Locals honoured at EB Order of Excellence Awards

Jan Heine’s story is intertwined with the stories of many of Eastbourne’s environmental groups. She has been involved in the establishment, governance, running, and dayto-day activity of many of them – and still is.

Jan’s concern for Eastbourne and neighbouring environments started before she and her husband Arnold first climbed the 95 steps to their Days Bay home in 1983. In 1972 they were part of the group which established the Hutt Valley Conservation Society.

The Society included several Eastbourne residents (including previous Eastbourne Award recipient, Ray Smith) who together with Jan and Arnold, developed the East Harbour Environmental Association in 1983. The EHEA had and still has an important activist role.

Jan and Arnold were also active in the Eastbourne Forest Rangers group which managed much of the trackwork before the Regional Council took over, and also assisted with search and rescue missions.

Matiu Somes Island was opened to the public in 1995 and Jan along with other Eastbourne Forest Rangers supported the island’s DOC Rangers by checking for rodents and guiding visitors. Guiding has become a significant job as visitor numbers have increased.

By 2000, Forest & Bird had become a strong voice for the environment in Lower Hutt and their President was responsible for setting up the Matiu Somes Charitable Trust in partnership with iwi. Jan was a founding Trustee and still is.

Jan is a Life Member of the Hutt Valley Tramping Club. In another example of the interweaving of her work, the Club has for many years spent a winter weekend working on Matiu Somes Island.

In 1996 Eastbourne resident Ray Walsh established the Possum Busters group. Hutt City Council provided traps, and residents, including Jan and Arnold, ran trap lines in the hills behind Eastbourne and made a significant impact on possum numbers. Jan and Arnold ran their trap line on the hill behind their home until the 2011 storm which took down many trees and made access impossible.

The Possum Busters' mahi led to the formation of the Mainland Island Restoration Organisation (MIRO). MIRO built a fence of traps which has over the last 25 years had a significant impact on rodent numbers here. Other areas that make Eastbourne a better and more resilient place for all residents have kept Jan busy, including planting the dunes in Days Bay, and involvement with the Red Cross and Civil Defence. She has edited the St Ronan's Church’newsletter for nearly 20 years and is part of the church’s outreach programme which sees her helping with Randwick School’s breakfast club.

But MIRO is the work Jan says she is most proud of. As rodent numbers have decreased, interest and the number of active volunteers and experience has increased. MIRO started with an idea about work worth doing, and that it was worth persevering until eventually the work that MIRO and others do has become almost commonplace.

Don Long (Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, 2020) for services to literature and education, particularly Pacific language education.

A former teacher of the deaf, Don Long has worked and volunteered for more than 40 years as a publisher focused on supporting Pacific languages in Aotearoa and the Pacific, including Te Reo Maori.

Don came to the Eastern Bays from Christchurch in 1978. When Eastbourne hosted Cambodian refugee families, he volunteered to help teach them English.

His interest in the history of Eastbourne and Bays grew from his interest in the Maori language. He was invited by a former Mayor to research into the restoring of Maori place names in the Eastern Bays, research signed off by local iwi, the HCC then adding the place name signs around the bays.

That research got Don started and - as he dug deeper - he discovered that Eastbourne is the location of Lower Hutt’s oldest non-British and non-Maori community - our Italian fishing community (which later expanded to Island Bay).

He further discovered that we have a much more colourful and fascinating history — and a much longer one — than many of us realise and that knowing about the history of where he lived made living here more interesting.

There is a saying in Italian, Chi trova un amico trova un tesoro (a friend is a treasure). Don’s celebration of our history continues to enrich our lives.

Ali Carew, Editor and Local Historian

Ali’s association with the Bays began during her Lower Hutt childhood, with Eastbourne a favourite place for family picnics, swimming and walking. Her mother, Kathleen Low, belonged to the Eastbourne Spinners, and during school holidays Ali and her sister Hilary went too.

The Eastbourne connection became permanent in 1985 when Ali and David and their daughters moved here to live.

