6 September Blenheim Sun Newspaper

By Chris Valli

Renwick’s Scott Bull could arguably be considered New Zealand’s most successful sporting coach. Scott has recently returned from a tri series in Brisbane as coach of the New Zealand over 30 mixed indoor netball team.

Continued on page 2.

SUPERCOACH: Renwick’s Scott Bull (far left) coached the New Zealand over 30 mixed indoor netball team to Gold medal success at the recent tri series in Brisbane. The team included four former Silver Ferns.

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Watching them grow on and off court

Continued from page 1.

Known for its fast paced action, the team came away with two gold medals in the six and seven a side tournament beating Australia in both formats. The tri series involved New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.

Indeed, the resume makes for impressive reading. As a coach he has won 38 New Zealand titles and 10 world titles as a player and coach. He has been involved in the sport for about 30 years and used to play as a centre.

A night duty manager at the Woodbourne Tavern, Scott has been in the position for just over a year and has been living in Marlborough after making the shift south from Auckland four years ago.

Scott says the highlights were beating New Zealand and Australia Open Mixed to win the round robins in both formats then beating Australia over 30s in both finals.

The team was made up of players based all over New Zealand and Australia and included former Silver Ferns Casey Kopua, Anna Harrison, Jodi Brown and Erena Mikaere as well as what Scott considers ‘some of the best ever’ indoor netballers in the country.

Before the tournament, former Silver Fern captain Casey, says the four of them were out of their comfort zone and added that she had never played indoor netball before, ever. She needn’t have worried thanks to

the skillset and man-management of Coach Scott which allowed her to discover her niche and do her thing.

“It was awesome having the (former) Ferns involved and they brought not only their skills but experience in high performance environment and in big tourneys like Commonwealth Games and World Champs,” says Scott. “All have been legends so to learn from their experience and for other players to play alongside them was amazing.”

The former Silver Ferns Scott says, were extremely ‘coachable’ and came into the group with open

minds willing to learn and be challenged in a different format of the game.

Team member Matt Watene says the mixed team will help break down barriers surrounding the men’s game and says he believes there is still a long way to go in terms of opportunities and exposure.

“It’s all about starting the conversation,” he says. “I think the conversation has started.”

Getting to the Brisbane tournament was self-funded and Scott says he worked two jobs and fundraised nearly $30,000 to get there.

“The best thing was getting to put together a talented group of strangers and watch them grow and come together on court and off it,” he says. “Forming bonds as players but also away from the court. And winning is pretty good too.”

The main difference between indoor and outdoor netball is that the ball remains in play in indoor netball, rather than going out of court. This creates fewer stoppages in play so that the indoor game keeps moving as the nets can be used to rebound off when passing and shooting.

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WINNERS ARE GRINNERS: Coach Scott (far right, back row) stands beside former Silver Fern Jodi Brown and the team after the tri series tournament in Brisbane.

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Resident satisfaction on the up

By Chris Valli

Marlburians who paid their rates increases over the past 12 months have certainly voiced their concerns to the Sun Newspaper. However, a Council’s resident survey has recorded an ‘increase in satisfaction’ of 66 per cent, up from 62 per cent in 2022.

The survey and report were presented at yesterday morning’s Economic, Finance and Community Committee. Mayor Nadine Taylor says Council’s overall satisfaction level has been comparatively high over the last decade.

“Despite the negative impacts of extreme weather events and inflationary cost pressures, Council has fared reasonably well overall. Our satisfaction rating is ahead of the New Zealand council benchmark.”

“Compared to 2022, satisfaction levels have been consistent across most services, with very high positivity in some areas, while continuing to match or out-perform national benchmarks.”

“Thirty five out of 46 (76%) services rated by residents achieved satisfaction of 60% or above, with 12 services achieving 80% satisfaction or higher, which is similar to last year,” Mayor Taylor says.

The top performing services were cemeteries (87% satisfaction); public sports grounds (86%); civil defence and emergency management (85%); libraries (85%) and drinking water (85%).

More residents (58%) believe Council provides sufficient opportunities for people to have their say compared to 2022 (48%). Satisfaction with Council’s communications rose to 74% from 67% in 2022.

There were declines in flood protection and urban stormwater.

“The lowest scores for many individual services occurred in the Marlborough Sounds, Awatere, and Western Wairau,” Mayor Taylor says. “This might be expected as many Council services are not directly provided in these areas. Related to this is that Council’s rating system recognises this by either not charging for a service or by charging at a lower level.”

Roads scored 40%, just below the national average benchmark of 43%. Seven out of 10 negative comments for roads related to potholes and repairs, with additional concerns raised about Marlborough Sounds roads.

“I’m not surprised given the numerous wet weather events over the last two years not only damaged the Sounds, Northbank, Waihopai and Awatere roads, they also impacted on the whole network, diverting resources away from Marlborough Roads’ regular maintenance activities,” Mayor Taylor said. “Marlborough scored higher than a comparative group of councils which have also suffered recent severe weather events.”

The survey is carried out independently by SIL Research. Six

Sun The Welcoming Week

Welcoming Communities has organised a series of events to celebrate the region’s diversity and multiculturalism as part of ‘Welcoming Week/Te Wiki O Manaaki’ this month.

Scheduled to run from September 1 to 10, the theme of this year’s celebration is Nau Mai Rā/Glad You Are Here.

More than a dozen Welcoming Week events will be hosted by a variety of community organisations, beginning with the opening event, the Spring Multicultural Evening, which was held on Friday September 1 at Myspace from 6pm - 9pm.

Welcoming Week was launched in 2012 as an opportunity to foster mutual understanding, stronger connections and belonging among people, particularly newcomers and long-time residents.

Marlborough Wine Show

Entries are open for the 2023 Marlborough Wine Show celebrating excellence in wine.

Newly appointed Chief Judge Stu Marfell says the show is a wonderful opportunity for Marlborough wine producers to benchmark their wines against others in the region.

Three new trophies are up for the taking this year, with a champion wine being awarded for three subregions: the Wairau Valley, the Southern Valleys, and Awatere & South Marlborough.

For the survey year, the data was collected quarterly from September to November 2022; December 2022 to February 2023; March to April 2023 and May to July 2023.

To read the report, go to www. marlborough.govt.nz/your-council/ long-term-and-annual-plans-policies-and-reports/residents-satisfaction-survey

TOP SERVICE: Public sports grounds like Blenheim’s Lansdowne Park came out at 86% in a council resident survey. The top performing services were cemeteries (87% satisfaction); public sports grounds (86%); civil defence and emergency management (85%); libraries (85%) and drinking water (85%). Despite the negative impacts of extreme weather events and inflationary cost pressures, Mayor Taylor says Council has fared reasonably well overall. hundred residents are randomly selected via telephone directories, a postal mailout and social media promotion. Data is weighted to reflect area, gender and age group proportions as per the Census. The sample size allows a 95% confidence level, +/4-5% when the results are reported as totals.

“This year, we will announce a champion wine from each of the subregions, and they will be eligible for champion wine of the show. It will be great to recognise the amazing diversity of wine styles and terroir that we have here in Marlborough,” says Stu.

Entries are open now at www. marlboroughwineshow.com, and close on Wednesday, September 20. Judging is set to take place behind closed doors between October 18-20 at Marlborough Events Centre.

Budding MGC entrepreneurs

By Chris Valli

It would be fair to say that Marlborough Girls’ College Year 13 students Chelsea Bryant and Sienna Taylor are budding entrepreneurs.

The pair is part of the college’s Young Enterprise Scheme through their Business Studies class of 23 students lead by teacher Surrey Collett. YES is sponsored by the Lion Foundation and allows students the opportunity to create and run their own practical business.

The pair came up with hangr as a potential solution and business idea as they both really enjoyed plants and especially unique indoor ones. In effect, hangr is handmade macramé plant hangers in a range of colours.

“We thought that they needed to be appreciated more and displayed in a way that made people want them in their homes rather than just sitting on the kitchen bench being unloved, says Chelsea. “We appreciate any support from the community and would love to sell these hangers to the community of Blenheim to have in their homes.”

Their business mentor is Tony Katavich who they say has helped them understand all the insights into not only their own business but learning around marketing, communication and point of difference when it comes to selling.

The girls say their profit has reached over the $400 mark by selling online and at local markets.

After college Sienna is planning on studying visual communication design, looking into web, magazine designing and graphic design which she has been interested in for several years. Meanwhile, Chelsea says

post college she is studying to be an Early Childhood teacher in Blenheim or becoming a Nanny and getting her qualification.

They believe the best thing about YES is the support that they are constantly receiving and being able to expand their business out into the real world with all the opportunities given to them.

“Being able to have a website is all thanks to the YES team,” says Sienna. For Sun readers keen to find out more go to their website https://handmadehangr.mystorbie.com.

Chelsea and Sienna with their handmade macramé plant hangers. The students have set up a business and website through the Young Enterprise Scheme as part of their business studies course at college.

MGC Year 13 students

Growing trees and children

By Chris Valli

Many hands make light work as Spring Creek School students learnt recently taking turns to plant more than 700 native trees and plants.

The students and school are part of the Native Planting Project ‘Growing Trees, Growing Children’ with the project being led by Spring Creek School identity Tim Newsham and supported by Phil Josling, their amazing ‘Grandad Phil’.

Most of the trees planted were traditionally grown in lowland forests similar to what originally grew in the Wairau. The planting consisted of 23 species with 44 varieties including about 400 grass family; mainly tussocks and flaxes. Many of the others were scrubs in the mid-range height; mueleinbeckia, corokia, manuka, ribbonwoods, cabbage trees and a variety of pittosporums, kowhai, and a few of the larger forest species like totara,

kahikatea, titoki and beech.

Spring Creek School has a strong focus on connecting their students with Te Taiao - the environment that surrounds them.

“We believe by integrating elements of nature into learning and play, children develop a deeper appreciation for the world around them. This connection with nature not only enhances their appreciation of our environment but also fosters the importance of being a Kaitiaki of our world,” says Principal Cheryl Alderlieste.

“This project is not only about planting trees but also nurturing a sense of environmental stewardship within the hearts and minds of our students.”

The students and teachers started digging the holes in preparation for the weekends planting a few days ahead in anticipation.

Tim has a long association and history with the school and was part of the planting of their community orchard many years ago. Also there to lend an enviro hand was Angela

Wentworth, the local Enviroschools facilitator.

Queen Charlotte College teacher Belinda Mataele and her class came to support the planting as well. Her own class had been researching deforestation and the impact it has had on the native forests in New Zealand.

An example, the New Zealand pigeon – kereru – are important for the survival of many forest species as they are the sole or major seed dispersers for over 60 tree shrub species, including karamu (coprosma robusta).

“She saw the Spring Creek School’s Facebook post and has reached out to an organisation called Wild Waikawa - Protecting Papatuanuku. They have kindly donated some native trees to Spring Creek School for our native garden,” says Cheryl.

The school also had some amazing donations of plants from Butlers Nursery, tree guards from Landcare Services as well as plants brought in from the Spring Creek Community.

Principal Cheryl Alderlieste planting the final hebe. Spring Creek School Year 6 student Zac Logan.

