The Observer - July 2024 by oxfordobserver

the Obser ver

fromthe Publishers

Welcome to the July issue of the Observer. I don't know about you but it has been pretty dreary out there for the last few weeks. Thankfully the Oxford Winter Light's Competition has been happening to brighten up the dark nights. We had a drive round the other night to take photos, and were blown away by people's creativity and enthusiasm for this event. We have pictures of some of the entries on page 8.

Many of you will have seen articles written by Beka Hunt over the past few years. We were able to catch up with her at Broadcasting School recently and were so impressed by how well she is doing. She is sharing this month about what she is up to. We are very lucky to work with her, and look forward to seeing where her journey will lead her.

Thank you as always for reading, and supporting the Observer. We love being part of this community.

Bruce & Emily.

Neela Curran

PUBLISHER

Schnurrbart Design and Publishing

EDITOR Emily Chapman ENQUIRIES

info@oxfordobserver.co.nz

0800 627 378 37

www.schnurrbartdesignandpublishing.co.nz

THE NEXT ISSUE - OUT AUGUST 2024 ADVERTISING DEADLINE | JULY 20

All efforts are made to verify the correctness of information contained within this publication.

However Schnurrbart Design and Publishing accept no liability for the correctness or accuracy of any information contained within these pages.

Any views, information or opinions expressed within this publication are not necessarily the opinions or views of Schnurrbart Design and Publishing or any of its providers.

Cover Photo Painting by

A student journalists’ foray into radio news

by Beka Hunt

No one likes an early wake up, especially during winter. Yet I seem to be making a habit of stumbling out of bed at 6am straight into a waiting blazer. The action is born out of necessity, and is common for New Zealand Broadcasting School students. Over the last three weeks, we (the second year journalism class) have been working on Bassline 96.1, delivering news bulletins on the hour.

A normal day in the radio newsroom is split into two shifts; 7am to 1pm, and 11am to 4pm.

We’re a class of 13 and often lose classmates to sickness, so the six hours can be hectic.

There’s politics, sports, and Police stories to cover, as well as everything in between. To top it off, the morning shift is supervised by the RNZ Checkpoint Senior Producer, Anastasia Hedge. She expects a high standard of work and isn’t afraid to offer constructive criticism when needed. Our afternoon supervisor and tutor, Jeff Hampton, leads with a lighter hand. He has 35 years of industry experience, has taught us for two years, and was deported once- all essential facts!

In the newsroom there are three main roles; news director, producer and reader. The Director runs the show, assigning stories and juggling journalists. The producer (my favourite role) pieces the bulletin together, edits stories and makes sure it’s all cohesive. Unsurprisingly, the reader reads live on air.

The radio students working on Bassline always allocate a five minute time slot for news and sport, which boils down to around seven stories.

We’re always encouraged to interview people so our stories have fresh audio, and our best bulletins are usually midday. The morning shift finds it hard to secure interviews before dawn. Overall, the experience is exhausting, but incredibly fast paced and rewarding.

If I’ve learnt anything over the last two years of my course, it’s to not take rejection too seriously. You’d be surprised how many people are too ‘busy’ or too ‘important’ to get back to you.

Unanswered voicemails and automated emails are commonplace for a student journalist, and would have sent me into a spiral last year. Now, it’s simply business as usual. Through Broadcasting School I have sat in on court cases, attended press conferences and questioned disinterested politicians. I have learnt to speak live on air, used expensive cameras I could never afford and met some amazing people who are genuinely trying to make the world a brighter place.

By the time of reading, we should be halfway through a much needed holiday. All eyes are on the end of the year, where we’re expected to find a professional placement for 2025.

We’ll face the scrutiny of the industry and vie for jobs across the country. Until then, you can read our stories on Metronews, or tune into Freeview when we go live next semester!

itstimecanterbury.co.nz

The second round of applications for the year will open on Friday 26 July and close on Monday 26 August 2024.

#ArtsForAllKinds

The Creative Communities Scheme supports local artists to create. Visit your nearest Waimakariri Library to get help with your funding application.

View Hill School to host ‘Take Back The Night’ event in August

by Amber Chun

On Friday the 2nd of August, View Hill School will be holding their ‘Take Back The Night’ event, a celebration of Oxford's Dark Sky Status. This will involve a variety of hands-on activities, food, music, and of course, lots of learning opportunities. The main focus will be around stargazing, with the purpose of informing people on reducing light pollution and preserving our visibility of the night sky by keeping it as dark as possible. Here in Oxford with our optimum viewing conditions, we are just one of a few places that have dark sky status, making this event all the more unique and memorable.

