Ashburton Guardian, Thursday, December 8, 2022

‘Very disappointed’

Ashburton’s Gerard Rushton may’ve chosen his words carefully and hidden his true feelings after the announcement by drug agency Pharmac of a limited expansion of its meningitis vaccination programme.

“It’s not what we petitioned for, we’re very disappointed,” said Rushton, who has worked tirelessly to lobby the Government for greater immunisation vaccination access for the disease, which took the life of his daughter Courtenay when she was just 16 in 2014.

READ MORE, P3

College cleared over bullying allegations

er, who was recommended to the college by the New Zealand School Trustees’ Association.

Ashburton College heads believe findings from an independent report into bullying allegations should provide community “reassurance’’ that it’s providing a safe environment for students.

That view was expressed in a written statement jointly signed by Ashburton College Board of Trustees’ (BOT) presiding member Jen Muir and principal Ross Preece.

Their statement followed the release yesterday of an extensive 12-page report written by independent reviewer Suzie Sau-

The review was undertaken after a Television New Zealand 1News investigation over three successive September nights on their primetime show uncovered 16 allegations of bullying at the college over an eight-year period.

The stories included harrowing bullying claims from victims, including an account of a college student, who attempted suicide in August, according to the 1News report.

In response to the explosive TVNZ claims, Ashburton College organised an independent review into the allegations and a deep dive into its processes and policies managing complaints.

Muir and Preece were clearly pleased with the report findings

in which the reviewer interviewed nine parents/caregivers who raised complaints with TVNZ and 11 staff, plus board boss, Muir. The reviewer also conducted a meeting with other school heads and its senior leadership team.

“We believe the review should provide reassurance to our school and wider community that Ashburton College is providing a safe and supportive environment for our students,’’ Muir and Preece said in their statement, before highlighting what they termed the report’s key finding.

“It is the reviewer’s conclusion that the college was undertaking the actions expected of them within the concerns and complaints policy and, in many cases, exceeding them,”

Reviewer Sauer spoke to each of the bully complainants to consid-

er the actions the college took and whether that was in line with its policies and procedures. The review also looked at how effective and/or accessible the school’s existing processes were for students, parents and wider school whānau.

She found that no complaints of bullying behaviour were actually brought to principal Preece or the BOT between 2017 and now.

“The only complaints of this nature that have been received have come through TVNZ.’’

Sauer felt the credibility of the complaints and the information gathered was “mixed’’ but, in what was as close to a college management telling off as could be found in the report, she found that, in a “few instances’’, the school’s bullying policy expectations were not met.

She said the college should “remove barriers’’ for raising concerns, including communicating more widely about the process.

It should also help students and caregivers understand the steps taken towards reaching a resolution.

The reviewer also wants the school to identify a process that allowed care to be shown, even when the outcome for the student or parent/caregiver was not perhaps what they wanted.

They were findings that Muir and Preece were happy to see in a report, which was available to the public to read in its entirety on the Ashburton College website.

“We are pleased that the report also identified some recommendations that the college’s management and board will implement,’’ they said.

Daryl Holden

No complaints of bullying behaviour were actually brought to principal Preece or the BOT between 2017 and now

“

Bubb ready to take on the world

Pharmac decision ‘disappointing’

Hopwood

Ashburton’s Ollie Bubb can hold himself high amongst Commonwealth athletes, after his recent success in powerlifting.

Bubb competed in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships in Auckland recently.

While there he won two silver and two bronze medals, along with achieving a new national record.

“Pretty cool experience to compete against everyone from different countries,” he said.

Bubb said it was “a feeling of pride” that he had never felt before when put on the New Zealand uniform for the first time.

Bubb, 16, was the only one in his class to be under 18 in the 74kg sub-junior class.

“There were about seven (competitors) in my class, but they are all 18.”

In bench press he lifted 100kg and won silver, in deadlift he lifted 220kg and won silver, and set a new national record. In the squat, he achieved 162.5kg and a bronze. He also achieved bronze for his overall total of 482.5kg, similar to the weight of a grand piano.

His success at the Commonwealth championships means he has qualified for the World Powerlifting Championships, due to be held in Romania next year, which he had to lift over 477kg to qualify for.

Bubb, who has high hopes of being selected to compete with New Zealand, will use the next few months to improve his technique, with the goal of getting to 500kg total.

Bubb said there is a lot more technique that goes into each lift than people think.

“Each level you go up the judges get stricter on the rules.”

For each discipline, the competitor gets three attempts to lift as much as they can, but if they don’t follow the correct technique it does not count.

Ashburton’s meningitis campaigner, Gerard Rushton, is disappointed at Pharmac’s limited expansion of its vaccination programme.

Pharmac announced this morning it would fund meningococcal B vaccines for children up to 12 months and then those aged 13 to 25 who are entering close living situations.

Rushton interprets that as students starting boarding school, entering halls of residence, barracks or prisons.

He said it overlooks Maori or Pacific Island people who represent about 70 per cent of meningitis cases.

“Unless they’re entering boarding schools or halls of residents they are going to miss out entirely,” he said.

“The announcement will benefit a very narrow band of people.

“No-one in the 12-25 age group living in Ashburton or Northland or elsewhere in New Zealand qualify.”

To add insult to injury, the vaccine won’t be available until March 1 next year when the students have already started boarding school.

“It’s not what we petitioned for, we’re very disappointed,” he said. “While the additional vaccines could save lives, Pharmac’s announcement is only the tip of the iceberg.”

Rushton said Pharmac never consulted the Meningitis Foundation when it made its decision.

His only hope to expand the vaccine’s availability is to make a further approach to parliament’s health select committee which considered his submission in October.

“We did that yesterday and hope they considered it before they adjourned for the year,” he said.

In announcing the extension to the vaccine, Pharmac’s director of operations, Lisa Williams, said “there are other groups who could benefit from this vaccine, including people in other types of close living conditions”.

“We will be seeking advice from our clinical experts about other widened access options for people in close living situations.”

“There are so many rules it’s not funny,” Bubb said.

While Bubb will have more competitions between now and the world

championships,

he is still really excited to make the cut.

“To head to Romania would be amazing.”

Ollie Bubb was proud to represent NZ in the Commonwealth Powerlifting Championships where he took home two silver and two bronze medals.

Daniel Alvey

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Malcolm

MAYOR NEIL BROWN

The initial $37m price tag for the second bridge was a “guesstimate”, Mayor Neil Brown said, and the business case has produced a more accurate picture with a wider scope.

“Now it’s a bit more accurate, but you’ll never know until it is actually tendered.”

WHAT THEY SAID

RUSSELL ELLIS

Councillor Russell Ellis pointed to the cost escalation over the last decade, “nearly $10m a year”, and the need for urgency as costs continue to rise.

“If we don’t build this thing in the next three or four years, where is that money going to come from?

“The hole just gets deeper and deeper and deeper.

“I’m afraid our ratepayers can’t meet that, so urgency would certainly save everyone a lot of money.”

TONY TODD

Councillor Tony Todd said the Road to Zero campaign and its $193m budget for a “supposedly educational programme” would be better spent on physical works to improve safety. “It’s not helping with deaths on the road by any means, and I wonder whether that money could be better spent.

When you say we are short of money for a bridge here and [Waka Kotahi] is spending money on an educational programme that in my opinion is failing.”

How to build a bridge and get over it

Complex conversations to fill fiscal hole

prioritise the projects that are put forward by the councils within the region.

Leask

It is set to be a big 12 months ahead for the Ashburton District Council to push to get the second bridge project across the line.

The council is making all the right moves, Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown said, with a business case for the project sitting with Waka Kotahi for consideration, but it is not a given that it will get the green light.

Brown is confident they have a strong case, but accepts the big unknown is what projects the other 66 territorial authorities are putting forward that could push Ashburton’s second bridge down the priority list.

There are some difficult and complex conversations to come in the next 12 months, Brown said, and the council will be doing everything in its power to build the bridge.

“We are happy to have those conversations. They need to be had so we can get it sorted”.

The council approved the detailed business case (DBC) for the now $113.6 million second urban bridge project in August to go to Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency to seek project approval.

Waka Kotahi director regional relationships, James Caygill, said the second bridge currently sits in the 2024-27 national land transport plan (NLTP) cycle, which will be finalised by the Waka Kotahi board next year.

The first step in the process is the regional land transport plan, which will have the Canterbury regional transport committee

“That regional package, and every other one like it from around, go into that national prioritisation process that builds the NLTP,” Caygill said.

The NLTP decisions are shaped by the Government’s policy statement on land transport, Caygill said, which sets the priorities projects are judged against and sets Waka Kotahi’s spending.

That is how a project gets approved but it also needs to be funded.

“We have done the business case and it’s gone to Waka Kotahi for their consideration and the next step is funding the gap,” Brown said.

BRIDGING THE GAP

Ashburton’s planned second bridge project has a rather large fiscal hole that is currently filled with the hope the Government comes to the party, either in part or in full.

Caygill said the project has three separate funding streams, local, national and the Crown.

The council has budgeted $7.5m towards the project, but signalled in August it will consider a larger contribution.

That decision was made when signing off the business case to go to Waka Kotahi, which showed the project costs had ballooned from the previously estimated $37m to $113.6m in the business case.

“At the moment you have a local share set aside of $7.5m and you know, given the cost escalation that occurred in the business case process, that’s probably not going to be enough,” Caygill said.

As a local road project, if the second bridge is successful in

the NLTP process Caygill said it would receive Waka Kotahi’s base funding assistance rate of 51 per cent – or $57.9m.

The council’s business case suggests it is eligible for more than 51 per cent, but even if Waka Kotahi went up to 63 per cent ($70.4m) there is still a shortfall.

“Either way, when you add up the local share and our national share there is a gap,” Caygill said.

The shortfall is at least $48.2m – based on the council’s current $7.5m and Waka Kotahi’s minimum of $57.9m.

That introduces the third funding stream, the Crown.

“They are ministerial decisions to appropriate funds directly for projects that they want to go ahead,” Caygill said.

The Crown, through the $8.7 billion NZ Upgrade programme, funded the Walnut Avenue upgrade and the upcoming Tinwald corridor upgrade, and Brown believes the second bridge could receive similar treatment.

The difficulty is the second bridge is competing against every major project across the country to secure funding and approval in the next NLTP.

The Ashburton council believe they have made a strong case.

Brown said the May, 2021, floods showed that another crossing over the river is crucial for the South Island, and as well as the national significance of being a resilience project, it carries climate change benefits by opening up safer passage for walking and cycling.

BRIDGE ALIGNMENT

The council will need to have the money for the project accounted for before the project goes into the NLTP.

Council chief executive

Hamish Riach said that all three parties are bound by “rigid regimes to allocate their share” and there needs to be planning alignment.

To achieve that Caygill said there will be ongoing and complex conversations between all three funding streams.

“They are not likely to be quick.

“They are interconnected –[council’s] appetite for local share, [Waka Kotahi’s] ability to fund and prioritise, and any interest from the Crown to directly fund are interrelated in terms of the figures involved.

“They are not conversations that I think can occur one after the other.

“It’s just not that simple.”

What it means is there is a lot of work and dialogue in the next 12 months to see the second bridge finally come to fruition.

BRIDGE PATHWAYS

Best case scenario, the second bridge project gets ministerial support to be crown funded and construction could start as soon as the detailed designs and tender are finalised.

Failing that, it needs to be approved in the NLTP and, with Crown funding the gap, it will be boots on the ground in 2024, or at some stage in the 2024-27 period.

The worst-case scenario is it misses the cut or falls short on funds to get pushed for consideration in the following NLTP.

SHORT

Crash victim named

Police have released the name of the person who died in a crash in the Rakaia Gorge on November 18. He was Kevin Dale Truscott, 63, of Geraldine. A police spokesperson said investigations were ongoing into the cause of the crash.

Waste management

Around $6300 has been saved by the Ashburton District Council in the past five months through an increased focus on improving the rate of waste diversion. It is estimated 44.6 tonne of waste has been diverted from the council refuse pit between June and October, resulting in the reduction of the same tonnage of waste being sent to landfill. The cost per tonne for sending waste to landfill and the levy payable is a combined $142.65.

Meeting charges

The Ashburton District Council is yet to consider charges for utilising meeting rooms in the new Ashburton Library and Civic Centre, Te Pātaka o kā Tuhituhi and Te Waharoa a Hine Paaka. The current library does not charge for meeting rooms but whether that will be the case when it moves across town is yet to be discussed.

Dog control

Barking dogs are not a major issue in the district based on the number being reported. In October, only 13 barking dog complaints were received for the whole district. There had been a suggestion from the Rakaia community that barking dogs were a major issue, but based on the incident reports, Ashburton District Council strategy and compliance group manager Jane Donaldson said, it was no worse than any other area in the district.

Government review

The Ashburton District Council will be having a workshop with Future of Local Government independent panel chairperson Jim Palmer before completing its submission. The Draft Review Report into the Future of Local Government makes a number of recommendations which the council will discuss and clarify with Palmer in the new year.

Chief executive Hamish Riach said the final bylaw report from the independent panel will be presented to the Government in June but it “won’t do anything with the report until after the election”.

Community Services Card

“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”

Mid Canterbury’s Community Services Card holders are eligible for a continued 50 per cent discount on public transport. As part of the Government’s Community Connector programme, announced in its budget, the discount will continue from February 1, 2023. The O ce of Seniors will announce more information in the new year including how people can apply for the discount on prepaid travel cards. Free o -peak public transport continues to apply for all SuperGold cardholders.

Jonathan

Building boom not slowing here ... yet

The building boom continues in Ashburton, but is tipped to slow down around March next year.

Ashburton District Council building services manager Michael Wong said things are “still on the up” in the district, while nationally there are signs of a major slowdown.

After a second-straight record year of new builds, Ashburton continues to receive high numbers of new house consents per

month, group manager compliance and development Jane Donaldson said.

The council is averaging 24 new house consents received per month this financial year (2022/23), she said, compared with 23.5 per month in 2021/22, and 19 per month in 2020/21.

“This is high in comparison to pre-Covid times since 2014 when we averaged just 10 new house consents received per month,” Donaldson said.

The Ashburton District generally goes through consent trends around three months after neighbouring districts, Donaldson said.

“With neighbouring districts indicating signs of a slowdown

in consents, it’s possible this may start to show in our figures around March next year.”

Stats NZ reported 3568 new home consents being issued nationally in October, down 12 per cent compared to October 2021, while Ashburton had 64 new consents issued, slightly down (8%) on the 69 in October last year but overall numbers remained high.

“The numbers are still going up so we seem to be bucking the trend that the nationwide situation is showing,” Wong said.

“The builders and designers are still saying they are busy, and we still have people coming through the doors making enquiries.”

The number of building consents issued in 2021/22 was

Rural Women hits 90

Alvey

A long-standing community organsistion will celebrate a very special milestone this week.

Mid Canterbury Provincial Rural Women will mark its 90th birthday in a special gathering tomorrow.

Anniversary convener and immediate past president Marg Verrall said it will be very special to mark the occasion and come together to celebrate the organisations efforts in the community.

“To be in existence for 90 years is a true milestone for any organisation worth celebrating. It definitely shows the energy and determination of our members,” Verrall said.

“We have to celebrate the past as well as the future. It is the past members that have done a lot of work on the organisation.”

Of the 90 years they have been around Verrall has been a member for around 40 years.

“My neighbour kept calling me to get me to join and eventually I did join,” Verrall said.

The group which was established in 1932 has looked after rural women and their families through many trying times, including during the depression, World War Two and post-war

years, and more recently during Covid-19 and May, 2021, floods.

“Mid Canterbury is a very caring community and it’s not until the chips are down that it is seen.”

Beyond what relief care that the organisation provides, it does a lot of campaigning in the background.

These have included being integral in getting the maternity ward at Ashburton Hospital set up, and

765 in total, which was a record $237,462,951 worth of consents, surpassing the previous year’s $164.4m.

That figure for 2022/23 was at $63,042,536 at the end of October, with 222 new home consents issued compared to 257 at the same stage last year.

Wong estimated the changes to the building code, relating to increased requirements around window insulation, added between $20,000-$30,000 to construction costs which were having an effect.

He said 27 new builds consents were lodged between October 31 and November 1 to try to beat the new rule coming in on November 3.

A further change to the Building Code that will double the roof insulation requirements is also set to come in May next year and Donaldson predicted that there could be another consent surge before the changes come into effect.

the Valetta bridge built.

“We are quiet achievers,” Verrall said.

While membership has dropped off with some branches being closed, Verrall is confident that people will continue to join.

“It is a great group to be a part of.

“You can always have someone to go to when you need help.”

The group will gather for lunch and cake cutting at Hotel Ashburton tomorrow from 11am.

Left – Anniversary convener Marg Verrall is looking forward to the 90th celebrations.

PHOTO DANIEL ALVEY

Above – An image from the archives of the Rural Women coming together.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

Jonathan Leask

“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”

Daniel

Sharing the Christmas cheer

While Christmas is a time of coming together and giving for many, it also can be a stressful time for many families.

Birthright Ashburton, which specialises in working with families led by one person, is once again asking for the community’s help to gather presents for Ashburton families.

Birthright social worker Christine Muff said there is about 100 kids locally that Birthright get presents for.

“People get stressed at this time of year, so if we can relieve some of that stress that would be great,” Muff said.

“It always nice to give the kids something new at Christmas.”

The presents can be donated at Heartland Bank’s Ashburton Branch, something that is a long- standing tradition.

“Our longest serving staff member has been here 25 years and it was already here when she started,” Heartland Bank Ashburton branch manager Andrew Wilson said.

Even after three days the base around the tree was well stocked with presents.

“We are always amazed at the amount of presents we get, they fill half our floor space here.”

Presents can be dropped off during the bank’s opening hours up until lunchtime on December 23.

The present needs to be marked with what gender and age it is for. For example, boy age 8.

Present appeal: Heartland Bank’s Keira Billot (left) and Birthright’s Christine Muff are appealing to the Ashburton public to help provide some Christmas cheer to local kids.

PHOTO DANIEL ALVEY

Daniel Alvey

Recruitment ongoing at Ashburton Hospital

SHORT SHARP &

Road rehab

Contractors will have completed rehabilitation works on 6.7km of sealed road by Christmas. The other 6.3km, of the total 13km, will be completed by the end of the financial year, Ashburton District Council roading manager, Mark Chamberlain, said.

Recycling stats

Staffing vacancies are not stopping the Ashburton Hospital from providing “all of its services”.

Te Whatu Ora, Canterbury executive director of nursing, Becky Hickmott, said the hospital currently has 14.4 full-time equivalent (FTE) nursing vacancies it is looking to fill out of its 167 nursing roles at the hospital.

“While we have had some staff movement, our vacancy numbers are higher because we have had an additional 9.3FTE approved for the Hospital,” Hickmott said.

“We are actively recruiting into all vacancies and we have three new graduate nurses starting shortly which will reduce our vacancies to 11.4FTE.”

In February, the hospital had 10.6 FTE vacancies and it was reshuffling staff and reviewing services to cope with demand as the Omicron wave started to sweep through the region.

