven to be an instant hit, Reid said. The park had previously had a track that was not asphalted, but the new one was safer and more fun. And he should know, having ridden 150 laps on it earlier this week. “As soon as it opened, people were doing it,’’ Reid said. “People were all over it.’’

Thanks to some help from Cameron Bisset and the Circuit Asphalt team, the project was completed last week. Bisset, who owns Dirt Trail Building, knows a bit about mountainbike riding and had noticed a surge in people getting into it. After the first Covid-19 lockdown, riders had dusted off their bikes but had quickly realised they were no longer good enough. “It didn’t cut the mustard,” Bisset said. “So people had to invest in better bikes which meant they needed better tracks.’’ The Ashburton track project had been two years in the making. It became reality thanks to the financial support from the Lions Foundation and Advance Ashburton, with more than $15,000 granted. “(I) couldn’t be happier with the result,” Reid said.

Left – Oli Nicholls getting some air on the new asphalt track at the Mountain Bike Ashburton Loop and Skills Park. PHOTO SUPPLIED

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Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

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OUR VIEW

Face mask stance ill-judged at best W

e want our elected members to speak up and make a difference for our community, but to do so with care and self-awareness in the delivery of their message. It’s the least we can expect. Unfortunately, that can be harder than it should be for some members of the Ashburton District Council. And, unfortunately, councillor Lynette Lovett has again slipped up in this regard. Her call this week for the council to push for removal of face masks because “we have to move on” and “the rest of the world aren’t using them’’ was, well, illjudged at best. For a start, such a call goes against the Government’s Covid-19 regulations and the advice of the medical experts they base their decisions on.

Daryl Holden Face mask use within public venues is a sensible safety requirement – for both the wearer and others – at least until the green setting of the Covid-19 framework changes. Lovett should know that. She should also know that questioning medical science, and the value of wearing face masks, is asking for trouble, especially when you consider the number of Covid-19 deaths shows no signs of slowing. A further 22 deaths on Thursday brought the total number of publicly reported Covid fatalities

in New Zealand to 338. On the same day, 830 people were in hospital with Covid – 28 of whom were in an intensive care or high dependency care unit. In total, more than 650,000 confirmed cases have also been reported in New Zealand.

expressing their disappointment at Lovett’s stance. Some took aim at the photo of the councillor showing her wearing a face mask incorrectly because it did not cover her nose. To be fair, that was a file photo not taken from this week’s

medical science, and the value “ Questioning of wearing face masks, is asking for trouble,

especially when you consider the number of Covid-19 deaths shows no signs of slowing

So when someone, especially a councillor, suggests face masks are basically past their used-by date, you can probably expect a backlash or two. And that has certainly happened, with many Guardian Facebook followers

meeting. Still, it demonstrated poor face mask use, which, again, was not what we would hope and expect from a community leader and a public figure in a time that is, or has been, so challenging and so worrying for

so many. It’s understood that councillor Lovett has an underlying health issue that makes wearing a face mask difficult for her to breathe comfortably. If that’s the case, then she should, if she has not already, apply for a medical exemption to not have to wear a face mask. No-one would begrudge her that right. But the public will rightly question her, or any colleagues, should they almost brazenly go against best practice medical science advice that in this country has allowed us to so far escape the Covid-19 case, hospital and death carnage that has happened elsewhere. By all means, stand up for your community because we applaud that and want to see more of it, but, please, do so with care, councillor.

WEEKEND FOCUS 11

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

A freezer full of lasagne, and hearts full of love Matt Markham

t was the news nobody wanted to hear, but it was news Dame Lynda Topp was relieved to be able to finally tell. And as she sat down on Sunday night to watch a TVNZ exclusive that would reveal to the world that both she and her sister Jools had breast cancer, Lynda, who for years had seemed unwavering and unbreakable, admitted to being nervous. While she’d naturally been a part of the filming process for the show it had been weeks earlier and they weren’t allowed to see the show before it went to air. There was no chance to say “I’ve cried too much in that bit” or “I don’t think that should go in” but above all else, one aspect had the heart beating faster than anything else. “I had no idea what Jools had said, and she had no idea what I’d said,” Lynda explained. “So, about five minutes before it went on, I sat down and felt quite nervous about it all. You just never know how those things are going to go sometimes, but we knew that we had to tell our story, it had been long enough.” With her absolute rock, wife Donna, sat beside her the pair watched on along with the rest of the country. They cried with us, they laughed with us, and they looked back with us. “I was diagnosed back in December, so it had been a long time to keep it to ourselves and those around us. There was definitely a weight lifted off the shoulders once it had aired. It was like, OK now people know, and we can get on with it and deal with it all without having to wonder if that person knows or not as we go about life.”

of the messages “ Awelotreceived were to say

thank you for telling your story – but to us, it’s not just our journey, there are a lot of people out there with cancer and we’ve heard some amazing stories of people telling us about their journey

The reaction to the show was almost instant. Even before it had finished, messages of support began flooding through. They came in e-mails, text messages, phone calls and on social media. And they came not in the hundreds, but thousands. Lynda, who handles all the Topp Twins’ social media, began to work her way through them on Monday. She went hard, responding to almost 800 messages in the first day. But it exhausted her, and she’s had to trim back to just doing short and sharp bursts, trying not to miss anyone. “A lot of the messages we received were to say thank you for telling your story – but to us, it’s not just our journey, there are a lot of people out there with cancer and we’ve heard some amazing stories of people telling us about their journey – you know mothers who have lost children or people who have lost parents. So, as I struck those stories, I really felt like I

The messages have come in their thousands, and Lynda Topp is determined to reply to them all. Matt Markham sat down with one half of the iconic Topp Twins, and her wife Donna, to talk about the reaction to news that both Lynda and twin sister Jools have breast cancer.

Donna and Lynda Topp relax at home this week with two of their dogs. needed to reach out and say thank you, and it’s gone from there.” The outpouring of support has been both incredible and humbling and for Lynda, seeing the level of support that has been afforded to Donna has been special. “You know, there’s a lot of support out there for the cancer patient, but it’s the partners and family that often need the most,” Lynda said. This week, as she’s quietly chipped away behind her coffee machine at the pair’s Topp Country Café in Methven, Donna admitted to being a bit overwhelmed. “There’s been a few tears, but people have gone out of their way to come up and check in on me, and to pass on their best wishes,” she said. “We’ve been getting phone calls all week at the café from people all around New Zealand wanting to give us their best, it really has been incredible.” But it hasn’t just been messages and comments that have warmed the hearts of the pair this week, and for the past almost three months. The local community has rallied – as it does – and done their bit too. “I never realised there were so many kinds of lasagne, the freezer is chocka with food, people have been so kind. But there’s been so many other kind gestures made that have made life a little bit easier as I go through treatments and recover.” The Methven Fire Brigade and local police have been coming and mowing the

lawns and doing other odd jobs around the house that need to be done and the Alford Forest Volunteer Fire Brigade, whom Lynda is a part of, came and laid new shingle on the driveway after they discovered it was bumpy and caused discomfort for Lynda when travelling to and from treatments and appointments. There’s almost too much to mention. The next six months are going to be

PHOTO MATT MARKHAM

tough, they both agreed. But given the overwhelming support and encouragement they’ve been shown, not just this week, but over the past three months, they know that they’ve got what they need to work their way through it all. “It’s hard to put into words how grateful we are, there are incredible people out there in our community and we really can’t thank them enough.”

12 WEEKEND FOCUS

Tragic. Ashburton’s Courtenay Rushton was smart, sporty and full of life when meningitis cruelly took her away when she was just 16.

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

WEEKEND FOCUS 13

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

desperate ﬁght for survival Pain. It will always be there for Ashburton’s Claire and Gerard Rushton. Eight years ago, they lost their youngest child, cherished daughter Courtenay, to meningitis when she was just 16. Claire Rushton shares the family’s very personal story about how the tragedy unfolded in a few short days.

ourtenay, or Courts as she is affectionately known to her family and friends, was intelligent, beautiful, sporty and full of life. The void she has left in our life is a forever reminder of her and is not only felt by us but by the many people who she touched and knew in her short life. On December 27, 2013, we left our home in Ashburton to go to our holiday house in Twizel for the Christmas/New Year break. She casually mentioned she felt like she had hypothermia, but not in any way that it raised any questions or alarms with me. She was happy to pack for the few days with us before going to stay at a friend’s home in Christchurch to spend New Year’s Eve. Courtenay slept most of the way down in the car which was unusual for her. Courtenay got sick very quickly. Meningitis hits with speed and sadly, in our case, hiding all commonly known symptoms. Courts was fully vaccinated receiving all vaccinations as recommended by the Ministry of Health. At the time of feeling unwell she was seen by a doctor three times. Her symptoms appeared to be a viral tummy bug, but in reality they were masking this deadly disease. At 8.30 on the morning of December 31, Courtenay went from walking into the doctor’s surgery, to collapsing within moments. Her blood pressure had dropped so low, that much needed veins were almost non-existent. I was standing holding a lure in my daughter’s neck vein, the only one they could access, whilst trying to project a sense of calm for Courtenay. All the while our instincts, intuitions and fears were in overdrive. Finally stable enough, she was ambulanced to Timaru. By the time we got to the side of Lake Pukaki, 10 minutes out of Twizel, Courtenay had become very distressed and was in considerable pain from her legs. Her blood pressure was again

dangerously low and by the time we reached Fairlie she was drifting in and out of consciousness. The doctor in Fairlie met the ambulance and administered a tube of fluid directly into her mouth,

She talked almost non-stop as if knowing if she stopped, she would stop. She won the hearts of all the doctors and nurses in those few hours in Timaru. Courtenay was finally Westpac

talked almost non-stop as if knowing “ She if she stopped, she would stop. She won

the hearts of all the doctors and nurses ...

shut the door to the ambulance and shouted “lights!” This was when we knew that this was very real. At the door of Timaru Hospital, a team of six to eight nurses and doctors met the ambulance and Courts was rushed into emergency and we were told to wait. After half an hour of people rushing in and out to her, we were taken away to a side room and were told she is dying in front of their eyes, and they don’t know why. Eventually stabilised enough Courtenay was sent to the intensive care unit (ICU) and were told to gather her three brothers, two of whom were overseas at the time. After 12 hours in Timaru Hospital’s ICU, it was decided that Courtenay would be air-lifted to Christchurch, as they still did not know what was wrong with her and she needed an emergency fasciotomy to relieve the pressure the infection was causing to her feet and hands. She was more settled, but her blood pressure was still extremely low and her breathing was very laboured. Courts kept us all entertained, she made jokes and spoke with her brothers on the phone telling them she will be ok, she even joked to her male nurse that she hoped she was getting a bigger bed in a private room when she got to Christchurch because the one she was on was very uncomfortable.

helicoptered to Christchurch Hospital’s ICU. When Courts was placed in the Westpac Helicopter just before 1am, neither of us were able to travel with her as the support equipment required for her flight took up all available space. We kissed her and told her we loved her and promised to see her very soon. She said she loved us too and then I heard her ask the paramedic nurse to please not put her to sleep forever. These were the last words we heard our daughter say. At Christchurch Hospital we were taken to the ICU unit where Courtenay had been placed in an induced coma. The head of ICU, Dr George

shut down, she was on permanent dialysis. Her blood pressure and temperature were one of the biggest concerns, as her blood pressure was so low and her body temperature so high at 41 and 43°C due to the infection she was trying desperately to fight. A team of nurses were with her at all times. For us, trying to find and connect with our daughter amongst all this chaos was immensely hard, whilst also trying to understand and take in every bit of information given to us and trying to control our emotions for our daughter. The patience shown by the team of doctors and nurses that cared for her was amazing and we will be forever grateful to them. Courts miraculously made it through that first night. She had a medical team of four and a full surgical team, plus two permanent nurses. The complications her body was constantly fighting were immense, she was fully assisted to stay alive. They now suspected meningitis was the cause, but septicaemia was now her biggest risk. The next few days were a rollercoaster of emotions. We went from counting every hour as a success, to every hour throwing

machines that were giving life to “ The our child, our beautiful Courts, had to be turned off. That was January 3, 2014

Downward, told us the next six hours were crucial and that Courtenay was the most critically ill patient in Christchurch Hospital. She was surrounded by monitors, tubes, and equipment. All her vital organs had shut down; the body’s defence to protect the heart. Her lungs were not supporting her, her kidneys and liver had

up more hurdles and complications. Natural parental thoughts went to how we were going to work through the possible body image problems the scars would present to a young, beautiful teenage girl who was blessed with intelligence, a natural sporting ability and who had the most amazing long, toned and tanned legs.

Courtenay was a battler. She fought. Boy did she fight. The extremes her body went through to fight this are indescribable, and on her last day with us, her medical team were talking about rehabilitation. Everyone was hopeful as she had breathed for a period overnight on her own. Then it all changed. We thought we had made some pretty hard decisions over the past few days but our hardest was to come. Waiting in the hospital chapel for the results of the MRI, we wished and prayed for time to stand still as she was still with us. Deep down we knew that this would be the end of Courtenay’s journey, that this disease had taken everything she needed to live. And then the results showed that the disease had entered her brain. The machines that were giving life to our child, our beautiful Courts, had to be turned off. That was January 3, 2014. Of all those hard impossible and incomprehensible decisions, we had to make, living without our daughter is unbelievably the hardest thing we are having to try and do. Courtenay left a permanent mark on this world; she will never be forgotten. Her friends chose to honour her legacy and to turn a tragedy into a positive permanent reminder to raise awareness for meningitis and created the purple “EVERY SECOND COUNTS” wristbands. They have sold thousands nationally and internationally to raise funds for the Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa NZ. We as a family have advocated with the foundation for all meningitis vaccines, including ACWY and B, to be available free for all persons. With the philosophy of giving back what we have received, we offer our support and guidance to other parents affected by meningitis or loss.

