The Observer - April 2024

the Obser ver

fromthe Publishers

Welcome to the April issue of the Observer.

This time of year is always a busy one with the Oxford A&P Show.

As always the event was a fantastic day out, with so much hard work behind the scenes by the team. We had a great time wandering around seeing everything and catching up with people.

This year there was a new category - Amateur Story Writing, which we had the pleasure of helping to judge, along with Sara from Emma’s at Oxford. We have the winning entry on page 6. We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

Last month we featured the new building at Oxford Area School. Takurua was officially opened on March 20th and visitors were invited to tour the building. What a beautiful space for the students and staff to learn and work in.

We have been publishing the Observer now for 6 years. We have always focused on the positive, community articles, and will continue to do so. By doing this we have met so many people, and groups doing amazing things out there in our community. We are truly privileged to be able to do this.

We are always grateful for our advertisers supporting us as a local business, they enable us to produce the Observerso thank you to you all!

Enjoy reading - see you all next month.

Bruce & Emily.

by Peter Scott, Environment Canterbury Chair

Doing more - or not enough? What's the cost?

Over the coming weeks, you’ll be seeing and hearing a lot about Canterbury Regional Council’s (Environment Canterbury’s) Long-Term Plan.Put simply, this is our Council’s budgeting process. This includes the money we get from ratepayers and what we do with it.

If that isn’t enough to get you interested, consider the following points.

If part of a key road was taken out by a flood in northern Canterbury, would you feel the impact?

Do you ever worry about the effect climate change is having on our landscape?

Should more be done to protect the habitats of precious species? The work we do affects all Cantabrians.

Essentially, we’re having to weigh up the cost of taking action,

against the cost of not doing enough around things like river and erosion resilience, biodiversity outcomes and pest management.

We’ve developed some options which are laid out in our Long-Term Plan consultation document, titled What’s the cost to Waitaha/Canterbury?

I urge you to have a look, then tell us what you think at ecan.govt.nz/whatsthecost between 13 March and 14 April.

You can also talk to your local councillor, whose details are on the ‘Your council’ section of our website.

Remember, this is your money. How we spend it will be up to you.

Not being prepared

What’s the cost?

We’re preparing our work plan and budget for the next 10 years. What can we afford? What’s the cost to our region if we do less? We need your input, so check out the options we’re proposing in the draft Long-Term Plan.

Tell us what you think:

The Malvern Farmers Vet Club Charitable Trust (MFVCCT) would like to invite individuals, community groups and organisations to apply for grants from our organisation. The MFVCCT purpose is to advance the welfare of our rural community and the individuals connected to the community. This involves distributing grants that meet the following criteria:

• The strengthening of charitable community and voluntary organisations involved in the relief of poverty.

• The advancement of education.

• The provision of financial support for specific community projects that advance charitable purposes.

• The strengthening of charitable community and voluntary organisations.

• The provision of financial and other support in anticipation of or in response to emergencies or adverse events.

• The enhancement and retention of essential services that advance charitable purposes.

To apply for grants or for more information on the application process please visit: mfvc.org.nz. For any enquiries please email mfvcinfo@gmail.com. All applications to be received by the 30th April 2024.

Insights from international students: Life in Oxford

by Amber Chun

Oxford has had the pleasure of being the host of internationals for years, with a range of students attending Oxford Area School and living with homestays both in the village and rurally. It is without a doubt an incredibly different experience for them, as the majority come from schools that Oxford could fit into multiple times. Though it's a huge difference, it's also a huge opportunity for them to personally experience school and weekend life in an unfamiliar country.

This year we started off the term with 10 students, mainly in year 11, some as young as years 2 and 5, predominantly from Germany and Japan. We have dedicated international staff, and students who are more than happy to welcome and educate them about what goes on here. One of our year 11 German students, Jessica, describes Oxford as ‘ a pretty chill, cosy little town’  and says ‘the people are really welcoming and kind’.

She is genuinely enjoying it here, and loves her homestay too.  The whole school system here seems to be the major difference for most internationals, with aspects such as class options and sizes, pressure and strictness, and overall the size of the school. This year's students in particular have noticed the difference in buildings, especially with the recent opening of our new block.

They appreciate the fact that the atmosphere is generally more laid back and everyone knows each other really well.

Weekend life is also equally as much of a new experience, whether it's hanging out with new friends in the township or exploring the local area with homestay families.

With Oxford being a rural town, the nature here is another thing they seem to find a novelty.