By June, a number of the posi-

tions were filled leaving just 4.8 FTE vacancies to be filled but five months later that number has risen to 11.4 – around 6 per cent of the nursing staff.

Hickmott said all services in Ashburton are running despite the vacancies in Ashburton and a health system that is under pressure.

“Seasonal pressures have impacted patient flow throughout our health system, from general practice through to Emergency Departments.

“We are managing our vacancies by asking staff to be deployed where they are needed and ask-

ing staff to work additional shifts where possible.

“Our staff have worked really hard this year in a challenging environment, we are working hard to support their wellbeing and to ensure our team have some time out to re-charge and take a break over the coming months.”

Adding to the challenge has been the ongoing impacts of Covid, with active still circulating in the community.

The Ministry of Health reported 2970 new cases in the region in the last week, and do not break case numbers down to a district level.

While there has been a rise in Covid case numbers in Canterbury, Hickmott said, “we are still talking about small numbers”.

“We are transitioning into an endemic state, learning to live with Covid-19 in our communities, and we are stepping down our operations centre.”

Recycling habits continue to deteriorate across the district. Ashburton District Council contractors have been auditing recycling bins since 2020 and the number of properties on the watchlist has been on the increase over the past six months. The first strike watch list jumped from 1388 in August to 1694 in September, which is 650 more than there were in April. Second strike properties also went up 163 from August to September, but strike three confiscations have remained steady at around 10 per cent of the watch list in the past six months.

Water meters

Charities benefit from golf fun day

A recent fun day out on the golf course has raised thousands for two local charities.

Mayfield and Districts Lions raised $30,000 during their annual charity golf match at the Mayfield Golf Club.

The funds will be split between St John Mid Canterbury, and the Ashburton Housing Support Trust (Haven Housing).

Lions golf committee chairperson, James Murdoch, said everyone enjoyed the day out in the sun and helped raise a good amount.

“It is really important to us that the money raised in Mid Canterbury stays here.”

St John area committee chairperson Michael Rushton said the $15,000 would get divvied to help fund local programmes, such as Three Steps for Life, an education programme within schools, and training volunteers.

Ashburton Housing Support Trust’s Jackie Girvan was thankful for the donation as they continue to raise funds for their community housing project at Mona Square.

“Every little bit helps,” Girvan said.

Murdoch said they are really grateful for all the support from businesses who sponsored the event and entrants who attended on the day.

The water meter installation in Methven is complete and is already helping to find leaky pipes. With installation complete, the next phase of the trail is data collection before a findings report will go before the council next year to decide whether it rolls the meters out across the district. Chief executive Hamish Riach reiterated the council’s policy is that the trial is for water management and water conservation purposes, not a first step to volumetric charging.

Fluoride shortage

The Ashburton District Council is exploring every avenue to solve its pending fluoride shortage in Methven. The current fluoride product will run out before the new treatment plant, which uses a di erent fluoride product, is operational. Rather than purchasing expensive equipment that would only be used temporarily, the council is requesting a temporary relief from the requirement to fluoridate the supply until the new treatment plant is operational.

Medical alarm service

In-home medical alarm services have been extended to “anywhere” in New Zealand. The Ministry of Social Development (MSD) introduced the service this week as part of its disability allowance, available at a weekly rate of up to $70 a week. Those who currently receive or need a medical alarm have the option of an alarm that works outside the home as well as inside.

National Dahlia Show

Ashburton is hosting the National Dahlia Show at the Tinwald Hall from February 18/19 next year. Secretary of the National Dahlia Society, Jeanette Cuthbertson, expects about 60 competitors from around New Zealand and is encouraging local growers to take part. Dahlias are grown for their beauty, colour and length of flowering. There are a range of classifications that people can enter.

The Ashburton Hospital has three new graduate nurses starting soon, which will reduce its number of vacancies to 11.4 fulltime equivalent positions.

PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Jonathan Leask

“Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air”

Daniel Alvey

Above – The second recipient was the Ashburton Housing Support Trust (Haven Housing). (from left) golf committee convener James Murdoch with Ashburton Housing Support Trust trustees Walter van der Kley and Jackie Girvan with Mayfield and Districts Lions president Rab McDowell.

PHOTOS DANIEL ALVEY

Below – St John area committee chairperson Michael Rushton (middle) was very happy to be a recipient of $15,000 from Mayfield and Districts Lions president Rab McDowell (left) and golf committee chairperson James Murdoch.

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Holden | Managing editor

Daryl

Our holiday activities will keep your kids busy

School is almost out, but there are plenty of activities to keep young people busy over the holidays, including the annual Burty challenge involving the library, art gallery and museum, open spaces and EA Networks Centre.

Youngsters are challenged to do two specific tasks at each of the locations, have their challenge card stamped and then go into a draw to win one of three family passes to Ōpuke Thermal Pools.

There are 10 challenges in total, and a full card will earn a free disc golf hire from EA Networks Centre. Challenges relate to specific activities at the facilities over the summer holidays – for example, at the Ashburton Museum youngsters will be asked to complete an activity that is part of a visiting space discovery exhibit.

Other challenges include taking a photo of a family picnic at your favourite park or reserve, finding Swimantha the bear at the EA Networks Centre stadium and playing a board game or arcade game at the Ashburton Public Library.

The annual challenge is a great way to keep youngsters occupied and the activities are free. It starts on Wednesday 14 December and runs until 29 January next year, so there’s plenty of time to get through all 10 challenges.

Another annual event is the Santa Hunt, at the museum. Bring your torches if you are coming to the opening night on 21 December, or visit any time until 31 January and find all the sneaky Santas in their hiding spots.

Ashburton Public Library

Christmas Craft Week – 16-23 December. Bring your children to the library for craft activities, movie nights and a very special evening Christmas story time.

Riff Raff Summer Reading Challenge – 14 December to 20 January. Children can pick up their copy of the reading challenge and try to read 20 books over the summer.

Youth Summer Reading Challenge – 9 December to 20 January. Teens can pick up a challenge card, complete them and earn points for a prize draw.

The Art of Gift Wrapping – 15 December and 22 December, from 4pm-5.30pm. Bring along your gifts and wrapping materials and learn a new way to wrap.

School Holiday Outreach to Methven and Dorie – Join us for free Christmas activities, crafts and games at the Mt Hutt Memorial Hall on Friday 16 December (10am-12pm) or at Dorie Hall on Tuesday 20 December (10am-12pm).

Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum

Make a holiday card in the art gallery by composing a scene using objects from Santa’s sack – a drop-in activity, available until 13 December.

A special space science exhibition, Tūhura Tuarangi, will visit from 22 December until 29 January. The exhibition showcases amazing space technologies and worldleading research going on in New Zealand. Bring your budding astronaut.

Make your own photo film reel using photos taken by Bobbie Barwell, who ran a photography studio in Ashburton in the 1930-40s. This activity will end on 15 December.

Learn about Tatau, Samoan tattooing, through the photographic art of four Samoan artists who have been capturing the practice over the past 40 years. Exhibition opens 21 December. See each facility's website or Facebook page for details of holiday events and action as the holidays roll out.

New citizens welcomed by Mayor Brown

Thirty-two new citizens will spend their first Christmas as Kiwis following a citizenship ceremony at the Ashburton Event Centre last night.

The new citizens have moved from all around the globe and affirmed their allegiance to New Zealand with Ashburton Mayor Neil Brown, and in front of proud friends and family.

Mayor Brown said they had chosen to

make New Zealand their home and now country, and his door was always open if they had problems or needed advice.

“The good wishes and support of the community are with you and we look forward to you spending many years in this district.”

The ceremony began with a cultural performance from Ashburton College’s kapa haka group, and also included messages of congratulations from

The new citizens came from South Africa, the Philippines, Samoa, Greece, the United Kingdom, the United States, Belgium, Fiji, Scotland, Brazil, Colombia, Switzerland and India.

More than 200 people have received their citizenship in the district over the past two years and last night they also left with a kōwhai seedling, the young tree representing their new life.

Tapping into potential wins for our economy

We are barrelling along to Christmas and there is much to do in a short space of time, so it was a pleasure to share some Christmas cheer with students of Mt Somers Springburn School this week.

The whole school was in town to have a swim at the EA Networks Centre pool and hang a decoration on the Christmas tree there. As has become tradition, I joined them to hang the decoration and hear the Christmas songs they have been practising.

It was a highlight of my day, and reminds me of the untapped potential of young people in our district.

Foundations laid at primary school, or even earlier, are built on at secondary school and then our young adults are out in the world looking for jobs or

going on to further education.

While the majority find their way, some end up not in education, employment or training (or NEETs, as they are sometimes called).

It’s this group that Council is hoping to help through a partnership between the Mayors Taskforce for Jobs and the Ministry of Social Development. Our Council has been chosen to pilot a Rural Community Resilience Programme to place these young people into work.

The pilot programme will be administered by Council’s economic development team and will lean on the office of the Mayor to open doors, so if you are a business that could provide a pathway into any type of employment, then I’d love to hear from you.

I’m told by deputy mayor Liz McMillan

that many other young people made quite an impression at Light up the Night last week when they performed on stage in the lead-up to lighting the town’s big Christmas tree on East Street.

The event was the first of three free Christmas events Council has organised for the community and I was disappointed to miss it, but I was representing the district elsewhere at an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand.

We have official friendship relationships with two cities in China - one with Xianyang in Shaanxi and the other with Puyang, in the north-eastern province of Henan. The latter was established in 2000 and delegations from Puyang have visited the Ashburton District four times over the years.

These relationships can help boost business, tourism, trade and more investment in the local economy, and supporting the local economy is front of my mind.

