Local Sailor One of Bronze Medal-Winning
The delight on Micah Wilkinson and Erica Dawson's faces says it all after the pair won the Olympic bronze medal in the mixed multihull event in their Nacra 17 Foiling Catamaran on Friday, 8 August. And, to make that achievement even more significant to Chronicle readers, Erica is a Coatesville local. In fact, she went to Coatesville School in her early days and is known to many people in the community.
However, the whole country was right behind the pair as they crossed the line in Marserille, cementing their names in Olympic history forever.
Erica's parents, Peter and Sandy Dawson, were on the shore in Marseille watching their youngest child compete and Peter describes the experience as a lifetime highlight.
The pair's success was made sweeter by comparison to their first Olympic campaign in Tokyo when Erica broke her fibula five weeks out from competing.
Now, three years on, and with a bronze medal to show for their efforts, Erica and Micah have proven themselves to be among the top sailors in the world.
If you thought the 30-year-old might take a break after such a massive achievement, think again. According to those in the know, i.e. her mum and dad, now that things have wrapped up in France, Erica is off to Barcelona to take her place in the Emirates Team New Zealand inaugural women's America's Cup.
Let's hope her Olympic success follows her and continues to make 2024 a year to remember for the Dawson crew of Glenmore Road.
Erica Dawson backed by her parents Sandy and Peter (left), and Micah Wilkinson with sister Alex and mum Linda Moorhead (far right) and dad Peter Wilkinson (far left), amidst a sea of Kiwi supporters.
Photo
This issue is a little late because I had to wait and see how Erica and Micah went in their final race. They had to be the cover story and it paid off. What a time we had watching the Paris Olympics! Congratulations to all of NZ's athletes for doing us proud on the world stage. Reaching such a high standard in any sport takes huge commitment and sacrifice over many years. They're all champions and so are the people who support them, allowing them to focus on becoming the best they can be.
Not long now until the start of spring and daylight saving starts again on 29 September. We're all looking forward to the early blossoms and firmer turf under foot. Spring always feels like the right time to freshen things up. Out with the old and in with the new - or in with the new-old if you go to the Kumeu clothing swap!
Your editor, Vanessa Johnson
Email: coatesvillechronicle@gmail.com, Phone: 021 724 001
The Coatesville Chronicle is distributed free to homes in the RD3 postal area. Deadline for content is 20th of the month prior to publication. The opinions published herein are not necessarily those of the publisher, Cradle Publications Limited. © 2024 All rights reserved.
Kumeu Clothes Swap & Shop
We are thrilled to invite you to our upcoming Kumeu Clothing Swap and Shop event, an initiative aimed at fostering community spirit, sustainability, and giving back. This event is a fantastic opportunity to refresh your wardrobe while contributing to a great cause. Our goal is to raise $20,000 to support Parent Aid North West.
This year our silent auction and raffle are shaping up to be spectacular! Thanks to our generous donors. How Can You Help? Donate women’s clothing! Volunteer! Spread the word! And support the silent auction and raffle. For more information, please search Kumeu Clothing Swap and Shop on Facebook or Instagram.
Diary Dates
∞ 25 August, Sunday 9.30am11.30am Beekeeping Workshop at Kaipara Coast Plant Centre. Tickets cost $25 per person and booking's essential. Ph 09 420 5655for more information.
∞ 28 August, Wednesday, 6pm The CRRA meets at the Settlers Hall. All locals welcome.
∞ 1 September, Sunday, It's the first day of spring ... and it's Father's Day.
∞ 18 September, A Gala Evening With Sir Graham Lowe at Cafe Cucina from 6pm. Help Cosmo Adams and Marc Enderle fundraise for the Special Olmpics in 2025. For more information, and how to buy your tickets, see page 3.
∞ 22 September, Sunday, Kumeu Clothes Swap & Shop
See the item on the left for the drop off days and get ready to shop till you drop.
∞ 27 September, Term 3 ends.
∞ 29 September, Daylight Saving starts at 2am today.
∞ 30 September Deadline for property owners affected by flooding in 2023 to opt into the voluntary Council buy-out scheme. Don't miss out if your property was badly affected in the 2023 floods and is regarded as high risk.
