The GB Weekly - 4 February 2022

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Friday 4 February 2022

Record entries at dog trials

Ian Broadhurst and Storm work together on the Short Head and Yard course at last weekend’s Tākaka Dog Trials. Photo: Jo Richards. JO RICHARDS

Come rain or shine – and it’s invariably the latter – Tākaka Dog Trial Club always puts on a polished performance. Last weekend’s trial was no exception; on the hard, dry paddocks of Harwood’s farm in the Upper Tākaka Valley, men, women and dogs from across the South Island pitted their wits against Jock Wyllie’s Kaihoka sheep. On Saturday morning, as he registered entrants in his small office in the club shed, secretary Ian Alach appeared pleased with the numbers. “It’s looking pretty high; there are a lot of people from Canterbury – including judges – we’ve not seen before”. Ian also expected the standard of competition to be high. “Some of New Zealand’s best triallists are here.” By the end of the weekend the club had rewritten its record books, registering a total of 209 entries, which surpassed the previous records of 203 set in 2009 and 197 set in 1997 and is well above the long-term average of around 160-170. The Tākaka trial is the season’s opener, and provides an early opportunity for competitors

to bag some precious points. “They’re keen to get going,” said Ian, highlighting the event’s other attractions. “We’re well known, and so is Jock [Wyllie], so that all helps. And we really look after our judges.” Down at the start of the steep Zig-zag Hunt course, Paturau farmers Scott and Georgie Archbold were in charge of releasing the sheep – three at a time – for each run. Although it was only mid-morning, the heat was already having an effect on the animals. “The sheep are quiet and a bit sticky,” said Scott. As if to prove a point, the woolly trio assigned to Tahi Doonan and his five-yearold huntaway Monk behaved very badly after being distracted by a small flock returning to the fold. The judges called off the attempt and gave Monk a second shot with a new set of less “sticky” sheep. Responding to Tahi’s whistles and shouted commands, including “steady,”“right,”“run left,” and “Monk up,” the huntaway steered the small flock up the increasingly steep side of the valley, almost as far as the Tākaka Hill Road. Following the successful run, Tahi was

clearly pleased and explained it was the first time he’d taken part in the Tākaka trials. “I’ve come on a road trip with other members from the Flaxbourne club.” Keeping an expert eye on the competitors, Wairau-based Rob O’Donnell and Tākaka’s own Terry Nalder were assessing each dog’s performance, subtracting points, from a total of 100, for every observed error. “In the heat of the day, the sheep get a bit stroppy,” said official timekeeper Terry, who has 50 years’ experience of the event. “But they are still going well.” On the Short Head and Yard course veteran Ian Broadhurst was working with his dog Storm to guide a group of three sheep through a gate and into a pen. Having negotiated the gate, the recalcitrant animals could not be persuaded to enter the enclosure and eventually time ran out before the task was completed. Ian, who has participated in the Tākaka event “pretty much every year for 35 years,” wasn’t too disappointed with Storm. “He’s just a young one, with lots to learn.” Continued on page 6...

Omicron in the Bay? JO RICHARDS

Anecdotal evidence suggests that Omicron has now arrived in Golden Bay but, at the time of going to press, there was no official confirmation. Although information released by the Ministry of Health (MoH) and Nelson Marlborough Health (NMH) identifies the likely location of an infection, it does not specify the current whereabouts of positive cases. This, the authorities say, is to protect personal privacy. On Wednesday afternoon there were still no locations of interest in Golden Bay listed on the MoH website. A direct inquiry by The GB Weekly elicited the following response from a ministry spokesperson: “Locations of interest associated with cases are published on the Ministry of Health website as they are identified. “On many occasions public health staff identify exposure sites rather than locations of interest. Exposure sites are locations where attendees are well known or have registered their attendance such as a general practice or other locations that require check-ins. “We only publish locations of interest where we cannot identify contacts.” Given there is now a very real prospect of an outbreak in the region, NMH’s medical officer of health Dr Stephen Bridgman, reiterated the importance of getting vaccinated and following well-established protocols including the wearing of face masks. In a media release, Dr Bridgman explained that masks help to reduce transmission and issued a reminder about new, tighter rules. “While face masks are already mandatory on public transport such as flights and buses, we look forward to the further changes coming into effect at 11.59pm on Thursday 3 February, when face coverings must be attached by loops around the ears or head. This means scarves or bandannas are no longer acceptable.” The consequences of non-compliance with Covid regulations for hospitality businesses have been highlighted by a recent case involving Collingwood’s MAD Café, currently operating as The Love Boat Club. WorkSafe New Zealand confirmed to The GB Weekly that the café was issued two Infringement Notices on 27 January. The fines totalling $5000 are for failing to have “effective systems and processes in place,” and for not displaying sufficient and/or appropriate signage. According to WorkSafe, the business has the right, within 28 days of the infringement notice, to request a hearing.

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