Wanaka Sun | 12 - 18 November 2020 | Edition 1000 by Wanaka Sun

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PHOTO: Symone Craig

A Hāwea Flat School Jump Jam team has won the South Island Jump Jam Competition for the second year in a row, and a second team from the school placed third in the competition.

Millennium Pathway stays Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

ānaka's Millennium Pathway along the

W lakefront will be moved and its tiles

replaced as part of a concept design for stage two of the lakefront development. Stage two along Ardmore St between McDougal St and the centre of town was approved by the Wānaka Community Board last Thursday. The 560m pathway was a community project

which consisted of a series of tiles displaying essential dates in history over 2000 years. It will be re-created alongside a new "active travel promenade" for cyclists and pedestrians. Other features of the lakefront were gardens and a line of car parks broken up by viewing corridors. Board member Ed Taylor noted camper vans would not be allowed to use the parks on the lakeside of Ardmore St, to avoid a "white wall" effect but would be permitted to parallel park on the other side of Ardmore St.

The approved stage two option has a budget of $2.8M. One of the tasks of a new working party would be to review the Millennium Pathway's historical, grammatical and spelling accuracy. It will also add more events, including those from Maori history. The future of the pathway has been a polarising issue for almost four years, with hundreds of signatures collected calling for it to be retained. Community board member Niamh Shaw said the Community Board members were pleased

“to have a way forward for our town lakefront.” “Although the preferences for the two options weren’t as clear-cut as I would prefer, the detailed designs will attempt to incorporate the wishes and themes that were consistent across the majority of community feedback. “Overwhelmingly - regardless of which concept plan was favoured by submitters - the feedback from over 170 submissions was to retain the natural feel of the lakefront, along with as many existing trees as possible. Continued on page 3

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Wānaka resident appointed to QAC Board of Directors Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka resident Anne Urlwin has been appointed as one of three new directors to the Queenstown Airport Corporation (QAC)’s Board of Directors. Urlwin is a director of Precinct Properties New Zealand Ltd, Tilt Renewables Ltd, Steel & Tube Holdings Ltd and Summerset Group Holdings Ltd. She is Deputy Chairman of Southern Response Earthquake Services and a director of City Rail Link Ltd and Cigna Life Insurance New Zealand Ltd. She is a former director of Chorus Ltd and her previous governance roles have included chairmanship of the New Zealand Blood Service and of the Naylor Love Construction group. Urlwin is a Chartered Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, the New Zealand Shareholders Association and a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand. Prior to commencing her governance career,

PHOTO: Boardroompractice

Anne Urlwin is one of three new directors appointed to the QAC Board.

Urlwin held executive finance roles in the meat and IT industries following several years with KPMG. Urlwin said:” I have been involved in governance roles for quite a few years. “What attracted me to this role was the

opportunity for me to contribute my professional skills to our community. “And I am interested in aviation and infrastructure. I need to travel for work and family and so fly a lot. My interest in aviation goes back to my time as a director of Airways Corporation. “Apparently, there was lots of interest in the role- you have to apply like any other job.” The other new directors confirmed at the QAC’s 30 October Annual General Meeting were Arrowtown resident Andrew Blair and air industry professional Michael Tod. The three replace Michael Stiassny and Norm Thompson, who both retired after serving on the Board since 2014, and fill a gap presented by the resignation in July of former Chair Prue Flacks for personal reasons. Originally appointed in 2017, Adrienne Young-Cooper has been re-appointed for a further four-year term and retains the position as the Board’s Chair. Mark Thomson has also been re-appointed as the Director nominated by Auckland International Airport Ltd. Queenstown Lakes Mayor Jim Boult said he would like to thank the outgoing members for

Skydive Wānaka celebrates 25 years Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Skydive Wānaka (the second-largest skydive company in New Zealand) celebrates its 25th anniversary, after having weathered Covid-19 and coming out the other side. Meeting the COVID challenge headon, Skydive Wānaka was committed to keeping the doors open and retaining as many staff as possible. Skydive Wānaka manager Derek Melnick said Covid-19 had undoubtedly been the primary challenge of the past 25 years, not only for the business but for most tourism operators. “Specifically for businesses like ours that have been more heavily dependent on international markets,” he said. “So that has been a definite low.” But a high has been 25 years of developing the second largest skydiving operation in New Zealand. “What has made Skydive Wānaka so popular? Probably the location as one of the most scenic on the planet. We have some of the most dramatic landscapes. Look from 15,000 feet above Wānaka. Lush greens and blues with the aerial views of the mountain backdrop. You

their time on the Board. “This year, in particular, has been extremely challenging for anyone involved in the aviation industry,” Boult said. “The two outgoing board directors provided valuable advice and direction in helping negotiate a period of complexity and change, and I wish them all well on their respective future endeavours. There are undoubtedly still challenging times ahead for the industry as we have yet to really grasp the full extent of COVID-19 on global travel and the world’s economy. Times like these need strong leadership and people with the skills, knowledge and experience to think innovatively and to make some difficult decisions. We were fortunate to have a lot of interest in these roles and I am confident with clear direction and strong leadership from QLDC, we have a solid Board at the helm.” Queenstown Airport is a Council-Controlled Trading Organisation (CCTO) with two shareholders - Queenstown Lakes District Council (75.1 per cent) and Auckland Airport (24.9 per cent). It is managed by QAC and governed by a Board of Directors.

Volunteer South named business awards finalist Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

PHOTO: Skydive Wānaka

What has made Skydive Wānaka so popular? Probably the location as one of the most scenic on the planet.

can see Mt Cook. An incredible place to jump from that perspective.” Respect should be paid to the efforts of the founders, Dave and Jules Hall, Melnick said. “They had great vision when they started the business.” “The longevity of the business can

be put down to the popularity of New Zealand as a visitor destination, and particularly the Southern Lakes region, and the incredible work that organisations like NZ Tourism and Lake Wānaka Tourism do to promote businesses like ours,” he said.

Volunteer South (formally Volunteering Otago and Volunteering Central) has been selected as one of three finalists in the Westpac Otago Business Awards in the excellence in not-for-profit category. Working with over 400 organisations across the Otago region, the teams in Dunedin, Waitaki, Central Lakes and Invercargill aim to increase community participation in the nonprofit sector by connecting people to volunteering opportunities that best suit their skills, interests and motivations. They offer workshops and one-to-one support to organisations that involve volunteers to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, skills or circumstance can volunteer if they wish to. Volunteer South was heavily involved with the welfare response during lockdown in Wānaka and the Queenstown Lakes area, working with local Civil Defence

teams and councils to coordinate hundreds of volunteers. Whilst continuing to work in recovery, the organisation is also looking ahead to plans to develop group/employee volunteering programmes, a migration volunteering programme and a partnership with the Department of Corrections. “Research consistently shows that communities with higher levels of volunteering are safer, happier and more connected… Everything our team works towards supports this notion of stronger, more connected communities through volunteering,” said Volunteer South Board Chair Andrew Wiley. Central Lakes Manager Gillian White said the team was “humbled” by the nomination and looking forward to chatting with other “worthy nominees,” including Alexandra’s Central Cinema and Dunedin’s Otago Museum, at the awards ceremony in Dunedin this Friday, November 13.

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Jump Jam champs…again! Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

A Hāwea Flat School Jump Jam team has won the South Island Jump Jam Competition for the second year in a row, and a second team from the school placed third in the competition. Jump Jam is an aerobics discipline invented by world champion aerobics instructor Brett Fairweather. It combines fitness and dance, to a soundtrack of hip-hop and pop songs which appeal to school-age children. An all-girls Hāwea Flat team of 15 Year 5 and 6 students, called Hāwea Flat Sass, competed at Christchurch Boys High School auditorium in the Advanced division of the competition, placing first in the South Island. The girls performed to ‘A Little Party’ from The Great Gatsby (2013) movie. The mixed team of 11 girls and five boys Hāwea Flat Funk - placed third in the All Stars division, performing to ‘Uptown Funk’. Hawea Flat School teacher Symone Craig, a former aerobics instructor, developed the

routine, which the teams spent weeks rehearsing. “They gave up their lunch hours to practice,” she said. “Basically what happens is the kids send in a qualification video back in August. They take the top eight teams across the South Island. And then the qualifying teams come together in Christchurch. The mixed team of 16 (11 girls and five boys) placed third in their category. The girls squad won their category again. And it was a really tough competition- it was really hard to pick who was going to win. They blitzed the lot!” said Craig. Teams are judged on technical execution, creativity, and costumes. Each of the judges will critique a different part of the routine. There were requirements for the All Star division to have original formations and lines, and the Advanced division to have as much as 33 per cent original choreography, Craig said. Funds were raised to cover the travel expenses through raffles of local services and products and lunches at the school. The Hāwea Community

The mixed Jump Jam team consisting of 11 girls and five boys, which came third it its division.

Association donated $2000 and a school family donated a further $1000. Travelling to Christchurch with such large groups (of 32) was an expensive business, and funds were raised through raffles of local services and products and hot lunches at school. In the overall competition South Island teams

PHOTO: Symone Craig

compete in Christchurch and North Island teams in a North Island location. Then the judges tally scores to determine the national winner. This will happen later in the month. “So, on November 21 we will know whether we are South Island Champs, or National Champs,” said Craig.

