The flag at the end of Kauri Street has flown at half mast since the terrorist attack on Friday, March 15, in which 50 people were killed. Eastbourne people took part in the two minutes' silence to mark the event the following Friday, with some local women choosing to wear a hijab as a mark of respect.
Hutt City Council is seeking the public's feedback on its Annual Plan.
This year the council is trying a new approach to this, with an online option for feedback. The Eastbourne Community Board is encouraging local people to go to https://
haveyoursay.huttcity.govt.nz/, register and look, at the Long Term Plan. There are also copies in the Eastbourne Library. There is a "share an idea" tab for feedback.
The ECB is encouraging people to register and express support for Mayor Wallace’s
commitment to the shared path, to comment on any other projects which interest them and make suggestions for projects not yet in any plans. Ideas can be presented in person to the HCC Community Plan Committee in the usual way on May 8.
As a thank you to the Eastern Bays community for your support over the last 30 years, we are running a raffle for 1-year ferry pass.
BRIEFS LETTERS
that time,” she says, “we have upgraded these other tracks, which now give an easier access to the main ridge.”
Work has recommenced on the skateramp at San Antonio School, after the original contractors were released by Hutt City Council. HCC reserves assets manager Janet Lawson, says “Budget-wise, I cannot share much information as issues are either not finalised or confidential,” she says. “However I can share that new workers were on site from Tuesday, March 19. The work as scheduled should take about three weeks depending on weather.”
Adrian Moonen Eastbourne
East Harbour Women’s Club, Muritai Road
Previous agendas and papers available Council meetings - Home - Hutt City Council
Anna Sutherland (Deputy chair) anna.sutherland@huttcity.govt.nz
Murray Gibbons murray.gibbons@huttcity.govt.nz
Liz Knight liz.knight@huttcity.govt.nz
Robert Ashe robert.ashe@huttcity.govt.nz
Cr Tui Lewis tui.lewis@huttcity.govt.nz
Cr Michael Lulich michael.lulich@huttcity.govt.nz
SAT, SUN & PUBLIC HOLIDAYS:
(S)
Sailings may be cancelled at short notice due to weather. To check today’s sailings, tel. 494 3339
March Eastbourne Community Board
On behalf of Eastbourne the community board sends sympathy and support to the Muslim community both now and in the difficult time to come.
Kia kaha
to all the kids who marched for urgent action on climate change. It’s time for the adults to make sure this generation has the chance to live as well as we have.
Have your say on council projects
All the information for local and city projects is online or in a booklet available from the library.
You can also use the library computers to go to the HCC website.
Hutt City Council is one hundred percent behind the Eastern Bays Shared Pathway project, Mayor Ray Wallace says, and is still working on preparing the resource consent with the objective of lodging the application at the end of March.
“We made a commitment to the people of Eastbourne and Bays that we would see this project through to completion,” Mayor Wallace says. “There has been a lot of talk and speculation concerning its future recently, but ultimately, it will most certainly go ahead as has always been planned.”
HCC senior project engineer Simon Cager says the construction timetable is dependent on the resource consent process.
Eastbourne Community Board Chair Ginny Horrocks is delighted with Mayor Wallace's statement of full support for the shared path.
“We need to remember this is hugely important for everyone:; walkers, cyclists, cars and buses and now scooter riders,” she says.
“It’s great the Mayor has given his commitment to the project,” says Harbour Ward councillor Michael Lulich. “His support will go a long way toward the current $14 million-plus in the budget not being reallocated. That is very important.
"I am also 100 percent in support with the funding of the extra $2.5 million on the pathway this June. But it is the combined decision of the mayor and 12 city councillors, when budgets are tight.”
Mr Wallace says that the first section of
the path to be constructed will be the southern end of Days Bay, around Windy Point. The Windy Point section has been identified as particularly dangerous, with cyclists often squeezed against the hills, or close to the edge on the seaside.
Mr Cager confirms that is likely to be the first part of the shared pathway to get underway.
“Although this is subject to the usual factors when building a shared path,” he says, “like safety and connectivity to the transport network.”
Ms Horrocks says Lime scooters are adding to the volume of users of this section. She says whichever section is the start point, the rest
Eastbourne Library staff and users celebrated 45 years of the local institution last week.
Community library manager Jacquie Arnot says while much has changed in terms of technology over the years, the core use of the library, as a place of meeting and community, remains strong and quite unique.
“I’ve worked in four of the other Hutt libraries, and Eastbourne is a community where there is a large amount of history. Families have lived here for generations, and you get a real sense of that.
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matters just as much. Windy Point is horrific, but so are many other sections, plus some that are also scary for walkers, she says.
Cr Lulich says his experience tells him that at decision time, things can be a little unpredictable. “Though I am with the Mayor and positive the pathway will eventually be completed,” he says, “my strong advice to residents and their associations, is put in your annual plan submissions now for the money not to be re-allocated and for full funding of the shared pathway.” The decision on the final annual plan budget will be made on June 5 and Cr Lulich says as many as possible should attend that meeting and make public comment.
On Friday, March 15, around a million students worldwide went on strike from school to protest the lack of action on climate change.
New Zealand took part in this, with protests in all large cities, and some small towns.
In Wellington, around three thousand young people and our supporters gathered in Civic Square, then marched to Parliament, where we were met by three MPs (James Shaw, Grant Robertson, and Nicola Willis).
There were speeches made by student representatives, then a question and answer period with the MPs.
The Kiwi students’ main demand was that the New Zealand Government do more immediately to restrict global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees. We should do this by:
• Passing an efficient Zero Carbon Act that installs a long term plan for NZ to be carbon neutral by 2050.
• Having climate change in mind when future decisions are being made.
• Establishing transparent courses of action so the public can view our progress and hold the government to account.
• Stopping all extraction of fossil fuels at once, and investing in clean and sustainable energy immediately.
• Managing emissions from agriculture - there is currently no plan for this, even though it makes up nearly half of emissions here.
We will continue striking until our worries and demands are heard, and action is being taken to stop climate change.
Rare books, quality used books bought & sold. See our stock at: www.tinakoribooks.com
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info@tinakoribooks.com
Radiance of the Seas will dock at Aotea Quay on April 22 and with that, the curtain will come down on the 2018/19 cruise ship season. It will be the 109th docking over the summer months of the fleet of ocean liners that visit Wellington, bringing an estimated 228,000 passengers (51 percent from Australia), and adding $56 million to the local economy.
But in real terms, how much of that overseas dollar finds its way into our cafes, galleries and local enterprise here in Eastbourne?
Hamish Morison and Claire Schmidt, owners of Van Helden Gallery in Days Bay, say fund dispersion outside of Wellington city from cruise ships is negligible, with most outbound itineraries agreed in advance by the shipping companies.
Hamish admits that he has a somewhat jaundiced view of the cruise ship business. “The way things stand currently we don’t see much of a spin-off in Eastbourne and Days Bay, despite the efforts of quite a few individuals or organisations.”
Hamish was aware that there was little done to promote Days Bay and Eastbourne to the cruise clientele, and contacted East by West managing director Jeremy Ward to see what they could do about it.
East by West, in association with the Hutt
City Council and local businesses, set up the printing and distribution of a promotional brochure for Eastbourne and Days Bay.
“HCC put up four figures toward the artwork and printing costs,” Hamish says. “Simon Hoyle did a lot of photography and one by one we pulled it together.”