I hope that everyone who lives here will support our local retailers as much as they can in the lead-up to Christmas, and beyond. It has been a difficult couple of years and our business community has been impacted as shopping habits changed – now’s the time to buy local and help money stay in our community.

Enjoy your Christmas parties with friends, families or workmates and if you are intending to have a few drinks, then make sure you have a ride home.

Neil Brown - Mayor

Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro and Internal Affairs Minister Jan Tinetti.

Light up the Night: We certainly did!

Despite the chilly weather, the crowds came out in force to celebrate the start of the Christmas season and witness the lighting of Ashburton’s giant Christmas Tree last Friday.

A variety of dance and music performances kept attendees at Light up the Night entertained throughout the evening, while the festive lighting display delighted families and provided the perfect photo opportunity once dusk fell.

Santa never goes out of style, and he and his elves were mobbed by children as they jingled their way up and down East Street.

The young ones also enjoyed the kidzones where they able to craft their own Christmas decoration with the help of staff from the Ashburton Art Gallery and Museum.

Organisers were pleased with the turnout after the last couple of years’ events were cancelled or downscaled due to Covid precautions. The Samoan church choir and Life Dance Academy warmed up the crowd, which gathered in front of the stage.

Light up the Night was the opening event of the Nights of Lights Christmas festival, sponsored by Hokonui.

An outdoor screening of the original Home Alone will be held on 17 December in the Ashburton Domain for the Family Movie Night. Later in the month, a lineup of local musicians will entertain shoppers in the CBD during the Christmas Busker Days on 23 and 24 December.

Find out more about these upcoming events at nightsoflights.co.nz

Switching on the lights for charity

Hokonui's charity auction to sell off the chance to turn on the Christmas tree lights was won by 24 Catering Co, of Ashburton.

Chantelle Quinn owns the food company that made the winning bid and her daughter Bella and her friend Maddie had the honour of throwing the switch. The money will be given to the Phat Bastards mountainbike group, which is undertaking a massive 48-hour fundraising ride in February.

All the money raised will be donated to Mid Canterbury Hospice, Farming Families and Methven Search and Rescue.

Deputy Mayor Liz McMillan officiated at the lighting up ceremony, welcoming the crowd and then handing over the remote control switch. The tree's lights will come on with the street lights every day from now until after the Christmas and New Year period.

COUNCIL OFFICE

5 Baring Square West

Mon, Tue, Wed & Fri 8.30am - 5pm

Thursday 9am - 5pm

RUBBISH AND RECYCLING

CHRISTMAS-NEW YEAR

There is no change to kerbside rubbish and recycling collections over the Christmas and New Year holiday period, because they fall on a weekend. Please have your bins out on your usual day by 7.30am; please use your windstrap, no matter the weather.

The Ashburton Resource Recovery Park will be closed Sunday 25 December, Monday 26 December, Tuesday 27 December, and Sunday 1 January and Monday 2 January. Usual hours 8am6pm weekdays, 9am-5pm weekends.

The Rakaia Resource Recovery Park will be closed Monday 26 December and Monday 2 January.

The Methven Green waste facility will be closed Sunday 25 December and Sunday 1 January.

ASHBURTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

180 Havelock Street, Ashburton 7700

Mon - Fri 9.00am - 8.00pm Sat 10am - 1pm | Sun 1pm - 4pm

EA NETWORKS CENTRE

20 River Terrace

Mon - Fri 6am-9pm (pools 7pm, gym 8pm) Sat & Sun 7am-7pm (pools 5pm, gym 6pm)

TRIENNIAL MEETINGS

Tinwald Reserve Board - Monday 12 December, 5.30pm at Ashburton Vintage Car Club

Hinds Reserve Board - Tuesday 13 December, 7pm at Hinds Fire Station

Highbank Reserve BoardThursday 15 December, 7pm at Highbank Hall

Ealing Hall and Reserve BoardMonday 19 December, 7pm at Ealing Hall

Rakaia Memorial Hall - Wednesday 1 February, 7pm in the hall supper room

RECYCLING TIP: NO LIDS

With the holiday season here, you might have friends and family staying over - please help us keep our recycling ship-shape by remembering hard plastics 1, 2 and 5 for your yellow bin, and no lids of any size.

Lids jam the automated sorting machine; you can recycle lids at your nearest resource recovery park, just not in kerbside recycling.

COUNCIL MEETINGS

Meetings are held in the Council Chambers, 137 Havelock Street, (unless otherwise advised).

Methven Community Board –Monday 12 December, 10.30am at Mt Hutt Memorial Hall

Council Meeting – Wednesday 21 December, 1pm (live-streamed)

ASHBURTON ART GALLERY & ASHBURTON MUSEUM

327 West Street 10am - 4pm daily, late night Wed to 7pm

From the giant tree to special effects lighting and an interactive light board, Ashburton's CBD came alive on Light up the Night. Check our Facebook page for more images of the event, taken by Joanne McCloy Photography.

The recipe for success in life has changed so much in the past few years.

What worked once before, might not work anymore.

There’s a need to be different and to think outside the box to enjoy continued success and advancement, including in the sporting realm.

That’s why it was nice to have a conversation with a man helping to lead the rebellion in difficulty and to learn about a sector of our community that’s invoking change and reaping the rewards.

He was Roasty Douglas and the organisation that he leads as its president was Basketball Mid Canterbury, which right now is closing out one of the most successful years in their existence.

Player numbers are bubbling over to an all-time high.

There’s more engagement in

their game, and their success bucks the sporting trend quite considerably.

Why is that? Because time has become an even more valuable commodity for the average Mid Canterbury family, and one of the major sufferers has been extra-curricular activities – sport being at the forefront.

Families no longer have the time or the resources to be able to spend their school-week afternoons trekking children from one sport to the next, and that’s seen playing numbers have faltered.

But just not on the basketball

court, where numbers have flourished.

Right from the very smallest of age groups to the adult grades, with more than 1000 people having stepped out on the court in the past 12 months – a strong push forward from

ing and an ability to offer a little bit of everything, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

While there can be no doubt that the sport has aspects that make it much more suitable for many people, such as the weather having no impact,

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exactly what Basketball Mid Canterbury is doing.

From miniball for the youngsters, right through to the senior men’s and women’s grades, there’s a choice for everyone.

Add in the fact that it can be an all-year round sport, and you can see the appeal.

But there’s no resting on the laurels either. Already plans are in place to make 2023 even better than 2022.

They’re going to get in front of more young minds from within the school environment to encourage, develop and entertain, and hope with that comes even more players keen to get out on the court during the year.

the Covid-interrupted years, which scuttled many away from the court.

Douglas and his team having worked tirelessly, and shown that with a bit of forward-think-

matches later in the day as opposed to the morning and being a little less time-dependent than many other sports. But, for all of that, you’ve still got to provide the platform, and that’s

Given they managed to lift playing numbers in one local school from 12 to 60 this year, it would seem almost a certainty that another increase is on the cards, too.

Matt Markham

He was Roasty Douglas and the organisation that he leads as its president was Basketball Mid Canterbury, which right now is closing out one of the most successful years in their existence

PlayPlanner

whatson@theguardian.co.nz

Every day

Mt Hutt Memorial Hall

10am, 160 Main Street, Methven. NZ Alpine and Agriculture Encounter, Art Gallery and Hall of Memories.

Ashburton Aviation Musuem 1-3pm, Ashburton Airport, Seafield Road.

Weekdays

Mid Canterbury Connector Provides low-cost return trips to Ashburton, Mondays to Fridays, any time between 9am and 4.30pm.

Ashburton Aviation Museum 1-3pm. Ashburton Airport, Seafield Road.

Mondays

Age Concern Ashburton Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am.

Ashburton Bridge Club 1.05pm, Bridge Club Rooms, 79 Alford Forest Road.

Ashburton Community Walking Group Mondays and Fridays at 10.30am. Walnut Avenue Pavilion.

Ashburton Pipe Band practice Pipe Band rooms, Every Monday, 7.30pm onwards.

Mid Canterbury Linedancers

Weekly beginner class 1pm-2pm, Easy intermediate & intermediate 2pm-4.30pm at the Tinwald Memorial Hall. Instructor Annette Fyfe.

MSA Dance Section Monday 4.00pm to 6.00pm. All welcome at the MSA Havelock St.

Tuesdays

Ashburton Menz Shed 9am-2pm at 8 William Street.

Age Concern Ashburton Steady as you Go Gentle Falls Prevention Exercises. All levels of ability are welcome. $2 per 1hr session.

• Held at Methven All Saints Anglican Church Chapman St at 10.30am.

• Rakaia St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church Bridge St at 1.00pm.

• Hampstead Hakatere Church Rooms, Oxford St at 1.30pm.

MSA Tai Chi

Classes at 11am. Cost $3 per session at the MSA on Havelock Street.

Justice of the Peace JP available for all signing services on Tuesdays and Fridays at 12pm-2pm. No appointment necessary. No fee. Community House, 44 Cass St.

Ashburton MSA Petanque Club

Competition and social play, all welcome from 1pm at 115 Racecourse Road.

RSA Indoor Bowls

Every Tuesday at 12.45. RSA in the Doris Linton Lounge. $2, followed by a cuppa & chat.

Pickleball Ashburton

EA Networks Centre from 5-7pm. Paddles provided.

Mid Canterbury Badminton Club Badminton Club night from 7-9pm. All abilities welcome at EA Networks Centre.

Waireka Croquet  Club

Draw 9.45am GC Handicap Singles. Ist Tuesday in the Month Handicap Singles 19 hoops. Draw 1.15pm. Singles Handicaps -0 5; 6-9; 10-16.