Local sonographer receives triple honour Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Sonographer Jill Muirhead (64) has said she is very proud to have been awarded three separate awards in the last six months. Muirhead, who trained at Dunedin Hospital in 1979, now works predominantly in Wānaka with Pacific Radiology, where she and her husband moved eight years ago. She has been working for the same group of radiologists (then Otago Radiology) since 1986. Muirhead was recently named Australasian Sonographer of the Year for 2020 by the Australasian Society for Ultrasound in Medicinean award she felt “particularly honoured” by, having been nominated by a peer. Alongside that, she has been awarded a fellowship for the Australasian Sonographers Association - based on service given to lecturing, research and teaching - and an honorary fellowship to the Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. This was the “biggest surprise of all,” said Muirhead, as fellowships usually go to GPs. The honour was given to Muirhead and her colleague Wendy Finnie for their work teaching ultrasound to rural hospital doctors - developing and delivering an internationally-renowned course at the University of Otago. Dr Jennifer Keys, Chair of the Division of Rural Hospital Medicine, said: “It is difficult to

PHOTO: Supplied

Jill Muirhead with her Australasian Sonographer of the Year.award. The other two award ceremonies have been postponed until next year.

overestimate the influence that Jill and Wendy’s teaching has had on rural hospital medicine; most rural hospital doctors have completed their paper, which has made point of care ultrasound an important diagnostic tool at almost every rural hospital in New Zealand.” Muirhead now travels to Dunedin or Dunstan just three times a year for residentials or conducts teaching online, but she still thoroughly enjoys her work for Pacific Radiology Wānaka. There is a worldwide shortage of sonographers, especially in New Zealand, mostly as a result of the expense of securing the required threeyear practical training position, and helping younger sonographers develop their skills is very important to her. “I can’t see that I’ll have to retire too soon. I’ll give myself another five years,” she said. “We have an awesome team here in Wānaka and we are very, very lucky to have a full group.”

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

One of the tasks of a new working party would be to review the Millennium Pathway's historical, grammatical and spelling accuracy.

Millennium Pathway stays Continued from page 1 “The detailed designs are subject to WCB sign-off, and I am hopeful that some of the passion, spirit and collaboration that defined the Millennium Path project twenty years ago can be recaptured in the Millennium Path Community Working Group,” Shaw said. Chair of the Wānaka Community Board Barry Bruce said;” Stage 2 of The Lakefront Development Plan has been a work in progress for some time. “The Community Board was mindful of the need to come up with a proposal that meets the communities expectations, in particular easy access to the lake, open natural space, ample car

parking and honouring the Millennium Pathway legacy. “I would like to acknowledge the work done by QLDC staff and WCB members including preparing concept plans and liaising with our community including drop-in sessions and evaluating written submissions. “I am confident the chosen option will ensure our beautiful lakefront environment is futureproofed for present and future generations.” Stage one of the five-stage lakefront development has been completed, and phase three is underway. The total cost could run to more than $13million.

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MAC expansion moves ahead Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The expansion of Wānaka’s Mt Aspiring College takes another step towards completion after the Ministry of Education applied to the Queenstown Lakes District Council for resource consent for a new building.

The development would have the equivalent of 28 new teaching spaces and include room for music, drama, art and theatre, as well as a library. There would also be 33 new car parks in addition to the 50 existing parks. The application noted the ministry was in the process of buying the Queenstown Lakes District Council’s old public

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

Ministry of Education applies for resource consent for the new MAC building.

Hāwea man Raw Wānaka arrested for supply of meth Pat Deavoll

PHOTO: Luisa Apanui Photography

Parkinson’s New Zealand Founder, Andrew Dunn, CEO, Andrew Bell (right), with event organiser Kate Mitchell.

Tulip cream tea raises $2,000 Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka’s Edgewater Hotel got behind Parkinson’s New Zealand’s fundraising drive last weekend by dedicating their usual Sunday high tea to the cause and raising over $2,000. The event was so successful that Edgewater was asked by Parkinson’s New Zealand Tulip Cream Tea organizers to be the signature South Island event going forward. 2020 marks the second year that Parkinson’s New Zealand have held the Tulip Cream Tea fundraising initiative. “It worked so well for us last year, that we decided to run the programme again in 2020,” said Parkinson’s New Zealand CEO, Andrew Bell. “It really grabbed hold of people’s imagination, with community groups bringing their own flavour to each event. We have some organisations doing high teas with musical accompaniment, others create Red Tulip cocktails, and some bring out the BBQ’s.” Edgewater Digital and

swimming pool next door to the school, which would provide parking space. The two-storey, 10m-high classroom block on Plantation Rd would allow the school to cater for 1450 students, an increase of 300. In July, the Government announced redevelopment funding of $33.5 million for the school.

Sustainability Coordinator Kate Mitchell said the team were “so pleased with the event and the beautifully dressed guests enjoying our high tea offering and bottomless bubbles,” and they looked forward to delivering the event annually going forward. Alongside Bell, CEO, the founder of Parkinson’s New Zealand Andrew Dunn was also in attendance at the event. Bell gave an inspirational talk about his journey with Parkinson’s observing his father’s, as well as his own, diagnosis. Over 11,000 New Zealanders live with Parkinson’s, which is a degenerative brain disorder. Symptoms may include slowness of movement, trembling, coordination problems and rigidity. Parkinson’s New Zealand encourages communities to make the most of spring and host a Tulip Cream Tea event at home or at work in support of people living with Parkinson’s. Visit www.parkinsons. org.nz/tulipcreamtea to register.

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

A 31-year-old man from the Upper Clutha district was arrested, and guns and drugs recovered from a Lake Hawea property following a two-month investigation into the supply of methamphetamine in the Wānaka area. A police spokesperson said the man appeared in the Invercargill District Court on Tuesday. The man, who was granted interim name suppression, faced six charges, including possession and supply of methamphetamine and unlawful possession of a firearm. He also was charged with failing to assist a police search. Judge Russell Walker remanded him on bail until his next appearance on December 14 at the Queenstown District Court. Conditions included a curfew from 7 pm to 7 am, random drug testing when required by the court and an order not to consume any illicit drug. The man also had to hand over his passport and could only leave the Wānaka area for court hearings or to meet his lawyer. Judge Walker said his name suppression application would be reviewed at the next hearing. The arrest happened the result of a Central Otago police operation targeting the supply of methamphetamine in the wider Wānaka area. The man was arrested in Queenstown on Friday last week. The arrest was the culmination of a two-month-long investigation into the supply of illicit drugs in the area, the spokesperson said. Police also carried out a search of a Lake Hāwea property where officers recovered methamphetamine, cannabis and three firearms.

PHOTO: Malia Rose Photography

Margo and Rosa Flanagan’s cookbooks and lifestyle are inspired by their own personal experiences and relationships with food.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Wānaka was last weekend visited by the Two Raw Sisters, Margo and Rosa Flanagan, the authors of two plant-based cookbooks. Their first book, ‘Two Raw Sisters’, sold over 13,000 copies, with their second collection of accessible plant-based recipes, ‘All Eaters Welcome’, already in reprint - and their cooking workshop at the Oasis Yurt Lodge Wānaka on Sunday sold out weeks before the event. Rosa Flanagan said the one and a half hour interactive demonstration, which aimed to provide tips and tricks to create a healthy, sustainable lifestyle, had a “really good turnout,” with the audience “keen to get involved.” The Flanagan’s cookbooks and lifestyle are inspired by their own personal experiences and relationships with food, and what they have learnt from overcoming past difficulties like chronic fatigue and eating disorders. Although neither

vegan nor vegetarian, their mission is to inspire people to get creative when cooking vegetables, and start planning their meals with plants first - and adding meat second if required. Jo Day, owner of Oasis Wānaka, said the workshop ran perfectly and attracted “a fabulous local crowd of 35 ladies including quite a few from Cromwell. The workshop was booked out weeks ago showing strong support of wholefoods cooking and these talented sisters!” “Margo and Rosa were exceptional hosts, they talk straight up, they're relaxed, funny and know their stuff,” she added. The two sisters are now on the home stretch of their second book tour, with just two workshop events in Auckland and Hamilton remaining before they return to their kitchen workspace in Christchurch, where their private workshops are booked up for the rest of the year.

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The WAN solving accommodation issues

PHOTO: New Zealand Architecture Awards

Abodo Showcase Cardrona, a showroom for a New Zealand timber supply company, took one of three awards in the small project category.

PHOTO: devpolicy

Seasonal workers support our communities all year, every year. They are the backbone of many towns, yet they struggle to find accommodation relative to their working arrangements, for short periods of time.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Sometimes it takes a community to solve a problem, and that’s why The Workforce Accommodation Network (The WAN) is reaching out to townsfolk in their mission to find seasonal workers affordable accommodation. The WAN wants to connect those in the community who have a spare room, sleepout, house or even a caravan in summer, with the right worker for the right price, at the right time. The issue hit home for The WAN founder Carmen Blackler of Wānaka when she struggled to find reasonably priced accommodation for three months when studying in Auckland. “Launching The WAN and making the concept of a community solution for seasonal/temporary worker accommodation real, is extremely exciting,” she said. “Accommodation matters and so do our local businesses and seasonal workers. The WAN connects businesses, roomers and accommodators in a way that creates opportunities and value for all involved.” Blackler said the idea came out of masters she started two years ago after seeing a lot of ski workers etc in Wānaka struggling to find accommodation. “I also talked to people who had businesses where workers wouldn’t turn up because they couldn’t find accommodation,” she said. “My study was in technological futures – the use of technology to solve business and social issuesand I thought this project would be a good one for my masters. That was the genesis of the idea. “I was thinking about kick-starting the business but then Covid hit. I was originally going to

target the tourism sector but then I realised there were a lot of sectors where people move around for work- and that prompted me to get stuck in and build it. “I want it to be a one-stop-shop for people who need accommodation and businesses who need staff accommodation.” Blackler said the initiative doesn’t launch properly until December because “we are still building the back end of the system” but already some businesses have registered and some accommodators are on board. “And we are starting to get the workers through the business now, she said. “We bought the development forward because of Central Otago’s need during the harvest. Long term we want to be a national platform but at the moment we are targeting Otago including Queenstown Lakes.” The process is free. There are no costs to roomers. The WAN connects roomers with matched accommodators via local businesses, who vouch for the workers as dependable people with a reliable income. With local businesses at the centre of the process, the risk of accommodating a disrespectful roomer is reduced. “Giving workers this step up to a better lifestyle will equate to much higher rates of contribution both to the businesses and the community,” said Blacker. “For seasonal/temporary workers, the knowledge that the community they contribute to daily is supporting them by providing safe, affordable, and secure accommodation is invaluable. “Their sense of belonging and worth will drive up their community contribution levels.” Blacker said.

