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Archive / September 2008

October 2008 | August 2008
    • Tea Time!
      • It's time to put down that coffee mug and pick up the tea-cup. If you have paid any attention to kitsch culture in Wellington this year, you would have noticed dainty gold-rimmed teacups, high-tea and cupcakes (think Martha's Pantry) are back, which has lead to Wellington's first mass tea-party.The Sip Wellington Tea Party will take place at Chaffers Dock Function Centre this Sunday to celebrate all things tea, and bring back the art of tea-parties.Tea-cup collector Pamela Cronin is organising the event in a bid to reconnect people with the century's old art of tea drinking. Pam says that drinking coffee, and the clumpy mugs in comes in, has become more popular than tea over the years, but tea is due for a renaissance, something that young women are helping to bring back. Pam, and other enthusiastic collectors, will be displaying and selling about 150 tea-cups and saucers at the event, along with all sorts of other tea-related things, such as linen, silverware, Petone book store Poppy's books on tea, local business Shoc's chocolates, including their earl grey flavour. Zarbos, also at Chaffers Dock, will be putting on a high-tea and Old-Band Arcades' Tempt cupcakes will be accompanying the tea with their decorated, designer cupcakes. So make sure you go along, between 10 and 4pm, and revel in the age old tradition of tea (and cupcakes, chocolate, collectables and linen)! -Stacey. .
      • Tagged as:
      • petone

        • Petone, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • Screening of Ngatahi - Know Your Rights next Thursday
      • While Dean Hapeta was once better known for his excellent work with late 80s/90s hardcore rap group Upper Hutt Posse, he has since turned his hand to socio-political, digital filmmaking. And the world premiere of part five of his Ngatahi - Know The Links series of films will be screened next Thursday 9 October at the City Gallery. The hip-hop themed, six-part 'rapumentary' focuses on native arts and activism in twenty countries. The globe-trotting travelogue sees  writer/director/editor/producer Hapeta travel through countries and trace the links between minority cultures while investigating musical, political and social cultures. With a strong hip-hop theme, Hapeta finds and interviews like-minded activists in such varied places as Palestine, Ireland and the Philippines. Parts one and two of Ngatahi were in the official selection for the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, and they are available on DVD should you want to catch up before you see the latest instalment. Koha/gold coin entry. - Kiran
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • blogs

    • Watch Bare - Now at Downstage Theatre
      • "Once again the combination of great performances and dazzling writing makes for a thoroughly entertaining, gentle satire of 'our people today' that clearly stands the test of time. Go."Mary Anne Bourke (Theatreview) on BARE Love, sex, family, friendship, youth and bad movies at multiplexes - listen to our people talk!Directed by award-winning director Oliver Driver Toa Fraser's classic New Zealand comedy BARE is an hilarious matrix of urban poetry. Armed with the voice of the street, two actors riff on body image, films, takeaway food, graffiti and English literature. Downstage is proud to present this limited season (13 performances only!) of this new production of BARE that premiered at Silo Theatre in Auckland last year.
      • Tagged as:
      • theatre

        • Hannah Playhouse, 12, Cambridge Terrace, Mount Victoria, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • EXCITING NEWS! A New Home, New Name for Crossways!
      • Following the sale of Crossways Community House in August, the doors will close forever to the community on 7 October 2008. The New Crossways Community Trust has taken out an 11 year lease on the first floor of a building at 6 Roxburgh Street and will officially begin operating as a community facility here on the 16 October. Mr Southworth, Chair of the Trust said "the battle to Save Crossways
      • Tagged as:
      • crossways

        • 6 Roxburgh Street, Wellington


    • In the Museum of Curious Intent
      • When Arlo Edwards approached an art dealer with his work at the age of eighteen, the dealer told him to "come back in 10 years, and then maybe we’ll look at your work". Not content with such a response, Arlo embarked on a somewhat unorthodox curatorial career, and has been putting on exhibitions when and wherever he could for more than a decade. Toi Pōneke Gallery is the next venue for one of his projects, an exhibition of work by 10 local established and emerging artists.
      • Tagged as:
      • art
      • events

