Waimea Weekly - 30 November 2022

Student jumps from moving bus

JO KENT

A 13-year-old Waimea Interme diate student was left injured after jumping from a moving school bus when it pulled away as he was removing his scooter from the side storage compartment.

Concerned parents Neville and Kelly Phillips say this isn’t the first time it’s happened to their son Josh.

“Josh reminds the bus driver ev ery day prior to getting off that he will get his scooter out of the boot,” Neville says. “That day,

the driver acknowledged him, but drove off down Pitfure Road in Wakefield with the boot flap open and Josh still inside with his scooter.

“He had to make a split-second decision to try to get his scooter off the moving vehicle or leave

it and jump to safety. So, he jumped.”

Falling awkwardly, he hurt his ankle, but managed to make his way to the next stop on Martin Avenue where the driver gets out to take down the school sign. But, sadly, his scooter had gone.

“When he approached the bus, he asked the driver why he drove off to which he was told ‘I didn’t see you’. But why wasn’t the driver checking the mirrors constantly and watching the whole process

FROM PAGE 1

Trees given second chance

Morten Lausen says he’ll know by the end of summer if the bridge grafting has worked.

Photo: Jo Kent. Full story page 4.

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STREET TALK

Thanksgiving was celebrated in parts of the world last week. What are you thankful for this year?

Family, our parents and sister. We moved back from Cana da for family and enjoy being with them.

My daughter. She’s a truckie and I love her. And I’m thank ful for my daughter’s dog. I take it to dog kindy each week.

Our health, especially now. I think we have had a wakeup call on health and family and travel. We are thankful to live in New Zealand now.

I’m thankful for family and the ability to travel again.

Student injured after jumping from moving bus

FROM PAGE 1

from start to finish?”

Neville says, because it’s not the first time this has happened, questions need to be asked about safety.

“This is the second time it’s hap pened to Josh now, and I’ve seen it almost happen a third time when I met him at the bus stop.

“Just driving down the road with the side flap open is a huge hazard any way, let alone having a child hanging out of it.”

Josh’s scooter was later found aban doned in the road and returned to him.

Deputy principal for Waimea Inter mediate, Nic Walker, says that there are two buses which run the Wake field route taking over 100 students back and forth daily.

“A lot of the kids bring scooters with them, some because they want to but others because they need to as they

ride longer distances to get their nearest bus stop.”

General manager for Nelson Coach lines Tim Cumming says he’s pleased the matter has been brought to his attention.

“After speaking with Josh’s parents, we have reviewed our safety policy with regards to scooters and have now made changes with immediate effect.”

He says storage lockers on school buses will no longer be used, but children can carry their scooters and other items on to the bus with them.

“As long as scooters can be safe ly stored under the seat in front of them or on their lap, they can go on the bus, but not left in the middle of the aisle.”

Nelson Coachlines has been trans porting children to and from school for over 90 years, working in unison with Ministry of Education and the individual schools.

Debbie McDowell

Bill Orpwood

Kim Lineham

Cassidie Robinson

Josh Phillips was forced to jump from the school bus after it started moving with him in the storage compartment.

Photo: Jo Kent.

Slip-closed Stafford Drive to reopen

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

Ruby Bay’s Stafford Drive is set to reopen for January after Tasman District Council has given the goahead to clear the slip blocking the road.

The coastal road, linking Māpua and Ruby Bay to Tasman Vil lage, has been blocked for three months since the August 2022 weather event caused the slip.

“With summer almost upon us and the likelihood of more traffic on our region’s roads, extending this time any further is not ten able and we need to make a deci sion,” says Richard Kirby, TDC’s community infrastructure group manager.

On that basis, Richard has asked for the slip to be cleared away and opened to two lanes within the next four weeks.

A geotechnical report was re ceived by council in mid-October which showed there was poten tially a high level of risk associ ated with reopening the road due to expected ongoing slips.

But Richard says measures have been prepared in case the longterm risks associated with re opening both lanes are consid ered too high.

“As part of the decision-making process, we have developed a safety management plan which could enable the road to be re duced to one lane if necessary, based on observations as slip

clearance work proceeds.”

The announcement is great news for Mamaku Road resident Daphne Tucker who has driven Stafford Drive for 67 years.

“It’s great. I very seriously missed not being able to use that road,” she says. “I go down there fre quently because I have family in Māpua.”

Her detour has been along Mar riages Rd and Pomona Rd, a lon ger route which she doesn’t enjoy as much as the scenic coastal road.

“In comparison [to Stafford Drive], look at the views to start with, and the convenience of not having to go on that windy old road.”

The narrow detour has

also proven popular with other drivers who chose not to trav el along State Highway 60/the Coastal Highway.

“It’s only the residents up that road that use it normally,” she says.

“But not in the volume that we’re seeing now.”

She added that trucks have used the Marriages-Pomona route as well and she’s had to pull over so they have had room to pass, al though that was more common in the early days of the road’s clo sure.

Daphne says Stafford Drive is

crucial for linking the region’s communities.

“It’s the connection of Tasman and Māpua that is important for the locals, and it’s been very much affected,” she says.

“We’ll be very grateful for it being restored.”

Council is currently working alongside contractors to confirm a start date for the clearance.

Stafford Drive has been closed for three months due to a slip which is now set to be cleared.

Photo: Supplied.

Trees given a second chance

FROM PAGE 1

JO KENT

Two trees that were recently van dalised in Wakefield now have a chance of survival thanks to one local man’s actions.

Al Dephoff read about the ringbarked trees in the Waimea Week ly and knew he had to try to save them.

“I have an arborist friend in Christchurch, so I rang him to see if anything could be done. He told me about ‘bridge grafting’ and said that there is a chance the trees could be saved.”

Motivated by the news, Al con tacted local firm Sticks ‘n’ Stones to see if they were up for the job. Owner Morten Lausen agreed that bridge grafting could work, so Al offered to foot the bill himself.

“It’s a fairly simple, but time con suming, procedure of taking twigs or bark from the tree to connect the bottom and top halves to gether. This enables the nutrients made during photosynthesis to be transported down the branches and trunk and into the root sys tem to keep it alive.

“We’ll know by the end of this season if it’s been a success be cause either the twigs will still be alive or will have gone brittle and died, which means it won’t have worked.”

Reserves officer for Tasman Dis trict Council Richard Hilton says

cost played a part in the coun cil’s decision to leave the trees to Mother Nature, and says the smallest tree will still be felled.

“The tree closest to the fence will have to be removed as the foliage is close to hanging over a property

boundary. But, hopefully, the larg er of the two trees can be saved.

“We plan to plant some new trees along the Railway Reserve next year. Not in this spot, but a bit fur ther along where there are some bigger gaps.”

As the smaller tree is being re moved, Morten used twigs from that to use as ‘bridges’ on the larger tree to avoid cutting off any more bark unnecessarily. He then used a wax seal to prevent damp or rot getting into the incisions.

“They are the same variety of tree so it should work perfectly. Whoever did this in the first place seemed pretty determined to kill them both.”

Al was on hand on the day the crew arrived to do the job.

1,

as he’s

Sticks ‘n’ Stones arborist Mike Overall says he’ll know by the end of summer if the bridge grafting has worked. Photo: Jo Kent.

Val and Eric Whyte and Jan Wood joined other members from Nelson’s Lions and Lionesses Clubs in walking 33.5km in Lap the Map last Wednesday. November is World Diabetes Month and Lap the Map is part of promoting a healthy lifestyle and raising awareness of diabetes in New Zealand. Lions clubs across New Zealand are hosting walks, hoping the combined distance of those participating will surpass the length of New Zealand’s 15,000 km coastline. While the majority of walkers do not have diabetes, Eric Whyte was diagnosed with Type

50 years ago. He says the initial diagnosis was a shock, but good education and doing

told mean he hasn’t had a lot of problems with diabetes. He appreciates the support of Lions and Lioness Clubs throughout the country who contribute a lot of support to Diabetes New Zealand most years. Photo: Jenny Nicholson.

Rock blasting to cause traffic delays

Rock-blasting on State High way 6 near Murchison is due to start early next month, ac cording to Waka Kotahi.

Residents and regular users of SH6, Dellows Bluff, near Mur chison, can expect traffic de lays and “a bit of noise” from Monday, 5 December.

Mark Owen, regional manager lower North Island/Top of the South Island, says contractors will be working on the rock face responsible for rock falls that closed the highway in July this year.

“This will involve some rock-blasting to remove un stable rocks and material from the cliff above the highway. We need to remove this rock to reduce the risk we saw in July, when some huge boulders fell onto the road. That’s a driving hazard no one wants to see or tolerate.”

Mark says because blasting is

involved, the road will have to be closed for safety reasons.

“We can’t have traffic going through the works site while this is happening. But the work crews are making sure the clo sures will be short, ensuring that road users’ delays are kept as short as possible.”

The road will be closed be tween 6pm and 8pm, on Mon day 5 December through to Wednesday 7 December.

The road will be open to all traffic outside these working hours but will be restricted to a single lane managed by traf fic lights and 30km temporary speed restrictions. This is due to the drop-out sites adjacent to the rockfall area. No detours are available.

Waka Kotahi say emergen cy services will have access through the site if required. It is expected the works will be completed within three nights.

However, if required, the lim ited night-time closures may extend to Friday, 9 December. Mark says further work is also planned for the adjacent under slip.

“We know residents and regu lar users of SH6 are keen to see this section of road returned to two lanes as soon as possible. “Pile-driving work has begun at the site this week and is expected to go through until Christmas. We do want to get this piece of road returned to two lanes as quickly as possi ble”

Waka Kotahi wants to thank residents and road users for their cooperation and patience while this vital maintenance work is done.

Drivers are also asked to re spect road work signs and temporary speed limits. This is for their safety and that of the work crews.

Warning after bluebottle jellyfish sightings

A large number of bluebottle jellyfish have been spotted around the region in the last week and locals are being urged to be vigilant at local beaches. Bluebottles have been spotted at Tahunanui Beach, Glenduan, Ruby Bay and Mapua. Mapua resident Angelika Gebhard says she spotted “hundreds” near Mapua Wharf last week. Niwa’s advice in the event of being stung by a jellyfish is to flush the area with seawater to remove the stinging cells, carefully pluck off any tentacles that might be stuck on, then apply heat to relieve the pain and deactivate the venom. Most stings in New Zealand waters are not serious but jellyfish should be avoided when possible.

Network Tasman Trust allocates $160k to local organisations

This month Network Tasman Trust has allocated $160,820 in grants to 84 not-for-profit organisations in the Nelson Tasman area. These organisations have includ ed wildlife groups, schools, sports teams and counselling and support services.

NTT grant funding generally falls into five main categories - social support services, sport and recre ation, education, art and culture and environmental and energy saving. Grant allocations are capped at $3,000 per organisation.

Applications will open again in Au gust 2023, go to www.networktas man.co.nz for more information.

McDonald’s in Richmond Mall closing

JO KENT

Burger fans will have to drive a little further to get their McDonald’s fix as the Richmond Mall branch offi cially closes down today, Wednesday 30 November.

Head of communications for Mc Donald’s New Zealand Simon Ken ny says the branch is one of a num ber of food court restaurants which haven’t had the lease renewed in re cent years.

“We have decided not to renew our

lease for the food court restaurant in Richmond.

“Increasingly our focus is on sup porting our free-standing, full-ser vice restaurants.

“In particular those restaurants that can offer customers a Drive-Thru, playland, McCafe, McDelivery and extended hours of trading.”

All staff from the food court restau rant have been offered work at the existing Richmond restaurant on the corner of Lower Queen Street and SH6 junction.

Shirley Wallace winner of $100 from shopping at Crafty or Wot

The sun shone for the annual Nelson Ulysses Toy Run on Saturday with around 120 bikes tak ing part in the procession from Neale Park to Richmond’s A&P Showground. Both toys and cash were donated for The Salvation Army with the total amount not tallied at the time of print. Photo: Andrew Bunker.

Remembering our loved ones

SARA HOLLYMAN

Gay Molineaux hasn’t figured out who will cook the Christmas ham this year.

It had been her husband Chris’ job for the more than four de cades they had been married. But, in January, Chris passed away in the care of Nelson Tas man Hospice.

Gay will this year write her first message on a decoration in mem ory of Chris as part of the Trees of Remembrance campaign.

Trees of Remembrance is an annual tradition for hospic es around the world and a vital fundraiser for Nelson Tasman Hospice which needs to raise 45 per cent of its annual operating costs each year to remain free for patients and families.