Although the brochure has been a success, Hamish admits that because of the way the cruise companies internalise their business, it has done little to attract any real revenue from these passengers to this side of the harbour.
“Those who have friends or relatives in Wellington,” says Hamish, “or those lucky enough to find the East by West ferry are the only real cruise passengers likely to end up discovering the jewel in the Hutt City crown.”
Jeremy Ward says his company never actively sought to court cruise passengers. He figured that having just gotten off a big boat, the last thing they’d want to do would be get back on a smaller one. “But I am continually blown away by numbers of passengers who appear in our office,” he says, “they do seem to find us and a percentage do invariably end up in Days Bay at least.”
HCC spokesperson Caryn Ellis says the council is most certainly involved in welcoming cruise ship passengers to our city.
“Retailers and tourism operators around Lower Hutt, Petone and operators in Days Bay
(including the East by West ferry) tell us that cruise passengers do visit,” she says, “and we have recently promoted a self-guided tour to Eastbourne businesses and we will promote this to other businesses around the city for the next cruise season.”
The HCC initiative earlier this summer saw Lower Hutt businesses hosting seventy of Wellington’s volunteer cruise ambassadors (coordinated by the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency), for a familiarisation tour of Lower Hutt’s ‘big backyard’.
Based at Williams Park, tour operators, cafe and gallery owners saw value contributing product or services in kind that promoted what a typical cruise passenger could do on a number 83 bus and ferry loop of Petone, Lower Hutt, Moera and Eastbourne, with a ferry back to Wellington from Days Bay.
HCC says it has produced a video in partnership with WREDA on Eastbourne and we’re about to launch one on Petone.”
Passengers have just a few hours - usually from 8am to 6pm - to explore and experience the attractions.
“It’s a big market and indications are that it will continue to grow,” says Jeremy Ward. “Next season, I’d suggest local businesses and cafes actively target them and we’ll bring as many of them across the harbour as we can.”
New Zealand’s biggest water sports festival brought kitesurfing, windsurfing and paddle boarding to Eastbourne once again in early March, for the second Waterbourne event.
Organiser Laurence Carey says that while the weather had some impact on proceedings, overall it was a massive success.
“Despite the torrential rain on day one, which was the Friday,” says Laurence, “the watersport side of things was exceptional. All events were able to be completed and all in all, everyone had a great time.”
Of the fifty athletes who took part in
competition, 90 percent were from outside the Wellington region and it was two overseas stars who claimed top honours in the Windsurfing legs.
Ten times New Caledonian Windsurf Champion Fred Morin and Dutchman Casper Bouman, an Olympic competitor in Beijing in 2008, were too good for the rest of the field on a windsurf and windfoil respectively. Morin won the Slalom Windsurfing and Bouman the Windsurf Ocean Clash. The overall Ocean Clash was won by the Kitesurfers, who revelled in the conditions.
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An excerpt from the 21 March press release from 28 Auckland church leaders, representing the widest range of denominations, including the Anglican, Catholic and Presbyterian churches.
“As a Christian community we welcome, support and embrace all who live peaceably in Aotearoa New Zealand. We remember that Jesus Christ spent his early years as a migrant/refugee in Egypt and so we celebrate all who have come to New Zealand looking for freedom, safety and greater opportunities for their families. Our national anthem says it so well:
“God of Nations, at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet…Men of every creed and race, Gather here before Thy face…From dissension, envy, hate, And corruption guard our State…Make our country good and great. God defend New Zealand” These words take on fresh and deeper meaning as we stand in solidarity with those who grieve the loss of their loved ones.
To the Muslim community in New Zealand we say you are welcomed and loved as we share life in this great nation. This is your home too.”
I trust this speaks also for Eastbourne’s Christian community. For the full statement visit www.scoop.co.nz/stories/AK1903/ S00577/auckland-church-leaders-jointstatement.htm
St Alban’s: • Maundy Thursday, 7:30pm Vicarage, 11 Ngaio St. • Good Friday, 10am Wellesley School (all age). • Easter Sunday, 10am Wellesley School (all age). • Men’s group, a drink and a bite, first Wednesdays, 6pm, RSA. • Women’s Group third Mondays, 10am, The Hive Café.
St Ronan’s: Good Friday, 9.30am. • Easter Sunday, Son-Rise service on beach by the RSA, 7am, tea/coffee & hot-cross buns after.
• Easter Sunday, 9.30am at St Ronan’s.
• Mainly Music, every Thurs, 9.15-11.15am (term times). • Toy Library, Mons 8-9pm & Tues 9.30-10.30am (term times).
From previous page
Fred Morin says that the weather is just part of the game and, coming from Tahiti, the cold was more of an issue for him than the rain.
“I thought the whole event was perfect,” he said. “Full respect to Laurence. It’s a lot of hard work. I love the multi-sport association, it’s popular with the athletes and the fans. The more we grow the concept the better. For sure, I will be back.”
Paddleboarding exhibitions proved a popular pastime also, with people between seven and seventy rocking up to have a go.
Laurence says the big marquee at Bishop Park became a key factor because of the weather, as 500 tickets were pre-sold for the Boo Seeka performance on Saturday night. That too, saw athletes and punters enjoying themselves.
“It was a big day on the water, then a great party too,” Morin said. “Great vibes with famous bands who put on a good show.”
“I’d like to thank Tommy’s Real Estate for their wonderful support,” Laurence says, “and I’m hoping that next year the Eastbourne community and Hutt Council will get right behind the project. Let’s get people down there and make it as great as it can be.”
Local windsurfing enthusiast with a vested interest in the event, Bruce Spedding, says that anecdotal feedback from the community has been good.
“For me,” he says, “the smiles on the faces
of competitors says it all about the sports and the event. To quote someone who spoke to me recently, “you never see a windsurfer who isn’t smiling”, and I think that applies across the board.”
The ten children of Carl and Wilma Phillips held a weekend reunion recently at Kuratau, Lake Taupo, at the lake house of seventh born, Lindsey Blair.
Seventy two family members were in attendance.
Younger sister, Robin Middlebrook, who resides in Havelock North, says although the ten are now scattered far and wide, ties still bind them to Eastbourne.
“Stephen ‘Snifter’ and Tony still live in York and Lowry Bay respectively,” she says, “and we all attended Muritai School.”
Carl brought his bride to Eastbourne after their marriage in 1930. Initially, they lived on Marine Parade and in 1941, purchased a house at number 15 Puriri Street.
“The property has only recently been sold,” Robin says.
“I was born while we lived there, in fact the family grew from five to ten children in that house.”
Both Carl and Wilma were involved in local community affairs and Carl, upon retirement from the New Zealand Shipping Company, flew the Company flag at the Muritai Yacht Club for many years.
Robin says that the Phillips boys were all into yachting, and rugby and cricket.
“Wilma lived to 97,” she says.
“She became the much loved ‘matriarch’ of Eastbourne.”
Robin says the siblings try to hold ‘decade re-unions’, whenever one or another are turning over both digits.
“This time it so happened that all ten of us were going to be in New Zealand in February,” she said.
“And for no good reason but that we are all still living, it seemed an opportune time.”
“We did acknowledge Stephen turning 80 this year,” she added, “and three other family members who were also celebrating a ‘decade’ birthday.
"A wonderful cake was shared by all after the candles were blown out by the youngest ‘decader’.”
9.30am 10am
Parade assembles at Ballinger Gardens, corner of Makaro and Oroua Streets. Parade will then march past the Rata Street Memorial and Field of Remembrance.
Service held at the Memorial Gates, Muritai School
Civic Service held at the Cenotaph, ANZAC Memorial Lawn, adjacent to the Lower Hutt War Memorial Library, Queens Drive.
Refreshments will be held in The Dowse Art Museum, 45 Laings Road. If wet weather, the service will be moved to St James Anglican Church, 71 Woburn Road.
Visit huttcity.govt.nz/anzac
The third Lowry Bay Yacht Club 24-Hour endurance race was sailed in almost perfect weather conditions on the weekend of March 16/17.
Race organiser Theo Muller said a sizeable crowd gathered at Days Bay Wharf as Mayor Ray Wallace officially started the race.
Fourteen yachts jostled for the best possible position at the count-down for an 11:00am start. The smallest yacht in the fleet was 25 feet and the biggest 50.
“The ‘pin end’ - a marker buoy laid approximately 150 metres south-west of the wharf - was the favoured starting position,” Theo says, “as the wind closer to the wharf was quite fluky.”
Ten to 15 knots with gusts of up to 25 knots from the north greeted the departing flotilla, the wind dying away during the night to a mere 3 to 5 knots for a short period, a sure sign, said Theo, that the wind would turn to the south.
Sailing conditions remained very pleasant with mild temperatures, even during the night, and the forecast rain stayed away.
“On board Freedom, we maintained a watch plan of three hours on, three hours off,” he said, “always having at least three crew on deck at all times with the remaining crew resting in the cabin or performing cooking duties.”
Theo said that eating well was important and one of the crew aboard Freedom cooked a roast dinner, appreciated by all on board.
Race officer Bob Rowell had set out a challenging course. The first two circuits took the yachts from Days Bay, via Point Howard, to the north-western corner of Petone Beach, Horokiwi, Ngauranga Gorge, then to the front
leading light in the main shipping channel. From there they returned to Point Howard.
“This circuit covers about 18 nautical miles,” Theo says, “and was sailed during daylight hours.
"A shorter circuit of approximately 9NM at the northern end of the harbour followed, which kept us out of the main shipping channel during the hours of darkness.”
Work on deck got very busy from time to time, he says, especially when setting and taking down and packing the spinnaker.
“We did this nine times during the 24hour period. Cockpit crew were constantly trimming sails.
"Do this for 24 hours and the body starts to react. We reminded ourselves that this was an endurance race, presenting the usual challenges that come with an event like this.”
The race finished at exactly 11:00am on Sunday morning, when Theo says all competitors returned to the Marina, awaiting the prizegiving while consuming a few welldeserved drinks.
Masterpiece, a Beale 45 owned by Steve Gaskin took out line honours, sailing 127.19NM during the 24-hour period.
This earned the crew (which included seven Navy sailors from Auckland) the Heineken Centennial Tankard.
They also won on handicap and with that the Gibson Sheat Cup” presented by Edward Cox, one of the partners of that company. Mr Cox and his crew came 2nd on Pulse, a Noelex 25.
“The Navy boys said they will all be back again next year,” says Theo, “possibly in one of the Navy’s training yachts.”
Next year’s 24-Hour Endurance Yacht Race will be sailed on the weekend of March 14 and
The man behind the Wild Food Challenge, Bill Manson, says great weather, good vibes and a record turnout ensured that his popular event was once again a huge success.
“We had 54 entries this year,” Bill says, “with lots of different styles of really quality food. A record crowd turned out and joined in the competition. That’s just how we like it, people really enjoying themselves.”
Music and entertainment was interspersed with rolling workshops and exhibitions, which included the carving up of a deer, a hangi and for the first time, a Samoan Umu, which is a similar process to a hangi but above ground. An Umu starts with a fire to heat rocks and once hot enough, they are stacked around the parcels of food, which are wrapped in banana leaves or aluminium foil.
“There were lots of points of interest,” said Bill, “and it makes the day when people get stuck in and involved. It takes a lot of time and money to put the Wild Food Challenge on and I am grateful for the support of local business. We can certainly build a festival around that.”
Unfortunately for Bill, the following weekend’s Challenge in Raetihi had to be cancelled owing to poor weather.
“It was the first cancellation in eleven years and in the over 70 events we have held in
that time,” he said. “But in Days Bay, we keep jamming great days and long may that continue.” Right: challenge winners Peter and Briar De Punt won with locally foraged Crayfish with Kawakawa, farmed garlic emulsion, artisan dill & citrus handmade pasta, home ground garlic salt, fennel & foraged watercress.
Smoke Signals March 2019. Did you know that one in four house fires start in the kitchen?
Making your kitchen fire safe is a really important part of having a fire safe home. Here are some simple things you can do to reduce the risk of a fire starting in the kitchen:
When you’re cooking
• Don't drink and fry. Alcohol is involved in half of all fatal fires. Instead, pre-prepare a meal, get takeaways, or use the microwave. Never attempt to drink alcohol or take medication that makes you sleepy when cooking.
• Don’t leave the room when cooking. If you have to, always turn off the stove first. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of house fires in New Zealand.
• Keep curtains, tea towels, oven mitts and any flammable items well away from the cooking area when you're cooking.
Smoke alarms
Don't install a smoke alarm in your kitchen. Smoke and heat from cooking (and the toaster) can activate the alarm. Smoke alarms shouldn't be installed in the bathroom or laundry either.
You can still protect these areas with a heat alarm/thermal detector. A heat alarm is designed to activate when the room reaches a set temperature. They are useful in places where a smoke alarm would usually give false alarms.
Emergency Call Outs:
• 16 Feb 19 – Bonfire, Days Bay
• 18 Feb 19 – False Alarm, Burdans Gate
• 25 Feb 19 – Alarm Activation, Seaview Wharf
• 2 March 19 – Fire on Beach, Burdans Gate
• 3 March 19 – Fire on Beach, Sunshine Bay
• 8 March 19 – Alarm Activation, Wellesley College
• 13 March 19 – Motor Vehicle Crash, Lowry Bay
• 17 March 19 – Alarm Activation, Rimu St
The Eastbourne Volunteer Fire Brigade is still 11 Firefighters short of its optimum membership which is nearly 50% of the Brigade operational establishment, so please give some serious thought to becoming a Volunteer to help protect your community.
Please call Ross Carroll, Chief Fire Officer (021 648 114), if you think you’ve got what it takes.
The Pt Howard Assn held a working bee in midFebruary to freshen up the exterior of the Pt Howard Tennis Pavilion / Play Centre. An enormous amount of thanks to all the volunteers who helped with the wash down and painting, plus a big thank you to Prudence and Lori for a delicious morning tea!
Most Pt Howard residents will have noticed a huge increase in scrap metal noise over the last few weeks since SIMS Pacific Metals have changed their method of loading. Scrap metal is now dropped into containers end on from a 7-10m height, resulting in huge crashes which certainly exceed the legal noise limits. The problem however is that the by-laws work on the average noise over a minute, so even this highly intrusive crashing is apparently within the acceptable decibel limit. The Pt Howard Assn are now working with the Eastbourne Community Board (ECB) to petition the Hutt City Council (HCC) for a change in this ridiculous by-law which permits such a massive noise intrusion from Seaview into our adjacent residential area. We thank the ECB for their support in this matter.
The annual walk around with the ECB and HCC went well. One of the items raised was the degradation to the footpath between 13 and 17 Howard Road. This has now been fixed by HCC, and the Pt Howard Assn kindly asks that residents and visitors to Pt Howard to please park on the road and not on the footpath. Parking on the footpath not only damages it, but forces pedestrians out onto a road with two blind corners. There have been numerous near misses with vulnerable road users in this area of the hill, and we wish to reduce the risk by having all footpaths on the hill available to pedestrians at all times.
pthowardassn@gmail.com
The 2019 ECB Community Awards were presented earlier this month. Among the recipients were Mike Parker and the Menzshed group with deputy mayor David Bassett (right) , Gen Packer and Mary Ryan and the Boomerang Bags group with ECB member Robert Ashe (below left), , and Maree
From Page 3
People are very, very welcoming to new people who move in.”.
Self serve check-out of books has meant librarians could have become removed from the public, but Jacquie says she and the other four staff have a lot of interaction with library users.
“There’s a lot of talking. We make a point of ensuring that there is as much face to face time as possible. It would absolutely not work here otherwise.”
Collections have been enhanced with the introduction of Smart Libraries, which allows library users access to material from Hutt libraries, along with Kapiti, Masterton, Porirua, Weltec and Whitirea collections.
The e pukapuka collection is a growing platform for ebooks, but Jacquie predicts physical books will always be a large part of the library. “I just can’t see them disappearing from our society,” she says.
Eastbourne library holds an extensive array of activities from baby bounce, to weekly Scrabble sessions and the popular seed and plant swap.
“The seedling swap has become a big community morning, with people swapping ideas and knowledge. It’s next level librarianship.”
Jacquie says the old days of being told to be quiet in the library are long gone.“A group of librarians is actually called a shush of librarians,” she says.
“The Eastbourne Library is a communal space.People meet and chat and catch up with one another, and I love the fact that we can run programmes and hopefully introduce new generations to the joys of the library.”
Looking forward, $1m has been budgeted for initial plans for improvements to the Eastbourne Library/Community hub in 2028/29.
Jacquie has ideas about how the library could be enhanced.
“I think we can get the most amazing space for this community, if it’s handled very carefully,” she says.
A museum display area incorporating the historical society, along with space for art to be displayed, meeting rooms and a space for classes such as yoga would be valuable, she says.
Currently the library has to turn away bookings for the old council boardroom above it, which is now booked solidly.
“It could be a huge asset for this community.”
HCC city and community services general manager Matt Reid says the provision is for a major refurbishment of the current building and will be consulted on. In the meantime, the council is planning on replacing the roof in the next ten years. "Other changes will be informed by how the building is performing at that time," Mr Reid says.
More than two hundred people attended this season’s Bard in the Yard outdoor production of As You Like It, with three of the five nights weather conducive and able to be staged in the covered courtyard at Muritai School.
Production manager John Marwick says The Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe’s recent production was their 23rd successive summer Shakespeare performance and they have come a long way since humble beginnings, when thespian friends would gather and read from books in his backyard in Konini Street.
It was a big cast of 23 for first time director Anne Manchester, 19 of those Eastbourne residents, with the balance making the regular sojourn for rehearsal or performance from Wellington and Lower Hutt.
Auditions were held before Christmas and rehearsals didn’t commence until well into January, John says
"But our local actors are used to that, used to having a short amount of time to get prepared for opening night. They and Anne did fantastically well.”
“It was a bit of a shaky start,” says Anne, “and at one point I thought, 'just keep breathing deeply'. But people came out of the woodwork and in just six weeks, it was show on.”
“One other thing I have loved about this production,” she says, “is the fact the cast ranged in age from 16 to 80. The young ones loved being in an all-age production too.”
With a thirty-year history in Eastbourne, BCTT put on three productions annually, of which at least one is a Shakespeare play.
“There is something magical about the outdoor productions,” John says.
“Shakespeare, live theatre as the sun is going down.”
An original member of the troupe Will Clannachan was making a return to the stage
after a few years off, playing the role of Adam, servant to Olivia de Boys. John says it was marvellous to have him back.
“I did enjoy being back after a few years,” Will says. “It’s such fun to do. I think I’m going to do a few more now.”
“We are always keen to welcome new members too,” says John. “Not just actors, we are always on the lookout for back stage personnel, props, costumes, whatever their interests. A lot of folk work tirelessly in many roles to get a play on, but the reward for their efforts, through the glow of an audience, is very gratifying.”
Anne says that although she is now in the pool of directors the group can call on, that role is another in which they’d like to see new blood, fresh faces. “Lian Butcher, who was exceptional in the dual roles of Rosalinda and Ganymede
“At our time of life we simply cannot deal with this shit”
The Children has been a hit world-wideand this production features three of our most highly-valued actors, Catherine Downes, Peter Hambleton and Carmel McGlone.
"The world is in chaos. Hazel and Robin are trying to go about their life of yoga and farming as though nothing has changed. But everything shifts when an old friend, Rose, knocks on their door. Something doesn’t feel right…the fallout will be unpredictable.
The Children introduces audiences to this trio of characters in a witty and touching story that rumbles with big questions about how
in As You Like It will step up to direct the next BCTT production in August,” Anne says.
“We are doing a thriller, a whodunnit by Agatha Christie, called And Then There Were None, says Lian.
“Ten strangers are invited to a house on an isolated island and one by one they meet their grisly end, in the manner of a childhood poem on the wall.
"Trapped on the island they realise if they don’t find their killer soon, there will soon be none of them left. ”
Auditions will be held on May 5 and Lian says local actors who would like to tread the boards can e-mail her; lian.potter92@gmail. com for an audition time.
Rehearsals are scheduled to start on June 4, with performance dates between August 1 and 10
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March Madness comes to mind when reflecting on local real estate activity in the past month.
All our sales attracted multiple offers and there are many more buyers still seeking a new home in Eastbourne and Bays. If you are thinking of selling in the near future please feel free to call for a chat.
BY NEGOTIATION: Buyer enquiry from $1,550,000
justpaterson.co.nz/property/JP1393
Richard was born in Royston, Hertfordshire, England to Joy and John Robinson. Richard was named after his grandfather, and his father, John.
Richard’s birth was toasted by Joy and her parents who she was living with, with a cup of tea - and by John, who was away at sea in the Merchant Marine, with a glass of champagne.
When Richard was 6, Joy and John decided to start a new life in New Zealand, arriving in Wellington in 1961. Joy’s parents joined them.
Joy and John bought their home on Marine Parade the same year, and it has been the family home for 57 years. Eastbourne was a small village back then – there were only four phone numbers to dial to reach your neighbours and Marine Parade was only an unpaved stretch of sand.
Richard started school at Muritai and soon made friends, playing in the sand hills, digging forts and swimming in the sea across the road.
He later went to Wellesley College. Richard and school were not the best of friends!
He played rugby for the school. From what his father John used to say, Richard’s white shorts didn’t ever see much dirt.
Richard’s grandfather was a large influence in his life, and they would spend many afternoons doing homework together.
After Wellesley, Richard went on to Scots College then straight into a job at Russell & Sommers Shipping. He then went on to work at Ajax in Seaview where his father was working. The idea was to save to travel overseas.
Soon after his 21st birthday Richard left NZ to travel to the UK. On the way he travelled via Greyhound bus around the USA and Canada, up the west coast and across the Rockies to Toronto. Once in the UK Richard lived with family in the Lake District, working during the winter months and travelling around in his old mini over summer.
On returning home after a couple of years away Richard brought a new Ford Escort back with him – his vision of a rally car.
He started work back at Ajax, as a starting point, but ended up staying for twenty years. He enjoyed his time at Ajax, making friends who have endured for over forty years.
In his free time Richard enjoyed windsurfing and later bought an old catamaran, sailing for a couple of seasons with the Muritai yacht club. He played social golf but, like most, never conquered the game. He also enjoyed going to the rugby with Bobbie and Brian, neighbours in the flats next door, supporting Petone and Wellington.
In 1988 we moved next door to the Robinsons. For thirty years we had the best neighbour one could ask for. Richard was our own personal neighbourhood watch; nothing would escape him, standing sentry at his front
window. He had a pat and a kind word for every animal and child that crossed his path.
The early days our memories are of turquoise speedos, a sleeveless wet suit and taking our children out on the catamaran. He became a favourite and caring uncle, once whacking Ben on the behind and reprimanding him for not holding his hand as he ran across Marine Parade.
Richard always wanted to help. Late one Christmas Eve he was erecting a trampoline on our front lawn. Next morning, Christmas day, he did a grand job of feigning surprise and agreeing with everyone that Father Christmas was very clever to have dropped the trampoline off at the right house.
Richard was curious and interested in the world, and especially history. He had an amazing memory for facts, I think inherited from Joy. Richard was actually a walking encyclopaedia and would regale tales of everything from the War of the Roses, to China’s economic policy, to every last detail of every Lord of the Rings book.
He loved his garden, and loved animals. And they loved him. There were several neighbourhood cats who left home to live with Richard.
And he loved Eastbourne. In 1997 when Ajax closed, like many manufacturing companies in Wellington, Richard’s first instinct was to travel. He went to stay with brother Michael who was working and living in Vietnam, and travelled throughout Thailand and Vietnam. He returned to NZ and worked in a number of contract roles, returning to Vietnam to visit Michael.
Nine years ago Richard had life-threatening heart surgery but he came through remarkably well and was soon his old self with the help and
care of Joy.
Richard joined the Eastbourne Lions Club and has been very active in it, helping with various activities and acting as Project Manager. He was very appreciative of the friendship and sense of purpose that it gave him.
In the last few years Richard worked in Paraparaumu but gave up his work to become Joy’s full time carer. He was worried about leaving his mother alone in the house for long periods of time each day.
During and after Joy’s illness, Richard was a tower of strength, helping with his mother’s recovery. He was instrumental in Joy being able to return home.
Richard is survived by Joy, and his brother Michael and sister-in-law Jass.
- By Juliet AllnattCurrent President of the Eastbourne Lions Club, Kevin Togher, says that his organisation certainly, but the Eastbourne community in general will miss former Projects Director, Richard John Robinson, who died unexpectedly at his home on February 14th, aged 64.
“Richard joined the Eastbourne Lions in 2010,” he said, “and has always been a major contributor. He was the perfect example of the Lions mantra “We Serve”.”
Kevin says Richard would regularly be seen in his Yellow or Orange “Hi-Vis vest”, clipboard in hand.
“Whether he was organising marshals for the Petone Christmas Parade or managing helpers for the Waterbourne festival, or with large orange cones coordinating the road closures for the Eastbourne Anzac parade, or the Eastbourne Games, Richard was always on hand. He was a real “doer”.”
His major yearly event was the November Lions Auction and many months in advance, he would start receiving calls from people who had items to donate. He would coordinate the collection and storage wherever they would fit, usually filling his garage, his carport and then the front yard.
“This was only the pre-cursor to actual auction itself,” Kevin says, “which entailed a very long Friday afternoon and evening followed by an even longer Saturday. But he made sure our major fundraiser went ahead as smoothly as possible and for this we are ever grateful.”
“On behalf of Eastbourne Lions and the wider local community we would like to say 'Thank You Richard”, for your service and may you rest in peace'.”
Mondays
• 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.
• “Baby Bounce & Rhyme” at the library 10.00am.
• Singalong 1st Mon, 2pm at St Ronan’s.
• DB Playcentre Mon, Wed, Fri 9-12. Andrea Jensen 02102797311.
• 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 Ross Carroll Chief Fire Officer 562 7001 for more info.
• Toy Library 8-9pm. Elizabeth 021 08224664. www.eastbournemibase.com.au
• 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.
Tuesdays
• 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 5627096.
• 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 562 8688.
• Poetry group, every second Tuesday meet to read and enjoy poems old and new. Phone 562 8387.
• Toy Library 8-9pm. Elizabeth 021 08224664. www.eastbournemibase.com.au
• 9.30am Nia Dance Fitness Class (low impact - teens to 70+) Music Movement Magic - Muritai Yacht Club - call Amanda 021 316692 www.niainwellington.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 2–2.25pm.
• 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! Pump Dance Hip hop & contemporary classes Wed afternoons in St Ronan’s hall 0274373508 info@pumpdance.com
Thursdays
• Menzshed 9 till 12 , Williams Park, Mike 562 8688. Women welcome.
• St Ronan’s Mainly Music, 9.30am10.30am, contact Cathy 027 213 9342.
• SPACE at Days Bay Playcentre. Michelle 971 8598.
East Harbour Women’s Club
New Members Welcome Card Groups (weekly)
- Bolivia 12.45pm
Contact Glendyr ph: 562 7181 - Bridge 1.00pm
Contact Heather ph: 562 7995 Guest Speaker (3rd week of month)
7.00pm - Drinks and nibbles provided 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.
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, 9.3010.30am. Office 562 7398.
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 10.00am Muritai Croquet Club. Lyn 562 8722 or Val 562 8181.
• Eastbourne Dune Restoration Group Meets at the 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
• Church services - see page 28.
• AA Plunket Rooms 10am. Pauline 562 7833.
St Alban’s Anglican:
Sunday Worship 10am at Wellesley College. Thursday Worship 10am - check venue with Parish office, 11 Ngaio St, Eastbourne tel: 562 6269
Children and Families Ministry: see www.stalbanschurch.nz
St Ronan’s Presbyterian: Muritai Rd, Eastbourne tel: Parish Clerk 562 8753
Sunday Morning Worship: 9.30am. Power Hour: 9.30am
San Antonio Roman Catholic: Oroua St, Eastbourne
tel: Fr Marlon Maylon Parish Priest 971 7885
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5.30pm
Sunday (Sacred Heart, Petone): 9.30am & 5.30pm
The beach front slug of gravel that appeared in front of South Eastbourne over the last 25 years has proven to be an ideal nesting site for the NZ Banded Dotterel. Before humans arrived, their main predator was the blackbacked gull and their main defence was camouflage and warning others when the gulls were present. Their plumage makes them hard to spot on gravel seashores. They lay their eggs directly on the beach in a small scrape and the eggs’ colouring makes them hard for the gulls to find. Dotterels also require wide open spaces so they can spot seagulls and, if the gulls are threatening their eggs or chicks, these plucky little birds will chase the much larger seagulls away.
With the introduction of mustelids, rodents and human developments, the dotterel population has declined dramatically. They have the same endangered status as the Giant Spotted Kiwi and the Whio/Blue Duck, but little restorative work has been done with them when compared to the Kiwi and Whio. MIRO is one of 3 groups nationally that are currently studying these birds and has a high impact permit to catch, band and monitor the birds here and at the Parangarahu Lakes.