    • Spring Festival at the Botanic Gardens
      • Tulips, tours, art, "Crafty Fifi", the legendary Fairy Trina and more at this year's Spring Festival in the Botanic Gardens. Running from 28 September until 12 October. I can confirm that the recent (and typical for this time of year) gales have not denuded the tulip gardens & so weather permitting, Tulip Sunday on the first day of the Festival, should be a beautiful way to spend an hour or two communing with nature.
      • Tagged as:
      • events

        • Wellington Botanical Gardens, Wellington


    • Icon get no satisfaction
      • It has been announced by the Wellington City Council, that following on from the demise of the proposal for a Hilton Hotel, there will be an ideas competition for the end of the Outer T on Queens Wharf: currently home to an old tin shed, as I’m sure you all know. The Hilton-to-be, as you will recall, was vanquished by the continued badgering of the combined forces of Waterfront Watch and the Civic Trust (go Grey Power!), and no one much seems to have mourned its passing (blogged by Philip back in March). The Hilton’s Auckland architects have left town with their tails between their legs, probably destined never to want to return. While details for the competition for the replacement building have not been clarified yet, there’s one thing for sure: there’s going to be a call for it to be Iconic.
      • Tagged as:
      • hilton
      • waterfront

    • Free screening of 'Choke'
      • Bestselling author Chuck Palahniuk - the writer of Fight Club - returns to the big screen with an adaptation of his novel, Choke. The official opening date isn’t until October 30th, but Courteney Central cinemas are hosting a special FREE preview screening on Saturday the 27th of September.
      • Tagged as:
      • cinema
      • events

    • Twilight Golf
      • Twilight Golf will start on Friday 31st October. Ron & Allan in the ProShop will be running the Twilight Golf again this year. Tee times from 4.15pm to 5.30pm. Individual competitions each night. Different divisions on handicap. Stableford, Closest to the Pin and Raffles. Entry each night only $8.00. Prize giving each night when final team gets in. Caterering and Bar Facilities open each night.
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • golf
      • waikanae

        • 97 Te Moana Rd, Waikanae Beach, Waikanae 5036, New Zealand


    • The New Wednesday
      • Tuesday nights at the San Francisco Bathhouse was once again established as a staple of weeknight night life in Wellington over the past few years, thanks to the Victoria Broadcasting Station, the VBC. But, after two years they have decided to switch to Wednesdays. Things don't look to be too different, there as still the drink specials, $4 tequila $3.50 handles, $7 jugs, and to sweeten the deal, you can get pizza and beer, any gourmet pizza from their menu and a jug of Macs Gold for only $20. And of course the bands will still be playing, usually of the lo-fi, indie or rock and roll persuasion, where they will play for a month. The VBC say they will be looking into bringing down Auckland bands, instead of just focussing on the Wellington talent pool. Before the VBC take over, at 8pm on Wednesdays, you can check out another staple of San Fran nights, the Acoustic Lounge. Also, pre- and post bands playing the VBC DJ's will be spinning all kinds of rock and roll that you would probably hear on their frequency, 88.3fm.                                         On Monday nights on the station, the Demo Show interview that weeks band and play their demo, between 4-7pm. And, like always, there is no cover charge. -Stacey
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • blogs

    • Get your skates on
      • Wellington has long had an ambivalent attitude to alternative means of transport unloved in other cities - we still have trolley buses (long absent from Auckland or Christchurch), we have a cable car (NZ’s and one of the world’s few commuter vertical transporters), and the cops here seem to turn a blind eye to youths driving scooters, sidewinders or skateboards.
      • Tagged as:
      • transport