14 HERITAGE

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Gossip down the phone wire By Connor Lysaght

n an article last year we looked at how the telegraph network expanded into Ashburton, which changed the way many people communicated over long-distances. Newspapers, businesses and government bodies benefited greatly from the electric telegraph due to its ability to carry text-based messages at lightning speed between towns and cities. However, the telephone had one obvious advantage over the telegraph: instantaneous voice contact. The first telephone exchange in New Zealand opened in Christchurch on 1 October 1881, closely followed by an exchange in Auckland later that month. By 1900, many population centres across the country had some form of telephone capability. There were even some early adopters in small towns. According to a report from the Ashburton Guardian, 23 March 1892, a telephone exchange with sixteen subscribers had been opened at Balclutha. However, with so few subscribers the article ponders “what do the subscribers find to talk to each other about?”

Early hang-ups Later in 1892, the Ashburton Borough Council subscribed to a proposed telephone exchange in Ashburton on the recommendation of Henry Zander, local businessman and chairman of provisional directors, Ashburton Industrial Building Society. An exchange was initially guaranteed if Ashburton could raise 30 subscribers. However, once that number was reached the Post & Telegraph Department responsible demanded 60 subscribers instead (later reduced to 45). Letters from officials condemned these unrealistic expectations, citing the fact that

Employment, family, criminal, traffic and protection orders.

Ashburton telephone exchange, late 1950s. (Photo reference 04.2003.0120h) there were exchanges in places like Riversdale, Gore and Port Chalmers with only five, 15 and ten subscribers respectively. It took another three years of bureaucratic bickering, and pressure from Henry Zander towards the Post and Telegraph Department, before there was any progress. In July 1895, Henry received a wire message stating that work would proceed for the establishment of a telephone exchange in Ashburton. The exchange began operating that year at the Ashburton Post and Telegraph Office, and quickly obtained 80 subscribers before the end of 1895. At the Ashburton Borough Council’s annual meeting and ceremony of installation, which was held at the end of the year, councillor Paul raised a toast to the health of Henry Zander as the main promoter of the telephone exchange. “He had been at considerable trouble at first to get 40 subscribers, but the number was already nearly doubled, and they had one of the best services of the kind in existence.” In 1896, a list of new exchange subscribers was published in the Guardian, which included both private and business connections such as J C Duncan’s billiard room, the Bank of New Zealand, Frederick Ferriman and G A Mclean Buckley of Lagmhor Station.

Ashburton’s telephone network expanded exponentially, eventuating in the establishment of telephone bureaus stations (essentially free-standing telephone offices, which did not connect to businesses and homes) and rural exchanges across the district.

The telephone revolution The telephone exchange was generally regarded as a useful service, but there was at least one Methven resident who begged to differ. According to the Guardian, an old settler who was urged to install a telephone at his homestead was told that “he could ring up the centre for anything wanted on the farm, and would be saved many weary journeys and much time and trouble”. However, the old man’s main concern was that this convenience would mean he no longer had an excuse to come into Methven for a drink. A telephone bureau station was opened at Mayfield in July 1898, and exchanges eventually began operating all around the district in places such as Methven, Rakaia and Hinds. These exchanges were manual, which meant that callers would talk to operators at the exchange who then connected them to the person, bureau or business they wished to speak with. Eventually, automatic telephone ex-

changes replaced these manual schemes, starting with the Ashburton exchange in the 1950s. These days, fewer people are opting to keep their home phone connections, instead they rely solely on mobile phones. Party lines, rotary dials and exchange operators are a thing of the past. Do you remember ringing up the exchange, and do you have any special memories or funny stories about the old days of the telephone? Feel free to get in touch with the museum if you have anything to share.

CONTACT Material for this page is co-ordinated by the Ashburton Museum and Art Gallery. Articles from other organisations are welcomed, as is any feedback on what appears.

Email: museum@adc.govt.nz Mail: PO Box 94, Ashburton 7700 Phone: 307-7890

Copies of the photos on this page are available for purchase from the Ashburton Museum and Art Gallery.

If you would like help, please feel free to contact us on: Free Phone: 0800 242 482, or 021 904 154. www.everistgilchrist.co.nz Or send us an email marilyn.gilchrist@xtra. co.nz Lawyers Marilyn Gilchrist and Jon Everist, are located: 248 East Street, Central Ashburton.

Telephonist’s headset from the Mayfield telephone exchange. (Object ref- Field telephone for linesmen to tap into telephone lines while out in the erence 04.1993.0192) field. (Object reference 04.1992.0065)

OUR

MID CANTERBURY’S FENZ TEAMS Volunteer firefighters. Men and women of all ages, from all backgrounds, doing their bit for you and I. In Mid Canterbury, we’re lucky. We have hundreds of volunteers prepared to put their lives at risk every day just to help others. In this special advertising feature, we profile and salute all our volunteer brigades spread far and wide across Mid Canterbury. Written by Daniel Alvey, with additional reporting by Lili Haydon.

MID CANTY VOLU

ASHBURTON URBAN

he biggest, busiest, and the oldest. Ashburton Volunteer brigade is by far the largest brigade in the region fielding the most calls per year. The brigade has 40 members in the urban team, 16 of whom have 25 years or more experience in the Ashburton brigade or others. Fire chief Alan Burgess, certainly has the experience for the job though with over 50 years’ experience in the service, 32 of which have been as chief of the Ashburton brigade. “Some of my father’s mates were in the brigade. I decided I wanted a piece of that, and here we are today,” Burgess said. The brigade started in 1874, so is 148 years old. The brigade still fields the largest number of calls in the district, according to 2021 figures. Two-hundred-and-seventy-eight calls were answered, a third of the calls were false alarms. Second to false alarms were fires, receiving 83 fire call-outs. “Ten per cent lighter than normal,” said Burgess, adding that the last couple of years have been a bit odd with Covid. Burgess said while call-outs are lower the accident rate tends to go up after each lockdown. One of the biggest events the brigade dealt with last year was the May flooding. This natural disaster required some out-ofthe box thinking, Burgess said, as the bridge being closed presented new challenges. The brigade runs split teams in an effort to reduce the chances of a Covid outbreak affecting the brigade’s ability to help its community. Burgess has seen a lot of change in his time. He said Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) taking over in 2017, an integration that is still progressing today.

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The next change will be having paid Fenz staff based in Ashburton. “Ten or 11 operational staff will be based here to support all the region’s brigades,” Burgess said. The new operation will mean Mid Canterbury brigades will be able to have Fenz staff ready to help with whatever the brigade needs. “The Fenz integration has been really good,” he said. The brigade has seven appliances split between the rural and urban brigades. “We have never been more equipped than we are today,” Burgess said. Alongside Burgess, Graeme Baker also has

well surpassed 50 years’ service being a part of the brigade since 1966. While Baker has moved into operational support, he still plays a critical role. “Graeme’s role includes road control, feeding the troops on site and assisting in installing smoke alarms,” Burgess said. The brigade has a large skill set beyond fighting fires that members bring from their day jobs. “That’s the great thing about volunteer brigades, you get people from across the community,” Burgess said.

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MID CANTY VOLU A bale ﬁre attended by Ashburton, Pendarves, and Rakaia.

ASHBURTON RURAL A

shburton Fire Brigade rural chief fire officer Greg Bruce has 44 years and counting as an Ashburton firefighter. Within his service he is closing in on 25 years as chief. “It’s being able to give something back to the community and being able to help people,” Bruce said. Based inside the Ashburton station, the rural division has 15 active members. Four of the 15 have been fighting fires for 25 years or more. While once its own brigade, with the Fenz transition it means the urban and rural brigades will soon become one. “The urban firefighters will be trained as rural firefighters and vice versa,” Bruce said. For the rural firefighters, which are not as busy as the urban brigade, it will mean they can help with urban call-outs. The integration which has been under way

since Fenz took over in 2017 is nearing completion. Bruce said it has been quieter than normal for the brigade which normally sees more bale fires and burn-offs in the early months of the year. Most recently the brigade attended a bale fire in Pendarves. The other major event was assisting with evacuations during the May floods where having a 4WD appliance was a major benefit. “We were the ones with 4WD, so we were involved doing a lot of evacuations. That was something a bit different than what we are used to,” Bruce said. Alongside the 4WD appliance the brigade also has a double cab Ford Ranger and support trailer to assist the team on call-outs. “You never know what is around the corner,” Bruce said.

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UNTEER HEROES RAKAIA

he Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade is the second busiest in the area behind Ashburton. The brigade has a large service area running from Rakaia north into the Selwyn district and south past Chertsey. The brigade is also on hand to back up where needed for others in the area. Chief fire officer Tyrone Burrowes said it has been much quieter than normal. “We’ve been attending mostly medical calls, some MVAs (motor vehicle accidents), but very few fires,” Burrowes said. “The tanker hasn’t gone very far this year,” Burrowes said. Call-out figures from 2021 show that of 149 received, 84 were medicals, with only 27 being fire call-outs. The fewer calls Burrowes receives the better from his perspective. He said he welcomes people to get their smoke alarms checked. “The (Rakaia) bridge does keep us busy,” Burrowes said. Being one of the busier brigades, it qualifies to get appliances updated regularly, and has one fire appliance and one medical response ute. The brigade is still keeping busy. Six members of the brigade are competing in the Firefighter Sky Tower Challenge to raise money for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand in May. The challenge involves racing up the Sky Tower in full kit, which weighs 28kg. The team have a fundraising goal of $1000 per member. Burrowes said the career firefighters will bring a lot of experience to the group. Burrowes himself joined the brigade in 1999, moving up the ranks to become chief in 2016. Long-time firefighter Ross Moore has retired after 37 years. But the brigade still has a large amount of expertise, Fred Clarkson and Burrowes are gold star members. Rakaia has 23 members, with some new additions. “Couple of new recruits, as well as two career firefighters from Timaru,” Burrowes said. He is always looking for new members, particularly volunteers that could be available in the day. “Day response can still be an issue at times, many people travel out of Rakaia for work,” Burrowes said. “We’re here for the community,” Burrowes said.

Above – Rakaia Volunteer Fire Brigade members take a break after tackling a shed ﬁre. Left – A Rakaia member tackles ﬁre extinguisher training. PHOTOS SUPPLIED

UPPER RAKAIA

Serving the Community since 1994. L

ike its name suggests, the Upper Rakaia Valley Rural Fire Brigade, is nestled in the back blocks of the high country. In 1979, they had a NZ Fire Service Wayjax kit (a trailer with a Wayjax pump in it). The unit ended up with a Land-Rover fire unit, which was a big advance for them. After that came the high volume pump and other things, ending up, in the early 2000s, getting a rural fire appliance. Around 2006 a station was built on Glenaan Station, which is quite central to the other stations, and it is home to the brigade’s 2010 Isuzu appliance. They may only attend one or two major events but still provide a vital service to the area.

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MAYFIELD

MAYFIELD VOLUNTEER RURAL FIRE BRIGADE Start date: 1956 Fire chief: Ian Fielder Members: 18

rom fixing swimming pools to fighting fires, the Mayfield Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade has it covered. Member Tim Rowe said it has not been this quiet in five years for fires. “Up to call 16 for the year (June 2021 to present), we’re usually double that,” Rowe said. Crop farmer Rowe said a quiet fire season has also meant his harvest season has not been great as well. The wetter summer has meant his crop yield has dropped alongside fires. • • • • • •

“We’re having trouble even burning the paddocks, let alone them (burn-offs) getting out of control. The brigade has attended fewer car crashes which Rowe said has been nice. “We never like seeing fatalities,” Rowe said. The brigade’s membership numbers currently stand at 18. “That’s about right for us,” Rowe said. Mayfield’s chief fire office, Ian Fielder, will receive his 25-year service gold star medal this year after Covid has disrupt-

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ed the award ceremony three times. Covid has also disrupted the number of times the group can get together for trainings and meetings. To keep members busy they have been helping out in other activities for the community, this included assisting in rebuilding the Mayfield community pool last year. “We helped rebuild the pipes, that kept half a dozen of us busy for a while,” Rowe said. Alongside Mayfield pool, the bri-

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gade also provided Firewise training to schools in the local area. “Two of us went out to teach the kids fire safety and escape plans,” Rowe said. The new direction from Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), has meant the brigade is not just fighting fires. It is preventing fires before they happen, through more community engagement. Rowe has enjoyed having a rest from dealing with as many incidents. “It’s been nice having a break, “Rowe said.