Help Cosmo Get to the 2025 World Winter Games
The World Winter Games in Torino 2025 is the world's biggest inclusive sporting event, and local man Cosmo Adams (shown above) together with North Harbour teammate Marc Enderle, have been selected to compete at the Special Olympics in Italy in March next year.
The WWG event is not the Paralympics, which is for elite athletes, it is the Special Olympics which focuses on giving people with intellectual disabilities the chance to participate. Both Cosmo and Marc have trained hard to be selected and won medals at previous NZ national events. However, Torino 2025 is an exciting international stage.
Cosmo and his family have strong ties to the Coatesville-Dairy Flat area. He grew up locally, attending Coatesville Playcentre and Coatesville School for a while before moving on to intermediate. Today, at age 30, he lives in Takapuna.
He's always been passionate about basketball, football and surfing, but discovered his love of snowboarding while working as a waiter at Snow Planet. Today, Cosmo is an awesome snowboarder and has competed on the slopes for 10 years. In 2025 he hopes to add WWG Special Olympics medals to his collection that so far includes bronze and gold medals in snowboarding.
Right now, Cosmo and Marc's challenge is to fundraise so they can pay their own way and fund the two volunteer coaches travelling with them. There are several ways you can help. One is by making a donation at the Givealittle page (https:// givealittle.co.nz/cause/cosmo-and-marc-to-torino) or by making a direct donation (Special Olympics North Harbour bank account: 12-3087-0088132-53, ref Donation) or you can buy tickets to attend A Gala Evening With Sir Graham Lowe on 18 September at Cafe Cucina on the Albany Highway from 6pm. It includes a three-course dinner, beer and wine, and entertaining stories from Sir Graham Lowe who's achieved much success in sports and business before overcoming considerable health problems. Tickets are $100 per person. So, put the date in your diary and RSVP to Grant Haskell, ph 027 290 5212 or email grant@vgm.co.nz for more information.
We are your local dedicated specialists for water tank cleaning, filtration installation and servicing, water tank repairs, water deliveries and advice. Talk to us, we love to help! Call Garry on 09 428 0448 or 027 84 77 000 e: help@healthywatertanks.co.nz w: healthywatertanks.co.nz
Cosmo at Cardrona and Snow Planet
ALocal Board News
By Louise Johnston
s a Local Board member, one of the comments I receive regularly is that rural ratepayers get nothing for their rates. When we don't have footpaths, we provide our storm and wastewater facilities. It is a completely valid comment. However, one thing we do get is our community halls, parks and reserves. Community facilities at Council have been recently renewing the park assets on Coatesville Recreation Reserve, including the internal farm fencing, pathways and driveways throughout the reserve; they have oiled the macrocarpa furniture and fixed other assets. The reserve pathway along Glenmore Road will be renewed as part of the new car park project along Glenmore Road. Minor assets in the Coatesville Hall are also to be renewed.
The promised pedestrian crossing on CoatesvilleRiverhead Highway has slightly changed scope and is now a pedestrian safety project. Auckland Transport's revised design is a signalised crossing by the Coatesville dairy which is NOT raised. I prefer the raised crossing as I believe they force vehicles to slow down, but this viewpoint has become very controversial! The revised design of the pedestrian improvements will come out for public consultation shortly. When I posted it on our local Facebook page, there were a lot of strong opinions on the matter.
For our 154-hectare park at Green Road, a pathway is currently being constructed, and the crossing on the Sunnyside Road entrance will be a culvert crossing; two other bridges along the pathway network will go in later in the year. Funding has been secured for a toilet and bore, and the car park has been enlarged. I attended a planning workshop with the Friends of Green Road group meeting last week, and they are in the process of establishing an
Left; paths repaired and remetalled in the Coatesville Reserve and right, new paths built by Auckland Council in Green Road Park
incorporated society which will make it easier to apply for funding and other support for the development of Green Road because the Council only have limited funding. There is a strong sense of ensuring that Green Road Park retains its rural aesthetic, that the master plan is implemented and that it never becomes an asset for the Council to sell or a plot of land for a temporary housing development.
