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from the Publishers
Happy New Year!
We hope you all had great Christmas and New Year celebrations. Oxford was humming over Christmas with the Oxford Community Trust Wonderland, the Lion’s Christmas Parade, and the Christmas Carols put on by Oxford Promotions.
As a small town we are lucky to have groups put on events such as these, that bring the community together. The Wonderland this year saw around 1850 visitors which is outstanding.
Looking forward to this year, we will be continuing to bring you stories about local people, groups and businesses. There are so many interesting people in our district, and so many groups doing amazing things to support their communities.
Hopefully we will start to get some better summer weather soon - we have certainly been missing the sun and warmth!
South Eyre Sunflowers is gearing up for another seasonproceeds of which will partially go to the Oxford Community. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for more information about opening dates etc. and make sure to pop out and support his fantastic venture.
If you have a story you think we would be interested in, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us by emailing info@oxfordobserver.co.nz.
Bruce & Emily.
www.schnurrbartdesignandpublishing.co.nz
DEADLINE | JANUARY 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.
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South Eyre Sunflowers : A Community Project
South Eyre Sunflowers, established in 2022, is an initiative dedicated to raising funds for Gumboot Friday and supporting the local Oxford community. The project, driven by Kerry McCorry and her family’s passion for giving back, has grown into an annual event, bringing visitors from far afield.
Operating on a dry land block, weather remains the primary challenge for South Eyre Sunflowers. The first year it ran they had favourable conditions, but subsequent seasons have tested the team’s resilience. Last year’s drought and the ongoing battle with pigeons in the sunflower paddock have proved to be challenging, however the recent rainfall has had a positive effect on the current crop.
This season, visitors can enjoy the sunflower fields alongside real fruit ice cream from J&J on select days. Kerry says “We also hope that people will explore Oxford’s local businesses, which will help the community”.
In addition, a new endeavor, the Montana Wildflower Meadow & Woolshed, promises exciting opportunities. The wildflower meadow will open for bookings in late January, while the newly renovated Woolshed is now available as a rainy-day photography venue, with plans to expand its use in the future.
South Eyre Sunflowers has a commitment to splitting funds raised equally between Gumboot Friday and the Oxford community.
A particular emphasis is placed on supporting first responders. Over the years, funds have contributed to projects like a new vehicle for the Oxford Fire Brigade and agricultural trophies and prizes for Oxford Area School’s Ag Day.
Since opening its fields to the public in January 2023, South Eyre Sunflowers has raised over $54,000. Half of these funds have gone to Gumboot Friday, providing 194 counselling sessions for under-25s in New Zealand. The remaining funds have supported various community initiatives, including:
• The Oxford Volunteer Fire Brigade
• Oxford St John
• Oxford Community Trust
• Oxford Pump Track Project
• Oxford Rugby Club
• Oxford Area School (Ag Club, Netball Team, Wearable Arts)
South Eyre Sunflowers originated from a simple act of sharing flowers at the local free food stall. This blossomed into a project that brings beauty and support to the community each year. Despite the challenges of farming, the team remains optimistic, drawing lessons from each season to improve.
A heartfelt thanks goes to key supporters, including Chapman Agriculture Ltd, Fraser Grain and Seed Ltd, The Good Oil, Bella Maitland Photography, Andrea Zoe Photography, and local I AM HOPE ambassadors Paul and Wendy Lynch.
Blossoms
New Year, New Me, New (to me) Reads
by Amy Riach
2024 blew in and then blew out again at a blistering pace, and as we welcome 2025, I am welcoming a slow year, embracing afternoons spent reading, brewing tea, and slow mornings spent with lazy pets. We are a decade on from 2015, and still, no flying cars. But there is new music, new art, and new books to relish in instead, and for now, that will do.
The Last Reunion - Kayte Nunn
Spanning five extraordinary women, and five decades of desire, courage, and revenge, The Last Reunion tells a forgotten tale of the Forgotten War. It is 1945 in Burma, when five young women joined the Women’s Auxiliary Service, where they are sent to the front lines of the fighting in their mobile canteen trucks, armed only with tea, sandwiches, and sliced cake. Known as the Wasbies, Bea, Plum, Bubbles, Joy, and Lucy are five young women in search of adventure, attached to the Fourteenth Army, fighting a forgotten war in the jungle, and brewing tea as they dodge hostile gunfire on the front lines of the Burma Campaign. Still deeply embroiled in life-threatening battles of their own, these women face conflict that will haunt them for the rest of their lives.