UNTEER HEROES PENDARVES PENDARVES VOLUNTEER RURAL FIRE BRIGADE Start date: 1990s Fire chief: Paul Stewart Members: 18

also kitted out to deal with medical calls and road accidents, but do not see them as much. “We always know that we’ve got Rakaia and Ashburton (brigades) to back us up, and likewise we can back them up,” Stewart said. While normally a social group, new world pandemic regulations had reduced contact, ensuring that the brigade would not get knocked out and be down on volunteers. “Covid has interrupted training and meetings,” Stewart said. The brigade has 18 members, up three from last year, with the additions having come with experience from other fire teams, Stewart said. They have three, 25-year service gold star members in its brigade, those being Dave O’Donnell, Richard McArthur, and Tim Porter, who received his last year “We’re all pretty settled. “Most of our personnel are farmers, so we’re not going anywhere,” Stewart said.

he Pendarves rural fire brigade has certainly come a long way. Fire chief Paul Stewart, who has spent over 20 years serving with the brigade, knows that better than most. “Initially we operated out of a farmer’s hay barn, backing up other brigades,’’ Stewart said. “(In the) early 2000s, the council provided funding for the shed.’’ Since then, another wing had been added, featuring toilets and a meeting room. At the end of last year, the national firefighting organisation, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ), repainted the building and added new signage. A flash new look for its one truck brigade, a truck which was last updated in 2017. “We look pretty good out there,” Stewart said. The brigade’s location meant it played a critical role for the rural community, responding to a large bale fire recently. The brigade was

Below right – Fireﬁghter John Duncan providing water for the Dorie School slippy slide.

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MID CANTY VOLU METHVEN

t has been another year of successes for the Methven Volunteer Fire Brigade. The brigade has been fighting fires and serving the community for 96 years and counting. Chief fire officer Brent Anderson has seen many changes over the 33 years he has been in in the bridgade, but the changes have been coming hard and fast lately. Anderson said that this year the team of 24 volunteers had experienced a decrease in calls. The brigade has been less busy with

fires and more busy with motor vehicle incidents. They even attended a balloon incident earlier in the year. “Covid might have something to do with it,” Anderson said. But he also believes it could have something to do with New Zealanders coming out of another lockdown towards the end of last year and starting to travel more. The team had six motor vehicle incidents in a row over the December/January period, Anderson said, but only two house fires. One house had to be pulled

down as a result, he said. One thing that’s certain is the brigade’s 100-year anniversary is nearing and they are planning to celebrate. But before the 100-year celebration, they plan on having a big shindig for three members of the team, who have received their gold star for 25 years of service. Shane Davidson, Johnny Shannon, and David McLeod celebrated the milestone in February with other members of the brigade and their partners. Anderson is hoping to have a more

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locally-focused community celebration of their achievements now that mandates have lifted. Another achievement to be proud of is having three female volunteers, Anderson said. Eighteen months ago, Sammy Ridge was the latest female to join the crew and passed the recruitment firefighter course with flying colours. Fire and Emergency New Zealand are hoping to increase the number of women to have more diversity of their staff in the future.

UNTEER HEROES

Above left – Methven’s Volunteer Fire Brigade members dressed up and looking smart. Above right – Here’s Brent Anderson and Murray Cairns checking out a new truck back in 2019.

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he Mt Somers Volunteer Fire Brigade has been fighting rural fires since 1967. Leslie Huggins has been a part of the brigade for over 35 years and has been the chief fire officer for the last eight of those. Huggins has seen a lot in his 35 years, but nothing has been as unusual as this year. “This is the quietest it’s ever been,” he said. He thinks this could be a combination of Covid and the colder weather they have experienced in the Mt Somers area lately. Leslie is a second generation Huggins to join the crew, following in the footsteps of his father Ian. In the past few years Leslie’s son Nathan has also been helping the team of 18 volunteer firefighters. Which is lucky because there are only around 200 residents living in the Mt Somers area so the pool of potential volunteers is smaller. And due to Covid spreading through the

tight-knit community, three members of the team are out of action. This has also meant that they have had to postpone their celebration for one of their members. Richard Joseph was supposed to be receiving a gold star this month after 25 years of service. “We were meant to have (the celebration) on the 1st of April,” Huggins said. But since Covid is so rampant in the community, they are planning on having Joseph’s celebration with team members and their family members as soon as it is safe to do so. Huggins is hoping this will happen by June. But if there is a silver lining to Covid, it’s that a quiet year for the Mt Somers brigade means fewer disasters in their community. And, Huggins said, this year has been “amazingly quiet”.

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MID CANTY VOLU

WILLOWBY

he Willowby Rural Fire Brigade is looking better than ever. Fire chief Debs Stilgoe-Brooker stepped into her new role nine months ago. “I’m here for a good time, not a long time,” said Stilgoe-Brooker, as she wants to leave her mark on the station. Stilgoe-Brooker has 22 years’ experience in the service after joining the brigade in 1999. She and a couple of friends heard the fire siren going off and at that moment, she decided she wanted to give firefighting a go. Stilgoe-Brooker is the only female chief in the region and one of a handful in the South Island. Stilgoe-Brooker is proud that of the 18 members in the Willowby team, there are six women, two in management support and four operational. Two are her daughters Amy and Penny who were attending fires before they were born. “I fought fires pregnant with them. Then when I was a solo mum, so they would come and sit in the car, something you can’t do now,” Stilgoe-Brooker said. Being a female chief does come with its challenges though. “It’s a challenge, people don’t expect a woman to be chief.” While the fire season has been quiet with only attending seven fires last year, there still has been a lot of change to the station. New buildings have been added, including toilets, an office space/ kitchen and a 30,000-litre water tank. “It’s been amazing to have toilets, when you’re rushing to a fire and sometimes you just need to go,” Stilgoe-Brooker said. She was appreciative of the community support and funding that helped provide the tank, as it adds much more capability to the brigade with creeks not being as common as they used to be. The brigade is one big family, she said, and includes fathers and sons, husbands and wives, sisters, several sets of brothers, cousins, work colleagues and lifelong friends. “We have a common goal.” “We’re here to serve, and serve better than yesterday,” Stilgoe-Brooker said.

Above – Willowby ﬁre chief Debs Stilgoe-Brooker. Below right – The Willowby team. Below – New buildings for the Willowby Rural Fire Brigade.

PROUD TO SUPPORT THE VOLLIES OF MID CANTERBURY

UNTEER HEROES Hinds ﬁre chief Dave Kingsbury.

LAURISTON

or 50 years the Lauriston Volunteer Rural Fire Brigade has been ready to serve. Chief fire officer Mark Shears said it has been a quiet year for the brigade. “Not sure whether it’s Covid or our prevention work,” he said. Shears joined the service over a decade ago. Taking over the fire chief role in 2016, just prior to Fenz taking over in 2017. “Got thrown the reins here, and said good luck,” Shears said. The Fenz integration has only meant minor changes to the brigade as Shears said the brigade was already on top of most things. Covid has presented challenges to the brigade running split crews at callouts and trainings to reduce the risk of spread. The 22 members get split into two with half run by Shears and the other being run by the deputy Charlie Tomlin. As well fighting fires locally Shears

HINDS VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE

has also been involved in overseas deployments. “I’ve been to America in 2017 and Australia in 2018,” Shears said. While the last year has been quiet for fire calls, the brigade has focused its time into community prevention, and home safety for fires. Marthie Wright is in charge of the prevention side of the brigade. “We are doing lots of work in the prevention space at the moment and advancing our connection with our local community,” Wright said. Open days at the station, school visits, and home safety visits are just some of the ways the brigade is getting out in the community. So far Wright and her team have done 30 home visits. “Everyone plays a major part in not only turning out to calls but also in the prevention work we do,” Wright said. The brigade will be hosting its 50th jubilee in December. “We’re in the early planning stages,” Shears said.

Lauriston brigade members at a stubble paddock and straw stack ﬁre.

Start date: 1962 Fire chief: Dave Kingsbury Members: 14

HINDS

ry 41 years and counting. That’s how long Hinds Volunteer Fire Brigade chief Dave Kingsbury has served the community. “I don’t know how much longer I’ll be here,’’ Kingsbury said. “The body might start stopping me.’’ The Hinds brigade will probably hope he can keep going for some time yet because people like Kingsbury are like gold in small communities, which heavily rely on locals to do their bit. Kingsbury’s certainly done that for the Hinds brigade, which was formed after a fire in 1962. “When people need us we are there to help,” Kingsbury said. The Hinds brigade has 14 members, including 25-year gold star award-holders Roger Sparks, David Robertson and Kingsbury. The brigade has one female member Gabby Parish. “She is young, keen and willing to learn,” Kingsbury said. Older members played a critical role in training younger volunteers, he said.

“They can have all the qualifications, but until they’ve experienced (being) in the field, they don’t know what it is like.” Kingsbury knows what it’s like and has seen a lot of change, with the training required being much more time-consuming. “You have to be safe, but it is all about common sense. “You are going into situations where others run from.” Fortunately, this firefighting and emergency summer season had been quiet, with only 17 call-outs. “Covid kept things quieter and so did the rain, but keeping the trucks in the shed is not a bad thing,” he said. Kingsbury also knows they’re lucky to have the support of the small rural community. “Employers (of volunteers) need a pat on the back for allowing people to leave work to serve. It’s their time and money,” Kingsbury said. “When people dial 111, they don’t do it for fun, so we have to be ready to go. “The job has to be done,” Kingsbury said.

Lauriston crew give children a go on the hose.

Proud to support our local Fire and Emergency teams 18-22 Moore Street, Ashburton Free Phone 0800 263 6679 | Mobile 027 637 1229 www.memoryfunerals.nz

Jo Metcalf

MID CANTY VOLU The Alford Forest Rural Fire Brigade members.

ALFORD FOREST

ighting fires from the back of a trailer. That is how it all started for the Alford Forest Rural Fire Brigade back in 1995 as a sub-unit to Mt Somers. The brigade had a single axle trailer, which had a home in 1998 after a shed was built to house it. From then the brigade has grown to a strong 18-member brigade. Fire chief Nathan Currie who joined the brigade around 2013 said they are really happy with the current crew. While they have lost some members

more recruits are coming through to join the service, with four recruits fresh off their training courses. “We must be doing something right, with a lot of people wanting to join,” Currie said The brigade seen a downturn in callouts in the last few years from 25-30 a few years ago to only 5 in 2021. Despite the downturn in call-outs the brigade still provides a vital service to the community. 2021 saw the brigade face a

new challenge, with rescues in May during the floods. “It was a dangerous one, and a new challenge for the group,” Currie said. This year the brigade has turned out to some house fires. Currie encourages anyone that wants assistance with smoke alarms to reach out. Currie said he would rather take the time to prevent a fire than attend one. “If there’s anything people need a hand with, whether it’s where to install them

or how we’re happy to provide advice,” Currie said. The brigade is still operating a fourwheel-drive 2020 Isuzu, received as part of the Fenz rollout at the end of 2020. “The 4WD provides a lot more safety when responding to remote fires,” Currie said. Currie said some of the more memorable moments in the service were travelling to large scale fires such as Ohau and Pukaki in 2020, which he attended along-

Left – The Alford Forest and Methven brigades working together. Below – The Lake Clearwater brigade in action.

LAKE CLEARWATER

ake Clearwater may be off the beaten track, but the 180 baches means there is quite a township to look after for fire chief Greg Brake. Brake has been fire chief since the beginning of the brigade. “It was discussed (having a brigade) for years, someone needed to follow it through,” Brake said. Eighteen of the 19 members are bach owners at Lake Clearwater. “It’s quite unique that no-one lives here,” Brake said. “The other unique thing is that we four or five couples in the brigade, some of the girls are keener than the guys,” Brake said. The group also includes some career firefighters, which Brake said adds to the expertise in the group. While no-one is there fulltime many are there most weekends when the lake is busiest, but for the last year it has been quiet for the group. “The grass is still green up here,” Brake said. The brigade is equipped with a 4WD appliance that was transferred from Lau-

LAKE CLEARWATER RURAL FIRE BRIGADE Start date: 2010 Fire chief: Greg Brake Members: 19

riston and that was a valuable tool during the May floods, Brake said. Fifteen residents became trapped in the area, when roads became impassable for five days. “My job was to do daily welfare checks and inform people of updates. We sent the 4WD through first to check the road condition,” Brake said. In December a communications tower was built at Lake Emma, which means communications can be made from the truck directly to Christchurch. “The new tower has been invaluable to us,” Brake said. The Clearwater community is certainly in safe hands with Brake and his team.

UNTEER HEROES T

RANGITATA

bulance to get from Ashburton or Temuka. he Rangitata Rural Volunteer Fire BriRecently our turn-out time has decreased, gade has come a long way after being which is good,” Smith said. made non-operational in 2018. The brigade is still running the one appliFire chief Andrew Smith helped return it ance, a 1992 Mitsubishi that started life in to a fully operational brigade in 2019. Ashburton. It is now a vital asset to the community “Fingers crossed we’re getting a new one and Smith’s reason? “The thought of somesoon,” Smith said. one not being there to do it, that makes me While the equipment is still the same, the want to do it.” new Fenz structure has made the day-toThe brigade has built respect in the local day running of the station much easier. The community now more than ever. “It’s good changes made at the end of last year mean to attract more interest in what we do. We’ve got a better name in the community,” it has become easier for Smith to get help. “It has brought a level of professionalism. Smith said. The workload has increased, but they (Fenz) From the reopening in 2019, the brigade recognise that now.” now has 16 active members. “We’re sitting “The way (Fenz) are operating now is a pretty well for numbers,” he said. The brigade has a wide range of members lot better,” Smith said. The brigade is certainly back on its feet with the youngest only 19 years old. now and not planning on going anywhere. Even fighting fires has changed to doing more prevention work. “A big part of our role is prevention these days, much more than it used to be,” RANGITATA RURAL Smith said. VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE The brigade is not just there to fight fires, Smith said 20 Fire chief: Andrew Smith per cent of the incidents they Members: 16 attend are car accidents. Often the volunteer team is the first to respond in the area they cover, providing key medical assistance. “It’s 20 minutes for an am-

Above right – Rangitata appliance. Right – Rangitata crew doing some crash training.