    • Discover Literary Wellington...
      • Writer David Geary once remarked that if you stay in Wellington long enough, you'll end up sleeping with yourself. I love that line. Wellington has been and is home to a long line of excellent writers: Katherine Mansfield, Bill Manhire, Duncan Sarkies, Jenny Bornholdt and Damien Wilkins spring to mind. I'm not the outdoorsy type at all. A city kid, I tend to come over all panicky if I get too far away from reassuring concrete. But I am bookish. And the Wellington Writers' Walk is a really lovely and fun stroll to take. With September being New Zealand Book Month, now is a perfectly appropriate time to re-discover literary Wellington.Along the route from Chaffers Marina to Frank Kitts Park, there are a series of sculptural plaques and benchmarks inscribed with quotations from New Zealand writers such as Mansfield, Manhire, Denis Glover, Robin Hyde and Bruce Mason. The featured writers have all lived in Wellington at some point, and the walk acknowledges and celebrates the significance Wellington has had in their lives. The concrete plaques (designed by typographer Catherine Griffiths) and benchmarks, three of which are seats (designed by architect Fiona Christeller) have been carefully positioned in delightfully surprising spots. I love the James K Baxter sculpture that juts out of the Te Papa pool, and how the Glover one sort of looks like it has just been washed up on the rocks at the edge of the waterfront. The monuments jump out at you, it's almost as if you're being accosted by them and it makes me imagine unsuspecting tourists walking along the waterfront and being confronted by lovely words set in stone.I love fonts and typography (and let's not forget concrete) and these concrete typographic 'text' sculptures are quite stunning, public artworks. I think Going West is Maurice Gee's best novel, so I reckon the plaque with the inscription from this book is my favourite: Then out of the tunnel andWellington burst like a bombIt opened like a flower waslit up like a room, explaineditself exactly, became thecapital... www.bookcouncil.org.nz/tourism/destinations/wellingtonwriterswalkmap.html - Kiran
      • Tagged as:
      • waterfront

    • Branch Meeting Thursday 25 September: National Train Control VHF Radio Communications
      • The ONTRACK National Train Control Centre at the Wellington Railway Station communicates with the locomotive drivers out on the track using a VHF radio network. This month we are fortunate to have John Skilton, Manager Signals and Telecommunications Engineering at ONTRACK, and Stu Lusty from Kordia, coming to speak to us about the upgrade of this train control VHF radio system and the new technologies that are being employed. Members and guests are welcome to come along to what should be an interesting and informative evening.
      • Tagged as:
      • trains

    • Beach Party! - A postive alternative to halloween
      • October 31, 20085:30 pmto7:30 pmBeach Party! Friday October 31st 5.30 to 7.30pm at Karori Baptist Church A positive alternative to halloween for 5 to 10 year olds Tickets $5 available from the church offices at KBC or St Mary’s 10 - 2 weekdays Dress up in beach gear and enjoy the beach games, bouncy castle, crafts, fishing and more. Dinner provided. www.lightparty.org
      • Tagged as:
      • events
      • karori

        • Hatton Street, Karori, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand/Aotearoa


    • Drawing out Wellington's creative mojo
      • This Saturday, you are all invited to an event that will have everyone stewing in their creative juices. It’s called Draw Wellington, and it’s designed to make everybody take notice of our city’s ‘built’ environment - by drawing attention to the way our buildings interact with their various surroundings.
      • Tagged as:
      • art
      • events

    • Netball Scholarships
      • Please find attached flyers advertising the Netball Scholarships that the region has available through WelTec and Victoria University. we are very appreciative that thee valued educational institutions work in partnership with us to provide thee scholarships and we would love to see our netballers in the region applying for them.
      • Tagged as:
      • netball
      • victoria-university

        • Victoria University of Wellington, Waiteata Road, Aro Valley, Wellington, 6011, New Zealand/Aotearoa (OpenStreetMap)


