A young trucker in Methven wants to inspire more girls to get behind the wheel of the big rigs.
She’s Philip Wareing Ltd driver Bree Wilson, 25, and was recently named Eroad Young Driver of the Year under 35, in the Transporting New Zealand industry awards.
Wilson had no idea about the award or nomination when she travelled to Invercargill for the awards.
“I had no idea, everyone knew but me.”
“It was a surreal moment, it was a good surprise,” she said.
Wilson who was adopted at 13 months and became a child in care with Oranga Tamariki found her way to Methven where she’s found her schtick, trucking.
“Being a child in care one of my main things is to show those kids you can drive trucks, you can get out of the system and get that apprenticeship and gain those licences”.
“The stigma of kids in care is they will always be in trouble, and can’t make it but they can,” Wilson said.
Wilson started with Wareing’s when she was 22 and has worked her way up to a class five licence after joining with a class two.
She now gets behind the wheel of her DAF CF aka “Susan” and can take anything from a container to a load of steel and baleage.
Throughout the journey at Wareing’s her driver trainer, Dean “Dino” Adams, has been alongside her.
He said Wilson has done everything asked of her “regardless how tough, she just rolls up her sleeves and gets it done.”
Wilson said while it was intimidating joining what has been traditionally a male dominated industry at 22, she was taken in by the team and Wareing’s and has “just been treated like one of the boys”.
“I was looking forward to the structure and routine that an apprenticeship gave me, and I was always there to learn.
Wareing’s has a good amount of diversity with Wilson being one of three female drivers on staff.
“They are showing them you can do it, it’s not just the big boys’ club, you can keep up with them.’
Wilson is now looking to expand her skills at Wareing’s and get more experience on the admin side of the business.
“I’d like to do a bit of relief work as a dispatcher when I can.”
As well as expanding her skills she also wants to keep inspiring females to get into trucking and finish their apprenticeship.
“I definitely want to work with a lot more women and get them into the industry and show them if you just keep going you’ll get there.”
they raised $50,000 which David says “will never be enough”.
He plans to return in 2023, to attempt the walk again or offer himself as a driver for the groups that assemble from around the world.
had to live frugally, surviving on his reserves.”
Henson said Covid was barely an issue in Zimbabwe. People are more likely to die from starvation, malnutrition, cholera, crocodiles and hippos.
weeks to leave. Otherwise we would have been imprisoned for illegal occupation of land compulsorily acquired by the government,” he said.
“Some farmers were told to get out overnight.”
Walking 125 kilometres from Victoria Falls to Kariba Dam on the Zambezi River hasn’t deterred Ashburton’s David Henson. He wants to do it again.
David and his wife, Annalie, have just returned home from six months abroad, spent mostly in Zimbabwe, where their son, William, is developing a guest lodge at Victoria Falls.
As part of their extended trip David, sponsored by the Rotary Club of Ashburton, walked the journey in five days to raise funds to educate orphan children in two Victoria Falls schools.
Henson, 67, raised $1250 for the Victoria Falls Children’s Trust, a non-profit organisation, which organises three sponsored walks a year. This year
“You walk through communal lands and enjoy the nature and people,” he said. “Mostly it’s savannah bush but the journey takes us along the Zambezi.”
At night trust members, who accompany the parties, provide food and tents to sleep in.
“I’d never done this before and felt very satisfied. I enjoyed the camaraderie and the sense of achievement when I finished. I was doing a good thing.”
While in Zimbabwe, Henson supervised the construction of a second guest lodge for his son. He said Covid has been devastating for the tourism operators.
“The whole of Victoria Falls town was shut down and the people had to survive as best they could,” he said.
“William had only opened his lodge eight months earlier and
“Hippos crunch you to death and kill more people in Africa than any other creature,” he added.
With tourism slowly returning from late last year, David and Annalie invested in their son’s tourist operation and created employment for builders by constructing the second lodge.
David was a cattle farmer in southern Zimbabwe and ran 3000 Brahman cattle on a semi-desert property of 60,000 hectares.
Despite being a national representative on Zimbabwe Federated Farmers and its cattle producers and runner-up as cattleman of the year, he was abruptly told by Mugabe’s government to get out.
“When our farm was nationalised we had less than three
The Hensons came to Ashburton where David reskilled as a chartered accountant with Brophy Knight, and Annalie taught maths at Ashburton College.
They’re both now retired and took an extended holiday this year to visit their son, other family members and get-together with former farmers around the world who’d been told to get out.
“Some are destitute. It was sad to see,” David said.
While Mugabe has long since gone, Zimbabwe is still “being driven by the same bus, but with a different driver”.
David and Annalie acknowledge New Zealand and Ashburton has been good to them, but their hearts remain with “where we were born”.
The current Ashburton District Council signed off on Wednesday, and who will form the next council will be announced this afternoon.
Voting in the local body elections closes at midday, and the initial progress results are expected to be available from around 2pm.
The Guardian will publish these results as soon as they are available on our website and on our social media channels.
Today’s progress result will be announced after quality assurance checks are completed, but not all the ordinary votes will have been counted, as the votes received this morning will still be in transit to the Electoral Officer.
The results will cover the mayoralty, Ashburton, Eastern and Western wards, as well as the Methven Community Board and the Braided Rivers Community Trust.
The preliminary result will be announced anywhere between Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning after the last ordinary voting papers have been received and processed, but not all special votes.
That means the results could change if the voting is close.
The final official result will be released on Thursday when all ordinary and special votes have been counted.
In 2019 the district had 100 special votes, and electoral officers report that as of Thursday they had received 102.
As of 8pm on Thursday, 9971 votes had been cast – equating to 43.12 per cent of the eligible voting public, which was slightly down on the 45.34 per cent at the same stage in 2019, when the final voter turnout was 55.05 per cent.
identified the strain anywhere else.
programme, he said.
Summer testing for mycoplasma bovis will be ramped up after a new strain of the cattle disease has been found in Mid Canterbury
That’s the word from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ M. bovis programme director, Simon Andrew, who said the new strain was detected on one of New Zealand’s four remaining positive farms, which were all in Mid Canterbury.
Andrew said genomic testing from a single property, which was previously confirmed with M.bovis, had identified the strain.
“This (strain) doesn’t behave any differently than the strain we have been dealing with, and our existing testing will pick it up, as it has done in this case,’’ he said.
“It doesn’t affect our efforts to eradicate M. bovis from the country.’’
He also said that “at this stage’’ there was no evidence suggesting there had been any forward spread on any farms that got cattle from the new strain property.
Andrew said bulk tank milk and beef herd screening, alongside cattle tracing work, had not
Andrew also said a thorough investigation was being carried out into historic pathways, which included all animal movements dating back to 2018, imported feed and farm machinery, and frozen semen brought in before the restrictions on import health standards for bovine germplasm.
“While considered a very low risk, frozen semen used on the affected property, which had been imported prior to the introduction of the new import health standard, is being looked at.’’
Andrew reassured farmers and the community that MPI now had a national testing regime to find infection, which they did not have when M. bovis was first found in 2017. M. bovis was on just four farms now, compared to 40 nationally at the height of the
Andrew also said it was also important for farmers to remember that MPI was four years into a 10-year programme and remained on track for eradication.
“We are moving towards a national pest management plan for M. bovis much like that used for TB. The idea is to deal with any disease that pops up over time,” Andrew said.
“If our investigation reveals that we need to take further steps, we will let farmers know, but at this stage the ramping up of summer bulk tank milk testing, beef surveillance and tracing animals will serve us well.”
Ashburton College has become the envy of other schools for its automotive courses, with another batch of students making their way into the workforce.
Recently 25 Ashburton College students graduated with a mix of level two and three certificates. One of those students was Cole Nicholson, who graduated with a level two qualification and has been employed by Neumanns Tyres.
Nicholson said the course provided him with something different that he enjoyed more than the standard subjects.
The college has a full workshop where, thanks to some do-
nated cars, the students can get a taste of a broad range of skills.
“This year students have done a variety of automotive related projects and tasks. From changing wheels and oil changes to car restoration and refinishing work,” Ashburton College teacher in charge of automotive and trades Patrick Neal said.
One of the cars they had donated was a Morris Minor from the Vintage Car Club, which has had a lot of work done to it.
Rust has been cut out from the rear doors and boot, patches have been welded in and the panels filled and sanded. The brakes have been serviced, the differential changed and the engine received an oil change.
Mito industry training advisor for Mid and South Canterbury Maureen McClenaghan said she gets lots of other schools asking how the college runs their programme, with many other
schools having to outsource specialised trade courses like this one.
One thing that makes parttime automotive teacher Daniel
Tew most proud of is the pass rate achieved by the students.
“If they make it past term two, they all pretty much pass,” Tew said.
A Rakaia dairy farmer’s wife has been found guilty of his murder, along with her cousin, it’s been reported.
dead in his bed on the morning of September 18, 2019, after he failed to show up for an early morning milking shift on the farm.
Yesterday, a jury in Christchurch found Joshua Morris-Bamber, 28, and his cousin, Waldron’s estranged wife, Alana Jane Bamber, 35,
guilty of Waldron’s murder. The pair were remanded in custody and were to be sentenced on Wednesday, December 14.
BY DANIEL ALVEYAshburton police are seeking the public’s help after an elderly man was attacked during a burglary.
Between 10.45pm and 11pm on Thursday October 6, the 73-yearold victim disturbed the intruder on their property on West Street near Racecourse Road.
“The male intruder has savagely attacked the 73-year-old victim and fled the scene on foot,” detective Craig Clare said.
“The victim has required hospital treatment as a result.”
The suspect was described as a man around six feet tall, medium build, wearing a white or light-coloured hoodie with the hood up over his head.
Clare said it is possible the suspect was captured on a vehicle’s dash camera in the area of the Russell Avenue end of Racecourse Road or Russell Avenue itself. If so, police would like to hear from you.
If you can help, please get in touch via the 105 phone service or online at https://www.police.govt. nz/use-105, using Update My Report.
Please reference file number 221007/9164.
Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
Teamwork was the common thread in the valedictory speeches of the four retiring Ashburton District councillors.
Angus McKay, Dianne Rawlinson, John Falloon and Stuart Wilson all spoke of the unity of the council this term and how they had operated as a team led by Mayor Neil Brown.
They all said that the group was able to have robust discussions and even disagreements without animosity when they left the table.
The four of them left the table for the last time on Wednesday, but not before having a final word.
Wilson departs the council after four terms – or 12 years “without a major holiday” for his supportive wife Betty.
“I’m too conscientious for that. I hate missing a meeting,” Wilson said.
“Being a councillor takes a commitment that I take seriously.
“It is rewarding and a rare responsibility to have some input into decisions that affect everybody living in our district.
“For better or for worse, I’ve always said what I think.”
While a lot has been achieved in his tenure, he said the only blight was the condition of the roads.
“No-one has worked harder than I have to try and bring them up to where we want them.”
Brown delivered the valedictory speech for Wilson, and said he had brought many talents to the council table including his passion for roading and keeping an eye on spending.
“With his careful and conservative approach combined with his sharp wit did we see him famously compare the council to Santa Claus.”
McKay, mayor from 2010-2016, has served a total of nine years at the council table, with the last three as a councillor.
A stickler for details, he was
also never afraid to ask the difficult questions.
“Mr mayor, your patience I must have stretched occasionally in the last three years but I was never called to your office,” he said.
McKay thanked the dedicated and passionate staff for making it all happen.
