Football & Rugby Pre-season Tour to Australia

Takapuna Grammar sent three teams overseas during the recent holidays, a return to travel for the first time since 2019. The 1st XV rugby squad and 1st XI boys and girls football squads each spent over a week on the Gold Coast, staying in some of the premier sporting facilities available while playing local opposition.

The boys 1st XI football competed in the Southport School’s Easter tournament, coming up against some of the powerhouse schools in Australia, including Melbourne and Brisbane Grammar schools. The boys held their own in every game, coming away with a few wins, narrowly missing out on a finals spot and eventually finishing in fifth place.

TGS Anzac Day Commemorations

After two years of Covid interruptions, the school was pleased that the traditional Takapuna Grammar Anzac Dusk Service could go ahead this year.

At 5.30pm on Tuesday 25 April, staff, students (past and present), members of the Royal New Zealand Navy and members of the extended school community gathered in the Ex-Pupils’ Library to remember all servicemen and servicewomen who fought to defend our freedoms and uphold our values. The ceremony places a particular emphasis on the 84 ex-Takapuna Grammar students who paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost their lives while serving the country. We heard stories about two of these men; Gunner Ian MacKechnie and Captain Bob Horrocks. This gave the ceremony a personal touch and many attendees had connections with these men and their families as well as others who are listed on the school’s roll of honour.

The school was also represented at the local Devonport and Takapuna services by our prefects, including our RSA Ambassador Natasha Nowaczek, who delivered the Anzac Dedication in front of a large crowd gathered for the Devonport parade.

The immersion in a sports environment provided great opportunities for the players to connect and develop their technical and tactical understanding, as well as the personal development that touring provides. The teams also got to experience local wildlife, visiting a koala sanctuary, and activities, including attending an NRL match at Suncorp Stadium. The tour was a great pre-season experience and prepares students well as they head into their winter season.

BY GILLIAN SCOTT

ACCOMMODATION

I’m looking for a mature woman to share my home in Ascot avenue. It offers a double size bed with linen. It’s about a ten minute walk to Devonport and the supermarket. There is also another single room for use as a study if needed. Wifi and Netflix are included but I do ask for a half share of the winter heating utility bill. $225p/w. Call Fay on 445-3256 and please leave a message if no answer.

June Clark

June Clark, a longtime resident of Devonport, passed away on Wednesday 26 April. Paul, her husband of 72 years, died in December last year. June and Paul farmed in Hawke’s Bay, where June began to spin and knit her own wool. This led to her interest in weaving and she became an extremely accomplished weaver, involved in local and national spinning and weaving groups. To many, she was the “Teddy Bear Lady”, knitting hundreds of colourful little bears for charity. The funeral service was held on Monday 1 May at Rowley Funerals in Anne Street and attended by close family and friends.

HOUSE-WASHING SERVICES

• SOFT HOUSE WASH

• PATHS, DRIVEWAYS

• SPIDER TREATMENTS

• ROOF WASH

• GUTTER WASH

• PRE-PAINT WASH

• MOSS MOULD TREATMENTS

Retired, professional couple from Napier, looking for a 1-2 month house sit, or piedaterre in the Devonport area. Dates flexible. They are hoping to buy locally in the longer term. Email. jbb.ba49@gmail.com

SERVICES OFFERED

FixIT Handymanexcellent work, practical budget, most jobs welcome, interior/exterior free quote. Josh 021 261 8322.

SERVICES OFFERED

Need someone to feed your cat and other pets at your home while you’re away? I love animals and would love to help you! I am 11 years old and live in Devonport. I charge $5 per visit. Each visit I feed your pet and can play with them for about 10-15 minutes each visit if they are comfortable with me. I also send you pics of them so you don’t miss them too much! I always visit with one of my parents. Devonport only please! Text/call: 021-270-7677.

WANTED

CASH PAID FOR CARS * VANS * UTES * 4x4S x FORKLIFTS *TRUCKS & MOTORHOMES 0800 20 30 60 24/7.

Want To

A new website for the Trust - go to www.dpt.nz This has been possible due to the wonderful help we have had from Bays resident and supporter, Urs Steck, and the ongoing support we have had from Alex, at EasyPC.

Please send me any further suggestions you have for the website - address below.

You will see the ‘Emergency’ Guidelines on the sitedownload these, go through them, and have your plans ready for the next emergency. If need be, seek help from friends, family, neighbours, in order to be prepared.

Bayswater-Belmont Emergency Support – a willing group of residents met at the Rose Centre last week, and agreed that they would like to see the BayswaterBelmont area included in one Emergency Support Plan for the whole peninsula, and added to the Devonport plan that has already been completed. We will proceed on that basis, and thank all attendees for their support.

Midwinter Dip

Is scheduled for June 25th at 11:30 am. We had approximately 280 dippers last year. Can we make it 300 this year? 400?

Tell friends and family to lock the date in.

Do you see yourself in this photo?

You will see Devonport’s very own Druid, centre left, about to take the plunge!!

Tamariki Winter Play

Starts Tuesday 6 June at Bayswater School Hall – sessions running from 9:30 am to 11:30 am. There is no charge, and there is coffee, tea available. These are great sessions for little ones and not so little ones alike. In the past, some coffee groups have used this as their meeting point. Our thanks to the Bayswater School team for making us welcome again this year.

