5 June 2024 The Blenheim Sun

Fight for Trinity’s Life

By Chris Valli

A Spring Creek grandmother’s fight for her granddaughter’s health continues to be a realm of emotions notwithstanding the lack of accountability from specialists. Lynn Hankey and husband Graeme left Blenheim in their motorhome on Monday, March 18, cycling and walking her way to her granddaughter Trinity Hutchins in Hawkes Bay.

Continued on page 2.

While Spring Creek grandmother Lynne Hankey says they are grateful for the treatment Trinity is currently receiving, ‘it does not change the fact that this should never have happened in the first place’. “Trinity desperately requires nutritional support or all this becomes just a temporary bandaid. Her system is so far out of whack she is retaining fluids instead of them flushing her system as they are meant to.”

Marlborough Sounds - Picton - Koromiko

Tuamarina

Rarangi

Rapaura

‘Do not accept nothing is wrong’

Continued from page 1.

Trinity has abdominal vascular compressions (AVC) a rare condition that causes excruciating pain and vomiting during and after eating and drinking. Adding to the complications, she now has scurvy, a disease caused by a serious Vitamin C deficiency.

The specialists Lynn refers to is the New Zealand National Intestinal Failure and Rehabilitation Service (NIFRS), designed to improve outcomes for patients of all ages with intestinal failure (IF). The NIFRS is a national service provided by Auckland District Health Board on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

Doctors and specialists had recorded on Trinity’s records that it was a mental health issue and would not provide her any medical assistance, including nutritional supplements.

Lynn says the scurvy has been a result of 15 months of no nutritional support and Trinity not being able to hold down anything she eats. It was picked up by her primary care giver when he noticed signs of it and decided to run a blood test to check her Vitamin C levels.

“This turned out to be a lot more complicated for the hospital to arrange as we understand that special funding needs to be approved through Pharmac which can take weeks so they brainstormed and have been able to offer a multi vitamin infusion which will also boost her low B vitamins as well,” she says.

Lynn says NIFRS removed her TPN (total parenteral nutrition) from her and claimed that she had never been sick. TPN is indicated when there is impaired gastrointestinal function and contraindications to enteral nutrition and is supplied via a portacath.

THE

PRICE: Trinity was admitted to Auckland Hospital last year for internal bleeding which specialists claimed she was ‘doing to herself’.

being under such tremendous pressure just trying to cope with the emergencies that flood their corridors constantly? Or is it a result of the fact that it is much easier to label a person with psychological issues and pass them off? I know Trinity is paying the ultimate price, our family is paying the price. Whatever the cause, it desperately needs to change, and that change needs to happen fast.”

Lynn and Graeme have had to use ‘most of their retirement fund’ supporting Trinity obtaining private medical care and says there is nothing else they can do, unless they ‘get her to Germany’.

journey on social media. They approached Lynn and Trinity’s Mum Anna for approval to organise a Fundraiser in Germany, with support from Alex and the team from “Kinderherzaktionen” a beginning of their amazing International support.

Recently a German couple, made a ‘mind blowing donation’ that has the family ‘still reeling and rather speechless’. They can now see the light at the end of a very long and dark tunnel,” “We have now gone from the halfway mark to two thirds of this massive fundraising effort to save Trinity’s life,” says Lynn.

Ph:

On hospital recommendations, Trinity has continued to take as much food as she can orally but the excruciating pain and endless vomiting continues and she is now severely malnourished. Lynn suggests some health professionals just aren’t listening to their continued fight.

“Is it a result of those working in our system

With no government funding available, the cost of the lifesaving treatment in Dusseldorf, Germany for Trinity is $180,000. The pioneering genius is German Professor Doctor Sandemann. Recently, a ‘wonderful family’ who were in New Zealand at the time when Trinity’s story went viral, returned home and started following her

Lynn says the impact of the Blenheim Sun had brought awareness and understanding to Trinity’s plight.

“It breaks your heart; it’s a matter of keeping at it and fighting for our granddaughter,” she says.

The Give a Little page is www.givealittle. co.nz/cause/health-system-fails-our-18-yearold-save-a-life

PAYING

ULTIMATE

Blake Hebberd (red hoody), winner of the Grand Prize, a Mitsubishi Triton ute from The Motor Company takes the stage along with, from left: Nev Gane from Marlborough Hunting & Fishing, the Woody’s Stacey Goodwin, Graeme Sidey, Ben Webb, and The Woody’s Rowan Ingpen on the microphone. PHOTOS: Kaylene Hollard.

Pig & Deer Hunt an epic event

The crowd turned out in force on Sunday for the weigh-in and prize-giving the annual Woodbourne Tavern Pig & Deer Hunt 2024. Marlborough turned on some great weather, perfect conditions for hunting and enjoying a well-earned cold one or three at the Woody afterwards.

Competition was fierce, and Co-owner and event organiser Stacey Goodwin says the entries were as good as they’ve ever been with 547 entries in the Open category, 115 entries in the Young Guns category, and a whopping 201 entries in the Whippersnappers category.

The grand prize, a Mitsubishi Triton ute with all the bells and whistles supplied by one of the events major sponsors, The Motor Company, was won by 17

year old Black Hebberd.

The Kawasaki KGX90 quad bike, kindly supplied by another major sponsor, Marlborough Motorcycles, was won by Thomas Andrews.

Results:

Hare category

Cooper Collins brought home the heaviest hare at 4.454kg, followed by Charlie Butt 2nd heaviest 4.256kg, and Rafa Macfarlane 3rd Heaviest 3.976kg.

Rabbit category

Evie Townley brought home the heaviest rabbit at 2.088kg, followed by Eyliah Collins 2nd heaviest 2.062kg, and Polly Bell 3rd heaviest 2.024kg.

Possum category

Jack McLean brought home the heaviest possum at 4.91kg, followed by Ruby Reed 2nd

heaviest 4.656kg, and Isobel O’Sullivan 3rd heaviest 4.53kg.

Pig category

Chris Parnwell landed the heaviest pig at 96.5kg, followed by Richard Taylor 2nd heaviest 87.5kg, Aubrey Tai 3rd heaviest 74kg. Scott Gardner picked up the prize for Best Tusks, and Alicia McLeod picked up the prize landing the pig with the average weight for the class of 43.529kg.

Deer

Eli Taylor landed the heaviest deer at 147.5kg, Scott Downing 2nd heaviest 120kg, and Troy Frost 3rd heaviest 118.5kg. Troy Frost also picked up the award for the Best Head, and Connor Jackman tied with Fletcher with the average weight for the class of Kopua 69.46kg.

Pigs

Four hunters were tied for 1st place: Honor Mckenzie, Louie Patchett, Mila Pyers, and Holly Shadbolt all landed pigs with the heaviest weight of 51.5kg. Layken Norris took out the prize for average weight with 38.4kg.

Goats

Jack Musson brought home the heaviest goat at 38.8kg, Jack Willetts 2nd heaviest 38.2kg, Millie Stewart 3rd heaviest 37kg. Max Dollimore tied with Cordt Horrell for the prize for Average weight 23.0kg.

The team and management at the Woodbourne Tavern extent a heart-felt thank you to all participants, sponsors, spectators and supporters for make this year’s Pig & Deer Hunt and epic event.

Special guest for Masqerade Ball

A special guest for Cure Kids Masqerade Ball later this month is Ben Barrington from Shortland Street. Ben has been on the show for nine years, playing the hotshot plastic surgeon Dr Drew McCaskill. Other TV / film credits include: The Brokenwood Mysteries, The Almighty Johnsons, Offspring, Outrageous Fortune, and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe.

Ben is delighted to come to Blenheim to support the Cure Kids Masquerade Ball.

Grab your tickets today.https:// www.eventfinda.co.nz/.../cure-kids.../ blenheim

Matariki Night Market

Whitehaven’s Matariki Night Market is on at the Vines Village Saturday 22 June 4.30pm – 7.30pm. A fun evening for all. Explore the Vines Village vendors, night lit gardens with local producers and stallholders, live music, fire dancers, poi demonstrations, face painting, and a special treasure hunt. It will be an amazing encounter around every corner!

Art of Wellbeing Workshops

Free art workshops are available on Wednesdays in June to support members of the community to create art for the annual Art of Wellbeing Exhibition for Mental Health Awareness Week. Caters to all skill levels. Care Marlborough, 26 Percy Street, 12.30pm - 2pm, Wednesday June 5th, 12th, and 23rd. For more info please contact Carla or Jelena 027 575 4750 or email admin@carem.nz

Thomas Andrews, winner of the Kawasaki KGX90 quad bike from Marlborough Motorcycles with Ben Webb.

inbrief

Sun The

Marlborough Gymnastics Championships

On Friday, June 14, the annual Schools Gymnastics Festival will be held at the Marlborough Lines Stadium from 9.30am – 11.30am and 12noon – 2pm. Children attending have spent a full term training for the event. It is spread over the day, with one grade in the morning and two grades in the afternoon.

Meanwhile, on Saturday 15 (8am – 7pm) and Sunday 16 (8am – 3pm) June there will be the Marlborough Gymnastics Championships with over 400 competitors from mainly the South Island. There is a door entry fee to cover overheads for the event.

BootSale Market

The Blenheim Rotary BootSale Market is on every Saturday 8am – 12pm at the Blenheim Railway Station Carpark. Everyone welcome.

No booking required, just turn up and choose a site. $5 per site.

No sales of alcohol, guns, gin traps or children!

Farmers Market

The Marlborough Farmers Market is on every Sunday 9am - 12pm at the Marlborough A&P Showgrounds rain or shine.

Come down and support your local growers and producers and help them support you in your local community.

A huge range of stalls, and live music.

Vocal workshop for music enthusiasts

By Chris Valli

A vocal workshop for keen music enthusiasts to ‘find their voice’ conducted by Blenheim musician Tom Knowles and MC/singer Jackie Clarke is on offer in August.