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Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

subs@theguardian.co.nz

Got a car question? Maybe Roger can help.

Highlander ZR Hybrid

Handy, handsome hybrid T he name Klondyke likely creates visions of challenging terrain and wild weather. We experienced neither as we parked Toyota’s hybrid Highlander for a bike ride up to the RDR intake, during which we viewed the most impressive, soon-to-be commissioned fish screen.

The line-up

The new Highlanders are slightly longer overall, with an also increased wheelbase giving more space for the seven seats. All are all-wheel drive and can tow 2000kg. But they are in very short supply, with long-term delivery dates! There are three hybrid models – GXL, Limited and the ZR. Their ‘driveway’ pricing is $64,990, $67,990, and

Highlander ZR Drive away pricing: $75,990.

Other Highlanders from $60,990 (All dependent on availability) Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol/ hybrid. Total system output 184kW and 242Nm. Transmission: e-CVT auto, all-wheeldrive

Claimed overall fuel use:

5.6L/100km Size: 4950mm long,1930mm wide, 1755mm high, 2850mm wheelbase. Turning circle: 11.4m. Tows: 2000kg (braked) Warranty: three years - 100,000 kms. Safety: 5 Star ANCAP.

$75,990 respectively. There’s also two V6 (218kW/350Nm) petrol only GXL and Limited models at $60,990 and $63,990.

Hybrid power

made aware of the e-CVT effect, but the quiet and fuel-efficient operation of such under normal driving conditions means this will be quickly overlooked. Toyota’s stated overall fuel use figure is 5.6L/100km. With no real thoughts of economy in mind, that indicated for longish drives was 6.5L/100km without trailer and 7.9L/100km when towing.

Highlander V6 purists may initially be a little sceptical of a hybrid version. Well, that would be until they drive one, to experience just how smooth and quiet it is, as well as its ability to accelerate just Plush and spacious about as quickly as the V6. And do all this Being at the top of the range, the ZR’s using much less petrol. furnishings and seats are decidedly The Hybrid powertrain consists of a Lexus-like, with quality more powerful version leather finishings and of that used in the Highlander V6 purists comfort, those in front RAV4 with the 2.5-litre Atkinson cycle engine/ may initially be a little with heating/ventilation and impressive hybrid system deliversceptical of a hybrid space. ing 184kW and 242Nm version. Well, that Comfort and space and driving the front are repeated for the secwheels via an e-CVT. would be until they ond row. This slides to There’s a separate drive one give maximum legroom electric motor for the with the third row not rear wheels. in use, then folds for With the system easy access when it is. automatically charging the NiMH battery, Said third row is mostly best for smaller which is neatly housed beneath rear seat people, but ok for adults in the short so to not crib on luggage space, there’s no term. plugins involved. In keeping with all this, there’s a very The drive efficient three-zone climate control, an You move away under electric power eleven speaker JBL sound system and a before the petrol motor quietly starts up. panoramic glass roof. Particularly around town and for stopThere’s a heads-up display and the start motoring, the system very smoothly large touch screen provides a myriad of switches between the engine and electric information including precise details of power (EV shows on dash) whenever poseconomy, navigation etc. sible for the best possible fuel economy. Indeed, the only thing missing from But the system also responds just as the whole user-friendly setup is wireless quickly to the accelerator, both about charging. town and on the open road and for hill Third row folded; luggage space is an work, including towing a trailer on a impressive, with them occupied there’s Tekapo trip. still very decent space remaining for Ok, those with a heavy foot will be loading via the hands-free power tailgate.

“

Quiet and nicely composed

Expectedly, there’s excellent sound deadening, with minimal wind or road noise and a very comforting ride with bumps being soaked up very well. Larger wheels can be inclined to make bumps more noticeable, but the ZR’s 20-inch wheels didn’t seem to do so. The steering provides sufficient feel and the Highlander tracks predictably and nicely through bends. Given its designed for comfort, you expect and there is some well contained body movement when hustled through corners.

Parking

There’s lots of camera assistance (including 360-degree surround) and sensors to assist as well as a very good 11.4-metre turning circle. However, its length does test of some of our newer parking spaces.

Safe and sure

All models have Toyota’s Safety Sense system featuring a very comprehensive package of safety and driver aids.

Finale This impressively equipped, reﬁned, smooth, very comfortable hybrid Highlander is a handsome and satisfying large seven-seater. One that’s able to rise to the occasion and do whatever’s needed in a variety of conditions, with excellent fuel economy!

32 MOTORING

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

YOUR LOCAL HONDA PARTS & SERVICE CENTRE

t is the most powerful customer sports car ever to have been developed by Mercedes-AMG: the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series, conceptualised for use during track days and club sport events. With the exclusive limited edition, the Mercedes-AMG motorsport department is celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Affalterbach-based company in a very special way. Limited to 55 units, the Mercedes AMG GT Track Series is the spiritual bridge to AMG founders Hans Werner Aufrecht and Erhard Melcher and their philosophy: making the best even better yet. The result is an uncompromised and exclusive performance car that is reflecting the automotive constructors’ art of Mercedes-AMG in a unique way.

Extending the GT legacy by a new iconic model.

MOTORING SERVICES

The legendary top performer Mercedes AMG GT Black Series (combined fuel consumption 12.8 l/100 km, combined

The front of the exclusive model is characterised by the AMG specific sporty radiator grille, which ensures optimum air flow to the radiator. Another special development for the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series are the exclusive high-sheen milled and forged 18 inch wheels, the usual wheel rim size for GT race cars. The GT Track Series comes with steel brakes (front axle: 390 mm/rear axle 355 mm). The carbon brake air ducts and the dimensionally stable brake air lines guarantee optimal cooling of the performance brake system in the process.

Honda Service Store Ashburton

CO2 emission 292 g/km)[1] served as the basis for the development. Like the latter model, the GT Track Series stands out for its vehicle concept aimed at top-level performance, combining it with the racetrack-proven qualities of the GT3 and GT4 models.

Fascinating performance offer The heart of the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series is the 4.0 litre V8 biturbo engine from the Mercedes-AMG GT Black Series, the engineers from Affalterbach having enhanced its impressive performance figures even further. For instance, thanks to custom motorsport injectors and a specific engine application, the power unit equipped with a flat crankshaft now delivers 580 kW (734 hp) and a maximum torque of 850 Nm. The sequential Hewland HLS 6-speed racing gearbox with adjustable differential transfers the power to the rear axle. Like in all the models from the GT family, it has been installed on the rear axle in transaxle configuration and has a

torsion and torque resistant connection to the engine by means of a carbon fibre torque tube. The suspension of the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series features comprehensively adjustable four-way Bilstein dampers.

Optimised aerodynamics combined with a powerful design The design and the aerodynamics of the Mercedes-AMG GT Track Series strictly follow the performance philosophy as well. The bonnet, wings, sills, back door and the rear apron are made of carbon fibre and largely contribute to the high driving dynamics. Another important effect of the material mix is the reduction of the kerb weight of the vehicle to 1400kg. The integrated louvres of the carbon wing on the front axle provide a higher downforce. The sills with elements of black visible carbon, transitioning into vertical blades both at the front and the rear, significantly contribute to an optimal airflow around the vehicle.

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Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

FinalWhistle The Guardian’s sports wrap

calling time on a week of sport

Girls chasing gold on the water

Rowing for gold Kimberley’s ﬂying high P35

Battle lines drawn

The Ashburton College Girls’ Under 16 Coxed Quad Sculls crew will row for a medal today in the A Final of their competition at the prestigious Maadi Cup on Lake Ruataniwha. FULL STORY: P35

P37

Kirsty’s in charge

P34

34 SPORT

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Blindside

Mid Canterbury’s leading sports writer Matt Markham

matt.m@theguardian.co.nz

STARS OF THE WEEK Kimberley Bird Made the big decision to move to the USA and ply her trade on the back of her horse and so far, it’s been a master stroke. She’s making a big impression and helping put Mid Canterbury on the equestrian map.

Growing the women’s game

omen’s rugby in Mid Canterbury has a new person at the helm, with Kirsty Arps joining the Mid Canterbury Rugby Union as the Rugby Development Officer for Women’s Rugby. A keen rugby follower and local mum to three daughters, two of whom play for

THINGS TO WATCH THIS WEEKEND

Tennis The tennis season is winding down, but the action is hot this weekend for the Seniors Championship, which is on both today and tomorrow at the Braided Rivers Community Trust Tennis Centre.

Pickleball Never tried it, but wanted to give it a go? Pop on down to EA Networks Centre on Sundays between 3pm and 5pm and learn more about this fast-growing sport locally.

Petanque With a national champion now walking in our midst, there’s no better time to get down to the Ashburton MSA Petanque Club and give the sport a go. You’ll ﬁnd them at their clubrooms all day tomorrow, where they’ll be talking through tactics and rules.

Tinwald, Arps comes into the position having worked her way through from being a player in her youth to a coach and now into development. Building on the rise of the women’s game in New Zealand on the back of a successful inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki campaign, Arps is keen to create a pathway for the sport to progress in

A quiet achiever in the local target shooting ranks, Charlotte consistently produces the results, week in and week out. As she continues to grow and prosper, there’s only bright things ahead.

the Mid Canterbury region. With the ambition of building toward Mid Canterbury having its own fully-fledged representative team to compete in tournaments around the country, Arps is keen to get to work by helping to bring bigger events to the region so “the girls can see there is something for them to aspire to.”

Did you know? ickleball is a rapidly growing sport locally with more and more people taking it up. We’ve seen the best in the business here in Ashburton in the past, but what’s it all about? Pickleball originated in Washington in 1965 after three fathers devised the game to entertain their children. Naples, Florida is considered the pickleball capital of the world and hosts

Charlotte McKenzie

the US Open Championships each year. The court used in pickleball is referred to as The Kitchen. Pickleball has been recommended by health professionals for people who suffer from Parkinson’s Disease. Despite the name suggesting so, the sport has nothing to do with pickles. Its origin is believed to have derived from either pickle boats, or the name of the dog of one of the three inventors.

George Donaldson Makes holding your balance on skis on water, while being towed around at ridiculous speeds and flying through the air look easy. NZ’s best male for the season and still so much more to come.

Flying high, stateside

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Matt Markham

Reigning Mid Canterbury sportswoman of the year, Kimberley Bird is flying high in the United States. The talented equestrian rider is in the midst of an American adventure, where she’s been competing since the start of the year in the 2022 Winter Spectacular Show Series at the incredible Ocala World Equestrian Centre in Florida. And last weekend the Kiwi made sure everyone knew who she was in the final event of the series. Riding her beautiful 13-yearold mare, Cera Cassina, who she took with her stateside, the pair claimed first place in the 1.45 metre Jumper Classic which carried a purse of US$15,000. Bird and Cera Cassina, who is more affectionately known as Bezzie, relocated to the US at the start of January to compete during the series, and they’ve made every rail a winner along the way, picking up valuable experience and some standout results. “I flew over on January 1 and have been here ever since. We

Kim Bird and Cera Cassina on their way to victory in Florida last weekend.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

During the weekend’s event, Bird and her 13-year-old mare were the first combination to go through their round clean, and did so in a slick time to earn themselves first place. “The course suited my horse very well.

“The time was tight, but I was lucky because my horse likes to travel. As long as I don’t start pulling, we are usually good on time.” *Keep a look out next week for a more detailed story on Kimberley’s American adventure.

aren’t ready to go home, that’s for sure,” Bird said after last weekend’s victory. “This facility is unreal. Back at home I jumped around World Cups, but this place is an entire new level. We will be back for sure.”

SPORT 35

Harry’s taking charge Matt Markham Mid Canterbury rugby is amping up its media profile this season, with local lad Harry Galbraith joining the team at MCRFU as a media intern. Galbraith, who was born and raised in the region, has recently completed two years studying at the New Zealand Broadcasting School and joined the Mid Canterbury team earlier this week. With a view to significantly improve the social media standing of the Union and its online presence, Galbraith is looking forward to putting his local knowledge and his studies and experiences to good use on home territory. “It’s always been an area that I’ve been enthusiastic about, and I would love to celebrate more of our local rugby, and everyone involved with the game,” he said. “I would like to thank Mid Canterbury Rugby for giving me this opportunity; I am really looking forward to getting stuck into some work.” Galbraith hopes to provide some innovative ideas to the union such as a podcast, fortnightly rugby updates with a focus on all grades of rugby around the Mid Canterbury region. “I hope by the end of my time in this role I have been able to showcase the local rugby scene for the whole of Mid Canterbury to see, also I would like to highlight all of the talented rugby players of all ages and genders in the region.”

Rowing for Maadi gold Matt Markham A potential medal awaits Ashburton College this morning at the end of a huge week of rowing at the Maadi Cup on Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel. Today day marks the final day of one of New Zealand secondary school sport’s biggest events, with four Ashburton College boats on the water to compete throughout the day. But it could well be the first, that is the most important. The Girls’ Under 16 Coxed Quad Sculls will step up into the plate in the A Final of the event, having worked their way through the repechages to qualify for the final as third fastest boat on the water. It’s been an impressive comeback for the crew, spearheaded by Isabel Wall alongside Sophie Gibson, Sienna Skilling, Honor Bradford and coxswain Lily Davidson, after they finished third in their heat. They then crushed the repechage to win and produced a slick

time in their semi-final to finish second, giving them a near middle lane for this morning’s A Final. Crews from Cambridge High School and Cashmere High School look set to be the crews to beat given their quick times in the semi-finals, but the Ashburton College girls weren’t that far behind them. Also, in action today to complete the week is Matthew Pearce, who takes his place in the B Final of the Boys’ U18 Single Sculls event. Pearce was third in his heat and third in his quarter-final to give himself a chance of an A Final, but just missed in the semi. The final act for the week will see two Ashburton College combinations in action in the Girls’ Under 16 double sculls B Final – the same four girls who will row for a medal in the morning. Wall and Gibson looked right on song early in the week winning their heat and their quarter-final, but a sixth in the semi put them into the B Final, while Skilling and Bradford produced similar results, finishing fifth in their semi, meaning there’s two strong Ashburton boats on the water in the B Final, which will be held later this afternoon.

