Pride in contribution to facility

As construction nears completion on Blenheim’s new library and art gallery, two Marlborough residents are taking a particularly keen eye on the building’s progress.

Six years ago Rick and Barbara Osborne purchased the old Liquorland building at what was Wynens Wharf, to donate to the Marlborough community as the site for the art gallery in the new building.

Their donation provided an important contribution that enabled Marlborough District Council to progress the library and art gallery project on that site.

“The library and gallery project had been planned for some time and Barbara and I saw it needed help to get off the ground, so we went ahead with the donation which secured land for the new building,” Rick said.

”It’s exciting to see the building near completion. The co-location of Marlborough District Library and the Millennium Public Art Gallery is a great synergy that will provide for the wider community and increase access to the visual arts,” he said.

“The arts are something to be enjoyed by all and the gallery’s location alongside the library will make the arts much more accessible to the public, both young and old.”

The Osbornes have had a close relationship with the Millennium Gallery since its inception, Bar- bara in a volunteer role within the gallery and Rick as a trustee of both the gallery and the Millennium Foundation.

R ick credits his appreciation for the arts and architecture to his upbringing. His mother was a painter and potter, and art and architecture were dinner table topics of the family.

“I’m a bit of an art tourist. If we’re visiting a town or city we’ll look for their gallery and seek out inspiring architecture. Blenheim will really benefit from having an iconic arts destination for visitors and locals to enjoy,” he said.

Rick said the new gallery space housed modern climate control and security systems that would enable it to host significant exhibitions that have previously bypassed Marlborough.

“The touring exhibitions that are already on the cards for the new gallery are impressive – it’s going to be great to see these here in Marlborough.”

Rick credited the gallery’s ongoing success to the leadership of Gallery Director Cressida Bishop and the gallery’s trustees, along with the support of its volunteers.

“Cressida gathers people together with an arts view that Marlborough can’t afford to be without. She and the trustees are a unified group that enjoys working with Council, and I look forward to seeing much more collaboration between Council and the gallery moving forward,” he said.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said the Osbornes’ donation was a pivotal contribution to the library and gallery project.

“Rick and Barbara’s community-minded spirit cannot be u nderstated. Their donation to the building’s development will significantly improve the character

Sun The State of National Emergency

A state of national emergency has been declared.

The Minister for Emergency Management, Kieran McAnulty, signed the declaration at 8.43am yesterday morning.

The prime minister and opposition spokesperson for emergency management both supported the declaration.

“This is only the third time in New Zealand history that a National State of Emergency has been declared,” a statement announcing the declaration read.

A national state of emergency wouldn’t necessarily mean every town would be affected. Central Government would be primarily responsible for the response rather than local authorities.

Police make arrest in relation to recent burglaries and vibrancy of Blenheim’s CBD, and I thank them on behalf of our region for their involvement with this project,” Mayor Taylor said. With construction nearly complete, the interior fit out of the building and landscaping is expected to take four months before books and artworks are transferred to their new home.

Marlborough Police arrested a 28-yearold man on February 4 in relation to a number of recent burglaries and thefts from vehicles in the Blenheim area.

He has been charged with burglary and will appear in the Blenheim District Court on February 20.

The offender is alleged to have been involved in more than 100 burglaries and thefts between December 2022 and January 2023.

Police would like to thank members of the public who have assisted Police with their enquiries into these offences.

A year after Blenheim Musical Theatre’s production of Les Misérables and themes concerned with social issues in urban France, rehearsals for the 2023 spectacular of Priscilla are well underway and with great gusto and enthusiasm.

Written by Australian film director-writer Allan Scott and Stephan Elliot, the musical tells the story of two drag queens and a trans woman who contract to perform a drag show at a resort in Alice Springs.

The musical features hit songs Hot Stuff, It’s Raining Men, Finally, I Will Survive. Songs that will no doubt have Marlburians up in the ASB aisles in Row G having a ‘wee boogie’, the likes that was last seen in BMT’s Abba soundtrack that was Mamma Mia in 2016.

Did someone say social issues?

One such message Priscilla highlights is the need for judgment-free loyalty and support, particularly for people embracing lives which lack conventionality.

Priscilla marked a pivotal point for the LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,

Food Security!

queer, intersex and Asexual people collectively) community in 1994, the original film introducing positive representative themes to a mainstream audience. Following three friends across the Australian Outback in a bus they name Priscilla; this is a story of self-discovery, sassiness and acceptance.

I can recall fondly watching the film as a sixth form student in a ‘Southern Man, rugby induced community that was south Dunedin in 1994. The attraction, for want of a better word was the addition of TV and Neighbours star Guy Pearce and his depiction of the character Adam/Felicia. A far cry from the conservative Mike Young on Ramsay Street. I was hooked. Comments from rugby mates making their own judgements suggested a lack of education and information. Thank God times have changed – or have they?

Directed by Peter Meikle, the creatives behind the show suggest Marlborough’s arts scene continues to push above its weight.

Making a return to the BMT fold is Vocal

Director Con O’ Brien, last seen locally with Phantom of the Opera in 2019.Con’s expertise with all things musical will add a string to the Priscilla bow and how lucky we are to have such an exceptional talent involved.

Dance on Grove’s teacher Elly Molly is the show’s choreographer and brings a passion for the production which will be testimony to her skillset and all-round ability. Her enthusiasm and energy is the perfect fit for the production.

Blenheim GP Penny Wytenburg is Musical Director and will coordinate an eight-piece band of musicians with a wealth of experience including Linda Holdaway, Grant Wright, Gavin Stead and percussionist Aimee Moore.

Indeed humidity is rising and the ASB is the place to go. Blenheim’s quench for Priscilla is underway and will delight your taste buds.

Tickets are available from the ASB Theatre. The show runs from May 17 – 27 with three matinee shows.