Her interest in local history began in 1999, when the Historical Society of Eastbourne

• Retired Persons’ Assn meet 4th Mon, 10am St Ronan's Church hall for morning tea followed by a speaker - $2 entry.Transport can be arranged for these meetings on request, ph 562 7365 or 562 8387.

• East Harbour Women’s Club – Contract Bridge 2pm-5.30pm. Contact Judy Bishop 562 8985

• “Baby Bounce & Rhyme” at the library 10.00am.

• Singalong 1st Mon, 2pm at St Ronan’s.

• Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday mornings, from 9:15 to 11:45, phone Andrea 02102797311 for more info.

• Pt Howard Playcentre. Mon 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• The Historical Society’s Eastbourne History Room above the library is open 2-4 pm every Monday.

• Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade training every Monday 7-9pm. Ph 562 7001 for more info.

• Toy Library 8-9pm. St Ronans Hall www. eastbournemibase.com.au Elizabeth 021 08224664.

• Eastbourne Karate Dojo junior and senior classes (children 8 year & older, plus parents) on Monday and senior classes on Thursday. Contact lindsaysensei@live.com, cell 021 844 873.

East Harbour Women’s Club

• Duplicate Bridge: 2-5pm. Contact Judy Bishop 562 8985

Keas: Monday 5.15pm – 6.15pm

Kea Leader: Ed 021 738 699

Cubs Monday 6.30pm – 7.45pm

Cub Leader: Damon 022 620 7116

Tuesdays

• Eastbourne Bowling Club. Gentleman’s Casual and Social bowling held every Tuesday from 2.30 to 4.30pm. Experience not required. Bowls and instruction provided. Casual dress code Contact Bruce 562 8401 or Warren 562 860.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Tues 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• Days Bay Playcentre Puddle Jumpers Tues 10:30 to 12 noon: Messy and Sensory play for children 2 years and under. Casual sessions, $3 donation.

• Muritai Tennis Club 9.30–noon. Merryn 562 0236.

• Eastbourne Homebirth Group 1st Tuesday of the month. Phone Kate 562-7096.

• East Harbour Women’s Club Morning Tea & Chat Group 10am. Contact Glendyr 562 7181.

• Eastbourne Embroidery Group, St Ronan’s Church lounge 10am-12noon.

• Indoor Bowls Club 1.30pm, at the croquet club, Oroua Street. Rosemary 562 7365

• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Mike au

562 8688.

• Poetry group, every second Tuesday meet to read and enjoy poems old and new. Phone 562 8387.

• Toy Library9.30-10.30am. St Ronans Hall. Facebook: Eastbourne Toy Library Elizabeth 021 08224664www.eastbournemibase.com.

• 9.30am Nia Dance Fitness Class (low impact - teens to 70+) Music Movement MagicMuritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www.niainwellington.com

• Pump Dance preschool and junior hip hop. 4pm onwards St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@pumpdance.com

Wednesdays

• Retired Persons’ Assn meet 2nd Wed at Tartines for morning tea and socialising 11am. Occasional outings arranged. Ph 5627365 or 562 8387.

• Library preschool story time 10.00 am.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Wed 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• Scottish Country Dance. Merryn 562 0236.

• Bridge Club 7-10pm. Shona 562 7073.

• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12. Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

• “Steady as You Go” Age Concern sponsored Falls Prevention and Exercise Programme. Held 12 noon each Wednesday at Eastbourne Community Hall. Classes are held for 1 hour and costs only $2. Improve your strength and balance to reduce falls and injuries. Falls are preventable. Please join us!

• Baby Boogie - dance for babies and preschoolers at St Ronan's Hall. 9:30am10am. Intermediate/teen hip hop and contemporary. 5pm onwards St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@pumpdance.com

• EHock - Fun Stick and Ball game Girls and Boys 7- 13.Eastbourne Community Hall. Wednesdays 6.00 p.m. - 7.30 p.m. Derek Wilshere 0274303596

Thursdays

• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Mike 562 8688. Women welcome.

• St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.30am-10.30am, contact Cathy 027 213 9342.

• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle 971 8598.