    • Civic Trust Award Winners
      • In the line of an old Abba song, The Winner takes it All, and so it was in the 2008 Wellington Civic Trust awards last night. A friendly Fish-monger sends in this report from the ceremony in Te Papa: The evening started off promptly, no time for drinkies (or Studio Pacific - who missed out on the news they had won the first prize of the evening by a good 5 minutes!), before leaping straight into the Awards ceremonies. First up was the award for best building in Wellington (constructed in the last 3 years).
      • Tagged as:
      • architecture

    • Stab 2008
      • BATS' annual STAB season is around the corner. STAB is about showcasing new and innovative theatre in ways that haven't been done before, it began in 1995 and since then, has featured pieces by Taika Cohen, Jemaine Clement and Jo Randerson. This year, BATS have two productions, Heat and Apollo 13, two very different plays, but both innovative in how the audience will be made to feel.
      • Tagged as:
      • events
      • theatre

    • Hawnay Troof
      • Hawnay Troof is the DIY gutter-rap/booty-bass/electro/punk/pop solo project of Vice Cooler from Oakland, California. An unstoppable one-man party, whose constant touring and hyperactive live shows have made him a party-starting legend in the underground, managing to steal show after show with his unifying performances. Playing with Peaches (her show sold out weeks ago) and doing a special one-off live set at Good Luck from midnight the night of the show.
      • Tagged as:
      • music

    • The Future of Crossways Community Creche
      • The sale of the Crossways House has left Mt Victoria families desperately worried about the future of their community crèche. Families in Mt Victoria are calling on the Wellington City Council to help the long standing community crèche continue in new premises. Crossways Creche is one of the city's oldest running creches and has served Mt Victoria and surrounding suburbs on a non-profit,
      • Tagged as:
      • crossways

        • Mt. Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • Weta reform and announce gig date
      • They’re back.  Wellington rockers Weta have reformed and are about to hit the San Fran Bath House for a massive gig on November the 21st. The local guitar heroes first blew up (In terms of fame) after their debut album, Geographica, was released in 2000.  The following year they blew up again, but this time it was the band being blown into pieces - with Weta front man, Aaron Tokona, thought to have stopped believing in what he was doing and calling an end to Weta as a group. But that was then and this is now.  I’ve seen the boys in action a few time, and let me just say that they have always played with a fire and passion most other musicians would kill for.  They’ve played support for acts such as the Foo Fighters and Soundgarden – not to mention Wellington’s favorite sons, Shihad, and have always matched the bigger names for their intensity. Make no mistake; this gig will be a SELL OUT.  Be in quick to get your tickets, lest you miss the return of an iconic Wellington band. It’s going to be huge. -Darren  
      • Tagged as:
      • gigs

    • Controversial Film Screening at the Film Archive on Saturday
      • This Saturday, the Film Archive presents a very rare and special free screening of The Seekers (1954), a film that provides a remarkable insight into the history of early representations of New Zealand and Maori in cinema. In 1954, some audience members walked out in disgust during screenings of Ken Annakin's film. An outrageously dated and inaccurate portrayal of early colonial engagement with Maori, the film sought to illustrate the first contact between Maori and Pakeha. Produced by a British studio, scenes were filmed on location around the Bay of Plenty and Rotorua (particularly in Otarawairere Bay, Tikitere, the Aratiatia Rapids and around the shores of Lake Rotoiti) but the film has an almost reckless disregard for continuity of geography - disparate locations are cut together without a concern for accuracy. The Seekers tells the story of English sailor Phillip Wayne (Jack Hawkins) who, on a visit to New Zealand in the early 1800s, is befriended by Maori chief Hongi Tepe (Inia Te Wiata). Returning with his wife to settle, Wayne is entranced by Tepe's beguiling wife, Moana (played by Javanese actress Laya Raki). Viewers often respond with either laughter or gasps of horror to scenes like Raki's outrageous "native" dance, and there's little concern for accurately presenting Maori language or culture. The Film Archive purchased a copy of the film from a British distributor eight years ago and this screening will be the first public showing since it was screened here 54 years ago. Saturday, 13 September - 7pmThe Film Archive84 Taranaki StreetFREEwww.filmarchive.org.nz- Kiran
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • blogs