Gay says the support she and her family received from hospice was extraordinary.

“Not only do hospice look after the patient, they look after the wider network, the family, the whānau.”

Chris had a cardiac arrest in 2018. Luckily, Gay was home at the time, and he went on to enjoy

some relatively good health in spurts, she says.

But over time, his health deteri orated.

“We first became involved with hospice through a community nurse who came to visit.

“As his health declined the con tact with the hospice was more frequent.”

She says Chris was eventually ad mitted to hospice on three differ ent occasions, but they provided support and advice through the entire journey.

“His initial thoughts about hos pice, like a number of people, are that it’s not a place where you go to get better.

“But, in actual fact, on two occa sions they really helped him pos itively and he enjoyed some more time, which really was the key.”

Gay says even when Chris need ed medication in the middle of the night, Donna the community nurse came around to do it.

“It was so comforting for me be cause there were just the two of us at home, to know there was help on hand 24/7.

“And I did ring the hospice to ask for advice.”

...End of Story

Councillors support move to lower voting age, 20 July:

Tasman District Councillor Chris Hill has joined many others from around New Zealand, including Nelson City councillor Rohan O’Neill-Stevens and Matt Lawrey, in signing an open letter supporting the lowering of the voting age in local body elections to 16.

The letter was organised by the group ‘Make it 16’ which then went to the Su

She says Chris went from some one who was potentially unsure about what the hospice pathway led to, to somebody who couldn’t have been a greater advocate be cause of the care and help that the whole family received.

“Until you’re actually here and in volved and have one-on-one ex perience with it, you don’t know

preme Court claiming that preventing 16and 17-year-olds from voting is unjustified age discrimination and therefore inconsis tent with the Bill of Rights. Last week the Supreme Court declared the voting age of 18 inconsistent with the Bill of Rights Act. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says the Supreme Court’s findings did not mean the law was required to be passed.

Cabinet discussed the decision and is drafting legislation with a proposal to low er the age to 16. Any change would require the backing of three quarters of MPs, or a majority vote in a referendum. However, even if this is supported it will not take ef fect in time for the next general election.

all the myriad of ways that they work.”

Gay says this Christmas her fam ily will do some things similarly, but the gap Chris leaves will be hard to fill.

“He won’t be here to do the ham which he always did every year, so that will be a bit of a gap, not quite sure who will wear the ham

Magic serves up the right medicine, 26 October:

Nelson’s Medical and Injury Centre’s livein cat, Magic, has become quite the celebri ty after she appeared in the Waimea Week ly last month. Receptionist Shelly Black says the fame seems to have gone straight to her head.

“She seems to know she’s famous, strutting around like she owns place even more than usual,” she says. Magic is 11 years old and has been living at the centre for two years. Shelley says a few people have come in and asked, ‘where is the famous Magic today?’ and some have even dropped off food packages for her.

hat.

“But this year we will have our daughter, son-in-law, and new granddaughter here from Doha so that will help to fill a big gap.” She encourages people to consid er making a donation to hospice and consider writing their own message to hang on one of the trees around the region.

“It’s such a fabulous thing for people to be made aware that this facility isn’t completely funded, and it needs a lot of community effort to keep it going.

Gay says, as she places her dec oration on the tree she will not only acknowledge, reflect and think, but also celebrate moving forward.

“Because we all must and do. We can look at this as a time to re member, express gratitude and to have hope moving forward.”

The trees of remembrance will be on display at Farmers Nelson and Richmond until 24 December and at New World Stoke and Nel son, Richmond Mall and Māpua Wharf between 2 December and 9 December.

NZ Cider Festival back for 7th year, 9 November:

Around 1700 people made it through the gates for the NZ Cider Festival at Founders Park on Saturday, 12 November. Event di rector Shelley Haring said it was a “fantas tic” day. “The weather came out amazing ly, it was so cool to have the support from people not only from Nelson but from all around New Zealand. There was a really good vibe, people are excited about things happening again.” Shelley says Marchfest 2023, which was cancelled this year, is also shaping up to be just as big, with the early bird tickets selling well.

Gay Molineaux places a decoration on a tree of remembrance in memory of her husband Chris. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

Housing market shifts with fear of overpaying

Houses available in the low to mid $300,000 mark may provide the opportunity for people to get on the property mar ket, although in Nelson Tasman they are few and far between.

Summit real estate agent Glyn Delany says they have had a few listings in the mid, and even in the low, $300,000s recently, compared to this time last year when similar prop erties were in the high $300,000s.

However, some proper ties at the lower end of the market are still tak ing months to sell and Glyn says there are mul tiple enquiries about the properties when they first come on the market, but that doesn’t always trans late to sales.

“They are one-bedroom units, and they may be a reality check for first time

buyers as they realise what is available in that price range.”

He says the urgency seen last year has gone.

“Fear of missing out has gone,” Glyn says. “Now it’s fear of overpaying.”

People are slowing down, comparing properties, and many are choosing to wait and see if something else comes on the market.

“On December 1, 2021, there were 200 homes on the market on Trade Me,” he says. “Now we are at 810. That’s four times as many homes.”

While he hasn’t had any mortgagee sales, he thinks they may be com ing next year. Those who bought from October 2021 to February 2022 who have had a change in circumstances and have had to sell, have lost money.

He says the busiest mar ket is the $800,000 to $1 million range.

“What’s holding value is the new builds because the cost of materials for rebuilds validates the price.”

Phil Cooper from Total Realty says that along with first home buyers, there are those who have separated and are looking to buy, and mature people who haven’t been able to buy a home, looking at homes under $500,000. He says properties are still not necessarily sell ing immediately because there is more choice, and it is quite hard for first home buyers to get ap proval for finance.

“I noticed a change be fore Christmas 2021, with things starting to slow, and by May things were much harder to sell,” Phil says. “You couldn’t appraise property using six monthly stats, as the properties were no lon ger worth what they had been.”

Bayleys’ Julie Ambrose says properties in the high $300,000s would have been $410,000 six months ago. She agrees there are less offers be cause people are strug gling to get finance.

The REINZ monthly property report for Oc tober showed the mean price for properties in Tasman dropped from $900,000 in October 2021 to $820,000 in October 2022. While this followed the trend for most of New Zealand, Nelson bucked the national trend with median prices rising from $750,000 to $775,000 over the same period. Marl borough reached a new record high of $781,000 this October.

The number of residential property sales across New Zealand decreased over the year. Tasman saw just 44 sales in October 2022, compared with 80 in the same month in 2021.

Cushla Moir and Marianne Hart-Biggs were among the first to swap $100 cash for a $150 Richmond Mall voucher on Thursday. This is the fourth time the cash for vouchers has run at the mall. People started queu ing at 9.30am for the 10am start, with lines from the kiosk in both directions. One line went as far as Cuts@ Once, with the other almost to the mall entry by Fresh Choice. Alyse Serfontein said she was going to buy her children shoes with the voucher and use the remain der at the supermarket. With only one voucher per person, Alyse said she wished her husband could have been there to buy another one. While many people were planning to use the vouchers for groceries, Kim Musika was planning on buying a petrol voucher from the su permarket to cover costs to transport her daughter to a touch rugby tournament in Christchurch in December.

Photo: Jenny Nicholson.

JENNY NICHOLSON

SH6 repairs pass halfway mark

Repairs to SH6 have now passed the halfway mark with a huge amount of work happening on the main route between Hira and Rai Valley, according to Waka Kotahi.

Regional manager Wellington/ Top of the South Island, Mark Owen, says additional crews are working on Sites One and Four as well as at the river and road realignment works at the Whan gamoa River.

He says the road is expected to reopen in the later part of the evening on the 18 December.

“The emergency repairs are chal lenging. Unlike programmed road maintenance works, at this stage in the repair programme we are not able to advise the exact re opening time,” he says.

Mark says contractors are work ing very hard to reopen the road

on Sunday 18 December but will need every hour to complete the repairs.

He says the key focus at Site One has now been getting the first concrete pour, with the first one being the largest and most com plex.

The wall is being constructed in a series of blocks, each building on the previous block created by pouring concrete into form work (temporary mould).

Each of the five vertical concrete lifts are approximately one metre in height and in total contain over 15 tonnes of reinforcing steel and 200 cubic metres of concrete.

At Site Two, additional excava tion and drainage has been com pleted.

The crew have placed three of nine required layers of reinforced fill. Substantial drainage im

provements are also going in for this site, of which two of the four double catchpits and some rock lined channel has been complet ed.

A catchpit is an empty chamber that is installed into a drainage system to prevent silt and debris from building up and causing blockages.

The rock-lined channel helps to carry surface runoff in a non-ero sive way downstream.

Mark says progress at Site Three is tracking well and is a similar block form to Site One.

The crew have poured the first and second blocks and are now starting the backfilling and get ting ready to start construction of the third and final block.

Once the final block is complete, construction of the road pave ment and asphalt seal can occur,

alongside replacement of the guardrail.

Mark says the focus for Site Four was getting the drilling complet ed so the site concrete and form work for the ground beam can begin.

“This is our largest and most complex site. Site Four had a larg er crew flown in to work over the weekend to get the work done,” he says.

With the ground anchors and micro piles complete on the low er beam, site concrete was able to be placed last week. With site concrete in place, the crew is now able to start the steel and formwork construction, with the steel columns and timber lagging planned to be done at night.

The drainage crew have nearly completed the installation of the concrete culvert near Site Four,

which is 1350mm in diameter, and have started on the inlet structure which consists of a large concrete wingwall and railway iron driven into the stream bed to stop debris blocking the inlet. Several other culverts are also be ing replaced throughout the clo sure zone to make the route more resilient to heavy rain events.

The scour site in the Whangamoa River now consists of two work areas, being the river scour rock work and a 200-metre road re alignment.

The river works consists of river diversion, 2,500 tonnes of rip-rap installation and granular backfill ing.

The road realignment consists of a newly-designed road curve to shift it away from the river, cul vert changes and 200 metres of new guardrail.

The Helping Families annual Toy Giveaway and Kids’ Party takes place this Saturday, 3 December, at the Headingly Centre in Rich mond.

Founder Kristy Rowe says families who need help buying Christmas presents can pop along to pick up free toys and gifts for their chil dren.

“It’s basically an event where peo ple can come and ‘shop’ for what they need for their children, for free.

“We’ll even have a gift-wrapping station so the kids can’t see what they are getting.”

While the adults choose what they want to get from hundreds of new and pre-loved toys, the kids are kept entertained with a Christmas party put on by Grace Church.

“There will be bouncy castles, a BBQ and refreshments, arts and crafts, games and face painting.

All for free. And if you don’t need help with presents, you are still welcome to enjoy the party as the event is open to the public.”

Last year, the giveaway was sched uled to run the day after the traffic light system came into play.

“We’ve had a challenging couple of years because of Covid restrictions, and being in orange last year meant we had to keep the non-vaxxed and

vaxxed families separate.

“It was truly a nightmare trying to coordinate it, so we are hoping this year will be back to the fun it al ways was – rain or shine.”

Helping Families are also well underway with their Christmas shoebox appeal which has so far matched 400 children with people who are donating gifts to them.

“The new system of matching peo ple to children before they fill the shoebox with gifts has worked out really well and the numbers are al ready up on last year.”

The Toy Giveaway takes place at 10am-12pm on Saturday 3 Decem ber at the Headingly Centre, Rich mond.

Helping Families founder Kristy Rowe says the event will help around 150 local families this year. Photo: Jo Kent.

Davids-Morison and Jackie Gibbs-Beaton

Lovell and Sally Elkington

Crowe and Kathy Basalaj

Richardson and Lesley Quigley Tamara Allen and Alison Blanchett-Sax Evan Thomas and Ewan Crouch Karen Richards and Barbara Dicker Margaret Baker and Judy Powley Rebecca Malthus, Jeanette Dungan and Jan Lord Trevor Dufeu and Kevin Thwaites

Bob reminisces over teaching career

JENNY NICHOLSON

Bob Hart met with other past teachers at Waimea College on Thursday to reminisce and catch up on news going back more than 50 years.

Arriving at Waimea in 1965, Bob taught history and geography through to 1989.

Prior to that, he was a primary school teacher in Cheviot and spent time as the sole teacher at Haast.

“We had to fly into the Haast school back then,” Bob says. He was teacher, principal, and bus driver during his time there.

“There were some pretty rough roads to drive the bus on,” he says.

“Some kids would come on horseback and leave them to pick up at the end of the day after be ing dropped off by bus.”

He says, back then there were a lot of deer and he carried a gun on the bus to deal with them if they were on the road.

Waimea College had opened just eight years before Bob arrived, and he says the first principal, Fred Gallas, got the school off to a very good start.

“He introduced outdoor educa tion in the late 1960s and that made such a difference,” Bob says.

“The school owes a lot to him.”

Bob’s memories of his time at the college are that it was a lovely bal ance of town and country pupils.

He still follows the careers of many past pupils.

A favourite memory is of the trips away, both to the Rotoiti Lodge

and later in small groups to var ious places in the region.

“We had so much freedom in those days and not so much red

tape as now.”

One improvement Bob sees is in history curriculum.

“Back then it was Commonwealth history, so we looked at South Af rica, India and Canada,” he says.

“It has improved enormously over the years and become a lot more interesting. There is a lot of New Zealand content now.”

During Bob’s childhood, his father worked in the railways and his mother at Beaths, a de partment store in Christchurch.

Growing up, Bob didn’t consider teaching.

He thinks surveying, which he considered, would have been a good option.

“Someone put me off surveying,” Bob says.

“It doesn’t take much to put teen agers off.”

Bob keeps busy in retirement, working a day a week at the Brook Sanctuary and enjoys working alongside a couple of students who were at Waimea when he was teaching.

He and his wife Janet both still enjoy tramping and skiing.

“I was hoping to compete in the over 85s skiing this year,” Bob says.

“It wasn’t on because of the weather.”

25 Elms Street, Stoke 03 544 8703

tasmanhonda.co.nz info@tasmanhonda.co.nz

Bob Hart returned to the staffroom at Waimea College to meet with other past and present teachers as part of a reunion last Thursday. Photo: Jenny Nicholson.

Queen St bus stop

The Queen St upgrade has been a great success for Rich mond and motorists but not for the aged and infirm on buses. That bus stop at the top of Queen St used to be in front of the police station with a nice shelter, but they wanted it shifted, so now its 100 metres up road with no shelter – and boy in winter, to wait in an icy blast, is like being in Siberia!

Anton Hyman

A fairy nice day out

Love. Well done Beryl. You are amazing.

Grace Clark

Beryl, you’re amazing! And the wings and tiara totally suit you.

Sonja Walker

Awesome Beryl, a wonderful tribute.

Deidre Rowe

Beautiful lady inside and out.

Tracey Mutton

Fantastic!!, Beryl Sharp you’re a legend!!

Alison Lonsdale

Aww good for you Beryl Sharp

Looking gorgeous. Lynda Sturkenboom

Missing water dragon found

Shouldn’t have been taken in the first place. Glad one has been returned.

Danielle Angel

That’s great because it was a long, long time to be out of enclosure, and hope Marge is found soon. Keep Paddy G on the case and hopefully she will come home. Am glad the guy turned himself in who took him.

Marie Scherer

Fab....let’s hope the female is found soon too.... poor wee things must have been so frightened...out of their nor

mal environment.

Lesley Ormsby-Dodd

That’s fantastic news. Now to find the other one.

Sue McMillan

Woohoo! Great news! Now just to find Marge.

Kathy Ruffell

Brilliant news Mandy Noffke

It’s going to be so lit – Christmas lights back

Fantastic - we love your lights. Nicole Hogan Gardening giving more than food on a plate

Fabulous, really helps to con nect with the earth when you grow your own plants and food.

Sharon Greig

SH6 repairs pass half way mark

Such a great achievement to getting this finished a week before Xmas. We’ll done. Also great to hear that the Tasman road at Ruby Bay, also going to be fixed. Another awesome project. Thankyou. June Mears

Thank you to the team for getting in and getting it done, much appreciated. It’s by no means an easy fix. Kelly Stewart

It remains appalling that the road is closed for that period of time with massive losses to residents and businesses in the area, and let’s not forget the extra costs to business and private people being forced to go the long way with financial and time costs .

Trish Gargiulo

One would hope it is past the halfway mark as there is less than half the days left before it’s supposed to be open again.

Jonathan Neill

Richmond youth crime

Mandi Halliday’s response to this problem is pathetically feeble and off target. To blame boredom and implicate the council (for lack of free entertainment in the district) is ignorant. There are literally a thousand constructive ac tivities youth can be involved in anywhere with proper encouragement and guidance. I would suggest lack of parental involvement, supervi sion and love in these young people’s lives is a far more real factor.

Craig Goodman

Just a thought...

Have your say: sara@topsouthmedia.co.nz facebook.com/waimeaweekly NBS Nelson Santa Parade

Sunday 4 December, 1pm

Trafalgar Street & Nelson CBD

With over 50 Floats, this is the largest parade in the Top of the South. New for this year, a kids’ costume competition, so get dressed up and win prizes.

Christmas Market

Sunday 4 December, 10am-2pm

Gardens of the World, Hope Free entry to browse something for your or your loved ones for Christmas in natural garden surroundings. Food trucks on site.

Willowbank Open Day

Sunday 4 December, 10am-3pm

79 Wakefield-Kohatu Hwy, Wakefield Join Santa for a photo and have a browse around the children’s suitcase market or grab something to eat from the café’s festive menu.

What a roller-coaster year for us All Black sup porters. Imagine if you were to judge rugby by the poorest AB performance. Even worse, by the under 6’s game at your local park. I’ve chatted with peo ple whose beef with the Christian faith is the lame performance of the Christians they know. Fair point. Most of us know the disappointment of people. We followers of Jesus can be seri ously flawed.

But, just like with rugby, you have to assess something at its source and at its best. For Chris tianity, that source is Jesus and his soul-healing grace. There’s only one perfect human: Jesus Christ. Examine him. His truth, character, and grace are utterly compelling, making space for us to confess our failures.

“The church is a hospital for the broken, not a museum for the good.” As 2022 ends, we in vite you to your community church’s Christmas service. And, go the ABs.

DARYL BAY

Lead Pastor, Hope Community Church

Who is new Tasman councillor Jo Ellis?

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

Jo Ellis was elected to Tasman District Council with 2,504 votes to represent the Richmond Ward and so will help govern the region over the next three years, but who is she?

Orange has been her favourite colour since she was told that it was the colour of courage, and her favourite meal are cheese toasties, specifically cooked on the barbeques at Rabbit Island.

“It’s tradition that anyone who comes, we usually wind out there for a meal of some description and often it’s that.”

She also has a dog, two cats, some chickens, and a pair of llamas who mow the grass in her pad dock.

Though she hasn’t had much time for hobbies since getting elected, Jo enjoys gardening, knitting, reading historical dramas, op shopping, and simply making things.

“Just crafty stuff,” she says. “Hav ing had my kids at home, you have to find things to do around.”

Jo was born in Levin, grew up in the Hutt Valley, and spent nine years in Hamilton before making the move to Tasman 20 years ago.

“It was just the lifestyle, to be honest,” she says. “It’s just such a beautiful part of the country, amazing climate, and the peo ple were just lovely. It was a nice place to be.”

Jo began working for the Nation al Bank straight out of school for several years and enjoyed

the work, but became a stay-athome mum when her first child was born. With more time on her hands, Jo began getting involved in various community groups like Playcentre and Parentline in Hamilton, and while in Tas man, she got involved in her kids’ hockey groups and helped to set

up Tasman Home Educators.

Over the years she has also been involved with Plunket and at tended national anti-bullying conferences.

“I was home for a long time but kept my hand in doing volunteer stuff in different organisations.”

Jo has a strong belief in partici

pating in local government which was further fostered by her find ing a letter in her mailbox from council about 16 years ago.

“They were going to take eight and a half metres off our front lawn.”

After managing to keep her lawn, Jo decided that she’d stand for council once her children fin ished their schooling, while con tinuing to submit on council pro posals.

“Everybody has a right to have a say on what goes on in their com munity, but we have a respon sibility to make sure we do say what we want.”

While Jo didn’t come to council with any specific goals, she sim ply wants to promote good gov ernance.

“I just want us to make sure that we’re trying to make the best de cisions we can,” she says. “That we make sure we have a community that thinks about what kind of place we’re going to leave to our children, but also how we balance that with looking after what’s happening for people now.”

Jo Ellis has been sworn in as a Tasman District councillor representing the Richmond Ward, but who have voters elected? Photo: Max Frethey.

Local History

The rise and fall of Blackbyre Bacon

James Wyllie, a young man with ambition, was born in Blackbyre, Ayrshire, in Scotland, and came to New Zealand in 1911.

He served in World War One as an engineer but was seriously in jured in Flanders by an exploding shell, injuring a shoulder and los ing a leg, and spent around a year in a hospital in England.

With his mind firmly on business, James took over the Appleby cool store and built a bacon factory which he named Blackbyre after his parent’s home in England.

In February of 1931, the new ly-named ‘Blackbyre Ba con Factory’ opened its doors to the public with around 350 farmers and others attending the offi cial opening.

James hoped that the new enterprise would not only serve the farmers well, but also the whole district.

The existing producer gas plant and engine was re used for the main power with various additions for better working and for supplying driving gear and power hoists.

New ammonia pip ing had been installed throughout and the freez ing chamber was fitted with both air circulation and direct expansion, thus reducing running expenses.

This was an item which James had kept a very keen eye on in planning the works.

The new offal cooking plant and manure man ufacture machinery had

Blackbyre Advertisement 1934.

also been installed.

To ensure a regular supply of goods it was planned for pigs to be slaughtered in the flush of the season and placed in the freezer, then being drawn down for sup plies.

Despite commencing business amid New Zealand’s deepest de pression, the factory, in its first year, saw some progress while maintaining “quality” as its watchword.

However, James expressed some concern that the local custom had not been as much as he would have liked.

The following year the demand for the factory’s products was consistent.

This necessitated a daily service from the factory to the shops. Unfortunately, this did not last, and the business went into de cline and James was forced to close after only a few years of ex

istence.

The closing of the factory was caused in part by James using his own money to build the fac tory and exhausting his personal ready cash.

In 1938, after the closure, he expressed a view that the local market was only making use of Blackbyre as a lever against out side competition whose advice to their travellers was to quit bacon, because they invariably cut below the association’s fixed wholesale selling price.

Blame was also put on the bank for sums charged and high in terest, and finally for clients not meeting their due accounts.

After having to dispose of a sec ond business, a very disappoint ed James submitted an open let ter in the newspaper whereby he thanked friends for their support.

However, he stated that many clients and inhabitants of Nel son were men of high ideals but a proportion of them were a strange make-up.

He claimed in the letter that their sole object was to acquire mon ey irrespective of how they got it and that their idea of wealth was only to collect.

The name Blackbyre has not dis appeared and still remains in the Appleby area, with the road the factory once stood on being named ‘Blackbyre Road’.

Property Manager Regulations

I’m delighted the Labour Government is delivering on another election commitment with this week's announcement that we’re regulating residential property managers I’ve been raising concerns about the behaviour of some property managers since before I became an MP, after examples of terrible behaviour by a property manager in Nelson This included unprofessional behaviour directed towards both tenants and landlords I’ve advocated for property managers to be regulated, including a registration and disciplinary process

The new law will ensure residential property managers are registered, trained and licensed, and complaints will be dealt with through a new complaints system By having safeguards to ensure property managers meet minimum conduct and competency standards, we're looking out for the interests of both property owners and tenants With so many people in our community now renting, it is essential that property managers have a professional registration process

Thank you to everyone who braved the weather and came to say hi during the A&P Show My congratulations to the organisers and everyone who participated in the show Phoebe the Labrador loved seeing you all too!

ding Richmond and Hope

ROBYN PARKES

Stalwarts in the building and construction industry, IMB Construction – formerly Ian McCully Builders – are celebrating 50 years in business this year. What began as a building company creating homes for lo cals has grown into one of the region's old est and most trusted building providers. Born in Oamaru, Ian McCully began a carpenter/joiner apprenticeship with H. Baigent & Sons Ltd before working for South Pine. Later moving to Australia to live with wife Carole, the couple moved back to the region permanently in 1972 when Ian established his business. “I think business must have been in my DNA. My father was self-employed all of his life, as was my brother Ross McCully.”

“In the early years we mainly did houses. Our first really big one was an educational project at Nayland Primary, building the dental clinic. But the Bisley Avenue house project was probably the defining moment for the business. That would be the feather in the cap of the company, David Wallace was the architect on that.”