The Ashburton College Under 16 Girls’ Coxed Quad Sculls; Isabel Wall (left), Sophie Gibson, Sienna Skilling, Honor Bradford and Lily Davidson who will row for gold this morning on Lake Ruataniwha. PHOTO PICTURE SHOW LTD

RightonTrack Guardian racing

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Mid Canterbury’s horse and dog racing action

O’Reilly duo set to shine at Rangiora Matt Markham Expect the surname, O’Reilly to feature rather prominently tomorrow at Rangiora. The father and daughter driving duo of Gerard and Sarah O’Reilly both look like they’ll have big hands to play at the lowkey Sunday meeting, with good books of drives. It’s already been a huge week for Sarah, who’s picked up four winners with a hat-trick at Manawatu on Tuesday for Michael House, and then a victory at Winton on Thursday as well. Heading into racing last night at Addington, she’d registered 19 wins for the season and taken the lead in the junior drivers’ premiership off Ben Hope, as she shoots for her

maiden title, having finished second to John Morrison twice in the past two seasons. Tomorrow she’ll take the reins on five runners, including two strong winning hopes for her bosses, Cran and Chrissie Dalgety. They line up promising maiden, Tayla Me early in the day after her strong, but erratic third at Addington last week.

Gerard O’Reilly might just have the edge on his daughter Sarah tomorrow at Rangiora with a strong book of drives.

The royally-bred pacer looked likely to win, but paced roughly and wasn’t able to be fully driven out over the final stages. They also combine with the talented Mitsi Gaynor in the last race of the day, but like Tayla Me, there’s an outside of the front row barrier draw to handle.

Sarah’s drives Race 3: Tayla Me Race 6: South Park Race 8: Kohwai Shadow Race 9: Aveross Rustler Race 11: Mitsi Gaynor

O’Reilly’s other big chance for the day comes for Mark Jones with Kowhai Shadow in the junior drivers’ event. The tough mare was a good second last time out and has drawn well again today, giving O’Reilly plenty of options to find a winning position. While he’ll be cheering his daughter on, Dad, Gerard will have business of his own to take care of with five drives of his own at the meeting – all of which look strong each way options. He combines with Ashburton Raceway trainer Terry McMillan with the consistent Splash Of Crimson early in the day,

the same race Sarah drives Tayla Me in. Incidentally, he’s filling in for his daughter, who is the usual driver of the pacer. A Rocknroll Star, from his own stable, Sonoma Tyron for his brother Patrick and Sally Lindenny for Kevin Townley all look good chances, based on their recent racing. Sonoma Tyron was a strong second at the trials during the week and races well on the Rangiora all weather surface. In the last of the day, he teams up with Brent White to drive Shanika, who has been in excellent form for owner Wendy Nordqvist since joining White’s team earlier this year. The pair have a second line draw to overcome, but the mare does possess high speed, and might be able to get over the top of them late with the right trip.

Gerard’s drives Race 3: Splash Of Crimson Race 5: A Rocknroll Star Race 6: Sonoma Tyron Race 10: Sally Lindenny Race 11: Shanika

Rangiora harness Tomorrow at Rangiora Raceway

R1 WELCOME BACK TO THE RANGIORA HRC AMATEUR MOBILE PACE $8000 2000m 12:05 1 5000 Dalness Arizona Blair Wilmott 2 44x65 Jordy W A Frost 3 09x67 The Hornet Andrew Fitzgerald 4 8917 Opawa Louie B G White 5 403 Dismara S Blake 6 33874 Baileys Diamond R J Sissons 7 55918 Shards Fury Cheree Wigg 8 77474 Mark Dunnett Jo-Ann Buckland-Stevens R2 FIVE PEAKS BREW CO KAIAPOI TROT $9000 2600m 12:30 1 460x Lavra Segil Tom Bamford 2 69203 Cashem K G Cameron 3 6600 Soaring R L Houghton 4 x7757 Brandy And Dry Scott Iremonger 5 07x7 Racey Krusa A L Lethaby 6 24002 Far More Zealous P J Davis 7 206 Lil Miss Muscles S J Ottley 8 Portelli K V Hadfield 9 60x00 Butcher Kate M P Edmonds 10 3 Bennie And The Jets R D Close 11 Phoebe K R T May 12 330 Nazareth J R Dunn 13 90790 Sheza Mighty Monarch Craig D Thornley 14 92324 Lookslikeatrixter J W Smith 15 474 The Beat G D Smith 16 8 Ellatine T M Williams R3 COUNTRY FEASTS CATERING AT RANGIORA MOBILE PACE $9,000 2000m 12:55 1 22245 Mossdale May 2 7072 Straight Flush B N Orange 3 Dulcinea P J Wakelin 4 5324 Splash Of Crimson G D O’Reilly 5 Kotare Astra R L Houghton 6 Watchmetarns R D Close

7 9 All Too Well K A Butt 8 7435 Kadala Sam Thornley 9 93 Tayla Me Sarah O’Reilly 10 29262 Is He Watching Me 11 Hanoi Franco Craig D Thornley R4 NORTH CANTERBURY TROTTING MOBILE PACE $9000 2600m 13:20 1 22037 Sargent Best R T May 2 55834 Hey Tonight Sam Thornley 3 40 Oh No Nana Sheree Tomlinson 4 Lustre Amour T M Williams 5 23735 Hutasa Craig D Thornley 6 88643 Hikoi Hine Korbyn Newman 7 47572 White Star Orlando J R Dunn 8 8 Nine Mile Max R D Holmes 9 25049 Take A Hike John Morrison R5 THANK YOU NANCY LEY PACE $9000 2000m 13:45 1 70x51 Reformed S J Ottley 2 94981 Grinning Again 3 0800x A Cracker Knight Lionel Dobbs 4 x7821 Bettorlini 5 5510 Buena Vista R D Close 6 0050x Full Of Desire B J Borcoskie 7 95999 Changeover Jo Neil Burton 8 28641 Gana J F Curtin 9 q0000 Kennedy K M Cox 10 x9088 Starkers Scott Iremonger 11 000x5 A Rocknroll Star G D O’Reilly 12 80x09 Itz To The Macs B N Orange 13 10007 Aggie May K A Butt 14 28306 Somedreamsomewhere T M Williams 15 02x74 Daisy Duke J R Dunn 16 10948 Watching Our Coin M P Edmonds 17 6x3x1 Franco Marek John Morrison R6 TUAHIWI FILLIES MARES MOBILE TROT $10,000 2000m 14:10

1 36830 Zsahara Sheree Tomlinson 2 71958 Sonoma Tyron G D O’Reilly 3 9001 Silverlinings D G Burrows 4 54 Sky High Flyer B N Orange 5 32133 Rakero Blaze G D Smith 6 57928 Light Of Da Moon R D Holmes 7 22541 Martha Stuart J R Dunn 8 75302 Bright Glow I R Cameron 9 0 South Park Sarah O’Reilly 10 14234 Sioux Princess S J Ottley R7 KOTARE DOWNS RANGIORA 3YO STAKES (MBL PACE) $20,000 2000m 14:35 1 60x15 Javasa R J Butt 2 70x31 Tremendous Lover 3 43679 Suntan C J Dalgety 4 15 Wotsonyamind B N Orange 5 4x1 Van Shard R T May 6 1212 Matt Major T M Williams 7 26222 Cyrus Olivia Thornley 8 14143 Play Philly R D Close R8 KAIAPOI JUNIOR DRIVERS MOBILE PACE $9000 2000m 15:09 1 38583 Charlie’s Ace Gemma Thornley 2 38822 Ruby’s A Delight Scott Iremonger 3 74082 Kowhai Shadow Sarah O’Reilly 4 x6523 Rocknroll Diva Mark Hurrell 5 7x000 Matthew Eyre C J Dalgety 6 880x5 Olive Cook Kaleb Bublitz 7 62522 Smokin Annie 8 9x301 Stac T Bamford 9 7967 Boarding Call Kerryn Tomlinson 10 x5069 Mils Mcardle 11 37x00 Peraki Reactor Siv Diamant 12 401x8 The Terrorfier Ellie Barron 13 36593 Art Courage 14 860x3 American Sniper Korbyn Newman

R9 RANGIORA COMMITTEE & STEWARDS MOBILE PACE $9000 2600m 15:35 1 7 Pennetta M J Williamson 2 67058 Honour Scroll B N Orange 3 77520 Maid Of Money J R Dunn 4 46696 Journo Devon Van Til 5 33300 Le Pole Dancer P J Davis 6 x2345 Rock To The Boss R J Butt 7 51875 Get Back R D Close 8 82504 Elo Louise K G Cameron 9 49052 Nikki Noto S J Ottley 10 90900 Pocket Call Sheree Tomlinson 11 28660 Aveross Rustler Sarah O’Reilly 12 7093 Sheezagoldengirl Sam Thornley 13 95999 Changeover Jo Neil Burton 14 9x047 Manzini John Morrison R10 BETAVET/RANGIORA EQUESTIAN SUPPLIES TROT $9,000 2000m 16:04 1 70042 Reindeer Trouble John Morrison 2 44376 Ready I Am P J Wakelin 3 0x0x9 Gaytana Sheree Tomlinson 4 99754 Sally Lindenny G D O’Reilly 5 718 Sunny Son Scott Iremonger 6 0x907 Pat The Monkey Gemma Thornley 7 5x0x8 Dreamsinthe Mist G T Ward 8 83113 Illegal Alien T M Williams 9 70986 Global Flight A L Lethaby 10 41 Paris Prince Sam Thornley 11 83210 Kohli Trouble B N Orange 12 07x96 Bill J R Dunn 13 313 Speeding Spirit R D Close 14 50676 Beyond The Horizon J W Smith 15 10094 Dd’s Super Stuart C J Markham 16 19907 Ginas Majesty I R Cameron 17 99630 Merlot Leonie Newton 18 x80x9 Wynberg Watch G D Smith 19 735 Kowhai Sundown S J Ottley

R11 RANGIORA HRC RACING 1ST, 8TH & 22ND MAY MOBILE PACE $9000 2600m 16:30 1 30001 Luminite Sam Thornley 2 77724 Hazer Sheree Tomlinson 3 65164 Sister’s Delight Sarah O’Reilly 4 936 Scotlynn Beach Boy R D Close 5 510 Real Men Wear Pink John Morrison 6 42221 No Terror B N Orange 7 83558 Spicy Girl Becqui K A Butt 8 14080 Kingsdown Atom R T May 9 2737x Mitsi Gaynor 10 20354 Arizonawildcat J R Dunn 11 37049 Gypsy M J Williamson 12 x80x1 Ajira C J Dalgety 13 27613 Shanika G D O’Reilly 14 646 The Optimist R D Holmes 15 3487x Big Mama Morris K G Cameron

Matt Markham’s Rangiora Selections Race 1: Jordy, The Hornet, Baileys Diamond, Shards Fury Race 2: Lil Miss Muscles, Nazareth, Bennie And The Jets, Soaring Race 3: Tayla Me, Mossdale May, Splash Of Crimson, Is He Watching Me Race 4: Sargent Best, White Star Orlando, Hutasa, Hey Tonight Race 5: Franco Marek, A Rocknroll Star, Reformed, Bettorlini Race 6: Sioux Princess, Martha Stuart, Light Of Da Moon, Sonoma Tyron Race 7: Matt Major, Play Philly, Cyrus, Wotsonyamind Race 8: Stac, Kowhai Shadow, American Sniper, Boarding Call Race 9: Rock To The Boss, Maid Of Money, Elo Louise, Le Pole Dancer Race 10: Illegal Alien, Kowhai Sundown, Paris Prince, DD’s Super Stuart Race 11: Ajira, No Terror, Shanika, Mitsi Gaynor BEST BET: Sargent Best (Race 4) VALUE: Sioux Princess (Race 6)

SPORT 37

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Seniors all set to take to centre court Matt Markham Senior tennis supremacy goes on the line today at the Braided Rivers Community Trust Tennis Centre. The annual Mid Canterbury Seniors Championships for this season kicks off this morning, with two days of action-packed play scheduled involving some of the biggest, and longest standing names in Mid Canterbury tennis. A popular event each season, this year’s tournament has inspired more than 70 players to get out on the court and do battle in the doubles format, playing men’s, women’s and mixed ties across the course of the two days of play. Each competition is split into both A and B grades, with some strong combi-

nations stepping onto the court to do battle. In the Women’s A Doubles, Robyn Flynn and Brenda Needham are the No.1 ranked pairing ahead of Jane Brosnahan and Dianna Leonard, while the Men’s A Doubles will see Jason Feutz and Julian Main head into the tournament as the No.1 seeds ahead of a powerful pairing of Pete Leonard and Rhys Cromie. Players will compete in the men’s and women’s competitions today and play right down to finals before returning tomorrow for the mixed doubles matches. Main and Brosnahan have the No.1 seed in the A draw, while Robbie Bennett and Dianna Leonard hold down the No.1 ranking in the B draw. Play begins today at 9am, with finals expected to start at 11am and then 1pm this afternoon. It’s the same state of play tomorrow for the mixed action, with matches kicking off from 9am with the A draw final at 1pm and the B draw final at 3pm.