Aren’t we lucky to have them in our front yard! This year there were 15 adult birds, 13 nests with 3 successful hatchings for a total of 9 chicks. This is the third year with 15 adults, so a steady, but not increasing, population so far. We believe at least 3 chicks made it to fledgling. It was a tough start with 8 nesting failures due to cat predation, but the season improved after fencing their nesting areas versus fencing individual nest sites. Our theory is that the cat was following curious people’s scent to the nest
sites, so we fenced their nesting areas instead of individual nests and had much better success, with 3 of the next 5 nests successfully hatching. MIRO received a number of reports about birds beside the Sports & Services Club where we found one of our banded females (Flag PAM) and an unbanded male nesting. This pair had tried to nest and failed 3 times this season in our original fenced area on the southern foreshore, so they moved north. We fenced this nest site, but also included signs asking people to please keep 15 metres away. We are pleased to report that this nest successfully hatched 2 chicks.
Mar/Apr: Early/mid autumn. Days shorten & cool. Soon time for the final summer-crop harvest. Then, tidy up, fertilise (sheep pellets) and plant winter crops asap. Get them in before the cold. Traditional winter crops do bestsilverbeet, cabbage, kale, broad beans… These greens are exceptionally good for us…!
Autotrophic: Plants are autotrophic (lit. ‘self’ ‘feeding’ = they make their own food). They make all the myriad complex chemicals they need for life, from just a few, simple ingredients – CO2, H2O and sunlight (energy), plus a handful of soil minerals.
Metabolites: What are these complex life chemicals? The basic ones are the primary metabolites (PMs) – sugars (starch=energy, cellulose=structure), lipids (oils=energy) and proteins (enzymes=little factories). Plants also make a huge number (200,000+) of ‘smart’ chemicals. These are the secondary metabolites (SMs). The SMs are small in amount and secondary in importance but help plants survive and thrive in a hostile world. Among other key functions, the SMs help protect plants against stress - biotic stresses (insect and microbial pests and diseases…) and abiotic stresses (UV-light, drought, frost, heat…).
Heterotrophic: We humans are heterotrophic (lit. ‘other’ ‘feeding’). We can’t make PMs or SMs but instead get these second-hand by eating plants (or third-hand by eating animals that eat plants). The PMs are good because they make our bodies strong and give us energy to live. And the SMs are good because these ‘smart’ chemicals do the work in our bodies, they were designed to do in the plant. So, the SMs help us fight off many health conditions including bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic diseases, cancers and heart problems… They also make life worth living - giving us tea, coffee and chocolate…
Diet: Our diet is different from our ancestors’. •Too rich in the high-energy PMs and too poor in the ‘smart’ SMs. Hence, we are overweight and unhealthy. •Many SMs are lost when we process foods (so, process less). •Most SMs are in the bits we reject and hardly at all in the bits we eat (so, eat fruit skins and seeds). •Cultivated fruits are larger than wild-type fruits. Small fruits have relatively more skin and less flesh (simple 3D geometry) and, hence, contain more SMs and less PMs per kg (so, eat small fruits). •Winter greens are low in PMs and high in SMs (so, eat your greens). QED…!
Sandy Lang slang@xtra.co.nz
We asked electric vehicle convert Geoff Rashbrooke to share the research he did before purchasing his vehicle. Here are his findings:
A number of Leafs, the odd Zoe and Ioniq, and others beside – electric vehicles (EVs) are already resident in Eastbourne. If you’re interested in joining the hip and happening (or the smug and nerdy, as some would have it), this should get you started.
Range
The distance you can go in an EV depends on how big your battery is, how much charge the battery has, and how you drive it.
As a very broad rule of thumb, each kilowatt (kw) of electricity your battery can store will give you about 8 km driving around town. The most common EV on NZ roads, the Nissan Leaf, first came with a 24 kw battery, giving a range of 190 km in theory. More recent Leafs have a 30 kw battery, and the current Renault Zoes have a 40 kw battery, giving the latter (again in theory) 320 km. The recently announced Hyundai Kona has a 64 kw battery, extending the around town range to over 500 km.
However, this assumes the battery can be fully charged. Over time, batteries degrade –slowly, but gradually. Nissan have calculated about 80 percent of capacity will remain after 5 years, and 70 percent remain after 10 years. The technology for replenishing/replacing batteries is just about there, but it will be some time before it’s like replacing your tyres.
And range diminishes according to how and where you drive. As speed increases, so does air resistance, and hence on the open road that 8 km per kw of battery can fall as low as 6 km. Having on lights, air-conditioning or heating, and so on, will also affect range. But
while going up hills uses extra power, coming down generates power, thanks to regenerative braking. With an EV, the more you avoid hitting the brakes and let the car slow you down, the further you go.
Just about all EV owners charge up at home, so range is not necessarily a big issue if you’re just driving locally, and there are Leaf owners reporting comfortable daily commuting (including highway driving) of 50-60 km each way just charging at home. But if you want to go further afield, then you’ll need a bigger battery and/or to access public chargers.
Unfortunately I don’t have space to go into exactly how one charges the battery of an EV, and it gets technical fairly quickly. But I do strongly recommend reading Sigurd Magnusson’s newsletter, at https://www. electricheaven.nz/, and also the Wellington EV owners Facebook group.
Prices
Since about 2012 second-hand Leafs have been imported from Japan (and the UK), and so there is now a good second-hand market in Leafs, with prices starting a touch over $10,000 for older models. Recent imports, especially with the 30 kw battery, are priced closer to $30-35,000. Generally you get what you pay for – the older models will have some battery degradation, the extent depending on how they’ve been used.
At the other end of the scale, a NZ-new Hyundai Kona with the 64 kw battery is being advertised at $74,000 (about twice the cost of the petrol version – you pay a lot for the battery and new technology). The new Nissan Leaf models, with the 40 kw battery, start around $52,000. Renault NZ sells 40 kw Zoes at around $69,000; however, there is a flourishing market
in almost-new Zoe imports priced $40-45,000. Remember too that running costs compared to petrol cars will be less; $1,000 a year in savings is pretty conservative (unless you don’t use the car much).
Environmental benefits
The outstanding benefit is the zero emissions. Not burning fossil fuels is good for the planet, but even in countries that rely on burning coal to generate electricity, keeping car exhaust pollution out of towns and cities is a big plus. The quiet operation is relaxing, even the Leafs are nippy to drive, and recent research has concluded driving an EV significantly reduces stress compared to driving a petrol car. What are you waiting for? (Apart from a lottery win, sigh.)
Confidence building obstacle courses, creative baking in the mud kitchen, stages for concerts, and more, term 1 at Days Bay Playcentre has been a buzz!
It seems anything we put in front of our tamariki these days, they'll just climb over. Or swing on. Or jump in.
We've welcomed a few new faces this term but there is still room in our growing family - pop in for a quick play and see what we're up to. Sessions run Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings, 9:15am-11:45am.
Pop in for a visit or phone Andrea 021027973111 for more information.
If you’re not familiar with the name Phil Sprey, chances are you soon will be.
Phil, a Days Bay resident, is hoping to stir things up in the forthcoming local body elections. Tired of what he describes as “general apathy”, he is keen to see people step up to represent Eastbourne on Hutt City Council, and on the Eastbourne Community Board.
Please feel free on the 8th April 10-11am to attend a “drop in for a chat” session with me at our library in Rimu St.