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Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

A project at Cardrona has been recognised in the 2020 New Zealand Architecture Awards, held in Auckland last week. The winners in the awards ranged from private houses to a high school, a bowling club to an ecosanctuary shelter and a chapel to an opera house. Abodo Showcase Cardrona, a showroom for a timber supply company, took one of three awards in the small project category. The building might look like a small house, but, the jury said, it functioned excellently as "a beautifully crafted display box of the best qualities of its product." The judges said:

"Despite all the signifiers of a house, this showroom for a timber structural and cladding supplier is instead a beautifully crafted display box of the best qualities of its product. "Precision and control are demonstrated across the fully clad timber exterior screen, as well as the expressed internal structural framing. "The building itself confirms the promise that this timber product is strong and will not warp, and in doing so, fulfils its intention as a showcase for the manufacturer. "Experimentation with the various products extends through the fitout and floorings, creating an overall effect of a precise and elegant container, inside and out. " When is a house, not a house? When it is a showroom."

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QLDC to introduce changes to public place bins Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The way we use public litter and mixed recycling bins across the district is set to change as part of Queenstown Lakes District Council’s commitment to optimising local recycling. QLDC General Manager Property and Infrastructure Peter Hansby said the change follows an independent ‘sort-and-weigh’ audit to capture data on the quality, composition, and volume of recyclable content collected through these public place bins. “The results of the audit highlighted generally good quality material in the glass only bins and high volumes of clean aluminium drink cans in the mixed recycling bins, however overall, it found we have issues with contamination of our mixed recycling bins. Paper, cardboard and plastics were heavily contaminated by food and liquid waste meaning they couldn’t be recycled,” Hansby said. “Materials from public recycling bins are being processed at the Materials Recovery Facility, but only if the material is not contaminated with nonrecyclables or food or drink leftovers,” Hansby said. “Recycling is not just about technically recyclable materials, but collecting them in a clean and uncontaminated condition.” Glass bottles and aluminium cans are not normally contaminated by food or liquid after use, and can be recycled many times without loss of quality. The changes will be coming into effect over the next two weeks and will see: • All existing 2-way bins (currently made up of one mixed recycling and one rubbish bin)

Teams camp out around the park and walk or run in relays for 24 hours.

PHOTO: Wastebusters

Like glass bottles, aluminium cans are not normally contaminated by food or liquid after use, and can be recycled many times without loss of quality.

will change to rubbish only. • All existing 4-way bins (currently made up of one mixed recycling, one glass and two rubbish bins) will change to one glass, one aluminium cans only and two rubbish bins. • New 4-way bins installed in Hawea to ensure these communities have consistent access to public place recycling with the rest of the district. These bins have been ordered and will be installed when they arrive in early December. Hansby acknowledged there is a lot of change happening in the waste and recycling space at the moment with the recently announced changes to the kerbside service coming in on 1 December and reinforced the Council’s commitment to working together towards zero waste. “These changes will mean we’re able to provide more certainty that the materials put into the public place recycling bins will be recycled,” he said. “We know that change can be challenging. We’ll be rolling out new signage across the bins over the coming weeks, we ask that you keep your eyes peeled and double check before disposing of items when you’re out and about.”

PHOTO: Gill Gardener

Relay for Life returns 2021 Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Relay For Life charity event will return to Wānaka next year. The community "festival-style" event, which celebrates cancer survivors and remembers those who have lost their lives to the disease, will take place at Pembroke Park on March 27-28, 2021, event coordinator Jane Sharman said. Teams camp out around the park and walk or run in relays for 24 hours. Some people do it solo. Each team needs to have one participant on the track throughout the event. Meanwhile, there will be a range of entertainment and activities going on to keep energy levels high. Sharman said Relay for Life was an event that happened all around the world and has been going in New Zealand since 1991. "The Wānaka event last year was very successful, and the feedback was very positive. People are excited about doing it again. "Last year we had 350 people and 25 or more teams. "The teams fundraise via an online platform.

Some hold fundraising events like barbeques to raise money for their team. On the event weekend teams set up their camps on a Friday night, and the event starts on the Saturday lunchtime," Sharman said. "They compete until lunchtime on Sunday." The concept of Relay For Life began in 1985, when Dr Gordon Klatt, a surgeon and American Cancer Society volunteer, ran and walked 81 miles on a local track for 24 hours, raising $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. Today, the relay is the world's largest cancer fundraising event and is held in 29 countries. The inaugural New Zealand event was held in Manawatu in 2001. The first Wānaka Relay For Life event in 2019 raised $73,000 for The Cancer Society thanks to the support of the community. Sharman hopes locals will turn out again to make a difference next year. "Relay For Life Wānaka 2021 will be an event not to miss," Sharman said. "Cancer is the country's single biggest cause of death. Most New Zealanders will have some experience of it – either personally or through a relative or friend."

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Our

1000

Edition!

This week the Wānaka Sun celebrates its 1000th edition! The Sun talks to Aaron Heath, instigator and owner of the paper for the last nearly 20 years, on how the Sun came about and the ins and outs of producing Wānaka's one-and-only community newspaper. Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

So how did the Wānaka Sun come about? Following moving to Wānaka in 1995, it soon became apparent to me that the Central Otago News (based in Alexandra) had little relevance to Wānaka and the Mountain Scene was unashamedly Queenstown-centric. I felt that Wānaka needed it's own paper to focus on a growing community based around rural and tourism - it's successes and issues. I guess the other thing was that I came from a relatively strong political background and I thought we needed a newspaper that would take the Council to the task. There was nothing that did it on behalf of Wānaka. How has Wānaka changed over the time you've owned the Sun? Wānaka has gone from a little rural service town of fewer than 5000 people that had historically been a summer/ ski destination. As opposed to now, where its an international destination. And a sought- after retirement hub. The change has been dramatic. The permanent population has trebled, and there is a far more diverse population bringing with it exciting businesses and opportunities. Wānaka has a base of long-standing locals who have always interacted with the paper, but from our perspective, it is interesting how these interact with the new-comers to town. As far as the content of the paper goes, has it changed over those 20 years? The community's maturity has changed. These days readers are expecting to see more challenging journalism whereas before that I don't think the town asked that of us. I think the most significant change is that whilst people want to see community stuff in the paper, they are also expecting a more challenging story. The other thing is that people are a lot more time-pressured these days and they want to get as much punch as they can from as little reading. They don't spend much time reading -they want the facts as quickly as they can. As far as getting the paper to print- that must have changed hugely? It has changed a lot. We always could transmit the files electronically (albeit very slowly initially), but the turn around has changed dramatically. In the early 2000s, the paper files had to be with the printers at 4 pm on a Tuesday and the paper was delivered into town on a Thursday morning. At a push, we can now send the printing files to Christchurch at 9 pm on Wednesday and have the paper physically in Wānaka's cafes by 8 am on Thursday (less than 12 hours), which also enables us to provide readers with the most up to date news.

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How has technology changed the way the paper operates? Technology has changed how the staff deal with clients and the community. So much was once done over the through physical interactions or over the phone (or fax) but now aside from physical interactions/phone conversations, everything else is completed electronically. We have been posting the paper on the website and Facebook for the last eight to ten years. The combination of Facebook and our website has boosted readership- we can see that in the statistics. People around the world are reading the paper which couldn't previously occur. Over that period, we've developed a substantial online following that significantly contributes to the massive readership statistics of the Wānaka Sun. However, it has been not easy to convey this to advertisers. What is your most memorable story? Or maybe there is more than one? There have been too many - non-payment of primary school fees (and the complaints to the press council etc.), the New World Carpark story (and being banned from New World for some years), the stories around Kahu Vincent and the huge level of public engagement and support for the family and community outrage at what had happened. And the downside to running a newspaper? It's like rust, it never sleeps. We are weekly, but there is no downtime- news is always happening. How do you deal with potential advertisers? There was a view five year ago that print was dead and that everyone would advertise electronically. But print advertising is coming back strongly. People have found that the cost of online advertising is significantly higher than they thought it was. Unless you can keep online content changing and fresh, no one is interested in it. Online advertising is here and gone, whereas print advertising is current. Print advertising is the proven medium for getting stuff out there. And it is cost-effective in terms of exposure. Have you ever had difficulty getting reporters, editors, marketing people? Wanaka’s one of those towns where it’s either a feast or famine when it comes to staff. At times we’re inundated with enquiries regarding work, other times its slim pickings. This is probably a reflection of what it’s like for most businesses in the town, however. Have you enjoyed the journey the paper has taken you on? Yes and no. It is a challenging and continuously changing industry. I enjoy those challenges, and over the years the many team members of the Wānaka Sun have adapted and contributed to these. There have also been many frustrations,

The front cover of the first edition of the Wānaka Sun, 20 years old this week.