Wednesdays

Ashburton Menz Shed 9am-2pm at 8 William Street.

Ashburton Ladies Friendship Club 9.45am, Sinclair Centre. Speeches, morning tea, every fourth Wednesday of the month.

Wednesday Walk Group 9.30am. Meet Walnut Avenue on the west side of the Ashburton College Auditorium

What’s on Where

Do you have an event for Play Planner? Email us with all the details to whatson@theguardian.co.nz.

entrance.

Age Concern Ashburton

Steady as you Go Gentle Falls Prevention Exercises. All levels of ability are welcome. $2 per 1hr session.

• Held at Allenton St David’s Church, Allens Rd at 9.30am.

• Held at Ashburton Buffalo Lodge Rooms, Cox St at 10.30am.

• Held at Ashburton Buffalo Lodge Rooms, Cox St at 1.30pm.

• Held at Staveley Community Hall at 2pm.

Pickleball Ashburton

Every Wednesday from 9.30am - 11.30am at EA Networks Centre.

St Stephen’s Anglican Church Holy Communion at 10am on Park Street.

Age Concern Ashburton Programme for the elderly runs Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at 10am.

Hip Hop for Seniors 10am-11am at the Ashburton Seniors Centre, 206 Cameron Street, Ashburton, $5.

Ashburton open coffee mornings

All are welcome at the Plunket rooms, 222 Cameron Street. 10.30am - 12 noon.

Thursdays

Ashburton Bridge Club

Every Thursday, 7.05pm, Bridge Club rooms, 79 Alford Forest Road.

Ashburton Menz Shed 9am-2pm at 8 William Street.

Age Concern Ashburton Ladies exercise class at 9.30am at Ashburton Seniors Centre at 206 Cameron Street.

Mid Canterbury Badminton Club 9.30am-11am at EA Networks Sports Centre.

MSA Tai Chi Classes at 11am. Cost $3 per session at the MSA on Havelock Street.

Age Concern Ashburton Steady as you Go Gentle Falls Prevention Exercises. All levels of ability are welcome. $2 per 1hr session.

• Tinwald Holy Spirit Church, Thomson Street at 11am.

• Ashburton St Stephen’s Church, Park Street at 1pm.

• Ashburton Buffalo Lodge Rooms, Cox Street at 1pm.

Ashburton MSA Petanque Club From 1.30pm at 115 Racecourse Road.

Fridays

Ashburton Community Walking Group Walking for about 30-40 minutes on Mondays and Fridays at 10.30am. Meet Walnut Avenue Pavilion.

St Stephen’s Anglican Church Seniors Coffee Club, 2nd and 4th of the month at 10.30am, St Stephen’s Parish Centre, Park St.

Ashburton Justice of the Peace JP available for all signing services from 12-2pm. No appointment necessary. No fee. Community House. 44 Cass Street.

Pickleball Ashburton EA Networks Centre from 6-8pm. Paddles provided.

Saturdays

Ashburton Farmers Market

Saturday mornings, 9am-12.30pm, north end West Street car park. Plants, hot and cold food, vegetables.

Ashburton MSA Petanque Club

Social play from 1.30pm at 115 Racecourse Road, Ashburton

Ashburton Aviation Museum

Ashburton Airport from 10am - 3pm.

Ashburton Woodworkers Clubrooms at Plains Museum site 1pm-4pm.

Seventh-Day Adventist Church

• 10am, Weekly worship & Bible Study.

• 11am, Sabbath singing & Sermon. At Grace Presbyterian Church building, 63 Princes St. Ashburton. All welcome!

Vintage Car Club

86 Maronan Road, Tinwald

The Museum and Parts Shed will be OPEN on Saturdays during the month of November, Time: 10.00am to 12 noon.

Waireka Croquet Club

AC Singles or Doubles. Draw 9.45 and 12.45, GC Draw 1.15 pm Doubles. New players welcome, mallets available.

Sundays

Ashburton Anglican Parish Sunday - St Stephen’s Anglican Church, Park St, 10 am. Holy Communion Sunday - St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Thomson St. 10 am. Holy Communion, 2nd & 4th Sundays of the month St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church 10am Morning Worship. Service led by Rev. Eric Mattock. All welcome. Sinclair Centre, Park Street.

Grace Presbyterian Church 10am at 63 Princes Street.

Hakatere Presbyterian Parish Morning Worship at 10am, Rev. Johanna Warren. • 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month at 65 Oxford Street

• 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month at 127 Thomson Street Tinwald St Paul’s Church, Mid Canterbury CCAANZ

Chertsey Community Hall, Chertsey Line Road, Chertsey, 10am Sunday. Communion 1st and 3rd Sundays. “Knowing Jesus and making Jesus known”.

Pickleball Ashburton Sunday is organised competition day at EA Networks Stadium from 5-7pm. Prior registration through our facebook page is required. Some courts are available for social play.

Every Monday and Saturday

Allenton Assn Croquet Club

Venue Allenton Sports Club. Monday, Saturday. Start every week Monday September 19 until March 27 2023. Starting time 1.15pm.

Every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday

Methven Croquet Club

We play croquet every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 1.30pm at the Methven Domain. All welcome to come along.

Every Tuesday and Friday Methven Museum – Christmas Display 60 Main St, Methven. Open Tuesday and Friday 2-4pm. Believe it or not an orange was once a treat as were nuts. Many families could only afford these treats if they saved up all year. Come to the museum and see what gifts were given at Christmas of yesteryear, and what decorations were put up in the home. There are puzzles for the children to do and the history of Methven is on display. Admission is free but donations are welcome.

Every Thursday and Saturday Ashburton Toy Library

Open every Thursday and Saturday from 9.30am-12.30pm, plus every alternate Tuesday 3.30pm-5pm at 106 Victoria Street.

Every Wednesday, Saturday Allenton Golf Croquet Club Wednesdays & Saturdays. Start every week from Wednesday September 21 2022 until March 29 2023, starting time 9.45am.

Last Sunday of every month Nor’Westers Muso’s Club

All are welcome, as is any style of music. 2pm - 6pm at Feeneys Lounge, Devon Tavern.

First Sunday of every month

Methven Market

At Methven Resort, from 9am to 1pm.

Third Monday of every month

The Ashburton Electronic Organ & Keyboard Club meets on the third Monday of every month (except December/January) at Seniors Centre, 206 Cameron Street at 7.30pm

Second Fri of every month

In Colour, art and craft club

Bring along your art and craft projects to share with others over morning tea once a month. 10.30am - 12 noon.

Second and fourth Friday of every month

St Stephen’s Anglican Church Seniors Coffee Club 10.30am on Park Street.

Monthly

Ashburton Embroiderers’ Guild

Meet Seniors Centre, 206 Cameron Street first Saturday of the month 10.30am-3.30pm, second Thursday of the month 1pm-3.30pm, third Tuesday of the month -9pm, and the fourth Thursday of the month 10.30am-3.30pm.

December events

Plains Railway Precincts Christmas Celebration

Sunday December 11 from 11am-4pm. Ja1260 will the haul the Christmas Train, Market Stalls, Kids Santa Hunt, Popup Playground, Ashburton Silver Band play from 11.30am12.30pm, Santa visits at 2pm & more! Hot Food & Coffee available. Located in the Tinwald Domain, 62 Maronan Rd, Ashburton.

St David’s Union Church

Thursday December 8, 10.00am. St David’s Union Church. Fit Kidz for preschoolers & caregivers. 48 Allens Road.

Friday December 9, 6.00am. St David’s. Women’s Circuit Training. 48 Allens Road.

Sunday December 11, Starting Time: 9.30am. St David’s Union Church. Worship Service led by Rev Henry Mbambo. 48 Allens Road.

Monday December 12,6.00am. St David’s Union Church. Women’s Circuit Training. 48 Allens Road.

Tuesday December 13 9.30am. St David’s Union Church. Walking Group meets outside church, 48 Allens Road.

Wednesday December 14, 6.00am. St David’s Union Church. Women’s Circuit Training. 48 Allens Road.

Wednesday December 14, 9.30am. St David’s Union Church. Steady As You Go. 48 Allens Road.

Thursday December 15, 10.00am. St David’s Union Church. Fit Kidz for preschoolers & caregivers. 48 Allens Road.

Friday December 16, 6.00am St David’s. Women’s Circuit Training. 48 Allens Road.

St Paul’s Church, Mid Canterbury CCAANZ

Chertsey Community Hall, Chertsey Line Road, Chertsey. Christmas Carol Service 18th December 10am, followed by shared lunch. Christmas Eve 8pm. Christmas Day 10am.

Waireka Croquet Club

Philip Street. Tuesdays, Waireka Croquet Club GC Draw 9.45am and 1.15 Singles.

St Andrews Presbyterian Church 10am Morning Worship. Commemorating St Andrew’s Day and Remembrance Day. Service led by Rev. Eric Mattock. All welcome. Sinclair Centre. Park Street.

Send all details to whatson@ theguardian.co.nz

IMPORTANT:

Thursday

Mountain weather hazards: None issued. Partly cloudy.

Wind at 1000m: Light N, rising to 30 km/h in the afternoon.

Wind at 2000m: Light N, rising to 35 km/h in the afternoon.

Freezing level: About 2800m.

Friday

A ridge weakens across the country, allowing a frontal rainband to sink southwards over the North Island and upper South Island. An area of low pressure sitting to the west of Aotearoa New Zealand on Friday and Saturday spreads its associated fronts across the country. During Sunday, the low moves eastwards across the South Island while a front clears the North Island.

Mountain weather hazards: Wind, Wind Chill. Rain developing in the morning near the divide with some heavy falls in the evening. Cloudy elsewhere with a few morning showers.