For assistance please email or call our office
Shop 7, 4 Keith Morris Lane, Ōrewa 09 426 6215
mark.mitchellmp@parliament.govt.nz
A reminder that if the flood events severely impacted you on the Anniversary weekend of 2023, you only have until 30 September to opt into the voluntary Council buy-out scheme. Council are very concerned that many high-risk property owners have not opted into this scheme, and if there is another extreme weather event, they will be at risk. Going forward, there is no guarantee that the insurance companies will continue to cover high-risk properties, and this is an opportunity to ensure you are not in this situation. Property owners can opt-in to the voluntary categorisation programme via the online registration form at property.flooded.co.nz, or email propertycategory@ aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. There are several properties in the Dairy Flat subdivision that have been assessed by the Council as having an intolerable risk to life if there is another severe weather event. Please, if you have neighbours who were in this situation, please remind them of the 30th of September deadline.
Lastly, Auckland Transport has significantly increased funding over the next 10 years for our rural road maintenance and renewals. AT has been 'sweating' the assets, so hopefully, going forward, we will see an improvement throughout the network. However, as the weather gets wetter, we will see more potholes, and if you want them fixed, please report them to AT. The process does work! https://at.govt.nz/about-us/contact-us or phone 09 355 3553
Tailored Trusts for Diverse Family Needs
Richard and Julie always marvelled at how their three children, all brought up in the same environment could be so different. Their eldest son was a scientist, the middle son was an investment advisor and their youngest was a stay at home Dad with a successful partner.
Years ago Richard and Julie had established a trust that overtime built up a sizeable commercial property portfolio. As they were heading into their mid 70s, they thought it was a good time to review their structuring as well as updating their wills.
They meet a new lawyer who specialised in asset structuring as they felt they needed some robust advice and analysis of their current structure. The lawyer asked them if they had heard of a document called a memorandum of guidance or letter of wishes. They had heard that terminology before but were unsure whether they had one or not.
The lawyer likened it to a will but said that it dealt with the trust assets rather than their personal assets. Richard and Julie’s wills dealt with all their assets with no distinction between personal
and trust assets. The lawyer said this was incorrect as they couldn’t deal with trust assets in their will.
Richard and Julie were asked what they wanted to happen with the trust assets if they both died. They said that they would like the trust to continue, as the commercial property assets would provide a healthy income for their boys and their families. They thought that their youngest two children might be good trustees, but their eldest son may struggle with the practical elements of commercial property and the trust.
After a lengthy discussion into the family dynamic, they realised that it wasn’t going to work for the three boys to be bound together in the same trust. They had different needs and requirements that could cause family disputes if they had to keep the assets together. The income of the commercial property would suit their eldest son, but the middle son had an interest in the share market and would like the opportunity to look for financial growth there. Whereas their youngest son had a large mortgage and so debt reduction would be important to him.
Asset Protection. Considering Everything Together.
CRAFTED LEGAL ADVICE FOR PEACE OF MIND.
The protection of assets that we have worked so hard to acquire is an important consideration for most people. Trusts provide protection of those invaluable assets, which allow a person to hold property and assets on behalf of another - for the good of the beneficiaries.
It is just as important to ensure that other forms of asset structuring are up to date and considered in relation to your trusts structure. These include your will and enduring powers of attorney.
Contact our Trusts and Wealth Protection Team for specialist asset structuring and planning advice.
The lawyer explained that they could put in place mechanisms to ensure that whatever the boys received from their trust could be within a trust structure to protect each of them from relationship property and other “threats”. It can be done in a bespoke way that would give each of their son’s flexibility to manage their affairs that suited them.
It’s important to review your affairs regularly to ensure that they still cater to the changing needs of your family. When children are young it may be appropriate to hold assets together if Mum and Dad have both died but as they get older and end up in very differing circumstances, it’s important to keep evaluating what’s the best tructure for them and their changing interests.
Tammy McLeod, Trust Law specialist, Managing Director, Davenports Law
CRRA Moving With The Times
A
t this year's AGM, the Coatesville Residents and Ratepayers Association committee announced changes to its constitution designed to encourage the flow of new people and ideas from the community.