We have some Japanese students living in the village who say that just walking around is now a favourite activity in their spare time. They also are enjoying taking part in various sports, either continuing with previous hobbies or trying something new. A couple are interested in basketball and badminton, so they are able to take advantage of Oxford's courts and find common interests with local students. For those staying further into the countryside, horse riding is another activity they enjoy that takes on a whole new meaning. So as new life experiences go, our internationals have really got an unforgettable one.

All in all, this term has been a successful one for our international student programme, and we are looking forward to having some bigger groups coming in from Japan and Shanghai later on in the year.

Oxford A&P Association Amateur Story Writing competition winner

Tap Tap Tap

It is a known fact that every time a group of friends get together there is always one that needs to make the entire night a production, a glass tapper if you will. There is no friendly gathering that this becomes more apparent than at a New Year’s eve dinner, when you and your friend have all reached the wonderful life stage known as the 50+ era.

It is at this point in life that the wild parties of youth, have given way to the wild parties and regretful mornings after of over 30s.

Before you finally find yourselves at the delightfully sophisticated dinner parties of your 50s.

This is where wine with unpronounceable names and from some obscure place in France, is drunk. Everyone will hum about how good it is, despite likely not being able to tell it apart from anything else from the supermarket shelf.

It is at these dinner events that our lovely glass tapper makes themselves known. Just as the night is nearing its conclusion at a late 10pm. The food has been eaten and wine glasses nearing empty. As everyone readies themselves to bid farewell and head to bed. That is when they strike with all of the precision of a slightly drunk cat. They tap tap tap on the side of their glass.

“Now everyone we absolutely must tell each other our highlight and lowlights of the year”.

by Zoe Godsiff

Now it must be said that there is not a soul at the table ever wants to talk about their highlight and lowlights of the year. At this point in the night, I dare say all anyone wants to do is head off to their nice warm bed and forget that another year has passed. However, not one soul at the dinner table will ever tell the lovely glass tapper ‘no’. Instead what will happen is every person in attendance will scramble to think of a highlight. A lowlight will come to mind without issue. I can guarantee that no matter how little warning is given, everyone will be able to pull a fricken lowlight out of their bottom. It’s the highlights that get us every single time. Out of politeness everyone will think of something bland to say, maybe something about their partner or kids. If they are truly desperate, they will say something about this lovely night with their friends, whilst raising their glass towards the glass tapper. I will admit I am among this group. I will say something delightfully bland, then carry on with my night. Willing it to be over as fast as possible, so that I might escape to sleep before the New Year begins. However, just once I want to look the glass tapper straight in the eye and say “actually I have just been diagnosed with clinical depression, and I can’t for the life of me think of a single good thing that has happened this year, its all been quit shit I’m afraid” before downing the last of my wine, getting up, and leaving.

We’re

working in your area

Waimakariri Gorge Bridge Deck Replacement

What

Where When Contact

We’re temporarily closing the bridge overnight

Waimakariri Gorge Bridge, Waimakariri Gorge Road

Tuesday 2 April for approximately 6 weeks, Sunday to Thursday between 7.30pm and 4.30am (site/weather dependent)

Fulton Hogan on 0800 7623 34 (0800 ROAD FH) (Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm) or email cant.info@fultonhogan.com. Please call us out of hours if the matter is urgent.

What are we doing?

From Monday 25 March, we will be installing scaffolding ahead of replacing the bridge deck. From Tuesday 2 April, for approximately 6 weeks, the deck replacement will commence on the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge. Guard rail protection will also be installed as part of this work. Works will be undertaken during both the day and night, with the bridge closed nightly from Tuesday 2 April between 7.30pm and 4.30am. Please note - we will not work on Friday and Saturday nights.

Traffic Impacts

Works will start on day shift from Monday 25 March to install scaffolding. The nightly bridge closure will commence on Tuesday 2 April between the hours of 7.30pm and 4.30am.

During the day, the bridge will be open to normal traffic flow, with temporary traffic lights in place to control traffic. Please expect delays of up to 10 minutes.

During the night time closures, the alternative route is via the SH1 Waimakariri River Bridge near Kaiapoi; this route is approximately 115km in distance so please plan your trip accordingly. Electronic signs will be in place reminding drivers of the closure and to use the alternate route during the closures.