Wind at 1000m: NE rising to 35 km/h, turning NW 35 km/h in the evening.

Wind at 2000m: NE rising to 50 km/h in the morning, turning NW 45 km/h in the afternoon, rising to gale 70 km/h in the evening.

12.4 6.7 –

E 35 2:18pm

14.5 8.4 8.8 13.2 0.2 3.8 35.0

15.6 9.5 9.4 10.6 0.0 8.2 43.0

NE 41 2:04pm

E 37 3:54pm Tue

5:28am 5:40pm 11:36am 11:50pm

5:27am 5:44pm 11:42am 11:56pm

11:34pm

6:10am 6:23pm 12:21pm

6:11am 6:30pm 12:26pm

5:54am 6:07pm 12:05pm

5:42am 9:08pm 5:42am 9:09pm 5:42am 9:10pm

9:22pm 5:18am 10:21pm 5:56am 11:13pm 6:43am

14.5 8.6 –27.8 4.0 ––SUN PROTECTION ALERT Data provided by NIWA PROTECTION REQUIRED Whatever your skin colour – 9:05 5:40 ampm

This private town house which is tucked away on Nelson Street is beautifully presented with a lovely outdoor area and gardens.

A spacious open plan kitchen, dining and living space which flows out to the private patio and easy care yard. Three bedrooms, all with built in wardrobes.

A jack ‘n’ jill bathroom opening into the master bedroom plus a separate toilet with hand basin. Double glazing and heat pump.

This lovely property ticks all your boxes with an internal access double garage and is fully fenced. Walking distance to the town centre.

NEW LISTING/OPEN HOME

NEW LISTING/OPEN HOME

Perfectly Finished

This gorgeous hidden gem is located on a quiet street with a two minute walk to the local shops.

The 80m2 newly renovated home has been finished to perfection and the neutral colours will appeal to many. Enjoy sitting in the spacious lounge and chat to your partner as they cook you dinner in the modern, well laid out kitchen.

Also enjoy summer days on the deck which can be accessed through double bi-fold doors o the lounge. Here you can sit in the sun and watch children or pets happily play in the fully fenced

OPEN HOME

668m2 section.

The two bedrooms are both double and there is a third room that could be used as a nursery, study or home o ce. Carport and o -street parking.

To avoid the disappointment of missing out, call today!

12

O ers Over: $395,000 Web ID AUE3524159

View: Saturday 10, 10.45am – 11.15am

OPEN HOME

Room For Everyone

138 Thomson St, Tinwald

This

gorgeous home o ers so much for a growing family.

impressive o -street parking, this property o ers you a double car garage with internal access to the house and a double carport suitable for boat, caravan or for a car enthusiast.

OPEN HOME

bedrooms, three doubles all with built in wardrobes, one single with built-in cupboard. A must view!

O ers over: $565,000 Web ID AUT3487447

View: Saturday 10 Dec, 10am – 10.30am

Brand New And Waiting For You

This brand new build is now ready for new owners.

The home has two bathrooms and three double bedrooms, master with en suite. Open plan living heated with a heat pump. Fabulous style kitchen with modern features and ample storage. The garage is a generous size with loft storage and laundry. Easy care section with new landscaping and concrete paths for easy access.

Price: Price on Application Web ID AUE3125730 View: Saturday 10, 11.30am – 12noon

Opportunity Knocks!

69 Eton Street, HAMPSTEAD

Don't look past an opportunity that allows you to choose your own path! With options of subdividing, buying your first home or investing, 69 Eton has come up with the goods! Set on a 916m2 section you will find a split stone home with three double bedrooms plus a large garage with games room or workshop attached. Call today!

Dream Big

55 Wills Street,

Here is an opportunity to own a spacious villa in a superb location within walking distance to the Ashburton Domain and town centre. Three fabulous size bedrooms, two living rooms and spacious kitchen with bifold windows. Gas cooktop and electric oven. Two log burners and HRV system. Sunny deck to relax on to entertain family and friends. Four car garaging and a great 1014m2 size section.

Price: By negotiation Web ID AUW3487470 View: Saturday 10, 12.15pm – 12.45pm

A Family Dream Opportunity

121 Racecourse Road, ALLENTON

Set on a beautifully established 2786m2 section sits this well-appointed large family home. Six bedrooms, two bathrooms and two toilets in the home, one bedroom sleepout with bathroom and toilet. Bright and sunny kitchen with all the modern conveniences is central to the spacious living and dining. Three heat pumps, two in the home, one in the sleepout. Double garage, large spacious garden shed and separate workshop.

O ers over: $815,000 Web ID AUW3449919 View: Saturday 10, 10.45am – 11.15am

Brand

New and Coming Soon

161 Harrison Street, ALLENTON Do not miss your opportunity to view this very spacious four bedroom home in the heart of Allenton. Situated on a large section amongst an established garden this home o ers plenty of options for the whole family. Kitchen with pantry and dining area are open plan plus a separate sunny living room. Large separate laundry and fabulous attached bonus room, for those who want to work from home this is possibly the perfect place, your new working space could be right here. O ers over: $630,000 Web ID AUW3444319 View: Saturday 10, 10am – 10.30am Home Is Where The Heart Is OPEN HOME 24 Wakanui Road, HAMPSTEAD Do not miss your opportunity to view this gorgeous family home on an 1868m2 section. Many classic features including ornate fireplaces and beautifully in-built furniture. With three bedrooms and numerous options for living this property will appeal to many. Two heat pumps, log burner plus some underfloor heating. A workshop and hobby room added attractions. O ers over: $595,000 Web ID AUW 3482309 View: Saturday 10, 10am – 10.30am Character Beauty OPEN HOME 1 Torbay Avenue, Huntingdon Fabulous lifestyle living at the lake, this could be perfect for you and your family.  Open plan modern kitchen and dining/living room with heat pump and log burner plus a separate lounge to escape to. Four double bedrooms, master with en suite, WIR and sliding doors opening to a lovely patio area.  Established gardens, stunning BBQ area plus a work shed. O ers over: by Negotiation Web ID AUH3526000 View: Saturday 10, 1.45pm – 2.15pm A Piece of Paradise OPEN HOME 9 Catherwood Avenue, Allenton SOLD 21 River Terrace, Ashburton SOLD 79 Chertsey Line Road, CHERTSEY Currently used as a residence this property provides endless options. The current zoning of Business A permits many uses from retail, hospitality, community, residential and commercial activities including visitor accommodation. This two storey building provides up to eight upstairs bedrooms and large bar and lounge downstairs. One 2464m2 title with spacious grounds, swimming pool and storage sheds. Excellent prominence from SH1. Options Are Endless By Negotiation Web ID CU3029266 OPEN HOME View: Sat 10, 11.45am – 12.15pm 17

ASHBURTON

163A William Street, ASHBURTON

19A Baker Street, ALLENTON

Tucked away in a private rear section, this home will be brand new. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, master with en suite and WIR. Open plan kitchen, dining and living areas perfectly positioned for the sun and heated with a heat pump. There is a separate laundry as you walk through to the double garage. The property will be easy care with room for o -street parking.

With

Open plan kitchen / living room with double doors opening to a wonderful easy care backyard and a covered private entertaining area. Kitchen with double dish drawers, wall oven and cooktop plus a skylight to let in that extra light.

Four

2 14

Morrison set for busy time on road and track

at Oamaru with Orange in the North Island, again driving at the Manawatu two-day meeting for major supporter Michael House.

The absence of the best driver in the land has paved the way for John Morrison to step in and fill the void tomorrow night at Addington Raceway.

New Zealand’s best, Blair Orange, will miss tomorrow night’s meeting as he heads north to jump aboard New Zealand Cup king Copy That at Alexandra Park, as the big-racing attention shifts north heading toward Christmas.

That’s left a hole in the driving ranks at Addington, and Morrison has been a direct benefactor of Orange’s decision to hop on a plane, picking up a number of drives for the Ken Barron stable throughout the 11-race programme at harness HQ tomorrow night.

Riding the crest of a wave, with 48 winners next to his name for the season as he sits inside the top 10 drivers in the country during what is his maiden season as an open horseman, Morrison will be out to extend those numbers over a busy weekend of racing.

He also benefited yesterday

Tomorrow night he gets to slip into the Barron colours on three occasions, including promising filly Coachella.

The daughter of Sweet Lou was fourth last time out behind True Fantasy and then fourth behind Da Vinci at her start before that, so carries good form into tomorrow night’s assignment – a $15,000 event for fillies and mares.

Drawn well, Morrison will have plenty of options with the pacer early, and she does look a strong each way chance.

He also drives the consistent Chrislynn for the barn early in the night and debutant Cee Who’s Bettor.

After Oamaru yesterday, it was back on the road today to head to Winton for the busy driver, with a strong book of drives at Central Southland Raceway today including the talented but enigmatic Willangus Lad.

Morrison also picked up the drive on the Ivan Court-trained Silk later in the day, who has been excellent in two runs back from a spell.

From there it’s to Addington tomorrow night and then some-

thing a little closer to home on Sunday with a trip out to Methven for Green Mile day.

Included in his early driving engagements is exciting local trotter Franco Josiah, who will

NZ Metro harness

Tomorrow at Addington Raceway

tackle the trotters’ Green Mile following his two excellent runs on the Addington rack during Cup Week, in which he won on the Tuesday and placed on the Friday.

BET: Magic Dash (Race 4) VALUE: Tide And Time (Race 11)

Christchurch dogs

Today at Addington Raceway

Above – John Morrison and Franco Josiah will head to Methven on Sunday for the Trotters Green Mile in what is a busy few days for the young driver. PHOTO SUPPLIED

Matt Markham

Ashburton Golf Club

Well, I am back on deck, fully recovered after the Jolly boys tour.