Principal Pax O’Dowd says this is an ‘opportunity that will bring communities together from the north, south and beyond’ and overall ‘celebrates the beauty of the dark sky’.

Guests will be able to enjoy live music, food, and the rare offer of a chance to see and use telescopes, lasers and meteorite cameras. This technology has allowed us to explore the sky that we observe today, and being able to really engage with it is an exciting and beneficial experience, that will educate, create memories and hopefully inspire.

Organised in collaboration with Oxford Dark Sky, University of Canterbury and the Royal Astronomical Society of New Zealand, this is the School's first time holding this particular celebration, as a ‘pilot’ event, combining science, nature and community spirit. Funds raised from ticket sales will go towards the school. Whether you're a regular stargazer or just curious to have a look, ‘Take Back The Night’ promises to be an unforgettable night of discovery for anyone who wants to come along.

The

Winter is the best time to plant your trees.

The Gorge Nursery has a great range of ornamental and native trees grown locally to withstand those harsh nor-westerlies.

Fruit trees in stock now More arriving soon.

Open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 9am to 3pm.

Weekend by appointment Closed Wednesdays

479 Ashley Gorge Road, Oxford Sorry no eftpos Please wear sturdy shoes.

Oxford Winter Lights Festival .

Waimakariri Gorge Bridge update

The road is now reopened and we thank you for your continued patience as we’ve undertaken resealing and maintenance.

To read the full list of previous updates or find out more information visit Selwyn District Council’s Website and search ‘Waimakariri Gorge Bridge’ or contact transportation@selwyn.govt.nz

Chipseal loss on Gorge Bridge

With work recently completed, residents have raised questions about the chipseal loss on the Waimakariri Gorge Bridge.

Simply, the design of this historic bridge includes joints between the deck plates which is where some of this loss is occurring. This is normal but we are monitoring the situation through winter.

The bridge was built for road and rail and opened in 1877. The structure has steel components that supports a deck which is made of structural plywood, with a short length of concrete deck at either end.

The plywood deck is made up of 47 panels which provides the ability to accommodate flex at the joints between the panels, which is normal for a structure of this nature.

When the bridge was designed, the design included the application of a special tape to be placed on the joints between the deck panels prior to being surfaced, bitumen was then applied with a fabric layer, with a further 2 chip seal layers installed to provide this surface which is flexible.

Chip loss at the joints and the transition to the concrete deck is common and will be monitored over the next three months. Further work will be undertaken on the joints post-winter, prior to the programmed full reseal in the Summer of 2024/25. This will provide ongoing protection to the structural plywood deck.

to get recycling and organics right!

New Zealand has some new national standards so that most Kiwis can sort their recycling, organics and rubbish in the same way.

Tip 1 | Tea bags, shredded paper, paper towels,

tissues and food soiled cardboard

Tea bags, shredded paper, paper towels and food soiled cardboard must go in your red rubbish bin or bag. This includes food soiled pizza boxes, fish and chip papers, paper towels, tissues, receipts, shredded paper and all paper smaller than a standard envelope.

Tip 2 | Coffee cups, tetra paks and drink cartons

Even though coffee cups and tetra paks (e.g. soy milk, stock or yoghurt cartons) are made of paper, in order to hold liquid, they’re also coated in plastic that can’t be recycled. These must go into your red rubbish bin or bag.

Tip 3 | Soft plastics

Soft plastics are anything that you can easily scrunch or bend. You can drop these off to participating Soft Plastics Recycling stores, otherwise put them in your red rubbish bin or bag. These include plastic bags, cling film, courier bags, bubble wrap, chip packets, frozen food bags, bread bags and chocolate bar wrappers.

Tip 4 | All lids

Bottle tops and lids of ANY size or material go in your red rubbish bin or bag. They’re too small or flat to be separated by machinery at our plants and will contaminate the recycling if they go in your yellow recycling bin.

Tip 5 | All biodegradable and compostable packaging

Compostable packaging, including biodegradable plastics and containers, go in your red rubbish bin or bag. Due to a lack of national standards for compostable packaging, we cannot guarantee that these products will fully break down into plastic-free compost.

For more info visit: rethinkrubbish.co.nz

The West Oxford Hotel celebrates two years of community and connection in Oxford

by Emily Chapman

Jodi Ramsay’s life took a significant turn two years ago when she moved home from Australia to Oxford, to take ownership alongside her father, of The West Oxford Hotel. Following the death of her husband and the disruptions caused by Covid-19, Jodi found a new beginning in Oxford together with 83 year old Barrie.