Anahera Joseph working alongside her QCC tuakana buddy.

Authorised by H. Howard, 41 Jervois Road, Ponsonby.

Former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell has been reported saying the group will reunite at some point.

The

Pedestrians exiting the Library and wanting to cross the road to the Farmers carpark are confused. Right opposite the exit is a “crossing” but this is a rumble strip telling drivers they are in a Restricted Speed Area – it is not a legal crossing in any way. The legal crossing (a courtesy one) is about 7 or 8 metres further up High Street and it needs painting orange to be easily

How good would it be to see Freddie still there weaving his lyrical magic?

abridge letters or withhold letters from publication. Email them to news@blenheimsun. co.nz or present to our office at 72 High

I know how the dinosaurs felt when the meteorite struck 65 million years ago. For me it’s not climate change I fear, its cultural change. If I can’t adapt to the increasing use of Te Reo Māori in everyday life, I will become socially extinct.

At 76 years of age, I’m too old to learn a new language even if I wanted to. Our new Blenheim library is an example. Confused by Māori signs, the kind librarian helped me. “Don’t worry,” she said, “you’ll get used to it.” I thanked her, borrowed my book and made a swift exit thinking: I’m a ratepayer - why should I have to get used to it?

The furore over ACT’s call for a “reality check” of the public service and its departments seems to be overreaction.

Remember the days of democracy when ‘accountability’ was the catch cry? Accountability is a word rarely mentioned now. As one who has worked in three different government departments over the decades, I saw some hard working public servants but sadly too many, best described as “drones.”

identified, as the one further up near the shops should also be.

In the interest of safety, the courtesy crossing should be shifted to the rumble strip site to eliminate any confusion. Remember that it is a courtesy crossing and traffic does have the right of way and it’s the pedestrian’s responsibility to cross safely.

Nigel Perry, QSM

It isn’t only our library; it’s everything from mainstream media to government departments. I accept that Māori is indigenous and everyday language is evolving to include Te Reo more and more.

I accept that New Zealand will eventually become Aotearoa; it is inevitable as climate change. But can I survive this cultural change or will a future Aotearoa drive me the way of the dinosaurs? More to the point, does anyone care?

Evan Robinson Blenheim

As a taxpaying citizen, I have encountered some mediocre attitudes by public servants and in particular the Ministry of Fisheries and Department of Conservation. Mention of “public servants” might just jog their consciences that they are paid from the public purse. And it’s not just the public departments. Local government is not immune from catching the bureaucratic blight. Indeed going further, is the Prime Minister

the country’s leader or simply the most senior public servant in the land? With no party membership I haven’t made up my mind where to direct my party vote on Election Day.

I do applaud ACT at this stage, for calling for a return to accountability and transparency.

Tony Orman Blenheim

Gilmore Blenheim

Simon van Aalst Blenheim

Michelle Chapman Blenheim

Bull Blenheim

Chalmers

Roof goes on stage 1 of 12-unit senior housing development

Council’s senior housing development in Blenheim has reached an important milestone with the roof of stage 1 now in place.

When finished, the $4.3M development in George Street will offer 12 one-bedroom residential units, six on the ground floor and six at first floor level, accessible by a lift. The complex, due for completion in mid-2024, aims to increase senior housing supply in Marlborough with

“fit-for-purpose, centralised housing for seniors” Deputy Mayor and Housing for Seniors sub-commitee chair Councillor David Croad said.

“Currently there is a waitlist of over 50 seniors older than 65 years old who need low-rent accommodation in Marlborough, so this development demonstrates Council’s ongoing commitment to senior housing in the region. This project has been well supported and advocated for

New citizens welcomed

Eighteen people from eight countries have become Marlborough citizens.

The new citizens – from South Africa, Philippines, Brazil, UK, Republic of Moldova, Ireland, USA and China, were welcomed at a special ceremony in Council Chambers recently.

Mayor Nadine Taylor told the group the day was an important milestone in their new lives as citizens of this province and country.

In future they would all enjoy the rights and freedoms of native-born New Zealanders.

“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.

by the senior housing sub-committee for many years, so it is exciting to see it taking shape,” said Clr Croad.

Council purchased the property in 2012 next to Council’s existing senior housing complex at Vevian Place.

Designed by Blenheim architecture firm Palatchie Architecture and Design, the complex is being built by T&D Construction after a local tender process.

“It’s great to have professional local contractors on the job helping Council deliver what is one of the most significant senior housing developments in Marlborough for many years. The foundation preparation for Stage 2 is due to get underway this month and the project will start to take its final form,” said Clr Croad.

Public Notice of Right to Demand a Poll on the Electoral System

Notice is given under section 28(1) of the Local Electoral Act 2001 that electors of the Marlborough District Council have the right to demand a poll on the electoral system to be used at the next triennial general election (2025) of the Marlborough District Council.

The choice is between the Single Transferable Vote (STV) and the First Past the Post (FPP) electoral systems.

Unless a poll determines otherwise, the STV electoral system will continue to be used for the election of the Marlborough District Council.

A valid demand for a poll must be:

• made in writing;

• signed by at least 5 per cent of eligible electors of the Marlborough District Council. This will require a minimum of 1,773 elector signatures; and

• delivered to the Marlborough District Council, 15 Seymour Street, Blenheim

no later than 5pm on Monday 11 December 2023 for the outcome of the poll to apply to the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections of the Marlborough District Council.

Every elector who signs a demand must also set out in it their full name and the address for which they are qualified as an elector of the Marlborough District Council.

If a valid demand for a poll is received by 5pm on 11 December 2023 a poll will be held no later than 14 March 2024, and the outcome will have effect for the 2025 and 2028 triennial elections. If a valid demand for a poll is received after 5pm on 11 December 2023, a poll will be held after 14 March 2024 with the outcome applicable for the 2028 and 2031 triennial elections.

For further information please contact Dean Heiford, Council’s Electoral Officer, Ph: 03 520 7400.

Mayor Nadine Taylor with Marlborough’s newest citizens

An artist’s impression of the senior housing complex in George Street, Blenheim

The roof goes on stage 1 of Council’s senior housing development

Alzheimers Art, Crafts, Collections Trail

There is no doubt the arts – whether performing or visual - is a powerful medium for people to collaborate, showcase their creativity and express their freedom of expression.

Over 40 artists, craftspeople and specialty collectors will be displaying their artistic endeavours in their own studios and shared spaces for the 2023 Marlborough Alzheimers annual Art, Crafts and Collections Trail.

The special fundraising event helps Marlborough Alzheimers Foundation meet the increasing demand for the range of services offered to local people affected by dementia and indeed their families.

One artist to appear this year is Picton’s Joan Clark who will be displaying her art at the Marlborough Art Society.

She says she had heard how successful the inaugural trail had been last year so decided to see if she could be a part of it this year.

“A local art collector and the owner of my painting used in the advertising for the trail, was as thrilled as I was to be asked to use it. This is a good cause that will potentially affect many of us as we get older and we hope they raise lots of money,” she says.

Joan is the youngest daughter of Roger Carey and Jenny MacDonald. Her father she says ‘built beautiful boats’ while her mum looked after six kids, her father’s books and ran the White Heather cake shop in Wellington Street. Joan says most of her siblings live in Marlborough and they are some of her biggest fans and are very supportive.

“From a very young age I would draw pictures sitting up on my father’s drawing board. I was encouraged to follow my dreams in art and had

a very happy childhood mucking around mostly with boats and the water,” she says.

Joan has a small studio where there is always a painting on the go on her drawing board and her office desk and computer which generally has multiple jobs on the go at any one time.

“I also have a large display area which is our double garage and it is easily converted for display as it is lined and has a painting rail fitted,” she says. “I thought we lived just a bit too far out of town so decided to be part of the display at the Marlborough Art Society High Street Gallery where several other people are displaying their works. I will have some prints and cards on display and available for sale.”

especially watercolours where she uses layers of colours to get the brightness she wants.

“I also enjoy acrylics when the mood takes me as this gives me the freedom to paint much larger works I am constantly inspired by the beautiful scenery in Marlborough, at every turn there is another painting. I have joined a walking group and there are endless paintings on every walk.”

colour and acrylics.

Some of Joan’s original work is currently on display in the Return to Eden Gallery, in Rapaura which is also part of the trail.

She is constantly attracted to the beautiful scenery of the Marlborough region and landscape from the Wither Hills to the vines and the ever changing waters of the Sounds and anything in between. Most of her works are watercolours but she says she also enjoys acrylics which allow her to paint much larger pieces.

Joan says her art ‘has and always will be’ her passion as it’s her happy place,

Meanwhile, Grovetown’s Rob and Anne Barrer will be showcasing their creativity on the Saturday from their Elliot Street home from 10am – 4pm. Rob creates Driftwood and folk art while Anne creates felt art, drawings and paintings. They have a large open studio used for art, live music and recording.

Rob uses a range of materials for his driftwood art including Rata, Red Beech, Kauri, Copper wire and Danish oil. Anne’s materials include wool, wax (batik), water-

Rob believes Alzheimers Marlborough do an amazing job and need funds to support their efforts. They were involved last year and enjoyed the experience. Rob says he had two ‘excellent art teachers’ who were influential in his own art endeavours being Quentin MacFarlane at Cashmere High School in Christchurch and John Coley at teachers college. As for Anne, she says she has been ‘creating most of her life’ but has found more time in recent years to explore a range of mediums. She says she sees herself as ‘experimental’.

“Art and creativity help me to be in the moment, good for my health and well-being. I love getting lost in the process,” she says. Rob agrees and says he enjoys beach combing on the West Coast beaches for special pieces of native hardwoods.

The Art, Crafts and Collections

Trail is on Saturday, September 23 and Sunday, September 24. For Sun readers keen to find out more about the art trail fundraiser, contact Helen Knapp on 021 126 250 or email MarlboroughAdmin@alzheimers.org.nz

T here will be a get together next Friday, September 15 giving artists a chance to meet and chat with fellow exhibitors.

The Marlborough Alzheimers Foundation is once again holding their annual Art, Crafts and Collections Trail in a few weeks. Chris Valli spoke to some of the local artists who are showcasing their amazing talents for the fundraising self-drive event.

“Art and creativity help me to be in the moment, good for my health and well-being”

Grovetown artist Rob Barrer’s driftwood art named ‘Wizard’.

The above print is from Picton artist Joan Clark and will be on display at the Alzheimers Arts, Crafts and Collections Trail. Joan says serene Waikawa is a watercolour and is painted on 300gms Saunders Watercolour paper with Winsor and Newton watercolour paint.

Wine people - uncorking potential

Kat and Tayla Walker have both steered away from their established roles within the wine sector to forge a new path in their own business. The duo, fuelled by their collective passion for both Wine and People has set out to elevate the wine industry workforce.

Kat, most recently at the helm of a large wine group as its CEO and Tayla in recruitment with a varied past in several wine industry roles have joined their expertise and formed Wine People.