The workshop on Sunday, August 25 is the day after the Stars in Your Eyes charity event. After recent auditions, the 10 contestants/ groups have been confirmed for the Creative Kids Trust fundraiser for Saturday August 24.

Tom says he is ‘really keen’ on helping locals discover their voices, the untapped potential and pushing boundaries of what’s possible, playing with different styles and techniques, and playing with vocal tricks to imitate and impersonate our favourite stars.

Tom, a former Stars winner in 2010 as Meatloaf, says the event was epic and was fun seeing so many faces you wouldn’t usually see out there doing their thing.

“If I was to do it again I’d probably do a John Farnham - You’re the Voice, or Jack Black, or David Bowie. I love playing crazy characters so a Ziggy Stardust or someone dramatic would be fun.”

The Wellington based musician is currently working hard on a new Matariki Spectacular with four Māori drag queens, The Tiwhas,

WELLINGTON DIRECT TO CHATHAM ISL ANDS

NO TIME FOR INHIBITIONS:

Blenheim’s Tom Knowles, a previous winner of Stars in Your

says this year’s contestants need to look at their stars smallest details like mannerisms,

and the way they interact with a crowd. RIGHT: Lieke

the 2019 show.

performing in Wellington and Auckland through June and July. He says he is the sound designer, guitarist and vocalist backing them up and it’s heaps of fun.

“It’s a wild ride and I’ve never had so many laughs making a show before. They are stars,” he says.

Following the spectacular, he will release some new indie rock music he has been sitting on for a few years that he made with fellow Marlburian, Josh Logan.

“This is a new direction for my music and will be released under the name, Tommy Knowledge. There’s a really cool music video up our sleeves too starring some

well-known faces in New Zealand so I am pumped to put this out there.”

As for what advice Tom would give to the Stars contestants?

“To have as much fun as possible. Remember there will be a great audience cheering you on the night so the more fun you’re having the more fun they will have,” he says. “Study your person. The smallest details like mannerisms, vocal inflections, way they enter the stage, way they interact with a crowd all help shape the performance. This is no time for inhibitions, this is a time where you can be whoever you want to be, so go for it.”

as

If Sun readers or local businesses would like to sponsor Tom for the workshop contact Liz @ 021 547 593 or email liz@creativekids. org.nz

The Stars in Your Eyes 2024 line-up is; Evelyn Duncan (Florence Welsh), Angeline Forlong, (Christina Aguilera), Tristan Gregory-Hunt, (Dave Koz), Phillip Johnson (Zac Bryan), Natalie Joubert, (Duffy), Rowan McKay-Simpson, (Mark Knopfler), Peata Panoho, (Avril Lavigne), Kim Weatherhead and Matt Allcutt, (Lady Ga Ga and Bradley Cooper), Amber Wright (Dolores O’Riordan), Courtney, Jo, Emma and Lucy (B*Witched).

Experience 8 days in one of New Zealand’s most remote and unique places. The Chatham Islands are the closest most New Zealanders can get to international travel without packing their passport.

Tour #53 (Incorporating the 2024 Festival of Science)

Tue 13th Aug 2024, depart Wellington 1:00pm - arrive 3:30pm (CI time)

Tue 20th Aug 2024, depart Chathams 8:30am - arrive Wellington 9:45am

Tour #56

Fri 19th Sept 2024, depart Wellington 1:00pm - arrive 3:30pm (CI time)

Thur 19th Sept 2024, depart Wellington 1:00pm - arrive 3:30pm (CI time)

Fri 26th Sept 2024, depart Chathams 8:30am - arrive Wellington 9:45am

Thur 26th Sept 2024, depart Chathams 8:30am - arrive Wellington 9:45am

Tour #57 (Incorporating the 2024 Transit of Venus Celebrations)

Thur 17th Oct 2024, depart Wellington 1:00pm - arrive 3:30pm (CI time)

Thur 24th Oct 2024, depart Chathams 8:30am - arrive Wellington 9:35am

All inclusive costing per person X Christchurch or Wellington. SINGLE shared facilities .............................................................$4,455

/ DOUBLE with ensuite .....................................................$4,555

Make up your party now and take advantage of your preferred accommodation while availability lasts.

Phone: (03) 249 8294 Follow us on Facebook

Email: chathamislandtours@gmail.com

Web: www.chathamislandtours.nz

Eyes

Meatloaf,

vocal inflections

Tegels won as Lady Ga Ga singing Bad Romance in

“A sense of connection, ownership”

By Chris Valli

A Seddon mural painting project is doing more than just brightening up the town; it’s uniting the community in a vibrant display of creativity and collaboration.

Project Manager Corie Boley, alongside Seddon local Charmaine Hammond, is spearheading the final stages of the mural project. Together they have been organising designs, raising funds, and galvanising community support. Collaborating with talented Marlborough artist Vasu Singh and enthusiastic youth, they’re all collectively bringing new life to Seddon through the visual arts.

The Blenheim Police Prevention Team initiated this inspiring project in 2020 with a vision to make the pathways safer and more inviting for everyone. Charmaine Hammond stepped in to coordinate with Seddon School, Preschoolers and Marlborough artist Joan Clark to assist the students with the murals.

Today two bridge underpasses in Seddon are the canvases for these community masterpieces. The SH1 Bridge boasts an enchanting underwater scene filled with mermaids, crabs, eels, sea turtles and even a yellow submarine. Meanwhile, the railway bridge features vibrant local flora and fauna, inspiring messages and colorful representations of the stunning Awatere Valley landscapes. Participants from Marlborough Youth Trust, led by Seddon local Maxine Anderson

Boley, Lottie Savage, Zavia Epiha , Max Sweeney, Makayla Reihana, Xavier-Rae Caldwell.

Sweeny, have been involved in this artistic endeavour as well.

Corie emphasises the significance of the project: “It instills a sense of connection, ownership in our youth. They can take pride in their contributions, knowing they’ve made a lasting positive impact on their community. We’ve replaced uninviting walls with beautiful art, cleaned up rubbish, and revitalized the local environment,” he says.

The project has garnered widespread support from Seddon

School, Marlborough Youth Trust, Blenheim Police Prevention Team, Marlborough District Council, Awatere Valley Trust, The Lions Club, Guthrie Bowron and Mitre10 Mega Marlborough. It has also brought together people from diverse cultural backgrounds including RSE workers from Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Thailand. Along with individuals from Germany, Japan, Scotland, the Middle East, India, America and New Zealand. Corie says transforming a ne-

glected area into a welcoming space for everyone has been incredibly rewarding.

“Seeing our diverse community unite for a common goal fills my heart with joy. The positivity and love invested in this project and over the last four years speaks volumes about our community’s openness and acceptance. This mural project stands as a testament to Seddon’s vibrant spirit and the power of coming together to create something truly beautiful.”

Sun The

Kindling Wood

Alzheimers Marlborough has great value bags of kindling wood available again this year. Priced at just $5 per bag, you will be saving money and supporting the important work that Alzheimers Marlborough carries out in our community. The kindling can be picked up from Alzheimers Marlborough, 8 Wither Road, 9am - 3.30pm daily. If anyone has sacks left over from last year, we would love to get them back. Alzheimers Marlborough, keeping you warm this winter.

International Languages Week

Welcoming Communities and the Marlborough Multicultural Centre are encouraging locals to join them at the 2024 International Languages Week event on Wednesday, June 12.

International Languages Week, held from Monday, June 10 – Friday, June 14, is an annual event to promote language and culture from around the world. Young New Zealanders have exposure to a huge number of international languages – more than 160 languages are spoken in our country.

Marlborough is a diverse community of people with 17 percent of

UNITING FOR A COMMON GOAL: From left to right; Heather Turnbull, Vasu Singh, Lyricks Caldwell , Elisha Wyatt , Lee Tepuia, Maddox Holdem, Necco Busby-Gray, Kane-Kawiti Rapana, Charmaine Hammond, Corie

Alana Jamieson Dunedin

The Girls Uninterrupted and Kiwi Yarns. I also like Between Two Bears.

Anastasia Shumqo Blenheim

On Purpose with Jay Shetty is one worth recommending.

Having Problems with Your Dentures?

Kim Robson Dunedin

NZ Crimes are really interesting.

Letters

Letters on issues of community interest are welcomed. A maximum of 150 words please. They must be signed and a street address provided to show good faith, even when a nom de plume is provided for publication.

The editor reserves the right to

Dear Editor

Had an interesting chat with IRD’s artificial ingenuity recently. I’d rung a couple of weeks prior to claim the tax refund due on the donations we make to a children’s charity – who had kindly let me know we could make that claim, not that IRD would have made if known – so I needed form IRS526.

On that prior phone call I had struck, shock horror, an actual human who’d promised to mail out the form. Anyway, it hasn’t happened so AI went through all of my personal information to make sure I was me. Then the machine told me it would make a voice-print so that any future contact would have that authentication on file. Fact is of course,

Our local MP(s) need to run spreadsheets on our power accounts providers, which are made up of distribution and generation. Thankyou Marlborough Lines for our discounts and unit reductions overseen by MEPT as we as consumers are shareholders.

Kirsty McGaul Bath, England

The British History podcast is fantastic and something different.

Margaret McKenzie Dunedin The Girls Uninterrupted.

abridge letters or withhold letters from publication. Email them to news@blenheimsun. co.nz or present to our office at 72 High St.

Please note that your name and street address MUST be provided with emails.

that my voice can be copied perfectly thanks to Microsoft’s VALL-E which can clone my voice from just a 3 second clip. I gave up. If we ever get the refund it will be added to what we give to that charity. We live in hope.

Slight change of subject: the ‘local’ paper to which I was subscribing gave me the choice of having automatic bank payments or, for paying over the counter via humans, to be charged an extra $5 per month. Nah. I cancelled the subscription I’ve had since forever, and rely on truly local free news. Its working fine, thanks ‘Sun’.