There are some wonderful golf courses up around Palmerston North, from the tough, wonderfully laid out, Manawatu course to the hidden gem that is Rangatira, where we joined a massive field of 10 players on their Saturday game of the day. You may have seen the Rangatira course on a few websites. You play a very picturesque course that goes down three levels, so when you finish the 18th you are about 30 metres below the clubhouse. Then you can jump in a cable car with your clubs, it can fit in a group of four, and that drags you back up to the top, brilliant!

A wonderful course and very welcoming people, well worth a visit.

Anyway, back to the Brandon. Pauline and Robbie Bell won the Smallbone Trophy for closing day, while we were away. Well done.

Last Saturday we had a mystery partner day sponsored by the 3 Stooges, Gaby, Hamish and Pat. These three local legends kindly donate the iconic brown bombers every week for one of the nearest the pins.

The game was, everyone played individual stableford then a draw was made to see who you were partnered with for a combined pairs score.

Top individual score was John Power with a superb 45 points, he got partnered with Matt Young who snagged himself 32 points which put those boys in second place, but the man who just can’t stop winning Richard McKernan shot a very average 37 points but luckily got himself paired with young James McFarlane, who chucked in a solid 41 points giving the Super Macs a winning score of 78 points. Davey Hampton and Kevin McStay took out third place with 76 points.

Well done everyone.

This week we have the Radius Care Xmas salvers, Mixed day, individual stableford with lots of Christmas cheer on offer for good scores, thanks to the wonderful people at Radius Care, this is always a very well supported game.

Then just to make it an even better day, we are starting the qualifying for the Property Brokers Shootout.

This is by far the most talked about tournament at the club, its bigger than Lego!

This year we have six qualifying rounds over the next six Saturdays. Your best two rounds are your qualifying scores, you can play two games or all six. Just pay your $10 entry before your first round and you’re in.

After the six rounds, we will have our top 19 Finalists and I believe the Property Brokers Shootout final is on Sunday January 29.

Get your name entered, you don’t have to be a good golfer to win it. I mean, just look at the list of winners.

That will do for now. Oh I almost forgot. AGM tonight (Thursday) 7pm in the club rooms. Come along and join in. It is your club. See you around, good golfing.

SPORTS RESULTS

■ Golf

Ashburton Veterans Golf

Results

1st = Brian Sivier and Jim Lattimore 42, 3rd Neal Jones 41, 4th = Kevin Evans and John Cudworth 39, 6th Neil MacDonald 38, 7th = Charlie Alexander, Ken Borland, and Graeme Munro 37.

Twos: Barry Jury and Wayne Ross.

NZ dropped from sevens rugby tour

A shake-up of the Sevens World Series sees New Zealand’s long-standing place on the circuit dropped in favour of more “iconic” destinations.

A remodelled competition, which will kick off in December 2023, will include seven rounds in seven destinations to be played across seven months – a move that will end New Zealand’s more than 20-year involvement as a host.

New Zealand’s final event will be in January 2023, as part of the current season, when the event returns to Hamilton for the first time since 2020. The sevens had previously been hosted in Wellington before switching to Hamilton in 2018.

World Rugby said discussions were ongoing with potential host destinations for the new series, following unprecedented hosting interest, but New Zealand Rugby confirmed World Rugby would not be choosing New Zealand.

New Zealand Rugby’s head of professional rugby Chris Lendrum said NZR had interest in hosting one of the seven Sevens tournaments and had targeted dialogue with World Rugby.

“However, World Rugby has recently confirmed to NZR that New Zealand will not be one of the seven locations hosting the Sevens World Series under the new format, making the upcoming Hamilton World Sevens Series tournament the last of its kind.

“NZR wants regular opportunities for All Blacks and Black Ferns sevens players to play at home in front of our fans, and we are now beginning to explore other potential avenues to achieve this in the future.”

Athletes converge on Hamilton for National Summer Games

Special Olympics athletes from throughout New Zealand have converged on Hamilton for the National Summer Games which open today.

More than 1000 Special Olympics athletes will compete in 10 sporting disciplines from today through to December 12 at the Freemasons New Zealand Special Olympics National Summer Games, the largest multi-sport event in New Zealand of the year.

The athletes will compete across eight different Hamilton venues and will bring a massive injection of visitors and fun to Hamilton.

Sports included as part of the games are athletics, basketball, bocce, bowling, equestrian, football, golf, indoor bowls, powerlifting and swimming.

Special Olympics New Zealand Chief Executive Carolyn Young said the National Summer Games, which are the pinnacle sports event for people with intellectual disabilities, will bring thousands of visitors into Hamilton, including athletes, coaches, volunteers and supporters.

The National Summer Games has evolved to become one of the biggest sporting competitions in the country since the first National Games were held in 1985.

“The National Games are our flagship four-yearly event and while it was disappointing for our athletes, coaches and volunteers

that we had to postpone the event last year because of the pandemic, the additional year has given everyone the opportunity to catch up on training, undertake more fundraising and planning, so we expect the Games to be spectacular,” Young said.

Mayor of Hamilton Kirikiriroa,

“The athletes have put in a lot of hard work to be here at to compete. They are excited and so am I. I look forward to watching different events across the city and

cheering them on,” the mayor said.

“We have a beautiful city with great places to see and great places to eat, so I hope our visitors have time to enjoy their time here.”

Young said Hamilton should feel very proud of the way it is supporting the games.

“We need over 600 volunteers to run the sports and other logistics as well as the Healthy Athletes screening programmes. Most of these volunteers are coming from the Hamilton, so a very big thank to those are giving their time to make sure our athletes can compete and have a wonderful time at the Games, she says.

A large number of those volunteers will be provided by the Freemasons New Zealand, who are the naming rights sponsor for the event, but also provide vital volunteer support and strong fundraising expertise.

“For many of the athletes, the National Summer Games is one of the highlights of their life, so we want to make sure they are well looked after and have a great experience,” Young says.

Over 150 volunteers, most from a health professional background, will deliver a health screenings and education programme, the Healthy Athlete Programme, to all 1000 athletes which includes dental, podiatry, hearing, vision and health promotion.

The first of athletes arrived at the Athletes Village yesterday, with the opening ceremony at Claudelands today at 4pm.

The games will wrap up on Monday with a closing ceremony and the disco before preparations start for the 2025 National Summer Games in Christchurch.

Paula Southgate will warmly welcome the arrival of Special Olympic athletes to Hamilton next week.

The Special Olympics National Summer Games are set to begin in Hamilton today with more than 1000 competitors from around the country competing.

PHOTO SUPPLIED

from Ashburton Veterans Golf played at Tinwald Monday December 5.

Secretary of the Ashburton Bridge Club Trish Small shaking hands with Glenda Wederell, banking officer for Heartland Bank. Glenda is accepting presents and cash from the bridge club which are for Ashburton Birthright. In the past members brought presents for each other at the end of the year, but decided that Birthright was a more worthy recipient.

Lads on tour, Ashburton Golf Club members on the Ashburton Jolly Boys tour last month.

Breen shines at national champs

Country Mid Canterbury win thriller

By Matt Markham matt.m@theguardian.co.nz

As far as top of the table tennis matches go, you couldn’t have scripted it much better.

Two of Mid Canterbury’s brightest sporting stars have made a strong play at the New Zealand Junior tennis championships this week – and there’s more to come for little old Mid Canterbury too.

The junior championships began on the weekend with the Under 14 category and Mid Canterbury’s two representatives, Riley Breen and Joshua Gilbert both made their presence felt.

In a strong field of 32 players, Breen almost worked his way into the final – but had to fight hard every step of the way.

He kicked off his campaign with a three-set match to advance through to the second round, where he then again went to three sets to knock out the sixth ranked player in the tournament to secure a quarter-finals berth.

Up against the fourth seeded player in the event, Breen played some of his best tennis of the week, winning 6-1, 6-3 to comfortably secure a semi-final spot against the No.2 ranked player in the field, Dan Milburn.

The young teenager was unable to keep his run going, however, and dipped out, with Milburn going on to lose the final.

Ranked outside of the top 10 heading into the tournament, the result is a huge one for Breen, who gets to return to the same championships in 12 months time as a senior player in the division.

The same can be said for Gilbert, who crushed his rival in the opening round of 32 to set up a second-round match with Milburn, who proved the giant-killer for both Mid Canterbury based players.

The pair stepped out in the doubles action as well, but Breen once again found himself on the wrong side of a semi-final result.

Playing with Liam Youn, the pair were comfortable through the early rounds before they dipped out to singles winner Cody Atkinson and his playing partner Andre Duggan.

Gilbert teamed up with Alvin Na from Christchurch, but the pair were unable

to advance pass the first round, losing in a tie-break.

With Breen and Gilbert’s week over, the attention will now turn to Holly-Jayne Feutz and Jake Parsons, who will step out in the Under 16 championships which begin on Friday.

Country Mid Canterbury’s bid to be the team to beat in Tennis Canterbury’s Division One interclub competition took a major boost on the weekend when they toppled the table-topping South Brighton Blue side to move to the top of the standings halfway through the season.

Neither side had been handed defeat through the first six rounds of the season before the weekend’s clash and neither side looked keen to relinquish that effort on Sunday morning either.

The overall tie finished at three matches each. Country Mid Canterbury won two singles matches and one doubles game with South Brighton doing the same.

Jake Parsons continued his great run of form with a comfortable victory in the No.1 singles spot while Connor Brosnahan was also victorious. Jason Feutz almost made it three for the morning but lost his match in a tie-break.