Then, in Oxford, 1976. A woman slips into a museum, unseen, at the height of an impossibly hot English summer, and she leaves with her pockets full of tiny, ornate Japanese carvings. Laden with her stolen netsuke, she disappears. And despite the offer of a considerable reward, these tiny, exquisitely detailed carvings are never seen again. Years later, on the eve of the new millennium, Olivia, assistant to an art dealer, meets Beatrix, an elderly widow who wishes to sell her late husband's collection of Japanese art. It is 1999 in London, and Olivia travels with Beatrix to a New Year's Eve party, deep in the Irish countryside. Concealing her own motives, Olivia makes her way to Galway with her widowed friend, and after decades apart, five extraordinary women reunite on New Years Eve, where secrets kept for more than fifty years spill over into the New Year, and shape a brand new decade.
The Children Act - Ian McEwan
Fiona Maye is a High Court judge in London, fiercely intelligent, renowned and respected for her exactitude and her sensitivity, and presiding over troubled cases in family court. Deeply immersed in her career, her professional success hides a private sorrow and a domestic strife. Her marriage is tainted by a lingering regret, twisted by childlessness, and now after thirty years, it is in crisis. Her husband’s sudden departure leaves Fiona adrift, wondering whether it was truly love she had lost, or some modern form of respectability. She throws herself into her work, but her husband Jack doesn't leave her thoughts, and she finds that the law requires more rigor than mere pragmatism. At the same time, she is called on to try an urgent case, with a beautiful 17 year old boy caught in the heart of her courtroom. For the sake of a dutiful religion, Adam is refusing the medical treatment that would save his life, and his devout parents share his wishes. Adam’s time is quickly running out, but can a sincerely held faith be overwritten by the secular court? In reaching her decision, a deeply conflicted Fiona visits Adam in the hospital, and the encounter stirs long-buried feelings in the pragmatic judge, and power ful new emotion in the dying boy. The pressure to resolve the case, and the pressure of her crumbling marriage, tests Fiona in ways that will affect life in her courtroom forever, and her judgment has momentous consequences for them both.
Pigs don't fly. But they are strangely altered, in this world that is strangely, strikingly new, and remarkably ancient. A man, once called Jimmy, now known only as Snowman, lives in a tree, wrapped in old bedsheets, haunted by past and future alike. The voice of Oryx, the woman he once loved, taunts his memory. And the green-eyed Children of Crake are, for some reason, his responsibility. Oryx and Crake is at once an unforgettable love story, and a compelling vision of the future. Snowman, known as Jimmy before mankind was overwhelmed by a plague, is struggling to survive in a world where he may be the very last human. Surrounded by the new breed of humanity, the passive, docile Children of Crake, who do not understand violence, Snowman introduces the dystopia of Atwood’s outrageous imagination. The Children of Crake are physically flawless, void of envy and jealousy, unable to ever be artistic, or comprehend technology, and as the story progresses, through Snowman's recollections we learn of the fall of humanity as he knew it, and Snowman's own contribution to the destruction of modern earth. Mourning the loss of his best friend, Crake, and the beautiful and elusive Oryx whom they both loved, Snowman embarks on an impossible odyssey to seek answers, with the help of the almost-human Children of Crake. Journeying through the lush wilderness that was so recently a great city, until powerful corporations drove mankind to genetic engineering, and to the modern-day fall of Icarus, Margaret Atwood projects a near future that is all too familiar, and at once beyond our imagining.
Oryx and Crake - Margret Atwood
Get Ready for the 4th Annual Wheels with Wings Rally!
The Oxford & Districts Lions and the Oxford Community Trust are pleased to announce the return of the popular Wheels with Wings classic event. Now in its fourth year, the event will take place on Sunday, January 26th.
Last year’s rally drew an impressive crowd, with around 400 display cars, a variety of motorcycles, and aircraft on show. This year is set to be another great event. Organiser Dave McPherson has been busy enhancing the display area and upgrading public parking facilities to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for attendees. There is also accessible parking available.
Wheels with Wings is more than just a car show—it’s a fantastic day out for the entire family. There are plenty of food options, including the Lion’s Food Caravan and coffee vendors. With a spacious, shady area at the venue, it’s the perfect spot to relax and enjoy a bite to eat.