W. Holvey Blenheim

Max Bradford stopped us ever being shareholders also in power generation. No doubt the generation companies will tote out the increases in all costs and network assets but an inquiry into production costs, management, would give some balance to

Tom Knowles Blenheim I love Song Exploder and McCartney, a life in lyrics. I also found NZ Wars: Stories of Wairau amazing to learn more about Blenheim.

We hear and read a lot about infrastructure. Nobody seems to be talking about an ageing or a future falling population.

As we people grow older, we use infrastructure less and what is needed are hospitals and care facilities. (Blenheim will soon have eight of the latter!)

Japan is in trouble as nearly a third of the population is over 60 and there are not enough taxpayers to support them. Hundreds of schools are closing and houses are empty. China’s population, along with that of many other countries, may halve by the turn of the century.

Meanwhile our debt is growing, and is now equal to $90,000 for each household, while interest is around $70 each week. Our trading has been in the red for 10 years, the last two to the tune of $62 billion. Many of our taxpayer trained workers are going to Australia for higher money which is available from their trading credits from the likes of coal, gas, lithium and other minerals, some of which we have not, or are not allowed to mine. Any pay demands met will be paid with borrowed money.

Face up to it. A falling population will have to pay off the present growing debt, let alone for fancy new infrastructure. We are a poor country, living on borrowed money and borrowed time.

John Vile

Blenheim

charges.

Who’s overseeing generators/providers?

Where’s the balance that we see with our local distribution company?

David Kerr

Kaituna

New library art gallery building takes out awards

Te Kahu o Waipuna - Marlborough’s new library and art gallery building - won three awards at the Master Builders Association Commercial Project Awards held in Wellington on Friday.

Te Kahu o Waipuna won:

• Gold Award Winner and Category Winner in the Tourism and Leisure Category

• Value Award Winner in the Commercial Projects $10M to $25M Category

Mayor Nadine Taylor said she was proud of the people and teams who contributed to the building project.

“It was an honour to be at the awards night representing Marlborough - it goes to show

we have exceptionally talented people here who can go up against the best in New Zealand - and win!”

“This is a well-deserved accolade for Robinson Construction, APL Property, Davidson Group, Warren and Mahoney, the Council and art gallery teams and the sub-contractors involved in designing and constructing the building.”

The Master Builders Association awards set the benchmark for commercial construction in New Zealand and celebrate collaboration and innovation across the building industry. The awards recognise the people behind the construction project as well as the building itself.

Queen Charlotte Drive repairs update

Marlborough Roads recovery works on Queen Charlotte Drive are progressing with six sites already completed and another six under construction.

A mechanically stabilised earth wall, near Cullen Point on Mahakipawa Hill, was started in February and Marlborough Roads Manager

Steve Murrin said this was one of the more complex sites of the recovery project.

“To construct the wall the crew had to stabilise the road before digging down through the soft ground until firm foundations were found,” he said. “They will then build back up by layering a mesh product between layers of good soil to create a stable wall for the road to be reinstated on.”

Along with the wall construction and road reinstatement, drainage improvements are also being undertaken, scheduled to be completed mid-year.

“Another significant site we’re working on is the installation of a large precast concrete box culvert near Moenui Road,” Mr Murrin said.

The culvert is 1.5m by 1.5m in diameter, more than 18m long with an anchored concrete beam to support the road shoulder, as well as a reinforced embankment to increase the stability of the road.

Sites already completed this year include four retaining walls and two H-pile walls at

Momorangi and Aussie bays, and two railway iron walls near the Grove Jetty.

“A number of the sites are incorporating railway iron to build retaining walls, which is both cost-effective and good for the environment as we are reusing an existing material,” Mr Murrin said.

A second retaining wall at Aussie Bay is also being constructed using H-piles, a steel product used when railway irons can’t be.

Crews are also busy near Governors Bay with slope stabilisation and road realignment, which will restore this section of road to two lanes.

Bumper Winter Events Guide out now

If you want to know what’s on in Marlborough this winter, look no further than the Winter Events Guide.

Regional Events Advisor Samantha Young said the guide was now available, showcasing Marlborough events from 1 June to 31 August. “This is the biggest Winter Events Guide ever, which is heartening considering the tough time many of our events have had these past few years,” Mrs Young said.

“Our events sector has shown a lot of determination and creativity in the face of challenges,” she said.

“You only need look to the inaugural Pride Wairau Festival this June as a great example of a new event and Marlborough’s celebration of Matariki also continues to grow with an array of events and a programme due out soon as well.”

“We also have long-standing favourites like the Marlborough Book Festival bringing top contemporary authors to Blenheim. One of Council’s community events - the Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival – will have live performances at venues around our region.”

“Our bumper guide shows it’s a great time to support these fantastic events on offer.”

Printed copies of the guide are available from Council offices, libraries, iSITEs and the ASB Theatre. An online version is also available, promoted via social media and Stuff.

Winter Events

Winter event highlights include:

• Inaugural Pride Wairau Festival from 14 to 23 June around Blenheim

• Matariki featuring several events around the region in June

• Marlborough Book Festival 2024 from 25 to 28 July with sessions at ASB Theatre Marlborough and Marlborough Library (tickets go on sale in June)

• Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival 2024 from 7 to 10 August with the Grand Finale concert held at ASB Theatre Marlborough on 10 August

For more information go to: www.follow-me.co.nz

Get ready to register your dog

It’s that time of year again when your four-legged friend needs to be registered. The dog registration year runs from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025 and all dogs over three months old must be registered. Forms will be sent to owner’s last known address at the beginning of June. Please contact Animal Control if you don’t receive yours. All dog registration fees need to be paid by 1 July; after 31 July late penalty fees will apply.

The annual fee for category one (a nonworking dog, desexed and microchipped, with no infringement notice for the past two years) is $65 a year. Category two (non-working dogs which do not meet category one criteria including menacing dogs) is $96 and the dangerous dog category is $144. There is also a category for old dogs for those over 12 years of age (as of 1 July 2024) at $48. Working dogs are $23 per dog for the first and $12 for each extra working dog if there are more than 10.

Contract Manager Animal Control Jamie Clark said it was the dog owner’s responsibility and a legal requirement to ensure their dog was correctly registered with the local authority. “Your dog must wear a current registration tag to ensure it can be identified. Only one person can be the registered owner of a dog and if you

are under 16, the dog must be registered under a parent’s or guardian’s name at the address where they are kept most of the time,” Mr Clark said.

If you are registering your dog for the first time you will need to complete the registration form either at Animal Control or in person at Council’s Customer Service Centres in Blenheim or Picton. Alternatively, people can pay online using online dog services.

Please let Animal Control know if the ownership of your dog changes, your dog leaves the district, you have a change of address, or your dog has died. If you have any questions, please contact Animal Control on Ph: 03 520 9033 or email animalcontrol@xtra.co.nz

For more information go to: www. marlborough.govt.nz/services/dogs-andother-animals/dog-registration

A large retaining wall at Aussie Bay under construction, March 2024

Luke van Velthooven, APL Property; Mayor Nadine Taylor; Mark Watson and Phil Robinson, Robinson Construction and Maighan Watson, Project Manager, Marlborough District Council, celebrate at the awards night

one on one with the Sun

Ballroom Blitz to dazzle Blenheim

Australian dance professional Aric Yegudkin is the choreographer of the high-energy Ballroom Blitz New Zealand tour which hits Blenheim in just under a fortnight. Aric took time out from his busy schedule to talk to Chris Valli about the revival of Ballroom Dance.

Remember a certain pandemic that put a hold on events circa 2020/21? The Marlborough landscape from an arts perspective was bleak, financially and holistically. Online dance videos in the lounge, Tik Tok going mad and families doing anything to stay active, socially connected and embracing their creative lens.

Marlborough’s $23 million ASB Theatre’s role is to promote the arts, and affordability for local people is a bottom line. Cost. Money. Affordability is an apt word, especially in a cost of living crisis and how one chooses to live within one’s means and or budgeting constraints. Which brings the ‘ultimate dance dilemma’ – cost of ticket versus a bloody good night out for dance enthusiasts and those who appreciate the performing arts?

Post pandemic and a plethora of productions have graced the ASB Theatre from local musical theatre and dance productions to national tours. There is another wee gem

on the horizon and a sip of all things dance in the Sauvignon variety, if you will.

On June 16, a Blenheim audience has the opportunity to witness the ‘ultimate dance extravaganza’ at the ASB.

Acclaimed Australian Choreographer and three-time Dancing with the Stars champion Aric Yegudkin directs the sensational new show Ballroom Blitz which embarks on a whirlwind national tour across 12 centres all over New Zealand from May 28 to June 16, 2024. Twelve first-class dancers will be accompanied by an electric live on-stage five-piece band and two vocalists to bring the moves in the ultimate dance extravaganza, presented by Base Entertainment. Aric, comes from a Ukranian background and talks passionately about Dancing with the Stars Australia, where he strutted his stuff to victory in his first season with Ada Nicodemou from Home and Away. He then grabbed another win in 2015 alongside Emma Freedman and even held the record

Winter Events

for the highest scores in DWTS Australia history.

Ukrainian dance is a huge part of their culture. So how did someone who came to prominence on Australian television, get the dancing bug?

“I was always impersonating Michael Jackson at parties from the age of five. When I was eight years old, there was a ballroom dance class at a church hall down the road so my mum decided to take me.”

“I was really inspired to create a story that brought the art of ballroom dancing into the modern era”

“At high school they had me perform at the fashion parade and the crowd went off. So they got me back every year,” Aric recalls. It seems more people than ever are familiar with iconic dances like the Cha Cha thanks to the Dancing with The Stars television format.

Ballroom Blitz spins traditional ballroom dance and mixes it with cutting-edge choreography with the result, a mesmerising display of skill and passion performed to a soundtrack that includes favourites from Buble, Desree, Elvis, Dua Lipa, and Sam Smith to name drop.