    • Energy Saving Lightbulbs: Will they help or hinder radio hams?
      • An interesting point for consideration in Amateur circles; perhaps more in the HF space but definately a subject to be wary of. George Boorer ZL3PN was recently featured in the Otago Daily Times commenting on his experiences with an energy saving lightbulb. What do you think? Is Halogen the answer? Should incandescent bulbs be retained on sale (perhaps more expensively) as a useful alternative for some situations? Or do the energy savers need a complete rethink? Mark Foster ZL1VMF is interested in your thoughts. Please use the Contact Us link to send him your feedback. Also vote on the Poll he has on his site and then keep an eye on it for what others think.... read more
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • amateur-radio

    • THIS WEEKENDS EVENT!
      • ALL BLACK TRI NATIONS RUGBY LIVE on the big screen Watch the resurgent All Blacks in the thrilling Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Series decider at Brisbane. Saturday 13 September: 9.30pm - Entry by Koha - Scrumptious food, BYO for shared bar For info or to book phone Bill 385 6090 or email us. Crossways Community House, 46 Brougham Street, Mt Vic - a fundraiser by the New Crossways Community Trust for
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • lobby-groups
      • crossways

    • Stolen. Black Yamaha Jog.
      • Stolen. Black Yamaha Jog scooter 37YTK.Taken from Austin Street, near corner with Majoribanks Street, Mt Victoria,Wellington sometime around September 1st to 5th. Distinguishing features:All down the left [95% sure it is the left] side are scratches.It has acracked orange front indicator light cover on the left side.And the brake lever on the left side is also [...]
      • Tagged as:
      • motorcycling

    • National Women’s Under 19 Championships
      • The National Women’s Under 19 Championships was played at the Waikanae Golf Course last weekend. The Club hosted the field of 73 who had come from all over New Zealand and also included 3 participants from Australia. The 54 hole event was played in cool conditions each day, and low scores were a rarity.
      • Tagged as:
      • golf

        • 97 Te Moana Rd, Waikanae Beach, Waikanae 5036, New Zealand


    • International Retirement
      • Zephyr Manager Steve Hall declared his international retirement today after failing to be called up for the New Zealand team to play New Caledonia. "Fortunately I'm still able to consider representative honours as I played today in the Town versus Country at North Wellington club" said Hall "and you'll find my name on the card for the second team on the same day although I never got on the field, in fact I never even put my kit on".
      • Tagged as:
      • soccer

    • Two Pensions?
      • In the heart of Wellington’s old Chinatown, namely the narrow low-scale neighbourhood of Haining St, there is one of the few trees that are growing in Te Aro, nestling happily in the lee of an also fairly non-descript warehouse building. Until fairly recently the site was the home of a film unit, a student flat, and parking for assorted businesses, until it was sold and resold and eventually ended up in the hands of the property spruikers known as Rich Mastery: organizers of ‘property seminars’ - otherwise known as a way to “get rich quick”.
      • Tagged as:
      • architecture

    • Dust those dancing shoes off
      • Wellingtons annual Dance Your Socks Off! Festival is back in all it's foot tapping, pirouetting , break-dancing glory. The festival is all about celebrating the art of dance and movement, and getting more people involved in it.
      • Tagged as:
      • events
      • kilbirnie

        • Kilbirnie, Wellington, Wellington City, Wellington, New Zealand/Aotearoa (OpenStreetMap)


    • Summer Membership
      • Summer Memberships are now available. Summer Memberships are for the period 28 September 2008 to 9 April 2009. Full playing rate is $440.00. That is less than $75.00 per month. Contact the Golf Club or the ProShop to join.
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • golf
      • waikanae

