28 June Blenheim Sun Newspaper

PuBliSHerS

‘How to eat like a Child’ to resonate with young and old

Continued from page 1.

In the show, children give twenty lessons in subjects like how to beg for a dog, how to torture your sister, how to act after being sent to your room, and how to laugh hysterically. The pace is fast, the tone subversive, and the recognition instant.

StageLab Director Rose Platenkamp says the show will pose various themes and messages, none more so than what ‘we’ as adults can learn from kids. Rose says by making the kids become the teachers, they can tell the adults what we can learn from them.

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“Kids can teach us so many valuable lessons in life and this show certainly demonstrates this,” says Rose. “I think it can be funny how from generation to generation, how children’s character or resilience is often displayed and how they might convince their own parents or persuade them in the most creative ways.”

Rose says as adults there is an expectation or pressure that ‘we’ place on ourselves whether that is in a job or relationship. When you are a kid she says, those expectations aren’t there and the freedom and attitude of ‘having a go’ or ‘trying something’ is a great metaphor for adult life.

StageLab's Tahlia Bassett at a recent rehearsal for How to Eat Like a Child.

Photo: Aimee Preston Unscripted Love Photography. the parent/child dynamic was of the utmost importance.

Rose says the cast of 90 (with the junior cast alternated) is an opportunity for all the talented kids to perform and show their own individuality while taking on the characters and the narrative of the show. Indeed, the production will entertain the whole family while providing plenty of laughter and entertainment for audiences.

and self-confidence of the children who have been with the drama, singing and dance classes since 2019.

“They are beginning to understand that performing is hard work yet rewarding and that is awesome,” she says. “They have this wonderful ability to adapt to any script I’ve given them and have their own take on interpretation. They make it their own and that’s pretty cool.”

can play outside, but you need to be home at 6pm for dinner,” she laughs. “I always lost track of time so I learned to bike really fast. I could not persuade my parentsthey were a unit and I could not play them out against each other.”

StageLab children will also be involved with the Stars in Your Eyes charity event in late August dancing and singing to a medley of songs to kick off the show.

Monday - Thursday

The show will also be an opportunity for parents and grandparents to look back on their own ‘inner child’

The show is the third production for StageLab. Previous shows were Penny’s Dragon and Sour Creme The Musical. Rose says it’s been wonderful to see the development

As for her own upbringing in the Netherlands, how did Rose ‘act as a child’ or persuade her own parents?

“I grew up in the time before mobile phones. The rule was, you

How to Eat Like a Child is on from August 10-13 at Marlborough Boys’ College. Tickets are not on sale as yet but are $20 each and available from the ASB Theatre.

Barnes | Barry Holmwood | Ethan Williams | Terry Ryan

‘I just want to sing’

By Chris Valli

Christianna Morgan’s demeanour depicts a young lady who lives and breathes all things music.

The 28-year old works in her dream job as music teacher at Marlborough Girls’ College and covers all parts of the music curriculum from composition, music theory and performance.

So do the students she teaches know that she will be in Stars in Your Eyes as Loren Allred singing the song Never Enough?

“Some, not all. There was a group of my Year 12 students and I said, come and have a listen and see if you like this? They gave me some

welcomed feedback which was quite nice,” she says.

‘Never Enough’ is Christianna’s ‘go to song’ and is a personal favourite. The song comes from The G reatest Showman Soundtrack from 2018. Loren Allred was a contestant on The Voice season three and was eliminated at 13th place. Her musical career spun off being part of the ensemble for the production of ‘The Greatest Showman’ musical.

“It’s a fascinating choice as the singer isn’t showcased in the movie,” she says.

“She’s the voice behind the actor.

As an artist she is interesting

among other things, as a wedding singer. She has been quoted as saying she wants to own “Never Enough.” She is a raw talent and artist in the alto range.”

“Trying to match her tones has been a fun journey because I’m known as more of a light singer. This is a ballad, this is big.” Christianna’s interpretation of the song is about ‘full love’ and that nothing is going to match love whatever the circumstances.

As for why she put her hand up to be part of the charity event she says ultimately she just misses performing. Tertiary studies, conducting choirs and being ‘behind the scenes’ gave her a sense of what she was missing.

Christianna grew up in Greymouth riding horses and can recall playing an old piano in the family home as an eight-year-old.

“Mum said it’s the horse or the piano,” she laughs. “They’re both expensive, choose.” It was a no brainer choosing piano she says and hasn’t looked back since. “Music is very natural to me.

Nobody in my family is musical, not even extended family or cousins,” she says. “It’s a chance to be creative and just do what I love to do; I can learn music by ear. I love music, I never feel like I’m working.”

She admits sometimes not listening to music and silence is ‘quite nice’ especially as a teacher and a Mum to her 16 month old.

Her charity of choice is Inspire Foundation Marlborough. The registered charity supports Marlborough’s young talent and assistance comes in the form of grants to fund the widest possible array of requests such as travel, courses and tuition.

“They’re like whanau to me. I was part of the committee when it first started and in charge of getting the performers in, that was my job. I love and fully support what they do,” she says. So what is she looking forward to the most?

“I just want to sing and to be on stage. Fitting back into the ball gown will be interesting (which she wore 10 years ago at university). Let’s see if I can.”

Sun The

Renwick Film Festival

The Renwick Winter Film Festival finishes tomorrow.

Organiser Paul Davidson says it’s been a great success with full houses every night, enthused audiences and an excellent fund-raiser.

The final night features award-winning productions from local filmmakers and a few well-known faces.

Just $10 cash for a warm hall, a hot cuppa and an evening’s entertainment guaranteed. 7pm Thursday, Renwick Church Hall.

Lotto strike winners

Two winning Lotto strike tickets were sold by Fresh Choice Picton and a Marlborough My Lotto outlet last Wednesday.

Strike players from all around the country will be celebrating after each winning $5,984 in the Strike Must Be Won draw.

The $1 million jackpot was not won by a single ticket and therefore rolled down to Division 2, where it was shared by 185 players.

Release Date: February 2023

Anyone who bought their ticket from any of the above stores should write their name on the back of the ticket and check it immediately at any Lotto outlet, online at mylotto.co.nz or through the My Lotto App.

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Release Date: February 2023

Locals have three more days to make the most of the Clean for a Can initiative with GMW Jewellery.

Customers can bring their jewellery into the store along with some cat or dog food and in exchange have their jewellery cleaned at no cost.

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Each of these famous performers will be portrayed in the Stars in Your Eyes competition.

MGC music teacher Christianna Morgan will be performing as Loren Allred singing Never Enough in Stars in Your Eyes in August.

‘Barefoot and hungry’

By Chris Valli

KidsCan has seen its waitlist double and has launched an urgent appeal to reach thousands of children who need support.

Spokesperson Sarah Stewart says they currently support one Marlborough school and have two more schools - primary and secondary – and an early childhood centre on their waitlist.

Sarah says Marlborough schools can fill out a form on the KidsCan website and they stay in touch with them until they have the funding to offer support.

The charity is itself under huge pressure from rising costs with food staples like baked beans up

by 39%.

28 schools have applied for KidsCan support this year alone, as food inflation hits a 36-year high. An increasing number of applications are coming from schools previously classified as decile five and six (now called the equity index) who are seeing more need as working families struggle to make ends meet.

KidsCan is dedicated to helping the one in six children experiencing hardship in New Zealand by providing food, jackets, shoes, and health products to 897 schools and 206 early childhood centres in areas of high deprivation across New Zealand.

“Winter is always a miserable

time of year for children in poverty, but this year is especially tough,” KidsCan CEO Julie Chapman says. “With families’ budgets more stretched than ever, they are rationing food, hot water, power and petrol. We’re helping to feed and clothe more children than ever before, but we can’t keep up with demand, and that’s devastating.