Ian’s very own home on Hill St won the House of the Year award in September 1991 with architect David Jerram. David

was quoted as saying the awards prove that Nelson builders and architects were also as good as their counterparts. Quantity Sur veyor and co-owner of IMB Construction, Brian Mazure, recalls a similar occurrence

with the building of the Bisley Avenue house. “That project turned a new leaf for IMB. The recognition we received from that was fantastic. It was great reward and opened the door for Nelson builders after

that with many going to win more awards for the region.”

Ian, Brian, and project manager and coowner Richard Cole are all in agreement when it comes to what lies behind the success of the business. “The people,” says Richard. Currently employing around 30 staff, the team say some have been there for over 25 years, including Richard him self, and Brian joining the team in 1994. Being adaptable has also helped to keep the company going through the tough times. “I think we made a conscious decision not to just focus on one type of construction,” says Richard. “We have had ups and downs over the years and tackled it with a sense of humour,” says Brian. “It is an enjoyable industry to be a part of.”

Some of the biggest changes Ian has seen over his time in business would be technol ogy and Health and Safety. “The evolution of building, there have been big changes in that regard. Learning the health and safety aspect is a lot more challenging than it's ever been. It's been a good time, but it cer tainly doesn't feel like 50 years has passed!” The team look back fondly on projects they have completed in the past, including

Carole and Ian McCully in their award-winning home in 1991.

Beachcombers Motel and The Sands apart ments in Tahunanui, the Kaiteriteri Motel complex, Garin College, Nelson Court house, Suter Art Gallery, Alison McAlpine Sports and Fitness Centre at Nelson Col lege for Girls, Wakatu House and Stoke Medical Centre, to name a few.

“We have worked on just about every

school in the district,” says Brian. “More recently we completed work at the Caw thron Institute's Aquaculture Farm and the dialysis unit at the hospital.”

Looking to the future for IMB Construc tion, Richard says, “We will carry on and keep improving. It's a wonderful industry to be in.

It's not easy, you have to put in the hard work.” Brian agrees, saying it comes down to attitude, “You've got to get out of bed every morning and hit the job running, to succeed.”

Ian still holds an active interest in the com pany, popping in for a beer and a catch-up with the team every now and then and

says, “I wouldn't have done anything else, I like the job.” Wanting to thank their cli ents, employees and suppliers for their support over the last five decades, Richard says, “A lot of projects have been a lot of fun over the years, there have been a bunch of really cool jobs and we have met some great people, long may it continue.”

Viridian Glass Nelson 9 Tokomaru Place, Wakatu Estate Ph:

The IMB Construction team upon completion of the Bisley Avenue project in 2000. The Hill Street home won the Registered Master Builders National House of the Year award in 1991.

More info needed on RMA reform

MAX FRETHEY Local Democracy Reporter

It’s too soon to tell if the Govern ment’s Resource Management Act (RMA) reform will deliver its claimed benefits, according to two regional building companies and Tasman District Council of ficers.

The RMA is slated to be complete ly replaced by three new pieces of legislation, two of the which were released two weeks ago: the Nat ural and Built Environment Bill and the Spatial Planning Bill.

The reforms have five key goals: to better protect the environ ment, to enable timely provision of housing and infrastructure, to provide greater recognition of te ao Māori, to better tackle climate change, and to increase efficiency and reduce complexity.

Minister for the Environment David Parker says RMA reform was overdue.

“The current system is broken. It takes too long, costs too much, and has not adequately provided for development nor protected the environment.”

Tasman District Council’s envi ronmental policy manager, Barry Johnson, agrees reform was need ed, calling the RMA “cumber some,” and says the intent of the reform was good, but added that the effectiveness of the new pro posal would come down to how it

was implemented.

“It will have a significant impact on the way we work,” he says.

“The Government still has a huge amount of work to do to provide some of the building blocks and in particular the environmental limits and targets.”

Part of the Government’s propos al is for Tasman and Nelson to have joint planning documents.

Nelson MP Rachel Boyack be lieves a joint approach would be a great benefit to both regions, especially in enabling housing across the region.

“Having two separate plans… does not work. It causes immense frustration; it slows things down,” she says. “It makes it incredibly difficult for people to get on and build the houses that we desper ately need.”

Milestone Homes Nelson Bays general manager, Adam Hills wel comes a joint plan across Tasman and Nelson because the planning rules change “quite a lot” when you cross Champion Road.

“That’s something which I think could be really positive for our re gion,” he says. “It should make life simpler and easier and, in theory, if it’s simpler and easier it should be cheaper.”

However, Adam did caution that the potential benefits of a joint regional plan couldn’t be known until the plans are developed.

“It comes down to whether we

can get enough alignment, or how long it takes for both coun cils to feel like they’ve got a good outcome,” he says. “We haven’t gone through the process of ac tually seeing what the plans look like.”

The Government has also ex pressed a desire to make the process cheaper and quicker, highlighting that the costs for non-notified and notified con sents had increased by 66 per cent and 124 per cent respective ly between 2014/15 and 2018/19,

with the median decision-mak ing timeframe also increasing by 50 per cent over the same period. Two measures proposed to help address these problems are the enabling of more activities which don’t require a consent and re ducing the number of resource consent categories from six to four. Greg McDonald from Builders Nelson Limited says the rise in time and costs needed to have consents approved was “quite ridiculous” with land de velopment being greatly held up

due to resource management and planning requirements.

He says that while the measures proposed by the government could be “helpful,” a lack of de tails meant he couldn’t be sure.

“There’s an aspect of better the devil you know,” he says. “A new system could perhaps be exploit ed.”

TDCs group manager environ mental assurance, Kim Drum mond, agreed it was too early to tell if the Government’s claims of increased efficiency would occur.

“We won’t be able to assess the usefulness of the proposed na tional planning framework in improving consenting efficiency, until it is developed.”

Seventy per cent of notified re source consents are processed by council within statutory time frames, and Kim says the real drivers of consenting costs are the quality and complexity of the applications.

He added that there was a shortfall of consenting capability which the council got around by out-sourcing consent planning advice where needed. “Univer sities are telling us that for every planner they see graduate, there are jobs for four more.”

Stylish simplicity with an old school twist

Bringing things back a notch, Beggs Music works on Hardy Street are excited to finally announce the arrival of their latest Tivoli product, the iconic tabletop radio. The Tivoli Audio Model One AM/FM Bluetooth radio uses a discrete-component AM/FM tuner with technology originally developed for cellular phones, resulting in improved AM/FM recep tion. Acoustically speaking, Tivoli Au dio’s equalisation and voicing give the Model One a sound much richer and larger than its footprint. Behind its innocent exterior and superb design lies a multitude of technology enabling high-quality sound, and better reception over anything similar. Owner of Beggs Musicworks, Tim Babbage says Tivoli is just of those brands that people are always wanting. “It is a goodlooking, old-fashioned radio that is simple to use, sounds great and just looks really nice.”

Plugging into mains power, the Model One ta ble radio features a large analog tuning dial and has the ability to receive FM stations in even the most congested locations. With just three dials, volume and band selection is easy to set, and boasts a speaker specially designed to pro

vide a true High-Fidelity sound. Available in black, white, walnut or cherry, the Tivoli Audio Model One retails at just $499 and makes the perfect tabletop music device for your home. Tivoli have received critical acclaim glob ally for producing the best table radios on the market, and the Tivoli PAL BT is no different. Inspired by the Model One AM/FM table ra dio but in a portable package, the weath er-resistant cabinet and long-lasting bat tery mean the stylish Tivoli PAL BT can bring hours of enjoy ment wherever life takes you. Extremely compact, Tivoli Au dio’s take on quality and style harks back to simpler times but the addition of Bluetooth streaming means you can enjoy music from any source from its finely tuned speaker. Per fectly proportioned, the PAL BT oozes func tionality and balanced visual appeal. Available in black or white, the Tivoli Pal BT also retails at $499 and is practicality at its finest. Contact one of the team at Beggs Musicworks on 0800 923 447 or pop in to 264-268 Hardy Street and see the Tivoli range for yourself. “We’re happy to answer questions or help in any way we can.” Business Update. Adv.

Milestone Homes Nelson Bays’ Adam Hills says the reform sounds good on paper, but won’t be known until it’s implemented if it will deliver on the Government’s promises. Photo: Supplied.

Nelson

Iron Duke Sea Scouts, sea kayaks - $4,900

Wakatu Riding for the disabled, fencing - $2,500

Victory Community Centre, Matariki celebrations - $1,500

FC Nelson, football travel tournament - $1,800

Speak it up, Mental health talk with Nigel Latta - $3,000

The Brook Waimārama Sanctuary Trust, hi viz vests for volunteers - $3,151

CONGRATULATIONS TO

RECIPIENTS

Tasman

Wakefield Fire Brigade, five year service recognition - $1,410

Wanderers Community Sports Club - $3,300

Tapawera School, firewood for school fundraising - $1,658

Moutere Rugby Football Club, junior shorts - $5,000

Tasman Bay Guardians, school marine reserve programme - $5,000

Silvan Forest, trail signage - $5,000

Moutere Birdsong, traps and predator control - $2,000

Nelson Axeman’s Club, wood for competition - $1,227

Richmond Riding for Disabled Group, resurfacing pen area - $1,558

Moutere Hills RSA Memorial Library (Mapua Community Library), books for community library - $2,000

Moutere Community Centre, community basketball hoop - $2,600

Marlborough

Marlborough Boys College, timber to build Leatham Hut - $5,000

Queen Charlotte College, timber for community project – $1,500

Drop for Youth, fundraiser for Graeme Dingle Foundation - $2,000

Renwick Menz Shed, timber for new shed – $4,995

Lions Club Marlborough, firewood for families in need - $2,026

Rai Area School, commercial ovens for welfare centre - $7,231

Marlborough Girls College, First XV Rugby team - $4,700

Nav Pasifika Marlborough, Youth Wellbeing project - $1,800

It feels like you’ve been transported through a portal to a different dimension when you make your way out to tee off at Greenacres Golf Club.

The quick 10-minute drive to Best Island transports you from the hustle and bustle of urban life to a beautiful vista of rolling fairways and views out over the water.

Sitting just a stone’s throw from Richmond town centre, the slice of paradise that is Greenacres melts away the pressures and demands of modern life.

Surrounded by the gorgeous Waimea Inlet, the course sits in the middle of the largest enclosed estuary in the South Island, which also plays a vital role in the habitat for migratory and endangered birds.

It is the only 18-hole course in the country that plays entirely on an island and the layout of the design makes sure to remind you of the fact.

With multiple holes playing alongside the water, the views are breathtaking - particularly at high tide on a calm day when the water is flat as a pancake.

Having been independently rated as one of the top 40 courses in the country, golfers of all abilities will be able to challenge themselves on the beautifully laid out and manicured course.

The club has previously hosted national level tournaments, but prefers to focus on providing golf to the community through regional tournaments, looking after their

members,

“We’re really proud that we’re a members

The Greenacres club and its members are known for their friendly and welcoming attitude, with Brendan saying they pride themselves on their brand of hospitality.

“Even though we have a highly-rated NZ golf course, we’re very much a members club. We want to promote golf in the community and grow our membership. It’s all about enjoyment and comradeship.

“We are also the course of choice for visitors” It’s accessible, friendly and inexpensive.”

The eight-strong dedicated team at Greenacres is committed to providing an outstanding golf environment to members and guests. They set high professional standards and pride themselves on ensuring every golfer enjoys their game to the fullest.

actively looking to expand young golfers.

Brendon says golf is a perfect when in your youth because more easily learn the skills a lifelong love of golf. “It’s enjoyable, you learn skills and mental toughness, them busy!”

club, and we’ve got everything right here.”

An all-weather surface and a greenkeeping team that keeps the fairways and greens in pristine condition make for a challenging partlinks part-parkland course that will test the abilities of even the best golfers, especially hole 13 “It’s a tricky short hole with a raised green that can be a bit of fun to get onto,” says Brendon. Classed as the club’s signature hole, #13 has been described as one of the most deceptive holes in the country. It’s not just the putting surface, which slopes away in two different directions, that can catch players unaware. The 307 metre par 4 also boasts a tricky approach with a sharp dog leg to the left from the tee and a bunker protecting the green’s left flank.

Brendon says that their affordable pricing, excellent service, and great course has seen the club’s popularity continue to grow as the course of choice for local and visiting players. The club currently has a special where new members who sign up for 12 months are given membership through to March 2024, giving players four extra months of free golf.