“How many people thank the council staff each time they press the flush button, water comes out of a tap, potholes are fixed, making it possible for one to travel around the district, view art and history, go for a swim, play with a ball, and all the other services you people make happen.”
He said his 25 years in local governance had been a wonderful journey.
“My conscience, my heart tells me I have done my very best.”
Rawlinson said her two terms have had ups and downs, but more ups than downs.
“Being a councillor is both enlightening and challenging in many ways.”
The reward is seeing projects
come to fruition, and Rawlinson will miss the monthly project control group meetings for the new library and civic centre.
“This is the most expensive project ever taken on by council, but I’m confident that as this region grows this building will serve the district well.”
With the project half-completed she will be eagerly watching its completion from the sidelines, but is proud that she was one of the councillors at the time that stood firm on having the library and civic centre projects built together on the same site.
She said she will also miss the six-weekly activity reports from all the council departments “because I like to know everything”.
The council had benefited from the accounting expertise oneterm councillor Falloon brought to the table, Carolyn Cameron said, and it would be missed.
Falloon said after settling into the role of councillor, all the “reading and meetings”, he came to realise plans and policies made up a majority of council work.
“Over the last three years, we have looked at a lot of policies. So much so that I’ve come to enjoy it.”
Early in the term came the first Covid lockdown, and he described the forced changes to council operations and the interesting experience of having meetings via Zoom that had the councillors’ faces all lined up like the Brady Bunch.
It also had the council stop all non-statutory committees and replace them with two full council meetings per month, which “increased the efficiency of council workings markedly by not having to discuss things twice”.
In the final official act of the meeting, before the valedictory speeches, Brown covered off a turbulent triennium impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and historic floods but one of action.
“We will finish this triennium leaving the district in much better condition than when we started.”
Brown noted completing the Ashburton second bridge business case, currently in the hands of Waka Kotahi, the Ashburton CBD upgrade, the Ashburton Relief Sewer Project, among other projects and securing significant central Government funding.
He said over the three years they have spent millions of dollars on the roading network and “at times it is hard to see where this money has had an effect, but it has”.
“It is to be noted that the roading network will need much more attention and monies spent on it in the future.”
In his closing remarks, Brown said “we have been the team of ten serving the team of 35,000”.
The new team will be named today.
“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”
Bad recycling habits have cost the Ashburton District Council around $4000 in two years.
There is disappointment that the district’s recycling habits are slipping.
Ashburton District Council infrastructure services group manager, Neil McCann, says the trends show the district‘s recycling habits are getting worse after two years of monitoring.
“The wheelie bin system has been in place for five years now, with auditing being undertaken since 2020 and while most recycling bins are being used properly, it is disappointing that there’s still a small number of properties who need to get on board,” he said.
The council’s contractor has been actively carrying out bin audits since 2020, to raise awareness and ensure consistency in what goes in the bin to avoid loads being rejected and detoured to landfill – at an additional cost of around $1000 per load.
As part of the compliance monitoring, the council introduced a three-strike rule, with residents having their bins confiscated after three strikes for having contaminated bins and only after completing an education process is a bin returned.
“There was an initial surge of improvement at the beginning
of the audits, but since then the numbers have been reasonably constant,” McCann said.
“Overall, the quality of recyclable materials collected has dramatically improved since the audits started.”
Figures show that the number of properties on the watch list, a first strike, jumped from 957 in March up to 1388 in August.
The number of properties on a second strike has stayed relatively steady, sitting at 827 in March then dropping down to 764 in May before being 862 at the end of August.
Three strike confiscations were also constant, averaging 133 per month across the six months, but in a positive it is slowly trending down with an
increase in bins being returned.
“It’s encouraging to see more bins being returned to properties with very few repeat offenders.”
The council has no plans to stop auditing at this stage, McCann said.
“We believe that the audit system is an important factor in helping to keep those con-
The Christchurch City Council has just celebrated its first fortnight without a rejected recycling load since its monitoring began in May 2020.
Still, its rejected loads in September alone cost around $13,000 with 98 per cent of its loads free of contamination.
tamination levels low.
“Creating awareness around products and providing education for the public is a better use of funds than sending material to landfill.”
Since the system was introduced, only four loads have been rejected, he said, but none have been since the council started to send its recycling to Timaru earlier this year.
“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”
A nostalgic bus trip has raised over $3000 for the Ashburton Cancer Society.
Allan Andrews loaded up his bus with 57 people, said goodbye to mayor Neil Brown and headed down to Waitaki Boys’ High School.
All together the trip raised $3170, with $300 being raised just from a pass around in the bus on the day.
“I’m absolutely delighted,” Andrews said.
For Andrews the bus trip was something more than just trip with a very personal connection to cancer.
His brother, Lindsay, passed away with leukaemia, and both Andrews and wife Jeanette suffered with different forms of cancer.
The group was welcomed by the Waitaki mayor Gary Kircher, Waitaki Boys’ High School deputy rector Roger van Booma, and were
treated to a tour through the hall of memories and a light lunch.
Andrews wanted to thank those who made the trip possible with a special mention to Ritchies Coa-
chlines for providing the bus to get the group down and back.
Andrews wants to keep raising money for the cancer society, but nothing is planned yet.
The district’s only fluoridated water supply is facing a supply shortage.
The Ashburton District Council is facing an impending issue with its fluoride supply for the Methven water supply before its new treatment plant is operational.
The current Methven water treatment plant uses sodium fluoride (NaF) and the council has a supply to operate for an estimated 30 weeks.
To obtain more requires a minimum order of two tonnes, around three years’ worth, and delivery is estimated to take eight months.
The issue is that Methven’s new $9.6m membrane treatment plant is equipped to fluoridate using hydrofluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6), the more widely used alternative, and it is set to be online next year.
As the council is legally required to continue to fluoridate the supply it needs to find a stop-gap measure before the membrane plant is operational in time.
Asset manager, Andy Guthrie said the council is currently exploring leasing or purchasing the necessary equipment that would allow for fluoridating using hydrofluorosilicic acid through the current plant.
He said the approach means that once in place, it would continue to run out of the existing supplies of sodium fluoride and once depleted simply switch over to the new equipment and use hydrofluorosilicic acid of which the supply would then be in the new plant once it is operational.
The first of two new reservoir tanks in the Methven water supply upgrade is set
to be operational in October.
The delivery of materials for the second tank, after the original was damaged in the strong winds in July, is on track for October.
Construction of the membrane plant is on schedule for February completion, and dependent on supply chain issues and weather, it is scheduled to be commissioned before next winter.
“Council is still proposing to commis-
sion the new Methven membrane treatment facility in July 2023, however, it is an extremely challenging construction environment at present,” infrastructure services group manager Neil McCann said.
The council stopped fluoridation across all its supplies except Methven in 2002, it was reconsidered in 2007 but not reintroduced, however, mandatory fluoridisation is in the pipeline.
A law change last year has given the au-
The installation of 1151 water meters on Methven’s residential properties is complete and the installation of smart meters at around 20 business and industrial properties is expected to be completed in October.
The purpose of the trial is to assist the council to identify leaks in the system.
Infrastructure services group manager Neil McCann said for the meter trial to be effective it needed time to develop data trends but it has already helped locate some leaks in the system.
“We are aware of several cases where there have been leaks on private property which have needed fixing, but until we can get a trend compared with the year before, and the year before that we won’t know exactly what impact [the trial] will have.”
thority to instruct councils on whether or not to fluoridate their water to the director general of health, currently Dr Diana Sarfati.
So far 14 councils have received the directive.
Universal chlorination of council drinking water supplies will come in from November under Taumata Arowai, the national water services regulator, but Ashburton supplies are already chlorinated.
The COVID-19 Community Testing Centre at 48 South Street is closing. The final operating day will be Tuesday 11th October, 10am-2pm.
The following pharmacies distribute Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs);
Please contact the COVID-19 Healthline on 0800 358 5453 or your usual healthcare provider if you require advice or a PCR test. If you are not enrolled at a general practice in Ashburton, you can call Eastfield Health on 03 308 1212 for an appointment (walk-in testing is not available).
Please visit Healthpoint.co.nz for up to date information on COVID-19 testing providers.
“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”
in Cycling New Zealand’s club nationals is a challenge for Ashburton’s Shona McGrath, paralysed from the shoulders down following a serious mountain biking accident in January 2020.
Shona travels to a para cycling camp in Christchurch at Labour weekend to be classified, so she can compete in the future against people of similar disability.
“It means I’ll have a category to compete in when I’m ready to cycle competitively again,” she said.
“I’m determined to get back on a bike, and the classification tells me what events I’m qualified to do.”
Shona will also try out her skill on a specially modified hand cycle being brought to the para cycling camp over the weekend.
Competing in cycling events is another stage in Shona’s recovery following her tragic accident on the Port Hills 21 months ago.
While acknowledging the limitations imposed by her disability, she’s determined to utilise the strength and movement she retains.
Recently she experienced the basketball court for the first time since her accident. Shona was chosen to play for a local celebrity side against the Canterbury Wheelchair Basketball Team.
Strapped into her chair by her sister’s camera case cord, she played 10 minutes for the local side in the first half, and then
joined the Canterbury Wheelers in the second half.
“I was nearly hopeless, but it was such
great fun. I discovered I’d lost power, but I had enough strength to receive the ball and pass it on,” she said.
“It was the first time I had a glimpse of what I could do, and hopefully improve on in the future.”
This year Shona has experienced steady progress in what she can achieve. She’s back working flexi-hours at Advance Ashburton, looking after the Mackenzie Charitable Foundation account.
“It’s taken a long time for my brain to repair, but getting back to work was good for me,” she said.
Shona said she has more mobility and does regular aerobic and strengthening work at E3 gym.
“I’m definitely better at managing my wheelchair, and I get out and travel two kilometres most days.”
However while she’s benefiting from
strengthening work, her house repairs have yet to begin.
“I can’t make myself coffee, cook or get anything to eat,” she admitted.
She made application to ACC to modify her house in mid-2021 and, while approval was given in July this year, work has yet to start.
She’s had word that modifications to her kitchen to lower the benchtop and cupboards so she can reach them, could begin with outside framing next month.
Inside extensions to the kitchen and spare bedroom to make it wheel chair-friendly won’t happen until next year.
They include installing an ensuite and, until then, Shona has to use a pop-up shower in the garage.
This week she met Crusaders coach, Scott Robertson, who called her a fighter.
He couldn’t have chosen a better word.
Thursday 13 October
10am – 4pm
Rakaia Gardens, 282 Awaroa School Road, Dorie, RD11, Rakaia, the home of Sue & Ted Rollinson
Come and join us for a great day – 100+ stalls, live music, food and 6 acres of gardens to explore Cooking demos by Chantelle Quinn, Twentyfour Catering, at 11am and 12noon
Tickets available from Mayfield PGG Wrightson, Ashburton Paper Plus, Ashburton St John office (241 Tancred St), Ashburton St John Shop (129 Tancred St), Rakaia Four Square, Joosh (Geraldine) or online at www.eventfinda.co.nz
Tickets now available $15 ($20 on the day at the gate), children 5 yrs+ $5
lunchbox $15.
& EFTPOS available onsite
Mid Canterbury St John
News tips
Call 03 307-7969
After hours news tips malcolm.h@theguardian. co.nz
Advertising
Call 03 307-7976 sonia.g@theguardian.co.nz
Classifieds
Call 03 3077-900 classifieds@theguardian. co.nz
Missed paper Call 03 3077-900
This newspaper is subject to the New Zealand Media Coun cil.