Aric’s artistry takes centre stage guiding the audience on an awe-inspiring spectacle where rhythm meets romance and passion ignites the dance floor. Audiences will be ‘transported to a world where every step tells a story’ (visions of the iconic dance

sequence from Mary Poppins musical) and every move ignites the senses.

When asked how dance made Aric feel on a holistic level he believes it’s all about a connection.

“When I dance I feel most connected to myself. I really enjoy the music and the movements in my body that organically happen,” he says.

Ballroom Blitz is produced by Anthony Street along with kiwi-born musical director Hayden Baird who plays the saxophone and flute in the live band.

The cast features Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) winners and superstars including Shae Mountain, a talented kiwi-born star who razzle-dazzled audiences when he teamed up with NZ comedian Laura Daniel on Dancing with the Stars in 2019.

The show features breath-taking costumes, lighting and stage design fused with heart-pounding music by the live band. This show will set the stage on fire as the dancers create moments of pure enchantment and deliver a testament to the world of dance.

“I was really inspired to create a story that brought the art of ballroom dancing into the modern era,” says Anthony Street. “Working with Aric and Hayden we have been able to create something that we feel is truly beautiful and will leave audiences inspired and excited to learn more.”

As for if he will have any time to enjoy the finer aspects of the Marlborough landscape Aric says ‘hopefully…..depends how much the show needs me’, he says.

The show is billed as a breath-taking fusion of elegance, energy, and mind-blowing ballroom dance. The dancers are ready to remind a Marlborough audience that the possibilities are limitless when it comes to dance.

Acclaimed Australian Choreographer Aric Yegudkin directs the show Ballroom Blitz which embarks on a whirlwind national tour. The Blenheim show is on Sunday, June 16 at the ASB Theatre at 7:30pm.

Dear diary, here’s to the 7-day weekend

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Havelock Lions fund bus shelter

By Chris Valli

Seven years of fundraising and ‘working tirelessly’ has resulted in a bus shelter in Havelock Havelock Lions spokesperson

Ally Morriss says they were thrilled Marlborough District Council Manager Dean Heifford accepted an invitation to visit Havelock and the need for a shelter.

“Our Lions Club undertook to raise money to contribute to this. It was hoped the shelter would be in place within 18 months, forgetting NZTA would need to grant approval as it was on a main highway. The work also needed to fit in with work programmed around the Four Square and the township work, but we never guessed this would take so long,” she says.

Ally says they had noticed a young overseas traveller from

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Germany waiting for the bus from Nelson, standing in freezing wind and rain, quite distressed.

“We called him inside to warm up by a heater while one of us made a hot drink for him while the others watched out for the bus,” she says. “He was so thankful to have shelter and warmth, holding his hot drink in his cold hands.”

All Lions were grateful, Ally says, for the great support of the Havelock Community who got behind the 2018 Easter Book Fair as quality used books were given by the public.

“It was an enormously successful time as locals saw the need for the bus shelter for both locals and tourists and many donations were given, along with holding a raffle,” she says. “Prior to the Easter Book Fair the owner of an empty shop had allowed us to sell books for a month and this gave us the

Stroke Club ‘humbly grateful’ for donation

The Marlborough Stroke Club was recently presented with $500 by Harcourts Marlborough.

MSC Secretary Vyvienne Dunlop says the donation was very welcome and added to the Pete Carpenter Wellness Fund to be used to support stroke survivors in the Marlborough community in their rehabilitation recovery.

The dedicated fund subsidises members for physical rehabilitation with a

neurological physiotherapist at Well & Good, speech therapy with Anna Moore Music Therapist as well as sponsoring personal trainer sessions at the Stadium.

“We are so humbly grateful to the business community and general public for their generosity and ongoing support, without which we would not be able to offer the support to stroke survivors that we do,” says Vyvienne.

start to the fundraising and it was a thrill that within the year we had the $5,500 required.”

Havelock Lions Club has supported the Havelock Community with building the medical centre and recent projects including the outside BBQ, the shade sail, and assistance with the outside gym and pétanque court near the pavilion.

“We would like to meet up with any potential members who are interested in serving and working in our Lions Club to the benefit of our community. We annually assist locally with funding a student to Outward Bound and six primary students to a holiday camp,” says Ally.

If Sun readers are interested in joining, contact Membership Chair Debby Upsall for more details.

Ph 0272 232 348 or email her on debby@anakiwa.co.nz

price from $158,400*

Harcourts Rural/Lifestyle Sales and Marketing Consultant Martyn Birch with Marlborough Stroke Club President Jill Scoble and Vyvienne Dunlop.

The Havelock Lions Club says locals saw the need for the bus shelter for both locals and tourists and many donations were given.

‘Take time on how we fill those big shoes’

By Chris Valli

The Southern Jam Youth Festival scheduled in August will still go ahead, after the death of Rodger Fox last week.

Rodger Fox, 71, was synonymous with big band jazz and was a judge at last year’s Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival held in Blenheim.

Pure Events Marlborough Events

Manager Katrina Lange knew Rodger for 20 years and says many will be reeling from the news of his death. She says her heart goes out to his family and close friends, and the many students he had such an influence on.

“He was such a tireless, dedicated, passionate jazz performer and educator, whose involvement in our event and for the many musicians and music-lovers he’s helped shape, Rodger will remain in our hearts and music forever,” she says. “Southern Jam will go ahead as Rodger would have wanted but we will take time on how we will fill those big shoes.”

The jazz legend founded the Rodger Fox Big Band in 1973 and toured extensively here and overseas, playing at international jazz festivals including Montreux,

Monterey and New Orleans.

The Christchurch-born musician also taught at the New Zealand School of Music in Wellington.

Rodger was only 18 when he began playing with a dance band in the Wellington/Porirua area.

He was a winner of the ‘Tui’ (Aotearoa Music Awards) for New Zealand Jazz Recording of the Year in 1981, 2000 and 2012, and a finalist in 1984 and 2001.

He had split his time in Palmerston North and Wellington and taught at the New Zealand School of Music at Victoria University as a senior lecturer.

The last time he performed on stage in Blenheim was pre Covid where he did some concerts with pianist Michael Houstoun.

When the Blenheim Sun spoke to Rodger in August 2023 he said there were several people over the years that came to the jazz scene via Marlborough Boys’ College and especially into the Brass Band.

“It’s a healthy scene which filters into other genres of music,” he said.

David Bremner has been the principal trombonist in the New Zealand symphony orchestra for

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more than 20 years and says it’s an incredibly sad time for the music industry.

“So many rock bands, jazz musicians, classical artists have all had inspiration from Rog in the early part of their lives.”

David says Rodger was a “driving force” in music with boundless

energy, particularly when it came to educating and inspiring the next generation of musicians.

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Rodger was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2022.

The Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival has a gala concert at the ASB Theatre on Saturday, August 10 from 7pm – 10pm.

“Everyone knew that when they went to the New Zealand School of Music, they were going to have some kind of connection with Rodger Fox. That was a huge inspiring thing for students to go and be part of, he was a great champion of New Zealand music.”

LARGER THAN LIFE: “Rodger Fox was a tireless, dedicated, passionate jazz performer and educator”, Pure Events Marlborough Katrina Lange (inset) says “Southern Jam will go ahead as Rodger would have wanted but we will take time on how we will fill those big shoes”.

Stitching up another epic Fabric-a-brac

It’s time to save the date and start sorting out your sewing stash ready for Fabric-a-brac Marlborough 2024.

Fabric-a-brac is a market which brings together sewers, quilters, crafters and other fabric fans to buy and sell vintage and modern fabric and sewing supplies with the proceeds supporting Hospice.

This year’s Marlborough event will be held on Saturday, August 17 at Connect Blenheim on the corner of Beaver Road and High Street, running from 10am till 1pm. Stallholders will be selling their collections alongside Hospice Marlborough who will be selling all donated materials. Stallholder applications are now open and the Hospice Shop in Redwoodtown is accepting donations of all sewing related items.

“Fabric-a-brac brings out fabric-a-holics from far and wide looking for inspiration for their next project,” says Tracy Johnston the Fabric-a-brac Marlborough

coordinator. “We love that interior designers, upholsterers and sewing store owners also get on board donating fabulous fabric to support the event. It has also become the perfect place for family to sell or donate a loved one’s treasured collection knowing it is going to appreciative new homes. This means we have the ultimate combination of old and new treasures on offer.”

Fabric-a-brac events fundraise for their local Hospice. In 2024 the event will be held in ten locations around New Zealand. To date, the event has raised over $161,000 for Hospices across New Zealand. Fabric-a-brac Marlborough has raised over $19,000 since it started in 2021.

The Fabric-a-brac Marlborough event is run and generously supported by volunteers and businesses who contribute their time and resources to help maximise the fundraising potential of the event. Connect Blenheim continue to

provide the venue free of charge, Signs Now Picton is printing posters and Flooring Xtra Blenheim has stepped in to help sort and measure all the fabric donated to the Hospice Shop so it is ready for sale on the day. A team of volunteer bakers will also be putting on their pinnies to bake and serve at the pop-up café at the venue. This allows every dollar earned from the pop-up cafe, stallholder fees, gold coin donations, raffles and sales of fabric on the Hospice tables to go directly back to Hospice Marlborough.

Hospice Marlborough welcomes the funds raised from the event. Events and Engagement Lead

Leigh Somerville says with a funding shortfall of $850,000 this year, they simply couldn’t continue to provide the specialised palliative care services the region deserves, free of charge, without the generous support of our community and fundraising partners like the awesome Fabric-a-brac team.

“We truly appreciate all the hard work and effort that goes on behind the scenes, and we’re eagerly gearing up for, and looking forward to another epic Fabric-a-brac event come August,” says Leigh. Donations of fabric and sewing supplies can now be dropped off at the Hospice Shop in Redwoodtown until August 10 during their opening hours, Monday-Friday 10am – 4pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm.