“A child can’t learn if they’re cold or hungry – their brains are just in survival mode. So, this cost-ofliving crisis has become a costof-learning crisis. From primary school children staying home due to petrol costs, to secondary students working huge hours to support their families, we should all be hugely worried about this.

It’s denying children the chance of a better future through education.”

Staff at waitlist schools said they were feeding children themselves.

Some families had only $20 left for food a week after paying rent and bills, so they were helping them acc ess food banks. One principal was bringing in her own children’s shoes so students could participate in subjects like technology where footwear was required.

“We’ve got kids who turn up in bare feet with just a shirt and shorts and it’s freezing. They’ve been conditioned to accept that - they wouldn’t know any different,” one principal reported. “Then they start becoming sick and it’s just

Thrive in Your 70s! Judy Bailey Explains...

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Grandmother and former TV Icon, Judy Bailey, is embarking on a journey to help reshape our perceptions around healthy aging.

Now entering her 70s and being called “Dear” one too many times, Judy has teamed up with New Zealand natural health and nutrition company – Koru Nutrition, to talk to experts, start conversations, and explore the latest research that is making a difference in the field of aging.

“Once you pass 65, people tend to think it’s a downhill slide to the Zimmer frame. But that’s far from the truth; we all age differently. Many of us remain physically active well into our 70s,” Judy shares.

“Being proactive is key to our health and aging.”

Here are three pillars to healthy aging that will help you to be optimistic and proud of getting older:

Diet:

A focus on diet is important to our overall health and wellbeing. Keeping hydrated, eating nutrient-dense foods, and avoiding bad fats to prioritise healthy fats lead to giving our bodies the best chance to be

healthier overall.

Exercise:

If you have seen some clips of my interview with Dr. Daniel O’Brien online, you will know that staying active is like medicine for our bodies. Walking my dog is now the minimum, and I have been challenging myself to try new things, like stand-up paddle boarding.

Support:

I’ve tried numerous creams

and supplements, but I have to say, Koru FX Pro has been revolutionary for me. When I first used it, I was surprised at how fast-acting it was! Also, that I didn’t smell like a rugby dressing room after and the long-lasting support it provided me; I didn’t even need to apply it again that day!

“It is made with natural ingredients (which was a musthave for me to buy it, let alone

endorse! If you’re looking for a deep-absorbing, fast-acting, and long-lasting natural product, harnessing the benefits of natural oils, then Koru FX Pro is for you.”

Remember, it only takes a few minutes to look at your current diet and make changes, see where you might add a little exercise to your day, and get support by popping into your local pharmacy and getting some Koru FX Pro today.

that ripple effect. We’ve had massive absentees with the flu.”

A social worker said the lack of food was having a real impact in the classroom. “I don’t think we realise how hunger affects our kids,” he said. “Not just their behaviour, but their want to be here, their want and need to learn.”

KidsCan helps feed 55,000 children in 898 schools – more than a third of all schools nationwide – as well as 206 early childhood centres.

KidsCan is calling for those who can afford to help support a child for just $15 a month, in a campaign that is supported by its Principal Partner, Meridian Energy. To donate visit: www.kidscan. org.nz

KidsCan says they currently support one Marlborough school and have two more schools - primary and secondary – and an early childhood centre on their waitlist as food inflation hits a 36-year high.

Transferring resilience, teamwork

By Chris Valli

Renwick School senior students were lifting more than just logs on Friday morning.

The students are part of the Renwick Challenge Programme that has been running at the school the last two terms where the focus has been on building resilience and teamwork inside and outside the classroom.

Renwick School Year ⅞ teacher Nick Rowton says the programme came about by observing former Renwick School students thriving when completing the similar Cactus programme at college.

Nick says together with Youth Facilitator Pita McDonald’s experience of leading Cactus programmes in Hokitika, they were able to adapt these activities to roll out a programme for students at intermediate ages.

“Teachers wanted a programme that built resilience and teamwork skills, which could lead to positive impacts within the classroom,” he says.

After two terms of the programme, students have become much more accepting of others and have developed useful life skills such as navigation, planning and safety management when taking part in outdoor activities.

“They have also learned how to strategise by using the resources at their disposal sparingly. There has been a big focus on communication, including blindfold activities, to emphasise the importance of giving and following clear instructions and fostering trust between peers,” he says.

Year 8 student Brooke Goodsir says she has learnt about teamwork skills. She says problem solving and coping with the different challenges such as getting lost and having to navigate their way back (up near SPCA Renwick) was awesome. Meanwhile,

fellow Year 8 Phineas McFadden says some of the key learning was around leadership and ‘trying to get those to listen’ and co-operate when he wasn’t the leader for one activity.

Youth facilitator Pita McDonald says the programme was about empowering the students and whether that transferred to their academic achievement.

P ita says the feedback from the teachers has seen students behaviour become more ‘moderate’ and recognising autonomy or self-management strategies more effectively. Skills have been transferred back into the classroom and through conferencing, students have acknowledged feedback given

by Pita, who also acts in a mentoring capacity and as a Stars Teina facilitator for the school.

“The teachers are not only supporting the students on the programme but doing the programme with them,” he says. “I get to see students exceed my own expectations and their own.” Nick says highly positive relationships have been developed between students throughout the programme in addition to the obvious improvements in fitness and hauora of students, who have challenged themselves and others to complete additional physical challenges, called ‘Outrageous Challenges’, in their own time through the programme.

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STOKED: Year 8 Renwick student Brooke Goodsir after completing a challenge last Friday morning.

FOLLOW ME TEAM: Renwick School Year 8 student Phineas McFadden says some of the key learning was around leadership and ‘trying to get those to listen’ and co-operate when he wasn’t the leader for one activity. Photo: Tasha Leov.

Youth Facilitator Pita McDonald.

Letters

THANKS FOR THE GOLD

abridge letters or withhold letters from publication. Email them to news@blenheimsun. co.nz or present to our office at 72 High St. Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails.

I wanted to drop Chris Valli a line to say thank you for the article you put in last week’s Sun Newspaper about the Gold Guitar Showcase Concert held yesterday at the Renwick Community Hall.

The concert was a huge success with at least 150 in attendance, lots of new faces and I put that down to the article.

The Sun City Country Music Awards com-

A person is texting about Mr Luxon’s desire to see more babies born and they say that there are already too many people. They should worry the other way, like many governments. NZ is well below the replacement level.

The population is falling in every major Chinese city, with one from 17000 babies a year to 1700. Like many other countries, China’s population is expected to halve by the turn of the century.

Japan is struggling with too few taxpayers to support the growing number of elderly. Some countries may avoid it. For instance, Brussels, with a 25% Muslim population, 52% of pupils starting school are Muslim. To keep some countries viable, more babies are a must. One commentator said that South Korea will reach a stage where, at the present birth rate, there will only be SIX grand-children to every hundred adults.

mittee were very happy with the numbers and this certainly goes a long way to their fundraising towards the Country Music Awards at Labour Weekend this year. It was an awesome show and there were lots of smiling faces after the afternoon’s entertainment.

Thanks once again for your support.

Kind regards

Janice Thompsett

25 enthusiasts got into hot water on Sunday afternoon out at the Wairau River. It was a beautiful sunny day with 12 thermettes, shared food and a lot of hot water.

The thermette was once popular on picnics and in workplaces. Lighting a fire underneath and feeding it with sticks from the top will heat water quickly. It was used by ANZAC troops in the Second World War.

Visit us online at blenheimsun.co.nz

My two grand-mothers had 23 children between them, in my father’s family, he was the eleventh son. Incidentally, if New Zealanders had bred like the Palestinians since the failed concerted attempt to wipe out Israel in 1948, our population would now be around 14 million.