The amendments suggest no chair shall serve for more than three years without re-election at the AGM.
Executive members are elected by the committee at the meeting following the AGM and can also serve for up to three years.
Committee member Iain Graham explained this is because the group wants to attract new people to take an active role as they will inject fresh energy and momentum, helping the CRRA to achieve more for the community. Longstanding chairman, Mike Rowe who has chaired the group for close to a decade, feels it's time for a new person to take on the chair role.
"We also want to encourage young people to come forward and join us," explains Mike. "Our meetings are always open to the public so anyone can come along and find out what we do. We keep the mood light and we always have a drink and a catch up."
The CRRA's success rate in the past two years has been impressive, helped along by their participation in MP Mark Mitchell's Transport Forum. This group meets regularly and includes representatives from Auckland Transport so unites community representatives with local and central government representatives to discuss transport issues in the area.
Through this collaboration, the Transport Forum has helped the CRRA to deliver the following objectives:
∞ Rebuilding the bus stops on Coatesville-Riverhead Highway to improve safety for all road users;
∞ Widening the road on C-R Hway to create a right-hand turning bay for motorists pulling out of Barrett Road;
∞ Increasing the car parking spaces on C-R Hway near Glenmore Rd;
∞ Pushing for a replacement design for the Bailey Bridge at Mill Flat Road which has been delivered, and
∞ Developing a flood warning system on Sunnyside Road which has been installed and is currently being tested.
Other projects like the pedestrian crossing in the centre of Coatesville village, and working towards consistency in the speed limit reductions in the area, are ongoing.
As well as the changes that were announced, two new locals put themselves forward for election.
Jean Pierre Chamel and Glenn Trafford were both appointed to the committee. While committee member Val Gardener stood down and received a warm thank you for her valued contribution.
In addition to the agenda items which included the treasurer's financial report by Simon Bishop, two speakers shared interesting stories with the audience.
First was Trish Delamore from Lavender Hill in Beacon Road. Trish and her husband Jason bought their 7-acre property almost 10 years ago and have transformed it into a business with multiple revenue streams. Some of their innovations were borne of necessity; finding ways to survive during the Covid-19 lockdowns, which decimated the accomodation side of many businesses. Today, they've made a name for themselves as having a unique rural retreat that includes a lavender farm, lemon grove, olive grove and accommodation. They also use the raw materials and crops from their land to make a raft of products, including award-winning gin and limoncello, essential oils and soaps. Basically they're proof that in tough times, pivoting pays off.
The second speaker, Nick Roberts
Civil Defence
Is your emergency survival bag up to date? For more information, go to: www. getthru.govt. nz
Clean & Green
Trees may be budding but needles are still falling. Summer is coming so keep gutters clean for water collection.
from Barker Business, spoke about the Dairy Flat surf park development. Nick represented the project's owners and talked about what the development entailed and confirmed the first ground would be broken in October this year. When it's completed, the complex will include restaurants and other businesses as well as the surf pool and is expected to generate roughly 140 jobs.
The next CRRA meeting is 6pm Wednesday, 28 August at the Settlers Hall.
All Coatesville residents are automatically CRRA members and all are welcome to attend.
Water tabling, side drains, culverts, french drains in gabion rock and driveway dust suppression treatments.
House hard stands, car parks and horse arenas. Call for an on-site chat and a quote.
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Classified Advertising
Agricultural contractor mulching/ gorse clearing, mowing (& lawns), rotary hoeing/seeding, stump grinding, Graeme 027 533 3114
Born To Build Ltd - Outdoor building specialists - We are here to help you create your outdoor vision, call Leon with all your deck, fence, retaining, pergola and horse & yard works! We are a small local quality business, been in the area for 10 years, helping our customers create their outdoor living dreams! Leon 022 0431443 borntobuild@hotmail.co.nz
Clean Queen I'll have your house looking like a castle. References supplied. Ph Angela 021 0832 9352
Coatesville Mulch Mowing 1 to 50 acres, local contractor, affordable rates. Phone Warren and Brenda Mills on 415 6503 or 022 315 1953
Connect Electrics For all your electrical solutions, Phone Kris 022 332 6663 or 412 6066
Gardener Are you looking for a gardener who will nurture and take care of your garden on a regular basis; someone who is conscientious, diligent & creative? If this sounds interesting, please don’t hesitate to email, call or text me for a noobligation chat. Phill M: 021 928 469 E: phillpriestley1@gmail.com
GET IN SHAPE Local private gym for one-on-one training or small group sessions, specialising in weight loss, general fitness and rehabilitation.