Band winning streak continues

Just seven weeks after returning victorious from the Australian National Brass Band Championships the Marlborough District Brass Band has returned victorious from the Nelson Marlborough West Coast Brass Band Championships held in Greymouth last weekend.

Marlborough’s clean sweep saw them achieve winning points in the sacred item, own choice test, and stage march competitions as well as the 30 minute light entertainment

competition, thus earning the Marlborough Band overall top band in the Region. Percussionist Aimee Moore was awarded Best Soloists in the Entertainment Section for her rendition of Czardas on xylophone with band accompaniment.

Individual soloists also fared well against some strong competition from members of bands from Nelson, Motueka, Westport, Greymouth & Rangiora.

Marlborough solo placings were:

Ariel Rofe and Luke Riley

taking 1st and 3rd places respectively in the 15 years & Under Air & Variation

JP Moynihan and Charlie Youngman placing 1st and 2nd in the 18 years & under Air & Variation

JP Moynihan and Ariel Rofe taking 2nd and 3rd places in the 18 years & under Slow Melody

Jack Banks and Logan Ready winning 1st and 2nd in Intermediate Air & Variation

Jack Banks, Jonty Zydenbos, and Clynton Payne placing 1st,

To book a table to sell your stash visit https://fabricabrac.com/ marlborough/

2nd & 3rd in the Intermediate Slow Melody

Graham Moseley taking home 3rd place in both the Premier Air & Variation and Slow Melody competitions.

Tala Natapu and Robin Randall placing 1st and 2nd in 55 years and Over Air & Variation and Slow Melody Competitions, with Denis Teeling also taking 3rd place in the Slow Melody. Marlborough small ensembles won both the Junior and Open Ensemble events.

Fabric-a-brac Marlborough coordinator Tracy Johnston is collecting lots of fabric for the event at the Hospice Shop in Redwoodtown.

Aimee Moore and Robin Randall with the trophies.

Continuing to provide lowest conveyancing fees to Marlborough clients

Grey Power Marlborough

Advocating for people 50 +

From the President’s Desk

Well, there’s no getting around it – winter is settling in. And you have probably already noticed that your Winter Energy Payment started on the 1st of May. This is a great initiative and one that I hope will survive changing governments when they come into power. We’ve reprinted (with our thanks to the Office for Seniors, MSD) a full summary of this programme.

Of national interest, the Federation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) is set for the 18th –20th of June in Wellington. This year I will be attending as Zone Director, with Graeme Faulkner and Annie Percy attending as the Marlborough delegates. There are some interesting remits being put forward which our committee have looked at and decided how we will vote. The roles of National President (see below) and Treasurer will be voted on at this AGM. If there are any questions members would like us to put forward at the AGM, please email or ring the office and they will pass these onto me.

Email: office@greypowermarlborough.co.nz or phone 03 578 4950.

The Grey Power Federation President, Jan Pentecost, resigned from her role in March this year due to personal reasons. Federation Vice President, David Marshall, has taken over her role until the Federation AGM. We wish Jan all the best as she moves into a differ-

Keeping your home warm this winter

Two good ways to heat your home efficiently and economically this winter are heat pumps and wood burners. Here are a few tips on heat pumps (from Grey Power Pulse Energy) and wood burners (from NZHHA).

For starters, make sure your home is properly insulated. If it isn’t, see if you are eligible for a Warmer Kiwi Homes grant.

Heat pumps: About 1 in 4 New Zealand homes now use heat pumps. While heat pumps are the most efficient form of electric heating, some models are notably more energy-intensive than others. The good news is there are a number of things you can do to help your heat pumps function more efficiently and keep your power bill down over winter.

• Only turn your heat pump on when you actually need it. It’s a common

myth that it’s more efficient to keep your heat pump running all the time.

• Avoid using ‘Auto’ mode. This setting requires more power than other heating modes as it makes the heat pump continuously switch between heating and cooling to maintain a steady temperature.

• Remember to regularly clean both the indoor and outdoor filters of your heat pump.

Wood Burners: Well operated, modern wood burners are energy efficient, produce low levels of air pollution and use one of NZ’s most renewable forms of energy – wood! They are designed to heat more than just a single room, are carbon neutral, and are one of the cheapest forms of heating.

Use your Wood burner right.

• For kindling, use small pieces of

light, dry wood. If need be, some old newspaper and/or firelighters will ensure your fire starts first time.

• Use only dry, seasoned firewood from a reputable supplier. It may cost more per cord but you will use less of it to get more warmth into your home.

• Go outside and check your chimney – you will see smoke when it’s first lit, but once the fire is well underway and hot, you should just see a shimmer of heat.

• Don’t damp the fire down when you go to bed, as this increases the smoke as the fire smoulders. Modern compliant units won’t allow this anyway.

• Clean and/or empty the firebox regularly and ensure you get your chimney swept at the end of each winter.

On-call positions available

Presbyterian Support are on the lookout for Wonder Women and/or Supermen to help out in our day programme for seniors. We are looking for people to be part of our on-call casual relief team as programme facilitators and cooks in the Totara Day Programme (PSUSI) here in Blenheim. This pool of people will be on-call to help cover staff on leave.

You will need to have the following superpowers:

• Enjoy working alongside our

group of awesome seniors (65+).

• Be able to deliver an interesting range of activities to the group.

• Be prepared to work as part of a small team delivering the programme.

• Experience cooking basic, nutritious ‘home-cooked’ meals and snacks.

• A sense of humour.

• Be available for on-call work.

• If you can leap small buildings in a single bound and can fly that would be useful to!

If this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you.

Tricia Dawson, Manager PSUSI – Blenheim 22 Alfred Street Blenheim PH 027 389 4305

Grey Power Marlborough

The

Association for people 50+

Wishing all our members a special merry Christmas and a happy new year

Advocating for people 50 +

Winter Energy Payment

Phone 03 578 4950 or visit our website on www.greypowermarlborough.co.nz

The Winter Energy Payment started on Wednesday 1 May. The payment is to help with the cost of keeping your home warm and dry, and other costs over winter.

If you get NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension, you will be entitled to get the Winter Energy Payment all winter, from Wednesday 1 May until Tuesday 1 October. The payment is made automatically, you don’t need to apply.

When you received your NZ Super on Tuesday 7 May, it will have included a part Winter Energy Payment. Your first full Winter Energy Payment will have been on Tuesday 21 May.

Couples and people with dependent children will get $31.82 a week. Single, and widowed, people will get $20.46 a week. Couples will receive a combined payment

which is made to one person in the couple – unfortunately we can’t split it, but we can switch it to the other person’s account. Please get in touch if you want to do so by calling the seniors line on 0800 552 002.

If you are overseas

If you are overseas during this period, or you are already in another country on Tuesday 1 May, you can keep getting the Winter Energy Payment for up to 28 days (or four weeks). You must tell MSD if you’ll be away for more than 28 days, otherwise you could be paid incorrectly. If this happens, you may be required to pay some money back.

The easiest way to let MSD know about your travel is using the ‘Overseas travel dates for NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension’ online form

• If your membership dues for Grey Power Marlborough are overdue, it is not too late to pay. Please pay, or should you wish to discontinue membership, let us know as soon as possible. This is helpful for planning our budgets.

• If you joined Grey Power Marlborough during January or February and do not have a yellow Discount Book, please pick one up or contact the office.

• Please let us know any address, email, or telephone number changes so that we can stay connected when necessary.

or giving them a call on 0800 552 002. You will also need to tell the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) when you return, so your payment can be started again.

If you don’t want to get it

If you get NZ Super or Veteran’s Pension, you’ll receive the Winter Energy Payment automatically. If you wish, you can opt out by either completing the ‘Stop or Restart Winter Energy Payment’ online form, available from 3 April onwards, or contact MSD.

If you’ve opted out in the past and want to get this payment again, you can fill in the same form, or contact us on 0800 552 002 (Mon-Fri 7am6pm and Saturday 8am-1pm).

Reprinted with our thanks and with the permission of the Office for Seniors, Ministry of Social Development.

• The latest Discount Book is now available to view on our website, greypowermarlborough.co.nz

• If you are a Facebook user, come and join our page, Grey Power Marlborough, where we share news, Grey Power press releases and community events that we believe to be relevant to our members.

• If you have any spare jam jars with lids, please consider dropping them off to the St John’s shop in Springlands as they are wanted for marmalade. Thank you.

Grey Power Electricity

was acceptable, the work was scheduled and done in a timely manner, and the windows look amazing. In fact, I had a comment from a friend saying, ‘how did you get your windows to look like that’. The original quote was $185.00 for the whole house, inside and out, and with the 10% Grey Power discount I paid

Grey Power Electricity, the major sponsor for Grey Power, is offering NEW customers $150 off their first month’s electricity bill. You need to join online, through the greypowerelectricity.co.nz website, and use the promo code “GPE150OFF”. The offer ends on 30 June. There are terms and conditions on the website, including that if you change electricity provider within a year of this offer, the money will need to be repaid.

Remember, if you are a Grey Power Electricity customer, you are required to keep your membership of Grey Power Marlborough current to access the discounted electricity rates.

$166.50 - $18.50 savings. When I found out that Harrisons Carpet & Flooring were offering Grey Power discounts nationally, I felt it was time to replace our tired looking vinyl in the kitchen. Harrisons offer 20% off carpets and flooring and 30% off window treatments to Grey Power members. The quote showed the original price and then the Grey Power discount which in my case came to $240.00. All in all, the saving to our household was $258.50 for these two services. Just these two discounts paid for our joint membership for 6 years. Use that discount book!

Gayle C.

Events:

Heartland Cancer Talk: Monday 17 June 2024 10am to 12noon, at Community Hub Connect, 22 High Street, Picton, Prostate Cancer Support & ProstFIT with Murray Eyles. For more information contact Marlborough@cancersoc. org.nz, Cancer Society Marlborough, 76a Maxwell Road, Blenheim Central 03 579 4379 0800 CANCER (226 237).

