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Friday 8 July 2022
Dancing the Light Fantastic
Cynthia Lorrian’s group The Skylarks, dancing with a focus on mask, improv and characterisation, perform in the “Parade of Humanity“. Photo: Anita Peters. ANITA PETERS
An appreciative crowd turned out at dusk on a brisk Saturday evening to enjoy a free dance performance of “Light Fantastic”, held on the Junction Green, courtesy of Dance Collective Mohua (DCM). It was indeed an “outdoor extravaganza of light shadow and dance”, notwithstanding the spectacular evening sky; the music, lighting and choreography were tight and clever, rolling out yet another example of talent, hard work and good entertainment on offer in Golden Bay. Despite the descending cold air, a festive family atmosphere was
achieved through the arrival of people with chairs, cushions, blankets and even hot water bottles, and hot drink and soup was available alongside. While the group’s main performances have usually been presented at the end of the year in the Pōhara Hall, this new arrangement is now set to become an annual event for DCM. “It was time to break the norm, the usual pattern of indoor, end-of-year event,” said directive creator, founder and dance tutor Cynthia Lorrian. “Covid malarky and endof-year pressures that families are generally under became a weight too hard to bear, so
the DCM teachers decided to find out what an open-air mid-winter ‘light in the dark’ kind of thing would look and feel like…Awesome as it turned out!” “Light Fantastic” is the name that will remain as long as the event exists. This year it included 60 performers and five teachers, the whole made up of DCM classes, Milo Haigh classes and the Deva Singh Hiphop class. The collective is grateful for the support of the Rata Foundation and the owners of the Junction Green, which enabled it to be a free community event. dancecollectivemohua@gmail.com
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THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 8 JULY 2022
Last week’s annual Fonterra community meeting was well attended by inquisitive and engaged residents who certainly put the presenters through their paces. The audience included local farmers, shareholders, representatives of the Greens Party and sustainability strategist Debbie Pearson, all of whom had plenty to contribute to the discussion. Fonterra environmental manager Zarah Willemsen led the presentation, which showcased progress in reducing some of farming’s environmental detriments, including a 20 per cent reduction in onfarm emissions over the last 25 years. Looking to the near future, aspirations include 100 per cent reusable, recyclable or compostable packaging and zero landfill waste by 2025, and no more coal use at any plant by 2037. A strong current focus is decarbonising operations, with plants at Brightwater and Te Awamutu now converted from coal to wood-chip burning, and the Stirling plant in Balclutha being specifically fitted for non-coal use. Questions from the audience helped to clarify agreed definitions for some of the targets discussed, as well as focusing on animal welfare and querying some of the drawbacks inherent in wood-chip burning, including ash deposits. Upper South Island operations manager Chris Win acknowledged that balancing temperature and energy output was still being trialled, but believes the ultimate benefits in reduced emissions and energy consumption would be well worth it. Chris also mentioned that reduced emissions were even extending to their fleet, with the first E-tanker in testing. The presentation ended by highlighting the performance of the Tākaka plant itself, which processes up to 560,000 litres of milk per day during peak season, from 76 local farms. The resulting 60 tonnes of skimmed milk powder is mostly destined for the overseas market, which continues to be turbulent. A drawback of the current Ukrainian crisis is the discontinuation of dealings with Russia, who apparently imported our butter but little else. The meeting was more of a conversation than a passive presentation. Fonterra will be left in no doubt that while Golden Bay supports local industry, the environment has become the prime consideration for an increasing amount of residents and farmers.
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