Wh ile recent times have witnessed a surge of positive developments driven by the industry, the duo emphasises that there remains a considerable journey ahead to establish a robust labour force that can effectively underpin the

burgeoning sectors growth. A diverse range of strategies is needed and Wine People is just one of those strategies. Af ter their successful recruitment campaign for vintage 23, the pairs focus shifted to crafting a new industry internship. Drawing on insightful feedback from industry people and various workforce collectives, Wine

People worked closely with Te Pukenga (NMIT and Primary ITO) to curate a new distinctive internship opportunity. The programme starts in January 2024 and will offer 16 full time internships with placements across a variety of Marlborough wine companies. The purpose of the programme is to create a solid understanding of the

whole industry by providing a seamless transition between study and practical experience, allowing participants to define their pathway after their first year.

At the core of the initiative lies the personal touch and mentorship that Kat and Tayla will provide. Serving as the vital bridge between educators and employers, the two bring an empathetic approach to the forefront. Kat aptly emphasises “the secret to unlocking personal success is not confined to the curriculum itself; but rather it thrives in a nurturing environment. Each individual’s talents, goals and hurdles demand a bespoke approach, one that guarantees the best outcomes for both interns and employers”. PBA

Curious about making a difference

Pictured at Blenheim’s Briscoe Group Limited Cute Kids fundraiser at the weekend is Kurt Lindsay from Bayleys Marlborough, Will Hall from Cure Kids, Braden Stewart and Quentin McDonald Tasman Mako, and Briscoes Business Manager Simon Popham. Simon says they were delighted with the community support they received, and will be back bigger and better next year. Cure Kids funding supports researchers across the country whose work is focused on childhood cancers, inherited heart conditions and mental health.

Kat and Tayla Walker’s company ‘Wine People’ has a brand-new wine industry internship ready to kick-off for 2024.

Marlborough Motorcycle Riding School, Spring riding preparation

Spring is the start of our motorcycle riding season and although it can be quite cool in the mornings and evenings, we’re all looking forward to the warm dry riding days. Being well prepared to start the season is important, our bike should be serviced so it’s ready to go and the tyres checked for tread depth. Tyre pressures checked and set at the correct pressures. We also need to be sure that we’re ready ourselves, if we haven’t been riding much over the winter we may need to refresh our skills so that we’re sharp enough and match fit to cope with any hazard we might encounter.

Motorcycle gear is important, check your helmet is in good condition, and the visor is clean and free from scratches. Gloves still up to the job (don’t forget the spare pair), jacket, pants and boots all clean and in good nick? Any protective gear that needs replacing, now is the time to do it.

Marlborough Motorcycle Riding School offers one on one refresher training sessions or will do small groups if there’s a bunch of friends together, to help with any riding

aspects and we will arrange times to suit. If anyone is thinking of going for a motorcycle license we run regular sessions of the Basic Motorcycle Handling Skills course and test for the learner license and if anyone needs to progress through their restricted or full license stages we can help you fast track to your full licence by taking you through the CBTA training and assessment program. Again we run training sessions to prepare if required, just ring us for a booking. We have a LAMS approved bike for use if that is a barrier to sitting the assessment.

Spring, Summer and Autumn in Marlborough are all great for motorcycling with dry sunny warm days, it’s a great economic way to travel whether you’re commuting daily to work or off to see the sights our beautiful region has to offer. If you’re new to riding you will make new friends as well because the biker community in Marlborough are a great bunch of people always willing to welcome and help out a new face.

John says their aim is to help Marlborough riders to ride well with good skills so that they enjoy and get the most out of their riding experience in this area that is suited for great motorcycling adventures.

Flaxbourne Flicks

By Chris Valli

As the Flaxbourne Heritage Centre rises from the dust of the 2016 Kaikoura earthquakes, those driving the rebuild are now reaching out to the community for the funds needed to complete the fitout of the new museum.

To this end the Trustees are holding the Flaxbourne Flicks, a drive-in movie night at the Ward Domain on Saturday, September 23. It promises to be a fun night with a movie and food as part of the ticket price.

Local Stu Orr and Doug O’Callahan, the guy behind the Kaikoura Hop classic car event, and mates are donating their services and equipment for the night’s entertainment which kicks off at 6pm when the Domain gates open. The movie starts at 7.30 and the ticket price includes American hotdogs and fries. The movie Blues Brothers is rated R16, notes organiser Sally Peter.

“We are so grateful to Stu and his mates for putting on this night for us with all funds going

towards the fit out of the Centre. It promises to be a fun night with tickets in hot demand,” Sally says.

Generous donations from both New World and Pak n Save have come in and Lil Orbits Donuts will be onsite selling their deepfried donuts with $1 for every $10 pack of donuts going to the Centre.

There is capacity for just 100 cars so it will pay to get in early, Sally adds.

The roof is now on and cladding of the building underway which is due for completion mid-2024 but funds are desperately needed in order that the building can open on time and fully-equipped and ready for the public to enjoy. Critically located right where the Whale Trail cycle trail will enter Ward, the Heritage Centre will be the focal point of the rider’s experience as they arrive in the Flaxbourne.

Tickets are $115 for a carload of 4 and $75 for a carload of two.

Tickets can be purchased by email to ally@boundaryrider. co.nz

Getting in the mood for the Blues Brothers drive-in movie night at the Flaxbourne Flicks, Ward Domain on September 23 are Heritage Centre trustee Derrick Millton, left and local classic car enthusiast Brent Pahl with his 1955 Ford Customline. The new Flaxbourne Heritage Centre at Ward rises up behind them.

From the President’s Desk

The new library, open since July, is a must see. Visiting gives a chance to sign up, if you are not already. You can browse, use the IT facilities and have something to eat and drink - all in the same building.

Members have asked why the adult fiction, apart from large print, is upstairs, which some find difficult to access. I put this question to our mayor recently. This is the rationale.

The downstairs area where people research, use computers and the meeting room is more interactive. People come in and out more frequently with much more hustle and bustle.

Upstairs is more suitable for people who want to quietly browse and read. The downstairs space is too small for adult fiction, the biggest section of books and DVDs in the library.

This area is also very interactive for children. Parents can watch them and peruse books at the same time, unlike the old library. I myself spent an interesting hour with my great-grandson up there. Watching adults and children alike was fascinating; everyone looked happy.

The Council is aware of the issue of not being able to take mobility scooters in the lift. Library staff are there to help anyone who is struggling by offering the use of walking frames; you only have to ask.

people 50

Grey Power Membership

Join! Renew! Encourage others to join!

Why not give a membership as a birthday present, especially to a 50 year old!

There is a serious point to such a little elbow dig. The birthday ‘boy or girl’ will thank you as they realise the benefits of Grey Power membership, They can receive many good local deals in the discount book or join Grey Power

Electricity with its competitive rates. They can appreciate our advocacy to local and central government on behalf of members.

Grey Power membership begins at 50 years old and costs $29 single, $43 double.

Join on-line at https://www.greypowermarlborough.co.nz/joingpm or visit

the office, Room 19, in the Marlborough Community Centre in Alfred Street. It is also accessible from the carpark opposite the new library.

Office hours are 9-1pm weekdays or phone (03) 578 495. For enquiries regarding Grey Power Electricity, call 0800 473 976.

• We are still chasing up some unpaid subs. Please let us know if you are not renewing this year. Grey Power Electricity customers need to renew membership to keep our power discounted rate.

Check your email Spam and Junk folders, as sometimes the invoices and newsletters end up there.

If you believe that you have paid, but still have a blue sticker on your card, please check your bank statements. Some payments made to a no longer

Office snippets Election Meetings

Grey Power is hosting three general election meetings this election year. All welcome.

These “meet the candidates” meetings

used bank account number return to the member’s bank account a day or two later. We remain unaware that you have tried to pay, and the membership remains outstanding. If you have a green membership card and Discount Book, your membership has been renewed. Thank you very much for your continued support.

• Let us know of any changes of address, phone numbers and emails. Following up unpaid subscriptions, we learnt that many members have discon-

nected their landline home telephones and now rely on mobile phones. If you joined us years ago and pay online, we may not have caught up with changes in your contacts. Please let the office know by emailing office@greypowermarlborough.co.nz or telephoning 578 4950.

• Discount Book. If you have a business and would like to advertise next ye ar, please get in touch with the office as we begin work on this shortly. office@greypowermarlborough.co.nz Current advertisers will be contacted.

In Blenheim, two meetings, Tuesday 12th September, 10.00am at St Mary’s

Why not take a bus?

A

In Picton, on Thursday 14th September, 3.00pm at Picton RSA, Wellington Street.

around and see what is happening. The Blenheim library stop off point will start soon, so keep an eye out for when it is in place.

REAP afternoon tea sessions

Seniors (55 years +) are invited to REAP Marlborough for afternoon tea and the opportunity to make friends with your cell phone.

REAP’s Kate and Shona will make you feel welcome there and individually answer basic cell phone questions. Practice using your cell phones,

text messages, apps etc, in an informal, supportive environment. Bring family or a friend for support and come to as many sessions as you like.

These free afternoon tea sessions take place fortnightly on Tuesdays during October and November (October 3rd and 17th, November 1st and 14th,

Kiwi Can Corner

Grey Power supports your chatting with your grandchildren, your m o kopuna, your next-door neighbours!

B y l istening to their ideas and sharing your wisdom, you can help reinforce and extend their learning beyond the school gate.

Positive Relationships are the name of the game!

This school term, Kiwi Can children have been learning about positive relationships, explained as: “working and playing in safe and thoughtful ways with others”.

The children’s learning covers three main modules: Fairness and Fair Play - playing by the rules, and how we share our ideas with each other.

Conflict Resolution - how we solve problems between people and learning a range of strategies to support that.

Leadership - supporting others and helping everyone to work together effectively.

Time to Talk…

How about talking with the children in your life about positive relationships?

Here are ten conversation starters to get the ball rolling:

- What are some things we do in our

family or culture to have or support positive relationships?

- When might fairness mean that everyone gets or does the same amount? When might being fair mean that everyone gets or does a different amount?

- Why do we have rules (e.g. in games, at school, on the road etc)?

- What would being a ‘bad sport’ look like? What are some ways you can be a ‘good sport’ and show fairness to another team?

- What are some strategies you can use when you need to calm down when you are starting to feel cross or during conflict? How many different ways can you think of to help manage or solve a conflict?

- What are some things people do

Staying Safe

2 - 3pm). The venue is REAP Marlborough, 65 Seymour St, Blenheim. To RSVP (REAP prefers you do) or for more information contact Kate Horrey, REAP’s Coordinator Digital Support, phone 578 7848, but it’s also OK to just drop in then, with cell phone fully charged.

Age Concern and Waka Kotahi offer a refresher course for older drivers. This classroom-based course will help you to revisit transport rules and safe driving practices, gain more knowledge about other transport options and help stay independent for longer.

Living Well with Dementia Course

This course is free, with a free lunch and no test! Bookings are essential! Phone 03 579 3457.

Picton Friday 13th October starting at 9.45am for the course to run from 10-2pm at Marina Cove in Waikawa Road.

Wednesday 10th and 17th August

10am until 12.30pm

Blenheim Wednesday 22nd November starting at 9.45 for the course to run from 10-2pm at Connect Blenheim, 8 Beaver Road.