Falls Prevention:

Thursday 4th July 11.30 - 1.30pm Picton Community Hall, 7 Wairau Road Picton. Friday 5th July 10.30 - 12.30pm St Andrew’s Church, 5 Henry Street Blenheim.

Farmers and politicians clashed on the sports field recently with the fixtures drawing a huge crowd and raising a significant sum of money for charity.

The rugby and netball games, organised by Federated Farmers, were played at the famous Ngatapa Sports Club, Gisborne, in memory of the late Parekura Horomia.

“What we saw was the very best of rural New Zealand,” says one of the event’s organisers, Federated Farmers meat & wool chair Toby Williams.

“The sun was shining, the whole community turned up and helped out, and we raised a huge sum of money for a great cause.”

The event raised almost $300,000 in cash donations, with all funds going directly to local farmers still refencing their properties and recovering from Cyclone Gabrielle.

“When you combine that with the value of the tractor we gave away

Farmers vs Parliament clash draws a crowd

and vouchers for the runners-up, there’s half a million dollars going into the local farming community,”

Toby says.

The Federated Farmers rugby team lost 20-12 to the Parliamentary side in what was an incredibly competitive and physical game.

“This wasn’t just a bunch of old boys and politicians running around the park,” Toby says.

“There were definitely a few ring-ins on the Parliamentary side, with bodyguards, security officers and former professional players all lining up and running the ball hard into contact.

“You’ve got to give it to the politicians though. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay is a pretty handy player in the backline, pulling off a man of the match performance.

“It turns out Todd’s not just quick to cut red tape for farmers. He’s pretty quick down the right wing too. Labour MP Peeni Henare was

like a rampaging bull every time he got his hands on the ball, and former Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor was a real menace at the breakdown.”

On the netball court, Federated Farmers found more favour, pulling off an upset victory and toppling the visiting Parliamentary side 33-16.

The event’s other organiser, Fed-

erated Farmers board member Sandra Faulkner, says the day was just what the local community needed to bring everyone together.

“Some of our farming families are still really hurting after the cyclone. Across the district, farmers still have hundreds of kilometres of fencing left to do,” Faulkner says.

“They packed their boots, left

the politics in Wellington, and really showed up for our community when we needed them.”

Faulkner says the event was about much more than just sport.

“It was an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate how much our local farming families have achieved over the last 18 months. Federated Farmers are still here, working hard with them.”

The Federated Farmers rugby team lost 20-12 to the Parliamentary side in what was an incredibly competitive and physical game.

‘Invested in future of wine industry’

Bragato Research Institute and WinePro will collaborate in presenting WinePro, a new wine industry event, taking place on June 25 – 27 in Blenheim.

WinePro is a three-day showcase and selling event that embodies the latest market trends. Developed by the company that runs the acclaimed WineTech event in Australia, WinePro will bring together the latest innovations and offerings from the

New Zealand wine industry, all conveniently housed at the Marlborough Lines Stadium 2000.

The state of the art Research Winery opened in February 2020 at the Marlborough Research Centre in Blenheim. They partner with industry and other research organisations to set the national research agenda, trial world-first technologies, conduct commercial trials, and connect educators and students to science

and industry.

This partnership aims to bring together the collective expertise of both organisations and provide a platform to showcase innovations and discuss topics and challenges facing the New Zealand wine industry.

Jeffrey Clarke CEO of BRI says they are invested in the future success of the New Zealand wine industry, and the joint event collaboration with WinePro represents a

chance to bring to New Zealand a brand new type of event for the sector.

“We look forward to developing an engaging and worthwhile programme that appeals to a wide cross-section of the industry,” says Jeffrey. Gary FitzRoy, the organiser of WinePro, emphasised the importance of engaging the entire industry in shaping the event. He expressed his enthusiasm for BRI’s participation, saying a key ingredient for WinePro

is involving the whole industry.

“Their (BRI) expertise and knowledge will be invaluable in creating an event that addresses the real issues faced by our industry. Moreover, we have had so much local support from industry who wish to volunteer to build on the overall event success and we are in conversation with other representative bodies. We firmly believe that their contributions will add great value to this new peak event for the New Zealand wine industry.”

Gary FitzRoy, organiser of WinePro, emphasised the importance of engaging the entire industry in shaping the event. He expressed his enthusiasm for BRI’s participation, saying a key ingredient for WinePro is involving the whole industry.

Applications open for 2025 Rabobank Grad Programme

Applications for the 2025 intake of the Rabobank New Zealand Graduate Programme are now open.

The 18 month-long programme offers university graduates with an interest in agri banking the opportunity to begin their careers with New Zealand’s only specialist food and agribusiness bank.

Six graduates from around the country will be selected for the programme, where they will gain experience and be given career development support, within the bank’s Country Banking division.

Announcing the opening of applications, Rabobank New Zealand general manager for Country Banking Bruce Weir says the bank officially launched its Grad-

uate Programme in 2021 and more than 35 graduates had now been employed as part of the programme.

“As a food and agri banking specialist, Rabobank is well aware of the need to continue to attract energetic and talented young people into roles across the agri sector,” he said.

“Alongside our client council network, we have a really strong focus on creating more pathways for young people within the industry, and the Graduate Programme is one of the key initiatives we undertake to support this objective.”

Applications for the programme close on Wednesday 19 June 2024 and the new intake of graduates will begin the programme early next year.

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Rabobank New Zealand General Manager for Country Banking Bruce Weir says the bank officially launched its Graduate Programme in 2021 and more than 35 graduates had now been employed as part of the programme.

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Sachet, 10. Forceps, 11.

Across: 1. Utopia, 5.

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24. Filter (6)

25. Try, struggle (6)

26. Staid (6)

29. Nemesis (4)

30. Swear (4)

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If you’re looking for retirement living options in a supportive and friendly environment for over 65s, our community at Arvida Ashwood Park could be the perfect solution. Located within nearly five acres of garden estate, Ashwood Park makes the most of Blenheim’s wonderful climate with homes that capture the sunshine and views of nature. Find out more at arvida.co.nz/ashwoodpark 118-130 Middle Renwick Road, Springlands, Blenheim

THE WOODY PIG & DEER HUNT 2024

the crowd turned out in force on Sunday for the weigh-in and prize-giving the annual Woodbourne tavern Pig & Deer Hunt 2024. Marlborough turned on some great weather, perfect conditions for hunting and enjoying a well-earned cold one or three at the Woody afterwards.

Division

Students of MGC are polishing off their original compositions and prepping for the Smokefree Rock Quest. It has been 16 years since Smokefree Rock Quest was last held in Marlborough and this year it’s being held in Marlborough due to such a large number of students from MGC entering the competition. The students have been humbled by the support and kindness from their peers and teachers in the lead up to their competition. Tickets are on sale now, $15 for students and $25 for adults - Friday 14 June, 7pm. https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/smokefree-rockquest-tangata-beats-marlborough-final/blenheim/tickets

Learning Village is a programme for MGC students who have English as a second language, or for those who have little or no English language skills.

program so that students have every opportunity

and Isadora De

her develop her English further because 'I can

in

and

my level of English. We practice reading, writing and speaking through videos, activities, games and random conversations'.

Marlborough

Two Rugby. Photos: Tasman Community Rugby.

Britanny Patchett with son Beau enjoy the festive atmosphere as they await the prizegiving.

A massive crowd gathered in the Woodbourne Tavern car park for the for their 2024 Pig & Deer Hunt prizegiving.

‘MC Woody’, Rowan Ingpen presides over a sea of people as he prepares to address the crowd.

Rex Webster is presented with a spot prize - a day trip into the sounds for a hunt, all expenses paid - kindy donated by the team at Marlborough Solar.

It's an accelerated learning

to learn. From left: Bianca Schiavi, Argentina; Anna Sofia Betancur Lopez, Colombia; (Toni Brooks, teacher aide), Sara Hope Da Silva, Brazil,

Matos Pego Ferreira, Brazil. Anna says the classes have helped

study

my own time

according to

Harlequins flanker Sitiveni Dakunimata (left) and Stefan Noa in action against Pelorus at Lansdowne Park recently.

5 minutes with...

ElizabEth VawtEr

Marlborough Academy of Music violin tutor

 Are you a dog or cat person?

I’m definitely a dog person.

 My friends would say I am…

That I’m a good person to talk to.

 The best advice I ever received was?

Fake it, till you make it. One of the leading pieces of wisdom when playing the violin in the orchestra.

 What would you buy if money was no object?

A private education as an equine chiropractor.

 Local coffee haunt?

None – I don’t spend much time in cafes

 Favourite takeaway?

Burleigh pies – nothing can beat a good pie.

 The shop you can’t walk past is...?

Any op shop. Also any equestrian shop or luthier.

 What’s the most thoughtful gift you’ve ever received?

An amazing card from my friend on my birthday that was very special.

 Where is your happy holiday place?

Flying U Ranch in Canada, nothing can beat getting chucked on a horse and given free reign.

 Favourite programme or series currently watching?

I just rewatched some of the Hunger Games and those are always fabulous.

 What’s one thing on your bucket list?

I really want to make a living as an equine massage therapist or chiropractor, preferably in Europe.

Marlborough power bills to increase in 2025

By Chris Valli

Inflationary pressures could see household electricity bills in Marlborough rise by an average $15 a month next year if Commerce Commission proposed prices are confirmed.

The commission regulates prices and performance standards for national grid operator Transpower and local lines companies, and has just released draft decisions for feedback.

Commissioner Vhari McWha says the higher prices were necessary to fund investment in the electricity network.

“We’re conscious that for consumers to get the electricity network they need, more investment is required. That’s why we’re proposing to increase the amount of revenue Transpower and local lines companies can earn.”

She says some of the spending the companies wanted approved has not been allowed for, and the commission has looked to spread out other spending programmes to ease the pressure on households.