I asked the Mayor for his full commitment to the Shared Pathway in the last Herald edition. With strong community support for the Pathway, we should see the Mayor come out giving his commitment to completing the project. The Mayor’s support will help ensure that more than $14 million of Council money, currently in the budget, is not diverted to other cycleway projects. Council will still need to find an extra $ 2-3 million, which I support. However, we can proceed to plan B if Council does not support that. If the more than $14 million currently budgeted is safeguarded, we will have the money to start construction after the consent and appeal process is completed. Next year we could top up the budget and secure the remaining NZTA funding where needed. Annual plan decision making is unpredictable, so please offer your support by putting your ideas thorough in the annual plan process as the Community Board advises. You can also comment at Council when we make our final budget decision on 5 June.
As a Councilor, and Board member, I joined the Community Board at its annual walk-about. We traveled to meet representatives of all our resident groups to identify and discuss local issues and concerns. We appreciate the great work they do for the community and the constructive feed-back they gave us on various issues for officers to work on in the coming year.
It was a pleasure to attend the Local Wild Food Challenge at the Pavilion in Days Bay which the Council has supported. It is one of our biggest local events with many people enjoying wild food demonstrations, food stalls, a wild food beer garden, live art, hangi, music and a movie. The event raises the awareness of the wild food and natural ingredients we have in the Wellington Region.
Residents can contact me with their enquiries on 977-3166 (home) or 0210304561 (mobile)You can also email me at michael.lulich@huttcity.govt.nz or follow me on Facebook at: facebook.com/MichaelLulich14(Cr Michael Lulich)
Residents can contact me with their enquiries on 977-3166 (home) or 0210304561 (mobile), and you can email me at michael.lulich@huttcity.govt.nz or follow me on Facebook.
Although unwilling to confirm if he will stand as a local representative in the ? local body elections, Phil has plenty to say about the state of local politics generally, and how specifically he thinks things can be improved to provide a city with a better vision.
An outspoken critic of the council on several issues, Phil has even offered $10,000 to opponents willing to stand against Wellington Mayor Justin Lester this year.
Behind the scenes, he has been in contact with Hutt City Council senior figures over ways to boost the local economy, and, while he won't say anything on record about specifics, he does believe it's time for the Hutt to look outside its usual investments.
Phil says he gets on well with Mayor Ray Wallace, but "when one person ends up standing, that's not a democracy". Ray Wallace is only one vote around the council table.
The community board is an "archaic leftover of a previous time, and is not in touch with the voice of the community".
Phil says if he was on the community board, his first task would be to do himself out of a job.
"If I was on the community board, I would put a resolution to get rid of it."
Two full time councillors committed to each area of the ward is his preference, and they
would need to have vision for their area, along with the rest of Hutt City.
This is one of Phil's major complaints about particularly the community board: he says it lacks any vision for Eastbourne and Bays.
"They spend endless time debating moving a bus stop - that's the council's job."
In public comment, Phil has asked the board members what their vision for the area is, to no avail.
"What are we? Are we a 'go to sleep retirement village' or somewhere that younger families are engaged in the community?"
"Not one of the community board members has put down on their Facebook page, or anywhere else what their vision is," he says.
The local body elections will be held this coming October, date to be advised.
Go to www.huttcity.govt.nz for more information.
The winter window is in with lots of yummy slow cooking and stewing cuts.
Hot cross buns are in store, the same great buns at the same great price at your local free range butcher.
If the famous Wharf to Wharf event is not historical enough in its own capacity, history was made this year when both major awards went to women.
Organiser Mandy Holmwood says this year's race was as popular as ever, with 116 competitors completing the swim, in the usual six categories.
“It was outstanding, very special,” she said, “there was a lovely spirit about the event this year and I’ve organised quite a few now.”
Even a dog was entered and swam the course with its owner - beating a few competitors.
The Kenny Cup (Officially called the East Harbour Surf Life Saving Club Kenny Cup) has been awarded since 1954 to the first Eastbourne swimmer home. This year it was won by Ella Burton-Wood, with a time of 17m 34s.
Casey Glover holds the official fastest time on record for the Kenny Cup, at 14m 27s. Ray Gough’s name has appeared on the prestigious trophy a record 16 times.
The ex-New Zealand swimmer and Pt. Howard resident was on to hand to present the
cup, as he always is, and Mandy says that Ray is also to donate a Rosebowl for future Wharf to Wharf competition.
The fastest time recorded and overall winner was Ruby Heath from Lower Hutt, with a time of 15m 42s.
The first entrant home in the Open Men’s section was ex-Eastbourne resident, Henry Gautrey (0:18:16) with John Toomath (Veteran Men’s, 0:20:29) the first local male to complete
the race.
First locals home in other categories of competition were;
Veteran Women’s - Amanda Gibbs (0:21:13)
Open Men’s - Anton Nadilo (0:22:06)
Junior Girls - Marina Nadilo (0:22:10)
Junior Boys - Conor Excell (0:23:10)
The Wharf-to-Wharf swim has been running for over 100 years. The non-competitive friendly swim event, which has become an Eastbourne institution, is run by the Muritai Yacht Club and volunteers.
The course (a distance of approximately 1.25km), begins on Days Bay beach and finishes next to the Rona Bay wharf in Eastbourne. The swim course is 300 metres off the shoreline.
Tall Fern Stella Beck was back home in Eastbourne recently, enjoying some down time after a strenuous 2018 season playing for the Townsville Fire in the prestigious Women’s National Basketball League in Australia.
Before that competition ramps up again for 2019, Stella, also the 2018 St Mary’s College (San Francisco) female athlete of the year, will spend the next five months playing for the Launceston Tornadoes in a new off-season Australian league, NBL1, with teams primarily out of Melbourne.
“I’m really looking forward to it,” says Stella. “Really great people here in Launceston, a small city with a friendly and welcoming culture.”
With the Launceston Tornadoes losing four of their highest profile players from last year, Stella, 23, will be expected to help with leadership of the side. It is a role she says she is looking forward to, giving the assistance back to junior players she once received herself as a freshman. She is already referred to as ‘the key Kiwi’.
With the Townsville Fire last season, Stella averaged 8.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.9 assists a game. “The WNBL is a really intense league,”
Stella says, “probably in the top five of all the leagues around the world. We have players who play in the American WNBA and in Europe come to play in the WNBL, so the competition is at a really high level and is intense from start to finish.”
WNBL aside, it is a big year for the Tall Ferns and Stella says she’d love to be involved again this season.
“We have a massive year with the Olympic qualifiers coming up in early 2020,” she says. “To even qualify for the olympic qualifiers, we have to compete really well in the Asia Cup and if we do that we get a chance to set foot on the biggest stage. So 2019 is really important for us as a program. It will be tough and demanding and I hope to be a part of that challenge.”
Top women's sport, especially football, has made big inroads in recent times with major television /streaming coverage worldwide. Is Basketball doing enough to help promote their women?
Stella says that in her opinion there are improvements to be made to enable the sport to realise its full potential. “The men are much more advanced in this area,” she says, “and it feels like the women are somewhat left behind.
We could use more support, but I do believe the people behind women’s basketball in New Zealand are of the utmost quality and doing the best they can to help us succeed with the little support they get.”
The NBL1 season opens for Stella and the Tornadoes on March 30th against the Southern Sabres from Cheltenham, Victoria.
her third centre title and McKinlay her second.
A chance still exists for a rare double as Eastbourne’s Mike Solomon, Jim Madden and Scott Roddick have reached the final of the men’s open triples but the match against Victoria has been delayed.
Another Eastbourne women’s team achieved success when Hayley May, Sheryl Young, Cheri Davidson and Malesha Hunter reached the final of the Wellington 'Champion of Champion' fours. The teams taking part in the tournament have to have won the fours championship of their own club to qualify.