Our friendly on-site staff can assist with any queries. The speed limit around our work site is 30kph to keep our workers safe along with other traffic management tools in the vicinity

Local families open their homes to international students

by Beka Hunt

Oxford Area School (OAS) proudly hosts international students from all over the world. They welcome people from places such as Japan, China, Germany and Brazil. Some stay for a week, others for years. Homestay plays an important part in this process. This is when residents in and around Oxford open their homes and provide a warm bed during a student's stay. While there are some incredible locals already involved with the programme, the school always needs more people and is looking for families to join the roster. An ideal host is someone who has a spare room with a bed and desk, that can provide three meals a day. Transport to and from school can be arranged, and OAS offers a generous amount of money to cover costs each week.

Mary Chisnall, Accommodation Coordinator, says that they try hard to match the right person with the right homestay, and hosts never have to accept more than what they can handle. She is happy to grab a coffee with anyone that has questions or concerns.

Many current homestay hosts have loved their experience so far and see no end in sight. Sonia Karaaitiana is one of those hosts, beginning her homestay journey around 15 years ago. She is still in touch with her first student, saying they became part of the family. Sonia has seen the benefits of the program firsthand and still remembers when one of her Chinese students was able to experience the Oxford night sky for the first time.

“They came running in saying ‘I think I can see a star’. Then they lay on the ground like a snow angel just taking it all in.” She would encourage anyone that is considering being a host to just jump in and do it.

She says that most of the kids have been absolute crackers despite the language barrier. “They all have translators on their phones nowadays, or I’m able to fall back on the school.” She very rarely needs to call Mary Chisnall for support, and has found that the OAS International team was incredibly helpful when she did reach out. If Jaccy could say one thing to a potential homestay host, it would be this; “Be kind, take things slowly and try to involve them in the little things. Ask them questions, and be fluid. They want to learn.” She would probably also warn you about international students' love for manuka honey.

Homestay is a learning opportunity for all parties involved (although the school has strict rules around partying so that won’t be a problem either). Mary Chisnall is hoping she can bring more keen families on board to enjoy the benefits. “I think it's really important to Oxford, to any school it adds more opportunity. We even teach English as a second language.”

She wants the students to be part of a family while they’re here. If this sounds like you, the offer for coffee is open. You can contact the International team at Oxford Area School with an email to international@oxford.school.nz, or by calling up. There is also an abundance of information on the OAS school website, detailing how you can enrich a student's life.

Oxford Area Sch

Marie Moore offers a ‘horse stay’ and has found that being a host greatly benefited her own two children when they were growing up. She says that her kids were able to learn so much, including how to get along with anyone. They could relate to the international students, and built lifelong connections. In terms of a horse stay, many visitors loved being on a rural property, meeting the animals and learning to ride.

Jaccy Roberts is another homestay veteran, hosting her first student in Christchurch in 1992. She has since attended two weddings in Thailand, and keeps in touch with others that have gone on to become lawyers and government officials.

The official opening of Takurua took place on March 20th with a crowd of staff, students and special guests who included Mayor Dan Gordon, Councilor Tim Fulton, Ngāi Tuahuriri , Lynne Te Aika, Ministry of Education Education Advisor ,the project team of RDT Pacific, Athfields Architects, Brosnan Contractors, Principal of View Hill School, local community groups including the Oxford & Districts Lions, OPAC, & Oxford Community Trust.

Former Board of Trustees Chairperson Matt Riley cut the ribbon with the assistance of the oldest and youngest students of the school. Guests were then treated to an afternoon tea made by students, and shown around the new building which features reception area, offices, meeting rooms, food technology rooms, labs, library and multi-purpose areas.

Above The Moore family welcome Kenshin to their home and introduce him to their much loved animals

Above

Jessica and her host mum enjoy a bush walk together

Ashley Gorge tracks break records - need volunteers

The Ashley Gorge Tracks continue to break their own records, with visitor numbers now reaching around ten thousand per year and growing, putting them in second place for Department Of Conservation Canterbury sites behind Kura Tawhiti/Castle Hill Limestone Reserve.

Alongside this, a predator control programme, targeting pests like possums, rats, stoats, cats and wasps, is bringing a noticeable lift in bird numbers including rarer species like the miromiro/tomtit.

The huge numbers now walking these tracks have surprised everyone including Ashley Gorge Tracks Group Manager John Burton who has managed their construction and maintenance, along with Dave Shelton, since their beginnings in 2015.

