KAIPARA LIFESTYLER November 20 - 2012
Local cinema history documented
Skydiving returns The skydiving adrenaline team, the Ballistic Blondes, are returning to the Kauri Coast November 23 to 25 following on from their carnival in August which finished early due to bad weather.
“Our carnival got cut short due to wind and rain — so we want to give people the opportunity to jump that didn’t get to do it last time,” says tandem master with 16,000 skydives to his name, Rob Pine. Based at the Otamatea Aero Club at Ruawai, there will be tandem skydives from 12,000ft, student skydive training, fun sports jumps along with an impressive display of swooping along the ground.
by Rose Rees-Owen
Historian, Brent Scott began researching his book, Theatres of Dargaville and Surrounding Areas, in the 90s and he has finally completed what he describes as a ‘labour of love.’
Passengers can expect amazing scenic views of the Northern Wairoa river and the entire Kaipara region as they fly up to altitude — then experience the exhilaration of freefalling from 12,000 feet at over 220km per hour before the parachute opens. “It’s an awesome part of New Zealand and we’re excited to come back.” To book contact Ballistic Blondes phone 0800 695 867.
Kerry Strongman Studio Gallery
From Auckland, he spent his weekends coming to Kaipara and interviewing locals as well as becoming a regular at the Dargaville Museum going through old newspapers researching past cinemas in Dargaville, Ruawai and Te Kopuru. “At one point there were three cinemas in Dargaville — The Royal, The Cozy and The Empire.” Originally from Ruawai, he has spent much of his childhood at the local Rialto cinema and his parents, Joan Main and Matt Scott, went on their first date at a dance at The Royal. Many couples met at the cinema and he has written a whole section on courtship — there used to be no arm rest separating pairs of seats and they were commonly known as ‘love seats.’ He wrote it because of his fascination with cinema but he also stresses the importance of documenting history and in the process he learnt about the entire area. “There were major renovations to cinemas in 1937 and we couldn’t work out why — then we found out that it was when electricity came to Dargaville.” He says that cinemas were the focal
point of towns as among other things they held ANZAC services, dances, screened rugby matches, and politicians spoke on stage as there was no town hall. It covers the time period 1911–1994 when the Empire closed down and includes the arrival of talking pictures, television, and the cinemascope. The official book launch will be at the Dargaville Museum, November 24 at 2pm and will be on sale for $55.
Kerry Strongman sculptor and master artist opens his studios and galleries to the public. Situated on the main highway five minutes north of Wellsford at Te Hana in a bright ‘tree frog’ green and black former factory complex. The southern building is home to Kerry’s main workshop, gallery and displays. Kerry’s current creations feature from his ‘Jewellery for Giants’ series of mega sculptures in 45,000 year old swamp kauri — from pendants to 3m+ in size. The Gallery has an eclectic range of art and artifacts. This varied collection includes jade, stone, bone, wood, precious metal jewellery, paintings, sculpture, tribal carving and weaving. Plus many more items, too numerous to list.
PLEASE NOTE If ‘OPEN’ sign is displayed and door is locked press buzzer to the right. (Allow a few minutes for attention, we are possibly in the workshop).
The Arts Factory
5
www.kerrystrongman.com info@kerrystrongman.com Phone: 64 9 423 8069 Mobile: 027 692 3381 STUDIO GALLERY “The Arts Factory” State Highway 1, Te Hana PO Box 222, Wellsford