Aaron Heath: Long-suffering owner and instigator of the Wānaka Sun.

PHOTO: Wānaka Sun

the greatest being that the community is always wanting something from "their" paper, but few are prepared to pay for it. Without advertising revenue, there wouldn't be a Wānaka Sun. On that note, I would like to thank the many businesses and organisations that have been loyal to the Wānaka Sun over the years and without whose support Wānaka would not have been able to receive their weekly local new fix in the Wānaka Sun. And of course a massive thanks to our readers. People often ask me how we know people are reading the paper without any true form of physical measure. It’s always the same answer, that along with plenty of feedback including letters to the Editor, the biggest indicator is that if our contractors fail to deliver the paper in a timely manner then we always receive numerous communications!

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PAGE 7

Sun Environment

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NATURE by Forest and Bird

You, me and mass extinction The history of life on earth has been punctuated by six so-called mass extinction events, periods when there was a widespread and rapid decrease in earth’s biodiversity. The penultimate event is probably the most famous, the Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction event that heralded the end of the dinosaurs and three-quarters of all other plant and animal species on earth at the time - and ultimately the rise of mammals. This event is primarily blamed on the most dramatic existential threat of them all, a massive meteorite that 66 million years ago hit in what is now Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula. Having said all that, the sixth extinction event, the so-called Holocene extinction, deserves to be even better known and more concerning, because it is the one happening outside your window right now! But surely, we can’t be living in the middle of a mass extinction event given the worldwide expansion of conservation work that we have witnessed over the last few decades, both within Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally? It is true that since the first legally protected area was established in 1776 in Trinidad and Tobago there have been more than 100,000 protected sites established worldwide covering about 12 per cent of the earth’s land surface. (Indigenous peoples have been protecting biodiversity in various forms for millennia before national parks were created) The problem has been our rapacious

consumption in the other 88 per cent of the earth’s surface, and that we can’t leave these protected areas alone exampled by poaching of elephants in African parks and the drive to mine the conservation estate in Aotearoa New Zealand. As amazing as our protected areas are, unfortunately, they have not coincided with an equally inspiring increase in biodiversity saved. We are witnessing species extinction at unprecedented rates with species losses estimated to be between 100 and 1,000 times higher than the “background” or expected natural extinction rate hence, by definition, a mass extinction event. What is poorly understood in Aotearoa New Zealand is that we are just as bad as the rest of the world at saving species from extinction, in fact, we are amongst the worst. In Aotearoa New Zealand, we have already lost 50 per cent of the bird species that were here when humans first arrived, 4,000 of our native species are at risk of extinction, two-thirds of our rivers are un-swimmable, and less than 1 per cent of our marine environment is protected despite being under threat. Ouch. Of course, extinctions are a natural process – there has been after all five before this current one - and many folk will argue this as a justification for their lack of concern. However, unlike the mass extinction events of geological history, the current extinction event is one for which a single species is almost wholly responsible: humans. But unlike poor old T. rex who had no chance

of stopping a meteorite, our extinction event is unlike all the others in geological history in being entirely preventable by the actions of a single species: us humans, again. At least at a technical level, we now understand the issues, and we know what we have to do. Every two years a comprehensive study of trends in global biodiversity and the health of the planet is released by WWF called the Living Planet Report. The report is based on a pioneering data modelling initiative entitled ‘Bending the Curve’ essentially bending upwards the downward curve of biodiversity loss - which shows the significant potential of approaches that will contribute to a likely reversal of species loss. So there is hope. The Bending the Curve approach is developed around pragmatic realities and lists the changes necessary to maintain existing biodiversity and reverse the downward trend. It shows that three sets of actions - sustainable production, sustainable consumption and increased conservation efforts can dramatically reduce and ultimate reverse loss of species by as early as 2050. And you have a role to play. Locally we have excellent examples of initiatives that you can support to ‘bend the curve’. Support farmers focussing on regenerative agriculture, and other food producers that have sustainability front and central to their approach. Follow the Wānaka Wastebusters mission of reducing, reusing and recycling.

PHOTO: Forest & Bird

We have already lost 50 per cent of the bird species that were here when humans first arrived.

Get behind the Southern Lakes Sanctuary initiative promoted by local community groups that aim to rid our region of predators while creating jobs and supporting the local economy. Although T. rex had quite a large brain as dinosaurs go, they had a tiny cerebrum - the part of the brain that we use to think - compared to you and me. Whereas T. rex had no chance of stopping their mass extinction event, we have no excuse about not stopping ours. Bruce Jefferies is on the local committee of Forest and Bird and has been working in conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand and internationally for longer than he cares to remember. – By Bruce Jefferies

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Be quick! Only one left. Phone: 03 443 6660 14 Golf Course Road, Wanaka www.aspiringvillage.co.nz *Sold under occupation right agreement. Photos are indicative only.

PAGE 8

THURSDAY 12.11.20 - WEDNESDAY 18.11.20

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Sun Environment

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Grebes Environmental action underway only just out of lockdown

PHOTO: John Darby

Great crested grebe breeding season underway- just.

Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Our great crested grebe population breeding season is off to a slow start, according to the Lake Wānaka marina grebes project manager John Darby. Darby said the population had "finally come out of lockdown" with the first recorded egg of the season on October 28. "As of this morning (Sunday), four pairs were breeding with eggs, one nest with four eggs, one with three and two with one each. The earliest egg this year was October 28: for us, that is late given that we have had them start breeding as early as June, but that is the exception. Bird books will tell you that lay dates are September-February, with most eggs being laid December- January. For us, October 28 is the latest laying recorded since the study began, Darby said. "I can only guess at the lateness of this year with perhaps more questions than answers, mostly given that they have been around from August onwards, lots of courtship and mating, but then suddenly when the first egg appears, three additional pairs lay within a bracket of four days. Social facilitation seems to be a possible factor. "However, the season has been unusual particularly with the high variation in lake levels, but with the lake being mostly higher than usual." Other possibilities are disturbance from nearby developments, Darby said. "Many of the birds are wintering over in Stevenson's Arm, but mostly we don't know where they go. Most do migrate during winter, but they complicate things by only doing migratory flights after dark. Hence crash landings on Mt Iron and the Frankton industrial area." The grebe study is now in its eighth year, but there has been a parallel study at Lake Hayes, Darby said. "I am delighted to report that the Friends of Lake Hayes have taken over the monthly counts I used to do at Hayes. Additionally, they have also instituted an awe-inspiring predator trapping programme (98 kills this last year) and are extensively planting around the lake." Up to February of this year, the programme had recorded 174 breeding attempts (nests), 570 eggs and 256 chicks and most of that could not have happened if not for the support of the marina folk, particularly the berth holders who allow grebes to park their nests alongside their boats, Darby said.

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Following the recent funding announcement by Agriculture Minister, Hon Damien O’Connor, WAI Wānaka is proceeding with its Jobs for Nature work programmes, providing work for locals who have been impacted by COVID-19. The funding progresses action on local farm properties, helping to increase the capacity of landowners to safeguard the natural resources our community depends upon for both economic and wellbeing reasons. Prue Kane has been appointed as Project Manager and is already managing a workforce of 14 workers funded through the Sustainable Business Network’s Partnering to Plant programme for the past eight weeks. These workers have been undertaking spring planting and maintaining existing native planting sites planted by the community. Alongside the daily work activities, detailed planning is underway to link the Jobs for Nature programmes with work already happening across the catchment. Examples of actions already being carried out by catchment groups in Lake Hāwea, Cardrona, Hāwea Flat, Maungawera, Luggate and Lake Wānaka include water testing, regenerative farming, riparian planting, farm plans, and wetland restoration. These initiatives demonstrate the tremendous willingness of local landowners to support environmental outcomes. WAI Wānaka will work collaboratively with stakeholders to maximise catchment-wide benefits. The increasing focus on sustainable farm operations is particularly important in the Upper Clutha, where local landowners face complex environmental and land management challenges on many fronts as a result of factors such as climate change, escalating pest problems, tourism, landuse change and urban development pressures.

PHOTO: Prue Kane

Jobs for Nature team gearing up for work.

Jobs for Nature work programmes can assist and accelerate the delivery of native planting, wetland restoration, pest management and biodiversity enhancement projects. WAI Wānaka is also in discussion with research partners across the country to pilot tools to support the monitoring and evaluation of environmental outcomes and to help understand where and how to plan restoration activities and best target mitigation options. There are also opportunities to step up biosecurity actions through broadening

pest control work already being done by Otago Regional Council and other organisations. WAI Wānaka is keen to work in partnership to deliver enduring benefits for landowners, the community and the environment through Jobs for Nature work programmes and encourages community members and local organisations wishing to share ideas or suggestions to email prue@waiwanaka.nz. More information about WAI Wānaka is available at www.waiwanaka.nz. – By Wai Wānaka

Campaign to avoid spread of aquatic pests Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) biosecurity team will be out and about again this summer encouraging water users to Check, Clean, Dry to stop the spread of invasive aquatic pests like lagarosiphon. The national campaign, led by the Ministry for Primary Industries, asked people to check all gear for any plant material and remove it, clean all gear thoroughly or dry it before using it in another waterway. ORC Environmental Officer and Check Clean Dry Advocate Mandy Dalziel said the team surveyed 630 people in Otago last summer on their knowledge of freshwater pests and their actions to stop the spread.