John Vile

The longest lasting thermettes are made of copper and many are now dented but they do the job. The Marlborough Thermette Society is an informal group with gatherings three times a year in the winter.

Elizabeth Blenheim

Alison

Harry.

Dan McNamara Blenheim

Broose Collingwood

Forest

Feedback sought on Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study

Over the last week, hundreds of people have come to public drop-in sessions around Marlborough and Nelson to have their questions answered on the Marlborough Sounds Future Access Study.

More than 200 Marlborough ratepayers, residents and others with an interest in the Sounds transport network have already provided feedback on ‘emerging preferred options’ and ‘hazard adaptation pathways’ for the Marlborough Sounds future transport network, and their estimated impact on rates.

Mayor Nadine Taylor said it had been good to see how involved the Marlborough community is in the engagement process.

“Marlburians are passionate about their local community. The feedback we have received so far has been honest and insightful, and we will take it all on board when finalising the business case for Waka Kotahi later this year.”

“I cannot emphasise enough how important it is that the project team, Council and Waka Kotahi hear from as many people as possible.

Marlborough Youth Council hosts hui

Marlborough’s Youth Council recently hosted Kaikōura, Nelson City and Murchison youth councils and Nelson’s Multicultural Youth at a hui at Lansdowne Sports Hub, Blenheim.

The meeting, which is held each year, brought 37 young people together to connect the various youth councils.

Community Partnerships Advisor Jodie Griffiths said the hui provided an opportunity for the students to get to know one another, share ideas, experiences, leadership opportunities, challenges and talk about events in each region.

“Each youth council operates slightly differently - some meet weekly, others

Getting everyone’s views will make our business case for Government funding as robust as possible. If you haven’t yet completed the online survey, there is still time to do so.”

The online survey is open until 5:00 pm, 11 July.

A link to the survey, videos detailing the options for each area, the engagement booklets and more information are available at: www.marlborough.govt.nz/services/ roads-and-transport/marlboroughsounds-future-access-study

once a month, some have a budget to allocate while others fundraise,” Jodie said. “While there are differences they all share a desire to ensure there are great events for young people, and

Picton bus service becomes permanent while Renwick route ends on 1 July

From this Saturday 1 July the Picton bus service will become a permanent public transport option while the Renwick service will cease operation.

The trial for the Picton service began in 2019 and initially aimed to have a minimum of 192 passengers a month.

Assets and Services Committee Chair David Croad said the numbers spoke for themselves with the service averaging 257 passengers a month in the last financial year - “a great result.”

“Due to the demand for this service Council, through this year’s Annual Plan, has agreed to allocate $29,400 to make the Picton to Blenheim return bus service permanent.

“Obviously there is a real need for people to travel on public transport between Picton and Blenheim and it’s great to see the community jumping on board. I encourage more people to consider this option when travelling between the two in future,” he said.

The Picton service runs two return trips on Tuesday and Thursday, between 9.00 am and 3.00 pm and costs $4 for an adult or

$2 for a child/teen (5-18 years), each way. Those with SuperGold cards and children under five years of age travel for free.

Council has also approved, subject to ratification, $28,000 for the Total Mobility Scheme which provides a service for people who are unable to use buses because of a disability. This funding means those using the service will now pay onequarter of the total fare cost, rather than one-half. The difference will continue to be funded by central Government.

“This is great news for the 1,400 people who meet the eligibility criteria, who rely on this transport service,” Clr Croad said. The subsidised service introduced by central Government following the Covid-19 pandemic resulted in an upswing in usage and it’s wonderful that we can support our community by continuing it.”

While this service has been made permanent, the Blenheim to Renwick service will cease operation tomorrow, Friday 30 June. Councillor Croad said due to a significant decline in patronage the Renwick bus service was no longer financially viable.

are passionate about getting a youth perspective into Council for further decision making, demonstrating what exceptional youth leadership looks like,” she said.

New citizens celebrated

Twenty four people from 10 countries have become Marlborough citizens.

The new citizens - from India, the Philippines, Thailand, Ireland, Fiji, Tuvalu, England, the United States of America, Wales and Australia - were welcomed at a special ceremony in Council Chambers last Friday.

Mayor Nadine Taylor told the group they would all, in future, enjoy the rights and freedoms of native-born New Zealanders.

In welcoming them she said the day was an important milestone in their new lives as citizens.

“Your decision to apply for citizenship was no doubt made after very careful consideration and is a commitment to your future,” she said. “It is not a rejection of your past but in future your first loyalty will be to New Zealand.”

Following the Mayor’s opening address and the presentation of certificates, Council’s waiata group performed for the new citizens and their friends and families.

During the ceremony several new citizens sang a waiata after receiving their certificates.

Mayor Taylor with Marlborough’s new citizens

You can follow what’s happening with Marlborough Youth Council on Facebook ‘myvoicemarlborough’ and Instagram ‘marlyouthcouncil’.

Members of the public gathered at Linkwater last Friday

Marlborough’s catsfailed by humans

The numbers and the money tell a story.

Marlborough Four Paws submitted a proposal to the Marlborough District Council recently asking for a regional management plan for the stray feline population to be included in the 2023/24 annual plan.

The charity organisation is entirely run by volunteers and operates with the support of donations from the community.

They offered workable solutions such as suggesting the MDC offer subsidised cat desexing and chipping vouchers to financially eligible residents. Furthermore, Marlborough Four Paws has offered to use any of its available desexing funds to further assist eligible residents where necessary.

“We didn’t go in asking for money as we felt we would be declined. We wanted a long-term regional plan to prevent the excessive breeding of the stray and pet population,” says Michelle. “Without working together to enact change we will always be reacting to this huge problem rather than getting rid of it.”

The biggest hope for the charity lay in the possibility of an animal bylaw collaboration that could see Forest & Bird, Dawn Chorus, Marlborough

Four Paws and Marlborough District Council work together to strengthen the Animals Bylaw with a goal to remove the impact owned cats have on the unowned population. MFP suggests they do this through simple, enforceable and measurable additions to the general requirements of a cat owner.

“Sadly, even with all these amazing groups prepared to work together, our council have said they want to wait to see if there will be a central

government directive before they create change in our community.”

Here’s the thing. The Marlborough District Council’s leaders don’t believe Marlborough has a ‘cat problem’.

T he cats are not wild. They are strays who have had human contact but ultimately humans have ‘let them down’.

Michelle says the problem is hard to monitor and council has told her ‘where would they get the funds from?’ Doing nothing is going to cost a lot more and potentially require controversial measures in the not too distant future.

They are ‘surviving’ on donations. They get the ‘odd grant’ but it is the Marlborough community who support and continue to delve into their own pockets and contribute financially towards the population problem.

Dumped or born through inter-breeding of owned and stray cats, these cats are breeding exponentially causing welfare issues, increased disease, harming birdlife and pushing the stray cat population towards conservation and delicate ecological areas.

Marlborough Four Paws believes ‘what we do next’ will determine the fate of native birdlife and the welfare of our region’s abandoned cats.

The charity has taken 150 stray kittens and cats from the refuge station over the last three years alone.

“There is a huge welfare issue here and on many council sites for both the cats and native birdlife surrounding those areas.”

A potential 13% of owned cats are not desexed. The main reason given for owned cats not being desexed was ‘cost’, ‘hadn’t gotten around to it’ and ‘feel it is unnecessary’.

So what’s a short-term solution?

“Compulsory microchipping and dessexing would be the ultimate solution,” Michelle says. “We know there are many that will struggle with this cost and so we put forward ways to assist households with this.”

“We are forecasting we will spend $120,000 on vet bills this year,” Michelle says. “That’s just on vet bills. We have a $1200 a month lease for the land on the racecourse (Marlborough Four Paws venue) plus $1400 a month in food for cats. Then there is power, the internet.”