Golf has been proven to be one of the healthiest sports and has had a big resurgence in New Zealand, with double-digit growth in the last few years.

“It’s a game for life, whether you’re 8 years old, like our youngest member, or 91, like our oldest,” says Brendon.

Greenacres has a growing selection of strong junior players in their membership and are

Centred in the middle iconic Greenacres clubhouse, the amenities a visitor The Best Island cafe and 3:30pm daily, is the perfect over a bite to eat and Surrounded by a large offers stunning views out has even become a reason itself, says Brendon. The the club’s golf shop, which a golfer might need before round and is known for clothing for on and off Women’s golf is very important culture, with their ‘She one of their most popular

It is a chance for women interested in giving the a friendly environment to learn the basics with even a few holes of golf

The club also runs the Women’s Three Day the country’s largest

and offering competitive greenfees for visitors, says club manager Brendon Whitley.

expand their offerings for perfect game to pick up because young minds can skills that translate into learn discipline, social toughness, and it keeps middle of the course is the clubhouse, which boasts all could ever need. and bar, open from 10amperfect place to catch up a hot drink.

large deck, the clubhouse out over the course and reason to visit in and of The building also houses which offers everything before heading out for a for its range of women’s the course.

important to the club’s Loves Golf’ programme popular offerings.

women who might be the game a go, providing environment for like-minded ladies with some coaching and golf - all for free.

the Richmond Unlimited Tournament, which is annual tournament for

women.

“It’s normally booked out five or six months in advance. It’s very very popular. People come from all around New Zealand,” says Brendon.

The club also hosts the popular Twilight Golf on Wednesdays, which sees teams play in a social tournament every week over summer. Brendon says a lot of businesses enter teams as well as groups of friends because it is such an affordable way to get out on course.

Although entries are closed for this year,

Alistair is an accredited career professional with experience in the European tour, including an appearance at the British Open. He offers coaching services for both experienced and beginner players, making use of the practice facilities and driving range that runs alongside the clubhouse. The club itself has a rich history, having formed in 1938 to meet the needs of a growing population of keen golfers in the region. Originally located in the Redwood Valley as a

onto the island which opened just before the start of the 60s.

The old clubhouse was removed from the Redwood Valley site and rebuilt before a burgeoning player base required a bigger clubhouse which was completed in late 1974 and opened by Prime Minister Wallace (Bill) Rowling.

By then, the Greenacres club had expanded the course to a full 18 holes after originally opening with nine.

The club has continued to grow its offerings throughout the years, with Brendon saying they have no real shortage of available land to expand.

Greenacres have recently opened overnight and long-term storage options for caravans and campers, with anyone who plays a round getting a free night’s stay.

teams can enter for $80 with a green fee each week of $8.50 per person.

Greenacres is also a popular destination for corporate golf days, which are a perfect excuse to make the most of the facilities on and off the course while also fostering a positive work culture.

The Greenacres pro shop also plays host to the club’s resident PGA-qualified Professional, Alistair Palmer.

9-hole course on Greenacres Road, the club were forced to find a new location when the land was sold in the 1950s.

In the hunt for an alternative site, the club found their new home having bought land on Best Island.

At that time there was no road onto the island and it was only accessible by boat or over the mudflats at low tide, but the club’s vision saw them fundraise for the road and bridge to get

The club is also partnered with the Great Taste Trail, with the Best Island cafe being one of the last stops on the way out of town before the ferry to Mapua which Brendon says acts as a good halfway point to have a break. Summer is the perfect time to get in a round and take in the beauty and splendour that the 57-hectare course offers in spades.

With a number of membership options, including nine or 18 holes and specials currently running for new members, and affordable green fees for the casual player, there’s no better time to go out and have a hit. “Come in, have a game and we ’ll look after you,” says Brendon.

Passionate about continuing the legacy 65 years on

Celebrating 65 years in busi ness, the Watson family has been providing the Richmond community with fresh food, great range and exceptional service since 1957.

Fresh Choice Richmond began life as Richmond Super Dis count, on the corner of Queen and Cambridge Streets, with most of Richmond growing up knowing Ivan and Lyalla Watson and their children, as locals would pop in daily for their household supplies.

From Richmond Super Dis

216 Queen Street, Richmond. OPEN 7 DAYS: 7am to 8pm

count to Super Value and now Fresh Choice Richmond, a lot has changed but never the principles, or the family name. Ivan took a backseat in 1975 and left the business in the very capable hands of his son Ian and wife Betty, who relo cated the shop further down the road to 259 Queen St. For 11 years the store contin ued its dedicated service to lo cal customers in its new site, expanding its range of grocer ies and goods to meet the de mand of a growing Richmond population.

In 1986, Ian and Betty Watson made the final move to the store’s current location in what was then, the Village Mall. In 2003, sons Gary and Matt, the third generation of Watsons, stepped up to continue the legacy that their grandparents had created 46 years earlier, revamping the store in 2008

The third and fourth generation Watson family, Samantha, Lisa, Gary and Georgia.

with electronic shelf labels, self-checkouts and online shopping.

Nearly 23 years on from when Gary and high school sweet heart Lisa took over, the store

Congratulations from Pic’s

has kept the Watson fam ily tradition alive, maintain ing the same values of look ing after people that Gary’s grandparents, and parents, so proudly upheld.

Fresh Choice Richmond owners, Lisa and Gary Watson.

IN RICHMOND

216 Queen Street, Richmond. OPEN 7 DAYS: 7am to 8pm

The couple say they will always keep the same ethics and morals handed down through previous generations and instil them in their daughters Georgia and Sa mantha, who both play their part within the business. Customer satisfaction and their amazing team of staff will always be what they take pride in most.

Anyone who knows them will know how much the Richmond community and supporting lo cal means to them. Gary and Lisa want to carry on the tradi tion for as long as possible, saying “We love this town, and we love this business.

We want to be a part of this com munity for many years to come and we want to please our cus tomers as much as we can.”

Shopping for groceries would have looked very different back in Gary’s grandparents' day, how ever, much has stayed the same as Gary is still adamant about pro viding a full customer experience

to their patrons.

“Even though more people are shopping online, which we also cater to, we want people to have the full customer experience all of the time.

"We want customers to want to come and shop in-store. I enjoy the human element that we pro

vide on the shop floor by creating more shopping experiences, tast ings, and interactions with peo ple. We want to be different from others in the industry. We are not a big corporate company, we are locally owned and operated and we like it that way.”

"Grocery shopping has seen many

changes over the years, including the introduction of technology and bigger supply chains. “Over all, the digitisation of how we op erate would be a huge shock for my grandparents.

"Everything was done by hand, pricing, buying in bulk and weighing everything out and

bagging it up, but those days are gone.

We are so reliant on technology nowadays and I don’t think they would have liked that at all to be honest!”

Move with the times we must, but the couple still hold true to their roots with their drive for stay ing loyal and providing locallysourced products as much as possible.

“One of the biggest things that would probably shock my grand parents would be the supply chains. The industry has got ten a lot bigger since their day when every little supplier would be local. I think they’d be quite amazed at where the world of food has gone.

"Now there are big corporate chains and mass-produced products. But we still push hard to provide locally-sourced and locally-made products. That is something we are strongly pas sionate about.”

Gary, Lisa and their team are constantly looking at ways they can enhance their customer's shopping expe rience and are proud to be industry leaders when it comes to promoting healthy living.

They were the first fullservice supermarket in the country to be confection ery and soft drink-free at all checkouts, they provide hundreds of gluten free and organically certified prod ucts across all departments of the store, provide free fruit for kids when shop ping, made the change to fully compostable meat packaging, and are commit ted to serving up the freshest produce from the gardens, farms and vineyards of the Nelson region and beyond. “We also still have our own butchers, bakers, and deli

catessen, and make as much product as we can in-house. The quality of service and goods we provide is a huge part of what we do. Even though we have gotten big ger as a store we still work hard to make it feel like grandads' shop and sell quality goods."

For the Watson family their focus also remains firmly on their amazing staff, their

community, and creating a family environment, with Gary saying he is most proud of his team, some of whom have been with the store for 25 years.

“Our staff and our commu nity attribute to the success of the business. We are not a big corporation, we are lo cally owned and operated, and they have been the se cret to our success.

LOCALLY JUST FOR YOU

MADE

Celebrating with the Watson Family and the FreshChoice Richmond Team

Three generations of Watson’s

A young Gary Watson working in the store's office.

216 Queen Street, Richmond. OPEN 7 DAYS: 7am to 8pm

People really enjoy com ing into Fresh Choice Rich mond because our staff cre ate such a welcoming, helpful atmosphere.”

Supporting a multitude of lo cal organisations and chari ties over the years, Richmond Fresh Choice also promote a Community Fund, each month giving a sum of money to groups, organisations and individuals who need a help ing hand.

“From sports teams to char

ity groups, if your organisa tion helps make the Richmond community the great place it is then you’re eligible.”

Having supported local for so long, picking a favourite stand out moment is a tough call for Gary, when pressed. “There have been so many great mo ments overs the years it is hard to choose from.

"I think, for us, the ability to help out the local sports clubs and schools has been an over all great feeling.” Gary says,

giving back is one way the team can thank locals for their ongoing support over the 65 years in business. “Supporting local is big thing for me and very personal. Richmond has looked after us, and it is great to be a part of that, and of my grandparent's legacy.

I think their support is a testa ment to how long we have last ed, which is why we always do our bit to support them back.

It is a two-way street and I just want to say thank you to eve

ryone. Thanks for looking after us especially during the tough er Covid times. Richmond is a great place to live and to be a part of.”

Celebrating their anniversary, Gary says there will be loads of instore specials, giveaways and random prizes to be won. So make sure you pop in and say ‘Happy 65th Birthday’ to the Fresh Choice Richmond team and you might just be in to win, and be a part of their celebrations!

Congratulations to Gary and the team at FreshChoice Richmond on your 65th Birthday.

Sturrock

8 Gloucester Street, Nelson Ph 03 546 9219

sturrockandgreenwood.co.nz

and Greenwood Ltd… long name… long time… locally owned and operated.

Congratulations to the team at FreshChoice on 65 years in business

Richmond Park Market Park

A local Richmond market that has become an incubator for locals to grow their businesses is celebrating its first birthday.

The Free Market, now known as the Richmond Park Market, is looking forward to the next year and is growing to be a hub of children’s activities, local arts and crafts and good food. Market founder Penny Cam eron says she wants it to be a place of joy for the community where they can come and have a good time.

She says the first year was hard, with division and misinforma tion rife in the community.

“It’s been hard to shake the stigma that we are ‘anti-vaxx ers’, in fact, we are just a bunch of people who are respectful of everyone’s choices,” she says. “Let’s just get back to the

old-fashioned, come in on a Sunday afternoon, relax with the family, bring a ball, bring the dog, let’s get back to enjoying life again.

She says, over the next year she expects the market to continue to grow and solidify.

Penny also wants to acknowl edge the A & P management for enabling the growth of the market.

“It almost brings me to tears, there’s such a warmth, the people who I’ve met there, the friendships and relationships have grown, it’s just a really nice place to be.”

She says something she is very proud of is the well-being ar ea.“There’s such a strength of inter-connectedness here, the stallholders are the tribe, peo ple you are meant to have in

your life. They just bring joy and energy into your life.”

She says one of the stallholders, Tim Gladstone, who sells tools, was her neighbour for three years at the Motueka Market but she never got to know him. “He would do anything for an yone, and it wasn’t till we came here that those friendships grew.”

Penny says there is room for all the markets in the region as they all offer something differ ent.

She says the market was born as a place where anyone is free to sell what they want. Rather than looking at similar stalls as competitors, Penny often pairs them together in the same area which she has found to create

friendships and diversity. The market has found it diffi cult over the winter, with many rainy days, so are looking for

ward to a summer full of cre ativity, fun and the occasional delicious ice-cream.

Grease is the word for young actor Arts

Young actors from a hit Net flix show have inspired a local 15-year-old to pursue theatre, and his first-ever venture is a lead role in Grease.

Chey Habib decided to audition for the Nelson Musical Theatre production, which opens tonight, after watching Stranger Things.

“Seeing all the young actors made me want to give it a try. When I saw the poster for the audition it said 14 and over and I have just turned 15,” the Nelson College student says.

“It said they were needing people who can sing, dance and act, and I thought it would be a perfect opportunity as I love all three. I started singing when I was sixyears-old.”

Although he has only been acting for six months, he has scored a lead role as Putzie (Roger) who is a member of the T-Birds.