Adjusting to life in a small town was a culture shock for Jodi, going from a city of one million people to a rural town of 3000. However, she quickly came to appreciate the close-knit community. "It's nice walking through the supermarket and always seeing someone you know," she says. Jodi has dedicated herself fully to the hotel, with much of the first year working 7 days a week. Barrie, Jodi’s father, enjoys being part of the running The West Oxford Hotel. “It’s always unpredictable; you never know what will happen day to day,” he remarks. He has enjoyed meeting many new people and becoming a part of the community.

Under Jodi’s leadership, The West Oxford Hotel has flourished. She has worked with the hotel’s chefs to create a menu that features crowd-pleasers like 'Senior’s Lunches', ‘Roast Mondays’ and ‘Burger Deal Thursdays.’ One of the highlights of Jodi’s time has been getting to know the regular patrons. The community's support was evident from their very first night, which was a huge welcome to the town. Jodi especially enjoys the groups of senior customers, and enjoys seeing groups visiting from Christchurch and local rest homes.

Despite some challenges, including incidents of crime, the Oxford community has rallied around The West Oxford Hotel. When graffiti appeared, local residents were quick to offer support, with some even stopping by just to show their solidarity. Jodi is extremely proud of her employees and says “We have an amazing team who are more like family. We could not do what we do without them, and some have been with us since we re-opened as ‘The West’. “

Jodi’s vision for The West Oxford Hotel is to be a community based establishment. She is committed to supporting local charities, events, and sports teams, ensuring that the hotel remains an integral part of the Oxford community.

To celebrate two successful years in business, and to thank everyone who has supported her, Jodi and the team are planning a Wild West Party on July 20, 2024.

Te Kura o Te Poho Rakahua Oxford Area School

National Young Leaders Conference

Tuakana-teina, students working together

Kia ora koutou,

One of the many highlights of an Area School is the opportunity for older students to work with younger students. This mentorship is an example of tuakana-teina.

A tuakana–teina relationship provides a model for buddy systems. An older or more expert tuakana (brother, sister or cousin) helps and guides a younger or less expert teina (originally a younger sibling or cousin).

In a learning environment that recognises the value of teaching and learning, the tuakana–teina roles may be reversed at any time. At Oxford Area School we look for many ways to develop and foster tuakana-teina relationships through mentoring and buddy classes.

While the older students have plenty to offer the younger students, they also learn a lot from working with younger students.

On Wednesday 5th June, Miss Robb and Miss Fogerty took 17 Year 5,6 and 7's into Christchurch for the NYLD conference at the James Hay Theatre.

The day was filled with lots of awesome guest speakers, who shared great stories about their pasts, and also very strong, inspiring messages about student empowerment, promoting positivity, motivation and education.

Other than listening to motivational talks from great New Zealand leaders, the students also engaged in question times, videos, singing, dancing and interactive activities.

"My favourite guest was YAHYAH and Brooke because they were both really entertaining" Milah

"I really enjoyed the dancing because it was fun!" Jorja

"I loved the inflatable game because it was really fun seeing how long it will take to get around the theatre." Sophie

"I enjoyed the speaker about money because she gave me some awesome tips on how to get rich." Lukas

"I enjoyed when Brooke spoke as she was really inspiring." Alex

The guest speakers who shared their empowering messages were:

Brooke Neal - Former New Zealand Hockey Play and founder of ‘ALL ABOUT BALANCE

- William Pike - Kiwi Explorer, Inspirational Speaker and Director of the WILLIAM PIKE CHALLENGE

- Te Kahukura Boynton Entrepreneur Māori Millionaire

- Nate Wilbourne - Conservation and Climate Justice Advocate, Founder or 'Gen-Z Aotearoa.

- YAHYAH – Musician

The National Young Leaders Days (NYLD) are the largest and longest running leadership event for primary and intermediate school students. These large scale annual events aim to develop student leadership.

Since 2001, more than 130,000 students have been empowered to fulfill their dreams and become great leaders at a National Young Leaders Day in Aotearoa.

A huge congratulations to the students who were selected to attend!

Pushcart Grand Prix a roaring success!

The inaugural Year 9/10 Pushcart Grand Prix was held last month to crowds of year 7-10 spectators, who helped create a fantastic atmosphere for the 9/10 Design and Pushcart students to showcase their hard work over the past semester.

These young Technologists developed their race-carts throughout the two terms, beginning with investigations in design concepts, 3D CAD modeling and prototyping in order to build their own unique designs. A fun afternoon was had by all watching the thrills and a fair few spills!

The enthusiasm and commitment exhibited by each student was inspiring.

A huge well done to the 9/10 Pushcart crew for putting on a great show and making their teacher so proud. Amazing Mahi! Ka pai! A special mention goes to John Cookson from the Oxford Menzshed for lending his expertise and helping the students complete their carts.

Thank you John!

48 Hour Film Festival

On the 17 - 19 May a couple of students including myself and seven others were all part of the 48 hours challenge. The process began with the announcement of the challenge - we all gathered as a team, brainstorming ideas and discussing various concepts.

With limited time we had to make quick decisions and ensure that our concept was not only feasible but also compelling. It was a true test of our ability to think on our feet and make the most of the resources available to us.

Once we settled on a concept, we quickly divided the tasks among the team members. Some focused and pitched to write the script, others were scouting out locations available to us to use, gathering props, and organizing necessary equipment. Time management was crucial, and we had to be efficient and organized to make the most of every minute.

The 48 hours were a whirlwind of activity. We worked tirelessly, shooting scenes, editing footage, and fine-tuning every aspect of the film. There were moments of excitement and exhaustion, but the adrenaline kept us going. We relied on each other's strengths and supported one another throughout the process.

Looking back on the 48 hour challenge, it was an incredible experience that taught us valuable lessons about teamwork, creativity, and the power of deadlines.

We learned to trust our instincts, make quick decisions, and adapt to the unexpected challenges. It was a reminder that sometimes the most amazing things can be achieved when we are pushed outside our comfort zones.

By Shakira Melrose

You can view the video at www.48hours.co.nz and search for ‘That’s Unfortunate’ in the Screening room

Building Positive Pasifika Fanau.

Building Positive Pasifika Fanau is a seven week programme for Pasifika students in schools.

Every Thursday for seven weeks four of our students have attended these sessions at West Eyreton School.

This course is based on increasing wellbeing in Pasifika fanau through Pasifika cultural models. Some of the activities include- strengths and identity, language, Pasifika art/games/ cooking, gratitude, music, talanoa and emotions, values, and celebration.

The students are really enjoying the sessions and are having fun in the relaxed and interactive environment.

Thomson Trophy Basketball

Senior A Boys secure their first ever win in the Thomson Trophy.

Last month our Senior A Boys basketball team travelled to Rangiora New Life for their latest game in Division 2 of the Thomson Trophy. The game was a tightly fought affair with multiple lead changes in the first half.

In the second half the team managed to pull away through some pressure defence and strong finishing at the rim.

Oxford ended up securing their first ever win in the competition which they should be very proud of.

Congratulations to the team on their first win.

Rock Climbing Camp

In May, the Year 12 & 13 ABM classes set off to Peel Forest for our rock climbing and abseiling camp. The weather was pretty average, with highs of 15 degrees on both days and a low of -1. The Year 13’s went abseiling and canyoning on the first day, whilst the Year 12’s went rock climbing.

The things we learnt whilst abseiling and canyoning was how to self abseil and how to properly jump into water whilst canyoning. We were taught how to set up our own system including an ATC and a french prussic. We started off by learning how to set up the system, then doing a practice abseil on a 45 degree angle. After getting fully prepared we set off to do the real thing. We had to self abseil down a 10m cliff that had water and moss running off it, which made it a little bit tricky and we had to be careful to not slip. We then walked along the river where we got to the canyoning section of the trip. We then had to jump into the water by doing a manu type manoeuvre. The water was pretty chilly indeed, but it was still pretty fun!

After getting changed and defrosting slightly we made it back to camp where we all cooked our dinner and hung out. The next morning after packing up we headed back out. The Year 13s and the Year 12s swapped activities. Unfortunately it was raining, but that wasn’t enough to stop us from getting out there.

At rock climbing we learnt a way of setting up a belay system, we had to achieve climbing at least two grade 14 climbs and attempt a 3rd to pass our assessment. The rain made the ground very slippery and there were many slips and falls but we all had fun. We were challenged by the rocks being slippery and wet, which tested our grip and skills whilst climbing.On the whole the trip was a lot of fun, just the weather was a bit of a disappointment.