“It’s very hard to have a passion where you drive yourself continuously to try and save animals and having to talk about it in front of the council and they (some) say, it’s not our problem,” she says. “It’s hard not to get upset. There were some of the council who didn’t show emotion and I said to them, “You’re in the wrong job.”

“I don’t and won’t give up easily.” Ironically, Michelle confesses she hasn’t always been a cat lover. Dogs were her passion and started Marlborough Dog Paws. However, the cat problem in Marlborough escalated and got ‘bigger and bigger’.

“The problem is at night, cats don’t come out at 2pm. It’s either first up or when the sun goes down. When we go to the dump we sit there and watch them. There’s one, there’s one, there’s one. They keep coming.”

Furthermore, the animal control board does not ‘cover’ or ‘oversee’ cats.

Animal Control’s only solution is to enforce the ‘four cat bylaw’ where owners are ‘only allowed’ four cats on their property at one time. “But without a way to identify cats in the bylaw, houses we know are over-populated and can simply say they are not their cats.”

When asked if Marlborough’s cat problem was through naivety or a lack of education she says ultimately there is no autonomy or responsibility from those that are cat owners.

“Excuses such as I never got around to it (desexing), or couldn’t afford it. I know it can be expensive but it is something you take on when you get a cat or a kitten.”

MFP’s proposal to the council included ‘Stray Desexing Workshops’ where the MDC would contract 16 desexing dates per year split across each of the local

vet groups in Marlborough. This could be reassessed after three years. 20 cats per date would be an estimated cost of $40,000 to $52,000 depending on rates negotiated across the vet groups. Not surprisingly, local vets are sympathetic towards the desexing of stray cats.

MFP has desexed 1184 cats since 2017. They forecast they will desex 400 this calendar year. 70 volunteers are rostered across three daily animal care shifts.

“We have many active supporters within the council that donate food or time but we are at capacity. Council leaders feel safe that we will keep doing the work with or without their support, so they bump us from department to department year after year. We will forever be the busy ambulance at the bottom of the cliff without change,” says Liz.

BEFORE and AFTER: Billie was a dump rescue. Cat flu, stress hair loss and giardia. MFP says she’s a stunner and in her furever home with her own best human friend now.

Marlborough Four Paws spoke exclusively to Sun journalist Chris Valli to provide context and possible solutions to Marlborough’s escalating stray cat problem.

“I don’t and won’t give up easily”

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Servicing the Sounds

In the last couple of years, we have seen Johnson’s Barge Service in the media a lot with the emergency and recovery work they’ve been doing assisting the Kenepuru.

Helping the community is something very close to their hearts as this 104-year-old business continues to stand the test of time in the Marlborough Sounds.

Since the sale of the company in 2021, new owners have worked hard to continue to nurture and grow this amazing, versatile company that is a lifeline to so many.

The barges have been busy completing a lot of restorative work in and around the Sounds, carting rock, gravel, building supplies, and roading gear just to name a few. They continue also to cart 1000’s of head of stock out of the Sounds farms and stations that have no road access.

Another part of the business that is very busy, but maybe not as glamourous is the mooring servicing and installation.

Johnson’s manage moorings across the

Marlborough Sounds, including, Pelorus, Queen Charlotte and Nelson.

“In the past weather and various other factors have presented challenges in keeping up with the workflow,” Office and Logistics manager Kim Weatherhead says.

“It’s a constant demand, we have now made some modifications to the vessels and gear allowing us greater flexibility in how we offer this service.

“This has allowed us to be focused on a much needed catch up after delays following the heavy demands of the flood stricken Kenepuru and Pelorus in 2021 and 2022.

“We are also super excited to have joined forces with Ben and Nathan from Marlborough Commercial Dive Services, adding yet another layer of expertise and support to the services that we offer.

“This means we can offer our clients a complete package when additional mooring support is required along with, jetty, wharf and aquaculture work,” Kim says.

Helping to keep your loved ones safe

Supporting our rangatahi and community through these times can be difficult.

Dr Chris Bowden is a lecturer in child and adolescent development, mental health and suicide bereavement; and a trauma researcher from Victoria University in Wellington.

Chris has been invited to our Wairau community to discuss the impact of suicide and help enhance resiliency and connectedness.

Please drop in and join us for one of these free workshops.

Wednesday 28 June Surviving Suicide Loss (Youth only Hui) ASB Theatre, 5pm-7pm RSVP: everylifematters@nmdhb.govt.nz

Thursday 29 June Supporting Grieving Students Marlborough Girls College 8.30am9.30am and Events Centre 4pm-5pm

Support for Teachers & Staff Marlborough Girls College 9.30am10.30am and Events Centre 5pm-6pm

Building Family Resiliency Events Centre 7pm-8pm Supporting Grieving Teens Events Centre 8.30pm-9.30pm

Friday 30 June Community Supporting Youth After Suicide Events Centre 9.30am-11.30am and 1pm–3pm

21 Francis St, Blenheim | T: 03 579 3092 blackmoreaudiology.co.nz

Ash Moore, one of Johnson’s Barge Services moorings experts.

Nathan Dolan and Ben Barker from Marlborough Commercial Dive Services.

Local band to challenge for title

Marlborough District Brass will challenge the New Zealand National “B” Grade title holder for the coveted Championship Challenge Shield at the National Brass Band Championships in Dunedin next week. Twenty-nine bands from throughout New Zealand will assemble in Dunedin Town Hall to compete in four grades. Marlborough finished second in their grade last year behind current title holder Auckland City Brass and ahead of Addington Brass and Hutt City Brass who finished third equal. Executive Officer Brian Nicholas says that really means there are four of us vying for the trophies this year. As well as the Challenge Shield there are trophies for each section of the contest including one with a local family connection - the Belgrave Cup for the winner of the Sacred Item. The contest runs from Wednesday 5th

July to Saturday 8th with solos and small ensemble events on the first two days, including 16 from Marlborough; and band events on the Friday and Saturday. Marlborough Brass will perform their Sacred Item and Set Test on Friday morning, followed by the Street March, and the following day their Own Choice Test piece. Their performance can be viewed on livestream www.brassbanned.com

The Band will perform their contest pieces, including some solos, at their annual pre-contest concert, named “Journey into Freedom” after the set test piece, at 2pm on Sunday 2nd July. For the first time the Band’s pre-contest concert will be at the ASB Theatre Marlborough to more closely emulate the contest venue. Tickets are available from www.asbtheatre.com or from the theatre.

Disciplinary Tribunal deregisters teacher for ‘misgendering’

The Teachers’ Disciplinary Tribunal decision to deregister a teacher for refusing to use opposite sex pronouns is unwarranted and sets a disturbing precedent that needs to be challenged,” says Margaret Curnow, spokesperson for Resist Gender Education.

Ms Curnow says although ‘Mr X’ has certainly made some errors of judgement and has inappropriately questioned a student’s beliefs, the school involved failed in its duty as an employer to permit the teacher his own freedom of belief.

“It is incontrovertible that humans cannot change sex and teachers are entitled to hold and express that view, including by not using

opposite sex pronouns for students,” says Ms Curnow. “That the school did not already have a robust policy for how to deal with conflicting beliefs such as these is an indictment of the school and Mr X should not have lost his profession as a result.”

There are many instances in schools where students are transferred from a class because of a dispute with a teacher, and on this occasion, that should have been the first option. If that was not possible, other compromises could have been explored but compelling a teacher to use language that is against his personal religious beliefs is not a compromise.

Resist Gender Education (RGE) recommends

that schools allow students to use preferred names or nicknames, with parental knowledge, but that correct biological pronouns continue to be used for everyone. Asking other students and teachers to use opposite sex or neo pronouns is confusing for those with language or learning difficulties and is discriminatory to those who do not believe people can change sex by wishful thinking.