This year’s entertainment includes live music from The Bottlejacks, and activities to keep children entertained, making it an event the whole family can enjoy.
Wheels with Wings is a fundraiser supporting the work of the Oxford & Districts Lions and the Oxford Community Trust. By attending, you’ll not only enjoy a fantastic day out but also contribute to the services these organisations provide to the local community.
Event Details
When:
Sunday, January 26th
Where: Browns Road, Oxford (off Woodside Road)
Entry Fees:
$10.00 per person, children free.
Facilities:
Eftpos available at the gate and at the Lion’s Food Caravan.
Note: For the safety of planes, cars, and attendees, please leave your dogs at home.
The venue will be well signposted to guide visitors to the event. For more information, contact Dave McPherson at 027 223 1870.
Recipe of the month.
with Louize Juniper
COURGETTE, POTATO, BRIE & CRANBERRY TART
With Christmas over, and the garden producing more courgettes than we can consume, here’s a simple delicious tart that tastes of summer!
Ingredients
2 or 3 courgettes
500g new potatoes
2 cloves garlic
1 bunch fresh thyme
1 lemon (zest of)
Olive oil
500g puff pastry
1 egg
1 small brie wheel
1 Tbs sumac
Jar of cranberry jelly
Salt & pepper
Method
• Oven on bake 200 degrees celsius
• On a lightly floured surface roll out the pastry to the size of a large baking sheet (20cm x 40cm) approximately.
• With a sharp knife score a border about 3cm in the pastry to create a frame. Chill in refrigerator.
• Slice potatoes thinly, toss in olive oil with salt and pepper, place on lined baking sheet and roast in the oven until golden brown. Remove and leave to cool.
• Slice courgettes into rings and fry off in hot pan just to soften.
• Place courgettes in a bowl, add extra salt, crushed garlic, lemon zest and chopped thyme and toss, making sure all the courgettes are well coated.
• Remove prepared pastry base from refrigerator, place roasted potatoes on the base, then place courgettes on top.
• Chop the brie into small cubes and place on top.
• Brush the edge on the pastry with egg. Sprinkle edge with sumac.
• Place in oven and cook until pastry is golden, approximately 30 mins
• Once cooked dot with the cranberry jelly, and serve.
Enjoy hot or cold.
Mayoral Update with Dan Gordon
Happy New Year, I’m really looking forward to 2025!
I have so thoroughly enjoyed spending some quality time at home over the past couple of weeks. I really enjoy working in my garden and getting on top of those jobs I can never quite find the time to do throughout the year.
I’d also like to acknowledge the wonderful Christmas spirit exhibited around the Waimakariri District – including Oxford. Jo Ealam and The Oxford Community Trust did a fantastic job with Santa’s Grotto and organising some wonderful Christmas floats from Christchurch. I honestly think it gets bigger and better every year.
As always, the Christmas Eve Carols were very special and certainly put everyone in the festive mood. I’d also like to acknowledge the wonderful effort of the Oxford and Districts Lions who make such a difference in the lives of so many in the community. They do a great job of the Santa Parade, and I enjoyed being with them to accompany Santa on the visits of Karadean and Oxford Hospital.
It was also great to attend the end of year prizegiving at Oxford Area School. As always, I was blown away by the amazing achievements of all the students. Mike Hart and his excellent team of teachers do such a wonderful job. I really do love visiting the school. I was lucky enough to spend prizegiving’s with a number of schools in our District - it really is a highlight of the year for me.
After a busy year, I opted for a staycation right here in Waimakariri, I love spending time at our local cafes, beaches and parks. It’s been great to relax, and I’ve enjoyed going on walks around the District.
We are all looking forward to the first council meeting of the year in February and getting back to work. First item on the agenda will be finalising our Annual Plan which outlines our budget and plans for the coming year. We look forward to this going out for public consultation after it’s finalised and we value hearing what everyone in our District thinks about the plan.
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.
Mural Project unveiling
Last term the Year 9 and 10 students in Murals with Meaning class, took on the challenge of creating a large mural, measuring 4.8m x 2.2m for West Eyreton School.
Working alongside Year 1 and 2 students from West Eyreton the design brief was to design and create a mural for the junior area of their school that reflected the school's cultural narrative from a junior student's perspective.
