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MANGAWHAI'S NO.1 NEWSPAPER
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Did You Know.......Fund dollars allocated
Ten organisations applied for funding totalling $510,805, from the annual Mangawhai Endowment Lands Account (MELA) grants which this year had $127,906 available for distribution. Applicants approved at the March 2 meeting were: New Zealand Fairy Tern Trust receiving a $5,615 contribution towards boat maintenance and predator control; Mangawhai Tracks Charitable Trust $2,000 for an elevated boardwalk from Jordan Street to the estuary; Mangawhai Museum $13,279.75 towards the completion of the Exhibition Room; Mangawhai Domain Society $15,918.70 for the enlargement of the tractor and storage shed; Friends of Mangawhai Community Park $30,000 for maintenance; Mangawhai Activity Zone Charitable Trust received $18,003.25 to complete the 'volcanoes' within the skate park. Discussions are to be held with Mangawhai Harbour Restoration Society, Mangawhai Activity Zone charitable trust, and Mangawhai/Kaiwaka branch Plunket Society before finalising further grants. Demand for Domain facilities The concrete pad for the tractor and storage shed extension on the Domain has been laid, so the Society will be relieved to have funding for completion made available from MELA. Spokesperson Mark Gash says both the soccer players and dog training group need more storage space as their needs increase. Upstairs in the pavilion, new vinyl flooring, curtains and colour scheme has really enhanced the area. With the archgola over the extensive deck, it really is a desirable venue for an increasing number of activities, especially as it has a commercial kitchen available for hire. For bookings contact Jo Yuretich 431 4637. Op Shop inspires prose .jpg "st john mangawhai progress (1)") As the St John ambulance station progresses, support for the Op Shop in the village shows no sign of abating! Currently, there is a March Madnesss book sale, all books just $1, or three for $2. Donations of goods continue to pour in, with almost as many purchasers waiting to snap up a bargain. Very appropriate then that we publish this little piece penned by one of the St John volunteers.Ode to the Mangawhai St John Op Shop At 10 o'clock each day the gate is opened wide People young and old are eager to see inside What bargains can they find within this happy place Greeted by a volunteer with a smile upon their face. If you could see behind the scenes, I think you would agree At just how much hard work it takes, and to think this work is free. There's sorting out and pricing, of all that comes our way There's homes for everything for sale on every single day. They're put on walls, on racks, on shelves, and even on the floor Waiting for it all to leave, out through the Op Shop door. Melissa and Denise are captains of the team And with their volunteers, complete the St John dream. The station for St John is taking shape at last One day soon when all's complete, we'll celebrate the past. Congratulations and many thanks to all the helpful crew For donations, sales and help, that's made the dream come true. ‘Milestone’ celebrated The Wood St shops celebrated 25 years with a dinner at Sail Rock last week, the menu including many dishes from 'Beaches', the first restaurant in Mangawhai. Ian Milestone and Gael McConachy built the Wood St shops and went on to establish several successful businesses with the complex. Over the past 25 years there has been several landlords, the most recent, Steve Lay, having just sold the complex. Historic Village next project Work has begun on clearing a site in Mangawhai Community Park for the first stage in the development of a Historic Village. Keep an eye on the old Mangawhai Beach School building (formerly used by the Anglican Church) on Molesworth Drive as plans are underway for its removal. Spokesperson Jim Wintle says the school will be the first building to be resited, with more to come to complete a cluster around a market square. Car parking and access will be shared with the museum. Mangawhai Community Park is owned by Kaipara District Council, and working in conjunction with Friends of Mangawhai Community Park (who have, through extensive community consultation, established a master plan) is leased to various organisations who take responsibility for their allocated area eg. MAZ, St John, museum etc. A real jewel in the crown. Have you taken a walk through the many established tracks? Still finding people who don't know just what an amazing space it is... Book donations needed And yes, the museum will be holding their Annual Book Fair over Easter, a major fundraiser not to be missed. Plans are to erect a large marquee alongside the museum, so there will be plenty of room to browse. Still collecting books for the sale, so if you have some in good condition, please contact either Graeme Smith 431 4357, or Christine Bygrave 431 2057. Free pest trapping workshop Interested in learning more about pest trapping? A free workshop, hosted by Marunui Conservation, King Road, is being held on Sunday March 15, from 1.30-4.30pm. You'll learn how to protect kiwi and look after other native birds in your backyard; about the range of traps available to catch possums and mustelids (stoats, ferrets, weasels), where to locate traps for the best results, and how to maintain your traps to keep them working longer. You'll get to walk a trapline and learn how to 'read' the forest for pest signs, and how to bait and set traps. Real hands-on learning. If you want to take part, you'll need to register by March 11. Contact John Hawley 09 376 4069, or email john.hawley@xtra.co.nz.
News and views to share through this column? Contact Jo Roberts 431 4711, email jo.roberts@xtra.co.nz |
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