        • 97 Te Moana Rd, Waikanae Beach, Waikanae 5036, New Zealand


    • National Women’s U19 Championships
      • The National Women’s Under 19 Championships are being played at the Waikanae Golf Club on Friday 5th, Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th of September. Top quality golf will be able to be watched each day. Come along and support the competitors. Tee times from 7.30am each day. One round each day. The Course will be open for members and visitors to play from 11.40am each day on both the 1st and 10th tees. Members should book via the internet booking system.
      • Tagged as:
      • golf

        • 97 Te Moana Rd, Waikanae Beach, Waikanae 5036, New Zealand


    • Electro Oh How We Love You
      • Some of us have missed out on Peaches tickets AND found ourselves too skint for Bill Bailey at the St James tonight. Le Sigh. Le Big Sigh. Fortunately solace can be found at Mighty Mighty tonight in the arms of some sweet, sweet electro. NZ based producers, DJs and live performance will be on hand to pound away that pain.
      • Tagged as:
      • events
      • music

    • Hataitai Swimming Club - 1971 to 2008
      • The early 1970s proved a critical period for the club. The clubrooms were not being fully utilised but of course still had to be maintained to health regulation standards. Membership had declined. There was little supervision of the use of the clubrooms at weekends. The public were using the rooms without making any contribution to the upkeep costs. Learn to swim classes at the beach were spasmodic and were becoming less popular. Lessons ceased altogether at Hataitai Beach in 1972 after 61 years.
      • Tagged as:
      • hataitai
      • local-history
      • swimming

        • Hataitai, Wellington, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • From Andrew’s desk
      • The other day I came across the following adaption of the Apostles Creed. The original creed is a reminder of what it is we believe - the basis of our security and the hope we have for the future. This creed, a little tongue in cheek, does the same - it states what many of us would prefer not to admit - that our basis for security and hope has much more to do with what we can buy and store away. Perhaps like me, you too struggle with the insidious way in which those things I bought have somehow now come to own me and have a far greater influence over the decisions I make, than I like to admit. This week may we find the courage and the strength to find again a far greater creed to live to. I believe in my income and standard of living, maker of pleasure on earth. And in things-I-own and Things-I-want-to-get, which are conceived by desire for possessions born of a regular paycheck, suffered under monthly payments, then glorified, cherished and admired. They descend in their value, but on a future day I’ll acquire some more ascending in my status, ’til I sit in comfortable retirement, from whence I shall come to enjoy them all without end. I believe in my home or apartment, my comfortable automobile, my vacation with pay, my insurance for life the satisfaction of my wants and a bank account ever increasing. Amen. (Attributed to R.Vallet, Congregations at the Crossroads.)
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • karori
      • religious-groups
      • wcn-hosted

        • Hatton Street, Karori, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand/Aotearoa


    • Adrian and Bridget Plass here at KBC
      • September 25, 20087:30 pmto10:00 pmWorld Vision is bringing Adrian and Bridget Plass to KBC. Enjoy a night of humour, poetry and storytelling. Plus special guest Edwin Derricut. Tickets are $15.00. Book online at www.iticket.co.nz or phone 0508 iTicket. Tickets are also available at Manna Christian Stores and from Viv in the KBC office. For more information click here - http://www.worldvision.org.nz/happenings/plass.asp
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • karori
      • religious-groups
      • wcn-hosted

        • Hatton Street, Karori, Wellington, 6012, New Zealand/Aotearoa


    • FNZ Soundly Beaten
      • Zephyr Rovers Manager Steve Hall said that Zephyr Rovers had had no problems disposing of lower league opposition today at the Shed of Dreams, despite George Nash (pictured) being full of the flu. "We were five goals to nil up when I decided to have a run in the outfield""said Hall "but when it got back to 5 - 2 I scurried back into the goals for fear of them getting back in it". Hall said Rovers stabilised after his return to goal and Rovers went on to score another four goals unanswered. "I actually had a clean sheet when I was in goal but the stand ins let a couple in" said Hall "and the distribution went from excellent to very poor, which explains why I couldn't buy a goal in the outfield". Hall said the fear was the teams Rovers were playing were not close to the standard of Division 1 so the Rover would have to lift their game several notches if another Div 1 campaign was to be contemplated. "We still need to strengthen the squad" said Hall "unless we end up in Div 2 where we'd be ok".Final: Rovers 9 FNZ 2Zephyr Rovers FC
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • soccer