The Year 9 and 10 students initially started with a site visit to West Eyreton at the end of Term 3.
They consulted with their Principal and junior classes on what they would like in the mural, measured up and photographed the proposed site for the mural and collected information about the history of the school and its culture to help create a design that would be unique and reflect the identity of West Eyreton.
At the beginning of Term 4 the class broke into three teams that designed three different concept proposals and budgets to take back to West Eyreton.
These were then taken back to the junior students and they picked their favourite parts of each design to incorporate into the final mural design. There was lots of back and forth in Term 4 where the Year 9 and 10 students took turns working collaboratively with West Eyreton learners to paint the mural.
They also spent their class time working as a team to complete the finer details and characters, taking responsibility for designing, drawing and painting individual elements.
On Tuesday the 10th December the Murals with Meaning class joined again with the West Eyreton learners to unveil the final mural at West Eyreton School, along with members of the school community and representatives from the Council's Creative Community that funded this project.
This has been a successful project with all students involved highly engaged in making sure that the mural was completed by the deadline. Students often volunteered to work during their own time because they were so invested in the work they were producing.
This has been a wonderful project using communication, collaboration and critical thinking skills.
Dan.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
We hope you and your whanau had a wonderful holiday season and that 2025 has started on a healthy note! As we begin this new year, we are excited to con�nue providing care and support to our community.
Staff Updates
We are delighted to warmly welcome Dr. Merope Griffin, who has joined our team from the West Coast. Merope will be in the clinic Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday during January, and then Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from February. We are thrilled to have her on board and look forward to the great care she will provide to our community!
Friendly Reminders
If you have an urgent medical request please DO NOT email us, always phone so we can assist you in a �mely manner. Please remember to dial 111 if you have a poten�ally life threatening emergency.
Contact Details
If you have moved, changed your phone number, email address, or next of kin, can you please let recep�on know so we can update your details in our Pa�ent Management System.
Be SunSmart
Remember to Slip on clothing, Slip into Shade, Slop on Sunscreen, Slap on a Hat, and Wrap on Sunglasses
A�er Hours Care
Ka Ora Telecare: Mon-Fri 5pm-8pm, 24 hrs on weekends. Call 0800 252 672 or visit kaora.co.nz
Prac�ce Plus: Mon-Fri 5pm-10pm, weekends and public holidays 8am-8pm. Call 0800 7722 7587 or visit www.prac�ceplus.nz. Please note prepayment is required prior to consulta�on. Healthline: Available 24/7. Call 0800 611 116.
Te Kura o Te Poho Rakahua Oxford Area School
Tēnā koutou katoa,
A new year offers a time of reflection, a chance to look back on the year that has been. Looking back I often wonder just how we fitted everything in. By the numbers:
• Students had been at school for 1,140 hours in 2024
• We finished the year with a roll of 528 but educated 578 students during the year
• Well over 200 trips and out-of-class activities had been available in 2024
• 2 International school trips (Australia - Netball, Japan - Cultural)
2024 began with the opening of Takurua, our long-awaited new building. We have thoroughly enjoyed moving in, the opening, and how it functions. It truly is the centre of our school just as Takurua (Sirius) is the brightest star in the Milky Way!
The year provided many academic, sporting, cultural, and service opportunities.
As we wrapped up one year and begin another, it is important to show our gratitude for all those that had contributed to our school community in 2024.
Parents and guardians, your involvement is invaluable. Your support—whether through volunteering your time, attending meetings, or simply encouraging your children—creates a foundation for their success. Thank you for trusting us with your most precious gifts and for partnering with us in the education of your children.
To our staff, I want to express my gratitude to our dedicated leadership team, teachers, and staff. Your commitment to nurturing the minds and spirits of our students is truly inspiring. You go above and beyond every day, igniting a passion for learning and fostering a sense of belonging. Thank you for your tireless efforts and for being great mentors and role models.
I would like to make special mention of Jo West, Meghan Robb, Nerissa Thompson, Nura Gilpin, Elise Basher, and Vanessa Burns for their contributions to our kura.
As they take the next step in their journey, they leave behind special memories and will always maintain a connection to our school.
Our school’s success is further bolstered by our community partners—local businesses, organisations, and volunteers who lend their time and resources.
Your contributions not only enhance our programmes but also foster a sense of connection between our school and the wider community.