“Without the commission’s proposal to slow revenue recovery, consumers could be looking at price increases of around $25 per month.”

Marlborough Lines Commerical Manager Scott Wilkinson says last week’s draft price decision applies to non-exempt Electricity Distribution Business (EDBs). However, exempt EDBs tend to mirror non-exempt EDBs price increases as all EDBs are generally facing the same cost pressures.

“Without increasing revenue allowances, EDBs wouldn’t be able to meet rising costs, and undertake the required investment in their networks to support decarbonisation and electrification and have a network that is resilient to natural disasters,” says Scott. (The) Commerce Commission considers EDB expenditure requirements, and decide what they think is appropriate and allowable revenue over the five year DPP (default price period). Without smoothing, it would likely result in a larger step change,” he says.

Consumers in Auckland, Wel-

lington, and at the top of the South Island would face $10 average rises, those in Christchurch, Invercargill, the lower and central North Island and the Bay of Plenty $15, and those in Otago, East Coast, South Canterbury, and Northland $20.

McWha says the raises reflected the cost of borrowing, cost of materials and inflationary pressures.

“It also recognises that assets built last century - many in the 1960s and 1970s - need to be maintained and replaced. Electricity networks also need to grow and adapt to meet population growth and new demands, such as the increasing electrification of transport and industrial process heat.”

The draft decisions cover 16 lines companies. The others, which are community owned, are not price controlled, but McWha says they were likely to mirror the rises applied elsewhere.

The regulated companies cover about 80 percent of households and the estimated price increases vary between $10 and $20 a month in the first year, with further rises in subsequent years.

Marlborough Lines Commercial Manager Scott Wilkinson says without increasing revenue allowances, Electricity Distribution Business (EDBs) wouldn’t be able to meet rising costs, and undertake the required investment in their networks to support decarbonisation and electrification and have a network that is resilient to natural disasters.

Tax Cuts

New Roundabout

Sun The txt

Wow can’t believe it, the new roundabout that no one wanted already has pot holes in it and it’s only being 3 to 4 weeks fully operational

The new coalition has been getting a bit of a bashing on social media etc, but I for one would like to see what the next twelve months bring. God willing, with no natural disasters, I reckon we’ll be in a better place than we are now. Tax cuts will help - a very sensible budget will do the rest. When they fix this country, the Greens and their mates will have to find something else to bleat about.

Sun

Keep up the great work. This paper continues to grow and keep our community informed and alive.

Simple

Winter is often the grumpy season. Have some thought for others. Often struggling with things we know nothing about.

A smile or compliment can brighten someone’s day so much.

Roads

Terrible car accident up north. 5 people gone in a blink. Take care people, cars and roads can be lethal. Not always our friend. RIP to those people.

Corporate greed

I’m getting tired of hearing about record profits made by banks, power companies, supermarkets during a recession and the worst cost of living crisis we’ve seen in a while. Where’s their social conscience?

They should be made to tighten their belts like the rest of us.

Flying

With all this sudden news of flights experiencing bad turbulence does anyone have any remedies for anxious flyers? Or meds that actually work?

Why Keep it Secret

I’ve just attended the Why Keep it Secret seminar. Thank you MDC and Grey Power. So very informative, and interesting. Thank you also to the speakers who were there. You’ve sparked some discussions at our place!

To Wave Or Not?

Some food for thought for Paywave/Tap ‘n Go users. The associated charges are in the criminal category & worse, where these charges are ‘absorbed’ by retailers, such charges are passed back to ALL consumers by increasing product prices.

And of course, there’s the hassle associated with the loss/theft of Paywave Activated cards. The simple solution - de-activate/don’t use the paywave facility and simply take one second to enter the PIN.

Lack in good

Just thinking to myself when I read NZ news on the Herald and Stuff, there’s very little ‘good news’. Sad state of affairs or do they just like the sensationalism?

Charities

I don’t mind giving to charity, and I often do. But I do object to being accosted as I enter the supermarket. It seems these days that charities are using highly trained sales teams who must surely be on a commission, such is their determination to extract your hard earned money from you. If you break stride as they step out from behind their little table and into your path, you are done for. Out comes the iPad and the sales spiel. Before long you’re being shoe-horned into a monthly payment plan for goodness sake!

This not only turns me completely off that charity, but also the supermarket. I don’t mind the ones who simply greet me, I’ll put my hand in my pocket for them. But these highly trained sharks that are employed these days.........one was still yelling at me as I went through the second set of doors automatic doors today. He actually said, and I quote, “I’ll get you on the way out!”

No thank you!

To replies re tailgaters

The Road Code advises you must be able to stop in half the clear distance ahead. One of the most common vehicle crashes, is a nose to tail. On the open road when doing the speed limit allow 5 or 6 car lengths to the vehicle in front. Then if that vehicle stops or slows you have ample reaction time to avoid a collision.

Paper bags

I know the reasoning behind using paper bags over plastic but oh I miss them. So much easier to use and to dispose of. Some of these paper bags don’t even last the distance home, particularly where groceries are concerned.

Monocultures

Tony Orman is dead right and our district planners need to take heed.

White Heron

‘Rare visitor’ indeed. We live at Rarangi and have spotted a white heron a couple of times recently. Must be seasonal or migratory. Such a beautiful majestic bird, especially when they take flight. So much strength and lift in those wings.

CBD

Redwoodtown hub this is a great busy little precinct. Just hope the CBD can stay alive and thriving too.

Crossings

Why do people just step out without looking, like they’re bullet proof. Nearly bowled someone’s child who ran out. Came out of nowhere. I wasn’t moving very fast but still screeched to a halt. The mother rushed across after the child giving me the death stare! Not my fault lady.

Brunch at Raupo

Consistently great. Went in Sunday. They were busy. But the service was top notch, and the food was just as good as always. The only place that does Eggs Benedict with cubes of salmon filet, lightly pan fried. Not cold slimy pieces of smoked salmon like most other places.

Pig

&

Deer Hunt

Wow!! What an amazing event this year. It’s usually awesome but this year was next level. Well done to all the hunters, and well done to our beloved Woody team, You guys rock!

MAD off to Worlds

Well done Immy, Sam, Icey, and Filimoe’ulie! I’m sure you’ll do Marlborough and New Zealand proud!

Many thanks

To all who helped when my husband collapsed in Charcoal on Friday night. He is out of hospital and well. Many Thanks.

We welcome your texts on 027 242 5266.

Limit to 70 words please. We reserve the right to publish at our discretion. Please note the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Sun management.

Unions reject governance change

By Chris Valli

Provincial Unions rejected New Zealand Rugby’s governance change proposal last Thursday voting for a second proposal, backed by a group of PUs, instead.

NZR’s voting members, the 26 Provincial Unions and the New Zealand Māori Rugby Board, were asked to vote on two proposals.

Proposal one, which was backed by the NZR board and essentially adopted all the recommendations from last year’s independent governance review, failed to get the two thirds majority vote required, with 31 votes for and 59 against.

Proposal 2, which was put forward by a group of provincial unions and would guarantee provincial union representation on the NZR board, also failed to get the 67 percent majority it needed with 69 votes for and 21 against.

So for now the status quo essentially remains.

However, the politicking is likely to continue for the next couple of months ahead of the NZR annual general meeting on 26 July, when the matter will be voted on again.

The Chairman of the Tasman Rugby Union Baz Henare was approached by the Blenheim Sun

Newspaper for comment. However, deadline commitments didn’t allow for Baz to comment for this edition.

In May, New Zealand Rugby put forward Proposal 1 to be voted on.

Proposal 1 essentially adopted the recommendations from last year’s independent Governance Review, led by David Pilkington and known as the “Pilkington Report”.

Under the plan the current NZR board would be replaced by an independent board of nine members to be selected by an independent expert appointments panel.

This was a major backdown from NZR’s initial proposal put forward in March.

New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) chief executive

Rob Nichol at the time said the new direction was “excellent and outstanding, hopefully the game can get in behind it”.

The NZRPA originally commissioned the Pilkington Report, which found NZR’s current governance model was “not fit for purpose in the modern era”.

At present, the board is made up of nine members, three of whom are elected, three appointed, and three nominated. One of the members is automatically appointed as the NZR representative on the New

‘Someone with intestinal fortitude’

By Chris Valli

Public submissions to the MDC Long Term Plan 2024 – 2034 closed on May 13 with 350 submissions received. One of them wasn’t from Phil Welch.

However, the Witherlea resident submitted his own proposals about Blenheim, ‘a year ago’ and believes his ideas proposed to the Marlborough District Council could be seen to be ‘reasonably substantial’.

One proposal was on Pollard Park, ‘a wonderful asset for Blenheim residents and a jewel in our crown’. Phil suggested there should be large promotional signage on Nelson Street (initially off Grove Road/SH1 and at the Middle Renwick Road end by Boyce Street).

“We know it’s there, yet visitors never get to see it,” he says. “Many small to medium towns have parks and seating readily available as travellers cruise the country, such as Amberley, Cheviot and Geraldine. We have a minuscule sign on Nelson Street which many would miss, thus missing a premium local attraction.”

Phil says another proposal was the High Street Bridge and the west end of High Street being an ‘absolute eye-sore’, and as an entrance to the CBD from Springlands, embarrassing.

“With rickety wooden framework it should be removed. There’s unpainted fences and ugly concrete which has been left to deteriorate,” he says. “I received and appreciated a

the country. She says everyone who cared about community rugby would commit to the democratically chosen proposal.

Zealand Māori Rugby Board.

Aside from the main concession in the board reapplying, NZR’s new proposal will establish an initial Appointments Panel. The panel will either confirm board members for the balance of their terms or consider them against other possible candidates.

Proposal 1 was up against another proposal (proposal 2) put together

reply from the Mayor indicating it would be on the agenda for 2028 but that was then five years away and, accepting there would have to be a relatively minor traffic inconvenience, a quick fix would not have been difficult in the interim.”