Brosnahan and Feutz were victorious in their doubles match, which also went to a tie-break and Parsons and Ryan Watt went the distance too, losing the tie-break 12-14.

And so, the match was decided on sets with Country Mid Canterbury’s eight sets across the morning enough to sneak them home as winners.

They now move to the top of the standings in Division One – a spot they’ll be keen to maintain through this weekend as well.

The competition takes a break for the festive season after Sunday and the locals clash with Shirley could be the result they need to start to put a march on the pack before they return in 2023. The news wasn’t quite as good for the Division Two side on Sunday as they fell heavily to Halswell.

Peter Leonard and Jackson Pullar provided the only highlight of the morning winning their double matches 6-2, 6-1. They now face the near top of the table Bishopdale in the final round of the year this weekend.

Shaky start for golfers in Tauranga

A tough start on the greens has the Aorangi golf sides chasing their tails late into the week.

Both the golfing regions men and women’s sides are in the North Island competing at the New Zealand Inter Provincial tournaments this week and at the half-way point yesterday there was still plenty of work to be done.

Playing in Tauranga, across two courses, both tournaments kicked off on Tuesday with a win and loss for the men’s side and two defeats for the women, which extended to three with defeat on Wednesday morning as well.

The men kicked off their campaign against Bay Of Plenty on Tuesday morning, and walked away with just the sole victory to Cameron Grant, who managed to win his head-to-head battle. It was the same score for the

women against Hawkes and Poverty Bay, with Ginny Bolderston getting the lone win on the board.

Things turned around sharply in the afternoon for the men on Tuesday as they recorded a 3-2

win over Manawatu and Wanganui. Josh Smith, Travis Cook and, again, Grant recorded head-tohead

men’s side enjoyed their bye round, the women took to the greens again to take on Taranaki. They looked to be in trouble again through 13 of the 18 holes as they trailed four of the five matches, and were all square in the other.

Brittney Haugh managed to get ahead in her match to win one-up, while Jennifer Shepherd staged a comeback to see her match finish at all square as Aorangi lost the overall tie 3.5 to 1.5.

The women were in for another tough match yesterday afternoon and into last evening, as they took on the previously undefeated North Harbour side in the fourth round of the tournament.

The men were also set to face North Harbour in their afternoon match-up, but were set to do so in very different circumstances to the ladies with the North Harbour men’s side yet to taste success through three matches.

Play continues through with one round today and then two tomorrow before the finalists for the weekend are found.

Riley Breen made it to the semi-final for both singles and doubles at the Under 14 Junior National Championships in Auckland over the past week. PHOTO ASHBURTON GUARDIAN

Matt Markham

wins as the side got their tournament under way.

The women took on the might

of Canterbury on Tuesday afternoon, and again it was Bolderston who provided the only resistance, winning her head-to-head to remain unbeaten for the day.

Yesterday morning, while the

The two Aorangi golf sides competing this week in Tauranga at the national inter provincial tournament.

Matt Markham

No longer accepted as being upper-class in BVible part (3)

It’s the Sabbath, and you initially get us to turn out (6)

Quickly going to telephone about the bill (6)

A barrier to trap one, not one to be arranged? (9)

Without drinking, what do not a prison make without mortar?

ARIES (Mar 21-Apr 19): It’s much easier to go the distance in comfortable shoes. This will be true figuratively and literally. Life is hard enough; your attire needn’t be. What can you do to take the stress away?

TAURUS (Apr 20-May 20): Any problem requiring you to be more than you were is a gift. So, all problems are a gift. Even so, don’t feel too bad if you look at today’s problem and wonder if there’s a way to regift it.

GEMINI (May 21-Jun 21): Peer pressure will be subtle, powerful and omnipresent. This is the main reason you should spend as little time as possible with people who undervalue you. You wouldn’t want to think along those lines!

CANCER (Jun 22-Jul 22): You’ll surprise yourself by being strong without any of the things you thought were making you strong – proof of the untapped well of resources deep within you.

LEO (Jul 23-Aug 22): Sometimes it’s better to act than to waste time with the procedures and protocols. This is not one of those times. You really will need permission, and not just from one person.

VIRGO (Aug 23-Sep 22): It’s your project, so you care the most. That’s why everything needs to go through you. Be careful what you delegate. Put safety systems in play that ensure you get the final say.

LIBRA (Sep 23-Oct 23): It will feel as though you’re working on what should have been finished a long time ago. Strike the “should” from your thoughts and suddenly you’re just working, doing your diligent best in the moment.

SCORPIO (Oct 24-Nov 21): Stick with what you know and you just may be able to achieve flawless work, but you’ll also be uninspired. It’s the novel challenges that light you up. New territory equals new passion.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov 22-Dec 21): Be careful about what you glamorised and who you raise up. You will become more like the entity on the pedestal, so be sure it’s worthy of you.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22-Jan 19): Any effort you make to share your projects will be favoured by the fates. You won’t know who your fans are until you put your work into the world.

AQUARIUS (Jan 20-Feb 18): When you don’t know who is on your side, first make sure you are on your own side, then amp up that support. Be your own advocate, and people will eventually join in.

PISCES (Feb 19-Mar 20): An idea seems to go against everything you thought before. Maybe you were wrong, or maybe there is more than one way to be right. Acceptance and flexibility of mind give you different options.

ADULT ENTERTAINMENT

THERE’S Hope. Sweet - Would suit Genuine Gentleman. The New Me. Book now Christmas is coming, so treat yourself. Phone 02102759055.

HIRE

GENERAL hire. Lawnmowers, chainsaws, concrete breakers, trailers, and more. All your DIY / party hire, call and see Ashburton U-Hire. 588 East Street.

Open Monday-Friday 7.00am – 5.30pm; Saturday 7.30am - 5pm; Sunday 8.30am12.30pm - Phone 308 8061. www.ashburtonuhire.co.nz

MOTORING

WHEEL alignments at great prices. Maximise the life of your tyres with an alignment from Neumanns Tyre Services Ltd, 197 Wills Street. Phone 308 6737.

WANTED

RECORDS, DVD’s, CD’s, Large and Small Collections. Top Prices Paid. Phone or Text Neville 021946362.

STAMPS, Large and Small Collections. Top Prices Paid. Phone or Text Neville 021946362.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

KEIG, Johnny –9-9-2022.

Steph and her family send a heartfelt thanks to everybody that had provided us with love and support with the recent passing of Johnny. The baking, meals, flowers, cards, and visits…..thank you! The support has been overwhelming. Johnny’s funeral was a tribute to him and he will be missed so much. As it would be impossible to thank everybody. Please accept this as a personal acknowledgement.

“You may not be living here for all to see, but in my heart you will live forever. You will always be with me.”

DEATHS

BODY, Lester Raymond, (Ashburton and Rangitata) –Passed away on Tuesday, December 6, 2022; aged 83 years. Much loved husband of the late Val. Loved dad and father-in-law of Simon and Belinda, Matthew and Denise, James and Erin. Loved Grandad of Jensen and Corbin, Kiera and Zachary, Lucy, Imogen, Abigail and Elijah. Loved son of the late Frank and Estelle. Many thanks to all those who have helped support Lester this year including the Dunedin District Nursing Team, the staff at Timaru and Dunedin Hospitals and the Yvette Williams Retirement Village. In accordance with Lester’s wishes, a private service will be held. Messages can be sent via PO Box 2252, Dunedin, 9012.

The World Of Musicals in Concert

The World Of Musicals in Concert

Monday 12th December 7-30pm

Tickets from $59.90 (fees apply)

Limited Tickets Left

NEILSON, John Phillip –

On December 5, 2022, passed away peacefully at Coldstream Lifecare, Ashburton, aged 66 years. Dearly loved son of the late John and Val. Much loved brother and brother-in-law of Jim and Kathy, twin sister Lesley, and Maree. A much loved uncle and great-uncle of all his nieces and nephews. Messages to the Neilson family, PO Box 472, Ashburton. In lieu of flowers donations to the Cancer Society would be appreciated and may be made online at bit.ly/jpneilson0512. A Memorial service to celebrate John’s life will be held in Our Chapel, cnr East & Cox Streets, Ashburton on MONDAY, December 12, commencing at 2pm.

The Fleetwood Mac Experience

The Fleetwood Mac Experience –

Running in the Shadows

Friday 16th December 8pm

Adult $52 / Gold Card $40 / Child $30 (fees apply)

The internationally acclaimed Australian Fleetwood Mac Show Running In The Shadows is heading to Ashburton to pay homage to the superstar band. The six-piece band will cover a wide range of their songs from the band.

Grammy’s Coming Home

This highly anticipated show features a world class ensemble of multi-talented international artists who exquisitely perform classic hits fused with emotive ballads, big screen anthems and Iconic show tunes. You will be left spellbound from the opening songs to the final medley of classics. Icons

Summer Singing School

Friday 13th & Saturday 14th January 7-30pm

All Tickets $25 (fees apply)

Celebrating iconic Music and Stars proudly sponsored by Hokonui. Mid Canterbury Summer Singing School in its 23rd year is definitely going to bring you some iconic music. Musical Director Jo Castelow is joined by scholarship alumni Greta Casey-Solly to bring you some fabulous music at the culmination of a week-long course.

BOX-OFFICE HOURS:

Mon to Fri – 9am to 5pm

TICKET OFFICE 03 307 2010

211A WILLS ST, ASHBURTON, 7700 www.ateventcentre.co.nz

FinalWhistle

calling time on a week of sport

Standing tall on the big stage

Local tennis ace Riley Breen showed his worth on the court at the U14 National Championships this week, making the semi-final of both the singles and the doubles.

FULL STORY: P21