I particularly want to highlight the Oxford Area School PTA—you are a group of amazing people who dedicate their time to ensuring our school runs smoothly. The final acknowledgement I would like to make is to the School Board. Under the leadership of Presiding Member Aaron Campbell, the board includes parent trustees Juddy Taylor, Mark Shelley, Erika Jury, and Rebecca Griffiths; staff trustee Lesley Inch; and student trustee Alyssa East.
We have an incredible team, and I am confident that the governance of our school is in good hands! We push each other to new heights, offer unwavering support, and keep our ultimate objectives at the forefront of everything we do - every student at the school can attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement; ensure our school is both physically and emotionally safe, a school that is inclusive, and a school that gives effect to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.
Mā te huruhuru ka rere te manu
This Māori proverb or whakatauki translates to - Adorn the bird with feathers so it may soar. Whether we are young or old, there’s always room to grow. Learning a new skill, solving problems, and helping others are just some of the many “feathers” you can wear in order to soar high. The more strengths you have, the higher you’ll fly! Tamariki - keep producing those feathers so you may soar.
Once again thank you all for being here, and for your unwavering support of our school.
Together, we are creating a brighter future.
Mā te wā, looking forward to 2025!
Activities Days
On the last Thursday and Friday of last term, we hello our Activity Days. This event is one of the highlights of our school calendar.
These two days provide opportunities for our younger and older students to work together. The activities on offer provide opportunities for our students to demonstrate the global competencies they have been developing throughout the year, namely:
• character
• creativity
• collaboration
• citizenship
• communication
• critical thinking
The activities our staff have orchestrated for our students provide multiple opportunities for our students to grow together!
Huge thanks to the positive attitudes of our students and the wonderful staff who have spent hours developing the activities on offer.
Mike Hart
Principal - Oxford Area School
Thank you from The Gateway Programme!
The Gateway Programme run here at Oxford Area School and funded by the Tertiary Education Commission, is designed to strengthen the pathway for when students progress from school into the world of work. The programme places the senior students who are taking Gateway as a subject, into a workplace of an industry that they are interested in, for one day per week, for an agreed number of weeks. This gives the students a wonderful opportunity to gain practical, hands-on work skills in real workplaces, try out potential careers, which may help with future subject decisions, and build relationships with employers - all while still enrolled at school. Alongside their work placement, students will also complete a Workplace First Aid Certificate, a Workplace Health and Safety Certificate which are both fantastic on a CV, and work on industry-based Unit Standards, relevant to their placement. This will all earn them credits towards NCEA, and may help them with future employment/training.
The Oxford Community has again been very supportive of the Gateway Programme this year. Our students who took Gateway as a subject, have gained important work experience, learned valuable work skills and had a beneficial insight into a variety of industries.
This year I would like to say a huge Thank You to the following employers for their time, patience and willingness to impart knowledge - and also the employers who offered a placement this year. As a rural school, in a small town, their support has been vital to the ongoing success of the Gateway Programme here at Oxford Area School.
GN Plumbing and Drainage Ltd
OAS PMP Programme
Air New Zealand Gateway Programme (Aviation Engineering)
Lynne Kerr
Gateway Coordinator - Oxford Area School
Oxford Kindergarten
Diesel Tech
Oxford Early Learning Centre
Community Trust
Oxford Social Services
Shopper’s Bus
14th January - Rangiora 28th January - Rangiora
$7 - Bookings can be made by calling 03 312 3006
Waimak Kids Oscar 20th-24th January 27th-28th January
For bookings contact Tori on 027 473 5607 or oscar@oxfordtrust.co.nz
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who helped with our Christmas Wonderland - it was a great event for the community with over 1800 visitors. Christmas brings out the best in our community and we would like to thank everyone who donated food and gifts to help out families in the District.
Finally, thank you to all of our volunteers, for all of the medical drives, reception hours and driving lessons. We so appreciate everything you do for your community.
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 Christmas
Wonderland and Parade
Insect Bites and Stings
Treating insect bites and stings. Most insect bites and stings cause small reactions that are confined to the area of the bite (localised reactions).
As soon as you’ve been stung by a bee, remove the sting and venom sac if it’s been left in your skin. Do this by scraping it out, either with your fingernails or something with a hard edge, such as a bank card.
Don’t pinch the sting out with your fingers or a pair of tweezers because you may spread the venom.