“And, of course, Putzie is the king of mooners,” says Chey. “I was su per happy when I heard I had a lead role and even happier when

tional vibe of the original version but added in a few more modern elements.”

After being hit with continuous Covid-19 cancellations, Lynley says the team is excited to be back on stage.

“The cast is just so positive. It has blown me away how many new faces we’ve had, including some like Chey who have never done something like this before.”

Chey says the best thing about being in the show is “meeting new friends and being able to perform”.

“I have lots of family and friends coming to watch me on one of the eight nights the show runs, even a few of my schoolteachers are go ing to come and watch.”

He says the experience has in spired him to keep pursuing act ing.

“I plan on doing musicals for Nel son Youth Theatre and my goal is to perform at the Theatre Royal.”

Grease is on at Red Door Theatre from 30 November - 10 December. Tickets available from www.itick et.co.nz/events/2022/nov/grease

KATE RUSSELL

I heard I have a solo song.”

The director of the show, Lynley Rutherford, says the show is a lot

of fun for the cast of 17, with the youngest being 14 and the oldest at 62.

“We decided to put on Grease as it is a show that everyone loves to watch. We’ve stuck with the tradi

From left are T-Birds Hayden Jefcoate (Kenickie), Joel Sangster (Danny) and Chey Habib (Roger ‘Putzie’) in Grease. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

Kaiako takes top recreation award

A lead kaiako at Whenua Iti Outdoors has received a top award for the role he plays in outdoor recreation.

Michael Elkington (Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Kuia, Ngāti Toa Rangatira), known affec tionately as ‘Matua Mike’ was the recipi ent of the Supreme Te Tohu Manu Kura Outdoor Award at the 2022 Recreation Aotearoa Awards.

The award was recognition of his mana in the outdoor sector, and for outstanding leadership in outdoor recreation.

Mike has worked at Whenua Iti Outdoors

(WIO), a leading provider of experiential learning programmes, since 2014.

Mike is a lead kaiako Māori for their kaupapa Māori programmes, reaching participants across Te Tauihu (Top of the South Island).

In 2021 this equated to 27 kaupapa Māori programmes, including the Manaaki Tāpoi Cultural Tourism Programmes that he co-designed.

Manaaki Tāpoi has become a flagship programme for WIO, the only one of its kind in the country.

“Matua Mike’s passion lies in uplifting the mana of tamariki and rangatahi, in particular, rangatahi Māori, teaching them that its not just ‘okay’ to be Māori, but that its ‘exceptional’ to be Māori and to be proud of their whakapapa,” says Mark Bruce-Miller, general manager of WIO. “He creates a learning environment in which rangatahi Māori can thrive.”

Mike’s focus is on normalising Māori culture. He supports rangatahi Māori to see that they can aspire and achieve their aspirations as young Māori using Tour

ism and Outdoor Education as a platform for offering authentic cultural experiences, weav ing tikanga throughout outdoor programmes such as mihi whakatau, waiata, karakia, while upholding the mana of te ao Māori.

Mike says it’s been a journey

“Whenua Iti has been a place where I have been able to hone my skills and a platform where I am able to work with a wide reach of young people,” he says.

“It’s okay to light the spark for young people, but they also need a place to tend the fire. Whenua Iti has a great team that supports on going development along a young person’s life journey, helping them to connect with whānau, communities and environments.”

Taylor Bruning, a graduate of the Manaaki Tāpoi programme, has recently returned to WIO under the guidance of Elkington as a rangatahi Māori Cadet to support the facilita tion and programme delivery. “Manaaki Tāpoi enabled me to connect to my culture in a way I had not managed in the past,” says Bruning. “I felt proud of who I was and where I was from and able to express that to people back at school where before I had just kept quiet. The bonds I formed with people on the programme were so important to me and gave me a way to move forward in Te Ao Māori and in life.”

The award not only recognizes Elkington’s leadership as evidenced by his successful pro gramme development and delivery, but also his mana. Elkington embodies kotahitanga (unity, togetherness) and the spirit of Te Tiriti part nership throughout his mahi with students and colleagues at Whenua Iti Outdoors. “He is ex ceptional at bringing depth to learning experi ences, weaving in kōrerō and whakaaro (ideas) that promote mohiotanga (understanding) of te ao Māori in an accessible and inclusive way,” acknowledges Lara Hania, a colleague of Elk ington’s on the kaupapa Māori programmes. Hazel Nash, founder of WIO, has known El kington for over 30 years, and supported the award nomination. “I was ecstatic to hear that he won. Mike is an absolute taonga to the ran gatahi of our region for his unwavering com mitment to help them reach their potential. It couldn’t go to someone more deserving.”

Michael Elkington. Photo: Supplied.

Santa to stop at Starveall

Santa is stopping at his new grotto in Starveall St this weekend, com plete with snow machine, sausage sizzle and fun for families.

Sarahlee Chapman, owner of Brightwater’s The Local, has trans formed her garden into a festive wonderland in support of the Fifeshire Foundation’s ‘The Big Give’ appeal.

“We had the idea after using the space for trick or treaters at Hal loween. We had hundreds of peo ple visit and thought we could help support a charity by doing something similar at Christmas.”

While the family never normally ‘go big’ for Christmas, this year they have splurged on decorations to give people a real experience when they come to meet Santa. “We’ve even got a snow machine which is mounted to the side of the house and will be snowing the entire time. We’ll also have a fake snow table outside for little kids to play with, too.”

Brightwater local Jeff Mills is go ing to dress as Santa and his wife Diane will be Mrs Claus.

“I’ve roped my family in too. Mum is a snowman, my in-laws will be Jack and Sally Skellington and my partner Rick is an elf.”

She’ll dress as the Grinch but has already encountered a few ward robe malfunctions.

“I can barely breathe in the mask, so I’ve had to order a mask fan to put inside to keep the airflow go ing. I really hope it works.”

The Big Give is the Fifeshire Foun dation’s annual fundraiser to en sure families in extreme hardship and poverty across the region will get some relief at Christmas.

“Ideally, gift vouchers are pre ferred for things like food, toys, treats, or family activities. A voucher for Natureland or Inflat able World could be the one and only time they ever get to go.”

The grotto is open to the public on Sunday 4 December from 10am1pm, and Monday 5 and Tuesday 6 December, from 6pm-8pm.

Brightwater teacher scoops award

JO KENT

Brightwater School is still cele brating after long-time teacher Julia Roberts won the More FM Teacher of the Year 2022 award last week.

Having been at the school for 22 years, she says it’s all been very exciting.

“I feel quite humbled and over whelmed by it. All the teachers deserve it, so at the time I found it quite hard to even be a final ist, but it’s about the school as well as we are very much a team effort.”

During her time at the school, she has taught every year level except the seniors.

“After we found out I’d won, Jill, our office administrator raced out to get sparkling grape juice and strawberries in champagne glasses to have a celebratory morning tea.

“That’s very typical of the whole school. Everyone celebrated

and it was pretty incredible. They were just as excited as me. My own family thought it was pretty cool, too.”

Winning the award has come at just the right time as Julia is retiring in just two weeks after serving over two decades at the school. “Everyone keeps tell ing me it’s a wonderful way to

go out! It’s a real honour and I feel tickled pink. It’s lovely to see how much I am appreciat ed, but we work as a team so I accept the award for us all.”

As part of the prize, Julia was awarded a $250 voucher for The Junction. She has decided this will go towards the end of year teacher’s function.

JO KENT

Sarah Lee Chapman as the Grinch with partner Rick Smith as an elf in their Santa’s grotto. Photo: Jo Kent.

Julia Roberts with pupils Olive Morris, 6, Isla Holani, 6, and Kobi Ingham, 7. Photo: Jo Kent.

Remembering Roger and his many hats

JACK MALCOLM

Roger Ledingham had a calm but commanding presence over al most everything he did through out his 76 years of life.

After moving to Nelson in 1975 with the “slightly false logic” to live halfway between his parents in Timaru and his wife Susan’s parents in Hawke’s Bay, Roger made a substantial impact on the local community.

Whether when he was teaching at Waimea College or being known as the man in the office on a Sat urday or as Nelson Netball’s pres ident, Roger’s no-nonsense atti tude saw him leave a profound impression on those who knew him.

When Roger found something he was passionate about, there was no stopping him, remembers his wife of nearly five decades, Susan. “He used to say ‘don’t die won dering’. That was one of his favou rite sayings.”

One of Roger’s greatest passions was sport.

He would spend hours of his free time with a cat on his lap, watch ing whatever was on the sports channels.

“Anything competitive, he’d watch on TV,” says Susan.

“I can’t think of a sport he wouldn’t watch.

“When the Olympics or Com monwealth Games were on, he was in heaven, with all of those extra pop-up channels full of sport.”

She says he was always looking

for ways to give back to sport as well, with rugby, cricket and net ball playing equal favourites.

Roger took on Waimea College’s netball programme and ran it for decades, becoming a regular fea ture on a Saturday down at the courts.

“He’s an incredible man and hu man being,” remembers Nelson Netball life member and former committee member, Marilyn Milne.

“He quietly and without fanfare made a huge contribution to Nel son netball.”

Marilyn, and Susan, say Roger’s handling of meetings was infa mous.

His goal was that they never last ed longer than an hour.

“He knew how to run a meeting and not be there all night. He didn’t muck around.”

Alongside his regular commit ments, Roger always found time to work to improve the situation of his friends, mentors and col leagues.

As a history teacher, Roger was known for welcoming his stu dents into his classroom with classical music, which he believed set the mood for learning.

Music played a big role in his life as a long-term member of the Nelson Cathedral choir, having a “lovely” bass voice after starting choir singing as a treble at prima ry school.

His involvement with the cathe dral saw him act as the Dean’s Warden as well as sitting on the church’s vestry.

From being the head of the fund raising society for the Saxton Stadium build to his presence as executive chair of the PPTA teachers union, Roger was com mitted to enriching the things he was passionate about.

His involvement in the union saw him travel all over the Top of the South to visit schools, and, hav ing never held a driver’s licence, would regularly take a taxi to the West Coast. He got around town on his trusty

moped, which he became known for because he’d drive around in shorts through the winter, says Susan.

“Always in shorts. Shorts and san dals, or crocs. He loved his crocs,” she says.

Robert Taylor, who held the same position in the union after Rog er’s tenure, remembers him as a mentor who wasn’t afraid of tak ing on anything.

During their time in the union, Roger was influential in oppos ing bulk funding for schools that would have seen wages provided as a lump sum and administered by a school’s board of trustees, instead of by the Ministry of Ed ucation.

A PPTA document, ‘Bulk Fund ing - A Retrospective’, highlights Roger’s role in fighting back the proposal that they saw as a way to cut costs over time.

“The report headed ‘Bulk Fund ing – Progress??’ (written by Roger). . . didn’t contain the usual recommendation - ‘That the re port be received’. Instead, it asked ‘That the report be wept over’.” Susan says, seeing the Saxton Stadium building come to frui tion was one of Roger’s proudest achievements, having been “in volved up to his neck for years”.

“There were a group of people who saw an opportunity and went for it.

“He did really enable people to do things.

“He was someone who got great satisfaction out of people’s enjoy ment.”

Swimmers take on the Waitemata Harbour

PETER GIBBS

It was a busy few days for Nelson Sea Swimmers re cently as more than 100 took on the regular Thurs day race in Nelson Harbour on Thursday and then 20 headed to Auckland for the 4.6km race from Rangitoto Island to St Heliers on Sat urday.

Harrison Dean led the way over a short course in Nelson on Thursday, breaking clear from the start of the 700m event and leading all the way from Hamish Neill and Lu cas Bell.

Lilly Claridge made a solid statement, leading the wom en’s field for the second con secutive week.

She may face a challenge in

the future, as second-placed Keshia Linyard is rapidly im proving, beating her father Jon for the first time. Ollie Rooney and Nia Lin yard distanced the field in the short course of about 300m to take top male and female spots.

Nearly 500 swimmers crammed the wharf at Ran gitoto on an unusually fine, calm day on Saturday. Buoys dotted 400m apart showed the way to the distant beach of St Heliers.

Abbey Smale and Hayden Squance joined a lead group

of about ten as the field head ed off. The group splintered at about the kilometre mark, with both Nelson swimmers in the second bunch.

At the finish, it was a clean sweep of male and female victories for brother and sis ter pair Larn and Lena Ham blyn-Ough, with Lena cross ing the line in fourth place.