■ Complaints must first be directed in writing to editor@ theguardian.co.nz
■ If unsatisfied, the complaint may be referred to the Media Council, PO Box 10879, The Terrace, Wellington 6143 or email info@presscouncil.org.nz
■ Further detail and an online complaints form are available at www.mediacouncil. org.nz
We welcome your letters and emails, but:
■ No more than 100 words.
■ We reserve the right to edit or not publish.
Come this evening, there will be a new wave of public servants ready to serve our community.
We’ve said goodbye this week to some longstanding, loyal and proud local government officials who have set the reins down for the Ashburton District, ready to be taken up by some new blood.
They’ve offered insight, experience and knowledge and at times the odd moment of humour, or even frustration, but they’ve done so with the one common goal of making this district we call home a better place to live.
And we need to be thankful for that.
It’s a big job, that of councillor. And those who are afforded the privilege today – and yes, it is a
privilege – need to be ready for the massive challenge that lies ahead for them.
Right now, Mid Canterbury is strong. But you can always do better, and this district certainly can.
We’ve got the foundations of everything a good district requires to excel, but there are frailties on the edges that require some remediation work, and it will be the challenge of our new council to assume control of
righting those issues.
So, what do we need from our incoming council team?
Unity is a strong starting point. One aspect of the outgoing group has been while they’ve hotly debated subjects and not agreed all the time, it’s appeared a united bench.
They all at least appeared to have a common bond tying them together that made things work, an understanding if you like of where each other’s strengths really lay.
Courage sits next on the list. It takes strength to make big decisions, especially big decisions that impact on a whole district.
Being forward-thinking enough to look past the initial information and delve deeper to
find the right answer is paramount. If that means that every decision is met with concern or question, that’s great. Only through discussion and debate will a true reflection of what is best for this community be truly found.
The ability to listen and understand is also key. It’s all well and good to sit around the council table and make decisions based on the information provided to you, but ultimately the biggest role of all is being there to hear from the people out and about within the district.
We are, after all, the people who will be most impacted on by decisions made, and having the decency to be able to stop and talk to someone in the street
and gain their opinion and views is only going to be for the better when it comes to decision making and there’s a better understanding of the community feel for an issue.
But most of all, the job requires a sense of pride.
We want councillors who are happy to be there. Who want to be there for the right reasons and not just to help top-up the bank account or to further their own political standings. It’s critical that those elected today are willing to be proud of the community they live in and proud of the community that they serve.
We’ve got a lot to be proud of right now. Let’s hope that those whose names come out of the box today feel the same.
What a theatrical triumph. I’m writing this fresh from a mid-week performance of Jesus Christ Superstar.
All of this production was very good. A lot of it was utterly sensational. Overall, it was spellbounding theatre, staged locally and carried off with surprising professionalism.
Matt Williams’ Jesus was perfectly cast. The range of poise, power and sensitivity in Matt’s performance would have him sit in this challenging, demanding lead role in any professional production of JCS on the planet.
His execution (pardon the pun) of this role was flawless and spectacular.
Those lungs. Man!
Perfectly balanced by the incredibly talented and well-cast Murran Carter-Buller as Mary, these two had the collective audience hearts in their hands.
Staging Superstar was a well-documented saga of third time lucky thanks to Mr Covid.
Inevitably some changes to personnel ensued due to the significant expansion of the production time frame, but the end result was worth the wait.
Director Roger Farr had his signature lighting design also to the fore, Jo Castelow wrangled the band, choir and cast with her usual professional aplomb, Julia Bell had the movement on point, and the entire cast and crew poured their hearts and souls into
what I consider the greatest rock opera of all time.
Special mention to the Ashburton Event Centre tech James Wood with his sound design and operation of the complex audio mixing board. The audience never really consider the plethora of open mics, headsets, instruments, direct inputs and various audio paraphernalia that feed into his mixing desk and come out to produce stunning musical theatre sound. It’s a massive responsibility. The potential for a disaster is ever present. James always navigates that challenge with a cool head and professional ability.
Tonight’s the closing performance and your last chance.
There should be a queue around the block for this and people turned away.
It’s that good. If you miss this show, you’ll only betray yourself. Don’t be a Judas.
Pivoting spectacularly now, it’s Bathurst 1000 weekend.
Tomorrow, even causal motor-heads make time to take in this annual romp to the max around the scenically endowed Mount Panorama at Bathurst in Australia.
For years it’s been the classic Ford Holden battle of the tribes and this year, with huge rainfall
in New South Wales and the final hurrah for the Holdens, it promises to be a dramatic climax.
I’ll admit to traditionally rooting for the Lion but that’s only because my first car, a well used 1952 Ford (roll-your-own) Prefect irreparably shat itself on the way to Methven back in the early seventies.
As you can tell, I don’t forgive easily.
But I’m a huge fan of the new Mustangs, the proper ones, and from next year they are up against the Chev Camaros.
That’ll be a treat.
No matter who you bat for, it’s a great spectacle at Mount
The recent announcement of $14m carryover of work not done is a disgrace.
To then add an almost 10 per cent new rate needs more examination, especially after receiving over $30m unbudgeted Government grants.
Another issue is poor and deteriorating roads. Let’s not blame the wet and expect quality first up. Over 20 years ago, a 5km section of Thompsons Track, just east of the Ashburton Methven Road, was fixed by a West Coast coal company and still doesn’t
need any repairs.
Could the new elected councillors please not accept the rubbish quality work we have been getting.
Peter ReveleyAshburton District Council chief executive Hamish Riach responds:
The majority of the carryovers related to projects not completed in the 2021-22 work programme and carrying over the unspent portion into 2022-23 allows those projects to be completed.
Reasons for the work not being completed include the ongoing impact of Covid-19 on people, equipment and materials, con-
sent delays, weather delays and changes to the projects themselves.
The $4.3m north-west Ashburton wastewater project is an example of work delayed, but now under way.
We’ve had two wet winters and acknowledge there is a lot of maintenance to be done on our roads; $13.1m is budgeted for the subsidised roading maintenance and renewal programme this year, with an additional $1.7m unsubsidised funding for rehabilitation of sections of sealed roads.
We have also met with our roading contractor to talk about how we can do better, given the money, technology and resourc-
es available.
We know the financial suffering we’ve all had over the past twoand-a-half years, particularly our local shops and businesses.
As convenor for Pakeke Lions’ annual Christmas raffle, where we ask these shops and businesses to donate goods, I have been overwhelmed by their generosity.
Our club secretary has already thanked all the contributors but I wanted to let the Ashburton people know what a wonderful caring town this is.
Our Christmas raffle tickets will be available in October and November so please look out for
Panorama and the coverage is incredible. Nearly 200 live cameras feeding into four specialised outside broadcast trucks to bring the spectacle straight into your lounge tomorrow.
Stock up on the sausage rolls and your favourite tipple. Recline your chair and strap in. For a helluva ride.
Broadcaster Peter Mac is Ashburton born and bred and the afternoon host on the Hokonui Radio Network. The views expressed in this column are his and do not reflect the opinion of his employer or the Ashburton Guardian.
us in your local supermarket and each Saturday at the Farmers’ Market.
Robert SpencerWe welcome your letters and emails, but: Ideally, no more than 200 words.
We reserve the right to edit or not publish
Email: editor@ theguardian.co.nz
Migrants and refugees are always seeking to leave places devastated by natural disaster and human catastrophe such as war or discrimination.
What would encourage these people to settle and contribute here?
We desperately welcome nurses, plumbers, builders and GPs, for their skills and training. What about their parents and children? What about the migrant with limited education whose home
Johanna Warren CHRISTIAN COMMENThas been overtaken by flood, fire, invasion, civil war?
I am a New Zealander, formed in this country according to the mix of traditions my immigrant forebears brought with them and then melded and adapted in the
context of this land and its other migrants.
Before being a new Zealander I am human, valuing a sense of belonging, a connection to land and sea.
My forebears arrived as a three-generation family group, with an elder and a baby. They arrived, as do all migrants and refugees, with qualities of hope, courage and determination. I/ we are the fruits of those qualities.
What will encourage any
migrant to remain here is the respect their humanity needs.
Dignity, opportunity to belong with their own family and in wider society, to put roots into this land and context, while also expressing and nurturing culture, language and faith.
The same human dignities I have enjoyed all my life are essential for us all, and must be protected. Sometimes that protection means welcoming the vulnerable, giving them the dignity of belonging in a new
context and support to cope with transplanting and becoming rooted.
Migration is a fact of our past and will be a fact of our future. Let’s make migration as healthy and enriching for us all as, together, we can.
Let us welcome families and orphans, the able and the traumatised, those like us and those very different. Let us share their hope for the future.
Johanna Warren, Hakatere Presbyterian ParishAnchoring Western Australia’s South Coast, Albany is an absolute revelation, where the tumultuous Southern Ocean has dramatically sculptured the land with a roll call of tantalising rock formations.
I met up with the magnificent Susan McCabe from Busy Blue Bus Tours, the premier day tour operator in Albany. With a commanding knowledge and passion for the Great Southern region, Susan delivers exceptional day tour experiences, tailormade to suit your interests.
She’ll take you to some great
By Mike Yardleyhospitality gems too, like Wilson Brewing Company and Woodlands Distillery. We scooted around the sun-kissed shoreline of King George Sound to
Torndirrup National Park, where an unmissable assignment is to experience The Gap, a gaping chasm between two towering granite shelves, where the ocean
water surges in. A daring cantilevered viewing platform has been constructed, jutting well past the cliff edge and is buffeted by the salty, briny ocean spray. I mustered up the requisite courage as the wind whipped around me, succumbing to the elements, to stand directly above the pounding sea rushing into the chasm, 40 metres below me. Gazing down was like staring into a deadly watery abyss.
After revelling in that supremely edgy sensation, we followed the adjoining signposts on the pathway out to the Natural Bridge. With a reasonably heavy swell running, the awesome theatrics of ocean power was in full cry. Then there’s the Blowholes, a crack line in the granite, ‘blowing’ air and occasionally spray, like a giant whale. The acoustical booms rumbled across the coastline.
The dramatic terrain is a feast for the senses, with windswept coastal heaths giving way to massive granite outcrops, sheer cliffs, steep sandy slopes and powdery dunes.
We called into Albany’s Historic Whaling Station, pinned to the edge of King George Sound, at Frenchman Bay. Previously home to the Cheynes Beach Whaling Company, it was the last whaling firm to cease operations in Australia. The station only shut up shop in 1978 – now transformed
into an interactive museum.
Albany’s rugged granite coastline and snow-white beaches are sure to tug at your heart-strings. But it’s the potent Anzac legacy that will pull those strings right out. Albany has Anzac heritage braggability by the bucketload. After all, it’s where the Anzac story arguably begins. We headed up Forts Road on Mount Clarence, where the soul-rinsing views of King George Sound and Princess Royal Harbour transfixed me. It was from these vivid blue waters that the First and Second Convoys of Australian and New Zealand troops – and their horses, set sail for the Great War.
For thousands of them, it would be their last glimpse of Australasia.
We headed to the National Anzac Centre, perched above King George Sound. This small but perfectly formed museum has deployed the latest interactive multimedia technology, overlaid with historical artefacts to honour the past and pay tribute to those who served.