By Abby Taylor

Violence Free North Canterbury hosts successful Quiz Night to raise funds and awareness

Violence Free North Canterbury (VFNC) recently held a successful quiz night, drawing a vibrant crowd to raise both funds and awareness about family violence in the community. The event, which was MC’d by Sally Lane, featured Celine Donovan, a seasoned professional in the field of family violence.

A feature of the quiz night was the inclusion of questions related to family harm, providing a platform for education and awareness. For instance, participants learned that there were 177,452 police family harm investigations in the year to June 2023, marking a 49% increase since 2017. Another important fact highlighted was the prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) among Pākehā women, with statistics showing that 1 in 3 women are affected.

The event gathered support from local businesses and organisations, including:

• Rangiora RSA & Spitfire Restaurant

• Daisy’s Wedding Flowers

• Ashley Gorge Holiday Park

• Oxford Pharmacy

• Oxford Community Trust

• Atkins Electrical

• Fresh Choice Oxford

• Ealam Builders

• North Canterbury Community Wellbeing

• The Coffee Club Ravenswood

• The Queenette Dairy, Oxford

• Black Beech Wine & Pizza Bar

• The Oxford Observer

• Amuri Ski Club

• Hanmer Springs Hot Pools

VFNC is a collaboration of agencies dedicated to eradicating family violence in North Canterbury. Their mission is to influence positive social change within the community regarding family and sexual violence issues, empowering the community to send a strong message that such violence is unacceptable. The network conducts professional development workshops and awareness initiatives across North Canterbury, including recent Elder Abuse Awareness workshops and Recognise and Respond training for Plunket nurses. The network also engages with local schools during White Ribbon Day to teach students about healthy relationships, helping them to recognise red flags and prevent future family and sexual violence. Oxford Community Trust, a VFNC member, plays a significant role in these efforts.

Jo Ealam, Manager of Oxford Community Trust, one of the agencies involved in VFNC says “We would like to thank everyone who attended the quiz night, and all the supporters and sponsors. Your support helps us to continue the work of VFNC. For those interested in learning more about VFNC's training programs, Alyssa Bright can be contacted at alyssa.bright@wmk.govt.nz. With the success of the quiz night, VFNC continues to make strides in raising awareness and fostering a violence-free community in North Canterbury.

SKATE JAM

Free Board & Helmet Hire, DJ, Instructors, Prizes and Sausage Sizzles All welcome!

SHOPPER’S BUS

Over the winter months we will just be travelling to Rangiora. If you have a group who would like to book a trip to town, please pop in and see us, we would be happy to organise it. We would need at least 4 people to make this work.

Thank you!

We would like to thank the members of our community who have donated their Winter Energy Payment to the Trust. We have had a large amount of meat donated by a local farmer, this is a huge help to the food banks in the District.

Thank you also to the Budget Boutique who help so many people in our community with the funds raised through the shop.

All of these donations are so appreciated, and help many people in Oxford.

Thank you to our fab 4 funders

•

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.

Under New Ownership

Oxford’s Black Beech Wine & Pizza Bar is now under new ownership. Harpreet and Arashdeep, familiar faces in the community, have taken over the establishment. For nearly six years, they have successfully run Oxford Super Liquor and have always harboured dreams of venturing into the hospitality industry. That dream became a reality when Pete and Dani Reilly decided to sell the bar.

The transition to new ownership has been an incredible journey for Harpreet, Arashdeep, and Manpreet Singh, the new Manager.

They are deeply grateful to Pete and Dani for their continued support and training, which has been instrumental in understanding the nuances of running the bar.

Pete and Dani’s guidance has been invaluable, and the new owners can’t thank them enough for making the transition smooth and successful.

The same talented and friendly team that customers know and love will continue to serve at Black Beech, ensuring that the high standards and familiar faces remain unchanged.

One change under the new ownership is the addition of the Glentui Pizza to the menu. This pizza, featuring a delicious Butter Chicken topping, has already received positive reviews from customers. The team is currently working on incorporating more customer suggestions, promising more exciting food items on the menu soon.

Harpreet and Arashdeep want to express their heartfelt thanks to the Oxford community for its unwavering suport.

They look forward to many more years of great food, ﬁne wine, and wonderful memories at Black Beech Wine & Pizza Bar.

Here’s to the next chapter at Black Beech, where the spirit of community and exceptional hospitality continues to thrive.

from the Presidents Desk

with

Oxford Club president

Kyle Scott

Hello there,

As I write this article, we are enjoying a bright sunny winters day on today, the shortest day. A bright sunny day after a heavy frost seems to lift the spirits and literally brings a little sunshine into our day.

