Retail: $2
www.gbweekly.co.nz
Friday 13 September 2024
Serious fun at Whānau Day
Comedic cleaning duo Gladys and Beryl with their fluffy wands flicked frivolous, jovial delightness throughout the Tamariki Whānau Day. Photo: Ronnie Short. RONNIE SHORT
Last Sunday from 10am–2pm, a multitude of Golden Bay families attended the second Tamariki Whānau Day held at Tākaka's Rec Park Centre. This year’s event was organised by the Golden Bay Workcentre Trust (GBWCT) team, coordinated by general manager Cait Tomlinson and Heartlands manager Alex Stevens. Alex agreed the attendance was higher than last year. “It’s just really important to link our community in with the organisations both here and across Tasman,” she said. Indoors, tamariki were well entertained with activities, games, bouncy castles and face painting, by either Tess Windle or Nicki Cottle. Singer Mihihea Rangihika and her DJ brother, Terangihika ( TR), provided background boogie for hula hooping enthusiasts, who were assisted by Claire French and Shaki Cain. Drinks and food were sold by the rugby club
from the kitchen alongside the conference centre, where service organisations provided education, information and giveaways from the many stalls. Family Start, He Matapuna Ora Charitable Trust was offering information about the service, which is provided throughout Golden Bay by Stacy Currin-Steer. Nelson Family Start representative, Sharyn Croft, said the Trust has supported whānau for 24 years. “We go into the whānau and provide whatever support they need,” she said. However, due to current government funding cuts, they are in dire need of generous financial contributions, which can be made via www.familystart-hmot.co.nz. Tasman District Council representative, Jeni Thornborough, was promoting road safety with Nelson Police. She encouraged people to try the impairment goggles, devised to give an idea of the distorted vision of those under the influence of alcohol or drugs. There were
many giveaways, including road safety games, puzzles, quizzes and charts for children, as well as fluorescent bands, bags and tags for cyclists, runners and other road users. Parent to Parent regional coordinator, Sarah McLarin, aims to create a presence in Golden Bay. “We partner together with Altogether Autism,” she said. “We are all about connecting parents to parents on a similar journey.” She has lived experience as a mother of a child with autism and is available by phone to connect, inform and support other parents. Sarah intends to host a meet-up group in Golden Bay for whānau with disabled, health-impaired, or neuro-diverse children. Many other stalls were busy making connections, offering information, examples and free samples, including Golden Bay Community Health, Te Piki Oranga (Māori Wellness Services), Cancer Society, Te Ataarangi... Continued on page 3
Gold execs visit Bay JO RICHARDS
Two senior directors from the Australian company seeking to mine gold at Sam’s Creek visited Golden Bay recently for closed meetings with selected representatives of the community. On Friday, 30 August, Siren Gold’s CEO Victor Rajasooriar and technical director Paul Angus held informal discussions with the Golden Bay Community Board (GBCB) before meeting with a group of concerned citizens now known as Sam’s Creek Collective (SCC). The wider community, including The GB Weekly, was not provided with any prior notice of, or invitation to join, either meeting. Save Our Springs campaign coordinator Kevin Moran is unhappy about the clandestine approach. “My concern is the optics of the [community board] meeting. It looks really bad that it’s being hidden. That only creates suspicion and distrust in the community. It would have been better if the community board had been open about the meeting and issued a statement following the meeting about what was discussed.” Commenting on GBCB’s meeting, board chair Abbie Langford said the company directors indicated that “they were very open to having a meeting with the community… They’re saying they are very transparent and doing what’s best for the community and the environment”. According to Abbie, a number of key points emerged from the discussion, including: • S i re n G ol d ha s a j oi nt ve nt ure partner – OceanaGold (18.1 per cent shareholding) – in the Sam’s Creek/ Barrons Flat operation. • Siren Gold has recently fully divested its gold mining interests at Reefton to RUA Gold. • Siren Gold expec ts to lodge an application for a mining permit shortly as its exploratory permit expires on 25 March 2025. • Siren Gold has no detailed plan in place regarding the mining operation at Sam’s Creek/Barrons Flat. • The application for a mining permit could potentially be lodged to cover all of Siren Gold’s mining interests in the area (including Barrons Flat). Before that time, the company intends to drill some deeper exploratory holes to test what appear to be particularly encouraging... Continued on page 2
Barry Graham I Ph 027 465 7888, 525 8787 Certifying Plumber, Gasfitter & Drainlayer
www.goldenbayplumbing.nz
Inside: Bee benefits Clothing history Stuart Borlase Bookmark comp Luna mission THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 13 SEPTEMBER 2024
ISSN (PRINT) 2538-0923 ISSN (ONLINE) 2538-0931
1