DID YOU KNOW........

 

St John eyes future After years of talking, fundraising and plan-ning, it is all starting to come together. As the site is cleared we can all see the beginnings of our new St John ambulance station on Molesworth Drive. And it is very much 'ours'. Amazing support from the community for the Opportunity Shop in the village continues to be a major contributor to the funding of this station, and together with ongoing generous donations from many of our local clubs and businesses, proves that Mangawhai is worthy of a comprehensive facility. The station, the last of this kind to be built by St John, will not only provide housing for the ambulances, but include a training room with provision for over-night accommodation for a future full-time station officer. Each step along the way has meant the budget being revised upward, but it is happening at last. There will be no letup in the fundraising but having the Op Shop means a sound base from which to progress. Exciting times.

Park busy this summer
Mangawhai Activity Zone (MAZ) is bursting with activity too. The contractors are on site building the next stage of the skate park with the expansion of the 'street plaza'. Pohutukawa have been planted along the ridge beside the children's playground and seating will be put in between the trees for parents to relax in the shade while their little ones play, a perfect vantage spot for parents to see the whole park. Some of the logs felled from the St John site will be used to build a retaining wall in the area and a donation from Mangawhai Memo will assist in metalling the car park and secondary entrance. Toilets are a much needed priority, and are included in the Kaipara District Council 2014/15 annual plan. If you would like to assist, donate, or contribute in any way, check out the website Mangawhai-ActivityZone.co.nz for details.

Mangawhai NZ’s walking capital?
"Aiming to make Mangawhai the walking capital of New Zealand" is the thrust of Mangawhai Tracks Charitable Trust explained chairman Gordon Hosking to a well-attended recent public meeting held at The Club. Over the past seven years the 'trackies', as they are affectionately known, have developed and maintained seven long tracks. With 30 plus trackies now on the list, those available meet on Friday mornings and set to work as track cutters and track maintainers. The Waterfall Track is now complete (official opening on Monday, Labour weekend) linking up with the Tanekaha Track completing the loop, to make it a stunning day tramp. Plans are underway to develop a bush area owned by Council on Browns Road which could be used for tracks linking up with the Brynderwyn walkway. There are lots of former farm tracks, now overgrown, that could be used as walking and cycling tracks with very little disturbance, and there is a belief that it could become a top track and draw card for mountain bikers. Contact Mike Robinson if you would like to become involved, 431 5443. And you don't necessarily have to use a spade or slasher as tea and scones are always needed too!

Nepal fundraiser for Ben
Otamatea High School student, Ben Morley, plans to go on a NZ secondary school trip to Nepal in 2016, but needs to raise $7000! A daunting task, but he is passionate and determined. This Saturday September 27 he is running a garage sale from his home on 2 Thelma Road (by the museum) starting at 8.30am. Friends have donated an amazing variety of classy goods so it will be worth checking out and sup-porting Ben at the same time. He has lots of fundraising ideas, so his summer holidays will be very full.

Hot on the Art Trail This weekend, September 27-28, is the Mangawhai Art Trail, involving not only exhibitions, but a novel Art Tree and an Art Puzzle. Well signposted in and around the town, there are numerous free entry sites where local artists will have their work on display, including the museum foyer. An Art Tree, shaped like a pohutukawa, will be set up at the museum where, for a gold coin donation, you can attach a red flower square with a message of goodwill to the tree as an expression of good fortune to the artists . The Art Puzzle entails a gold coin entry and answering a series of questions related to art pieces displayed at selected venues. Just like a treasure hunt! The winner of an original art work, will be drawn on Sunday evening.

Second antique roadshow
Not long until the sec-ond Mangawhai Heads Antique Road Show! Yes, the experts and valuers are returning to Sail Rock restaurant on Monday October 13, from 2pm. If you have items to bring along (number will be limited) you will need to register by phoning Sail Rock. There will be plenty of opportunity to look and learn, and appreciate many unusual pieces. And remember, it's

Music Makers, or Open Mic, at Sail Rock on the first Tuesday of the month, October 7. For just $2 entry, you can have a great night of unexpected entertain-ment!

Trio to entertain
Celtic music fom Nova Scotia plus baroque music of the 18th Cen-tury is the fare from The Boxwood Trio coming to Kaiwaka on Saturday October 4. New Yorker magazine said of them "spectacular and im-aginative virtuosity" – David Greenberg on violin/fiddle, Chris Nor-man flute pipes/vocals, and harp/oboe with Shelley Phillips. Starts at 7.30pm at Oshno Absurdistan, 317A Pareku-ra Road (off Oneriri Rd) in the amazing community centre there. Tickets $20 at the door, or save by purchasing an early bird ticket fom the Kaiwaka Cheese Shop at $15. If you would like more information, phone 021 237 7678.

Don’t forget…
Labour weekend not too far away, and the big event is of course, Mangawhai Beach School Gala and Agri-culture Day. If you can help in any way, or have items to donate, please contact the school office.
 

SNIPPETS „Mangawhai Community Trust annual Youth Grant applications close on September 26. Individuals or groups can apply for assistance with sporting, cultural, or recreational pursuits. Ring Jessica Bensley for details on 431 3354. „The Zonta Spirit of Adventure scholarship for young women is also open for applications, closing on October 3. Forms available by emailing mangawhai@ zonta.org.nz or phoning 027 555 6636. „Gilmore Brown Art Awards and Exhibition is on until the end of the month at the Kauri Museum, Matakohe. And remember, entry to the museum is also free to Kaipara residents! „The final Winter Art Talk with Suza Lawrence is on Wednesday September 17 in the village hall 7-9pm. The subject is Ten 'must know' Contemporary NZ Artists. Cost just $6. All welcome. „A reminder from the NZ Fairy Tern Trust: their AGM is on Sunday September 21, 2pm in the Senior Citizens hall. „Daylight saving September 28, and Mangawhai Artists will be holding an Art Trail over that weekend. Details next issue include the Art Puzzle and Art Tree.

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

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