"It's mind blowing to see the number of people on our tracks some days, especially the young families, and to realise how important this track system is becoming to the Oxford and wider community. And, afterall, they built it themselves with over ten thousand volunteer hours so far of hard work and commitment."

"As with all things voluntary, passionate folk come and go and numbers sometimes need boosting to make sure a successful operation can reliably continue and has people to do the regular work and to back up its key management people.

We are looking for volunteers of all ages who would enjoy regularly clearing and setting traplines and two or three times a year joining working bees to clean water tables, fix steps and other maintenance jobs."

Involving local youth has always been a focus, with home schooled students regularly part of the weekly trapping team and No 88 District of Waimakariri Squadron Air Training Corps recently bringing a team of 22 keen members to give the tracks their annual tidy up of culverts, water tables, overgrowth etc, to set the them up for winter.

John Burton says " we are inviting people who want to put back into their community, work with other passionate, conservation-minded people, probably get a lot fitter and don't mind pulling dead possums out of traps. The traplines are generally cleared and reset one-two weekly but this can be quite flexible, especially if we have enough people to work in together.

We also invite those capable of taking up an overseeing role for the trapping programme and track development and maintenance because we well know that us old chaps/ chapesses, passionate as we are, don't last forever."

"The Ashley Gorge tracks get many compliments on the quality of the walks and the condition of the tracks and are held up as a great example of a well run operation and a successful working together of community, DOC and local council. We want to keep it that way."

If you would like to be part ot the Ashley Gorge Tracks Team please contact : Brian Pilbrow Email: brian.pilbrow@outlook.com Ph: 022 850 1913

Pictured right>

No 88 District of Waimakariri Squadron Air Training Corps track maintenance working bee team with Ashley Gorge Tracks Group manager John Burton (bottom right)

from the Presidents Desk with Oxford Club president

Kyle Scott

Hello there,

As I write this article “Jack Frost” has already visited Oxford reminding us that the hot balmy days of Summer are nearly over.

Visiting the Oxford Club can still “Be a Breeze” in all weathers, especially on a Friday and Saturday evening when we operate Kermit our courtesy van. Kermit runs from 5.00pm until close and can uplift you from your residence and drop you off home after your evening at the Club.

The Club cares about the welfare of its members and promotes responsible drinking. Having the van operating encourages you our members and guests to plan ahead and not drink and drive. It also takes the worry about how you will get home safely and allows you to enjoy yourself. The Club runs a volunteer driver roster for Kermit, so if you are a Club member and would like to help and occasionally drive Kermit, we would love to hear from you. Overall, running Kermit aligns with our Club values of safety, Community Service and responsible alcohol consumption.

Just a reminder that the Oxford Club Elections for President, Vice President and Executive Committee take place on Friday 12th April 4pm to 7.pm. Special Absentee Votes may be made by contacting the office within the 7 days before the election. Having a vote allows you as a member to actively engage in shaping the future of the Club. You also may contribute by selecting candidates who show leadership skills, commitment, and integrity to the overall effectiveness of Governance at the Oxford Club.

The Oxford Club cares for the welfare of all our members, so if you need some advice or assistance our Club Welfare Officer Ray Stagg is there to listen and help, contact him by email on welfareoxfordclub@gmail.com. If the matter needs urgent attention call the club and we will get Ray to contact you as soon as possible.

Lastly, be sure to read out weekly email Blast packed full of the upcoming events at your Club. If you are not on our email list, please let us know.

Thank you for reading this article and I look forward to seeing you at the Oxford Club soon.

Warmest regards

Kyle ScottClub President

Mayoral Update with Dan Gordon

I was very saddened by the recent passing of Shona Kidd. I knew Shona well and always loved catching up with her. She had a way of brightening any day and had an infectious personality and a great passion for her community. I especially remember working with her on keeping the Oxford Fire siren. As many of you will know Shona was a staunch supporter and Patron of the Oxford Rugby Club – with her horn sounding every time the home team scored a try. It was especially fitting when members of the club formed a guard of honour for her at her send off at the Oxford Working Men’s Club.

I along with many of the other attendees at her funeral was particularly moved by that kind gesture. Shona will be sorely missed, and my thoughts are with Roddy and her family and friends at this sad time.

I also had the recent honour of attending the official opening of the Takurua Classroom block at Oxford Area School. I always enjoy my visits to the school and am made to feel extremely welcome by Mike, Board Chair Aaron, the staff and students. Oxford is a fast-growing part of our District and it’s easy to see why families are moving to the area to be a part of the thriving school community.