    • Hataitai Swimming Club - 1940 to 1970
      • The Second World War robbed the Hataitai Bathing Club of young men and women. However the club continued to operate a learn to swim programme. Community social activity began to flourish after the cessation of hostilities in 1945. The energy of comradeship and togetherness learned during the previous six years greatly assisted the rejuvenation of clubs such as the Hataitai Bathing Club.
      • Tagged as:
      • hataitai
      • local-history
      • swimming

        • Hataitai, Wellington, New Zealand (OpenStreetMap)


    • Melbourne Cup Day
      • The Annual Melbourne Cup golf and racing day will be held again this year on the first Tuesday of November. (4th). Get your teams ready now. Teams of 3 competing in the same format as the Holden Scramble. Great prizes, as always. All day bar-b-que free for players. Best dressed - men and women. After golf activities in the clubhouse, with big screen views of the big race.
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • golf
      • waikanae

        • 97 Te Moana Rd, Waikanae Beach, Waikanae 5036, New Zealand


    • No Contingency Plans for Creche
      • In response to a request under the Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act, the Wellington City Council has confirmed that there are no contingency plans to relocate the Crossways Creche:“There are no contingency plans drawn up regarding relocating the Crossways Community Creche to the Bandoliers site. A report regarding the possibility of permitting creche activities on the Town Belt is due to be presented to the Strategy and Policy Committee in late September/early October for decision by Councillors.”The Council’s own estimates show that an investment of around $380,000 will be required to bring the Bandoliers building up to the required standard for an early childhood educational facility. As the work is extensive - new retaining walls, paths, fences, DDT removal, toilets, storage facilities and much more - it seems likely that many months of effort will be required. However no plan for either conducting the work or to manage the disruption to the creche exists.This is clearly unsatisfactory. Council officers were opposed to the retention of Crossways by the community, and at all stages in the process made recommendations that no Council resources be put into the retention of our community house. These same staff members have had nearly 18 months in which to plan for alternatives, yet it appears that they have done absolutely nothing to ensure our community creche can continue operating once Crossways is sold.Families with children at the creche should feel justifiable outrage at how they have been abandoned by Council officers.
      • Tagged as:
      • crossways

    • Movember is back
      • Men: you've got two months of a clean face left. Movember is back with a new face. After parting ways with the Prostate Cancer Foundation earlier this year, the Movember Foundation will benefit the Cancer Society and the Mental Health Foundation's Out of the Blue Campaign this November. On November 1, you participating men, aptly named Mo Bros, will start with a clean shaven face, then grow the best moustache you can during the month. The point it to get friends, family, co-workers etc to pledge to give donations for your hairy efforts. Movember originated in Australia in 2004 to raise awareness and money for men's health issues. It was launched in New Zealand in 2006, and thanks to ex-patriate New Zealanders, it has gone global. It has recently been launched it in the United States, Canada, Britain, Ireland and Spain. CEO of the Movember Foundation, Adam Gurone decided to give money to the Cancer Society because he says they are under-funded and are doing good research into prostate cancer, and choose to support the Out of the Blue campaign as he says depression issues are more relevant to the young (30ish) supporters of Movember, and male depression does not get enough coverage. He hopes that by supporting this cause, men will become more open about talking about depression. The target this November would be to beat the $2.2 million raised and 28,000 moustaches grown last year, so savour the next few months of a clean face, and start collecting pledges asap to beat your other Mo Bros to it!   -Stacey
      • Automatically tagged as:
      • blogs

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