Men’s A Doubles will see Jason Feutz and “ The Julian Main head into the tournament as the

No.1 seeds ahead of a powerful pairing of Pete Leonard and Rhys Cromie

Jason Feutz will join forces with Julian Main to be the No.1 ranked pairing in the men’s doubles at this weekend’s Mid Canterbury Tennis Seniors Championship.

Rugby season reshuffle Matt Markham While their northern rivals kick off their season over the other side of the Rakaia River today, Mid Canterbury-based senior rugby sides will likely be nursing a few bumped and bruised bodies this morning. With the Country Combined Competition set to begin next week, both Ellesmere and North Canterbury officially begin their seasons today with sub union rounds, while Mid Canterbury’s four teams in the competition had their final hitouts ahead of next week. Last year’s Watters Cup finalists, Celtic and Southern, were set to do battle in their final pre-season play last night out at Hinds, while Methven were set to host Rakaia under the lights as well. It’s the last hit-out before next week, where Methven will take on Woodend at home, Celtic head to Waihora, Rakaia to West Melton and Southern to Southbrook to play Saracens. Initially the plan after the first round was to have a break for Easter, but Mid Canterbury will play a sub union round early to begin this year’s Watters Cup campaign. Defending champions, Celtic, will begin their defence at home against Rakaia on Thursday, April 14, while Southern

RESULTS ■■ Golf

Mayfield Golf Club

National Teams Results - Nett round 1st Cate Hogan Wright 127-52-75, 2nd Christine Ross 92-15-77, 3rd= Judy Webb 100-21-79, Lynley MacKenzie 113-34-79, Marilyn Cross 114-35-79. 2nd shot to the green: #2 Val Fleming - Jay Schmack, #11 Sims Bakery- Helen Rapsey, Nearest the pin: #5 Ross Brothers N/S. #14 Memory Funerals: Christine Ross. Twos Christine Ross. Player of the Day: Cate Hogan-Wright

Mayfield 9 Hole

March 31 – Putting Bryan Humm 18 c/b John Greenslade/Bernie Morrison18. Greg Sim Builders No 2: Jill Ludemann. Mayfield Transport No 5: Bryan Humm.

Methven Golf Club

Methven Ladies Golf Wednesday 30th March. LGU Silver: Gayle O’Duffy 95-17-78, Sara Gallagher 9211-81. Bronze A: Tania Wilson 89-21-68, Jane Helmore 93-24-69. Bronze B: Heather Middleton 10429-75, Nola Hydes 116-36-80. Nawab Eatery Best Nett of the Day: - Tania Wilson 68. Nearest the Pins: No 4 Open and Bronze B 2nd Shot Primo Sandra Marr. No 6 Open Methven Foursquare Tania Wilson. No 13 Open Methven Pharmacy Sara Gallagher. No 17 Open Methven Travel Emma Hampton. No 14 Bronze B 2nd Shot Supervalue Bev Isherwood. Twos and Nett Eagles: Ellen Kemp. Gayle O’Duffy. Heather Santy. Tania Wilson. Mt Hutt Lodge Best Nett for March: - Tania Wilson 68.

Rakaia Golf Club

Defending Senior B champions, Allenton will begin their season against Southern next weekend when the competition kicks off. PHOTO JONATHAN LEASK 170721-JL-062 will play Methven at Hinds on the same evening. The Combined competition will resume the following week. Meanwhile, battle lines have been drawn for the Senior B competition, which also begins next Saturday. Eight teams have entered into this year’s competition, with Hampstead and Colle-

giate, who were a combined side last year, splitting and fielding their own teams, and Rakaia returning to the fray for this year. The Senior B season begins with the Michael Duff Memorial, while the challenge trophy of the competition, the Bruce Beckley Memorial Shield, will be on the line at Mt

Somers when they host Celtic in the first game of the 2022 season. Other match-ups in the opening round see Allenton taking on Southern, Hampstead and Collegiate taking on each other instead of playing alongside one another and Methven playing host to neighbours Rakaia.

Results Rakaia Ladies Golf Wednesday 30 March National Teams Qualifying, Approach & Put, Longest Drive. Bev Sutherland 101-34-67, Fiona Rushton 109-36-73, Approach & Put: Sally Smith. Longest Drive: Sally Smith, National Team: Bev Sutherland, Fiona Rushton, Marion Wederell, Freda Bierema. 9 Hole players – Stableford Round: Val Bel 17 stablefords. Rakaia Hotel 2nd shot #3 Bev Sutherland, Rakaia Seed Cleaning 2nd shot #6 Bev Sutherland, V. Bell. Nearest the Pin #8: Bev Sutherland, Chertsey Spraying 2nd shot # 15 Teresa Booker, S. Quinn 2nd shot # 17 Sally Smith.

DRAWS ■■ Golf

Tinwald Golf Club

Tinwald Women’s Golf Draw 5th April - 1st Ailsa Jary 1st Twilighters (65+) 2nd Norma Bradford Putting. 9 hole 2nd 2 J’s putting 2nd Bell Trophy. Report 9.00 for 9.30 start: Starters M. Kennedy D. Wells, Cards J. Undy, Kitchen K. Young, Roster convenor J, Bruhns.

38 SPORT

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

WeeklyWorkout Exercise your grey cells with our weekly sports crossword and quiz

SPORTS QUIZ 1. In 2005, which team won the premier netball title? a) United A b) Ashburton College A c) Rakaia A 2. Lock Dan Dwyer received an SOS call from the NZRU, saying they needed him to get on a plane to Fiji, that day, to join the NZ Divisional XV. What year? a) 2005 b) 2004 c) 2003 3. Who captained Wakanui Black to a thirdin-a-row Walker and Hall Shield win in 2013? a) Mark Bennett b) Daniel Lovett c) Ryan Wilson 4. In a test against the Lions, All Black Howard Joseph was set to score a try, when he tripped over a what? a) A boxer dog b) A loose boot c) A stray beach ball 5. How many tests did Chris Cairns play before registering a win? a) Two b) Five c) 17 6. How old was Debbie Hockley when she ﬁrst played for New Zealand? a) 16 b) 17 c) 18 7. When Greg Murphy won Bathurst in 1996, who was his co-driver? a) Craig Lowndes b) Steven Richards c) Russell Ingall

8. What motorbike did Burt Munro use on his world speed record runs at Bonneville? a) Norton Sports Special b) Indian Scout c) Triumph Bonneville 1. c) Rakaia A, 2. b) 2004, 3. b) Daniel Lovett, 4. a) Boxer dog, 5. c) 17, 6. a) 16, 7. a) Craig Lowndes, 8. b) Indian Scout

Answers:

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PUZZLES 39

Puzzles and horoscopes

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Cryptic crossword 1

Simon Shuker’s Code-Cracker

Your Stars

7 8

9 10

15 16

ACROSS 1. Strip off, strip on here (8-4) 8. He tells of the rubbish an island put back (8) 9. How one will begin to move prison (4) 11. Men lose their head over a girl, and then what will happen? (5) 12. Fifty? Pity me – so upset with vacuity! (7) 13. In which to display such things as one got from bed? (4) 15. Nought re-entered in short weight reverse (4) 19. Half the room involved in din injurious to health (7) 20. A sound system forged by one duo after a start (5) 22. Eye part that’s bowed in the sky (4) 23. For as long as it lasts around it, possibly (8) 24. They sing of darkness at home with things met office warns of (12) DOWN 2. With initial hostility prepares to fight and does damage (5) 3. Reduced the distance between ’e and ’er, it might be (6) 4. Did something pressing, having washed (6) 5. Remote as the chance of not being indoors (7) 6. Carousel will make one slightly intoxicated: take bypass! (5-2-5) 7. Bury airhole with one on, such being mediator’s job (12) 10. He’s out looking for secrets, probing youthful beginners (3) 14. Society is sickly, messing about in boats (7) 16. Tooth: perhaps it ate to turn something over in the mind (3) 17. A spangle is upsetting to five sibs around the East (6) 18. This republic a small country – and bent? (6) 21. I have to follow medical person to urge one along (5)

Insert the missing letter to complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or anti-clockwise.

E N

M E

7 8

1017

232

H E

Good Very Good How 9many words 13 of Excellent three or 17 more letters, including plurals, can you make from the five letters, using each letter only once? No foreign words or words beginningsolution: with a capital areats, allowed. art, arts, rat, Previous There’s least one five-letter word. rats, raw, at sat, saw, star, straw, swart, swat, tars, Good taw, taws, tsar, war, Goodtar, 9 Very 13 Excellent 17wars, wart, warts, was, wast

Insert the missing letter to complete an eight-letter word reading clockwise or Previous solution: MATTRESS anticlockwise. Previous solution: MATTRESS

9 10

T ?

11 12

232

O L T S E WordBuilder How many words of three or more letters, including plurals, can you make L using T from theO five letters, each letter only once? No foreign words or words beginning with a capital are allowed. Sone five-letter E word. There’s at least

WordWheel

Quick crossword 1

WordBuilder WordBuilder

WordWheel

www.thepuzzlecompany.co.nz 2/4

Sudoku

20 21

DOWN 1. Allotted period (5) 2. Subdue by force (7) 3. Implement (4) 4. Person obsessed with their health (13) 5. Solemn promises (5) 6. Warming (7) 7. Cloud type (7) 12. Ghost (7) 13. Wealthy (7) 14. Charge with crime against state (7) 15. Confess (5) 17. Rush (5) 19. Ding (4)

5 6 4 9 2 1 4 6 5 8 8 4 1 5

Previous cryptic solution

Across: 1. Absurd 8. Round 9. Stabbed 11. Separate 12. Sheet 15. Evil 16. Ode 17. Open 19. Forge 21. Handcart 24. Yearned 25. Order 26. Mowing 8 4 Down: 2. Batch 3. Umbrella 4. Does 5. Break 6. Puma 9 6 14. Knee7 7. Idle 10. Desk diary 12. Seek 13. Tomorrow 18. Score 20. Green 21. Hoop 22. Nods 1 23. 3 Term 5

Previous quick solution

9 7 1 4 5 8 7 1 7 6 4 9 8 9 2 3

4 3

1 2

6 3 7 6 1 8 3 9 2 8 6 6 7 2 1 4 3 6 9 8 3 7 1 3 HARD

EASY

8 6 9 3 4 2 1 7 5

4 7 2 9 1 5 3 6 8

3 5 1 8 7 6 2 4 9

7 1 4 2 8 9 5 3 6

9 3 6 4 5 7 8 2 1

Kim Miller

2 8 5 1 6 3 7 9 4

7 2 8 4 3 1 6 9 5 5 6 1 6 5 3 7 9 8 1 4 2 4 9 2 Meet Kim Miller, owner of Ray White Mid Canterbury for one year. Sales specialist for 12 years, of two 9a Mum 1 4 5 for2236years 3 and 7 living 8 3 7 8 her best life for 52 years. Kim’s positive and professional approach is 2 talented 7 6 team, 1 8Kim5is always 4 3getting 9 the 7 5 6 and along with her infectious, best results for her clients. 8 9 1 3 4 2 7 5 6 9 2 3 4 3 5 9 6 7 2 8 1 1 8 4 027 236 8627 • kim.miller@raywhite.com 1 6 9 8 7 8317 4 5 2 3 6 4 9 Ashburton • Tinwald • Methven • rwashburton.co.nz • 03 307 3 4 2 6 5 9 8 1 7 8 1 5 5 8 7 2 1 3 9 6 4 2 3 7

9 3 7

Across: 1. Equilibrium 8. Plumage 9. Scorn 10. Rule 7 1 2 11. Survive 12. Sit 13. Cost 15. Cage 17. Hut 19. Resolve 2 20. Cane 23. Vault 24. Protest525.3Eco-friendly Down: 1. Expire 2. Usual 3. Lead 4. Breast 3 5. Instruct 5 6 6. Mooring 7. Funnel 12. Stiletto 14. Obscure 16. Driver 5 7 1 17. Helper 18. Gentry 21. Ahead 22. Cove

Fill the grid so that every column, every row and 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9.

4 3

ACROSS 1. Irritable (8) 7. Long for (5) 8. Unplanned (9) 9. Strike (3) 10. Quaint (4) 11. Happens (6) 13. Manufacturing in bulk (4-9) 15. Row of covered shops (6) 16. Selects (4) 18. Conclude (3) 20. Say again (9) 21. Banish (5) 22. Put an end to (8)

Previous solution: art, arts, ats, rat, rats, raw, sat, saw, star, straw, swart, swat, tar, tars, taw, taws, tsar, war, wars, wart, warts, was, wast

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): The ones who love your work and the ones whose work you love... these are not the same people yet. But as you dare to share what you do with those you admire, you’ll earn the fans you also esteem. TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): No one needs to be led through known territory. The cost of leadership is the bravery to breach the unknown. Good leaders leave the self-guided parts of life alone and focus on the great, fresh “next.” GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): You’re sensitive to people’s differences, and you don’t assume things about people. You ask. This lets people know they can trust you. Your influence grows. CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): Regarding a relationship: You are willing to hold on until the bitter end, if that’s what’s necessary, though the end may actually be sweet, if a little cold, like the scoop of ice cream that finishes dinner. LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): The others have opinions about whom to work and play with. You know what you’re doing, which makes you a top contender, but it’s the fun you add to the mundane endeavours that will seal the deal. VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): You’ve met those with whom you share a similar sense of humour, but it is the ones you knew while that sense was forming who have the same humour. It’s time to reconnect. LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): In time, everything turns over. Neighbourhoods, hierarchies, families, countries... the new will overtake the old, and you wouldn’t want it any other way. Put your all into using your mighty moment. SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): It isn’t easy to climb to the peak. Travelling downhill is quicker! Yet many lament the descent. Rest assured, one level is not better than another. The journey is great not despite its variants but because of them. SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Your loved ones want to please you, but they do not know the way to accomplish it. You feel that if you have to show them, they don’t know you well enough. True, but how will they know you if you do not show them? CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): Memories will morph into stories that change ever so slightly with each telling. If told enough times, the memory isn’t of an event but of a story of an event. Either way, it’s gleaming treasure. AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): It is said that ghosts go through the same rote motions they enacted in life, clueless about the ineffectiveness of it. Haunting ideas are the same. A liberating awareness will disrupt the pattern. PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Friendship is, for the most part, a completely voluntary relationship. That is both the beautiful and the tenuous thing about it. You cherish your friendships, fully realising their vulnerability.