From an aesthetic/foot traffic lens, Phil says given the shift by many CBD businesses to Westwood in recent times and the ‘potential depletion of foot-traffic as a result’, there is an opportunity to create a town centre vibrancy or serious consideration to converting Market Street to foot traffic only, with the exception of vehicle deliveries and emergency vehicles when required.

“Having said this, we have to accept that Councillors are merely the elected representatives and not the ‘doers’,” he says. “They can come up with ideas, or show support for what others may consider worthwhile, but everything costs money and we all know that the major decisions and the workings of Council come not from Councillors but from behind closed doors by those employed - not elected - to call the shots.”

Mayor Taylor says it’s great to see such strong interest in the future of Marlborough and added she ‘looked forward to the public hearings and robust discussions with councillors’ before deciding on final recommendations.

LTP hearings are timetabled for June 10 - 21 with councillors considering submissions in the week beginning June 24.

by a group of Provincial Unions (PUs) including Wellington, Auckland, Canterbury, Hawkes Bay, Bay of Plenty, North Harbour and Northland.

Proposal 2 essentially guarantees Provincial Union on the NZR board by demanding three of the nine directors have previous experience on a provincial union board.

The majority of the NZR board,

the Super Rugby franchises, the New Zealand Maori Rugby Board, the NZRPA and some provincial unions are expected to vote for an independent board.

However, before today’s vote, David Pilkington, the chair of the review panel, wasn’t confident proposal 1 would win out, believing it would be scuppered by the PUs who wanted to retain the status quo.

‘A sanctuary where people feel at ease’

By Chris Valli

Wairau Hospital’s Paediatric Department has been given a splash of colour, brightening visits for children.

Vibrant wall decals inspired by flora and fauna, story books, colouring books and wildlife posters are now in place thanks to a ‘Pain Reduction through Distraction’ project.

The project aims to alleviate stress often felt by children and their whānau in hospital environments and provides a distraction as they wait for and

receive treatment.

Donna Addidle, Service Manager ED, Ortho and RMO, led the project and says it has already made a difference: “The department has been brought to life, and is now a sanctuary where people can feel at ease, often at a difficult time.

“Support from The Care Foundation and our community helped to make this project possible.”

Decal designs highlight local mountains, forests, plains and coastal landscapes, creating a calm and soothing environment, and creatures such as geckos,

king shags, giant land snails and great spotted kiwis appear throughout story books and play activities.

As part of the project, paediatric areas in the emergency department and radiology department at Wairau Hospital, and inpatient and outpatient departments at Nelson Hospital will also be enhanced with decals, creating connection between paediatric services across the region. If Sun readers would like to support the project, visit thecarefoundation.org.nz/ to make a donation.

ALL ABOUT THE GAME: Rowena Duncum, spokesperson for the unions behind the second proposal, says the new system would ensure a modern and independent Board, which has experience and empathy for the 150,000 people who play and run the game across

Vibrant wall decals inspired by New Zealand’s flora and fauna are now in place at Wairau Hospital’s Paediatric Department thanks to a ‘Pain Reduction through Distraction’ project.

CLARKE: Raymond Jason (Jason) On 27 May 2024 at Wairau Hospital, aged 53 years. Loved Dad of Celiece (Christchurch) and Laurence (Auckland). Loved Poppa of Talan and Carys. Brother of Arthur, Roy, Reg, Dayna, Tegan and Alfred. Messages to c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim 7201 or www. cloudybayfunerals.co.nz In accordance with Jason’s wishes a private cremation has taken place.

Death notices

TANTRUM: John Stuart On 31 May 2024, at Ashwood Park Retirement Village, aged 90 years. Dearly loved husband of Brenda Oldfield and formerly the late Helen Tantrum. A loved father, grandfather and great grandfather. Messages to 6C Adams Lane Blenheim 7201 or www.cloudybayfunerals. co.nz In accordance with John’s wishes, a private cremation will take place.

Cloudy Bay Funerals

HALLIDAY: Raymond Harvey At home Saturday June 1st, 2024 Beloved husband of Ardell, loved father & father in law of Rachel & Richard Marfell, Benedict & Lisa Halliday, the late Philip Halliday. Loved grandfather of Samantha Marfell, Hugh Marfell, John Cook, Mary Halliday Cook, Kate Halliday, James Halliday Great grandfather of Isaiah and Charlie Cook. Messages to 130 Dog Point Road, Blenheim 7272. A Funeral Service for Raymond will be held at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Maxwell Road on Friday 7 June at 11.00am followed by interment at the Fairhall Cemetery. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on the Cloudy Bay Funeral Services website www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz

TABER: GARY “GDOG” Aged 65, passed away on Wednesday May 29, 2024, at Wairau Hospital, due to a stroke. Adored husband of Eileen and the loved brother of Marina and brother-in -law and sister-inlaw Bryan and Linda and brother-in -laws Danny, Michael, and Charles. Beloved uncle of his nieces Nikki and Laura and great nephews Beauden and Harry and great niece Esmay and nieces Janine, Adele and nephews Lee, CJ, Rory, Andrew and Daniel. Messages to the Taber family c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim 7240 or www.cloudybayfunerals.

co.nz In lieu of flowers, a donation to Life Flight Trust (Acc. No. 03 0578 0048481 08 Ref: Taber) or NZ Flying Doctors ( Acc. No. 03 1702 0403570 00 Ref: Taber) would be gratefully appreciated or may be made at the service. A service to celebrate Gary’s life has been held. The service was recorded and details may be accessed on the Cloudy Bay Funeral Services Website.

ROBERTS: Elizabeth Jill (Jill) On 1 June 2024, peacefully at Ashwood Park Retirement Village, aged 88 years. Dearly loved wife of the late David and a much loved mother and mother-in-law of Hilary and Robert Drew (Bermagui, Australia); Cathi Roberts and Mark Black; Jonathan and Cathy. Messages to c/- PO Box 9 Blenheim 7240 or www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz Heartfelt thanks to the staff at Ashwood Park for their wonderful care. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Alzheimers Marlborough (Acc. No. 02 0600 0112284 00 Ref: Roberts) would be appreciated or may be made at the service. A celebration of Jill’s life will be held at the Springlands Chapel, Cloudy Bay Funeral Services, 15 Boyce Street on Thursday 6 June at 1.30pm followed by private cremation. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on the Cloudy Bay Funeral Services website.

Cloudy Bay Funerals

In Memoriam

CATTERMOLE: Michelle Amelia, 14.05.63 - 07.06.96 There are no tomorrows for us to share but yesterday’s memories will always be there. Remembered with love today, tomorrow and tomorrow. Mom, Dad, Debra, Yvette, Damian and families.

Babies Babies Sun

TAU’ALUPE, Lisa Gemma (née Sanft): Passed away on Sunday May 26, 2024, at her home. Aged 37 years. Much loved daughter of Sue and Paul, and loved step-daughter of Jo. Loved sister of Mark and Minnie, Kelly and Aaron. Naughty but loved granddaughter of Nana BB. A special friend to Nicole. Mum to her beloved dog, Tank. Messages may be sent to the Sanft Family, 8 Gibbons Place, Grovetown, Blenheim 7202. In lieu of flowers a donation to Marlborough Four Paws would be kindly appreciated and may be made to a/c 02-0600-0312016-000 Ref. TAU’ALUPE. In accordance with Lisa’s wishes a private celebration of her life has been held.

MORGAN: Garry Stephen On 31 May 2024, peacefully at home with family at his side, aged 67 years. Dearly loved husband of Kristine and a loved father and father-in-law of Peter and Caitlyn (Sydney) and Tim and Emma (Cundletown NSW). A loved stepfather and father-in-law of Tristan and Annette Ward (Sydney); Aaron and Sacha Ward (Nelson); and Matt and Yohanna Ward; and an adored Grandad. A loved brother of Dennis (West Coast) and brother-in-law of Ross and Susan (Christchurch); Barry and Linda (Matamata); Rob (Ashburton); Jane and Jim (Nelson). Messages to 6 Boyce Street, Renwick 7204. In lieu of flowers, a donation to the Marlborough Hospice (Acc. No. 03 1369 036520700 Ref: Morgan) would be appreciated or may be made at the service. Our heartfelt thanks to the caring staff at the Marlborough Hospice, Dr Laura Steen and the Oncology team. A celebration of Garry’s life will be held at the Springlands Chapel, Cloudy Bay Funeral Services, 15 Boyce Street on Friday 7 June at 2.00pm followed by private cremation. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed on the Cloudy Bay Funeral Services website www.cloudybayfunerals.co.nz

Cloudy Bay Funerals

Acknowledgements

MCGIRR; Annette Mary John, Catherine, Philippa, Kelvin, Angus and families would like to thank everyone for their Love, Kindness and Support, during Annette’s long illness and recent passing. It has been a great comfort to us all. Please accept this as a personal Thank you.

The Marriage Course 7 sessions to strengthen your relationship. Nativity Hall, Wednesday 12 June @ 7pm. Contact Nicci 02102572940 or onexy4xx@ xtra.co.nz

Watt, (Ward) 06.06.2004

Edith Annie Watt, (Builder) (Picton) 25.11.2020

Stanley John Watt, (IRD) Wairau Bar (Blenheim) (Ally) (21 yrs) 21.12.1982

Allison Stanley

Loved to bet on the horses, the TAB or on the course the trotts, the gallops Kaikoura, Addington, Riccarton Reefton, Richmond, Nelson, BM/Marlborough

Remembering Eddie & George Landon-Lane Onamalutu Domain & Jim Athelston Blenheim

Love Christine

Pine, 3cu/m $230 Macro 3 cu/m $280. No texting, no computers. 0273267416

Firewood 2.5m3 farm mix: old man pine, gum, macrocarpa, oak $250. Delivered in Blenheim. 027 597 0492.