Devonport Senior Forum

Another great meeting on Thursday 27th - with a very interesting talk by Professor Vanessa Burholt, – speaking about the University of Auckland’s ‘CCreate-Age’ – Centre for Co-created Ageing Research’ – aimed at involving the senior community itself in establishing research needs and opportunities. Two questions we would ask: Is there a need for support for those who care for elderly members of this community? What might that support look like?

Email: nigelbioletti@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

Shorejobs

Shorejobs

20 years ago from the Flagstaff files

• A pet shooter is on the loose in Stanley Point. Burmese cat Bubble was shot seven times with a slug gun.

• The new Navy Museum project at Torpedo Bay is put on hold while the Defence Force reviews its musuem policy.

• Devonport artist Robert Stewart exhibits his reproductions of the works of great artists Van Gogh, Gauguin and Modigliani at the Palette Gallery in Belmont.

• The 100-year old Esplanade Hotel plans a series of events to mark the milestone.

• Discussions continue over the future of Navy housing in Devonport.

• The Navy chops down 20 karo and pohutukawa on the Calliope Rd clifftop. It says the trees – many 50 years old – were unsafe. North Shore councillor Joel Cayford, Devonport Community Board member Roger Brittenden and local lobbyist Chris Darby all opposed the felling. Community Board member John Duder was concerned about what would happen if the trees were left “and then we get a cyclone and the trees fall down and kill someone”.

• Devonport New World wins top grocery department and best produce department in Foodstuffs’ 2002/03 awards.

• An application to erect a 16.5m cellphone tower at 165 Bayswater Ave should be declined, North Shore City Council says.

• Ten years of bound Devonport Flagstaff editions are now available for perusing at Devonport Library.

• Kelvin and Val Grant launch a People of Devonport project, designed to honour deceased residents.

• Mike Cohen and John Duder share the chair role for the Devonport Community Board.

• Michael Olsen is named the most valuable year-seven player in the North Shore Cricket Club junior prizegiving. (Update from 2023: Olsen recently retired after 12 years in Shore’s premier cricket side.)

• Cricketer Richard Jones is called up to the New Zealand test squad bound for Sri Lanka.

• The North Harbour Rugby Union is mediating a dispute between the Navy and North Shore clubs over player-poaching allegations.

• H.Morris Ltd Funeral service marks 70 years as undertakers, having been established in Devonport in 1933.

• A three-bedroom brick-and-tile Belmont unit is on the market for $299,000.

Council refuses to remove trees it lists as ‘pest’ species

Auckland Council is continuing to block the removal of two trees found to be causing flooding issues on Anne St, despite the council itself listing the tree species as a pest.

Resident Peter McNab began campaigning for the removal of the Brisbane umbrella trees in May last year. Their leaves were blocking drains, causing flooding on his property.

Different arms of council considered the issue, coming to conflicting conclusions about what action should be taken. The Healthy Waters department said removing the trees and kerbing a planted area would “reduce the flooding frequency significantly”. But council arborist Steve Kerbs recommended the trees remain, arguing the stormwater layout on the street was responsible for the flooding.

After meetings, it was agreed Auckland Council would clear the drains regularly and before any major weather event.

The issue resurfaced at a Devonport-Takapuna Local Board meeting when member George Wood asked why a tree that was listed in the Auckland Regional Pest Management Plan (RPMP) was being retained. The RPMP is a guide to how Auckland Council identifies and controls targeted pest species.

McNab presented his case to the local board at a meeting on 21 March.

But Auckland Council has maintained its stance on the issue, and says the listing of the species in the RPMP does not mean they have to be removed.

Council regional arborists and ecological manager, David Stejskal, said arborists inspected the trees and found nothing of concern that would warrant removal.

“The trees are healthy, structurally sound and provide canopy cover in a street that has no other public street trees present,” he said.

McNab said the response to his request for action showed that the different arms of council work to their own goals rather than working together to make cohesive decisions. “It’s causing all this damage and still being ignored.”

Heritage tug’s future still in question

Devonport may lose the heritage steam tug, William C Daldy, as an attraction at her mooring at Victoria Wharf.

And Auckland stands to lose a key part of its maritime heritage unless a million-dollar rescue plan for the vessel can be formulated. Despite efforts to come up with a plan to keep the vessel viable, enthusiasts have struggled to find solutions.

Deferred maintenance due to Covid disruption means that urgent work is needed before September to maintain the tug’s insurance and survey standards. Without these, it will have to relinquish its Victoria Wharf berth.

The William C Daldy Preservation Society does not have the $1million this is expected to cost.

The pandemic prevented a series of public sailings, cutting into earnings. The cost of coal for fuel has risen and decreased operation has also affected the ability to attract volunteers.

Advisers have been working since last year on options to secure the tug’s future, and still seek sponsorship and offers of volunteer help. But the best option may be for it to become a static museum or be sold as a commercial entity. Otherwise, the final solution may be to sink the boat or sell it for scrap.

• Anyone with ideas to help ensure the Daldy stays afloat for her centenary in 2035, is asked to contact John Pratt 027 7071136 or john@ trmnz.com.