Talking to our members and people outside the Club, there seems to be a common thread in conversation, that things are fairly challenging for all in our local community at present. In times of hardship our local community shows “collective resilience”. Supporting each other we create a stronger more resilient community that can better withstand the challenges of recession.

Your Club, the Oxford Club is grateful and appreciates your local support in these challenging times.

The Oxford Club strives to be cost effective for our members offering affordable food, drink and entertainment. This provides you with a relatively low-cost way to enjoy yourselves during a time when your disposable income may be limited. For those in our community who enjoy country pursuits such as Rodeo and Riding, pop this date in your diary.

Saturday 7th September is the date for the return of “Bucky the Unrideable Bull”, accompanied by his slippery accomplice The Pink Pig. This evening at the Club is a dress up in your Cowboy/Cowgirl extravaganza, loads of fun and prizes for the Best Dressed. In closing by supporting the Oxford Club and our local business community during a recession, not only helps the Club and local business but will provide significant social economic and cultural benefits in Oxford and our local community.

As always, I look forward to seeing you all at Your Club, the Oxford Club very soon

Regards Kyle Scott

Sunday 21st July 2024, 2pm The Way, My Way

A stubborn, self-centered Australian man decides to walk the 800-kilometre-long Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route through Spain. He doesn’t know why he is doing it … but one step at a time. It will change him and his outlook on life forever.

COFFEE & CAKE will be available from “Queenie’s Delight” in the Town Hall car park, from 1:30 pm.

Our Sponsors:

Before you know it 'The Great Oxford Garage Sale' will be here, the first Sunday of August.

Not all of us have enough items to have our own site, so the Oxford Club would like to invite you to join us in the car park at 160 High Street and participate in a 'car boot' sale, $10.00 a site, with money raised going to a local charity. If wet, stalls can be set up inside. This is an excellent opportunity to send items no longer needed on to a good home.

Remember too, the club is an excellent venue for any celebrations you may be planning. The management are always happy to discuss any event you may have in mind.

Birthdays, weddings, work events can all be catered for in the lounge as you require.

Keep warm, and keep an eye on friends and neighbours these next few weeks as winter bites.

Check out our advertisement in this edition to see what is happening at the Club and we look forward to seeing you there.

OXFORD CLUB

Warmest Winter

Cinema, Coffee & Cake

Mayoral Update with Dan Gordon

It is quite hard to believe that we have had the shortest day and are more than halfway through the year.

I recently had the privilege of attending the Oxford Volunteer Fire Brigades honours evening. It was wonderful to be a part of recognising the tremendous contribution made by the brigade. The combined years of service by those who were honoured that night was 295 years – that’s right - almost three centuries of combined service. Quite incredible really. A significant contributor to those years of service is David Frampton. Dave alone has contributed 42 years to the Oxford Volunteer Fire Brigade. He has announced that he is to retire and as he goes into retirement, he can be assured that on behalf of the Oxford Community, the Council and the whole Waimakariri District we are incredibly grateful to him for his diligent and selfless service.

I also recently attended neighbouring brigade Swannanoa’s awards evening as well. We really are a very lucky district to be so well served by such highly skilled and dedicated brigades.

It is also a special time of the year with Matariki and what better place to gaze upon the star cluster than right here in Oxford. There are a number of spots that have been recognised by the Oxford Dark Sky team as perfect places to view the stars. Two of them are in walking distance of the township and one is a few kilometres outside the township in the forestry.

All of the details on the locations are on the Visit Waimakariri website. I think it would be a perfect evening activity for families to come to Oxford grab some fish and chips or bring a picnic and rug up warm to do some star gazing. How lucky are we to have this wonderful opportunity right here on our own doorstep.

If you are away for Matarirki, don’t worry there will be more opportunities. The Oxford Observatory team will also be running some events in the Oxford and Kaiapoi libraries in July so check out the library website for more details.

There is also the splendour of the Oxford Winter Lights Festival which really makes the township shine. The final day for voting is 28 June. So don’t miss out. All the details are on the Oxford Winter Lights Festival Facebook page.

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.nz or phone 021 906 437. I’m here to help.

Dan.

Oxford - Ohoka Community Board update with Thomas Robson

Hi Folks.

Another two months have been and gone and the weather has certainly deteriorated.

The Community Board has been busy presenting its Long-Term Plan submissions to both Environment Canterbury and the Waimakariri District Council. Our submissions have been focused on the issues raised by residents, particularly regarding rate increases and roading repairs. It was great to see a group of students from Oxford Area School present their ideas to Council at the hearings, and it was pleasing to see the positive reception they were given.