I was very impressed by Takurua - another fantastic asset for the school.

Congratulations once again to everyone involved in the Oxford A&P Show – it was another fantastic event. Well done to President Jason Skurr and Oxford A&P Show Committee.

I was joined by some of my council colleagues and members of the Oxford Ohoka Community Board where we talked to residents about the Long Term Plan which is currently out for consultation.

It was great to catch up with so many of you at the show.

We will also be at the Oxford Town Hall on 8 April from 4-6pm for a drop in session to discuss our Long Term Plan which outlines how we will invest in our district over the next 10 years. I look forward to seeing you all at the drop in session.

If you would like to see a copy of the Long Term Plan it is available at any of our Council Service Centres and libraries and it’s also online, head to waimakariri.govt.nz/letstalk to read the plan online.

As always, I welcome contact from anyone who needs assistance or has an issue that you might want to discuss. Email me at dan.gordon@wmk.govt or phone 021 906 437.

I’m here to help.

Dan.

Kia ora e te whānau | Greetings families and friends, Ko wai tātou? | Who are we?

At Oxford Area School, we have a wonderful community of 515 students ranging from 5-year-olds to 18-year-olds across Years 0-13. We're excited to share that we also have 10 International students who have joined us recently, bringing our total number up from 477 at the beginning of 2023. It's fantastic to see our school growing and welcoming new people from around the world. We're thrilled to have such a diverse and vibrant group of students contributing to our school family. At our school, we have a wonderful mix of different ethnicities represented, showcasing the beauty of diversity. It's amazing to see people from various backgrounds coming together to learn and grow. These ethnicities include Filipino, NZ European/Pakeha, Japanese, European, African, Māori, Italian, British/ Irish, Australian, Chinese, Indian, German, Dutch, Fijian, Southeast Asian, Samoan, Latin American, Vietnamese, and Greek. Our school community is spread out across the region. Even though most students live close by, we have some who come from both sides of the Waimakariri River, from East to West. We have five school buses that help 226 students get to and from school safely every day.

The variety we have in ethnicity, age, and location is truly remarkable! This diversity plays a key role in helping young individuals gain a deeper understanding of the world around them and fosters empathy.

Our Year 4 & 5 class have a go at Lawn Bowls.

Explore DC and PS headed to the Oxford Bowls Club for an introduction to lawn bowls.

In teams of 4, tamariki practiced bowling on the green, learning how the direction of the ball is influenced by the weights inside it and knowing how much force to use to place it at a certain spot.

There was lots of excitement as students reached their targets and they showed perseverance throughout the time as they modified their technique to get the bowl where it needed to go during the games. A fun afternoon enjoyed by all learning a new sports skill.

A big thank you to Oxford Club Bowls who allowed us the opportunity to use their amazing facility for the afternoon.

Senior Swimming

Congratulations to the following students who were named Oxford Area School Swimming Champions:

Year 9 Boys Swimming Champion Brodie Newick

Year 10 Boys Swimming Champion

Nathaniel Sillars

Runner- up Junior Girls Champion

Elisha Ricketts

Junior Girls Champion Jorja Tizzard

Senior Girls Champion Jero Galway

On Tuesday 27 February, 4 students attended the Combined Country High Schools

Top 5 placings:

Brodie Newick: U14 Boys Freestyle 2nd, U14 Boys Breaststroke 4th

Brooke Newick: U12.5 Girls Freestyle 5th

Oxford Area School 2024 Year 4-8 Swimming Champions

Congratulations to those Year 4-8 students who competed at the Oxford Area School Swimming Championships for 2024! It was a day filled with excitement, determination, and remarkable displays of talent as our students dove into the pool and showcased their swimming skills. Absent for certificate presentation:

Zac Gillespie and Paige Gillespie

The swimming sports event was a resounding success, with students from all year levels participating enthusiastically and giving their all in each race. Whether they were competing for the podium or simply striving to beat their personal best, every student demonstrated admirable sportsmanship and dedication throughout the day.

Image by: Mike Hart

Mike Hart

Tumuaki | Principal Te Kura o Te Poho Rakahua Oxford Area School

Walk or Wheels to School week

Late in 2023 Oxford Area School won a competition to have Pedalmania come to our school for a free 2-hour session. Thanks to everyone who participated in the walk or wheels to school week activities.

During the week we had some pedalmania fun and laughs on Funky Feet Friday.