But for all of the whiz-bang wizardry, it’s a museum packed with pathos and the personal touch. Dozens of troops have had their life stories immortalised at the centre. You choose a card which depicts a soldier or a nurse and you can follow their personal story step-by-step, as you walk
Four hours south of Perth, Western Australia’s Great Southern region ripples with rich history, culture and a heart-stealing natural landscape, writes Mike Yardley.
through the centre, tapping the card on an interpretation screen, at various points.
My card displayed a photo of Private Robert Hamilton, from the Australian Imperial Force 9th Battalion. I followed his personal story from recruitment, through training and embarkation, ship life, and in battle. For those who returned, you will also learn about their post war life.
I was fascinated to learn that the character on my card, Private Hamilton, was believed to be the first ANZAC ashore on the beaches at Gallipoli. A palpable rush of relief washed over me when I learned that he survived the war and made it home to his family in Queensland. But shockingly, I then learned that he was tragically killed in a farm machinery accident, several years later. It’s a rollercoaster of raw emotion.
There’s all manner of deft touches throughout the centre. Virtual reality devices allow you to see the troopships positioned out the window in King George Sound, as they steam out to the Indian Ocean. I absolutely adored the infinity wa-
terfall, where the scrolling names of all 41,265 Anzac troops who departed from Albany “float” on the water, as it gently cascades towards King George Sound, before disappearing out on the horizon.
Charismatic Albany revs up the charm factor when exploring the town on foot, where the sense of revitalisation is pervasive. Beautiful Stirling Terrace has been given a face-lift, its trove of historic architecture sporting movie-set good looks.
Majuba Bistro is a must for dinner. Under the helm of the delightful Andrea Saville, the menu is influenced by French and Spanish bistro-style cooking, while the art-filled venue is evocatively romantic. I felt like I was dining in a highly curated curio gallery, including antique gondola posts from Venice.
Where to stay? Brand spanking new, Hilton Garden Inn Albany, is a five-storey, 108-room property overlooking the Albany Waterfront Marina. Enjoy unrivalled ocean views and easy access to the Albany’s cultural attractions. www. westernaustralia.com
Mid Canterbury’s international tenor, Simon O’Neill, is bringing his Grammy home to Ashburton.
O’Neill, in Ashburton this week, was the voice in the recording that won the Grammy and promised, at the time, he’d bring it home.
Since early 2022, he’s been singing in the major opera houses of the world, but he’s back in New Zealand until New Year’s Eve, when he returns to London for a recording engagement.
But he’s not only bringing the Grammy back, he’s arranging a recital so people can hear the voice that won classical music’s equivalent of the Oscars.
In his 36 hours back home, he visited his father’s grave, bought his favourite pie from Sim’s, stayed with his mum Gabrielle, met with the Guardian and confirmed his December 18 recital at the Ashburton Event Centre.
It’ll be a departure from his Wagnerian operas, but will be firmly rooted in classical and musical theatre repertoire and contain one song that marks a special milestone.
Thirty-four years to the day, a nervous 16-year-old Simon O’Neill stood on the stage at Ashburton College’s end-of-year prizegiving and sang his first solo. It was Music of the Night from Phantom of the Opera and he sang it to Rachel, another college student who played the role of Christine Daae, the female lead in Phantom..
“It wasn’t an easy song but I surprised myself,” he said. “My mum and dad were shocked I had a voice.
“The musical was huge and it was my dream to be the Phantom.”
At that moment Simon knew his future was in music. It wasn’t at the freezing works where he earned some extra money or in the front row of the college and Celtic scrum. It was singing to the world.
“I had a basic baritone voice and knew I had to immerse myself in singing,” he said. He may have been a novice when it came to repertoire and experience, but he could back up his musicianship by starring in a college rock band, learning piano from Joan Perkins, playing the organ at Holy Name and anchoring the silver band’s baritone section.
“While I knew I was a musician, I didn’t have a choral background,” Simon said.
So in his sixth form (Year 12), he auditioned for the National Secondary Schools’ Choir and was successful. Over two years, they toured New Zealand and then travelled to a festival in Hawaii.
“It was a learning curve being in the choir. I had to sing in Maori, Latin and German. I never guessed at that time I’d specialise in German,” he said.
While singing became his focus, it didn’t stop his other musical activities. He continued in the Ashburton Silver Band, graduating to euphonium, he sang barbershop as a key member of Steve and the Fat Boys and played guitar and keyboards in Ashburton College’s rock band.
Simon even had a residency at the Somerset playing and singing the popular classics.
While study and tuition were still to come, what Simon had was plenty of breath. As a young asthmatic, he was advised by Dr Philip Munns to develop his breathing.
Simon took to swimming and joined the silver band at the age of seven. There’s noth-
Move over Oscar, mine’s a Grammy. Simon O’Neill promised Ashburton at the start of the year he’d bring Grammy home and perform a Christmas concert. True to his word, he’s delivering in December with a special guest and a special song.
By Malcolm Hopwooding better than blowing brass to improve lung capacity.
Yet despite his impressive grounding, he was rejected by both Canterbury and Otago universities as a singing student.
“It was heart-breaking to be told I wasn’t classically trained,” he said. “So I went to Otago to study brass,” he said.
Finally in his second year, he changed to the singing programme. Vocal tutor, Emily Mair, listened to his voice and heard his potential. He sang in the Dunedin Opera chorus, transferred to Victoria University and completed his Bachelor of Music with honours.
Simon might have been on his way, but he never forgot Ashburton. He’d return many times and give fundraising concerts at Baring Square Church with former AshColl students.
“I’d sing a whole series of concerts with friends to raise funds to get myself through university,” he said. “I’d do everything from performing to organising the events and marketing the programme.”
There were businesspeople in town, like Tony Todd, who’d remember Simon’s
successful sales pitch. “Ashburton was very generous to me. I sincerely love this town. It was a great place for me to grow up. People gave me an opportunity that I wouldn’t have received elsewhere.
“It’s for this reason I want to return and bring the Grammy home.”
His Ashburton supporters would have followed his graduation in the 1990s, success in reaching the semifinal of the Mobil Song Quest and his debut for Wanganui Opera in Cavalleria Rusticana, playing Turiddu, the tenor lead.
“It was a big success. I got paid a few hundred dollars,” he said. “I was a work in progress.”
The Wanganui Opera House was the springboard for overseas and Simon immersed himself in roles at Covent Garden, the New York Met, La Scala and many others.
“That’s where I’ve been and sung for the last 25 years,” he said.
O’Neill might be New Zealand’s most famous tenor export but it was another legendary Kiwi opera singer who helped shape his future. Sir Donald McIntyre heard
Simon’s potential earlier this century and trained him as a heroic Wagnerian tenor. For three years he transitioned Simon’s voice.
“He was unbelievably hard as nails. It was like Grizz Wylie training me in rugby, but after three years I was ready to go,” Simon said.
He entered McIntyre’s care as a young Kiwi opera singer and left as a stellar C&W performer. But, in his case, C&W didn’t stand for country and western, but classical and Wagnerian.
Placido Domingo, one of the three famous tenors, was his idol and Simon was chosen to be his cover (or understudy) as Siegmund in The Valkyrie at the New York Met. His career, for the next two decades, was secure.
Next year he records with the London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) under Sir Simon Rattle, then tours Europe in the title role of Siegfried,
Ashburton was very generous to me. I sincerely love this town. It was a great place for me to grow up. People gave me an opportunity that I wouldn’t have received elsewhere
with Sir Simon. The year extends through to Lohengrin with San Francisco Opera.
In between he’d love to record the Italian repertoire of popular arias, but knows financial fame doesn’t come from videos and CDs. It’s live performances with the world’s great opera companies.
However, Ashburton is never far from his thoughts. He vividly recalls waking up earlier this year to be featured in the New York Times as a Grammy nominee and then winner, along with the Los Angeles Symphony and its conductor.
“It was a wonderful celebration of my career. I was really chuffed to be part of the Grammy award,” he said. “When I get to Ashburton I’ll place it on the grand piano as part of my programme.”
Simon’s guest is Ashburton soprano, Olivia Pike, who’s just completed her master’s degree from Otago University. There’ll be solos, duets, selections from opera and musical theatre and, because it’s December, Christmas music that the audience can join in with.
He hasn’t quite confirmed the selection but, by the time the booking office opens next week, he’ll complete the repertoire.
One thing’s for certain. Simon began his career with Music of the Night and, on stage on December 18, he’ll sing it again 34 years later to remind his audience of Ashburton College and where his career started.
Left – Ashburton’s Simon O’Neill, as Siegmund from Wagner’s Die Walkure, brandishes his sword to repel an attack from Wotan, ruler of the Gods. Sadly for Siegmund, his sword is shattered and he is stabbed to death.
Right – Simon O’Neill.
In 1902 – 120 years ago – Englishman John Davenport Siddeley, a clever engineer and businessman, who became the first Baron Kenilworth, founded his Siddeley Autocar Company.
Following mergers, it became Armstrong Siddeley in 1919. Renowned for luxury vehicles, their cars were marketed to the top echelon of society.
Armstrong Siddeley were early users of sophisticated new alloys.
Car production ceased in August 1960.
Forty eight enthusiastic and proud owners belong to The Armstrong Siddeley Club In New Zealand.
Annual national gatherings are held, and this year the meeting will take place here in Ashburton, at Labour Weekend.
Local members Kevin Sisson and Keith Pickford have planned activities which will include an opportunity for the public to see a variety of Armstrong Siddeleys.
The cars will be at the Hotel Ashburton car park between 9am and noon on Saturday October 22; it’s a chance to see these rare cars together in one place.
As well as being Armstrong Siddeley enthusiasts, Kevin and Keith have something else in common.
They each own an Armstrong Siddeley Sapphire 234, but their paths to ownership are different.
Armstrong Siddeley number four Kevin owned three Armstrong Siddeley Whitleys – an earlier model than his current car.
He liked the marque, became aware of the 234 and decided it would be the car for him – “good choice”.
Kevin has done some renovation work and engine modifications including a sporting cam shaft and different carburettors. The car has a four speed manual gearbox fitted with overdrive.
Keith’s car was purchased new by his uncle in South Canterbury.
Aged 10, Keith saw the 234, liked it and
Eventually “one day” occurred and the car came to Ashburton.
Initially in storage, the one-family-owned car is now used regularly.
It has clocked up a mere 46,000 miles, is in original condition and never needed any major mechanical work.
Both Kevin and Keith say the cars drive and handle well; they were built as a sports saloons and they are just that.
The last digit in the model name – 4 –indicates a 4-cylinder engine, it’s a motor which was technically ahead of its time.
A similar-bodied 6-cylinder model – the 236 – was also available.
Most of the 236s went to the North
Purchasers thought the 6-cylinder motor would provide better performance.
Not so – the 234 was sportier and capable of a much higher top speed than its six cylinder sibling.
Between 1956 and 1957 just 806 of the 234s were produced.
Of those 24 came to New Zealand – 17 to the South Island, mostly sold through Archibald’s in Christchurch.
Only one 234 went to Australia, but over the years enthusiasts from over the ditch have purchased six New Zealand cars.
Four examples are known in New Zealand – three in this area.
That leaves some unaccounted for, and the club would be delighted to hear from anyone who has recollections or knowledge of these cars.
One of the cars which went to Australia was purchased new by Mary McKellar.
She and her brother Ian were well known within the local motoring fraternity.
Now known as the McKellar 234, the car disappeared from view, but was located and is now with its third owner.
With her racing number 8, Mary set some speed records in her sporty 234.