At St Andrews Presbyterian Church

5 Henry Street, Central,

Events this month

that make a conflict bigger (instead of helping resolve it)?

- Do we always have to agree with others? Who have you seen recently disagree with someone but do it really effectively? What happened?

- What does it mean to be a good role model? How does a good role model behave in class? In the playground? When walking to and from school? I n our neighbourhood?

- What makes a good leader? ‘If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more – then you are a true leader.’ Do you think that’s true? Why?

- Can you name three places you could use your knowledge about positive relationships? How could you use this understanding?

Falls Prevention session at Stadium 2000, Thursday 21 September, 10am - 12pm. Book in with Emma Sorenson-Brown, phone 021 790 415, emma. sorenson-brown@nph.org.nz

Alzheimers Art Trail 2023 takes place Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 September. Tickets, $25 per person, are available from Blenheim and Picton I-Site Centres, Millennium Art Gallery and Marlborough Alzheimers Centre. Contact 021 126 2508 marlboroughadmin@alzheimers.org.nz

Plus living

This magazine with interest for seniors in Nelson/Marlborough is available from New World, doctor’s surgeries, hospital waiting rooms etc. 20 copies of each issue will be available in our office in the future.

At last, a local Insurance broker dedicated to local business. We specialise in insurance and protection advisory for local business and their owners.

For

call

POOL

Rugby World Cup 2023

ANew Zealand France Italy Uruguay Namibia

POOL

BSouth Africa Ireland Scotland Romania Tonga

Sun 10 Sept

Ireland v Romania

1:30, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux

Mon 11 Sept

South Africa v Scotland

3:45, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

Sun 17 Sept

Ireland v Tonga

7:00, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes

Mon 18 Sept

South Africa v Romania

Quarter-finals

Sun 15 Oct

Winner Pool C v Runner-up Pool D

4:00, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

Sun 15

Semi-finals

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

Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse

Thu 21 Sept

Italy v Uruguay

3:45, Stade de Nice, Nice

Fri 22 Sept

France v Namibia

7:00, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

Thu 28 Sept

Uruguay v Namibia

4:45, Parc OL, Lyon

Sat 30 Sept

New Zealand v Italy

8:00, Parc OL, Lyon

Fri 6 Oct

New Zealand v Uruguay

8:00, Parc OL, Lyon

Sat 7 Oct

France v Italy

8:00, Parc OL, Lyon

1:00, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux

Syn 24 Sept

South Africa v Ireland

8:00, Stade de France, Paris

Mon 25 Sept

Scotland v Tonga

4:45, Stade de Nice, Nice

Sun 1 Oct Sept

Scotland v Romania

8:00, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille

Mon 2 Oct

South Africa v Tonga

8:00, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

Sun 8 Oct

Ireland v Scotland

8:00, Stade de France, Paris

Mon 9 Oct

Tonga v Romania

4:45, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille

POOL

CWales Australia Fiji Georgia Portugal

Sun 10 Sept

Australia v Georgia

4:00, Stade de France, Paris

Mon 11 Sept

Wales v Fiji

7:00, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux

Sun 17 Sept

Wales v Portugal

3:45, Stade de Nice, Nice

Mon 18 Sept

Australia v Fiji

3:45, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne

Sun 24 Sept

Georgia v Portugal

00:00, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse

Mon 25 Sept

Wales v Australia

8:00, Parc OL, Lyon

Sat 1 Oct

Fiji v Georgia

4:45, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux

Mon 2 Oct

Australia v Portugal

POOL

Third-place match

4:45, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne

Sun 8 Oct

Wales v Georgia

2:00, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes

Mon 9 Oct

Fiji v Portugal

8:00, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse

DEngland Japan Argentina Samoa Chile

Sun 10 Sept

England v Argentina

7:00, Stade Vélodrome, Marseille

Sun 10 Sept

Japan v Chile

23:00, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse

Sun 17 Sept

Samoa v Chile

1:00, Stade de Bordeaux, Bordeaux

Mon 18 Sept

England v Japan

7:00, Stade de Nice, Nice

Sat 23 Sept

Argentina v Samoa

3:45, Stade Geoffroy Guichard, Saint-Étienne

Sun 24 Sept

England v Chile

4:45, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille

Fri 29 Sept

Japan v Samoa

8:00, Stadium de Toulouse, Toulouse

Sun 1 Oct

Argentina v Chile

2:00, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes

Sun 8 Oct

England v Samoa

4:45, Stade Pierre Mauroy, Lille

Mon 9 Oct

Japan v Argentina

00:00, Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes

Rugby World Cup

Kia ora, welcome to Cancer Society Marlborough

Daffodil Day - A Heartfelt Thank You

In the aftermath of Daffodil Day, we extend our deepest gratitude to the community that rallied behind our cause. We want to express our sincere thanks to community groups, businesses, volunteers, and supporters whose unwavering commitment made it all possible.

It’s heartening to see our community unite around the symbol of daffodils, a beacon of hope. We’re still counting donations, but we acknowledge the exceptional generosity of our community. Your contributions, whether through donations, daffodil purchases, or the gift of time, have a profound impact on our ability to provide essential support, resources, and programmes for people in Marlborough affected by cancer. It’s worth noting that we receive no government funding, making every contribution even more precious. We’re immensely grateful for your continued support. Our work simply wouldn’t be possible without you.

Last surviving FG-1D Corsair flies again

By Chris Valli

The ex-RNZAF FG-1D Corsair NZ5648, previously owned and operated by the Old Stick and Rudder Company flew last week from Hood Aerodrome in Masterton to Omaka Aerodrome.

The aircraft has not been seen in the air for a number of years and Kiwi fans of the aircraft feared it may never see the wind beneath its wings again. It appears that Auckland businessman Mike Jones has purchased the aircraft, and that he has every intention of keeping the aircraft flying in New Zealand.

However, the Corsair is now at Omaka Aerodrome under the attentive care of JEM Aviation, and over the next few weeks will be undergoing a thorough schedule of maintenance to ensure it’s ready for the upcoming New Zealand airshow display season. Originally owned by warbird

Toi Ora – Art for Wellbeing

As we welcome Spring, we’re excited to showcase the talents of our Toi Ora attendees. Guided by Art Therapist Emma Toy from the Creative Kids Trust, participants have created remarkable art pieces using pastels and watercolour during weekly 1-hour classes. We invite new registrations for our Term 4 Toi Ora class, starting October 10th, held weekly for 6-weeks from 9:30am to 10:30am. No art experience is needed, but places are limited. Please contact us at marlborough@cancersoc.org. nz or call 03 579 4379.

Cancer Society Team Updates

Amidst the bustling Daffodil Day events, we say goodbye to Lisa Gauden-Ing and welcome Dallace Lilley and Kaye MacDonald to our team. Dallace, a social worker, will provide Support & Information to our clients, enhancing our services. Kaye takes on the role of Kaiārahi Hōtaka (Programme Coordinator), a new position created in partnership with Te Piki Oranga Māori Wellness Services, focusing on cancer care for whānau Māori in Marlborough. Naumai haere mai - we extend a warm welcome to Dallace & Kaye!

Ngā mihi nui/Best wishes, Cancer Society Marlborough team

Upcoming events

• Kia ora - e te iwi – Cancer Support hui on 29th September.

• Toi Ora - Art for Wellbeing – 6-week course starts 10th October.

• Blue Brothers - wellbeing & camaraderie – launch TBC October.

• Look Good Feel Better – 28th November.

• Breast Cancer Support Group – 7pm on 2nd Monday of the month

• Marlborough Prostate Cancer Support Group –7.15pm on the 1st Tuesday of the month

• Simply the Breast dragon boat team – meet 1st Monday of the month.

• Prost-FIT – 6pm Mondays & 10.30am Wednesdays (exercise class for men with prostate cancer)

• Live Stronger – 6pm Wednesdays (exercise class for women with ANY cancer)

Cancer Contacts

Cancer Society Marlborough, 76a Maxwell Rd, PO Box 233, Blenheim. Phone 03 579 4379

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am-4:00pm

Email address: marlborough@cancersoc.org.nz

Cancer helpline: 0800 CANCER (226 237) Cancer Society website: www.cancer.org.nz for reliable and up to date information, links and chat forums.

The Cancer Society is funded entirely by charitable donations and thanks the Marlborough community for its continued support.

pilot and legend Ray Hanna, the Goodyear-built Corsair was operated by Ray’s Old Flying Machine Company and displayed throughout the UK and Europe as part of the Breitling fighters display team during the early 2000’s.

Ray returned the aircraft to New Zealand in 2004 and had planned to operate it from a base in Wanaka, but following his death in 2005 the aircraft was purchased by The Old Stick And Rudder Company and moved to Masterton.

The RNZAF started to re-equip with Corsairs in 1944, and these replaced the air force’s Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks which had been operational in the Pacific Theatre during 1942-1943. Between 1944 and 1947 over 420 Corsairs equipped thirteen RNZAF squadrons in the Pacific. As there were few Japanese aircraft in the area by the time the Corsairs came on line, the RNZAF used these awesome fighters primarily as low-level

aircraft to support troops on the ground.

The flight was a sanctioned ferry flight to reposition the

aircraft from its previous location in Masterton to an airfield with an appropriate engineering base.

Police urge caution with scam email circulating

Police are aware that an email scam has re-emerged, that references Police and other justice sector partners.

The email claims authorities have done a search of the email recipient’s computer and located explicit illegal material.

The recipient is directed to reply within 48 hours or a warrant will be issued for their arrest.

This email is a scam and anyone

who receives it should not reply under any circumstances.

Although some versions of the email do not specifically reference money, other similar scams involve the recipient being issued a ‘fine’ when they respond.

While the nature and specific details of scams often varies, it’s important to note that Police and other government agencies will never contact you out of the blue

and ask for your password, credit card or bank details.

Police have received several reports of this scam and enquiries are underway.

Anyone who received this email scam is asked to send it as an attachment in an email to the Police Cybercrime Team: cybercrime@ police.govt.nz

Police recommend taking a cautious approach to unsolicited

emails.

Trust your gut instinct - if it doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t. Information on other scams currently operating can be found on the Consumer Protection NZ website: www.consumerprotection.govt.nz/general-help/scamwatch(link is external).

Consumer Protection NZ, along with Netsafe, also provides helpful advice about keeping safe online

Oct

NZ5648 was saved from the infamous Rukuhia military scrapyard in the late 1950’s and was restored to a taxiable condition. After 16 years at the Museum Of Transport And Technology (MOTAT) in Auckland it was sold to a US owner and was finally restored to airworthy condition in 1982.

Photo: Alex Mitchell, Historical Aviation Film Unit.

Don’t be a muppet –get tested

Option 1.

By Chris Valli

The thought of getting one’s prostate checked for cancer is becoming easier for men.

Indeed us blokes should be proactive in taking responsibility for our collective health and wellbeing and get tested regularly. Taking the initiative is the first step.

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month.

The numbers tell the story with more than 4,000 Kiwi men diagnosed with prostate cancer this year – it could be the chap sitting opposite you at the café.