Abbey finished sixth over all to take second place in the women’s section, with Hayden 15 seconds behind, the Tasman School teacher winning gold in M20-24.

Other Nelson medal win ners were Hamish Neill, who took second in M55-59, and Jude Vincent who was sec ond in F60-64. More swim news and information at nel sonseaswims.co.nz.

Roger Ledingham after he had just received the ASB Sports Award for his “Lifetime Contribution to Sport” at the netball awards presentation in December 2021. Photo Supplied.

Abbey Smale started in the lead group which splintered around the kilometre mark, where she found herself in the trailing group and battling to catch up, finishing second in the women’s division. Photo: Chris Chase Photography.

South Island Secondary School volleyball tournament

Nayland College’s junior girls have won the South Island Secondary Schools volleyball tournament played at Saxton Stadium last week.

Nelson College’s A team finished eighth and their B team finished 12th in the first division, finishing just ahead of Waimea College Gold, 13th, and Waimea College Green who finished 15th, having been split by Motueka Boys High School A in 14th. Friday saw players move to Tāhunanui for a 76 team strong oneday South Island Junior Beach championship.

In the girls grade, Waimea finished second while Burnside High School regained some bragging rights with the top two spots in the boys grade after coming up short in their indoor final against Riccarton. Waimea College players were:

1. Ezra Topine-Payn and Taine Baigent 2 Campbell Beer 3 Mere Ahoafi Conmee and Ashlee Shone 4 Maddie Seymour, Mere Ahoafi Conmee and Enna Soutar 5. Maia Nicholson and Makenna Holland 6. Johnny Nicholls 7. Yannick Smit

Photos: Barry Whitnall / Shuttersport

Power boats to celebrate 100 years

In 1923 a power boat race to the top of Lake Rotoiti and back took the winning driver five hours – if the feat is repeated at the Rotoiti Power Boat Club’s 100 anniversary in March it is likely to take some of the fastest boats about ten minutes.

Things have certainly moved on since that first race but it will be looked

upon fondly with the club’s 100th an niversary will be celebrated on March 11-12 next year during the club’s an nual regatta.

Already New Zealand’s best attend ed regatta, and always a favourite among drivers and spectators, says club president Chris Dufeu. “The last few years have seen some

of the biggest fields in decades and the most exciting racing, despite the Covid disruptions.”

Chris says this year the club will be hosting the final of the Hydro Thun der GP Hydroplane series, the NZ Formula 1 series final, Matt Morrison Memorial Trophy for Unlimited In board racing runabouts, as well as a

full field of racers down to the Club man and Junior series and close rac ing guaranteed across the weekend. Chris says the close association with the Department of Conservation and a core group of local club members has been a key to this event becoming more popular as the years progress.

Unable to find results despite best efforts

JACK MALCOLM

ALLIANCE – SEASONAL TEAM MEMBERS

Are you looking to earn some good money while you learn new skills? Right now, our Nelson plant is gearing up for a big 2022- 2023 season with a number of opportunities available. If you’ve got experience doing the mahi - awesome, give us a shout, but if you’ll be coming in fresh and just keen to learn and earn - that’s good too, we can train you up! We’re recruiting Butchers, Boners, Halal Slaughterers, and Labourers.

Ngā painga - what’s in it for you?

• Butchers: potential to earn an average of $1,365 based on a 40-hour working week, exclusive of overtime

• Boners: potential to earn an average of $1,374 based on a 40-hour working week, exclusive of overtime

• Halal Slaughterers: potential to earn an average of $1,353 based on a 40- hour working week, exclusive of overtime

• Labourers: earn a minimum of $26.50 per hour across a day, inclusive of allowances

• Minimum of 30 hours a week, usually 45 hours a week

• Up to 7 months of full-time seasonal employment

• Upskill yourself with an opportunity to gain NZQA qualifications

• Receive ongoing training and support

• Access to free onsite health services including a nurse, physiotherapist, counsellor

• Access to our free employee assistance programme

Ō pūkenga - about you

• You are eligible to work in New Zealand

• You will pass a pre-employment drug test and medical assessment

• You are willing and able to follow and respect workplace health and safety

• You enjoy working within a team environment

• You are physically fit, committed, and reliable

Apply online at www.alliancejobs.co.nz, by emailing nelson.botas@alliance.co.nz, or visit us at the Nelson Plant, 910 Main Rd Stoke, 7011.

After rain saw the first day of cricket abandoned, premier teams took varying approach es to the second day of action in search of vital competition points, as no game saw a deci sive result.

In the last round of two-day games before the Christmas break, Waimea Toi Toi United Tigers and Wakatu New World Nelson City declared after just one ball in their first innings to play for a result, with the game ending in a draw.

Wakatu made 224/5 before declaring on the back of a 157run first wicket stand between Nathan Dufeu (90) and Brad Smith (80), while WTTU were unable to chase down the total in the allotted overs as they struggled to make headway against a strong bowling attack to finish 152/8.

Ryan Flowers (46) top scored for his team as the WTTU batsmen found themselves un able to establish themselves at the crease, with eight players

making double-digit scores before being dismissed. The result saw neither team earn competition points as they declared in the first in nings, which is where they can earn extra points for their bat ting and bowling performanc es.

In the top of the table clash be tween Stoke-Nayland and the Wanderers/Motueka Wolves at Memorial Park, the rain came in early and disrupted play. Ryan du Plessis made his pres ence felt for Stoke-Nayland, scoring 118 runs from 159

balls as his team batted first to bring up 224/6 in the 65th over before they declared.

The Wolves got off to a mixed start, losing opening batsman Jack Morris early for 10 runs, before Cameron McLean, bat ting in third, was ducked. With the rain coming in, the game was called with Sean Neal and Joseph O’Connor steadying the ship to see their team finish 49/2 before play was abandoned.

Next week sees teams shift back into the one-day format, with ACOB travelling to the home of the Wolves at Memorial Park, Nelson College playing WTTU at Ngawhatu Park and Wakatu playing Stoke-Nayland at Victory Square.

Stoke-Nayland holds a con vincing lead on the com petition’s leaderboard, with 20 points from their four games, sitting ahead of the second-placed Wolves on 14 points. WTTU sit on the third rung with 10 points, just in front of Wakatu with nine points.

Nelson driver Julian Stilwell at a previous Rotoiti Power Boat regatta. Photo: Barry Whitnall/Shuttersport.

WTTU captain Amit Dhiman put in a massive shift in their game with Wakatu. Photo: Evan Barnes/Shuttersport.

NBS and Nelson Nyxons team up for the next two years

Nelson Cricket and NBS have announced a new sponsorship agreement that will see the finan cial services provider become the new naming rights sponsor of the women’s Nelson Nyxons team.

The agreement covers the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons and will also include contribution to some of the organisation’s key programmes.

The women’s game is growing in the Nelson-Tasman region with the launch of several new pro grammes focussing on girl’s and women’s cricket.

‘Yeah! Girls’ is a national pro gramme targeting school aged fe male cricketers and Nelson Crick et has set up 11 hubs in schools across the region as part of this programme.

The organisation also offers a new women’s 6’s competition played on Monday evenings at the Saxton

complex.

Brady Barnett, coach of the NBS Nelson Nyxons, says he’s very ex cited about this year’s season.

“The NBS Nyxons team is very strong this year, and we believe we have a good chance to win the Mike Shrimpton Shield. Our Nyx ons women will also serve to in spire our younger players and act as great role models.”

“Our hard work has been support ed by this investment from NBS and will enable us to really grow the women’s game. If we can de velop and promote players to the Central Districts team and hope fully the White Ferns, then we know we are doing a good job.”

NBS community engagement manager, Nic Foster, says Nelson Cricket has shown great resilience over the last two years with Covid and other challenges.

From left is Nyxon player Ella Ranson, Nic Foster from NBS, and Nelson Cricket head coach Brady Barnett. Photo: Sara Hollyman.

Community Notices

TUESDAYS

NELSON 50+TUESDAYWALKING GROUPTues day Dec. 6. Victory Square to the beach. Meet at 10am at Victory Square. Do bring your own lunch as we stop for lunch part way through the walk. Ph: Noeline 021 059 1667

LUNCH ON THE HILL: Come for hot drinks from 11 am & lunch at noon on Tuesday 6t December. 27 Dorset St, Richmond. (Koha) Ph. (03)544 8844

WELLBY TALKING CAFÉ: 1.30pm – 3pm, Tues day 13 December 2022, Richmond Library, Rich mond. Wellby Talking Cafés are about social con nection and finding out about groups, activities and services. www.wellby.org.nz 03 5467681.

NELSON PHILATELIC SOCIETY Meeting Tues day 13th December Doors Open 6.30pm - Meeting Starts 7.00pm At Stoke Baptist Church. ChristmasFun evening Mitchener Cup – “Pre-WWII BiPlanes” Contact Robin 0275442518

TUESDAY MUSIC 10a.m.6th Dec, Rmd Town Hall Meeting Room. Includes Andre Rieu Christmas in London & beautiful carols from English & Amer ican choirs,(and some tasty treats). Ph Christine 0212486038 or 035442375

NZ CHRISTIAN WRITERS NELSON GROUP. Tues. 6 Dec. in Richmond Baptist Church Lounge. 1-4pm. Open to writers at all stages from wanna-be writers to published authors of all ages and whatev er genre you use. For further details please contact Kay 0275476777 or kaypeterson4@xtra.co.nz.

WEDNESDAYS

COMMUNITY SING A LONG Wednesday 7 Dec.

1.30 pm Stoke Methodist Church lounge 94 Neale Avenue Gold coin donation for Nelson Hospital Chaplaincy. Afternoon tea. AllWelcome.

WAIMEA HARRIERS SHARLAND CYCLES 5K fun run and walk from ClubWaimea everyWednes day until December 21st. Registration from 5.30 pm. Everyone and all abilities welcome. See website for details. Queries 0223729432.

TASMAN TRACKIES CYCLING SAXTON VELO DROME - Champion Rd, Richmond. Track racing Wednesdays 10am -11.30am through Summer. Track bikes free of charge, road or mountain bikes can be used. Riders at all levels & ages, Social coffee & chat after at local café – ZINK, Contact: Murray Cam eron 0276450033. murray.r.cameron@xtra.co.nz

WELLBY SIGNPOSTER TRAINING: 1.30pm3pm, Wednesday 30 Nov. ‘22, Age Concern Office, Richmond. To find out about it and register go to wellby.org.nz/signposters or phone 03 546 7681.

NELSON NEWBIES, COFFEE MORNING every Wednesday 10:30 - 11.30 a.m. at Deville’s Cafe, 22 New St. Want to get out and meet people? Join us for coffee and chat. New people are always wel come. Phone Clive 021 205 4731 .

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THURSDAYS

WELLBY TALKING CAFÉ: 10am - 11.30am, Thurs. 8 Dec. Nightingale Library, Tahunanui. Wellby Talking Cafés are about social connection and finding out about groups, activities and ser vices. www.wellby.org.nz 03 5467681.

WAKEFIELD ART GROUP All levels of interest welcome. Meet Thursdays at Wakefield Commu nity Hall, Supper Rm. 10 Whitby Way, Wakefield.

DEADLINE: MIDDAY FRIDAY - 30 WORDS OR LESS BY EMAIL ONLY -

PLEASE SEND TO: events@waimeaweekly.co.nz

9.30 – 12.00, $4 session tea/coffee provided. Ali son 5418822

NELSON BAYS HARMONY CHORUS, our friendly group of women barbershop singers meets every Thursday evening at Club Waimea. Check out our website www.nelsonharmony.org. nz and/or phone Carole, 027 436 0910. Annual fundraiser giant garage sale Saturday 26th No vember Waimea College bus bay 8.30am.

RICHMOND LADIES FRIENDSHIP CLUB: meet monthly 9.45am 1stThurs. of month Church of Christ, Croucher St. Welcome all ladies looking for friendship, fun & fellowship with other women. Cafe lunch optional Interesting guest speakers & outings Ph Marion 544 4833 or Joan 544 1854.

TAICHI IN RICHMOND: Thursdays 10am12.00. Stillness, breath, movement. Quiet Heart Tai Chi, Holy Trinity Church, Dorset Street. Dona tion. Contact Merrick. Email; quiet.heart.tai.chi@ gmail.com Ph 0210636620. All welcome

WAIMEA COMBINED FRIENDSHIP CLUB: 3rd Thursday each month, Hope Community Church Hall, Ranzau Road, 9.45am providing interesting speakers and social opportunities for friendship through its special interest groups. Contact Margaret 022 010 6850.