Racing the car at Wigram in 1957, Ian finished third in a saloon car race behind two Jaguars sold by Archibald’s.
Archibald’s prepared Mary’s car for racing, and afterwards detuned it for road
The performance provided great publicity, and the invoice for the work famously said “no charge because of excellent showing in the race”. It went on to say “only applicable to Armstrong Siddeley, not Cooper Climaxes” – Ian’s other cars.
Over 41 years Armstrong Siddeley produced distinctive vehicles ranging from utilities to limousines.
Sixty two years after the last car was built these rare, sometimes sporty, sometimes regal classics continue to turn heads, as they undoubtedly will in Ashburton at Labour Weekend.
Ford yesterday revealed the first race-prepared seventh-generation Mustang, with the 2023 Mustang GT Gen3 Supercar uncovered at Mount Panorama ahead of the famous Bathurst 1000.
Ford’s challenger for the 2023 Australian Supercars Championship was shown in pit lane in a global first appearance of the seventh-generation Mustang in racing guise.
The road-going variants of the seventh-generation Mustang were revealed in Detroit last month, with computer-generated images of the race cars shown at the same time.
“It is fantastic to be able to show, for the very first time globally, the seventh-generation Mustang in racing form,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports.
“The reveal of the Mustang Supercar is the first of many, with Mustang to race in GT3, GT4, NASCAR and NHRA competition globally.
“Mustang has been an iconic brand on and off the track for 58 years and its legend will continue around the world.
“We always say Mustang was born
that is more
today than ever.
The Mustang GT Supercar is ready to race in 2023.”
“We always say Mustang was born to race, and that is more true today than ever.
“The Mustang GT Supercar is ready to race in 2023.”
The Mustang Supercar has been built by Ford’s homologation team Dick Johnson Racing, in conjunction with Ford Performance, in preparation for the 2023 season when a new era of Supercars racing begins.
The 2022 running of the Great Race will bear witness to a number of significant events both on and off the track, with celebrations of the much loved Holden Lion taking centre stage at Bathurst during the week leading up to race day.
“Bathurst is one of the most iconic races in the world and we want to appropriately recognise this historic end of an era for Holden in racing,” said Chris Payne, general manager
Racing.
will be very emotional for a great many Holden fans, including ex-Holden &
race team employees and ex-dealer staff, the final time a Holden races in a Supercars event at Bathurst.
“It would be an outstanding way to farewell Holden from the mountain if one of the Commodore drivers can add to the brand’s 35 race wins at the circuit.”
There will also be a number of special moments which focus on the 50th anniversary of Peter Brock’s first Bathurst victory in 1972.
This weekend’s Repco Bathurst 1000 will be the 29th start for Craig Lowndes, in a wildcard Commodore, with co-driver Declan Fraser a rookie.
Four-time Bathurst champion Greg Murphy admits he is feeling more anxious about this year’s Bathurst 1000 than any of his previous 23 attempts around Mount Panorama, as the long-retired driver returns to the track for the first time in eight years.
The 50-year-old legend will pair fellow New Zealander Richie Stanaway (who retired in 2019) in a wildcard entry backed by Boost Mobile, a comeback bid that was first planned for 2021 but delayed due to Covid-19.
Murphy retired from full-time driving in 2012, and has not raced in Supercars since 2014, when he featured as a co-driver.
And he admits there’s plenty of nerves over the prospect of taking on the mountain again. Asked if he felt the same nerves as his previous battles at Bathurst, he said: “Yeah but just heightened in a big way. When you’re not spending that time driving a car as often as we used to it doesn’t come so easily.
“There’s definitely a fair bit more anxiousness at the moment than what I had.”
you either love it or you hate it. Whatever your opinion on snow might be, you can’t deny that the anticipation that comes before snowfall is exciting.
As soon as the news breaks that snow may be coming, we start to fantasise regardless of whether it’s only going to be a few snowflakes or a full-blown polar blast.
We begin to imagine how much snow might come, what to do in order to prepare, and so on. Suddenly every cloud in the sky looks suspicious, like each one could be carrying a bellyful of snow which could fall at any minute.
Of course there are usually some things to worry about: road closures, power outages, welfare of animals, etcetera. However, regardless of these problems it’s still a bit exciting when the first flakes of white stuff start to fall and settle.
The recent cold blast and unseasonable flurry of snow that fell across our District was mild compared to some of the more severe weather events from the past.
One such event occurred in July 1945, when we were subjected to “one of the severest falls of snow ever experienced in the Ashburton Borough and Coun-
ty” according to the Ashburton Guardian. The snow was up to 16 inches deep in open spaces in the domain, in an event which was considered the climax of one of the wettest half-years in the history of the Hakatere Ashburton District.
On the morning of July 14, 1945, Ashburton awoke to a “white world” which had been generously covered by a foot of snow. Householders across Ashburton quickly got to work with spades and shovels, with the goal of clearing paths through the snowy streets.
The Borough Council put their road grader to work clearing tracks for motor vehicles in the main streets, while the first workers to leave their homes in residential areas were trail-breakers for those who followed.
The Guardian described the scenes around town as follows: “Tramping morosely to work in a white world, with cold or wet feet, many were cheered by the spectacle of milkmen valiantly struggling to complete their rounds. Some had fallen back on horse-drawn transport – others were using trucks but they were finding the going hard, it being necessary to resort frequently to spade work.”
“After struggling to the business area many workers found their business premises still
closed. Waiting for ‘the man with the key,’ many indulged in friendly snowballing. Chances of walking along practically any street in the Borough without being the target for a snowball were very slim.”
Trucks and cars gradually took to the roads, and plenty of people who would have usually cycled or walked through town were obliged by the conditions to hitch-hike. Motorists had to be cautious, “and even those with chains on their wheels more than once found themselves in trouble”. It was reported that motorists who were travelling at 2am that day found that “windscreen wipers were useless and it was necessary to drive with one’s head out the window or to use the hand throttle and stand on the running-board”.
The 1945 snowstorm brought the heaviest fall in the District in 40 years. The electricity and water supplies for Ashburton were both knocked out, which spelled trouble for businesses, households, and the Ashburton Public Hospital. The “good old coal range” became a favourite in many families while the power was out, and residents with no near neighbours with coal ranges were reduced to cooking over open fires.
The electric pumps which supplied the Ashburton Borough with water could not be used,
although there were efforts made to try and run them with a traction engine. Many people melted snow to obtain water, although they of course found that it takes a lot of snow to produce a little water.
According to the Guardian, “The state of telephone lines in the borough can only be described as chaotic – they are down in every direction and poles – particularly those on corners, which bear a double strain – have been pulled almost over by the weight of snow on the wires. Motor-vehicles abroad early have tangled the dangling wires and dragged many of them considerable distances along the streets, creating a confusion of wreckage that will give faultmen a long, heart-breaking task to unravel.”
Power lines were not damaged as severely as telephone lines across the district, but regardless, all power went off at about 2.30am and “many people were roused by what they thought was lightning”. The true extent of damage to the power grid was initially unknown, with damage to the main supply lines between Ashburton and Timaru being the main concern.
The Ashburton Public Hospital faced various challenges due to the lack of electricity and water. Before noon, the hospital was isolated in terms of telephone
communication, but one phone line was thankfully restored.
The Guardian described the “drastic conditions” as follows: “Equipment from the Emergency Precautions Scheme supplies proved very valuable in relieving the inconvenience. Gas coppers were used in place of electric cookers. Although the supply of gas was weak, it was sufficient to cook scratch meals. Candles and kerosene lamps, also from the E.P.S. supplies, were used when the electricity failed. The electric clocks in the hospital stopped at 1.45”.
Only limited sterilising could be done in the hospital, but thankfully an ample supply of sterile water for surgical dressings was available. The steam heating system had failed, so fireplaces were lit in the wards.
That night, electricity was thankfully restored to the Ashburton Borough, but the damage caused across the whole District meant that country areas were still isolated.
Two days later on Monday, July 16 it was reported that snow was piled up to 2 feet 3 inches deep at Methven, Staveley and Alford Forest. Infrastructure repairs across the District were described by the Guardian as a “Herculean task”.
Over the next few days, things slowly returned to normal across town and country areas as people cleared snow and assessed the damage.
The cold, hard truth is a little clichéd, but Mid Canterbury’s fate is most certainly in their own hands today in Heartland Rugby.
A trip away to the fortress of the lower North Island, otherwise known as Cooks Garden in Whanganui, is a daunting prospect for any provincial rugby side – but today’s clash against Whanganui comes with a few more caveats that are sure to have the heart beating that little bit faster than usual.
There’s not a whole lot of point in beating around the bush here either; today’s a case for Mid Canterbury of win, or by tonight there might not be a tomorrow.
Such is the nature of the logjam through the middle of the standings in this year’s competition that despite their relative closeness to those ahead of them, defeat without any reward could bury the Hammers’ season.
And coach John Sherratt doesn’t want to see that happen.
“This is a side who, in my eyes, deserve to play in a semi-final next week,” he said.
“I’ve said from the beginning I thought they were good enough to make the Meads Cup semi-finals, but I think they’ve shown through the campaign that they are capable of footing it with anyone on their day, and they deserve the chance to play for some silverware.”
A brave performance against South Canterbury last week, where they went blowfor-blow with the competition heavyweights for nearly 60 minutes, underlined the potential from within the Mid Canterbury camp.
But for a few loose passes or a last ball that didn’t quite go to hand or bounce the right way – they could have easily been up by 15-20 points at halftime last week – which would have shocked the competition to its core.
“I was very proud of them last week, especially in the first half, we really took it to them and put them on the back foot at times.
“It just slipped away from us at the important moments. Our discipline let us down and we were made to pay for that, which against a side like South Canterbury you just can’t let happen.”
But South Canterbury was last week, and while some learnings will have come from that match, today is a different beast altogether.
There’s a fierce rivalry between the Whanganui and Mid Canterbury that stretches back to the inception of the Heartland Championship, one which has created some wonderful games of rugby in which both sides have shared the spoils.
Whanganui are safely through to the Meads Cup finals, but won’t take their foot off the gas just because that mission is accomplished.
“We don’t need to go over it too much with the guys, they know what’s waiting for them and just how tough it’s going to be up there.
“Our role this week has been more preparing them as well as we can for the battle ahead, but also making them aware that every little bit could end up counting this week, be it a bonus point for four tries, or even getting within seven if winning the game is out of reach.”
There’s been a number of changes for this week’s clash. Some were expected; others may come more as a bolt from the blue.
Kaydis Hona and Logan Bonningtonboth return to the starting line-up in the forward pack which adds some serious stability to the Hammers up front.
With the loss of Nasi Manu to injury again, the onus will fall on the big ball carriers Lote Limadeni, Manasa Samo and Michael Hennings to create the go-forward opportunities from which the backline can launch.
“I think there’s a really big opportunity for those boys this week, they’ve really led the way with the ball in hand and we’ll need them to do that again to put us into the right positions to execute from.”
Out in the backs, Tom Reekie slots back into the No.10 jersey with Nathan McCloy pushing back to fullback.
With Cooks Garden under sufferance from water over the past few months the ground is a little boggy, and with another kicking option out on the field alongside Tyler Blackburn at halfback, there’s scope for some game control there for Mid Canterbury.
“I think it will work well.
“Nathan has been running the cutter very well – but with him at fullback and Tom at first-five it just gives us a few more options out there.”
