Did You Know?

Review Team Report online

The Review Team Report to the Minister of Local Government on the Kaipara District Council is now available for viewing online, and should be essential reading for us all. The report includes a recommendation that commissioners (four now appointed) hold regular meetings with stakeholders and regular clinics at which stakeholders can discuss issues. The Review Team notes “that it expects members of the community to engage in such processes, if established, in good faith, and approach them with a spirit of reciprocity and as an opportunity for a new beginning.”

 

Evening of wine and song

The Spring Song Festival is something to lift our spirits a little. On Friday and Saturday September 21-22, 7.30pm in the new museum, the Mangawhai Singers will entertain and delight with their Spring Song Festival concert selection – an evening of sparkling entertainment, accompanied by a glass of wine! Tickets at $20 can be purchased from GAS in the village, or the Mangawhai Heads Book Shop. All proceeds are of course, for the new building.

 

Volunteer tribute

And pop in as you are going past, to have a look at the panelling in the foyer and the amazing stingray, Te Whai, that has now been fixed on the wall. This sculpture, by Joy Agar, was completed in 2009 as a tribute to the late Roy Coombes, a respected volunteer in our community. 

 

Dollars and sense

Have you some time you could put to good use by training as a budget advisor? The Warkworth/Wellsford Budget Service covers the area from Puhoi to Maungaturoto, and is looking to recruit more volunteers from this area willing to be trained as budget advisors.

Good communication skills, an ability to maintain confidentiality, and a non-judgmental attitude required. And you need to have a current drivers licence and use of a vehicle as clients are visited in their homes.

The time commitment is likely to be up to four hours per week averaged over the year, made up of client work and ongoing training and support. Travel and phone expenses are reimbursed. The training course starts in October, one day a week over six weeks. Phone co-ordinator Jo Walker now on 423 7123 for more details. 
 

Learn how to garden

Time to get the vege garden organised, but if you are new to growing, how about a one day Gardening For Beginners course? Learn how to create your own vegetable garden and orchard on Saturday September 15, 9am-4pm, at Kaiwaka. Book your place by emailing shop@kaiwakaorganics.co.nz or phoning 431 2732.

 

Pony rides offered

Hakaru Pony Club start off the season with an Open Day on Sunday September 16, an opportunity for you and the family to see what it is all about. Come around midday, and at 12.30pm they plan to offer pony rides to those interested. Hakaru Pony Club grounds are on Settlement Road, Hakaru, opposite the RSA. You’ll also be able to see all the hard work that is going on in and around the new Cadet Unit premises.

 

Get junk and disorderly!

With the last winter ‘Junk and Disorderly’ afternoon at the Village Hall on Sunday September 30 you’ve got time to have a bit of a clean out and book a stall. Plus you get to taste Joy’s date scones! Anything goes… just ring Joy Marshall on 4315 137. Stall charges go to the Village Hall curtain fund.

 

Bacon bonanza

The Saturday morning village market has some great produce, including Sam’s Butchery maple dry-cured oak smoked middle eye bacon! Yes, this tasty number has just won a 2012 Gold Medal selected from over 150 entries.

 

Bird watchers needed

NZ Fairy Tern Charitable Trust AGM is on Saturday September 22 at 2pm in the Senior Citizens hall in Fagan Place. Guest speaker is Tony Beauchamp from DoC Whangarei office. Volunteers are needed to help save our most endangered endemic bird, and Jane Vaughan is the person to contact if you can spare some time over the season. There will be an introductory workshop for volunteers and lots of support. Phone Jane on 431 5828 or email janevaughan@orcon.net.nz

 

Bird life

Bird watcher and recorder Sioux Plowman reports that kookaburra were heard in the north end of Mangawhai Forest, perhaps protesting about all the noise! The little egret is once again attracting photographers, and a stunning photo can be seen on birdingnz.net. She believes there may be a white-faced heron chick hatched in the village as a broken egg shell was found under the pine tree where a pair regularly build their nest. If you make unusual sightings, please contact Sioux 431 4110 or email siouxp@gmail.com

 

 

Spotted… 

How could you not see the protective fencing on the causeway bridge, apparently to deter those who run across the road and jump off the rails!

Improvements to the car park surface at the Village shops.

And Robert Scott, last spotted helping out on the Mangawhai Museum site! After 20 years in the family business (Scotty’s Four Square) he is busy with his new venture specialising in motorbike tours for overseas enthusiasts. The first South Island tour takes off in December. Check out his website 

www.twowheeltouring.co.nz.

Jade Radford was helping out at Funky Clothing last week, but now she’s off for numerous job interviews in Auckland. It is a rewarding time for Jade and her family as she will also be receiving her degree in communications (majoring in public relations) from Unitec, Mt Albert.

 

Put your ideas forward

Keep some time free on Saturday September 29 to take part in the Mangawhai Park steering committee’s Open Day at The Club between 10am-3pm. With all the indecision around the siting of the St John Ambulance building, it is important that you come along to put your ideas forward on the overall plan for the park. There is an urgency to this, as funds set aside for the ambulance station, if not used soon, will be directed elsewhere. 

Mangawhai artists feature strongly at awards 

KIWI CRAFT: Malcolm Roberts with his winning entry in the three-dimensional section of the awards. ‘The Land Stripped Bare’ is crafted using totara and No. 8 wire.

News and views to share through this column? Contact Jo Roberts on 431 4711, or email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz.