National recognition for northern rescue copters

A crew from the Northland Rescue Helicopter won the top award at the 2022 NZ Search and Rescue (NZSAR) awards held at Parliament last week. Pictured after receiving their Gold – Operational Award are, from left, critical care paramedic Paul Davis, pilot Lance Donnelly, co-pilot Alex Hunt and critical care paramedic Josh Raravula. The crew, together with a number of other emergency and rescue agencies and individuals, were recognised for their outstanding efforts when the charter fishing vessel Enchanter capsized off the North Cape on the night of March 22 last year. The NZSAR also acknowledged the Auckland Westpac Rescue Helicopter team who were actively involved in recovery efforts in the days following the incident.

Concert fundraiser

A variety concert in Warkworth has raised $2150 for flood victims in the Rodney area. An organiser, Peter Henderson, of Warkworth Lions, said the moderate turnout was pleasing given the weather and the concert coincided with the king’s coronation.

“The audience was treated to a variety of acts and Rodney Local Board member Guy Wishart, from Huapai Kumeu Lions, spoke about the situation in the west,” Henderson said. The programme included bands, singers, magicians and a Warkworth Theatre group presentation.

Disappointing decision

The Rodney Local Board discussed at its meeting last week whether to continue the funding allocation of $2,550,000 ($850,000 per year), from the Warkworth subdivision portion of the Rodney Local Board Transport Targeted Rate, for an ondemand bus service.

The proposed service would link Warkworth, Leigh and Sandspit and would run for three years.

The Board discussed whether to support the bus service or reallocate the project budget to road asset maintenance and renewals in the Warkworth subdivision.

The Summerset Falls Residents’ Committee contacted other retirement villages in Warkworth, its business neighbours in Mansel Drive and the wider Warkworth community through the One Mahurangi Business Association.

There was widespread community support for the proposed service. However, the Rodney Local Board resolved to pause the bus trial while it investigated alternative uses for the board’s transport targeted rate, such as road maintenance in rural Rodney. The on-demand ride-share service would have benefited the wider Warkworth community so the decision of the Rodney Local Board is disappointing.

Glyn Williams, Residents’ Committee, Summerset Falls Retirement Village

Winter dip

The annual Leigh Mid-Winter Swim will be held at Matheson Bay on June 25, starting at 10.30am. Leigh School and Leigh Preschool will be selling soup, home baking and drinks, and Leigh Community Patrol, Leigh Waste Free Minimisation and Pest Free Leigh will have a presence. Everyone welcome.