Our student Council leaders gave out cool spot prizes across the school on Friday. Thanks to the Christchurch City Council for the initiative providing prizes and the opportunity for us to win the pedalmania session.

How our wellbeing can be enhanced by doing something for others.

Year 11 Health with Food took the opportunity to bake for the Oxford Community Trust this week, enabling the class to think about how using their skills and abilities of baking might enhance not only their well-being but that of the receivers of the baking.

In Health with Food, the Year 11 students have been exploring the effects on hauora of a personal or interpersonal skill-based activity. They have been using Te Whare Tapa Whā model of health to frame and express their understanding.

150 Afghan Biscuits were made by the students (slightly less delivered due to the importance of taste testing by students and a few staff!). Jo Ealam, from the Oxford Community Trust was very happy to receive the baking and thanked the students for their efforts.

We are sure that the recipients of the baking will love them as much as we enjoyed eating, I mean baking them!

Thank you to Aiden, Lexie and Ally who helped to deliver them to the Trust.

Year 12 & 13 Kayaking Camp

Year 12s & 13s ABM classes have successfully endured their first camp of the year, Kayaking with Peel Forest Outdoor Centre.

Both year levels paddled the Rangitata River, having fun learning white water features of rivers and how white water kayaks play in these features. Students learnt a variety of techniques from paddle strokes to how to roll a kayak during these sessions. It was a fantastic way to start the year and watch students progress in their hard skills as well as their selfconfidence and working well as a group problem solving. A massive thank you to Aaron Fredrickson and Sonya Sillars for accompanying our trips.

Year 9-13 Athletics Sports

Following the Oxford Area School Year 9-13 Athletics, the OAS Athletics Champions for 2024 have been named. These students received championship points for their placings on the day.

U14 Boys Gus Johnstone and Sam Froud

U15 Boys Nathaniel Sillars and Lushian

Sullivan

Senior Boys Matthew Rose, Myles McLauchlan and Oliver Sillars

U14 Girls Matilda Hart (Runners upPhoebe Minchin and Sophie Regan)

U15 Girls Lillia Beer and Jorja Tizzard

Senior Girls Alice McLauchlan and Abby Taylor (Runners up - Charlotte Shelley and Emma Shore)

Congratulations to these students and to all of the students who participated on the day.

SHOPPER’S BUS

9th April - Rangiora $7

23rd April - Northlands $10

Book at the Trust or call 03 312 3006

This is a door to door service. Our driver will pick you up, and will take you anywhere in Rangiora you would like to go including Mitre 10. You can leave parcels in the van and continue with your shopping, and then you will be dropped home.

Medical Transport

We have drivers available to take you to your medical appointments in Christchurch or Rangiora. Costs: Christchurch $45.00 return, Rangiora $25.00 return. We have seen some concern on social media about ACC appointments. We are able to help with this as we are an approved ACC provider. If you would like more information about our service, or to book your next appointment please contact us on 312 3006.

Thank You!

Thank you to the team at South Eyre Sunflowers for the funds raised for our work with youth, and also for funding towards the proposed Pump Track.

Thank you to our fab 4 funders

• Rata Foundation

• COGS

• Lottery Foundation

• Waimakariri District Council

Oxford Community Trust

Responsive to the physical, social, emotional,and financial needs of individuals, families and groups of people within the community of Oxford and Districts.

Oxford Community Trust welcomes new worker

The Oxford Community Trust has a new worker available to help people in the District navigate some of their more challenging situations.

Ronel Stephens is no stranger to many in the community having worked with the Oxford Community Trust, and in various roles in social services in North Canterbury.

Ronel says there are many areas that she is able to assist people with including WINZ Applications, and support for appointments. She can also assist with documentation if English is your second language.

She says “ in the current climate people are needing to access different services than they have previously, and this can be difficult to work through”.

North Canterbury is home to a number of migrant families, and Ronel is keen to interact with them to help them to integrate into the Community. She realises the importance of connecting with finding social activities or groups, or even volunteering opportunities in the community, and is happy to help facilitate these explorations with people. Employment is another area which Ronel is able to assist with. She is able to help people to prepare for employment including updating CVs, writing cover letters, and preparation for job interviews.

The Oxford Community Trust has a number of avenues to assist people in the community, and is also able to refer and connect with other services available.

Manager Jo Ealam says “we provide a wrap around service for clients so that they only have to tell their story once. We are happy to have Ronel come on board to work with clients in the area to assist them in these areas that they need help with”.

