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2 WEDNESDAY 25 MARCH 2015
Briefly
Park archive grows quickly
A Facebook page set up to build an archive
of photos and memories of holidays spent in
the Abel Tasman National Park has grown
fast! The page, “Down the Bay”, was set up by
Wilsons Abel Tasman called “Memories of Abel
Tasman National Park”, to capture classic local
stories about life, work and holidays in the park.
It’s is open to all people with fond memories of
the Abel Tasman coast. It has 146 members and
makes interesting viewing if you enjoy a slice of
history told through old colour slides and grainy
photos. “It’s a place to share memories, photos
and reconnect with old and future friends,” says
business owner Darryl Wilson, whose family has
had a strong connection with the park. People
can drop their photos and slides into Wilsons’
office in High Street to have them scanned.
“The most interesting stories each week have
been rewarded with boat trips to the bays.
A stunning total
Wow, Mahana School’s final total from it’s successful Sunday Fiesta is $13,500!
The pre-event raffles for firewood and a goodie
basket raised $1,358. Congratulations to the
Bulmer family who won the prize for the most
tickets sold. They won a family pass to the
Animal Farm Park. “This is an incredible total
and we can all be very proud of this achievement,” said Cathie Gould of the Mahana Home
and School Association “This will provide the
school with additional technology, furniture,
learning resources. All in all, it was a fantastic
day and we are so very grateful for every bit of
help, support, finance and creativity provided.”
Special Olympians
rolling in activities
By Tim O’Connell
For some at the
Special
Olympics
Indoor Bowling event
it was a chance to try
a new activity, while for
the more experienced
it was a chance for
some much-appreciated competition against
their Nelson counterparts.
The event began
with Christine Freeth
reciting the Special
Olympics oath- ‘Let me
win, but if I cannot win,
let me be brave in the
attempt’- before the
fours and pairs competitions got underway
between the Nelson
and Motueka Tier One
teams.
While the serious
bowlers tested their
skills against each
other, on the other mat
a large group of new
bowlers were being
introduced to the intricacies of the sport.
Indoor
Bowls
Coordinator
for
Motueka
Special
Olympics Liz Sheehan
was pleased with the
number of locals getting involved, especially those simply
coming along to have
a go.
“It’s a really good
day to give them a
chance to get an
understanding of the
game and have a bit
of fun” she said.
Ms Sheehan has
previously spent many
hours volunteering
with Paralympics in
England before coming to New Zealand
last July, culminating
in the London Games
of 2012.
Her new charges
were showing some
deft touches during
match play, subsequently making her
job easier.
“Some of them
have a better back
game than I do,” Ms
Sheehan said.
The event was one
of a handful of local
events for the Motueka
Special Olympics, with
a regional Tier Two
Bocce
tournament
scheduled for this
Saturday.
Equestrian, tenpin
bowling and swimming are also regularly
conducted locally, with
regular trainings held
at the respective facilities around Motueka.
Athletics is not yet
a part of the Special
Olympics programme
locally. A lack of volunteers and coaching is
a hurdle they need to
overcome in order to
meet any demand.
The initial goal
is to send as many
athletes as possible
to the National Tier
Three Competition at
Wellington in 2017.
‘True Stories’ needs your tales
The next True Stories session will be at Chanel Arts Centre April 24
and Hans Strub would love to hear from ‘new’ storytellers. The theme is
“Journeys into the Unknown”
“There’s no one I know who hasn’t travelled either physically or spiritually. We’d love to hear your story. There’ll be a coaching session and even
if you’re undecided about sharing your story why not take the opportunity
to attend the coaching? Actually storytelling is a lot easier than it seems”
Contact Han via the web site www.truestories.org.nz
Goodman floodlights
The desperate need to upgrade drainage at Memorial Park to make it
fit for winter football has led to a recommendation that $65,000 be spent
on installing floodlights at Goodman Park. The Motueka Community
Board debated and finally passed the move at its meeting on Tuesday.
Sportspark Motueka had been allocated money in the Annual Plan for
work on its proposed northern rugby field. Part of those funds had been
shifted to allow for the Memorial Park drainage upgrade, with the rest
going to floodlighting at Goodman Park. The drainage repair work is
about to start and will carry on through the winter months.
Floodlighting is needed as the 200-member Motueka Football Club
would have nowhere to train over winter months. Lighting will be suitable for training but not for night-time competition play. The vote to
move the funding sideways was passed on condition, that the funds for
the Sportspark work will be reinstated the following year.
Ian, Jim and Murray have their stay
At the public forum which starts community board meetings, several interesting suggestions were heard. Ian Miller suggested that part of Decks Reserve car park be covered, to enhance
the Sunday market and make it less dependent on the weather.
Murray Hellewell suggested that Motueka should purchase
at
least
one
of
Mahana
woodworker,
Woody
Woodward’s
creations to keep it here when he moves.
Jim Butler said he supports the building of a new library in Decks Reserve,
and he outlined a plan for how it could be financed. He also gave his
approval to raising the ‘special projects’ targeted rate to $10 as this is spent
within the local area on things that are important to locals.
Many thanks
Faith Wells, Red Cross Motueka’s secretary, thanks everyone who
supported its successful annual appeal. “New Zealand Red Cross is celebrating 100 years and we are grateful for your continuing support.”
New to New Zealand?
The Citizen’s Advice Bureau and Immigration New Zealand are holding
a free employment seminar covering the rights and obligations of workers.
It is being held in Motueka Community House, Deck’s Reserve on Friday
March 27 starting at 6:30pm. With presentations from our local Labour
Inspectorate for Fair workplaces and the Union Network of Migrants.
Complimentary drinks and nibbles will be available followed by a question and answer session.