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Friday 11 August 2023
Bridging the generation gap
Youth workers, from left, Tom Lake and Theron Burgess are keen to bridge the gap between generations. Photo: Ronnie Short. RONNIE SHORT
Youth workers Theron Burgess and Tom Lake are teaming up with Golden Bay High School Year 13 student Alicia Anton to run a “Bridge the Gap” event at the Golden Bay Community Centre. Tom and Theron will facilitate a relaxed, fun, “getting to know each other” afternoon, with the purpose of helping elderly people and youth connect. “The aim is to literally bridge the gap between generations,” says Tom. Alicia’s role is to oversee the enrolment of youth who are motivated and keen to engage. All three participated in a Working with Youth training workshop that took place in Kotinga recently and are now working towards Level 3 certification in youth work.
“We had to create a youth event, and mentor a youth, as part of the qualification. This idea is Theron’s brainchild,” says Tom. Self-described as “youth workers for life”, both men have worked with youth since they were 19 years old. Experienced and passionate about their life’s work, they have much to offer all age groups. “So, we understand youth dynamics,” says Theron. “I wanted to connect them with elders in the community, to bridge the gap between generations.” They are hopeful the event will seed connections that will continue to sprout and grow in the wider community. “In these fast-paced times that we’re living, people have found it more isolating to be on their own,” says Theron. “Especially in relation
to the speed which the current generation are advancing… that disconnect is more and more.” The goal is to soften that sense of isolation. Theron and Tom will guide the session using friendly games and conversation starters to lead into one-to-one connections. They promise a calm, relaxed, enjoyable event with a delicious afternoon tea. “If it’s popular, we would continue to run it as a regular event,” says Tom. Space is limited to 12 participants, six from each group. To enrol, phone Theron on ph 525 7187 and leave your name and number. The initiative is supported by Mohua Social Services, Trash Palace, and Goodness 2 Go, all of whom Tom and Theron give thanks. “Bridge the Gap”, GB Community Centre, Sunday 20 August, 1-3pm.
WCO under scrutiny JO RICHARDS
T h e Wa t e r C o n s e r v a t i o n O r d e r, recommended by the Environment Court (GBW, 4/8) for Te Waikoropupū Springs and associated water bodies, is being closely scrutinised by interested parties including Tasman District Council and Tākaka farmers. Earlier this week, two TDC staff members – water resource scientist Joseph Thomas and principal planner (freshwater) Lisa McGlinchey – spoke to The GB Weekly about some of the technical and policyrelated aspects of the WCO. Local farmers responded to a request for comments via spokesperson Cherrie Chubb. Asked whether there were any significant changes between the recommendations made by the Tribunal and the Environment Court, Joseph referred to the latter’s lower limit of 0.41mg/l set for nitrate concentration at the springs. “The Court took a more precautionary approach.” The council had copped some criticism in the EC report, which stated “…the overall impression left by the evidence is that TDC has failed to manage the catchment on an integrated basis to date. That includes a failure to review what monitoring data there is to consider linkages between surface, ground and spring water quality”. “We take the court’s suggestion [to do more and better monitoring] constructively,” said Joseph, cautioning that it was likely to incur significant extra costs. “Drilling these deep water bores, you’re talking six-figure sums.” Accordingly, TDC has commissioned a review of monitoring in the catchment. To help meet additional monitoring and research costs, TDC appended a request to the EC judge’s letter of 28 July to Minister David Parker, which included the following statement: “Council would be greatly aided by support from the Minister for the Environment, which, in some cases, would make further work streams possible that to date have been unfeasible due to financial and other constraints”. Further research is crucial because the limited understanding of what is a highly complex hydrogeological system presents enormous management challenges. The quality of the water emerging from the springs is dependent on a variety of biological, chemical and physical processes, some occurring deep within the aquifer. But it is also thought to be affected by the quality of water flowing into the aquifer – something which is strongly linked to land-use and land-based activities in the aquifer recharge area. Quantitative models of pathways, fates and effects of... Continued on page 3 Ray White Golden Bay
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Inside: Foraging food Sports report Movie review WordFest Embracing empathy THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 11 AUGUST 2023
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