Ms Curnow says unfortunately, Mr X did not help his case by representing himself at the Disciplinary Tribunal and expressing some extreme religious views. These views are not condoned in any way by RGE, but the Tribunal and RGE acknowledge that he is entitled to hold them.

“The correct response of the Tribunal was not to remove Mr X’s ability to teach altogether, but instead to instruct him to keep his religious views to himself at school or move to a school that holds the same values,” says Ms Curnow. “In addition, the Tribunal should instruct all schools to write policies to manage conflicts of opinions and protect the beliefs of staff as well as students.”

There is a 28-day period in which the Tribunal’s decision can be appealed.

“Resist Gender Education encourages the teacher to appeal this decision because very important freedom of belief principles are at stake,” commented Ms Curnow.

Tala Natapu and Denis Teeling in rehearsal with Marlborough District Brass Band preparing for the NZ National Brass Championships.

Goulter Road closure

By Chris Valli

A lack of public notice or consultation to the Goulter River in south Marlborough has concerned locals.

The Goulter River is in the Richmond Range near Lake Chalice. The river flows counter-clockwise around Mount Patriarch to join the Wairau River. The river runs through native bush and contains suitable trout for fishing with a walkway running the length of the river.

Pete Watson says there seems to be no public notice or consultation with a metal barrier placed across the road. He says he recently heard of a group dropped into the Chalice area who made their way out of Goulter to be picked up three days later by their driver. “The driver who was older tried to walk in to let them know he could not drive there anymore as there was no cell phone reception but was stopped by locals who explained it was too far,” Pete says.

“Apparently the group who were waiting to be collected were also elderly and waited a long, cold time before someone got to them and advised they had another ten kilometres to walk.”

When contacted by the Sun Newspaper last Thursday, DOC South Marlborough Operations Manager Gavin Finch says the

Goulter Road access to Mount Richmond Forest Park is controlled by trans-Tasman forestry company OneFortyOne.

Gavin says the road has been closed to vehicles since the August floods last year for safety after parts of the road were washed out by the flooding. He added the forestry company closed the road for public safety and can currently be accessed on foot or by bike.

“We put information on our DOC website about any closures, such as access roads,

tracks and huts. We advise the public when planning trips to check our website for the latest information,” he says. “We advise people planning to access the park by road to check our website first to find out the status of access roads.”

Meanwhile, Blenheim’s Tony Orman says the public access to Goulter River has been there ever since he can remember dating back to the 1970’s. He believes DOC has ‘fallen down on communication’ and this is not good enough for a public service agency.

“Besides August last year, towards 12 months ago, DOC should be restoring previous access,” Tony says.

DOC South Marlborough says they will review their website information to ensure they are keeping the public informed with up-to-date information on the Goulter Road access.

OneFortyOne’s Nelson based Richmond office did not return phone calls from the Sun Newspaper when contacted for comment.

Beavertown Lions working for their community

By Chris Valli

The wider Marlborough community might need to send the Beavertown Lions Club a Christmas card this year to show their appreciation.

17 community recipients received funds totalling $32,500 from the Lions during July 1 2022 – June 30 2023.

The club is made up of 33 members with 32 of them aged from 60 to 94 and one in their 30’s. The board this year is made up of 14 members who take responsibility for various roles and committees.

President Maureen Wright says members all volunteer their time to either help in the community or with projects where the money raised is all given back to the community.

“This year in October we will be having a pre loved sale of clothing, fashion accessories, shoes, bags and household items to name a few. We hold a craft fair in the Forum, Garden Marlborough weekend, Breakfast with Santa and we are hoping to have another Christmas activity this year also yet to be confirmed. Our cheese roll project is undertaken each year and

we have ongoing raffles and bbq’s at Bunnings throughout the year.”

Maureen says they would love their membership to be increased but find that many people do not seem to be able to find the time to volunteer in their community or are just not really interested in it.

“For a small Club like ours it is incredibly rewarding to be able to work together and achieve the results we do knowing we have been able to make a difference in others people’s lives and in our local community,” she says.

The full list of recipients included; Pine Valley Outdoor Centre Trust, $2000; School Start First Impressions Marlborough, $5000; Caring for Families Marlborough, $600; Camp Quality, $1000; Marlborough Women’s Refuge, $3500; IDEA Services, $3500; Marlborough Four Paws, $1000; Heart Kids New Zealand, $600; Foster Hope, $300; Graeme Webby Memorial, $2660; Foodbank Marlborough, $2000; Cyclone Gabrielle Hawkes Bay, $5000; Cyclone Gabrielle Northland, $1000; Relay for Life, $500; Witherlea School, $2750; Autism New Zealand, $605, Refugee Kits, $600.

THE COMMUNUTY VIBE - Beavertown Lions (seated) Maureen Wright and Tricia Dawson. Back row, Jennifer Reeves, Bernice Spowart, Wynnis Phillips, Christine Hoggart, Heather Wilson, Linley Whetton, Anne Knight, Jacinda McKenzie and Carol Taylor.

Blenheim local Evin Wood out walking in the Richmond Range. Lake Chalice; Goulter River walk.

MARLBOROUGH'S HIDDEN GEM: The Goulter River in Mount Richmond Forest Park. DOC says the road has been closed to vehicles since the August floods last year for safety after parts of the road were washed out by the flooding. The forestry company closed the road for public safety and can currently be accessed on foot or by bike.

We are here to help

At Women’s Refuge, we provide the support and information you need when you’re dealing with violence in your life.

So what is domestic violence?

Domestic violence is a pattern of power, control and coercion. Abuse is not just physical, trust your intuition. If something does not feel right to you, then it’s not OK.

If you are being abused, remember it’s not your fault. Violence is never okay. No one deserves to be abused, and we are always here to help you.

At Women’s Refuge, we won’t judge you. We will listen to you and support you to make choices for your safety. Kia kaha.

Our services are confidential and mostly free. The only charge is rent if you use our safe houses, where you and your children can live if you need accommodation urgently. If you can’t afford this, don’t worry – our main concern is your safety.

Here are the different types of abusive behaviour that can occur.

Psychological or emotional abuse

Threatening to harm you or the children, damaging belongings, stalking, isolating from friends and whānau, actions or threats, hurting animals or pets, constant put downs and belittling, exposing children to trauma.

Economic abuse

Withholding money, monitoring the finances, making all the financial decisions, demanding

proof of all expenditure and checking receipts, allotting an allowance.

Sexual abuse

Forced to have sex, feeling sexually harassed, being made to engage in degrading or unsafe sexual behaviour.

Physical abuse

Slapping, beating, punching, kicking, strangling, shaking, biting or pinching. It may involve the use of weapons and can cause serious long term injury or fatality.

Spiritual abuse

Feeling as though your spirit/ wairua is being attacked, stops you from expressing your spiritual or religious beliefs, stops you going to church/ temple, puts down your beliefs,

uses their/your religious beliefs to justify their behaviour.

At Women’s Refuge we are more than just Safe Houses. Our free confidential services include: Confidential, non-judgmental support

24 Hour crisis line, 0800 REFUGE

Home and community visits

Support in isolated regions

24/7 access to our safe houses

Advocacy when dealing with police, legal, court, WINZ, housing, doctors, immigration, schools and Oranga Tamariki

Referrals to counselors, doctors, lawyers and other support services

Education and support groups for women and children about

living free from violence

Information and presentations to community groups, schools and workplace as part of our Workplace Refuge training. Contact us on our Crisisline: 0800 REFUGE or 0800 733 843

Phone us toll free from anywhere in New Zealand for information, advice and support about domestic violence as well as help in a crisis.

We’re here to help you on this phone number 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Follow the simple steps to be put through to your local refuge on your touchtone or mobile phone.

You will be automatically redirected to a female advocate in your region.