At our June meeting we received a deputation from an Oxford resident concerned about nitrate levels in our drinking water. Following this we had a presentation from Council staff explaining how they monitor nitrate levels in our public schemes monthly, and it was reassuring to learn that levels were well below the maximum accepted values. All of the local schemes are being proactively monitored so that they don’t get above half of the maximum accepted value.

It is great to see the Oxford Promotions committee holding their Matariki Lights Festival again, and lighting up the pine tree beside the Service Centre. Oxford is certainly looking bright and beautiful – this is welcome winter pick me up. We recently received the news that Hearing commissioners made a decision to decline Woodstock Quarries Ltd’s application to expand their existing hard rock quarry in Waimakariri, and establish and operate a new landfill next to it. In their decision report, the Commissioners concluded that the applicant provided insufficient information, which together with the unacceptable risk posed by the proposal to nationally and regionally significant biodiversity and cultural values, led them to decline the application. This is a great result for the community, and it really shows that when the community comes together our voice and opinions are extremely important, so I would like to thank everyone who took the time and submitted against this proposal.

The Community Board has been preparing to submit to the Council’s District Plan, mainly in regards to the Rolleston Industrial Developments Limited’s proposal for a large-scale residential development in Ohoka, and will be presenting our submission against this proposal on Wednesday the 3rd of July.

Please remember we have a discretionary fund available to help support worthy community organisations. To ﬁnd out more, check out the Community Board Section of the Waimakariri District Councils website.

I would also like to remind everyone that the Community Board has a public forum at the beginning of every meeting. This gives members of the public a ﬁve-minute slot to talk to talk to Board members about their concerns and ideas. There is no need to book in advance, you can just turn up and share your thoughts with us.

To keep up to date with what the Community Board is up to like our Facebook page.

Regards

Thomas Robson

Chair Oxford Ohoka Community Board

Oxford & Districts Lions enhance access & safety at Oxford Community Health Centre

Visitors to the Oxford Community Health Centre will have noticed the addition of two pods outside the building. These pods are now used for blood tests and other health advice sessions, helping to free up rooms within the main facility. To ensure easy access to these units, the Oxford & Districts Lions Club took on the project of constructing a permanent concrete path leading to the pods. This path is designed to remain in place even if there is an extension to the building in the future.

This latest project is not the first time the Lions have enhanced the area. Previously, they built an outdoor pergola at the Hospital, providing shaded seating for patients and visitors on hot days.

Robyn Salton, Practice Administrator at Oxford Community Health Centre, expressed the team's gratitude for the Lions' efforts:

“The health centre staff are very appreciative and grateful to the Oxford Lions for the work they have done laying the path outside our Portacoms. These buildings house our Blood Clinic, Health Coach, and Health Improvement Practitioner. Patients can now safely walk between the main building and the Portacoms without having to navigate through the car park or across wet grass.

The path has brought a much neater and cohesive look to the buildings. The staff also appreciate having a safe passage to the driveway and their vehicles. We really can’t thank the Lions enough for their hard work and generosity.”

The Oxford & Districts Lions Club remains active with a full agenda of fundraising and service activities.

These include:

• A self-contained food caravan for community events and emergency catering.

• The Big Family Day Out.

• Wings With Wheels - a planes and classic car show.

• Food growing initiatives for local food banks, and much more.

Although winter tends to be a quieter period for the club, the handover of officers in June sets the stage for another exciting year of activities and community events.

Neil Boxall, who led the recent project, reflected on his time with the Lions: “In the two years I have been involved, it has amazed me how much the members of Lions do. It’s not every day you bump into a familiar face in the street. It is a great way to leapfrog into the community, so join up and enjoy!”

The Oxford & Districts Lions Club continues to make a significant impact on the community, enhancing local facilities and supporting various initiatives, all while fostering a sense of camaraderie and service among its members.

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It has been an exciting time over the last few weeks with the release of this Government’s ﬁrst Budget. Budget 2024 is great for the Waimakariri electorate, delivering on the priorities you voted for- tax relief, restoring law and order, and better public services.

I am thrilled that we are delivering tax relief to help our hard working Waimakariri residents with the cost of living. From the 31st of July, average-income households will get up to an extra $102 a fortnight, and eligible families will also get up to $150 every two weeks for childcare through FamilyBoost. Since it went live on Budget Day, 400,000 Kiwis have used our tax calculator to ﬁnd out how much better off they will be. If you haven’t checked yet, visit budget.govt.nz/taxcalculator to ﬁnd out how much relief you’ll get.