Every day 10 mates, fathers, sons, brothers, grandfathers will be told they have it.

The New Zealand Prostate Management and Referral Guidelines recommend that men aged 50 and over discuss prostate testing with their doctor.

For men with a known family history of prostate cancer this discussion should begin at 40 years of age, as they may be at higher risk.

There is no easy way of diagnosing prostate cancer. Doctors will usually do a series of tests that may include the PSA –Prostate Specific Antigen.

The PSA is a simple blood test that looks for raised levels of a protein in the blood called prostate specific antigen (PSA), which is made by prostate cells.

A PSA level that is above the limits for your age indicate that

there could be a problem with the prostate and further tests might be necessary. This test is used as an initial screening test, usually ordered by a GP, and can be done in conjunction with other routine blood tests.

The PSA test is only an indicator of the possibility of prostate cancer and a higher level doesn’t necessarily mean there is prostate cancer.

www.mintair.co.nz

Option 2.

A high PSA can be caused by other conditions such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate (a common condition that occurs when the prostate grows larger with age); or Prostatitis which is an infection or inflammation of the prostate, where the prostate becomes inflamed and sore.

Other things that can influence the PSA level include:

• Ag e – the older men are, the higher the PSA level is likely to be

• Si ze of the prostate – levels will be higher with an enlarged prostate

• Et hnicity

• Medications being taken

• A ur inary infection

• Ce rtain types of exercise such as cycling or vigorous exercise

• How recently a man has had sex or ejaculated

• An al sex or prostate stimulation

• There is an old adage that ‘men will more likely die w ith p rostate cancer

than from prostate cancer’. While it is tr ue that many cancers, particularly in older men, are slow growing and don’t need treatment or other intervention, prostate cancer is still a significant killer of men in New Zealand. Don’t be a muppet. Get tested today. You have a great deal to live for.

RENOVATIONS

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Proud to support Blue

Lower milk price forecasts dampen feed crop prospects

The impacts of cuts to forecast milk payments to the nation’s 12,000 dairy farms will ripple across the wider economy, and the arable sector will also feel it, Federated Farmers Arable Vice-President Grains, Andrew Darling, says.

The July AIMI (Arable Industry Marketing Initiative) survey shows sown and intended sowing feed wheat and feed barley crops are down 6% and 15% respectively on last season.

“There’s probably still a reasonable market for feed grain in the North Island but it’s hard to transport South Island grain up there at a reasonable price, especially in competition with Australian grain.

“It’s an expensive bit of water that splits our country in half, unfortunately,” Darling said.

Sowings and intentions for malting barley - the barley used by our breweries - is up 77% on the 2023 harvest but while that sounds impressive, the hectares involved are relatively small (from 9,105ha to 15,569ha).

Overall, 2023 harvest data showed that yields were up 6% over the six malting/milling and feed crops and the area harvested, 96,022ha, was similar to 2022 (up 1%). The net result was a 7% increase in total tonnage compared to last

season, the AIMI report found.

Feed wheat yields were up an estimated 1%, feed barley yields up 11%, milling wheat yields up 4%, malting barley yields up 6%, milling oats yields up 15% and feed oats yields down 2% compared to last season.

The estimated 2023 final tonnage of milling wheat at 113,700 tonnes, is up 44% compared to last year’s harvest “but we knew what was coming,” Darling said.

“The weather last year was really poor.”

The amount of unsold milling wheat at 1 July this year was 26,700 tonnes (24%), higher than at 1 July 2022 (15,500t).

A large amount of the sold feed wheat (58%) was still stored on farm.

“A good amount of this will likely have been at a good contract price for the grower, and the merchant will be starting to move that grain now. Dairy farmers, given the outlook, probably aren’t as keen to fill feed silos at the moment as they have been in past seasons.”

Two thirds of the estimated 289,100 final tonnage of feed barley has been sold, with 38% of that grain still stored on farm. The amount of unsold feed barley was 97,000 tonnes

(34%), considerably higher than at 1 July last year (59,300t).

Growers in the North Island and in Southland are looking forward to better spring conditions after a wet autumn a n d winter, Darling said.

Some crops in Southland were drowned.

There was plenty of winter rain in Canterbury too but reports from that region are that most autu mn crops have established well.

Federated Farmers Arable Vice-President Grains, Andrew Darling.

Tough times ahead for Kiwi dairy farmers

Another drop in Fonterra’s forecast Farmgate Milk Price will be a bitter pill to swallow for farmers who are already under significant pressure, Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Richard McIntyre says.

“Two weeks ago, farmers were looking at a midpoint of $8/kg MS, but things have rapidly deteriorated and we’re now looking at $6.75. That’s a significant drop,” McIntyre said.

“DairyNZ (correct) have released an updated national average breakeven figure for the season of $7.51 excluding principal repayments on debt. That means that, on average, farmers will be losing at least 76 cents on every Kg/MS they produce this season.

“The psychological impact of that for dairy farmers, who are in the thick of calving and working long hours in the elements,

‘Not worth the paper it’s written on’

Federated Farmers are slamming the Government’s cynical decision to rush their fatally flawed 1000-page RMA replacement Bills through the House in the final sitting days of this Government.

can’t be underestimated.

“They’re going to work every day, slogging their guts out to provide for their families, and coming home poorer than when they walked out the door at 4am that morning.”

McIntyre said that’s the reality for thousands of farming families around the country who are under serious financial stress and will be having some really challenging conversations around their dining room tables.

“There’s no denying that it’s going to be a challenging season, so it’s more important than ever that banks, dairy companies, and the Government are working with farmers to help them through it.

“Now isn’t the time to be adding any new costs or complexities for farmers who are just trying to keep their heads above water,” McIntyre concluded.

“This is a nightmare for farmers and rural communities that will add nothing but cost and complexity to their lives,”

Federated Farmers RMA reform spokesperson Mark Hooper says.

“Federated Farmers have repeatedly raised serious concerns about this legislation on behalf of our membership, and those concerns remain completely unresolved.

“Local communities are to be stripped of their democratic decision-making ability, which will be passed off to new Regional Planning Committees, and the legislation still includes a long list of vague and uncertain terms that will simply lead to endless and expensive litigation.”

The only thing worse than the content of the Bills is the process they’ve followed to get here. This isn’t the way good laws are made, Hooper said.

“Thousands of pages of amendments have been rushed through Parliament at breakneck speed to try and pass the reforms before the upcoming election.

“It’s hard to believe all MP’s have had the time or capacity to properly read the law and understand the implications of the changes that are being made, particularly as they prepare for an election campaign.

“Given the contentious nature of this reform the Government should have taken it to the election to seek a mandate from New Zealanders,” Hooper concluded.

Federated Farmers RMA reform spokesperson Mark Hooper.

Federated Farmers Dairy Chair Richard McIntyre

Jimmy – parts technician of the year

By Chris Valli

Blenheim’s Jimmy O’Donnell claimed a top title at the third annual John Deere Technician of the Year Awards held in Brisbane recently.

Jimmy, who works for Drummond and Etheridge, was named the Parts Technician of the Year and along with Bryce Dickson was named the Agriculture & Turf Service Technician of the Year.

More than 100 technicians were nominated by their dealerships in 2023, with input from customers, and 30 finalists travelled to the company’s Australian headquarters in Brisbane to be put through a rigorous assessment process, testing diagnostic capabilities, technical knowledge and customer service skills.

Jimmy first developed a fascination for machinery while growing up on his family’s farm. After eleven years working as a service technician for a photocopier com-

pany, he saw a job advertisement for a parts technician at his local John Deere dealership and made the leap to agricultural machinery.

Two years on, his hard work and commitment have earned him the title with customers often asking for him by name to source and secure their parts.

“The most rewarding part about being a John Deere technician is the customer interaction and providing the parts that the customers ask for. Once they get them in their hand, they walk away happy,” Jimmy says. “I’m stoked to win my category. With all the training that I’ve had from the team at Drummond & Etheridge, it’s a great way to say thank you to them.”

John Deere Australia and New Zealand Managing Director, Luke Chandler, congratulated each of the New Zealand winners and emphasised how important their work was to prosperous industries and their local communities.

“Jimmy and Bryce have demon-

strated exemplary performance among a high calibre field of finalists and should be incredibly proud of their efforts in taking home their

respective Awards,” Mr Chandler says. Established in 2021, the prestigious awards champion the im-

portant contribution John Deere technicians make to the Australian and New Zealand agriculture, construction and forestry industries.

Day Care tamariki make a difference

By Chris Valli

Pascals Blenheim Day Care Centre has done some incredible fundraising for this year’s Daffodil Day. They initially had a competition where they laid cups out at their front counter with every teachers face on it. The teacher with the most money in their cup at the end of the month got gunged. They ended up raising $260 from this activity alone.

Then they held a bake sale where they raised over $340, taking their total donations to over $600. Teacher Lisa Tomes says the fundraiser has been a huge success for them.

Yesterday, they walked down to the Cancer Society in Maxwell Road with 24 of their preschool children and presented the team with $617 that they raised.

Lisa says Centre Manager Fliss Spencer and the team were absolutely blown away and so warm and

MCY Theatre Spectaculathon

By Chris Valli

Marlborough Children’s Youth Theatre’s upcoming The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon has their senior students aged 13 - 19 and the two Cinderella groups range in age from 5 - 12.

The junior production of Cinderella is based on Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes and unquestionably, fun for the whole family.

MCY Theatre has a red and a blue group of performers alternating shows with four shows per day.

MCY Theatre Director Sam Baxter says she had been looking at her own copy of Roald Dahl’s Cinderella last year and thought

it was a fun story with some great music. She says she was also inspired by a costume she has.

“Our students have really enjoyed this new version of the story, and it’s also only approximately 40mins, which makes it great for younger viewers,” says Sam.

When deciding the senior show, she worked around the junior show while being able to use the same set.

“The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon is a show which is good for small and large groups which is always appealing with groups that can fluctuate in size. It has a lot of varying roles and is full of humour, which appealed to me and

my students,” says Sam.

Throughout the Brothers Grimm, the students try to roll all 209 Brothers Grimm stories into an hour, covering stories such as Hansel and Gretel, Snow White, and Cinderella along with some more obscure stories.

Sa m says they have had some great rehearsals and have been lucky enough to have the wonderful Gemma Allen come along a nd choreograph some numbers for them.

“They have also had lovely Sheryl Whiting step in to help out when st udents have been away and filled their role, which was so nice for the students. While we like to have a

lot of focus to get through, it’s so nice to have a laugh with the students and see them having fun.”

The performances will be at the Boathouse Theatre. Due to restrictions on numbers, at the Boathouse they have split the classes which now have approximately 20 people per cast and 12 in the senior group. Sam says the classes also build throughout the term with new people enrolling and taking part in their shows.

The Cinderella music comes with a full backing track which Sam adds has been great for all their rehearsals.

“We are lucky to have Simon Clark on board for sound and

welcoming to the children.

“They gave all our tamariki beautiful handmade daffodils to stick on their t-shirts - it was such a great experience for us all,” says Lisa.