Minor bites and stings can be treated by:
1. Washing the affected area
2. Placing a cold compress over the affected area to reduce swelling.
If the bite or sting is painful or swollen, you can also:
1. Use an ice pack on the swelling
2. Take painkillers
3. Use a spray or cream to prevent itching and swelling (ask your pharmacist which is best)
4. Take an antihistamine tablet
See your GP if the local swelling is severe or if the redness and itching gets worse or doesn’t clear up after a few days. Insect bites can sometimes become infected so see your GP if the bite or sting fills with pus and feels tender to touch, your glands swell up and you feel unwell with flu-like symptoms.
Some people are particularly sensitive or allergic to stings. They have a life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis which results in swelling of the face, difficulty breathing and a rash over their entire body, not just in the region of the sting. This is a medical emergency and must be treated as soon as possible so call an ambulance.
- Fri 8.30am - 5.30pm
9.30am - 12.30pm
a Oxford -
Ohoka
Community
Board update with Thomas Robson
Wishing you all a very happy and healthy New Year. I hope that you have all managed to spend some time with your loved ones over the Christmas period and found time for some rest and relaxation.
My family and I have enjoyed spending a bit of time exploring our favourite spots around the Waimakariri. We are spoiled to have so many great beaches, rivers and forests on our doorstep – there is so much to offer and there’s nothing like getting out in nature to recharge the batteries at the end of a busy year. We love going to Ashley Gorge, Woodend Beach, and of course further afield it’s always fun to go to Hanmer Springs with the kids.
I’m excited to get back into work for another productive year both in Wellington and here in the Waimakariri advocating for local constituents, and this year in particular I am looking forward to the return of Youth Parliament. I will be looking for my Youth MP in the coming weeks so if that sounds like you, or a young person you know, please do get in touch with one of my offices to find out more about the process. Two of my most recent Youth MPs have hailed from Oxford so I am expecting some good applications from you again this year!
In Wellington, Parliament has returned earlier than in previous years, and we have a lot of work to do in our second year in Government.
I have hit the ground running with a number of visits already under my belt around the country in my capacity as Minister of Tourism and Hospitality. Summer is of course a busy season for the sector and I have been buoyed by the positive feedback I am hearing from tourism and hospitality operators who are enjoying hosting tourists, both international and domestic.
My offices in Kaiapoi and Rangiora are both open for business too, and as always I am here to help, so please reach out if you have an issue you would like assistance with - or alternatively let us know if you have a business or event you would like me to visit.
I look forward to catching up with many of you over the coming year.
Hi folks
I hope everyone has had an enjoyable Christmas and New Years! The Community Board is on Christmas break with our next meeting scheduled for February, although we will be available to discuss any serious issues that should arise before then.
The Board was invited to be part of the Christmas parade, which was a lot of fun. It was also great to see the Christmas Wonderland continue to be well run and well patronised.
Regarding the Dog Park in Oxford - this project is currently scheduled for February, so by then dog walkers should have improved fencing, paths and signage. This has been a long running project that the Board have been pushing for, for the Community, so it will be good to see it finally completed.
The Woodstock Quarry Landfill Environment Court appeal - the Community Board’s legal representative has been negotiating with Woodstock Quarries regarding the time line for proceedings, and we will be providing an update to everyone who has subscribed to our email list as soon as we have concrete information with a clear time line. But unfortunately it looks as though the process will continue to be prolonged and drawn out.
Re the Ohoka plan change application and the Councils District Plan review - the Council have asked the Local Government Minister for an extension to allow them to fully consider the Commissioners recommendations prior to making a decision, so we will probably not have an outcome until mid 2025.
Enjoy the rest of the holidays!
Our next Community Board meeting is on February 5th7pm at the West Eyreton Hall, and you can also keep up to date by following our Facebook page.
Regards
Thomas Robson
Chair Oxford Ohoka Community Board
Rangiora
Welcome to the New Year edition of From The President’s Desk.
from the Presidents Desk with Oxford Club President Kyle Scott ,
The 2024 year was a positive year for the Oxford Club with our financial position improving, and increases in membership numbers.
The Oxford Club is more than just a venue, it is a Community Hub where friendships are forged, memories are made and traditions are cherished.
The Club cannot rest on its laurels. To ensure longevity and financial stability we must, as a Club, keep moving forward.