The Eastbourne team ousted Wainuiomata,
Plimmerton and Victoria on the way to the final before being beaten 19-9 by Island Bay in the championship match. “It’s an amazing effort, considering the lack of experience in the bottom half of the team,” Wheeler said. “Malesha, the lead, is only a first year bowler so it’s a fantastic achievement.”
Meanwhile, the Eastbourne women’s team reached the final four of the Wellington premier interclub championship but missed out on the title which was won by Victoria.
Eastbourne’s community league this season has been a great success. The league has seen a significant increase in participation thanks to the Eastbourne community Facebook page which has acted as a hub for the tournament. The league was played over four weeks.
Tanya Wheeler, Hayley May and Fiona McKinlay won the Wellington centre open triples earlier this month as the Eastbourne Bowling Club enjoyed a boom period in competitions serious and social.
The Eastbourne team beat highly-rated combinations from Johnsonville and Island Bay in post-section play before beating Johnsonville’s Lui Hare, Kay Martin and Merani Davis 19-10 in the final to claim the centre title.
Wheeler, May and McKinlay opened a 10-2 lead after seven ends of the final, moved out to a 15-6 lead, then quashed any possibility of a Johnsonville comeback by scoring four shots on the last two ends, including two on the final end.
“None of our games were that close, fortunately,” Wheeler said. “It makes it a bit more comfortable.”
The win gave Wheeler her seventh centre title but possibly her first for Eastbourne after previously playing for Petone Central. May won
Refreshments, BBQ and fun for the children.
All past, present and future players, supporters & families welcome to enjoy the hospitality at the clubrooms.
OUR HOURS HAVE CHANGED:
MONDAY-THURSDAY: 8.30am - 3.00pm 5.00pm - 10.00pm
FRIDAY-SUNDAY 8.30am - 10pm
We hope to see you soon!
Eastbourne Football Club chairman Mike Andrews believes the club’s inability to field a senior team this season while adding a third masters team may reflect changing demographics in Eastbourne.
Andrews says finding enough young players to sustain a senior team has been increasingly difficult in recent seasons and the club only just managed to scrape together a senior side in its 50th anniversary season last year.
But at the same time the masters grades for players aged 35 and over are booming with as many 60 players signed up for the coming season.
Andrews believes that may reflect the effect of rising house prices which might have made Eastbourne a less viable place to live for younger people who in the past would have sustained senior teams in football and other sports.
He said it was only the hard work of
committee member Carlton McRae, whose sons swelled the numbers of the senior team last year, that allowed the club to field a team in 2018. In recent years the seniors had faced a battle for survival, often only just managing to pull together numbers which kept the team afloat.
At the same time the Eastbourne senior team had faced a recent battle to avoid relegation. It could have been relegated last year but Capital Football agreed, as Eastbourne was a one-team club, to allow it to remain in Capital division three in its 50th season.
Again, every effort was made to field a team this year but to no avail.
“Up until two or three days ago we were in communication with Petone and Stop Out about getting some extra players but sadly it didn’t pan out,” Andrews said.
“We actually had only three players registered at the time of registration closing.
“I understand there might have been a few players waiting in the wings but it didn’t work
out like last year when we were scratching a team together at the last moment.”
Andrews is hopeful that Eastbourne will again field a senior team but is worried that in missing a season the club may “lack a bit of credibility” among some players.
But he said the club had done everything in its power to find players.
“In my opinion it may just be the changing demographics of Eastbourne.”
Andrews said the continuing growth of the masters teams was an overwhelmingly positive trend.
“I’m astonished at the number of players they’ve got to choose from.”
Eastbourne has a competitive teams in the Capital masters two division this year, in a season that begins on April 7, and hopes eventually to gain promotion to division one.
Meanwhile, longtime Eastbourne junior organiser Sola Freeman has been elected to the board of Capital Football.
The Eastbourne junior rugby club hopes a spike in girls’ registrations in recent seasons will continue as it prepares to launch a new season for kids aged three to 13.
Eastbourne has experienced a national trend which has seen with a growing number of girls taking up rugby in recent years, motivated by the successes of the world champion Black Ferns and their Sevens counterparts.
The rise in the number of young girls playing rugby has helped offset a decline in participation among teenage males on a national basis. But in Eastbourne it has led to a steady growth in playing numbers across all grades, a trend co-ordinator Mark Potter hopes will continue this season.
Potter hopes to see particular growth in younger age grades.Eastbourne first offers the chance to experience rugby to kids aged three and four with its pre-school programme on Friday evenings.
Players gather from around 5.30 for a safe and light-hearted introduction to rugby skills.
Potter hopes to see growth this season at under-six and under-seven level where kids play Rippa Rugby, a non-contact form of the game.
Contact begins around eight years of age but with an overwhelming focus on safety. Potter said concussion was a major focus for the Eastbourne club which had strong established protocols in place to avoid the risk of injury.
Potter said the number of girls registered to play rugby in Eastbourne has grown significantly in all age grades and the club works hard to give girls every opportunity to learn skills, participate in tournaments and pursue all opportunities.
The junior rugby season opens for all grades on the weekend of May 3 and 4.
Anyone wishing to register can contact Mark Potter on (021) 300742 or at junioreastbournerugby@gmail.com
Eastbourne footballers Sam Woolley, Lea Pummer and Nea Blackham may have bright futures mapped out for them after being chosen to be part of a Capital Football Female Talent Acceleration Programme in partnership with Sport Wellington and Wellington City Council.
The programme, for players aged 14 to 16, is designed to help girls who are seen to have potential to accelerate their development through individual performance plans, strength and conditioning and seminars on a range of topics from nutrition to athlete life support and mental toughness.
Natalie Lawrence, assistant Federation development manager and project lead, cited Eastbourne’s Maya Hahn as an example of a player who those participating in the programme could hope to emulate.
Pete Collier
Pete Collier
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Cash for scrap - Copper, Brass, Aluminium, Stainless, Cars, Whiteware, Steel. Ingot Metals, 2 Port Road, Seaview. Ph 568 8300.
GARDEN WORKER for all weeding, tidying and garden maintenance contact Hamish on 022 3748453.
Dan Reed lawn mowing, lawn and garden care. Contact 027 337 1360.
SONNY’S YOGA - EASTBOURNE CLASSES - Enjoy a relaxing yoga class near the ocean. Every Wednesday 6.30pm at Muritai Yacht Club. Beginners welcome. For more info call Sonny on 021 800 512.
Tiler's labourer required. Must be physically fit and have at least half of a year previous tiling experience. Email anthonyjwalton@gmail.com
Closing date 15 April 2019
This $4,000 scholarship is available to students who have distinguished themselves during a minimum of three years tertiary study and who have lived in Eastbourne for a minimum of five years during their life.
Closing date: 15 May 2019
Applications from Eastbourne-Bays groups are invited. Application forms are available on the website (see below) or from Eastbourne Library.
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BEO $3,200,000 | Tender Closes 2pm Thursday 11/04/19 at Tommy's, 120 Queens Drive, Lower Hutt (Unless Sold Prior). 3
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This beachfront home combines location with style to offer a quality sunny comfortable lifestyle. Located on an elevated site above the popular Eastbourne walking promenade, and just 2 doors from Greenwood Park, the property is really private, with little to give away the treasure within. Must be viewed to be appreciated.
Sinead Diederich
04 392 0001 | 021 02581960
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