RIGHT: KOWHAITASTIC: Pascals Blenheim Day Care Centre children McKenzie Fritz and Leo Tomes along with teacher/kaiako Sophie Fritz hand over the money to Fliss Spencer from the Cancer Society Marlborough.

training up son Adam Clark and Nico Kenyon to take charge when we get to the theatre,” she says. “We are lucky too to have Jeremy Falconer to help us with the lights, and being able to give an opportunity to Luke Davis to train up on lights.”

MCY Theatre would like to acknowledge and thank their awesome sponsors including Richmond Brook, Wairau Pharmacy and The Blenheim Sun.

Show dates are Monday 25th, Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th of September with show times 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. Tickets are on sale at www. eventfinder.co.nz

Luke Chandler from John Deere, Blenheim’s Jimmy O’Donnell, Steve Hadler from Drummond & Etheridge and Tony Mahar, NFF.

Indicating at roundabouts (again!)

I was behind a driving instructor with a pupil driving when approaching one of the many Blenheim roundabouts. They indicated to go right and then went straight through. Can’t an instructor even get it right! Unbelievable.

Reckless cyclist

On Wed 23 August around 3-pm I was driving up High St West when a bespectacled male wearing a patterned fluoro top on an electric bike failed to give way to me as he came out of Lee St.

He was going way too fast and ended up well into the line of traffic almost collecting my car. May I suggest this person ride a bit more sedately when taking corners and give way at the giveway signs, & perhaps consider using the cycle lanes.

This guy didn’t even look to his right as he exited Lee St - he was old enough to know better!

NZ jail holiday

Why are Austrailan Criminals allowed to have Holidays in NZ jails for RAPE and MURDER. Why can they NOT be sent home?

Profit

How great it is to be told that our Air New Zealand has made a handsome profit, now can we expect that announcement that they are paying us back for the millions we loaned them to bail them out over Covid? Or is it thanks for nothing and we keep paying exorbitant prices to fly in our own country.

Climate change

I once heard a senior MDC councillor at an election meeting say anyone who doesn’t believe in climate change is dumb. Well how dumb is it to allow foreign owned corporate vineyard owners to cut down every tree in adding to the monoculture of grapes?

Clubs of Marlborough

I am one of the guilty. My membership transferred over when the new clubs opened and for the first year my wife and I supported it almost weekly. But then things began to change. There were lengthy waits to be served at the bar, and we were told we had to pay a deposit for the pool balls in order to use the tables. We lost interest after that.

Priorities

So wrong of National to propose new motorway and roads spending millions of dollars when there are homeless, hungry, uneducated and very sick people out there in our own country that need help first. How can a road be more important than a human? It’s like help the rich get to work faster and the poor still struggle. Some of us won’t even use those roads. Put someone in charge of NZ that knows the right priorities.

Permanently park

Motor homes can permanently park outside residential homes. As long as you don’t live in them and wof is current.

Verified

The Sun wine text last week, verified on internet BUT it is in euros! $760+ million NZ dollars, one billion litres of red wine in storage in Australia going out; also verified hundreds of thousands of bladder juice sold here, below cost and more, pre season harvest; to dump by xmas. The vineyard owning Minister of Wine in the new party can do nothing and market compensation is a publicity no no. The glut has hit worldwide! Bottoms up darlings!

Scared off

The “Carmina Burana” performance tonight (Sat. 2nd Sept) by the local Marlborough choral group, very impressive, especially of course the familiar opening and rousing closing O Fortuna.

But what a bunch of lumoxes we audience were, not knowing when to applaud. ...scared off by the caution at the beginning to not applaud at the inappropriate places thereby breaking the rhythm... so no applauding at all - until the very end. Those soloists deserved more acknowledgement!

Plod along

I love ( not ) those people that pull out of a side street or driveway in front of you causing you to brake, and then plod along at 30k, when if they waited another five seconds they would have a clear road after you had passed.

Climate change?

Reading that July 2022 was wettest in 93 years at 220mm. I measured only 185.5. And only 36.5mm this July. Wonder if they’re implying its climate change. 149mm August last year and only up to about 37.5mm this August.

Taxes

Why not have 3 years when everyone in New Zealand pays taxes. Charities included. Seems fair to me.

Hard time

Why are Farmers getting such a hard time, whenever I read a paper, or happen to watch Country Calendar or the likes, I see them restoring Wetlands or planting trees, fighting the Carbon Crisis their way, yet the so called Green Energy Developers, ie Solar Array Facilities and Wind Power are cutting down hundreds of trees, the very thing that turns Carbon into Oxygen, to make way for their developments of thousands of unsightly Solar Panels or massive wind turbines that are built from rare mined minerals. Green energy is not saving the Planet, all it’s doing is lining the Developer’s pockets, very sad!

Re Medlab South

Awanui can also mean big river - awa/river and nui/big. I suspect the point you’re making is yet another reactive/reductive gripe about the inclusion of te reo Maori in our daily lives, rather than a malacological observation. *Malacology: the study of mollusks.

Re: All Blacks

We do this every time, too much pressure on the players and that is for all sports not just the All Blacks.

Shame on us

We are such a wantonly untidy lot. Just look at the number of KFC or McDonalds cartons, cigarette butts and other rubbish randomly dropped by those too lazy to take it home or find a rubbish bin.

Oh to have the same attitude they do in Japan or Singapore, where they accept personal responsibility and you would struggle to find a single piece of discarded rubbish littering their streets or countryside. Shame on us.

Green

minutes with...

Billi

Spring Creek Four Square

 Are you a dog or cat person?

Cats most of my life, but we just lost a wonderful dog recently.

 My friends would say I am…

Hopeless at planning social activities.

 The best advice I ever received was?

Don’t worry about things you can’t change, focus on the things you can.

 What would you buy if money was no object? Pay off mortgages for people I love!

 Local coffee haunt?

(Spring Creek 4 Square!!) and Grove Road Coffee House does great coffee and the best choc fudge slice.

 Favourite takeaway?

Thai food.

 The shop you can’t walk past is...? Café’s!!

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

Time off!

 Where is your happy holiday place? Anywhere with my hubby.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching?

Just finished The Diplomat and The Maid which I loved both.

 What’s one thing on your bucket list?

A Mediterranean or Italian holiday with horse riding and beaches involved.

Tomato Psyllid problems: By

True to form spring started on the 1st September across New Zealand and with it a surge in gardeners visiting gardening shops and buying up plants and stuff to get under way in their gardens.

Now at the beginning of the season is a good time to review previous articles on the tomato/potato psyllid that has ruined many a crop in the past few years as the pests have spread across most of New Zealand from humble beginnings (from Australia) in 2006.

My first realisation of a problem was about 2009 when a crop of late potatoes was harvested to find that the tubers were only as big as marbles and re-shooting.

At the time I suspected it was too much nitrogen in the growing medium as the tops were big and the crop surprisingly little.

The tomatoes growing near by showed some yellowing and up curling leaves but other than that a reasonable crop.

I then moved to another location in Palmerston North which was a good sized warehouse with accommodation above it.

The outside was mainly concrete with a high concrete block wall on the boundary of the warehouse next door.

This created a micro-climate trapping heat between the two story warehouse and the two storey concrete block wall with a tennis court size area of concrete in between. An ideal area for psyllids to thrive in.

I don’t know if I brought them (psyllids) from my previous location or they came in on seedlings I purchased but they were there and thriving.

Tomato plants started out okay but soon lower leaves were curling up and going yellow.

Later these plants would get a fungus growth up and down the trunks and die.

A tamarillo I planted grew up to about 6 foot tall in the container I planted it in and then leaves started going yellow from the bottom up, then falling off till there were no leaves.

New sprouts appeared at the place the leaves had been then they too frizzled up and the whole plant died all in one season.

Using Neem products helped but did not eliminate the pests so I tried quarantine cloth which the mesh is too small for the adult psyllid to pass through.

That helped a lot but did not solve the problem as the pests carried on feeding on my capsicum, chilli, okra and pepino plants where the damage was smaller than usual size fruit.

I see on the internet suggestions of various chemical insecticides along with natural ones for control but as far as I can see and from feed back; they help but do not control or eradicate.

Quarantine cloth helped but was awkward.

Wally Richards

So I consulted my friend from the Australian company, NutriTech and he told me that by making the cells in the plant walls so tough with silica it would prevent the young nymphs from feeding after they hatch out of their eggs.

The program involved giving the young plants a drink of the Wallys Silicon and Boron Soil drench done at planting time and again two weeks later.

The boron is used to ensure the uptake of the silica by the plants roots.

At the same time as planting the seedlings you spray them with Wallys Silicon Cell Strengthening Spray with Wallys Silicon Super Spreader added which drives the previous spray into the plant.

This I made up in a handy trigger sprayer which I added Magic Botanic Liquid as well for the many benefits MBL provides.

The products keep well in the trigger sprayer so you use weekly until all is used up then make a fresh lot.

Spray the plants weekly till they get to over a metre tall then you can drop back to a two weekly spray.

Once the plants are taller than you then a monthly spray is all that you need to do.

Now what happened was this; hundreds of eggs were laid by the many adult females that started off in the new season.

The eggs hatched but the nymphs could not feed on the tough walls of the leaves and branches/trunk so their lives were short and they starved to death.

The adults lived their life span but also could not feed on the tough plants so they also died early and within about a month there were no more psyllids in my glasshouses or outside.

Completely wiped them out of my property.

I also noticed a strange thing, the leaves of the tomato plants were double if not triple the size of what they normally would be.

The reason is that silica helps the plant gather more energy from the sun and as a result of that the plant grows larger leaves and bigger, better flavored fruit.

So a double win situation: no psyllids and really big tomato plants with the best crop of tomatoes that I can recall.

Of course I was also applying my Wallys Secret Tomato Food.

It also meant once again after a period of not having many tomatoes because of the psyllids, I then had tomatoes of the best type to give away again.

I used the same products on a young tamarillo plant I purchased and it grew and produced a small crop first season.

To be sure I also treated the capsicum and chili plants with the cell strengthening products and they did splendidly also.

The following year I did not need to use the products as there was no psyllids in my neck of the woods.

One thing you have to watch out for is plants you purchase, tomatoes etc, that they do not have any adult psyllids or eggs on them as that is the most likely way you will start a psyllid problem in your back yard.

They could come from next door also but as insects are lazy they don’t travel far unless they have to.

It has always been white fly that is a curse on tomato plants as well as many other plants.

If you are putting Wallys Neem Tree Powder in the planting hole and Wallys Neem Tree Granules on top of the growing medium/soil that helps a lot with controlling white fly.

Also the Wally Yellow Sticky White Fly traps should be used, tied to the stake above each tomato plant and raised as the plant gets taller.

It is amazing how many hundreds of insect pests get lured to the traps and come to a sticky end.

The traps are available in packs of five, double sided so you can peel the cover off one side and when that is covered in insects use the other side.

The silicon cell strengthening spray can be used on other plants to increase leaf sizes and I would add molasses to the spray as well which also helps make for larger leaves on plants.

Like the bigger the solar panel the more electricity and with plants the bigger the leaves the more energy is produced so the plant grows much better.