The Budget also delivers on National’s priorities of restoring law and order and delivering better public services. It invests in frontline services like healthcare, schools and the Police, all areas I heard were important for this community. Education will be getting a $2.93 billion boost, including investments in teacher support and supply, more classrooms, and funding for structured literacy. Police and corrections will receive $2.92 billion to help make communities safer and there is a $16.68 billion multi-year funding boost for health services.

As Minister for Mental Health, I am particularly excited about the Budget funding for Gumboot Friday. $24 million will go to the I Am Hope Foundation to provide young people aged between 5 and 25 years with free mental health counselling services. This funding will enable at least 15,000 young people with mild to moderate mental health needs to access counselling services earlier.

I have seen ﬁrsthand the impactful work Gumboot Friday and I Am Hope do in the Waimakariri and around the country. Getting timely access to counselling and mental health support for young people is vitally important and I am thrilled that we have been able to invest in this as part of Budget 2024. This funding is just part of our broader plan in mental health. We have announced mental health and addiction peer support services in hospital emergency departments, established a National Mental Health and Addiction Community Sector Innovation Fund, and are funding targeted support for vulnerable young people. I am proud to be part of a Government that is committed to improving our mental health system.

I look forward to continuing to deliver for the Waimakariri community in our future budgets.

Funded by Parlimentary Services and authorised by Matt Doocey, Level 1 Conway Lane, Rangiora

Emergency Services update

Oxford St John

Blooming heck the shortest day has been and gone already. We have been having a nice time at the Oxford Station with only 140 odd jobs attended this year. This is partly due to there being more ambulances on in Christchurch and Rangiora. Our new recruits are being signed off which is lovely to see. They are a fantastic addition to our team. I sometimes honestly sit here scratching my head for some time trying to figure out what to write.

So this month I asked a couple of young friends if they could help me with some ideas. These are the things they were worried about. People burning themselves when lighting their fires. Slipping on ice in dark areas that don’t see the sun much over winter. Sun strike when driving. The temperature of the water if it is heated on a wetback. Double check you have turned off elements after cooking. Practice getting on all fours and getting back up on your feet. Also practice balancing on one leg holding onto the bench, and keep away from strangers. Great ideas thank you Henry and Toby,Keep warm out there and also keep an eye on your elderly neighbours. If you don’t see them for a day or two, go and knock on their door to make sure they are ok. We are still interested in hearing from new volunteers, so if you think it is something you would like to look into give us a call. Please call the station on 03 312 3516, leave your name and number and our recruiting officer will be in touch. The ambulance station at Oxford is not manned 24 hours a day. If you require emergency assistance please call 111.

Oxford Police

Hi all. Crime in the area is still ticking along. There has been an increase in fuel thefts in the area which is a concern. If you do see anything out of the ordinary, please report it. You can report it via the phone on 111 if it is happening now. If it has already happened, you can call 105, or use 105 in the search engine and report it online. OR if you have the App you can report it through the Rural Lookout App as well. It all helps, and it all gets to us. It does not go unnoticed, and it is very much appreciated, so again I want to say a big thank you to all the volunteers in the community. The amount of time you set aside to help the community blows me away. I know there are so many people out there that think the same way. So from the Oxford Police, thank you. Last but not least, school holidays will be upon us in no time, which means more foot traffic on the road. Keep an eye out for our little people, and slow down at pedestrian crossings. Last but not least, at an intersection, stop does mean stop. There have been too many near misses that are all preventable.

Enjoy, and be safe. Feel safe.

Oxford Fire Rescue

with Chief Fire Officer Trevor Ealam

The Brigade received five calls in May. Two calls were to vegetation fires. One was a large pit fire out of control in strong north west winds, very close to a structure and trees. The brigade was supported by the the Rangiora and Woodend Fire Brigades. The other was a fire in a hedge line which was deemed suspicious. The other calls were to a private smoke alarm activation caused by burnt food and no action was required by the Brigade, one motor vehicle crash where the sole occupant received minor injuries and one to assist St John. This brings our total calls for the year to forty-one. This months message is; When cleaning ash out of your fire boxes, please put the ashes in a metal container, NOT plastic buckets, plastic bags, cardboard boxes or the like. Place the metal container in a safe place and put water in it, you can even bury the ashes in your garden and wet them down. Just remember it can take up to five days for the ashes to cool.