Michael Molloy comes back into the midfield. with Waitangi Tuisuga pushing out a spot to the wing replacing the powerful Raitube Vasurakuta who has been relegated to the bench – a move which some might find surprising.
“Raitube and I had a good discussion this week about where he’s at right now, and we agreed that he probably hasn’t been at his best for a few weeks and the hope is that he’ll come off the bench and give us some real x-factor when we need it.
“He’s a great player and capable of doing some really exciting things.”
Should Mid Canterbury rock the boat and beat Whanganui today there’s every
chance they could finish as top qualifier for the Lochore Cup final, meaning a home semi-final next week.
That would require North Otago to beat King Country and South Canterbury to beat East Coast.
Defeat however would leave a nervous wait for results from Buller, who sit one spot below them, and Wairarapa Bush and also Horowhenua Kapiti’s match against Thames Valley.
Today’s match gets underway at 2.30pm and again will be covered live by Sky Sport, meaning Mid Canterbury fans can tune in and cheer the team on.
1. Hunter Stewart, 2. Ben Bartlett, 3. Adam Williamson, 4. Logan Bonnington, 5. Lote Limadeni, 6. Manasa Samo, 7. Kaydis Hona, 8. Michael Hennings, 9. Tyler Blackburn, 10. Tom Reekie, 11. Waitangi Tuisuga, 12. Isireli Masiwini, 13. Michael Molloy, 14. John Vasurakuta, 15. Nathan McCloy.
Reserves: Max Stapleton, Harry Burgess, Ben Crawford, Henry McManus, Shepherd Mhembere, Angus MacKenzie, George Hufanga, Raitube Vasurakuta.
over the coming weeks with everything coming at once, and there’s a real buzz around the Braided Rivers Community Trust Tennis Centre ahead of the sum mer months on the courts.
“It’s rolled around pretty quick ly.
Growth across the board in inter club tennis locally has those be hind Mid Canterbury Tennis ab solutely fizzing ahead of today’s opening week of open grade in terclub for the new season.
After a stagnant few months, the sport kicks right into gear
Team Wilson: Jason Feutz, Riley Breen, Isabella van Dooren, Phil Crozier, Leon Liu, Sam Kingsbury.
Team Prince: Jake Parsons, Pete Kirwan, Mike Kerr, Grant Breach, Jonty Porter, Logan Williams.
Team Head: Tyler Leonard, Lee Gilbert, Jayden Cromie, Mike Bell, Neil Molina, Angela Ciora.
Team Yonex: Rhys Cromie, Josh Gilbert, Holly-Jayne Feutz, Jason Pickard, Caleb Kelly.
Team Babolat: Ryan Watt, Pete Leonard, Lachlan Adam, Ashton Cromie, Sam Trott, Jacob Pye.
“We’ve gone from seeing peo ple keeping up their play during the winter months to hooking right into this week, it’s always exciting to get to this point,” Mid Canterbury Tennis centre man ager, Jack Tiller said.
Up one from last year, five teams will contest this season’s open grade competition. But it’s not the only grade to see an in crease, with numbers on the rise across both the A Reserve and Junior grades as well – a real nod to the hard work put in by the Mid Canterbury Tennis team over recent years.
“We are stoked to see more numbers coming in for the in terclub competitions, it’s real proof that you must be doing something right, but we won’t stop pushing for more – that’s for sure.”
With people’s free time limited these days and the prospect of playing every weekend, a bye in the open grade competition this season will be welcome relief for a lot of players, while there’s also a Friday night round scheduled during the season to further free up a weekend for everyone.
“We’ve pinched that idea from Canterbury Tennis.
“It really seems to work, and I
think it will down here as well.
“It just gives people the rest of the weekend to relax and do what they want with their time.
“That particular weekend that we are holding a Friday night round actually coincides with the weekend that Canterbury Tennis are bringing the Premier compe tition down here for the day, so people will be able to enjoy that.”
There’s no Mid Canterburybased Premier side in this year’s
Division One competition, but Tiller and fellow local player Cameron McCracken will both step out for the Elmwood divi sion one team for the season.
Teams have been entered in lower grade competitions with Canterbury Tennis though, al lowing the experience of playing against other clubs and teams for local players throughout the sea son.
Those competitions begin next
weekend alongside both Junior and A Reserve Interclub here in Ashburton and then it’s right into the thick of it with the Ashburton Junior Open – a tier 3 tournament – on Labour Weekend at the ten nis centre.
The Tucker Rosebowl also kicks off this month, with the country teams having their opening day on October 30, and the normal Saturday afternoon competition beginning a week later.
“I’d love to go up another step and if not, two.
“So that’s the main focus, I’d love to win.
“Kona isn’t about being really fast on one discipline, it’s about being consistent across all.
Braden Currie has unfinished business, and he’s hoping to get it done in the Ha waii heat tomorrow morning.
The Methven born-and-raised inter national multisport star will take his place on the start line in Kona, Hawaii tomorrow morning as he hunts down the opportunity to become the first New Zealand male to win on the big gest ironman stage in the world.
It’s his fourth appear ance in the race at Kona, having finished 31st, fifth and seventh in his three previous attempts, but this year there’s mur murings around the multisport world of a big showing from the Kiwi.
He was a meritorious third in the catchup Ironman World Champs in St George, Utah earlier this year – highlighting his form – but Currie’s goal for the last few years has always been Kona, and con quering the beast that is known as The Big Island.
“It is always a love-hate relationship, I think,” Currie said of his current location earlier this week.
“You hate the heat when you’re there, it adds to the suffering, it increases the suf fering so much more.”
Currie feels he’s ready to tackle the chal lenge of the course this year though.
“Hopes are high, focus is high.
“You have to keep yourself in the race, the field is too strong and competitive to fall back 4-5 minutes on the swim for ex ample.
“So my focus has been not to have a weakness, but if I do fall back slightly, I know I can lean on my running. It’s about having the tools in the tool bag to give it every shot I can.”
Currie turned heads in St George when he broke away for a healthy lead on the run, but was run down into third in the final stages of the race.
That performance alone though, secured him a lot more respect out on the course and he’s being men tioned as one of the podium contenders for this weekend off the back of that per formance.
The legendary Kona course takes its athletes through the barren lava fields of the Island of Hawaii with intense temper atures both in and out of the water as well as strong winds battering competitors on the bike.
The race starts with a 3.86km swim in water temperatures close to 30 degrees Celsius before a 180km bike ride around the island.
The final leg is a 42.2km run back to the finish line.
Tomorrow’s race gets under way at 5.25am New Zealand time.
The Mid Canterbury Softball Association begins its summer season today at Argyle Park when the annual Senior Mixed competition gets under way for the first round. Four teams will step out onto the diamond each week in the competition this year with plenty to play for over the course of the season. Play begins at 1pm each Saturday for the first game and then 3pm for the second fixture of the afternoon. In the coming weeks, age group softball will also join in the fun making Argyle Park a hive of activity throughout the summer.
It’s a big weekend for the sport with Hampstead Slow Pitch’s annual season also kicking off last night at the Hampstead All Sports Club. Eight teams are competing in that competition each week.
Today’s matches at Argyle Park see Demons Rebels taking on Fairfield in the first game of the day before an all-Hampstead affair late in the afternoon between Hampstead Heat and Hampstead Phoenix.
PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIANMonday October 3, Duplicate: N/S 1st Bruce & Heather Sim, 2nd Ra chel Holdaway & Martin Hickman, 3rd Mervyn Jones & Bruce Leighton. E/W 1st Amanda Evans & Bronwyn Oakley, 2nd Joyce Johnson & Ray Stevenson, 3rd George Brown & Bev Blair.
Tuesday Evening October 4, Duplicate: N/S 1st Mary Buckland & John McDonald, 2nd Kay Robb & Rosemary McLaughlin, 3rd Heather Sim & Mike Holdaway. E/W 1st Wendy & Eric Parr, 2nd Kate White & Trish Downward, 3rd Leigh Wackrow & Pat Jordan.
Wednesday October 5, 2 rds diff ptr: N/S 1st Judith Edmond & Maree Moore, 2nd Mary Buckland & Trish Downward, 3rd Beth McIlraith & Val Palmer. E/W 1st Margaret & John Shearer, 2nd Johnny Wright & Caryl Marshall, 3rd Eric Parr & Kay Robb.
Thursday Evening – October 6, Duplicate: N/S 1st Trish Downward & Kate White, 2nd Rosemary McLaughlin & Rewa Kyle, 3rd Mary Buck land & Trish Small. E/W 1st Maree Moore & Maryke Blignault, 2nd Bev Blair & Pauline Scott, 3rd Eric Parr & Heather Sim.
Ladies Golf – Tuesday, October 5 – Fun Teams, Yellow Ball. 1st Sue’s Team 92 points, 2nd Helen’s Team 76 points, 3rd Judys Webb 73 points. 2nd shot: Val Fleming no 2: Judy Webb, Sims Bakery no 11: Christine Ross. N/P: Ross Brothers no 5: Jan Clucas, Memory Funerals no 14: Lal Mulligan. Player of the Day: Lucy Tait Nett 62.
Wednesday October 6 – Stablefords. Men: Robert Schikker 54-17-37 17 c/b John Milne 57-20-37 17. Ladies Tessa Gallagher 57-20-37 18. Greg Sim Builders No 2: John Milne Mayfield Transport No 5: Eddie Graham.
Results from week 3 of the Celtic Squash Club’s spring league: Team EuroAgri lost to Team Alps Continuous Spouting 7-9: Wouter Myburgh beat Paul Cousins 1-0, James McCloy lost to Phil Andrew 2-3, Heather Bowker beat Ian Dolden 3-0, JoAlta Myburgh lost to An dre De Beer 0-3, Chantee McCloy lost to John Hamilton 1-3.
Team Robbies Speedy Exhaust lost to Team McCrea Paint & Decora tors 7-10: Andy Bryant beat Simon Kennedy 2-1, Rob Giles beat Kirsty Clay 3-0, Amy Muckle lost to Allain Smith 1-3, Sarah Forbes lost to Neil Thompson 0-3, Ollie Smith lost to Neil Thakar 1-3.
Team Kirsty Clay Property Brokers beat Team RMF Silva 11-6: Ben Kru ger beat Kyle Hurren 3-1, Craig Donaldson lost to Kade Cummings 0-3, Kirsty Clay beat Matt Cassineri 3-1, Lucas Raphold beat Nicky Dryland 2-1, Harry Trott beat Nicole Herbison 3-0.
Team J&N Hedgecutting beat Team Pat Summerfield Electrical 10-6: Chris O’Reilly lost to Chris Thompson 1-2, Paul Cartney lost to Shane Muckle 1-2, Emily Proffit beat Patrick Sandrey 3-0, Alex Forbes beat Craig Henshilwood 3-0, Jacinda Ryan drew with Ashley Ritchie 2-2.
Team McKain Quality Construction beat Team Mastercraft Kitchens 8-5: John McDonnell beat Billy Nolan 2-0, Nick McKain beat Barry De Sitter 2-1, Hayden Robinson beat Harry Oldham 3-0, Chrissy Stratford drew with Rebecca Hurley 1-1, Maddie Read lost to Jane Kingan 0-3.
The Mid Canterbury Under 16 representative rugby side showed this week that determination and passion can get you plenty of places with a strong showing at the South Island Under 16 tour nament here in Ashburton.
Up against the might of some of the biggest unions in the coun try, let alone the South Island, the Mid Canterbury side claimed fifth place overall, a strong per formance over three days of play that culminated with a big win against Otago Metro in the plate final on Thursday.