“The number of people we surveyed was the second-highest in the country, which was a great result despite some bad weather. We also achieved our goal of reaching a broader audience and targeting more remote areas,” she said. “Otago’s lakes and rivers are a great holiday destination for fishing, water skiing, kayaking and swimming–all of which can spread aquatic pests like lagarosiphon and didymo.” Lagarosiphon was a pest in ORC’s Regional Pest Management Plan under site-led programmes because of its threat to the biodiversity and recreational values of waterways. “The results of last year’s survey showed that the majority of respondents could identify a freshwater pest such as didymo, lagarosiphon or lake snow and were keen to learn more,” Dalziel said.

While a majority of the people surveyed said they always followed Check, Clean, Dry protocols between waterways, some respondents said they never followed protocols because aquatic weeds like didymo were already present in waterways. “This is a really worrying perception, and we’ll be working to spread awareness of the wide range of aquatic pests that can threaten Otago’s waterways,” Dalziel said. “There are so many people in the community doing their part to protect our waterways from the impacts of freshwater pests and their work is greatly appreciated. Our next challenge is to reinforce the importance of the Check, Clean, Dry method in all circumstances to stop the spread of a wide range of freshwaters pests, and not just didymo.”

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PAGE 9

Sun Cromwell

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Water park receives 160 job applications

PHOTO: Terry Marshall

2020 Endurance Champions: the Heart of Racing team use the exposure of their racing program to partner with paediatric hospitals across the globe.

Endurance Champions crowned in Cromwell Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The New Zealand Endurance Champions were crowned at Highlands Motorsport Park, Cromwell, last Saturday, November 7, after a day of emotional and passionate racing. The NZ Endurance Championship is the conclusion of a consolidated period of racing in both the North Island and South Island Endurance Series. The top 20 cars from each event are invited to the one off, winner takes all, finale. Heart of Racing Team Alex Riberas and Darren Kelly won the Three-Hour title, aiming to raise money and awareness for charity PHOTO: Supplied partner and NZ child healthcare provider the Each park is unique, but the set up will look something like this. The colours will be blue and yellow in Starship Foundation. recognition of it being the first water park in Otago. delays with securing consent for the project “It’s impossible to explain and describe what Joanna Perry and was expected to arrive in New Zealand on we feel right now,” said Riberas. “It’s an absolute newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz December 13. After set-up and training were honour to be here and be part of an unbelievable New Zealand’s first large-scale inflatable water complete, she hoped to open the park around park, Kiwi Water Park, is set to open on Lake December 22. The location of the park, near Lowburn, was Dunstan just before Christmas this year. The Facebook page for the park was created chosen for Lake Dunstan’s warmer temperatures on November 3 and advertised for staff - and its central location to Wānaka, Queenstown including customer service and promo staff - on and the wider Central Otago region. “Lake Wakatipu only gets to 12 degrees in November 4. Rutherford said that the response had been summer whereas Lake Dunstan gets to 22 degrees “overwhelming.” In one week, the Facebook page in the middle of summer. It will be more pleasant had over 6,500 followers, 5,500 likes, and received for people and easier for many people to access.” The park’s consent has been granted for six over 160 job applications - most of which were from people living in Wānaka. “We’ve had a lot of years from December 1 to March 31, and will applications from ski and snowboard instructors employ around 15 members of staff including lifeguards, front desk operators and night time at Cardrona and Treble Cone,” she said. Queenstown businesswoman Emily security guards for the first year. It will be yellow Rutherford said the 10,000 square metres of and blue, in recognition of it being the first water inflatable equipment needed to set up the park park in Otago. “It’s going to be so much fun,” said Rutherford. was still en route from China - after significant

group of people and cause at Starship Hospital. They were followed by defending champions Neil Foster/Jonny Reid in second place, and Scott O’Donnell/Liam Lawson in third. Junior Racing Program driver 18-year-old Liam Lawson was returning to what he called his “favourite track in the world” after spending the last year in Europe and competing in the 2020 Formula 3 Championship. Christchurch’s Marco Schelp won the 2020 New Zealand Endurance Championship OneHour title after a tight 60-minute battle with second-placed Matt Whittaker, followed by Sam Collins/Nick Ross in third. “That was a really, really, good race,” said Schelp. “It has been awesome. On the out lap I had goosebumps, it was so exciting.” COO Josie Spillane said the team at Highlands were already looking forward to 2022, when they would be host to the NZ Endurance Championships for the third time.

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64 Shortcut Road, Cromwell Ph: 03 445 4142 Email: cellardoor@wooingtree.co.nz www.wooingtree.co.nz PAGE 10

THURSDAY 12.11.20 - WEDNESDAY 18.11.20

THE WĀNAKA SUN

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Sun News

MAC senior students excel in awards ceremony Mt Aspiring College had its Senior Awards Ceremony on November 4. It was a night of celebration. The highlights of the awards are as follows: National Achievements Holly Gibson, Laura Neale, Kiera Gray, Isobel Smith, Cecilia Gardner, Olly Thomas, Siena Shotwell, Luca Georgalli, Jaimee Vink, Ollie Blyth (show quest 2020 national winners), Ollie Blyth (young Shakespeare national selection), Benjamin Silipo (swimming), Scarlett Norman, Abby Fisher, Georgie Bruce (athletics), Ines Stephani (tennis), Hannah Prosser, Zach Smith, Georgia Prosser, Leo Staufenberg, Jack Findlay, Campbell Wright, Laurie Watson (triathlon). Premier Sports Awards Lukas Schafer (fairplay), Abby Fisher (girls sports), Campbell Wright (boys sports and international achievement in cross country skiing and biathlon). Service awards Abigail Winter, Aimee McArthur, Ana Gibson, Annabel Carter, Annika Gibson, Aria Bibby, Ashley MacCulloch, Billea-Nova Chin-Nyika, Czaliya Viloria, Emily Heath, Emma Hutchinson, Emma Smith, Isobel Smith, Jack Findlay, Jaimee Vink, Jessie McKenzie, Joel Suddaby, Jono Watson, Julie Autet, Kate Goodsell, Katie Hoffman, Kiera Gray, Libby Bron, Lillian Eastwood, Luca Georgalli, Lucy Jeffries, Lukas Schafer, Maddy Thompson, Maggie Miller, Maude Rogers, Meg Breen, Michael Gealogo, Ned Hudson, Olive Pujol, Oliver Clements, Paris Woodhouse, Phoebe Wood, Pip Crowley, Quinn Curtis, Rata Horan, Renae Fitzgibbon, Sammy Harry, Siena Shotwell, Sophie Fenn, Sophie Hodgkiss-Blyth,

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Sylvie Frater, Willow Strawson, Zelda Boyd, Zoe Labes (students in the community with distinction). Duke of Edinburgh’s Hillary Award: Kahu Allan,Olivia Jones, Amelia Mitchell, Isla Gellatly, Mackenzie Barnett, Ashleigh Doran, Alexa McKay (bronze), Kahu Allan, Tao HawkeyHight, Whitney Bennett, Gracie Cartlidge, Siena Shotwell, Neve Stalker, Annabel Carter, Olly Thomas (silver), Emily Heath, Aimee McArthur, Siena Shotwell (gold), Lukas Schafer, Emma Smith, Abigail Winter, Billea-Nova Chin-Nyika (house), Phoebe Wood (top hosteller), Isobel Smith, Abigail Winter (special recognition), BilleaNova Chin-Nyika (student council recognition), Julie Autet (whole-hearted contribution). Cultural awards Tawhiri Rupapera (mana pounamu) Jessie McKenzie (te korowai o te maatauranga), Lillian Eastwood (music), Ruby Burke (art), Siena Shotwell (drama), Isobel Smith (speech), Ollie Blyth (writing). Scholarships Helene Price, Hannah Craig(leadership), Aimee McArthur (medical), Maggie Miller (hospitality), Olive Pujol, Jack Findlay, Oliver Clements, Meg Breen, Jono Watson, Ryan Schmack, Lukas Schafer, Kiera Gray, Rata Horan, Czaliya Viloria, Ben McNabb (leadership and role-model), Zelda Boyd (engineering), Luca Georgalli, Jessie McKenzie, Owen Lea (music), Siena Shotwell (law), Jaydon Jordi (technology), Quinn Curtis (design), Katey Donovan (vocational). Premier awards Siena Shotwell (dux), Michael Gealogo (proxime accessit), Emily Heath (best all round

Best all-round boy Michael Gealogo and best all-round girl Emily Heath with Lions Club President Phil Beaufoy.

girl), Michael Gealogo (best all round boy). 2020 Proximae Accessit of Mount Aspiring College Michael Gealogo has attained academic excellence of the highest order in Calculus, Physics, Economics and Physical Education. Next year Michael will be studying Engineering at the University of Canterbury. 2020 Dux of Mount Aspiring College Siena Shotwell has attained academic excellence in Art Design, Art Painting, English and Drama. Next year Siena will be studying Law and Arts at the University of Canterbury. Emily Heath – 2020 Best All-Round Girl This year's best all round girl is Emily Heath. Passionate, driven and unreservedly altruistic,