Who

Newman Graphics

By Chris Valli

The team at Newman Graphics are dedicated to building long-lasting relationships with their valued clients.

From embroidery to top quality workwear and uniforms, they offer a comprehensive range of branding services which allows them to meet a wide variety of different client needs.

Owner Conrad Fourie says he is personally involved in every project and takes a handson approach to ensure all jobs are executed to the highest standards.

“My dedication to getting the job done right and on time are key drivers of our success. By being actively involved, I can guarantee that each client receives the utmost care and attention, resulting in garments that meet their expectations.”

Newman Graphics prides itself on being the one stop shop to make the purchase of custom branded uniform as seamless and simple as possible.

They offer a comprehensive range of garments, including workwear, uniforms, sport gear, and promotional products.

“Our goal is to simplify the process for our customers by providing everything they need in one place,” says Conrad. “From selecting the garments to embroidering and printing them, we handle the entire process, eliminating the need for our clients to shop around or deal with multiple vendors.”

“We understand that our clients value convenience and efficiency. By offering a complete solution, from initial consultation to final delivery, we take care of every detail, ensuring a seamless experience for our customers.”

Battys Road Fencing

Sun The txt talk with

Sticky date

Talk of the week

The new fencing has to one of the coldest horrible looking I’ve ever seen. This could have been a lovely new subdivision with low green box type hedging and shrubs. Its a disaster. I would hate to go home to that look.

Study survey

Stop moaning and have your say! The Marlborough sounds future access study survey is on the council website; look under consultation. Take the opportunity to fill it out and give the council your opinion on the future of those roads, after all you could end up paying for it!

Signage

Agree with others re library signage. I have rarely been so disgusted to see English relegated to being underneath Māori like it’s the second language! It’s a crazy NZ that is allowing this.

Library signs

I too, love our new Library, but also find the Maori signage appalling. The layout plans are hard to read as the Maori writing that takes precedence over English makes the signage so hard to read.

Who let this happen and why? How many can talk Maori? Not many I think. It’s clearly dividing us, when we have always been one.

Own person

My nearest beer hostelry in Blenheim has closed its doors for works to be carried out, which means the regulars will be taking their custom to other beer hostelries around Blenheim for this period.

One individual amongst the regulars has a cult type following from his fellow drinkers, they are known around Blenheim as his crafty acolytes, which means where he drinks, they drink.

Not a good look

Is the smashed up car on SH1 by Staces Rd going to be there as long as the one that is still in the swamp from months ago? I’m sure all the oil and petrol would have drained out into the waterways by now. Not great for the ‘saved wetland’.

Formal ball

Just had to smile at the front page photo of the two college girls heading off to the Formal... both carrying their cell phones! You wouldn’t think that they would need them when they’re among their friends. I wonder if the boys are as attached?

Evening bag

Lovely photo of the two girls going to the formal on the front page of Wednesdays paper. But instead of carrying a nice evening bag to go with their beautiful dresses they are carrying a phone!!!!!!!!! REALLY.

Copy cat

They say copying is a form of flattery… so I can only assume The Sun newspaper is a role model for another.

Maori language

There has been a lot of complaining lately about the overuse of Maori language. I think this arises because true Maori history has not been taught in our schools. In the early 1800s, Governor Grey went to England and sold our land that he had no right to sell. English emigrants came to farm land that they thought they had bought, and began fencing and ploughing it, from which many misunderstandings arose. Imagine how you would feel, if someone walked on to your land and began treating it as their own!

Redneck racist

What a funny little redneck racist town Blenheim is. The texts to this paper confirm this. Being a pakeha I feel embarrassed to read such hate towards our Maori language. Even if you attempt to bring a few words into the English language it works well. Just think about what you are saying because it hurts people who are a bit different from you.

If you’re looking for one of the best ever sticky date desserts in Blenheim, you cannot go past Raupo... pure divinity...highly recommend....

Sick & sad

So it’s confirmed! Ethnicity is definitely a prime criteria as to who gets priority for surgical treatment in NZ’s/Aotearoa’s Health’System’ .....according to a Health Spokesperson. Absolutely abhorrent.

The colour of one’s skin/ethnic background should never be a consideration for when (or whether) a person receives health care. Racism...in any situation...is totally inhuman & unacceptable.

Roll on Election Day and a new, all (New Zealanders) inclusive Government.

1080

I see DOC ready to do another drop of poison on the Molesworth Station. I hope they give us a breakdown of how many TB infected possums they find and how many deer, pigs,and native birds are killed with this barbaric poison. Just a reminder to all those greenies that we are the only country in the world using it.

Food for thought

Would be interesting to know the effect on groceries of the additional wage costs for supermarkets who provide (extra staff) for phone/on-line orders.

Wouldn’t mind betting this increasing trend has had a substantial (adverse) impact on the prices we pay at the till.

And another interesting question...Why don’t supermarkets give a discount, say 7 or 8% when we are herded through or forced to use the self service corals?

Stop bank

Just wondering how much rate payers money it cost to move the stop bank down Wairau Bar Rd to give the marae a bigger car park! Months of construction and still not finished. People whose livelihood threatened by river don’t get the chance to move the stop bank. Fair I think not!!

Power shut off

Received notification from my power provider that Marlborough Lines is shutting off power on 21 July from 9am to 6pm for maintenance. Corner Howick and Hospital Roads. July is the coldest month of the year. No power no heating. Come on Marlborough Lines put it off until Spring.

Thank you

Thanks Stu from the Waikawa Dive Centre for the tow home on Sunday when our boat lost power. Appreciated

Slippery pavers

I thought this council were taking notice of pedestrians slipping over on the smooth pavers. Now they are laying more by Farmers in High Street.

We welcome your texts on 027 242 5266.

Limit to 70 words please. We reserve the right to publish at our discretion. Please note the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Sun management.

Hypocrisy

To quote Dr Martin Luther King Jr out of context to reinforce your own racist views, Dr King campaigned about things that mattered, not trivial matters such as language on signs.

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Moorings are serviced to the Marlborough District Council requirements & specifications. Talk to our knowledgeable team about all your mooring needs and enjoy great service at a fair price.

For all on water logistics call us, thinking outside the square is our specialty!

5 minutes with...

Sharlene eden

Elder Abuse Social Worker, Maataa Waka

Ki

Te Tau ihu Trust

 Are you a dog or cat person?

I am very much a dog person.

 My friends would say I am An open, caring and honest person.

 The best advice I ever received was? Laugher is the best medicine.

 What would you buy if money was no object?

I would buy my son a new vehicle.

 Local coffee haunt? Night and Day dairy on Main Street.

 Favourite takeaway?

I’m not a big take-away person, however I do like cooked bluff oysters from Renwick Takeaway when available.

 The shop you can’t walk past is? Animates and Roselands.

 What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever received?

A paid trip to France and Italy.

 Where is your happy holiday place? Going to visit my son in Sydney.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching?

The Good Witch.

 What’s one thing on your bucket list? To travel back to Europe.

Fruit tree time: By Wally Richards

About this time each year; fruit tree nurseries lift the new season deciduous fruit trees out of the ground and either wrap the roots or bag them into planter bags, secured with twine as the roots have been cut.

It is very important that as soon as the tree is out of the ground the roots need to be covered and kept moist. If the bare roots are left too long they dry and the up lifted tree dies.

Every now and then I hear from a gardener that purchased a deciduous fruit tree, planted it and later in the spring the tree ‘leafed-up’ and flowered, then nothing.

The reason being is the tree was already dead but had enough sap to be able leaf and flower before it ran out of steam having dead roots that cant take up moisture.

Like wise if you cut a branch off a flowering deciduous tree now that has flower buds on it and place the branch into a vase of water then it will flower later on when it is ready to do so.

The branch is clinically dead with enough sap and vigor to flower.