Mid Canterbury started their week with a loss to Nelson on Tuesday, but while beaten, the young green and golds showed plenty of promise in their per formance. They produced a 15all draw on Wednesday against Marlborough, which was enough to see them sneak into the plate final on Thursday morning.
Otago Metro had thumped Ellesmere in their plate semi-fi nal and went into the match looking confident of being able to get the job done on the Show grounds Oval.
Mid Canterbury had different ideas though.
From the outset, they looked the better team and with a loud
and vocal stand of supporters cheering on their every move they threw all they had at their ri vals in the first 35-minute half of the game.
The two sides couldn’t be split for the first 30 minutes of the match, but a wide ball to fullback Makaia Allen, who has speed to burn, saw him dot down to break the deadlock.
Hot on attack four minutes lat
er, Mid Canterbury were in again through Allen, who this time latched on to a deft kick over the defensive line from first-five Son ny McMillan to score, and all of a sudden Mid Canterbury were up by 10 heading into the break.
The green and golds came out firing in the second half, and went
about trying to really take the game away from the Otago side, and when McMillan spied a gap and crossed over it was 15-0, and the visitors looked shell-shocked.
They recovered to score a try of their own five minutes later, but when Taniela Palavi got space in side the Otago 22 he wasn’t going
to be stopped and dashed away to score and seal the game for the side.
The tournament closed on Thursday afternoon with the Cup Final between Canterbury Metro Red and Southland, and it was the Canterbury side who had a little too much class winning 31-12.
What happens inside the first few hundred metres of tomorrow’s Methven Cup might just about be as important as the final few hundred metres of the Group Three grass track feature.
Big races are often both won and lost at the start, and there will be more than a few cau tious eyes scanning among the field when the barrier releases looking to see that their charg es have stepped the mark cleanly.
But probably few more than the owners of local hope, and defending Methven Cup cham pion, Cranbourne.
The big pacer blew his chips at the start of last week’s Canterbury Classic and took no part, but driver Matty Williamson was quick to point out it wasn’t entirely the son of Sir Lincoln’s fault, and that conditions this week should play a little more into their hands.
“He got squeezed right up just before they said go and it was only as they went that he got a bit of room,” Williamson said.
“But that said, he did pace away for the first few strides so he probably should have stayed down.
“This week looks a bit better though, there’s a lot more room there and hopefully we can get it right and get the chance to put him in the race.”
At the elite level when you’re taking on the best of the best, adding handicaps to a task makes the tough near impossible but William son knows that if the real Cranbourne steps up tomorrow, he’s in with a shot in the $30,000 event.
“I think he showed last campaign that he’s measuring up to the good ones, the grass should really suit him, and I think he’ll be a huge chance if he does everything right.”
Waiting to repel the challenge of Cranbourne tomorrow will be serious heavyweights Self Assured, Spankem, Alta Wiseguy, South Coast Arden and Kango, just to name a few as the Methven Cup draws arguably its best field in over a decade.
With competition heating up for spots in the New Zealand Trotting Cup in November, there’s a lot to be both won and lost from the grass track feature, and plenty of dissection will be required in the aftermath of the race.
The last time Jason Laking answered a North Island call-up from Te Akau, he repaid the powerful racing opera tion’s faith by claiming a Group One victory.
The Ashburton-based jockey will be hoping for a similar outcome today at Matamata, where he has jumped at the opportunity to guide the fortunes of five representatives of Mark Walker’s stable.
“Te Akau’s got a fair few in and they were running out of jockeys, so they needed me up there,” he said.
His rides include Prise De Fer in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate with the seven-year-old chasing a break through success, having previously placed four times at the elite level.
Laking will also be aboard Acciden tal Tourist in the Hawke’s Bay Guin eas, the other feature rescheduled to Matamata from last weekend’s aban doned Hastings fixture.
He knows Prise De Fer well, having partnered Savabeel’s son to victory in the Gr.3 Canterbury Gold Cup in the autumn, while he will be having his first ride on Telperion three-year-old Accidental Tourist.
Laking will also combine with Es pionage in the Mitre 10 Matamata Maiden, Hero Worship in the Fair view Motors Matamata Handicap
He has forged a successful alli ance with Te Akau, highlighted by his success last season aboard Belle En Rouge in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks at Trentham.
That winning trend continued as recently as last Saturday at Riccarton, where the 39-year-old guided Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas contend er Cognito to win the Inglewood Stud Guineas Trial.
Laking has also taken his associa tion off the track to another level with Te Akau, who have a big team of hors es based in the South Island with a fo cus on New Zealand Cup week.
The 39-year-old has taken time out from his regular employment with Ashburton’s Midlands Seed to help run the stable and ride trackwork.
“I’m on a sabbatical at the moment because I’m doing a fair bit for Te Akau down here,” Laking said.
“I’m working full-time for them while they have a team down here.
“They are based at Riccarton and the days I work in the afternoons I stay out at Mark Jones’ place, the har ness trainer, so I don’t have to travel back at 5pm at night.
“It’s a bit of a halfway house and it’s not working out too badly.”
Resolve, Majestic Rollon, It’s So Easy, Dream
Jeannie Race
Acento, Bo Duke, Classie Linc, Olive Cook
No Time Like Now (R10) VALUE: Accento (R12)
1. In 2018, Mid Canterbury made it into the Lochore Cup semis, despite a loss to King Country. Who scored a hat-trick in that match?
a) Dan Fransen
b) Brian Matoramusha c) Tom Blyth
2. Methven FC hosted a pre-season football tournament in 2019; who won it?
a) FC Twenty 11 b) Methven FC c) Geraldine Red
3. Wayne Barnes, a referee well known to NZ rugby fans, is about to whistle his 100th test, equalling whose record?
a) Nigel Owens
b) Paddy O’Brien
c) Jonathan Kaplan
4. It’s Bathurst this weekend. Holden has won 34, Ford has won 21. How many has Nissan won?
a) None
b) One c) Two
5. Who smashed a six in the Super Over to get the White Ferns over the line against the Windies this week?
a) Melie Kerr
b) Sophie Devine c) Susie Bates
6. The Kiwis take on Leeds in a World Cup warm-up match, who is captain?
a) Thomas Leuluai
b) Dallin Watene-Zelezniak c) KIeran Foran
7. Steven Adams has signed a new two-year deal with the Grizzlies. For how much?
a) $12.5 million
b) $16 million
$45 million
8. Siblings Mitchell and Kendall Brown competed at the 2006 Winter Olympics in what sport?
a) Downhill skiing b) Curling c) Snow-boarding
Snow-boarding.
Answers:1.b)BrianMatoramusha,2.b)MethvenFC,3.a) NigelOwens,4.c)Two,5.b) SophieDevine,6.a)ThomasLeuluia,7.c)$45m,8.c)
ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): If anything close to perfection can be achieved, it will only be without the ego. But without the ego, perfection doesn’t matter in the least because being fully present to the process is all that matters.
TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Making a wrong choice doesn’t mean you owe yourself admonishment. This is all a learning process. Now you know the right move, and soon you’ll do it so many times it will come automatically to you.
GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): You know what you want, and you ask for it in a way that makes it easy for people to say yes to you. Just make sure they are really qualified to follow through and you’re golden!
CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): You’re courageous and adventurous. Even when something is completely unfamiliar to you, you are still able to open your mind and heart to it. You’ll thrive creatively because of this.
LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): The mystic Osho said that all artistic activity is on the way toward becoming religious. Start a practice of creativity today, and it will lead you to a sacred place in your own soul.
VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): Add people to your world. The more reciprocal and uplifting relationships you have, the better balanced your perspective will be – and, it follows, your mood.
LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): No role can represent the entirety of your being. A role is something you do, not someone you are. An expansive spirit inspires you to handle things without defining yourself in the process.
SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): You have built much in your life, but the current relationship will not be created through building. It will come together through allowing, granting and gaining access to another person.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): People will say just what you wanted them to. Is it as satisfying to hear as you thought it would be? Does it accomplish your original goal? Decide what to do next with your growing influence.
CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): The stressful situation will pass; the problem will be solved; the transition process will be successfully completed. When they ask why you’re so confident, ultimately, you will credit this experience.
AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): The scene may meet your standard on paper, but that doesn’t mean it really fits. Try things for a while, and then decide. Take your time because this decision will alter the course.
PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): Avoid twisting yourself up into a knot to prove how flexible and willing to please you are. Instead, walk tall and follow your own rules. Just for today, it’s better to err on the side of rigidity.
Looking for an exciting opportunity or change in direction?
Then this position is a fantastic opportunity to what could be the start to a long career within the fast-paced grocery industry. As a result of an internal promotion the above position has become available within our store. We are looking for a computer savvy, motivated, positive team player who would enjoy the challenges of supermarket retailing. While offering analytical support by way of maximising our SAP reporting/operational systems, this role not only provides you exposure across all departments within the store, you also get the opportunity to own, maximise and drive the General Merchandise department in alignment with the store strategy.
Key responsibilities of this position include:
• Ensuring that all department Managers are maximising the potential of SAP, in particular financial reporting and KPI’s associated and set down by the store owner.
• Maintaining and overseeing the replenishment and management of our General Merchandise department.
• Ensuring that all SAP daily disciplines are completed to the agreed standard
• Providing analytical support across the business by way of maximising SAP reporting.
• Identifying and driving opportunities within the General Merchandise department.
Key competencies required for this position are:
• Delivering a superior customer experience.
• Making sound decisions based upon a mixture of experience and judgment and giving strong consideration to information received.
• A high level of analytical and problem solving abilities.
• Being an excellent communicator who develops relationships and fosters teamwork.
• Having the ability to influence others through positive team engagement.
• Having an engaging and positive manner.
We offer great working conditions, a supportive management structure, personal and professional development opportunities, Funeral Cover (after 12 months employment) and an attractive hourly rate. A weekend shift will be required for this position. Days and hours of work will be discussed during the interview process but may be tailored to suit individual situations.
If this sounds like you then please apply now via our recruitment email: vacancies.ashburton@newworld-si.co.nz or pop into our store to have a chat.
Applicants must have the legal right to work in New Zealand to be considered.
Closing
• Permanent Part-Time | 20 hours per week
• Flexible working options
• Growth & Development opportunities
Providing a high level of admin support to Area Committees in the Mid-Canterbury district, this role will see you primarily responsible for recording and processing all mail and invoices, preparing and monitoring accounts, and co-ordinating and preparing documentation (including taking minutes) for committee huis, along with other general administrative tasks.
Flexibility to work outside of normal business hours occasionally is required.
We’re looking for:
• previous administration and basic accounting experience
• a proven ability to establish, build and maintain relationships
• outstanding organisation skills and attention to detail
• strong skills in MS Office
• superlative communication and interpersonal skills
• exceptional customer service skills, and a genuine desire to help others
To learn more and apply visit join.stjohn.org.nz and enter job code: 56632
Applications close: Friday 14 October
We are looking for a Full-time Head Housekeeper (30+) hours and a Part-time Housekeeper.
Are you energetic, reliable, cheerful and have an eye for detail?
Come join us at Clearbrook Motels in beautiful Wanaka.
This position if interested will include some reception work.
Hours will include one weekend shift and you need to be available to work holidays.
Experience is not essential as full training will be given.
Great hourly rate for the successful person.