• East Harbour Women’s Club

- Bolivia 12.45pm, Contact Glendyr ph: 562 7181. Guest Speaker (3rd week of month)7pm, drinks and nibbles provide, Contact Diane ph: 562 7555

•Lions meet 2nd Thursday of the month at the Eastbourne Sports and Services Club, Tuatoru St 6.30 pm. New members and visitors are welcome. Graham 562 8819.

• Eastbourne Karate Dojo junior and senior classes (children 8 year & older, plus parents) on Monday and senior classes on Thursday. Contact lindsaysensei@live.com, cell 021 844 873.

• Pump Dance boys hip hop. 5pm-6pm St Ronans Hall. 0274373508 info@pumpdance. com

Scouts: Thursday 6.30pm – 8.00pm

Scout Leader: Susan 027 535 4962

Fridays

• Pop in and Play playgroup at St Ronan's Church Hall, 9am-11.30am during school terms. All preschoolers (0-4 years) welcome. Cath 027 213 9342.

• Pt Howard Playcentre Fri 9.15 -11.45am. Caroline 021 072 1070.

• AA Plunket Rooms 7.30pm. Mark 566 6444/ Pauline 562 7833

• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12. Andrea Jensen 02102797311.

• Discovery Time for 4years+ at San Antonio School, 78 Oroua Street, 9.30-10.30am. Office 562 7398.

• Eastbourne Bowling Club. Newly formed Ladies casual bowling group meets Fridays at 2.00pm. Experience is not required. Bowls & instruction available. Casual dress code. Contact Cheri - 021 0699 274.

Saturdays

• Justice of the Peace at the Eastbourne Community Library, first Saturday of each month 12pm-1pm.

• Lions’ rubbish bin last Saturday of each month.

• Croquet from 10am Muritai Croquet Club. Lyn 562 8722 or Val 562 8181.

• Eastbourne Dune Restoration Group Meets dunes area in front of the Eastbourne Recreation Ground, on the first Saturday of the month at 9am. Contact Keena for more details on 562 0992.

Sundays

• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Karen 021 440 705.

NOXIOUS WEEDS

November/December: Late spring/early summer. Warm. Wet. Weeds galore. This month your ‘nasty’ weeds. Not a good idea to put these bad boys on your ‘eco-pile’ nor on your compost heap. They’ll thrive and spread.

Weeds: = Any unwanted plants. Weeds are usually vigorous, well-adapted to the conditions, grow fast, spread fast and are hard to kill. They do all this by seeding prolifically or regrowing from small stem fragments or from persistent underground propagules (tubers/corms/bulbs). Many weed seeds and propagules are not killed by ‘warm’ composting. Many are resistant to common weedkillers. My problem weeds are tradescantia, buttercup, bamboo, oxalis and onion weed. You could name others… slang@xtra.co.nz www.gardenstuffnz.blogspot.com

Noxious weeds: = Weeds that are especially damaging to •agriculture, •natural ecosystems or •humans/animals. Many NZ noxious weeds are garden escapees. We live close to bush and beach, so should be extra vigilant.

Killing noxious weeds: Some noxious weeds are easy to kill using organic ‘knockdown’ weedkillers, others require glyphosate (to get at the roots), others need greater sophistication. www.weedbusters.org. nz offers good, species-specific advice. Weedbusters is the go-to website for NZ weeds.

Disposal of noxious weeds: Misanthropes dump their noxious weeds around Eastbourne adding to the ecological disaster overtaking NZ’s native plant and animal life. So, what do you do with your noxious weeds?

•Eco-pile (cool): Doesn’t kill all weeds.

•Composting (warm): Doesn’t kill all weeds.

•Leave in sun on concrete: Doesn’t kill all weeds.

•Bag + leave bag in sun: Doesn’t kill all weeds.

•Bury: Kills all weeds - but must be deeper than 1 m, so impractical.

•Bonfire: Kills all weeds - traditional but smoulders/smokes for days, HCC says ‘no’.

•Bag/bin/transfer station: For small amounts use an HCC rubbish bag (landfill, buried deep). For regular amounts use a medium (140 litre) green bin, $180 /year (‘hot’ composting kills). For lots of noxious weeds go to Seaview Transfer Station, car $20, trailer $30 (‘hot’ composting kills).