Gardeners often don’t realise that they had purchased a dead tree because it had appeared to come to life then faded.

Ideally you return the dead tree to the place you purchased it from with your docket as proof of purchase for a replacement or a refund.

Likewise when you are buying deciduous plants you must keep the roots covered and moist till planted and even then if the soil is dry then regular watering is needed.

Evergreen fruit trees such as citrus and feijoa are often available all year round but the best time to buy and plant is in the autumn/winter period as they have a new season of spring to establish before going into summer.

Citrus trees must have a free draining soil as they will die of root rot in heavy wet soils.

I have found the best way to overcome this problem is to plant the young tree into 50 to 100 litre plastic drum or plastic rubbish tin.

You drill 50mm holes using a circular drill saw, four in the bottom and four in the sides at the cardinal points about 100mm up from the base.

You then bury the container about a third into the soil where you want it to grow.

Use compost to plant into the con-

tainer along with blood & bone, sheep manure pellets or any manures available.

I personally don’t like citrus fertiliser as it is acidic, harms the soil life and does not have sufficient potash in it.

There are varieties of fruit trees that suit most climates in NZ even some types of apricots that don’t require the chilling of winter as found in areas of the South Island.

Some fruiting types require more maintenance than others having seasonal pests or diseases.

The most hassle-free and great producers, from a fairly early age are Nashi pears and Feijoa and prior to the guava moth in the north of NZ were fairly pest free.

Nashi may in the middle of summer have some damage to the foliage from the pear slug pest which are easily controlled by sprays of Wallys Liquid Copper.

A tree ripened Nashi pear is so juicy and delicious when grown naturally.

Feijoa is another favorite of mine and there are a number of types readily available in NZ garden centres these days.

Feijoa are gross feeders so a good dose of blood and bone and animal manure should be applied under the tree in the root zone in the spring.

As they start to bud up in the spring give them a monthly dose of Wallys Fruit and Flower Power till harvest.

Now here is an interesting thing in

regards to stone fruit and in particular nectarines and peach, both of which suffer in spring with the curly leaf disease which can reduce or completely lose the crop.

A few years ago I spoke to an elderly lady gardener who told me that she had an orchard with both nectarine and peach trees and never any curly leaf disease.

The reason being she grew them from stones (stones or seed from inside the fruit). This meant they were not grafted and grew on their own roots.

She told me also one time she purchased one each of the super dwarf nectarine and peach and planted them in her orchard. These two had bad curly leaf disease every season but it never spread to her other stone fruit trees.

My conclusion is that it is the graft that makes the trees weaker and hence the reason for being attacked. Maybe thats the reason with grafted roses that always have problems Also if you do plant stones or pips (from pip fruit) where they are going to grow and mature it only takes two to three seasons before they are bearing a small crop of fruit and of course they have cost you nothing. So choose a nice fruit and plant the stone or pip which may be similar as the parent but not exactly the same. Mark where you plant it with a stake as it may take a while for it to germinate.

Sonia O’Regan perusing the book selection.

Matthew King and Catalina Suarez.

Paula Hill, Nina Russell and Sue Law at the annual Rock Ferry Winter Solstice. Todd Hopkins, Corie Boley and Fay Clarke enjoy the night air at Rock Ferry.

Mike and Helen Litherland enjoy the Rock Ferry Winter Solstice.

Councillor Jonathan Rosese makes a selection. Locals search for a bargain.

Harrison Fisher grabbing a few DVD bargains.

Golf Results

Picton Golf Club

Sat 17 Jun: Nett- Trevor Gullery 71,Jock Mannington 71; Ant Booker 73; Jeff Pascoe 74; Warren Robinson 75, Andrew Sunley 75;

Blenheim Golf Club

Mon 19 Jun: 9 hole Stableford Ladies Jan

Pegler 20 Helen Neame 18 Bernice Arnold

17 Jenny Evans 17 Men Dean Ormsby

21 Mike Guillemot 20 Brian Burgess 19

David Dyer 19 David Waters 18 Mike

McConnell 17 Graeme Parker.

Sat 17 Jun: 21 Stableford 0-29 Sa-Nga

Results of Tournament played at Awatere Club on Monday 26th June 2023.

Individual:1. Desz Campbell (Blenheim) 39 points; 2. Colin Marsden (Marlborough) 37 points; 3. John McLauchlan (Wairau), Doug Louis (Kaikoura), Brian Brohm (Marlborough) 36 points; 6. Paul Eden (Marlborough), Terry Clark (Kaikoura) 35 points; 8. Mike Gardiner (Blenheim) Mike McKenzie (Wairau) 34 points; 10. Chris Rochford (Kaikoura),

Thu 22 Jun: S/F-Gary Aldridge 38; Robert Lopez 35, Mike McDonald 35; Ian Aldridge 34, James Fattorini 34; Jeff Pascoe 33, Aaron Wilson 33;

Grupp 30 30+ Leannne Stowell 21 June

24th Stableford Trebnt Davies 38 Brain

Yarrall 36 Tom Bainbridge 35 Mike

Gardiner 32 Desz Campbell 32 Roy Lilley

31 NTP Fairweathers 9/18 Roy Lilley

Sowmans 3/12 Luke Yarrall

Rarangi Golf

Wed 21 Jun: Mens Midweek Par: Terry Lane 2, Ezra Kahaki 1, Alex Herd 0, Arthur Ross -1, Owen Gibbs -2, Allan Shutkowski -2, Malcolm Dixon -2, Kobe Hart -2, Leo Coffey -2, Bruce Curgenven -2, John Jones -3, John Cootes -3, Guido Bertogg -3.

Thu 22 Jun: Ladies Midweek Stableford: Helen Neame 37, Anne Newman 33, Mariann Grant 33, Joanne Prescott 32, Sue Lang 32, Rete Kydd 30, Dianne Betts 29, Pat Olliver 28.

Sat 24 Jun: Mugwi Celebration Tournament: Drawshank Redemption 122, Why Walk When Ross Can Ski 120,

Flying Goats 118, The Fairway Ninjas 118, Wednesday Men 117, Rarangi Beach Furious 116, Super Gold Girls 115, 4 Guys 1 Cup 114, Clarry’s Angels 113, Grass Stains 112.

Sun 18 Jun: Medal & Par: Mens - Neil Butts 70, Mark Milne 71, Luke Ryder 71, Allan Shutkowski 71, Jack Wicks 72, Greg Thomas 72, Andrew Tasker 73, Terry Lane 73, Rob Lopez 74, Ian Hale 76, James Sutherland 76. Ladies - Mariann Grant 0, Marilyn Smith 0, Janet Laing -2, Tracy Bary -3, Annie Hubert -4, Andrea Thomas -5.

Whitehead Park Winter Bowls

Ian Aldridge (Picton) and Liam Harnart (Kaikoura) 33 points.

In the Burkhart Trophy event, Marlborough beat Kaikoura Veterans by 30.71 to 30.25 points. Team: 1st Blenheim #1: Mike Gardner, Desz Campbell, Roy Lilly and Don Lamond 106 points. 2nd Marlborough #2: 103 points. 3rd Kaikoura: 101 points.

Next Tournament: Monday 10th July 2023 at Wairau Valley Golf Club.

Wed 21 Jun – Open Mixed Trples – 1st Dot Arnison, Dot Capill, Ali Mahoney; 2nd Mike Ponder, John Harlow, Noel Doran; 3d Lyn Somerville, Ann Berry, Eden Murrell-Manu.