THURSDAY 12.11.20 - WEDNESDAY 18.11.20

Emily is the epitome of this award. Academically she has gained two NCEA excellence endorsements and is on track for another. In her chosen sport, swimming, she has gained numerous titles and is also a keen adventure racer. Consistently focused on others Emily has given countless hours to the service of others and she was also the driving force behind the 40 Hour famine group which raised $25,000 - the most of any single campus school in New Zealand. The winner of a 2020 Class Act award, a World Vision Scholarship and a Duke of Edinburgh Gold award Emily Heath is a deserving recipient for best all round girl. Next year Emily will be studying Veterinary Science at Massey University. Michael Gealogo – 2020 Best All-Round Boy This year's best all round boy is Michael Geologo. With a strong academic, sporting and service record - Michael is a passionate and inspiring leader. Academically he has achieved an excellence endorsement every year, He is a member of the sports committee, the 40-hour famine committee, the racial awareness group and a whanau leader. In the sporting arena he is a member of the first XI football team, is a member of the senior men’s league and has coached many younger players. He has excelled in his leadership role of Head Boy, received a Whanau Leadership Excellence award and gained a Students in Community distinction. A deserving recipient of the Best All round Boy, next year Michael will begin a Bachelor or Engineering with Honors at Canterbury University. – By Mount Aspiring College

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Sun News

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INBRIEF Rob Roy track to open this summer The Rob Roy track in the Mt Aspiring National Park could be open again this summer. The popular hiking track closed in July 2019 after erosion undercut part of the track. A Department of Conservation (DOC) spokesperson said the department was re-routing approximately 600m of the damaged track but that it would have to reach certain standards before being opened to the public again. DOC said that finding a route that would not be affected by erosion had taken some time. DOC said an assessment of environmental impacts had been completed, pricing was underway, and contractors were being sought to complete the re-route. Hāwea Mountain Bike Park off to flying start It was thrills and spills last weekend at the opening of the new Tuwhakaroria mountain bike park at Lake Hawea. Dozens of cyclist tried out the professionally designed trails, at times causing gridlock chaos. Tim Dennis of Bike Wānaka said the park, which cost $40,000 and was on QLDC land, was easy access for young mountain bikers in the Hawea area. SDHB advises on protection against Legionnaires’ disease With the arrival of spring and better weather for gardening, public health officials are reminding people about the importance of safe handling of potting mix, compost and soil to protect themselves against a potentially fatal illness, Legionnaires’ disease. Southern District Health Board (SDHB) medical officer of health Susan Jack said

Legionnaires’ disease, also known as legionellosis, is a type of pneumonia caused by the legionella bacteria. Legionella bacteria commonly live in potting mix, compost and soil. “Legionellosis is preventable and Southern DHB’s public health unit is working proactively to make more people aware of the risks associated with handling potting mix, compost and soil, so fewer people will develop Legionnaires’ disease, be admitted to hospital or die,” she said. More accessible pay equity measures come into force Employees in female-dominated occupations now have a clearer pathway to pay equity, with changes to New Zealand’s Equal Pay Act coming into force last Satruday, said Minister for Workplace Relations and Safety Michael Wood, and Minister for Women Jan Tinetti. Currently, there are more than 86,000 New Zealanders progressing 15 pay equity claims in education, health and the public sector. In the last term of Government, 23,600 employees have received a pay equity settlement. Pay Equity settlements have seen up to 30 per cent pay increases for claimants. “The Equal Pay Amendment Act passed unanimously in July, creating an accessible process to work through pay equity claims. This is one of the biggest gains for gender equity in the workplace since the Equal Pay Act 1972,” said Tinetti.

WĀNAKA BRIDGE CLUB RESULTS Monday 2 Nov Silver Chamionship Pairs Final Ladder: 1st Sherril Harries Maggie Stratford 57.73% 2nd Ken Saxby Martin Unwin 54.16% 3rd Marc Simmonds Allan Kelly 54.08%. Tuesday 3 Nov: North/South: 1st Robyn Gilchrist Glenda Webb 63.89% 2nd Heather Wellman Blair Coghill 53.17% 3rd Eleanor Jessep Eddie Lowe 49.14% East/West: 1st John Schwarz Martin Jacques 66.73% 2nd Robert Kaplan Dorothy Fennell 63.49% 3rd Helen MillarLesley Hook 56.68%. Wednesday – Championship Pairs 9: North/South: 1st Bridget McCaughan Sonya Adams 58.50% 2nd Robert Kaplan Dorothy Fennell 53.50% 3rd Carole Turner Carol Orbell 49.50% East/ West 1st Philip Jay Ali Walker 59.00% 2nd Jude Gunn Noeline Munro 54.00% 3rd Doug Hall Rachel Hall 52.00% Final Ladder 1st Bridget McCaughan Sonya Adams 54.55% 2nd Jude Gunn Noeline Munro 54.43% 3rd Carole Turner Carol Orbell 53.84% Friday 6 Nov: North/South: 1st Bridget McCaughan Sonya Adams 59.72% 2nd Joy Baxter Barbara Waterworth 59.03% 3rd Liz Hawker Martin Unwin 58.10% East/ West: 1st Martin Jacques Peter Hart 59.26% 2nd Lynne Fegan Maggie Stratford 56.25% 3rd Madeleine Reveley Jenny Muir 53.94%. Monday – Xmas Pairs 1: North/South: 1st Michael Chapman – Smith Martin Unwin 57.91% 2nd Maggie Stratford Allan Kelly 54.27% 3rd Brian McCandless Judy Briggs 53.85% East / West 1st Madeleine Reveley Vivienne Christie 61.34% 2nd Dorothy McDonald Sherril Harries 59.72% 3rd Barbara Waterworth Jenny Muir 57.64%.

of Road Safety Week 2020 (9-15 November), as a survey from Brake, the road safety charity shows almost a third of respondents feel at risk from road danger on their street. This year Road Safety Week, which is coordinated by Brake and sponsored by QBE Insurance and Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency, has the theme Step Up for Safe Streets, and people around the country will be learning about, shouting about, and celebrating the design-led solutions of the safe system approach to road safety that can help us to reduce road deaths and injuries and to get around in safe and healthy ways. National Road Policing Manager Gini Welch says we really wish that road safety was something people focused on every week. “Our Police are out on the roads every day trying to prevent harm but we really need the help of everybody who uses the road.”

First Central Otago NZ young winemaker of the year Ben Tombs from Central Otago has been named the 2020 Tonnellerie de Mercurey NZ Young Winemaker of the Year. Ben is Assistant Winemaker at Peregrine Wines in the Gibbston Valley and the first Young Winemaker from Central Otago to win the competition. The other national finalists were Ben McNab from Matahiwi in Wairarapa and Peter Russell from Matua in Marlborough, who both took out sections of the competition, showing the Road Safety Week campaign launches, calls very high calibre of contestants taking part. The judges were hugely impressed with their on everyone to StepUp for safe streets Communities across New Zealand will be knowledge, passion and professionalism calling for safer streets and Going Yellow as part throughout the day.

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EDITORIAL

Get your vote in for Bird of the Year Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

The Forest & Bird Bird of the Year competition has become quite the phenomenon over the past 16 years it has been running. Forty thousand votes have been placed this year so far. A few years ago, I had a friend who was working as an aid worker in Afghanistan. Way out in the middle of nowhere. He had heard about New Zealand's Bird of the Year! His emailed comment to me at the time was; "New Zealand has Bird of the Year, we have Trump." He was being facetious. A Google search shows me that the (UK) Guardian has articles on the Bird of the Year. It also warrants a page on Wikipedia. Last year there was a suspected Russian hacking scandal, although Forest & Bird said there was no evidence of this. Votes from Russia were the fourth most of any overseas country with 335, after Australia (684), the UK (682) and the US (563). So the competition has a few overseas fans- hardly a "hacking scandal." Votes had to be confirmed via an email address to count, and only 193 votes from Russia were included in the final tally. In comparison, New Zealand had more than 16,000 votes with 12,600 of them confirmed. However! About 1500 fraudulent votes have been cast for the little spotted kiwi in the last few days. The votes briefly pushed the kiwi (pukupuku) to the top of the preferred bird leaderboard, but they have subsequently been removed. The votes were cast in the early hours of Monday morning and the fraud was discovered that afternoon. So Bird of the Year is serious, contentious,

competitive stuff. Unfortunately, many of New Zealand's native birds are in trouble and need our help. About 75 per cent of land PHOTO: Wikipedia.org birds and 90 per cent of My vote is for the tui seabirds are threatened that spent time in the or at risk of extinction. tree outside my door. Their habitats are being destroyed or degraded by introduced predators, pollution, human development, and climate change. Voting for Bird of the Year is based on an instant runoff voting (IRV) system, which is similar to the method we use in local elections. When you vote, you can rank up to five of your favourite birds, with #1 indicating your favourite bird, #2 indicating your second favourite bird, and so on. It's no problem if you want to vote for less than five birds. In the IRV voting system, the first preferences of all the votes cast are tallied in the first round of counting. If no bird has more than half of the votes, new rounds of counting are held until one bird has a majority. In each of these rounds, the bird with the lowest number of votes is eliminated and the next ranked choice of those who voted for that bird is added to the totals of the remaining birds. This process continues until one bird has a majority of votes and is crowned Bird of the Year. So why not vote? You can do so at https://www.birdoftheyear.org.nz/ My vote is for the tui. Mainly because I was sitting at my desk in Albert Town a couple of weeks ago when there was a tremendous, tuneful racket out the door. Tui I thought incredulously, and when I rushed out onto the deck, there is was perched up in the beech tree not 10 metres away from me. I listened to it trill and warble until it flew off five minutes later. It hasn't been back, but I wait in hope.