RICHMOND WELCOME GROUP Want to make new friends join a friendly group of people for coffee & a chat.10am on the 1st and 3rdThurs day of each month at Paragon Cafe Langdale Drive Richmond Ansley/Phillip 5410 350

FRIDAYS

WAITAKI OLD GIRLS’SOCIAL GROUP. Pop In

for coffee & a chat from 10am. Friday 2nd Dec. at Lambretta’s Cafe Bar, 204 Hardy St, Nelson. All Oamaruians welcome. Queries 027 673 1145

CAKE DECORATORS Christmas stall 9 Decem ber at Stoke New World on Friday 9 December. Come & see what the ladies have made for Christmas. Contact Desiree 0276302359

SATURDAYS

REMEMBER DECEMBER DOUBLES TENNIS TOURNAMENT at RichmondTennis Club, Saturday and Sunday 10th and 11th Dec. A fund-raising event in support of the Mental Health Foundation. Contact Liz@tennisnelson.nz

SOUTH ISLAND MARCHING CHAMPION SHIPS Trafalgar Park Sat 3rd Dec.’22 - starts 11am. (U12 grade followed by U16 grade) Sunday 4th December 2022 - Start s 10am (Masters Grade followed by the Senior Grade) Public Parking available Sunday 4 December atTrafalgar Centre.

RICHMOND OLD TIME XMAS DANCE, De cember 3rd, at RichmondTown Hall, Cambridge st., Richmond., 7 30 to 11 00 pm. Live music,Prizes and Raffles. Entry $8 & a Supper plate, please Ph: Richard, 5444 120.

RICHMOND TENNIS CLUB - Gladstone Road Social hit for members and non-members Sat urday afternoons All levels of ability welcome. 1.30pm onwards. Contact 0274872480

SUNDAYS

Motueka Country Music Club. Municipal Band Hall Old Wharf Road Motueka Sunday December 4th 1. 30pm -4.30pm. Phone Chris 0226 800 988

HIGGINS HERITAGE PARK 222 Pigeon Valley Rd, Wakefield - Sunday 4 Dec.- Steam Up Traction en gine rides, museum sheds and park activities open day 10am-3pm.- model trains, & jigger rides - a great place for a picnic www.higginsheritagepark.co.nz

IN GENERAL

NELSON TASMAN HOSPICE TREES OF RE MEMBRANCE. Trees located Nelson & Rich mond Farmers until 24 Dec, Nelson & Stoke New World, Richmond Mall, Motueka House of Travel & Mapua Wharf 2nd – 9th Dec

NELSON RAILWAY Founders Park. Railcar will run on demand Saturday and Sunday 3rd & 4th Dec, weather permitting. Start time 11am. Fol low us on Facebook and Website.

FREE RICHMOND LIBRARY EVENTS at 280 Queen St, Richmond · Contact 03-543 8500. Table Top Gaming Group. 9-13 year olds are invited to come play board games with Sophus. Every Friday, 3.30pm-4.30pm,.

NELSON CATHEDRAL CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL until 15 January 2023. Open daily 8.30 - 7pm. Weekday lunchtime concerts 1pm. Late night Fridays 9,16,23 & 31 December.

WAIMEA MENZSHED - catering for the in terests, health & well-being of men. The shed is open Monday - Friday at Richmond Park, 384 Lower Queen St. Inquiries: mens.shed. waimea@gmail.com 027 282 0185.

ARE YOU GAME? Want to play games with out technology? Real games and real people. Contact Genie text only 0212141270 or email magicdancer54@ gmail.com

544 9037.

Community Notices are free to community groups, schools, churches, gold coin donation events and fundraising. Due to the popularity of this column,while every effort will be made, inclusion cannot be guaranteed for free ads. If you want to place a business advert or want to advertise a course you are running, please call classified ads and public notices on

NEWSLINE UPDATES

Take a peek at Reservoir Creek

Tracks and features on the hills above Richmond have received a good old-fashioned spruce up thanks to the hard work of volunteers from the Keep Richmond Beautiful group.

The group has used its 2021 $3000 Tasman District Community Grant and funding from NZ Walking Access Commission for work to further develop the Reservoir Creek Walkway. Hours of work have been put into completing tracks, installing marker posts, building two picnic tables and installing an interpretation panel at Boar's Nest Corner. A brand new plane table which points out various geographical features that can be seen from that spot has been constructed and placed at the top of the hill, close to the fire lookout.

But the work’s not quite over yet. There will soon be three more information panels showing a map of the walkway and exit options from the summit.

Access to the section of road, which provides a main thoroughfare connecting Māpua, Ruby Bay and Tasman Village has been closed since a major slip brought a large amount of material across the road during the August 2022 weather event.

The situation prompted safety concerns around the stability of the cliff face above. Council staff have spent the last three months undertaking investigations and consulting geotechnical experts in order to gather the best information and advice in the decision-making process.

Community Infrastructure Group Manager Richard Kirby said while a long-term management solution would be required to address the stability issues of the cliff face, potential risks associated with clearing slip material off Stafford Drive could be safely minimised to allow the short-term reopening of two lanes.

“The slip occurred in August 2022. It is now three months later, and the road remains closed – with summer almost upon us and the likelihood of more traffic on our region’s roads, extending this time any further is not tenable.”

“So, on that basis I have asked for the slip to be cleared away and opened to two lanes within the next four weeks.

Richard said if the long-term risks associated with reopening both lanes are considered too high, measures can be implemented. As part of the decision–making process we have developed a safety management plan which could enable the road to be reduced to one lane if necessary, based on observations as slip clearance work proceeds. Work is expected to begin on 6 December.

Wilding work restarts with more project growth predicted

We are set to restart our schedule of wilding pine control operations for the 2022/23 season with our Jobs for Nature team undertaking drill and fill work and aerial work shortly.

Since 2020, we have teamed up with independent forestry management providers PF Olsen to conduct wilding pine control in the Mount Richmond Management Unit. To date, close to 12,000 ha of the park have been surveyed or had wilding conifer control work carried out as part of the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) funded activities.

The first year of the project saw five full-time employees carry out 8,707 hours of groundwork, controlling wildings across 200 ha of the park. The team also gained valuable skills in forestry and restoration work, while navigating often challenging terrain and multi-day excursions into the hills.

Jobs for Nature funding of $620,000 aims to cover 12,480 employment hours over three years. We are also grateful for further funding of $729,524 for the Mount Richmond project in 2022/23, with $613k coming from MPI and the balance provided by the Department of Conservation. We’ve also been pleased to support efforts to eradicate wilding conifers from sections of the Tākaka Hill by our partners Tākaka Hill Biodiversity Group Trust.

Raising a question about new raised crossings

People have asked why there are no longer any pedestrian refuge islands in the centre of the new and improved pedestrian crossings on Salisbury Road in Richmond.

The new crossings don’t have islands for two reasons. The first is to ensure a consistent design with all other crossings around Richmond. Secondly, a safety audit of crossings with refuges found potential confusion and conflict for drivers and pedestrians. In the past, the inclusion of the islands meant drivers only had to give way to those crossing on their side of the road, leading to potential uncertainty about who gives way to whom and when.

Research also shows not all children have the same judgement skills and ability as adults to be safe in traffic, therefore a simple layout is better for the many school-aged users of the crossings. The new layout now means traffic must give way to users no matter which side of the road they are crossing from.

The new crossings also have shared zones for cyclists and pedestrians, so walkers and riders need to be courteous to each other when using them.

FOUND directory adds new feature

In the old days, it was a book that was delivered to letterboxes, nowadays the FOUND directory is a fabulous online tool which continues to grow in popularity, and now a new feature has been added to make it even more user-friendly.

The FOUND directory offers searchable listings of community groups and organisations by region or interest and a free profile page for every member group. Whether you’re looking for culture, art, sport, recreation, education or welfare, you’ll discover it on FOUND.

But now you can use it to not only find facilities like halls and meeting places but also find out how to book them, in many cases online, for your next event or function. The list of venues is extensive and ranges from small meeting rooms at libraries to halls and sporting facilities.

The FOUND directory is supported by Tasman District and Nelson City Councils and administered by Volunteer Nelson. You can find it here: found.org.nz

The Tākaka Hill project is independent from our work around Mount Richmond. However, it is still an important part of wider eradication efforts and recent funding of $125,000 from MPI for 2022/23 will enable further control work on private and public conservation land within the Abel Tasman and Kahurangi National Parks.

COUNCIL HUI

Meetings will take place in person and via Zoom. Visit tasman.govt.nz/meetings-calendar for details and the Zoom link. Unless otherwise stated, all meetings will be held at Council Chambers, 189 Queen Street, Richmond.

Nelson Tasman Joint Regional Transport Committee

Friday 2 December, 1.30 pm. No public forum

Tasman Creative Communities Subcommittee

Tuesday 6 December, 10.00 am. No public forum

Audit and Risk Committee

Tuesday 6 December, 1.30 pm. No public forum

Tasman District Council

Friday 9 December, 12.00 pm

Golden Bay Community Board

Monday 12 December, 1.00 pm. Golden Bay Service Centre, 78 Commercial Street, Tākaka

Work to clear the slip blocking Stafford Drive is expected to be completed shortly

Waimea College

Waimea College

Itinerant Music Teachers

Itinerant Music Teachers

For 2023

For 2023

We are seeking expressions of interest from Itinerant Music Teachers to work with our students in our Performing Arts Department during the 2023 school year. Please state which instruments you can offer tuition.

We are seeking expressions of interest from Itinerant Music Teachers to work with our students in our Performing Arts Department during the 2023 school year. Please state which instruments you can offer tuition.

Hours will be dependent on the requirements of our students and their subject selection and aligned with our confirmed staffing numbers from the Ministry of Education.

Hours will be dependent on the requirements of our students and their subject selection and aligned with our confirmed staffing numbers from the Ministry of Education.

If you are interested in working with our students at Waimea College, please send your expression of interest, including a CV and details of relevant experience to Nicola Cruise, Executive Assistant at; nicola.cruise@waimea.school.nz

If you are interested in working with our students at Waimea College, please send your expression of interest, including a CV and details of relevant experience to Nicola Cruise, Executive Assistant at; nicola.cruise@waimea.school.nz

Applications close at 4pm on Friday 9 December 2022.

Applications close at 4pm on Friday 9 December 2022.

Your Place to Excel

SITS VACANT

Motel in Richmond looking for casual cleaner/housekeeper. 2-3 days a week, 2-4 hours a day depend ing on demand. Able to work on occasional weekends. Experience preferred but training will be given to the right candidate. Must be honest and have an eye for detail. Please call 022 5865 309

Saturday 3rd December, 7am-1pm. Down sizing. Daelyn Drive.

GARAGE SALE

Saturday 3rd Dec. 67

Arbor-Lea Avenue, Rich mond. 9am start.

GARAGE SALE

Sat 3 and Sun 4 Decem ber. 9am. Outdoor seats, furniture, small oven, steamer, lots of odds and ends. 3 Phoebe Place, Richmond.

Star

$420 ono Phone 544 4253.

Garrick Electric mul ti-function drill, knife, and scissor sharpener, excel lent cond. $85.00 phone 544 4253.

Independent Chairperson Waimea Combined 1st XV Steering Committee

We seek a person for the Independent Chairperson role of the Waimea Combined 1st XV Rugby team Steering Committee.

The Chairperson ensures that the Steering Committee functions properly, that there is full participation during meetings, that all relevant matters are discussed and that effective decisions are made and implemented.

The Chairperson has external representation of the organisation and works with various outside groups.

The Chairperson will provide leadership, be an excellent networker and be confident in building and leading the team.

Applications should be received at Waimea College by 4.00pm on Wednesday 7 December 2022 and addressed to: Karla Thurlow, Waimea College, 60 Salisbury Road, Richmond.

For further information contact Karla Thurlow on 5446099 ext 878 or by email: karla.thurlow@waimea.school.nz

Scott Haines | Principal

Scott Haines | Principal

Scott Haines | Principal

WANTED TO

WANTED TO

or 03 538 0020

WANTED TO

Cash paid for old wrist watches. Scrap gold & Silver. Old coins & Jew ellery. Vintage / quality tools. Military & Firearms items. General antiques. Also buying estate & shed items. Collection & downsizing. Ph Tim Gladstone. T&B Vintage 0800 653 935 or 548 5235.