7 6 4

4 SOLUTIONS 2 PREVIOUS 7 33 47 8 9 5 1 6 2

866 24 5 9 6 291 53 1 4 5 8 6 7 8 3 2 7 7 3 9 4 5 2 9 8 1

5 2 7 6 1 6 9 4 8 8 3

98 3 52 1 7 4 8 5 6 2 9 3 3 2 5 45 8 1 5 6 78 7 1 9 3 6 4 7

1 8 39 7 4 26 82 3 5

1 8 9 3 7 2 4 5 6

5 7 6 4 9 8 1 3 2

7 1 8 6 4 9 5 2 3

4 6 5 2 8 3 9 7 1

8 3 4 5 2 1 7 6 9

3 4 2 1 5 6 8 9 7

9 2 3 7 1 5 6 4 8

6 5 1 9 3 7 2 8 4

2 9 7 8 6 4 3 1 5

Real Estate Mid Canterbury Property Limited Licensed (REAA 2008)

7 8 6 2 1 3 9

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

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CLASSIFIEDS 41

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

PUBLIC NOTICES

RANGITATA DIVERSION RACE MANAGEMENT LIMITED REPLACEMENT FISH SCREEN – OPEN DAY Take the opportunity to come and see the biggest ﬁsh screen in New Zealand before it is submerged Sunday 10 April 10.00am to 3.00pm Loca�on – Klondyke Terrace, Montalto, Canterbury 7778 Please wear shoes / boots – no open style footwear and be prepared for all types of weather. Please register at the below address (Ticket numbers are limited). www.eventbrite.co.nz. Informa�on on the project and how to get to the site can be found on the registra�on page.

SITUATIONS VACANT

Mount Hutt College

The work involves working within a budget, liaising with contractors, security, Health and Safety, minor maintenance, ongoing upkeep, and maintenance of the grounds, and refuse disposal. The successful candidate will have a keen eye for detail, excellent practical, time management and problem-solving skills. A solid knowledge of maintenance, grounds keeping, planning and the ability to work independently will be essential for this position. The successful candidate will be required to undertake a police vet check prior to commencement of employment. Remuneration is by negotiation but will reﬂect the unique skills the successful applicant will bring to the position. A low-rent caretaker’s house is available for the successful applicant. To apply, or for further information, please email Sheree Rooney (Principal’s Secretary) college@mthutt.school.nz.

Methven Medical Centre is a busy rural medical centre located at the base of Mt Hutt Ski Area approximately 30 minutes inland from Ashburton servicing both the local community and tourist and seasonal workers. We are a 21 staff strong team made up of administrative staff, health care assistants, practice nurses, nurse practitioner’s and general practitioners. We are a Cornerstone Accredited and a PRIME practice, and take pride in delivering a high level of care to our Patients. The vacancy we have is for a full time receptionist to work a combination of weekday, weekend clinics and relieving work. The Medical Receptionist is a pivotal person in the Medical Centre environment, as they are the first point of contact with patients and visitors. They also co-ordinate the services and have a major role to play in prioritising work flows and managing patient expectations. Therefore, he/she provides front line reception services, and assists and communicates with staff accordingly. Previous Reception experience would be an advantage, however this is not a necessity. Absolute requirements of the successful candidate include: • • • •

Must be eligible to work in New Zealand Have excellent interpersonal skills Be able to work within a multidisciplinary team environment Be able to work under pressure

For more information or if interested please email: Ellen Kemp at desk@methvenmedical.co.nz Applications close on Wednesday 13 April 2022

Minute Secretary required for the Ashburton Range Users Association.

We are looking for a Receptionist to join our practice from May 2022.

School Caretaker We are looking for a School Caretaker who will be able to undertake a wide range of duties to ensure our school is a well maintained and safe environment. This position will suit someone who is physically fit and active, enjoys working outdoors, is able to interact in a friendly and professional manner with students, parents, and staff at all times as a member of our support staff team and welcoming school community.

SITUATIONS VACANT

Applications close 30/04/2022

Locally owned & a trusted name in the community since 2017, Memory Funerals provides funeral services for the Canterbury region. Due to our continued growth, we’re looking for a part-time Funeral Director’s Assistant to join our dedicated, hardworking team at our Ashburton location, possibly leading to full time work for the right person. A rare opportunity, this is an ideal role for someone wanting to enter the funeral services profession. We’re looking for a caring and compassionate person. Our future team member will have the following attributes and skills: • •

• •

• • • • • •

Current clean full drivers licence; The ability to be available at short notice and to work after hours and weekends on an as needed basis; Well-presented with a professional manner; Have excellent written and verbal communication ability, and superior time management An eye for detail, the ability to take initiative and a strong work ethic are also essential Careful at listening and respectful at communicating Be physically fit and able to work alone or as part of a team Compassionate, with an empathy for people High level of confidentiality and discretion Alongside general office administration competencies; an aptitude for technology and excellent computer skills are required.

Local to the Ashburton area is a must. Please apply with a covering letter and CV, with references, to Jo at Memory Funerals on jo@memoryfunerals.nz. Successful applicants will be required to pass a full police, drug and reference check.

HEALTH & BEAUTY

• Minimum charge – car boot or couple of sacks • Car trailer Load

• • • •

Ute / Light truck Truck Tipulator Truck and Trailer

CNR Cochranes Road and Seafield Rd Ashburton, New Zealand

Minimum Charge - sack or boot

$10

Small trailer or small ute

$35

Large trailer or light truck

$45

Large Truck

$380

Large semi / tipuator

$740

Large Truck & Trailer

$740

“I promise to listen, care and believe in you.” Call Pete Young 0272800889. Dip Social Work. Dip Life Coaching. 30 years Tradie Business experience. Member:ANZ Coaching Alliance. Web: peteyoung.co.nz

GRAZING

GARAGE SALES

LAMB grazing required

SATURDAY 2nd April and Sunday 3rd April 8am Looking for short and 1pm. Half price Sunday or offers. Deceased Estate. long term lamb grazing. Princes Street. Furniture, Can accommodate kitchenware, garage goods. numbers to suit (600+)

MOTORING

Price is negotiable depending on the quality and time. WHEEL alignments at HIRE great prices. Maximise the Contact: Nathan 0273377900 life of your tyres with an GENERAL hire. alignment from Neumanns Lawnmowers, chainsaws, SPECIALISED Tyre Services Ltd, 197 Wills concrete breakers, trailers, Street. Phone 308 6737. S ERVICES and more. All your DIY / party hire, call and see Ashburton U-Hire. 588 East Street. PERSONAL Open Monday-Friday 7.00am – 5.30pm; Saturday 7.30am AVAILABLE Ashburton - 5pm; Sunday 8.30am Area. Compansionship care. 12.30pm - Phone 308 8061. www.ashburtonuhire.co.nz 0 2 7 2 1 8 0 6 6 8 .

Aprox 6 meetings a year. Contact Murray Cook - 027 4831 601

WANTED GENUINE cash buyer, wanting Falcons, Holdens, Valients or any pre 1990 vehicles suitable for preservation. Phone 021 02914847 or 03 615 7930

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT NEW Asian, hot and sexy, friendly, busty dd. Good massage and good service with no rush. Please phone 021 0904 0157.

CHURCH SERVICES

“Transforming

“Transforming Lives through Lives through Gospel Power”

Gospel Power” 63 Princes Street Service starts at 10.30am 10:00am are Welcome 63You Princess Street Rev. David Bayne AllPhWelcome 307 7355

Easter Sunday Service

Rev. David Bayne Ph 307 7355

FOR SALE FIREWOOD, Dry shed stored old man pine $300 per 3m³, Oregon $330 per 3m³, Blue gum $390 per 3m³, Macrocarpa $360 per 3m³, Poplar $270 per 3m³ Delivered. Please phone Jimmy on 0274414073 VERY dry old man pine firewood for sale. 4 cubic metres. $400 delivered to Ashburton / Hinds. 0274444521.

TRADES, SERVICES

42 CLASSIFIEDS

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

CONDITIONS: 1. Telephoned information NOT accepted. 2. Forms MUST be signed by an authorised representative of the organisation concerned. 3. A separate form MUST be submitted for each future event and may be lodged with the Guardian as far in advance as desired. For example: A club which meets monthly may submit, say, 12 separate forms simultaneously – one pertaining to Previously know Daily Events, Play each meeting scheduled over the as following 12 months. 4.Planner The organisation acknowledges that no responsibility for errors and or omissions will is printed in the Tuesday be accepted by the Guardian Company.

SITUATIONS VACANT

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Duties will include lawn mowing (ride on). Formation of new gardens and general lawn and garden maintenance.

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Please direct all enquiries and CVs to The Manager: tony@lochlearesort.co.nz or phone 03 3079080

For your local news, community events and places to visit.

END LIFE IN

THE OVEN

Please send your event details at least a day in advance so we can add and update accordingly. Fill out the form below and hand in to our LEVEL 3 office on Burnett Street. Or email details to whatson@theguardian. co.nz.

Ph 03 307 to subs 7900 cribe!

ASHBURTON

BLOCK LETTERS PLEASE @AshGuardian

www.facebook.com/ashguardian

Date of event..........................................

Applications for this position close at 4pm on Monday, 18 April, 2022

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Day of event...........................................

The successful applicant will be subject to a police check.

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The successful applicant will be able to communicate well, have the ability to work unsupervised and hold a clean, current, driver’s licence.

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Lochlea Lifestyle Resort has an opportunity for a person who can fill this fulltime or part-time position in our unique resorts.

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Show off your new arrival in our Welcome to the World adverts

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FREE OF CHARGE

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Please email your photo and 30 words or less to classifieds@theguardian.co.nz

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TRADES, SERVICES

ASHBURTON LEARNING CENTRE language?

With reading, writing or maths?

Need Learning English as a second Your apprenticeship paperwork? help with:

Developing your computer skills?

Check out our courses now! Phone 308 5322 | www.ashburtonlearningcentre.co.nz

WEEKEND SERVICES

Please respect any COVID-19 restrictions or requirements

MEDICAL SERVICES

HELPLINE SERVICES COMMUNITY SERVICES

services please phone Methven Medical Centre on 302 8105 or Rakaia Medical Centre on 303 5002 DUTY DOCTORS for details on how to access the For all other medical assistance outside after-hours service each weekend. of normal hours please phone your Pharmacies general practice team, 24/7, to speak with a health professional who will give Wises Pharmacy, Countdown you free health advice on what to do or Complex, East Street, will be open from 9am - 1pm Saturday, from 10am where to go if you need urgent care. 1pm Sunday. If you don’t have a regular general practice, call any GP team 24/7 for free Ashburton Rest Homes telephone health advice. Please contact directly for hours. Please bring your Community Services Card. All non-New Zealanders should Emergency dentist bring their passport with them, New If you do not have or cannot contact Zealanders should bring some form your regular dentist, please phone 027 of ID. 683 0679 for the name of the rostered weekend dentist in Christchurch. Hours Methven & Rakaia areas 9am - 5pm, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. For weekend and emergency

Healthline is a free health advice service.

IN EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY PHONE 111.

It operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The toll-free number to call is 0800 611 116. Healthline is staffed by registered nurses who are trained to assess health problems and offer advice over the phone. The service is free and confidential.

Alcoholics Anonymous Call 0800 AA WORKS (0800 229 6757) or visit www.aa.org.nz for more information.

Mental Health - Call free on 0800 222 955. Ask for the Crisis Team.

Safe Care - 24hr Rape and Sexual Assault

Crisis Support. Phone 03 364 8791

Victims Support Group

24hr - Freephone 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846). Direct dials to a volunteer. Ashburton Office - 307 8409 week-days, 9am - 2pm, outside of these hours leave a message.

Alcohol Drug Help Line Call us free on (0800 787 797). Lines open 10am - 10pm seven days.

Art Gallery

327 West Street, Ashburton, phone 308 1133. Open daily: 10am – 4pm.

Ashburton Museum

327 West Street, Ashburton, phone 307 7890. Open daily: 10am – 4pm.

Ashburton Public Library

Havelock Street. Ph 308 7192. Saturday: 10am - 1pm. Sunday: 1pm - 4pm.