Sat 24 Jun – Final round of the Winter

fives – 1st Mommas& Poppas – Reg

Sager, Beryl Mckay, Dawn Nicol, Murray Le Compte. 2nd Whitehead Park green - Bill Miller, Peter Natske,

Public Notices Public Notices

ANTIQUE BUYERS

Gold Jewellery, scrap gold Pocket watches, wrist watches

Mobile Wine Technicians

Vintech Pacific Limited is looking for Mobile Wine Technicians to join our team. The position includes a company vehicle, company phone and a competitive salary to the right applicant. Full drivers license and winery experience is preferred. Apply to info@vintechpacific.co.nz or call us on 06 863 0024

Finance / Accounts Person

REAP Marlborough is looking for a Finance/ Accounts person to join our Blenheim based team

The role is 8.30am - 5pm Wednesdays based at our 65 Seymour St Blenheim office. The role is being in the reception hotseat and being the greeter of all the wonderful members of the community who come to our offices on a Wednesday and to;

• Reconcile & enter transactions using Xero - must be proficient in Xero

• Manage Xero Payroll

• Manage Aged Receivables / Payables

• Maintain accurate updating of the Asset Register

• File GST & PAYE returns electronically to IRD

• Liaise with the Accountant in preparation of the financial year end reports for the Auditor

• Prepare monthly financial reports for the Board meetings

You must be currently eligible to work in NZ , complete & pass a NZ Police Vet Check and hold a current NZ drivers licence

If you would like to join our team please send a cover letter and cv by email no later than Friday 30th June 5pm to sharon@reapmarlborough.co.nz

Old bank notes & old coins

Military & other medals

Sterling silver, Ivory, old pens

Paintings & Maori artifacts Clocks, Fun Ho & tin toys

Moorcroft, Clarice Cliff etc.

ph 0800 00 24 25

Eric Jackson Antique Buyers, PO Box 665, Picton

Special General Meeting

Members of the Society of REAP Marlborough are invited to attend a Special General Meeting 65 Seymour Street, Wednesday 12th July, 12 noon to consider a possible change in status from Incorporated Society to Charitable Trust.

Bev Newell, Brian Newell, Collen Hall. Sat 24 Jun – Overall Winner – all days counted- 1st Picton Pirates—Mel Fishburn, Helen McIsaac, Joe Peel, Jackie Swanson, Trevor Hodgkinson.; 2nd Mommas & Poppas- Reg Saker, Beryl McKay, Dawn Nichol, Murray Le Compte, Henry Luaula. 3rd Bowl–UOver - Joe Flood, Val Montgomery, Lyn Somerville, Mike Sextus, Rex Dovey.

Public Notices

Public Consultation Event

What does Grief Support look like to you?

Join us for an evening of discussion and connection.

We intend to build a grief support program providing an opportunity for consolation, companionship, and social connection to the 50+ community in line with Marlborough's Age Friendly Strategy.

This public meeting is a forum for you to share your views on grief support and help shape our community program. Share your insights and ideas at this information-gathering evening. Tea and coffee provided.

Tuesday 11 July, 2023 7:00pm Whitehaven Room, ASB Theatre, Blenheim Marlborough Community Development Trust office@mcdtrust.org.nz

MARLBOROUGH PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

An established support group meeting in Blenheim for men and their families living with a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Spouses, partners and family members welcome.

Meetings:

Time:

Venue:

MARLBOROUGH PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP

First Tuesday of each month* 7.15pm

An established support group meeting in Blenheim for men and their families living with a prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. Spouses, partners and family members welcome.

October Meeting:

Cancer Society Blenheim House 76A Maxwell Road, Blenheim

Date: Tuesday 4th July 2023, at 7.15pm

*No meeting December and January

Venue: Cancer Society Blenheim House, 76A Maxwell Road, Blenheim

For more information please contact:

Support Group Coordinator Murray Eyles

For more information please contact:

M: 027 608 5667

Support Group Coordinator Murray Eyles

M: 027 608 5667

E: marlborough@prostate.org.nz

E: marlborough@prostate.org.nz

W: www.prostate.org.nz/support-meetings

W: www.prostate.org.nz/support-meetings

0800 477 678 INFORMATION LINE

0800 477 678 inFOrMAtiOn linE

Robbie returns to rowing

By Chris Valli

Marlborough rower Robbie Manson, who officially retired from rowing in 2020, has been selected for next month’s World Cup regatta in Switzerland.

A three time winner of the Marlborough Sportsperson of the Year Award, Manson competed in the quadruple sculls at the 2012 Olympics before switching to the double and winning a World Championship bronze medal in 2015 with Chris Harris.

After finishing 11th at the Rio Olympics, Manson then took on the single sculls, which until then had been dominated by two-time Olympic champion Mahe Drysdale.

He set a world best time while winning a World Cup event in Poland in 2017, but failed to get on the podium at successive World Championships.

After qualifying the boat for the Tokyo Olympics, Manson decided to take a break.

Since then has been working with horses, he was also a personal trainer and coached a couple of masters rowers.

The 33 year old joined in a few masters races with his brother and that sparked the enjoyment in rowing again.

The end of his first stint with international rowing hadn’t gone as planned admitting that he had put a lot of pressure on himself, but Manson says he now has a bit more perspective about his

rowing career. That led to him returning to Cambridge to row for the Waikato Club and competing in the club season last summer.

He had decided that he would do the club season and then be done with it as he was apprehensive about going back to international rowing because of how I felt at the end of it last time around.

“I was nervous about getting back into the system and being

really unhappy and feeling like I’d made a terrible decision.” However he went faster than he’d expected to and was relatively competitive so he thought he’d give it a crack.

“Since being back in there with the squad we’ve got, I’ve really enjoyed it more than I expected to.

“I’m not physically the best I’ve ever been but there’s no reason why I can’t get back there with

more time over the next year or so with the main goal to qualify the double for next year’s Olympics.

Manson did think about giving the single another go this year, but wasn’t where he wanted to be to be competitive and so the double is the best boat for him now.

“Everyone says the single is the best boat when it’s going well and the worst when it’s not, just because you’re on your own.”

He says he’d love to get to the

Olympics, probably in the double, but wouldn’t discount the single or even a quad.

“As I’m getting older I feel there is only a limited time I can do this and so I really want to enjoy it and make the most of it.”

Manson comes from a family of rowers, with his father Greg the singles lightweight national champion in 1985, and brother Karl also competing internationally.

Referee suffers social media abuse, threats

By Chris Valli

Blenheim referee Ben O’Keeffe, has been subjected to a tirade of abuse on social media.

O’Keefe was booed along with his assistants by some Chiefs supporters after the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Pacific final victory at Waikato Stadium on Saturday night.

The Crusaders’ 25-20 victory was their seventh straight championship under head coach Scott Robertson and it came after Anton Lienert-Brown, Luke Jacobson and Sam Cane were sinbinned during the match as the Chiefs consistently struggled with their discipline.

The majority of posts on O’Keeffe’s Instagram page were derogatory, with some accusing the referee of making money from the game and one outright threatening, saying: “the mobs [sic] coming for you”.

O’Keefe responded to the cyberbullies on his Instagram on

Monday by saying ‘unfortunately, as a union referee at the highest level, he has had to accept and grow accustomed to the postmatch vitriol that fans normalise the game’.

He says ‘it’s sad really that it doesn’t affect me anymore, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK.’ It continued, ‘referees are part of the game and we need support from players and coaches to have the tough conversations privately but to publicly back and support their officials – not criticise. This will change the ways fans treat us’.

Asked for comment, a Super Rugby Pacific statement read:

“The Super Rugby Pacific tournament does not condone in any way the abuse of match officials on any forum and [is] concerned to see some of the comments on social media following the Super Rugby Pacific final.

“Super Rugby Pacific will conduct the usual performance review of the match official’s team in the coming days.”

Referee Ben O’Keeffe signals a try for Codie Taylor during the Super Rugby Pacific final between the Chiefs and the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday night. Photo: Associated Press

Robbie Manson rowing for New Zealand in the single sculls Photo: PHOTOSPORT.