Call Debbie 027 441 8769.
Local Shearer, Kevin Abel, 021 223 5033
Mister Sharp Mobile Knife, Scissor & Garden Tool Sharpening Service. Onsite at your home or business, priced per item with no call-out charges - just a minimum spend please of $50. Ph 027 444 3348
Odd Job Company For building & landscaping projects, call Peter 027 453 0570
Painters & Decorators Marshall
Painters can help with all your painting needs; interiors, exteriors, even waterblasting to make sure you get the top quality finish we're famous for. Call Marcus on 021 024 86516 or email marshallpainters@gmail.com.
Pilates in Coatesville Hall, Thursday @ 6pm. Special – 2 free lessons for new clients. $12 school term, $15 concession card and $20 casual class. Contact Abraham on 021 122 1530 or abrahampardo@gmail.com
Scout Marquee for hire, 6m x 8m, $250 per day. Call Garth 447 1863
The Blooming Beekeeper fully maintained beehive service. The ideal eco-friendly gift. Bee packages; beekeeping lessons; artisan bee products; swarm catching. Coatesville based. Call Val 021 755 833. Who’s your caterer? Beautifully presented, great tasting food, at competitive prices. Phone Helen Cato 415 7771 or 021 211 8223.
Taking Centre Stage
hile a home and its location might be breathtakingly beautiful, it can often be hard for a potential buyer to visualise, and first impressions are paramount. Campaign photos must engage prospective buyers before they’ve stepped through the door then again once they have.
WHERE DO I BEGIN? First step is to get your real estate agent to give recommendations. It’s important that the staging company is the right fit for both you and your property.
HOW DO YOU NAIL THE VIBE? Finding the right company is critical for the effectiveness and value of professional staging. The key is to make sure the home is staged for the buyer and buyer demographic and not for the vendor to live in. Staging must be kept neutral so potential buyers can easily imagine themselves living in it. Buyers need to feel excited with the space without the additional personal aspects of the home so do remove family photos. There should be inviting extra details like plants, flowers, lamps and books to enhance the space.
WHAT ARE THE KEY THINGS TO CONSIDER? One of the most important things is cleanliness and maintenance. Declutter and ensure the home is spotless and any necessary repairs are completed. Ensure furniture layout enhances flow and showcases the room’s functionality and use natural and artificial lighting to make spaces feel bright and open. Think outside of your home, for any potential buyer, the first impression starts outside.
HOW MUCH WILL IT COST ME? The overall cost of staging can vary depending on the size, the calibre and style of staging, whether it’s full or partial staging, as well as the staging duration. As a ball-park, professional staging would typically range upward from $2,000 for a five-week period. If budgets are tight there are a few work arounds, including partially staging your home. The trick is to focus on key areas, these are typically the dining and living rooms and master bedrooms. It's still really important to have a synergy with the existing furniture in the house too. It will look odd if you have old furniture in some of the bedrooms, and modern furniture in the living room and the dining room.
CAN STAGING BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHETHER YOU SELL OR NOT? Staging will impact the outcome you have, potentially adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to the sale price. Some studies have confirmed that a staged home will attract more buyers, sell faster and for a higher sales value than a non-staged property. All properties benefit from effective staging, no matter the price point and staging isn’t just for high-end listings too. It enables a sense of connection and understanding of room functionality and space. Staging can help smaller properties feel larger and a furnished room can also look larger than an unfurnished room. When you see the look on people's faces when they see their homes staged, a lot say that they wish they’d done it earlier. Now is the time to investigate and become informed. Call me to discuss the right option, and
Local Mortgage Adviser