EA Networks Centre - Pools

20 River Terrace - phone 03 308 4020. WEEKEND HOURS: Sat and Sun 7am - 7pm. Public holidays 10am - 5pm.

Information Centre

Methven - Saturday and public holidays 10am until 2.30pm. Phone 302 8955 or isite@ midcanterburynz.com

ANIMAL SERVICES Dog, Stock & Noise Control

Ashburton District Council 03 307 7700 - 24hr service.

Animal Welfare Centre

All enquiries - phone 308 4432 or 027 3329286.

Veterinarians

WEEKEND EMERGENCIES Please call your usual vet to be transferred to the emergency vet.

FAMILY NOTICES 43

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

Birthday Greetings Maddix Kilgour

Happy 7th birthday Maddix lots of love, the family xxx Your opportunity to tell Mid Canterbury of your next event or meeting

How to send family notices

We Help Save Lives

Family notices are important to everyone and among the most well-read aspects of our newspaper. If you would like a family notice published, be that for a death, a memorial, or an acknowledgment, then please note the following:

We help save lives every day through the research and development of improved diagnosis, better prediction and treatment of heart disease in our hospital and community.

Daily Events is a FREE DAILY LISTING of MID CANTERBURY EVENTS to be held in the immediate future by non-commercial organisations. To arrange for events to be published in Daily Events, clip this form, fill in the applicable details and hand in to our LEVEL 3 office on Burnett Street or post to: Ashburton Guardian, P.O. Box 77, Ashburton 7740, 5 (five) working days prior to the first publication. CONDITIONS: 1. Telephoned information NOT accepted. 2. Forms MUST be signed by an authorised representative of the organisation concerned. 3. A separate form MUST be submitted for each future event and may be lodged with the Guardian as far in advance as desired. For example: A club which meets monthly may submit, say, 12 separate forms simultaneously – one pertaining to each meeting scheduled over the following 12 months. 4. The organisation acknowledges that no responsibility for errors or omissions will be accepted by the Guardian Company.

Email all notices (not just for deaths) to: deathnotices@ theguardian.co.nz Information required: Please provide your full name and phone contact details.

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CUNLIFFE, Margaret Young – Peacefully at Terrace View Rest Home, Ashburton, on Sunday, March 27, 2022, in her 92nd year. Dearly loved wife of Jack for 62 years. Much loved mother and mother-in-law of John and Helen, and Elizabeth and Craig Smith. Cherished Grandma of Peter, Jessica, Laurabeth; Joshua, Daniel, Priscilla and Bradley; Michael and Ruth and their partners and great Grandma of Astrid. Messages to: The Cunliffe Family, c/- PO Box 6035, Ashburton 7742. A service to celebrate Margaret’s life is to be held at Hakatere Presbyterian Church, Grahams Road, Tinwald, on TUESDAY, April 5, 2022 commencing at 1pm, followed by interment at Ashburton Seafield Cemetery.

JOHNSTONE, Stuart Erling (Erl) – Peacefully at Glenwood Rest Home, Timaru on Wednesday, March 30th, 2022, aged 79. Dearly loved husband of Clare, loved father of Carina, Mark and Esther and granddad of Elsie, and Maisey. Loved brother and brother-in-law of Roger and Pat, and the late Ewen. A service for Erl will be held at St Stephens Presbyterian Church, Wai-iti Road, Timaru on Wednesday, April 6th, 1pm, thereafter private cremation. Messages c/o Johnstone Family, PO Box 772, Timaru.

Phone the Guardian 307 7900

FUNERAL FURNISHERS MASTER MONUMENTAL MASON

Call David Rush today on 03 307 1990 for expert advice and a free no obligation risk assessment.

Level 2, 73 Burnett St, Ashburton | Members of I.B.A.N.Z & Brokernet NZ Ltd.

73 Burnett St, Ashburton

Real Estate

Situations Vacant

For your local news, community events and places to visit.

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PREARRANGE YOUR WISHES

ASHBURTON

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Buying or selling a property? Call the Guardian today or your real estate advertising requirements.

Ashburton Weather

Saturday: Cloudy periods. Light winds, but southeasterlies in the afternoon.

Midnight Saturday

Canterbury Plains

MAX

18 MIN 9

Saturday: Cloudy periods. Light winds, but southeasterlies in the afternoon. Sunday: Fine, apart from morning and evening cloud. Northeast breezes. Monday: Mainly fine. Northeast breezes.

A ridge of high pressure covers the country. However, a weak front affecting eastern coastal parts of the North Island moves away to the east. The ridge of high pressure remains over the country this weekend. A series of fronts then move onto the western and southern South Island on Monday, while the ridge remains to the north. SUN PROTECTION ALERT

Data provided by NIWA

11: 10 – 3 : 55 am

FOR PEACE OF MIND

18-22 Moore Street, Ashburton 0800 263 6679 | 027 637 1229 www.memoryfunerals.nz

307 7900

Whatever your skin colour

Ph 307 7433

307 7900

ibe!

PROTECTION REQUIRED

Patersons Funeral Services and Ashburton Crematorium Ltd

Motoring

Ph 03 307 to subscr 7900

@AshGuardian

Canterbury owned, locally operated

Office and Chapel Corner East & Cox Streets, Ashburton

73St, Burnett Ashburton Members I.B.A.N.Z & & Brokernet Ltd. Level St, 2, 73 St,|Ashburton Members of NZBrokers I.B.A.N.Z & NZ Brokernet 2, 73 Level Burnett Ashburton | Members of |of I.B.A.N.Z Level Level 2, 73 Burnett St,2, Ashburton |Burnett Members of I.B.A.N.Z & Brokernet NZ Ltd. NZ Ltd.

A University of Otago Centre of Research Excellence

CULLEN, Mary-Anne née Farrell née Daly – On March 29th, 2022, passed away peacefully. Aged 76 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Bede Cullen and late Eugene Farrell. Loved mother of Justine, Sean, Robert, and Clare. Loved mother-in-law of Kevin, Alison, Nicola, and Oliver. A much adored granny of Madeleine, Anna and Fergus, Eugene, Grace and Sarah and Arthur, Hugh and Edward. Messages to the Farrell family c/- 19 London Street, Richmond, Christchurch 8013. Due to restrictions a private Requiem Mass will be celebrated on Monday, April 4th. A private Rosary will be held on Sunday, April 3rd, at St Bede’s Chapel.

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LIFE IN

GIBSON, Peter – Andrew and Carlyle, Mel and Dean, Hamish and Jo and their families, acknowledge with gratitude, the kindness and support given to them. For your support at the celebration of Pete’s life, your visits, beautiful floral tributes, messages of sympathy, cards, baking, groceries, meals for the family, and donations to the local Cancer Society, we thank you most sincerely. It is a comfort to know that so many paid tribute to Pete and thought of us in our sorrow.

Level 2, 73 Burnett St, Ashburton | Members of I.B.A.N.Z & Brokernet NZ Ltd.

Supporting local

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DEATHS

73St, Burnett Ashburton Members I.B.A.N.Z & & Brokernet Ltd. LevelSt, 2, 73 St,|Ashburton Members of NZBrokers I.B.A.N.Z & NZ Brokernet 2, 73 Level Burnett Ashburton | Members of |of I.B.A.N.Z Level Level 2, 73 Burnett St,2, Ashburton |Burnett Members of I.B.A.N.Z & Brokernet NZ Ltd. NZ Ltd.

ASHBUR TON

Ash burt on

DEATHS

For all your classified requirements.

Find out how you can help by visiting: www.otago.ac.nz/chchheart

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS DEATHS

Around The Region Saturday

Christchurch Darfield Lake Coleridge Methven Rakaia Timaru

20 10 19 10 19 9 19 9 17 12 17 8

Sunday

20 19 20 19 18 18

11 10 9 9 11 10

Monday

19 18 21 19 17 18

11 13 12 12 11 10

E.B. CARTER LTD For all your memorial requirements New headstones and designs Renovations, Additional inscriptions, Cleaning and Concrete work Carried out by qualified tradesmen.

620 East Street Ashburton Phone 308 5369 or 0274 357 974 ebcarter@xtra.co.nz NZMMMA Member

Please note all late death notices or notices sent outside ordinary office hours must be emailed to: deathnotices@ theguardian.co.nz to ensure publication. To place a notice during office hours please contact us on 03 307 7900 for more information. Any queries please contact 0800 ASHBURTON (0800-274-287)

Jo Metcalf Sunday: Fine, apart from morning and evening cloud. Northeast breezes.

Monday: Mainly fine. Northeast breezes. MAX

Canterbury High Country

19 MIN 9

Saturday Mountain weather hazards: None issued. Fine, apart from areas of cloud in the morning and evening. Wind at 1000m: Light. Wind at 2000m: Light. Freezing level: Above 3000m.

Sunday Mountain weather hazards: None issued. Fine, apart from areas of cloud in the morning and evening. Wind at 1000m: Light. Wind at 2000m: Light. Freezing level: Above 3000m.

For the very latest weather information, including Weather Warnings, visit metservice.com

MAX

Readings to 4pm Friday Temp °C Maximum Minimum Grass min 24hr Rain mm Month to date Wind km/h Strongest gust Sun hrs on Thu Month to date

Ashburton Airport 15.0 10.5 11.5 3.0 3.0 S 50 3:36am 6.4 176.2

Methven 15.7 9.1 – – – – – – –

Tides, Sun and Moon Saturday

Sunday

20 MIN 11

Christchurch Timaru Airport Airport 16.1 15.4 11.5 10.2 11.3 – 1.6 4.0 1.6 4.0 S 54 S 57 4:45am 2:27am 4.3 – 170.1 – Tide data sourced from MetOcean Solutions

Monday

Ashburton H 5:23am 5:44pm 5:06am 5:29pm 5:49am 6:16pm Mouth L 11:29am 11:57pm 11:14am 11:43pm 12:01pm Rakaia Mouth Rangitata Mouth

H 5:22am 5:47pm 5:10am 5:35pm 5:58am 6:23pm L 11:35am 12:02am 11:22am 12:09pm H 5:07am 5:28pm 4:50am 5:13pm 5:33am 6:00pm L 11:13am 11:41pm 10:58am 11:27pm 11:45am 7:49am 7:24pm 6:50am 6:22pm 6:51am 6:20pm 8:22am 7:59pm 8:29am 7:20pm 9:37am 7:44pm

first qtr Apr 9

full Apr 17

last qtr Apr 23

new May 1

Ashburton Guardian Saturday, April 2, 2022

World Cup ‘a winner’ The first of three World Cups New Zealand will host over an 18 month period will come to an end this weekend as Australia play England in the final of the women’s Cricket World Cup. Local fans will be disappointed that New Zealand didn’t make the semi-finals, but as far as organisers are considered it’s been a very successful tournament. 30 games down and one to go and Australia appear set to continue their domination when they take on the defending champions in Sunday’s final. The tournament has run smoothly with just the weather playing a minor part while Covid has been kept out of the tournament bubble. The International Cricket Council chief executive Geoff Allardice says the six venues have been an ideal fit for a women’s tournament and he hopes future host nations will also produce pitches that encourage similar close results. “Good surfaces with a bit of bounce and pace in them helps the spectacle. “I think the range of venues that were selected for this tournament have been ideal for a major women’s event in terms of cricketing facilities.” Tournament CEO Andrea Nelson is proud that this tournament has played a major part in the continued growth of the women’s game and hopes locals will get along to see the final. “Women’s cricket has been on such a journey with a sold-out Lord’s in 2017, a massive crowd at the MCG in 2020, so we’ve got our chance to show that as well at Hagley.” One bone of contention has been prize money parity with the men.

The Australian women’s cricket team huddle before their World Cup game against South Africa at the Basin Reserve. The winners of this tournament will get one third of the prize money that was on offer for the last men’s tournament. The total prize pool has increased 75 percent from the last women’s tournament with the winner pocketing $1.32 million, however ICC boss Geoff Allardice recognises there is still work to be done. “What we’ve been trying to do over this cycle is bridge the gap between the women’s prizemoney and the men’s prizemoney. “We’re about to start discussions on the

next cycle and one of the starting points is going to be trying to get parity for the finishing positions for teams in women’s events and comparable men’s events.” What has improved in recent years has been the introduction of professionalism in the women’s game. That allows players to stay in the game longer. Australian batter Alyssa Healy is encouraged that mothers have been able to continue their careers as has been evident in this tournament.

“The professionalism of the game is keeping these amazing women in the game longer, we’re seeing babies at World Cups which I think is amazing. “They’re getting the opportunity to have a life outside of cricket and still come back and play the game at the highest level which is amazing.” After a disastrous start to the tournament when they lost their first three games, England have clawed their way back into the tournament and have momentum going into the final. They won their next five games including a 137-run victory over South Africa in the semi-final. Century maker Danni Wyatt says since that third lose they’ve been playing must win cricket. “Today was like any other match since then and after those first three games we didn’t think this would be the case so we’ll prepare well for the final and we obviously really want to win that trophy now after the start we had.” However Australia remains favourite to win their seventh World Cup title. They’ve cruised through the tournament with their closest result probably their opening game against England which they won by 12 runs. Healy says their plan has come to fruition. “It’s exactly where we wanted to be when we landed in New Zealand, we knew we wanted to be in Christchurch on the 3rd of April and we were going to do everything we possibly could to get there. “I think we’ve played some unbelievable cricket over these last few weeks and hopefully we can put it all together one more time on Sunday.”

Nurtured to thrive, inspired to shine. Discover the boarding opportunities available for your daughter at St Margaret’s College.

Enrol now to secure your daughter’s boarding place. Visit stmargarets.school.nz or contact us on enrol@stmargarets.school.nz or 03 353 2563