By fostering a welcoming environment, expanding our activities and promoting membership to new generations we can secure the Club’s future. We must innovate, invest in fresh ideas and work collaboratively with our members and community to enhance our facilities and offerings.
Together we can ensure that our Club remains as an essential part of Oxford and Community for all to enjoy for years to come.
Thank you for reading my aspirational message, and as always please read our weekly email blast to keep up to date. It is packed full of information on What is coming up at the Club.
Warmest regards, and looking forward to chatting to you at our Club very soon.
Kyle Scott
Oxford Club President
Let us take the stress out of your travel We offer: • airport transfers - early morning/late evening 24/7 • door to door pick up & drop off service • seating for up to 7 passengers
the cheapest rates in North Canterbury We are:
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an
Community Meeting Discusses Installation of Crime Prevention Cameras
A meeting instigated by the Oxford Community Trust was held recently to discuss the potential installation of community cameras. The meeting, attended by police representatives Rob Irvine, Rebecca Milner, and Ken Eccles, along with local police Jono Stagg and Chris Elliot, focused on whether the community supports this initiative and how to move forward.
The proposed cameras would be owned and managed by the community rather than the police. Their primary function is to aid investigations when a crime is reported promptly.
Police clarified that the cameras will not be actively monitored but will store footage for up to two weeks. If a crime is reported within that period, relevant footage can be reviewed and sent to intelligence teams for further analysis.
Local police representatives spoke about crime in the area, highlighting the potential benefits of monitoring access points to the town. Currently, Ashley Gorge has cameras in place, but other entrances remain uncovered. Expanding coverage to these access points would provide valuable information if offenders enter or leave the district after committing a crime.
The response from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with strong support for proceeding with fundraising efforts. It was agreed that funds will be managed by an established community group, though the specific group has yet to be confirmed. Ken Eccles will provide a cost estimate for the project, and then fundraising can commence.
The community will be informed about developments and progress,
OXFORD CLUB
Lorinda Harrington Independant Registered Financial Advisor
Emergency Services update
Oxford St John with
Mel Brooker
I hope you all had a lovely Christmas with family and friends and enjoyed some nice relaxing time. Welcome to 2025! We ended 2024 on 251 jobs which is somewhat down on previous years. We are once again doing a big recruitment drive to get some great members, so we can better provide emergency cover for our district. If this is something that you have ever considered, please make contact with us via the phone number below.
I am concerned about people having a hesitancy to call an ambulance (especially our elderly).
The worry is elderly can have a fall and end up spending a night on the cold bathroom floor. Please call us if you need us. Now is a perfect time to think about a medical alarm for any person who is living alone. St John medical alarms are the only ones connected directly to St John. You push your button, it goes directly to St John and they call you back on the phone. If you don’t answer, the Ambulance is dispatched immediately.
Could I also ask everyone to please go out to the entrance to your property and check your house number is visible from both directions. If not please see to this as soon as possible. We all need to ensure we can be found easily in an emergency. Clear and accurate information given to the call taker ensures you get prompt and appropriate resources sent to you also.
As always we are looking for good people to join us as volunteers, 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.
Stay well and safe
Oxford Fire Rescue
with Chief Fire Officer Trevor Ealam
November was a particularly busy month for the Brigade with fourteen calls. One call was to assist the Cust Brigade at a vegetation fire. In our area we attended five motor vehicles crashes, in three of these the sole occupants received moderate to serious injuries and one where the vehicle rolled caught fire setting the surrounding vegetation on fire. There were four vegetation fires, one was a controlled burn with the owner in attendance and no action was required by the Brigade and the others were unattended rubbish fires that had got out of control. Two were to investigate smoke in different areas, one to assist St John, and one to investigate a gas filled house where the gas hobs had been left turned on and unattended. This brings our total calls for the year to ninety nine.
This months message is; I ask again, please be careful if you light a rubbish fire, make sure you are in attendance throughout the burn even if it’s a drum or pit fire, with the north west winds they will very easily get out of control. Make sure you have water handy.
I would imagine before this report is published we will be in a restricted fire season which means you will need a permit to burn or prohibited fire season where no burning is permitted. If you are unsure about burning go to the FENZ website, checkitsalright.nz or alternatively ring South Com on, 03 341 0266.
Stay safe, we wish you all the very best for the New Year
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