It can help overcome the dimming of the skies that prevent us from growing food crops.

the blenheim Choral group held a concert at the ASb theatre on Saturday night called Carmina burana, a cantata based on medieval texts and themes and composed in 1935 and 1936 by Carl Off. the work revolved around the Wheel of Fortune with the stirring ‘O Fortuna’ instantly familiar from movies such as Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. the group held a practice at the Marlborough Library recently to an enthusiastic group of supporters and onlookers. blenheim Choral is conducted by Robert tucker.

Elaine Harmer, Kathyrn Nicholls, Margaret Hastings and Derek Harding.

Piano on wheels: Choir members Rob Parker and Alex Smith wheel Blenheim Choral’s piano from the library to its home base at the Wesley Centre.

Sarah Girling (left) and choir friends all smiles before the concert.

Musical director Robert Tucker conducts Blenheim Choral singing from Carmina Burana to an appreciative audience.

Saturday night’s concert at the ASB Theatre.

Golf Results

Blenheim Golf Club

Mon 28 Aug: 9 Hole stableford Ladies

Yvonne Hore 21 Margaret Hamilton 19

Jenny Evans 19 Anne Michel 18 Jane

Abbott 16 Men Barry Mosley 19 Hay

Montgomery 18 Don Lamond 18 Allen

Knight 17 Ray Herd 16 Dave Menzies 16

Leo McKendry 16 Mike McConnell 16

George Addis 16 Wed 30 Aug: Medal 0-29

Sa-Nga Grupp 71 30+ Colleen McLeod 72

Jenny Evans 76 9 holes Shirley Godsiff

39 Thu 31 Aug: Net Medal Chris Abbott

59 Don Lamond 69 Buck Asplet 69 Tom

Bainbridge 69 Don March 699 hole

ALONE IS NO FUN!

Join

stableford Pani Swann 20 Roy Lilley 19

Allen Knight 18 Ross Agnew 18 Hay

Montgomery 18 Wed 2 Sep: Monthly

Medal Gross Tere Poa 75 Net Bob Tapp

66 Andrew Stowell 68 Barry Mosley

68 Graeme Parker 68 Ross Agnew 68

Don Lamond 69 Tere Poa 70 Graham

Kerrigan 70 Kobe Hart 70 Ray Herd 71

Alf van der Hulst 71 Mike McDonald 71

Buck Asplet 71 Ladies Sa-Nga Grupp 71

Leanne Stowell 71 Bernice Arnold 71

NTP Fairweathers 9/18 Alf van der Hulst

Sowmans 3/12 Tom Bainbridge

Marlborough Golf Club

Tue 29 Aug: Mixed 9 Hole stableford

Div.1:Leana Gargiulo 23, Debra O’Keeffe

20, June Maslin 18. Div.2:Eleanor White

19, Roslyn Leov 17, Elizabeth Bibby 17. Wed 30 Aug: LGU net medal Div.1: Jane Anderson-Bay 77. Div.2:Lucy Jefferis 74, Denise Pickering 80. Div.3:Lynn Dowler 83. Div.4:Sue Lissaman 79, Angela Thomas 82, Francie Shagin 83.

Thu 31 Aug: Men’s stableford Div.1: Andrew Petheridge 40, Kevin Price 38, Bede O’Malley 37, Guy Latham 36, Ken

Picton Golf Club

Sat 26 Aug: Nett-Vicki Eastgate 64; Leigh S/Smith 65; Jerome January 66; Trevor Gullery 67; Mary Butler 68; Ricky Ashworth 71, Gary Aldridge 71; Ian Johnson 72, Len Barlow 72; Damien Pollard 73, Nick Wright 73.

Tues 29 Aug: Lily Booth Nett- Ricky Ashworth 70; Lynette Pearce 72; Margaret Frisken 73; Mary Butler 75, Vicki Eastgate

Wednesday 30 August - Mens Midweek

Par Jim Thomas +9, Graham Ilott +4, Allan Hogg +3, Hans Bloemberg +2, Desz Campbell +2, Dick Hubert +2, Ezra Kahaki +2, John Jones +2, Terry Allen +2, Len Barlow +2, Bruce Curgenven +1, Phil Hill

0, Allan Ryder 0, Rob Lopez 0. Thursday

31 August - Ladies Midweek Stableford Pat Olliver 37, Tracy Bary 36, Dale McCrindle

33, Mariann Grant 33, Anne Newman 32, Margaret Tapp 32, Sue Lang 30. Saturday 2 September - Net Medal Ladies - Pat Olliver

Steel 33, Tom Kelsall 33. Div.2: Brian Chippendale 38, Paul Ham 36, Ross Inder 34, John Davis 34, Alastair Boyle 33, Brian Burgess 33. Wed 2 Sep: Monthly Mug Gross: Julie Nicolle 88. Net: Denise Pickering 73. Men’s Monthly Mug Gross: Paul Silke 74. Net: Brian Chippendale 66. Net medal Div.1: Blair Chicken 73, Chris Nally 74. Div.2: Bede O’Malley 68, James Tyson 70, Euan MacKellar 73, Kevin Price 73. Div.3: Scott Allen 73, Glenn Kirkwood 75, Terry Shagin 75.

75; Lin Stone 76; Judy Jones 78; Kaye Keys 79.

Thu 31 Aug: S/F- Bill Gattrell 39; Jock Mannington 37; David Bunt 36, Leigh S/ Smith 36, Mike Ashworth 36; Ian Johnson 35, James Fattorini 35, Fri 1 Sept: 9H Scrambled Eggs- Lin Stone 24; Helen McIssac 22; Lyn Pearce 20.

Phone/Txt 022 322 6515

txt

The Board of Trustees advises that 40 out of zone vacancies have become available at Bohally Intermediate School for the enrolment of the 2024 academic year. Because the Board operates an enrolment scheme, it is required to fill any vacant out of zone places by ballot when there are more applications than places available.

The Board is prepared to receive applications from Monday 11th September until 3pm Wednesday 11th October. The ballot will be held on Thursday 12th October. Families will be notified Monday 16th October via the email address provided.

Enrolment details can be found on our school website www.bohally.school.nz

69, Di McCarthy 73, Frances Price 74, Tracy Bary 75, Mariann Grant 77, Sue Campbell

78. Mens - Alan Rutledge 68, Allan Shutkowski 70, Peter Browning 71, Jim Thomas 71, Blair Bavin 71, Neil Butts 72, Ezra Kahaki 72. Sunday 3 September - Net Medal Ladies - Mariann Grant 71, Frances Price

73, Sue Campbell 76, Margaret Tapp 77, Tracy Bary 79. Mens - Lindsay McAlpine 66, Jake Nurse 66, Allan Ryder 68, Brian Gill 70, Jerome January 71, Gordie Lang 71, Matthew Jenkins 72, Owen Gibbs 72.

Public meeting and meet the party Leader, Helen Houghton. Saturday 16 September 7pm at Blenheim Croquet Club Rooms Pollard Park, Parker St, Blenheim

Te Tātoru o Wairau

to Buy Public Notices

garden

Wanted

Blenheim Bowling Club

65E Weld Street Blenheim

Business

for Sale

LAWNMOWING BUSINESS FOR SALE

Good time to takeover a business like this. Would suit someone who wants to work for themselves and earn a good income.

2023 Marlborough Returned and Services Association (Incorporated) StA m P and coin collections, old toys, post cards etc Cash paid. Local Ph 021 138 8949 WAtER FRON t Pe lorus Sounds, Boat Access only, Jetty, Boat Ramp, Mooring. House we can make our Home. Views, Sun & Native Bush. Cash Buyer Ph or Text 021 1101 659 WAN t E D TO BUY - Old tobacco tins, NZ postcards, military items,

We would like to invite Whānau and the community to come and celebrate the success of our students. The aim of the expo will be to showcase student learning in a interactive setting to an authentic audience. Our doors are open between 3.30pm - 6.00pm please stop by any time.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Ph 027 246 6363 for full details.

news tips Email news@blenheimsun.co.nz Visit us online at blenheimsun.co.nz

UrGEnt services

Urgent Care Centre: Wairau Hospital

Grounds. Entry off Hospital Rd, Blenheim, 8am-8pm daily. Phone (03) 520 6377.

Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non urgent 578 0797.

After Hours Chemists: Springlands

Pharmacy: Monday - Friday 8.30am -

6pm. Saturday 9m - 5pm. Sunday 10am4pm. Public Holidays 10am - 4pm. Closed Christmas Day. ph 578 2271

Community Care Pharmacy: Within the Blenheim Warehouse, open 7 days 9am8pm. Only closed Christmas Day.

Lifeline Marlborough: 0800 543354, 24hr helpline.

Women’s Refuge and Sexual Violence Support Centre Marlborough: Crisis line number phone 0800 refuge or 03 5779939.

Victim Support: 0800 VICTIM (0800 842 846)

Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 AA WORKS - 0800 229 6757.

Citizens Advice Bureau: Free, friendly, confidential advice. Mon - Fri 9.30am4pm. Phone 578 4272.

Wairau Hospital: Hospital Visiting Hours: Daily 2.30pm - 8pm, children under 12 may visit parents only.

Maternity Ward: 10am-noon, 4pm-7pm.

Children's Ward: Daily 10am-8pm. Visiting at all times is subject to the discretion of the nurse in charge of the ward.

Picton:

Ambulance: Urgent 111. Non-urgent 579 4870.

Chemist: Picton Healthcare Pharmacy. Ph 573 6420 Mon -Fri 8.30-5.30pm, Sat 9-2pm. Medical Centre Pharmacy, Ph 928 4265, Mon-Fri 8am-5.30pm

Death notices

HENSON, Robin James (‘Ferrett’): On Wednesday August 30, 2023 at Wairau Hospital. Aged 81 years. Dearly loved husband of Doreen, loved father of Bronwyn, Rosalie and Simon. Loved Grandad of James, Rylan, and Aydan. Loved brother and brotherin-law of Dianne and Barry Harper. Messages may be sent to 130A Muller Road, Blenheim 7201. A private family farewell has been held.

T: 03 578 4719

E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz

W: www.sowmans.co.nz

MERRALL, Belinda Susan “Be” (née Martin): Passed away on Saturday September 2, 2023 at Wairau Hospital. In her 72nd year. Loved wife of Graeme. Loved mother of Tom, Joe, Rose and Sam. Loved “GranBe” of James, Anna, Emily, Hazel and Maisie. Messages may be sent to the Merrall Family at 128A Redwood Street, Blenheim 7201. A service for Be will be held at the Mayfield Chapel, cnr Hutcheson and Parker Streets, Blenheim at 1.00pm on Thursday September 7, followed by cremation at the Sowman Crematorium.

T: 03 578 4719

E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz

W: www.sowmans.co.nz

NEIMAN, Brendon Mark: Died unexpectedly on 1 September 2023 at his home in the Mahau Sounds, Marlborough, aged 53 years. A send off for Brendon will be held at the Springlands Chapel, Cloudy Bay Funeral Services, 15 Boyce Street on Friday 8 September at 2.00pm followed by private cremation. To view full notice please visit our website.