If this sounds like you please email your CV & details to: info@clearbrook.co.nz
• Leadership Role in a Ag Sector Co-op
• Flexible part time position
• Christchurch or Ashburton
We are looking for an experienced financial professional with a great attitude to work with us in this newly created role. This could be an important career step for you to your first CFO role or you could be looking to step back and enjoy life more.
MHV Water Limited (MHV) is a water delivery and environmental management company supporting 58,000 hectares of farms in the Mayfield, Hinds, Valetta and Ruapuna areas of Mid Canterbury. Whilst the operational team is based in Mid Canterbury there is the ability to enjoy flexible work locations ie working remotely for the majority of time from Christchurch or wider Canterbury. This 20 hour per week role will be hands on and provide diverse opportunities aligned with our vision to deliver solutions that are both environmentally and economically sustainable and continue to embrace our innovative heritage.
You will be responsible for planning, implementing, managing and controlling all finance related activities of the Company. You will be working with the wider Management Team and Board to ensure that the Company has the appropriate financial strategies and controls to enable it to sustainably meet its business objectives.
This is a new position and as such, roles and responsibilities may evolve over time as the accounting function is moved in-house and as operational efficiencies are identified. A competitive remuneration package is available for the successful candidate, so if you are a team player with initiative and are looking for a newly created role to make your own please apply now at mhvwater.chillifactor.co.nz/ jobs/. Applications close 21 October 2022.
Vetlife is a large veterinary practice with 23 branches throughout the South Island, providing our customers with a friendly high-quality service. Vetlife Ashburton is a large busy clinic, offering a full range of companion and production animal services. The team of vets and nurses are frequently involved in a variety of surgeries, and they are looking for a motivated nurse to join their team who enjoys a fast pace and can operate confidently within a professional environment.
The ideal candidate will have certificate or diploma level nursing qualifications or be finishing their qualifications this year, and the hands-on experience to deliver high quality nursing care.
About the role:
• Surgical nursing, hospital prep/care, anaesthetics, animal handling, clean up duties
• Vet nurse consults
• Wellness programmes
• Some rostered Saturdays
Skills/Experience/Attributes:
• Vet nurse qualification and experience as a vet nurse
• Organised, energetic and methodical
• Confidence to communicate effectively with our valued client base
• Eagerness to learn and ability to adapt to changing priorities calmly and efficiently
• Friendly personality and enjoy being part of a team
Benefits:
• Opportunities for ongoing career development through Vetlife training platform, workshops and development
• Varied work within a supportive team
Power
•
Ashburton are looking for
7205
027
ART Exhibition Commences Sunday Sept 18 – Oct 9th, 11am-4pm, Ashburton Society of Arts Spring Show 53 Short Street Studio. Guest – Ruth Killoran and 17 Members Exhibiting a great variety of work, Open weekends and when signs are out. Enquiries to Ngaio 03 3084533.
NEW Asian – Sweetie, Beautiful, Busty, 40DD, Friendly. Good Service and Good Massage. Phone 0210372083.
GARAGE Sale – 38 Chertsey Road, 10am – 1pm, Today and Next 3 Saturdays. Moving Sale everything must go. Come and have a look.
GENERAL hire. Lawnmowers, chainsaws, concrete breakers, trailers, and more. All your DIY / party hire, call and see Ashburton U-Hire. 588 East Street. Open Monday-Friday 7.00am – 5.30pm; Saturday 7.30am - 5pm; Sunday 8.30am12.30pm - Phone 308 8061. www.ashburtonuhire.co.nz
WHEEL alignments at great prices. Maximise the life of your tyres with an alignment from Neumanns Tyre Services Ltd, 197 Wills Street. Phone 308 6737.
FIRE Extinguisher sales and servicing. On farm contractors – trucks/ tractors/balers/combines/ cars/boats/caravans etc. Phone Mack at Doors and More on 0273960361.
In this full-time
you will be responsible for maintaining and improving assigned asset management systems, databases, programmes and processes. You’ll need to be an experienced and proficient computer user, particularly of MS Excel, with expertise gained from previous experience working with industry specific software applications.
To find out more about this vacancy and what the Ashburton District Council has to offer you - go to our website.
LOCKSMITH/Door repairs. Keys/Locks, sliding and bifold door roller repairs. Mobile service. Call Nigel at Doors and More. Ph 027 516 7104
MR Green (Lawn and Garden Services) for all your Ride on and Rotary mowing, spraying, fertilising, garden and section tidy ups - Call Pat Prendergast 0274445314
GENUINE private cash buyer, wanting Falcons, Holdens, Valiants or any pre 1990 vehicles suitable for preservation. Phone 021 02914847 or 03 615 7930
•
Part time, Fixed-term for
The role requires
•
who:
able to work with low level
and neurodiverse students.
• Has an understanding of differentiation between curriculum levels to support the teacher with their lesson plan.
the confidence to enforce school policy and class expectations.
Patience and understanding are essential to this role as it involves working with a team to provide student support that enhances student learning and wellbeing. Other desirable qualities are being responsive to needs, ability to build relationships and be able to use their initiative.
The successful applicant will have to undergo the police vetting procedure. Experience working in a secondary school would be an advantage.
Interested candidates should send their CV and application form to college@mthutt.school.nz.
Teaching position available for a Year 2 Class, as from 28 January 2023. Experienced classroom teacher required.
● Teach, plan, assess and report for a Year 2 class.
● Collaborate with other Y2 classes and Junior Syndicate
● Use Google Docs for shared planning / administration.
● Use of Hero SMS for student assessment.
● Explicitly teach behavioural expectations for learning as part of our PB4L programme through our Allenton School Ace model.
● Teach, assess and report on the 6 Global Competencies of NPDL (New Pedagogies of Deeper Learning)
● Be involved in coaching to provide collegial critique and on-going use of data to continually improve our practise.
● Undertake on-going professional development. Further information can be found at www.allenton.school.nz or in the Education Gazette. Please note that applications close at 3pm on Friday 21st October 2022.
We look forward to welcoming you to our school – it’s an exciting and vibrant place to work!
Applications
Please email
application form, including details of 3
to: Bruce Tilby, Principal 110 Harrison St, Allenton, Ashburton principal@allenton.school.nz
Saturday
at
in
km/h in the
in the
in
gale
but gale
km/h.
Rising above 3000m.
in
CAMPBELL, Ian James –
Passed away
Always
Remembered
ago
love
, to speak with a health professional who will give you free health advice on what to do or where to go if you need urgent care.
If you don’t have a regular general practice, call any GP team 24/7 for free telephone health advice.
Please bring your Community Services Card. All non-New Zealanders should bring their passport with them, New Zealanders should bring some form of ID.
Methven & Rakaia areas
For weekend and emergency
services please phone Methven Medical Centre on 302 8105 or Rakaia Medical Centre on 303 5002 for details on how to access the after-hours service each weekend.
Wises Pharmacy, Countdown Complex, East Street, will be open from 9am - 1pm Saturday, from 10am1pm Sunday.
Ashburton Rest Homes
Please contact directly for hours.
If you do not have or cannot contact your regular dentist, please phone 027 683 0679 for the name of the rostered weekend dentist in Christchurch. Hours 9am - 5pm, Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.
From Adele, Robyn, Donald, Heather,
and their
MOODIE, Lois Lorna –Peter, John, Sharron and families wish to sincerely thank everyone who supported us with visits, cards, flowers, messages and attending Lois’s funeral. Please accept this as our personal acknowledgement.
July 10, 2022
ASHBY, Ian Leslie (Crint) –Late of Cairns, Queensland, Australia. Previously of Perth, Western Australia and Ashburton. Most dearly loved husband of Sandra. Ian passed away peacefully at the Gordonvale Palliative Care Hospital on Saturday, September 24, 2022, aged 69 years. Now at Peace. Messages to: 1/14 Caesar Street, Bentley Park, Queensland, Australia 4869.
CHURCHILL, Joyce Mary (Joy) –
On September 20, 2022, peacefully at Ashburton, aged 88 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Ron. Loved mother of Robin, and the late John. “Will be sadly missed”. A Memorial service to celebrate Joy’s life will be held in Our Chapel, cnr East & Cox Streets, Ashburton on WEDNESDAY, October 12, commencing at 11am.
Canterbury owned, locally operated
Patersons Funeral Services and Ashburton Crematorium Ltd
Office and Chapel Corner East & Cox Streets, Ashburton Ph 307 7433
Pat, Gavin and Rose, Trudy, Tony and Jane and families would sincerely like to thank everyone for their support and expressions of sympathy following the loss of Rex. We thank you for the visits, phone calls, flowers, food and those who sent cards, these have given much comfort. Special thanks to the staff at Rosebank and Dr Penny Holdaway for their outstanding care of Rex in his final weeks/days. Please accept this as a personal thank you. Gone from our sight, but not from our memories. Gone from our touch but never from our hearts.
WHITING, Maureen Francis Emily: QSM RN –Maureen’s family wish to acknowledge and thank everyone for the cards and expressions of sympathy shown to us following our sad loss. Maureen was a dearly loved daughter, respected sister, sister-in-law and aunt. We thank all who attended her service in Christchurch and her burial in Ashburton. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement.
Loved wife of the late Ralph Bassett. Loved mother and mother-in-law of Margaret Bassett and Colin Davies, Nicholas and Dawn Bassett, and Colleen and Alistair Roberts. Loved Nana to Stephen and Cate; the late Amanda, and Jareth; Isabella and Charlotte. A private funeral has been held.
Passed away October 5, 2022 due to a short illness.
Dearly loved and devoted wife to James, much loved and adored Mum of Tania, and Mark Cherry; Darryl, and Rachel Pinny. A very special and fun loving Nana to Sacha and Torin.
Will be dearly missed by us all.
Messages to: The Cochrane family, c/- PO Box 6035, Ashburton 7742. A service to celebrate Jenny’s life will be held at The Hotel Ashburton, Racecourse Road, Ashburton on WEDNESDAY, October 12 commencing at 1pm followed by interment at the Ashburton Lawn Cemetery.
SINCLAIR, Helen Alexandra (nee Aitken) –Passed away peacefully in her home in Wanaka on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, aged 85. Dearly loved wife of Graham (dec.), mother and mother-in-law of Judy and Grant, Ian and Margot, Jacqui and Brendon, Mark and Rachel. Loved Grannie to her grandchildren Emily, Tim, Hannah, Erin, Alice, Melanie, Ben, Kane, Hana, Hugo and Olive, and their partners Jess, Brendon, Nathan, Matthew, Sanjay and Isis, and also to her great-grandchildren Molly, Alexandra, Daphne, Ella, Ruby, Jackson, William, Maddy, Luke, Freddie, Harriet and Priya (dec.). Sister to David (dec.). Loved sister-in-law of Evelyn Clarke, Ross Sinclair (dec.), Isabell Sinclair-Irwin, Ces Irwin (dec.), Lynn Scott, Neil Sinclair (dec.), Jeanette Sinclair and Anne Sinclair, and loved auntie to her 12 nephews and nieces and their partners. Helen lived a life of adventure, laughter and love with her soulmate and family. A celebration will be held at Wanaka Presbyterian Church, 91 Tenby Street, Wanaka, at 2pm on THURSDAY, October 13, 2022, followed by a private cremation. Donations to Otago Community Hospice appreciated, or at the celebration.
Healthline is a free health advice service. 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
Dog,
Ashburton District Council 03 307 7700 - 24hr
Animal Welfare Centre
enquiries - phone 308 4432 or 027 3329286.