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LETTER TO THE EDITOR To submit a letter for possible publication in the Wānaka Sun, please send it via email to editor@thewanakasun.co.nz. Letters can also be sent by private message on our Facebook page. Letters may be edited or abridged. Letters of no more than 300 words are preferred.

Central Lakes Jobs Fair Thursday 26 November 9.00am – 3.00pm Queenstown Memorial Centre

Crimeline Bopp C Calvin Constable, NZPD Hello all, hope your week has been a good one. The lads and lasses of Wānaka Police have had a mixed bag of a week. Some misguided youths kicked the week off with an attempt at shoplifting. Their try at the five-finger discount method was thwarted by eagle-eyed staff. They were promptly confronted and confessed to their indiscretion. Hopefully, a lesson learned for them. Dishonesty offending can become a sticking point for one’s future. A vehicle crash also occurred at the Anderson Road roundabout. Please take care and time at intersections. Tuesday was quiet. Here is a message from our newly minted Sergeant CRANFIELD: “Over the next few weeks during the lead up the Christmas and New Year the Prevention team, with other community support groups, will be delivering messages to parents and Wānaka youth about alcohol over the Christmas/New Year period. We see a huge influx of youths into Wānaka who congregate along the southern end of town in the evenings. It is common to hear the jingle of bottles in their backpacks (and they’re not milk bottles). Our focus is to keep your children safe, and we will be putting measures in place to achieve this”. Wednesday saw another vehicle collision,

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this time between an innocent road user and an insecure load from the opposite road user. Thursday saw a report of poisoned trees and cut irrigation at a development. We have hotlines of inquiry. Two out of town workers stole some money from someone. They were quickly identified and dealt with. A sudden death was attended, and our thoughts are with the friends and family. Friday, also quiet. Senior Constable Adrian KERIN says: ”For those wishing to reduce the population of the Oryctolagus Cuniculus (European Rabbit) with firearms, the cardinal rules of firearms still apply. There have been recent incidents of firearms being discharged and properties receiving damage. Police would like to reiterate the safety message around firearm usage with particular emphasis on identifying your target and what’s around and behind it. Realizing that the vast majority of firearms holders and users in the area are well aware of their duties and obligations Police would like to offer this as a safety reminder. Saturday and Sunday were well under par for a weekend. Be aware of scams involving “Neo capital” and BlockChain”. Don’t get involved. Lastly, there was lots of jewellery delivered from the Wānaka swimming pool and Recreation Centre to the station this week so call in if you’ve lost something. Have a great week, everyone. Stay safe.

Are you an employer looking to fill vacancies, or someone looking for work? The Central Lakes Jobs Fair will have plenty of local employers with vacancies to fill. Come along, connect with potential new employers and leave with a job. The Central Lakes Jobs Fair is free and all are welcome to attend.

THURSDAY 12.11.20 - WEDNESDAY 18.11.20

PHONE 03 441 0499 EMAIL services@qldc.govt.nz WEB www.qldc.govt.nz/kia-kaha

Employers: If you’re an employer with vacancies and you’d like to attend the Jobs Fair, please register at www.qldc.govt.nz/kia-kaha

PAGE 13

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EVERY LETTERBOX EVERY THURSDAY Is your Wānaka Sun delivered every Thursday? If not, email your address to admin@thewanakasun.co.nz or phone us on 03 443 5252

SUN TEAM

WĀNAKA’S INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER ISSUE 1000 Free delivery to Wānaka, Cromwell and surrounds, PO boxes in Makarora, Cromwell, Haast, Wānaka, Albert Town and Hāwea. Also distributed to businesses in the Wānaka business district Average circulation: 15,000 weekly. Phone: 03 443 5252 • Fax: 03 443 5250 Editor: Pat Deavoll • 0274 487 741 editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalist: Ollie Blyth • journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Joanna Perry • 021 736 740 newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: adrep@thewanakasun.co.nz Admin: Benn Ashford • 021 956 740 admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Mail: PO Box 697, Wānaka Deadlines: Display Advertising 4pm Friday prior to publication. marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz 03 443 5252 Classified Advertising 5pm Monday prior admin@thewanakasun.co.nz Subscriptions: $175 within NZ (including GST) per year. Overseas rates on request. Remittances to PO Box 697, Wānaka, NZ.

PUBLIC NOTICE

UPPER CLUTHA HOSPICE TRUST BOARD PROPOSED CHANGES TO ITS TRUST DEED – CONTRIBUTORS MEETING The Upper Clutha Hospice Trust Board (“The Trust”) is proposing to amend its Trust Deed as follows: • To extend the Objects of the Trust to better reflect the activities and services that the Trust is providing for the terminally ill in the Upper Clutha District • To strengthen the Administrative Procedures under which the Trust operates We are required to consult on our proposals with contributors to the Trust under Part 4 of the Charitable Trusts Act 1957. Contributors are entitled to vote on the proposed variations and may propose their own variations, under section 44 of the Act. Contributors may also request payment of their contribution to the Trust, under section 49 of the Act. Accordingly, the Trust invites contributors to a public meeting to be held as follows: 2:00pm, Wednesday November 18, 2020 St John Ambulance Conference Room, 4 Link Way, Wanaka To establish their status as Contributors, attendees will be required to produce evidence of their contribution, appear on the Trust’s Donors register or to agree their contribution with a Trustee at the meeting’s reception. Details of the proposed changes are set out on the Trust’s website at www.uppercluthahospicetrust. org, or may be obtained on written request to the Trust’s Secretary at PO Box 779, Wanaka or to info@ uppercluthahospicetrust.org

PUBLIC NOTICE Notice to Creditors and other Claimants All persons having claims against the Estate of Susan Laurie DeDera (also known as Susan Laura DeDera), formerly of Raumati in New Zealand, Company Director, who died on 2 August 2020, are required to send details of their claims on or before 12 December 2020 to the offices of Gibson Sheat Lawyers, P O Box 2966, Wellington 6140. They are warned that after that date the Executor of the Estate may administer or distribute the Estate having regard only to claims received. Claims due and owing at the date of death should be so certified. This notice is published under section 35 of the Trustee Act 1956 by the Executor Michael Eric Gould.

Russell McGeorge UCHTB Chairman and Meeting Convener

PAGE 14

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NOTICES

THANKS

Cut rags (100% cotton) and drop cloths, only $7 for a big bag. Now in the yard container at Wastebusters. Open 9-5 seven days. Business Networking International. The Wanaka chapter of BNI meets weekly at 7am Tuesday morning. Great networking opportunity to grow your business. Contact Randal Dobbs for information 021 973 043 The Salvation Army Family store is able to collect your donations, this service is available one day a week please phone the store on 443 5068 to make a booking.

Thanks to everyone who comes to Wastebusters to donate goods, shop and recycle. Your support helps us work for zero waste and a resourceful community.

SERVICES Wanaka Pharmacy is your local pharmacy. We’re the big pharmacy at the top of Helwick Street open from 8am until 7pm every single day. Ph 443 8000. The Salvation Army Family Store is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm and Saturdays 9.30am to 4pm and most statutory holidays. We look forward to seeing you in our wonderful store.

WANTED The Salvation Army Family Store requires good quality household goods, if you can help this would be appreciated. Your donations can be dropped at 48 Helwick street or phone for a pick up 443 5068.

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STORAGE Clean, dry, safe storage available now. Ezystor Self Storage, 12 Gordon Road, Wānaka, Ph: 021 242 1630.

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Cardrona dumping a “kick in the teeth”

HIKING COLUMN

Roy’s Peak and marmite

PHOTOS: Supplied

Despite the Wānaka Transfer Station being close by, dumping has continued at the Cardrona riverbed site. PHOTO: Supplied

If you’re a ‘no-pain-no-gain, reap the rewards at the end’ kind of a tramper, and you’re not too bothered about how you get there (or back), Roy’s could be perfect.

Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

The weather wasn’t especially pleasant last weekend, and I’m afraid to say I’m a fair-weather hiker, so I stayed inside instead. However, in honour of the re-opening of the Roy’s Peak track after lambing season, I’d like to take this opportunity to discuss this famous - or infamous - day hike. It strikes me that the 16km return tramp of 1,200 vertical metres is a bit like marmite you either love it or you hate it. Tourists talk of the incredible panoramic views; locals talk of the incredible numbers of tourists. I’ve done it as both a tourist and a local, but my view on this particular ‘must-do’ hike hasn’t really changed. If you’re a ‘nopain-no-gain, reap the rewards at the end’ kind of a tramper, and you’re not too bothered about how you get there (or back), Roy’s could be perfect. If you’re

of the ‘it’s about the journey, not the destination’ ilk, maybe hike elsewhere. Because, yes, the views of the lake and mountains are about as lovely as they come - but the track, quite frankly, is boring. And steep. The well-groomed, zig zagging 4WD track is so invariable, in fact, that, after pushing my way to the top for two hours, I ran back down to get it over with faster. It was a great workout, but it wasn’t super fun - although I did enjoy watching the line of people queuing up to take the perfectly posed picture for Instagram at the viewpoint. Still, mountains don’t get famous for nothing. And if the flashing torches, visible from town in the middle of the night, of the brave people trudging up there for sunrise is anything to go by, maybe I’ve missed a trick.