In Memoriam

Remember your lost loved one on their anniversary.

The deadline is Monday 5.00pm. Please contact the Sun for further details. 72 High Street, Blenheim, email office@blenheimsun.co.nz or phone 577 7868.

PATEL, Philip James (Phil): Passed away peacefully at Wairau Hospital on the 24th of August 2023. Dearly loved son of the late Homi and Margaret Patel of Auckland. In accordance with Phil’s wishes his ashes were interred in the grounds of the Papatuanuku Trust. To view full notice please visit our website.

CROSSWORD

CROSSWORD

TAYLOR, Amanda Elizabeth (née Peach):

Passed away peacefully, at Redwood Lifestyle Care and Village, on Thursday, August 31, 2023. In her 90th year. Dearly loved wife of Kelvin, loved mother and mother-inlaw of Roseanne and Rod Henderson, and Mark. Loved grandmother of Kelly, Jason, and Renee. Loved great grandmother of Logan, Cody, Mia, and Olivia. Messages may be sent to the Taylor Family, 21 Endeavour Street, Riversdale, Blenheim 7201. In lieu of flowers a donation to the Cancer Society would be appreciated and may be made at the service or to a/c 06-0601-0044826-00 Ref. TAYLOR. A service for Amanda will be held at the Mayfield Chapel, cnr Hutcheson and Parker Streets, at 11.00am TODAY Wednesday, September 6, followed by interment at Omaka Cemetery.

T: 03 578 4719

E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz

W: www.sowmans.co.nz

WILSON, Jean, QSM: Passed away peacefully after a short illness, on Tuesday August 29, 2023. Aged 91 years. Dearly loved wife of the late Dave Wilson. Loved mother and mother-in-law of Mark and Wendy Wilson, and Karen and Ian Lang. Dearly loved nana of David, Peter and Anton. Special thanks to the staff at Wairau Hospital, and Helen, for their care and kindness. Jean will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Messages may be sent to the Wilson family, c/- P O Box 110, Blenheim 7240. According to Jean’s wishes, a private cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held at a future time, details to be advised.

T: 03 578 4719

E: sowmans@funerals.co.nz

W: www.sowmans.co.nz

Acknowledgements

MCLEAN: Trevor Ross. 21 August 1931 –11 August 2023. Carol, Ross, Paula, Gavin, Jason and families would like to sincerely thank all those who sent cards, flowers, provided food and gave their support upon the passing of Trevor. Special thanks to the staff of Redwood Retirement Village for their wonderful care. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement of our grateful and heartfelt thanks.

Community notices Share

For Hire

Boat storage shed available for hire in Rose Manor area, 8 metres long, doors are 4.2m wide, height 3m. Ph 021498751

For Sale

Caravan, Southern Star. 22ft 2010 NZ built. Double glazed, new deep cycle battery, solar, diesel heater. New WOF. Has everything. $58k ono 0278585779

Wanted

Wa nt ED QUALIFIED ARBORIST for work done in lieu of free holiday at bach, private beach. Ph 021 731 255.

ESTATE BUSTERS

Green leather lounge suite, outdoor dining set, double bed, 3-4 seater sofa, garden pots, kitchenware, linen, garden tools, much more and free stuff. Signs out 8am. Hilton Place.

Book your space now in our next (by 3pm Tuesday)

Garage Sale Column!

Phone 5777 868

By Russell McQuarters

By Russell McQuarters

ACROSS

1. Conniption (7)

5. Variety of cabbage (11)

(5)

11. Of the nose (5)

12. Wicked (7)

12. Wicked (7)

13. Travel by car (5)

13. Travel by car (5)

14. Beef stew(made with beer) (9)

14. Beef stew(made with beer) (9)

15. Swiss cheese (9)

15. Swiss cheese (9)

16. Lift weights; ‘ iron’ (4)

16. Lift weights; ‘ iron’ (4)

17. Disgrace (7)

17. Disgrace (7)

19. Circuitous route (6)

19. Circuitous route (6)

23. National song (6)

23. National song (6)

26. Lacking good manners (3,4)

26. Lacking good manners (3,4)

29. Male deer (4)

29. Male deer (4)

30. Born (3)

30. Born (3)

32. Strait (3)

32. Strait (3)

34. Melt (4)

34. Melt (4)

35. Slow moving ice mass (7)

35. Slow moving ice mass (7)

36. Goal (6)

36. Goal (6)

39. Stay (6)

39. Stay (6)

40. Ceaseless (7)

40. Ceaseless (7)

42. Army canteen (4)

42. Army canteen (4)

46. Twin-hulled vessel (9)

46. Twin-hulled vessel (9)

48. Trifle (9)

48. Trifle (9)

50. Deserve (5)

50. Deserve (5)

51. Autobiographical record (7)

51. Autobiographical record (7)

52. Mythological demon(Arabia) (5)

52. Mythological demon(Arabia) (5)

53. Lucid (5-6)

53. Lucid (5-6)

54. Hard wearing cloth (7)

54. Hard wearing cloth (7)

DOWN

DOWN

1. Fillip (5)

1. Fillip (5)

2. Quack medicine (7)

2. Quack medicine (7)

3. Type of deodorant dispenser (4-2)

3. Type of deodorant dispenser (4-2)

4. Uneven contest (8)

4. Uneven contest (8)

5. Mediaeval guitar (7)

5. Mediaeval guitar (7)

6. Forearm bone(pl) (5)

6. Forearm bone(pl) (5)

7. Revenue (6)

7. Revenue (6)

8. Regreted (8)

8. Regreted (8)

9. Shaman; (5,6)

9. Shaman; (5,6)

10. Of the country (5)

10. Of the country (5)

16. Large flat dish (7)

16. Large flat dish (7)

18. Leisurely walk (5)

18. Leisurely walk (5)

20. Degenerate (7)

20. Degenerate (7)

21. Female swan (3)

21. Female swan (3)

22. Small barrel (3)

22. Small barrel (3)

24. Magician (11)

24. Magician (11)

25. U.S. actress; Ryan (3)

25. U.S. actress; Ryan (3)

27. Lawful (5)

27. Lawful (5)

28. Smear (3)

28. Smear (3)

31. Cloth measure (3)

31. Cloth measure (3)

33. Male cat (3)

33. Male cat (3)

37. Screen actor (4,4)

37. Screen actor (4,4)

38. N.Z. novelist, Frank (8)

38. N.Z. novelist, Frank (8)

41. Erect again (7)

41. Erect again (7)

43. Make bigger (7)

43. Make bigger (7)

44. Forges’ air-blasting apparatus(6)

44. Forges’ air-blasting apparatus(6)

45. Exert oneself (6)

45. Exert oneself (6)

46. Comedian (5)

46. Comedian (5)

47. Wanderer (5)

47. Wanderer (5)

49. Consumed (5)

49. Consumed (5)

Solution

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

SOLUTION

Last Week 30 August 2023

For June 30, 2004

For April 9, 2003

For June 30, 2004

For April 9, 2003

Katie selected for NZ U16 Oceania tournament

By Chris Valli

Katie Pugh has a smile and enthusiasm that suggests she is rather excited about what awaits in Tahiti.

The 14-year-old has been selected for the New Zealand Under 16 Women’s Football Team and is one of two South Island representatives in the squad of 19 players for the Oceania Championship involving host nation Tahiti and teams from New Caledonia, Cook Islands, Samoa, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea and Fiji.

The squad leaves on Monday, September 11 and will be there for three weeks.

Katie found out about her inclusion via email after weeks of waiting after the trial in Christchurch. “I was so scared, as it came up on my watch and I was like do I open it,” she says. “I was away from my parents at the time and it said, this is the squad, congratulations. I was ecstatic and called my Dad and Mum. I was crying.”

Katie had received an earlier email to inform her that she was ‘in contention’ and in the

discussion when it came to squad inclusion. However, her friends also got an email saying ‘they didn’t get in’ so it was with mixed emotions.

The Year 10 Marlborough Girls’ College student has been playing football since she can remember. She plays her competitive football for Nelson Suburbs in the Senior Women’s competition in Nelson as a striker and has previously played as a defender and midfielder.

Her training in Nelson, required Katie leaving for school at 8am, prepared for the day and evening, returning around 10pm back in Blenheim. Commitment and organisation were certainly needed to play over the hill.

The family lived in Switzerland for two years where Katie played football alongside boys in an elite league. She says her own skill level improved from the increased competition she came up against on a weekly basis.

Katie who previously played for the Marlborough Women’s Team decided to head to Nelson as the team was disbanded. As a result, she trialled and made the Nelson Women’s team who play in the

Katie says the opportunity to play for New Zealand is about continuing the hard work and dedication. Right: Katie eyes a gap for clubside Nelson suburbs.

Southern League and ended up starting in her first game.

“I was quite shocked; I didn’t expect that for the first season. I knew I had a skill set but not one which would take me out of Tasman,” she says modestly. “You can be good in Blenheim but when you go up against other players from other regions there are

always people better than me. The training camps in Christchurch made me think, I fit in here, and I’m doing alright.”

“I feel like I’m learning so much about the game and the positions. I’m playing and watching a lot of football.”

Katie says her selection at a national level is testimony to how

much she just loves the game. “It’s fun, you have to work for it if you want to do it. I want to work and play in the big stadiums. It’s a big accomplishment. The fun of the game makes you want to train more. I’m there to win as a team that takes out the Oceania Championship,” she says. “I can’t wait to get on the plane.”

Duathlon – having fun with friends

By Chris Valli

Entries are coming in thick and fast for the 2023 version of the Harcourts Marlborough Kids Duathlon.

The course venue at the Brancott Estate Vineyard in Fairhall is once again the setting.

There are two course options for the duathlon. Course One is a run or walk 1km – bike 3km – run or walk 1km while Course Two is a run or walk 2km – bike 5.5km – run or walk 1km. Both courses are open to kids six – 18 years old.

Harcourts committee spokesperson Kate Guthrie says they have the capacity to host over 400 entrants. 250 entries have been received to date which is up on last year. She says al-

though the event is a great deal of organising for the committee and the helpers it’s worth every minute she says when you see all the kids out there giving it a go.

“It’s a brilliant community event that brings kids from all over the region including Nelson,” says Kate.

Kate says the duathlon has always been at the Brancott venue and they’re very fortunate to have Pernod Ricard’s support each year. She says it’s a great location for kids to really stretch their legs.

This year’s event will see Harcourts involved as the major sponsor along with Bikefit Marlborough and More FM.

“The Harcourts mascot bear will be there to support the

children, there’s a great prize of a brand new bike for one lucky participant and More FM will have their sound system for commentating and the energising warm up,” says Kate. “We also have much local business that has donated various things that make this event the success it is; Meaters of Marlborough, Thomas’s and Kinzet Tomatoes to name a few.”

Previous participant Louis Guthrie (Kate’s son) says he loves the duathlon and being out running around with his friends and biking through the vineyard.

“It was a great challenge and can’t wait to do it all again this year. The highlight is always the BBQ and baking at the end,” he says.

FUN IN THE VINEYARD: The Harcourts Marlborough Kids Duathlon is on Sunday September 17.