If you would like to get in touch with Ronel to see how she could assist, you can get in touch with her by calling Oxford Community Trust, 312 3006, or in the first instance email jo@oxfordtrust.co.nz.

Corey Kewish Property Manager

Braziers promises to keep you fully informed at every stage of the real estate and property management process. Our Promise

• To listen.

• To interact at every stage and keep you informed of the sale and / or property management process.

• To provide you with a lot of information, via emails, websites, and documents.

• To answer any queries and give additional information that applies to the nature of the query quickly and efficiently.

• To answer any & all questions. Where an answer isn’t immediately available, we will research and provide expert answers as soon as practically possible.

Emergency Services

POLICE update

with Mitch Alatalo

Hello again, it's that time of the year when the leaves start falling off the trees and the weather is definately changing, the days are getting shorter and colder.

Road safety is high on the list yet again. There have already been a lot of foggy mornings and evenings, so watch your driving distances and turn on your lights, even though you can see the road. It makes you so much more visible to other road users. School holidays are fast approaching, which means an increase in foot traffic, so take the initiative and slow down for pedestrian crossings. You never know what could happen.

With the roar upon us, I would just like to remind everyone who is venturing out for a hunt to make sure you are well equipped. If you are having a shoot, follow the cardinal rules of shooting and be safety conscious. Identify your target and make sure you know where you are and if you are allowed to be there. There are a number of great apps available these days that show you exactly where you are, even if there is no cell phone coverage. It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure everyone is safe. Above all, have a great time.

Thank you for your time, until next month, Be safe. Feel safe.

ST JOHN update

with Mel Brooker

Imagine you are racing to a critically ill patient.

Your notes say the child has stopped breathing and their eyes are rolling back in their head.

They are turning blue around their mouth. Navigation Maps say it should be in one kilometre. You get to a line of eight mail boxes, some have numbers, some don’t. There are odd and even numbers, and driveways on both sides of the road with multiple houses up each. But where do we go? We drive up the driveway we think is correct. Again some gateways have numbers some don’t! We can’t find the number we are looking for, we turn around and go back out the driveway, recheck the mailboxes. Drive up the road a little further, the next lot of mail boxes don’t match either, we turn around again and go back to our original driveway. Now imagine waiting for the Ambulance to arrive, you watch out the window while trying to care for your very sick loved one, you watch the ambulance drive past your gate. It turns around several times as your loved one is suffering…..

Please, please check your mail box AND your entrance gate to your property are very clearly visible with your correct number so we can do our job to help you and your loved ones if or when the time comes. As I write this report a southerly has just hit and the temperature has significantly dropped reminding me winter is just around the corner. A time of the year where we see an increase in sickness and accidents. Take extra care on icy mornings and keep yourself healthy by drinking plenty of water, eating healthily and keeping warm.

The ambulance station at Oxford is not manned 24 hours a day. If you require emergency assistance please call 111.

FIRE RESCUE update

with Trevor Ealam

February has been another busy month for the brigade with twelve calls. There were four vegetation fires, two on the bank of the Waimakariri River, and we were assisted by helicopters. It re-ignited ten days later.One to a branch over power lines smouldering, and to a crop fire where a small amount of crop was destroyed. I would like to thank Richard Paterson a farmer in the area who arrived with a pump and two thousand litres of water to assist. Three calls were to motor vehicle crashes, and in all three cases the occupants were either uninjured or received minor injuries. Three calls were to investigate smoke in different areas, one to assist St John, and one to a private smoke alarm activation which was a false alarm. This brings our total calls for the year to twenty five.

This months message is; Just a reminder we need at least four metres wide and four metres high to gain access to your properties should the need arise, also make sure your properties are numbered, numbers are correct and clearly visible. Stay Safe.

WAIMAKARIRI BRIDGE CLUB

Weekly bridge sessions are held at the Waimak Golf Club House on Thursdays at 7.10pm

Interested players - contact Noeline 3123117 or Jan 027 3242144

Free lessons are being held at the Rangiora Bridge Club on Monday nights commencing 15 April

Email rangiorabridge@xtra.co.nz for further details

CULTIVATION & DRILLING

We take care of all your groundwork needs from ploughing to precision drilling BALING HAY & BALEAGE We’ve got a bale size and shape to suit your needs

SILAGE We’ve got the gear to get the job done once and done right at Oxford Ag we go the extra mile to do the job once.