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Joanna Perry

newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz

Illegal dumping has continued along the banks of the Cardrona River, in the face of a large-scale clean up operation run by locals at the start of September. Clean up the Cardrona coordinator Chrissie Thomson said she was “extremely frustrated by the blatant bad behaviour of some of our locals,” adding that it felt like “a kick in the teeth after good people have given time to clean the area up.” Eighteen local volunteers picked up 1.2 tonnes of rubbish along several kilometres of the river between State Highway 6 and the Ballantyne Rd bridge

On Monday, new signs were erected by QLDC - but Thomson did not believe they would resolve the issue.

just two months ago. Thomson was still liaising with Land Information New Zealand (LINZ) to remove abandoned cars from the riverbed, as well as with the Wānaka Community Board to arrange for clearer signage in the area showing that dumping was prohibited. The current signage was small and “practically obscured” by the unmaintained broom that covered the area, she said. Jack Barlow, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) spokesperson, said: “While this land is under LINZ’s jurisdiction, QLDC is extremely disappointed to hear of continued dumping at the Cardrona riverbed site. Any rubbish dumped at the site could

potentially end up in the river. “There are plenty of places in the area where rubbish can be disposed of safely and legally, such as the Wānaka Transfer Station. While additional signage is only one part of a potential solution, it is something that is being explored by QLDC.” On Monday, new signs were erected by QLDC - but Thomson, who hoped to see the riverbed beautified and maintained as a recreational area for the community, did not believe they would resolve the issue. “These signs are small, impossible to read unless you are stopped beside it,” she said. “I don’t think people who drive in to tip would notice them.”

SITUATION VACANT SALES REPRESENTATIVE AND MARKETING COORDINATOR – FULL TIME Are you a skilled multi-tasker who loves variety, responsibility and can prioritise workloads? Are you a sharp thinker experienced in sales and customer service with skills in marketing (print and digital) and MS Office. If you answered YES! We have a job for you! We are a supplier to the hospitality and accommodation sector. Product knowledge in these sectors would be a real asset in this role. We require an experienced sales rep and customer service star to become a key member of the Central Wholesale team. This is an exciting role for the right person with lots of involvement and variety. This position requires someone who can excel in a wide range of duties including sales, creation of marketing material, general office duties, order taking, answering customer queries, serving in our retail store and supporting our team. A full drivers license is required. You must be an NZ resident If you are interested and want to know more we would love to hear from you. Email your covering letter and CV to manager@centralwholesale.co.nz.

SCHOOL CARETAKER

(permanent part time - approximately 20 hours per week) We are seeking a flexible, capable and enthusiastic caretaker for our new school, Te Kura O Take Kārara in Wānaka, commencing mid January 2021. Key functions will include: • Building Maintenance - Internal and External • Grounds and Playgrounds Checks and Maintenance • Health & Safety Audits and Inspection Systems A job description is available on request with more detail of the role. Full training will be provided for all operating systems but experience would be an advantage. Applications can be emailed to office@takekarara.school.nz Or posted to PO Box 815, Wānaka 9343 Applications close 27th November 2020 THURSDAY 12.11.20 - WEDNESDAY 18.11.20

SOLE CHARGE PAYROLL & ACCOUNTS ADMINISTRATOR Wanaka Pharmacy is looking for an ambitious, career orientated Sole Charge Payroll & Accounts Administrator to join their small friendly team. This is a fast-paced environment so we are looking for people that can grow with the business and bring their own unique passion and energy to the office. This is a permanent partime role where you will enjoy a mix of accounts and payroll (about 80/20%). You will be responsible for: • Completion of the fortnightly payroll cycle ensuring the accuracy of time records • Reconcile Bank accounts and generate payment batches as required for authorisation • Manage and report on current month cashflow and cashflow projections • Maintenance of General Ledger and preparation of monthly journals • Ensure accurate and timely reconciliation of weekly AR and monthly AP • Handle all major creditor and statutory payments, ensuring all tax payments are paid on time • Assist with the preparation of budgets in conjunction with Management ABOUT YOU You are passionate about your career and you love accounting. You have good people skills, are patient, and approachable. Coupled with this you will have solid payroll and accounts administration experience, absolute attention to detail, and the ability to pick up systems quickly. You enjoy a small team environment, are selfmotivated and deadline-driven. SOUND LIKE YOU? Please send your CV to: Aaron Heath Wanaka Pharmacy, P O Box 45, Wānaka or email to aaron@pembroke.co.nz. Applications will only be considered and acknowledged where the candidate has the immigration status to live and work in New Zealand.

Phone: 03 443 8000 | Top of Helwick St, Wānaka

OPEN: MON-SAT 8AM TO 6PM | SUN 10AM TO 6PM

PAGE 15

Sun Sport

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West Indies cricket to It’s All Go At The Wānaka Bowling Club play in Queenstown Pat Deavoll

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz

Cricket fans are in for a treat when the West Indies cricket team plays two matches against a New Zealand A side at John Davies Oval in late November. It will be Queenstown’s first visit from a top-level cricket team since 2014. Mayor Jim Boult said the matches would prove a welcome, and fun, boost to the town and its economy. “One of the ways Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is supporting the local economy is by bringing events to town,” Boult said. “We’ve had our fair share of disappointments recently, such as missing out on both the New Zealand Golf Open and hosting teams for the Rugby Championship, so hosting one of world cricket’s top teams feels especially rewarding.” Boult said the teams would also work with local clubs and cricketers during their time in Queenstown. “Cricket has been blossoming here in Queenstown, with local clubs seeing record turnout across all age groups. It’s the perfect time to be building a relationship with New Zealand Cricket (NZC), and the ties being made during this series will last long into the future.”

“This is just the beginning of highlevel cricket returning to the district.” NZC chief executive David White said his organisation was delighted to schedule the two West Indies warm-up games in Queenstown, particularly given the difficult times the resort town has experienced. “These are important games for the tourists, as is the week of training ahead of them, and should provide a good spectacle for cricket fans in the region.” QLDC Sports and Recreation Manager Simon Battrick said the visit showed a welcome commitment from New Zealand Cricket, particularly in the wake of Queenstown’s recent golf and rugby misses. “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase international cricket in Queenstown,” Battrick said. “It will provide not just a strong economic return, but also an opportunity for the community to see international cricket players up close.” West Indies Queenstown matches: West Indies vs. New Zealand A, 3-Day Match, Friday 20 – Sunday 22 November 2020, 11.00am West Indies vs. New Zealand A, 4-Day Match, Thursday 26 – Sunday, 29 November 2020, 11.00am

Alison Hebbard(s), Yvonne Gale, Val Ransom and Elaine Herbert – winners of the Wānaka Bowling Club Women’s Championship Fours.

The summer bowls season is well and truly underway at the Wānaka Bowling Club with a full programme every week including men’s and women’s club days, club championships, Interclub and pennants events, Friday Progressive Bowls, and regular ‘in house’ events. Additionally, the club has been hosting a variety of groups that book in to have a bowling experience and social time - assisted by club members. It is a bustling place. Club Championship Bowls The first Club Championship Bowls Title for the 2020-2021 season has been decided. After two days play on Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 October the winner of the Wānaka Bowling Club Women’s Championship Fours was found. After day one of the competition, three teams out of the six entered remained: • Alison Hebbard(s), Val Ransom, Elaine Herbert, Yvonne Gale (2 lives)

DESIGNED TO MAKE A

LASTING IMPRESSION www.laing.co.nz PAGE 16

Bill Turnbull(s), Alice Turnbull and Frank Ruddimanwinners of the Mixed Triples Tournament for the Purvis Cup.

• Delma Guy(s), Marg Young, Kate Norman, Alice Turnbull (one life) • Rhonda Hurley(s), Pauline Hope, Madeleine Wilson Jan Allen (one life) On Day 2 Delma Guy’s and Rhonda Hurley’s teams played against each other for a place in the final, in what turned out to be a closely fought game, with Delma Guy’s team coming out the winner. The final, between the unbeaten team of Alison Hebbard and Delma Guy’s team proved to be a great contest, which was enjoyed by about 30 spectators. Delma’s team got off to a good start, leading 6-1 after three ends, but by the 7th end Alison’s team took the lead 9-8 after scoring a 5. Some ‘cliff-hanging’ ends followed, with possession of the jack regularly changing hands. Try as they might, Delma’s team was unable to score further, with the final result being 19-8 to Alison’s team, who remained unbeaten in the championship.

Purvis Cup Thursday 5 November was a beautiful Wānaka evening for the Club’s Mixed Triples Tournament for the Purvis Cup. It was also a surprisingly quiet evening in Wānaka, given it was Guy Fawkes night. Instead of rockets, sparklers and Jumping Jacks the only fireworks seemed to occur on the bowling rink with 16 Mixed Triples teams competing with enthusiasm and without gunpowder but with firepower. It was a very close fought competition with only three points separating the top three teams who were all unbeaten with three wins each. • 1st Bill Turnbull(s), Alice Turnbull, Frank Ruddiman 77pts • 2nd Tom Malcolm(s), Bev Mee, Heather Malcolm 76pts • 3rd Ken Allison(s), Ian Fletcher, Ava Saunders 75pts • 4th John Maddison(s),Margaret Parker, Lyn Leary 53pts – By Peter Wilson

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