The Observer August edition

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Obser ver

Inside

THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

AUGUST 2022

Hoof Camp Rural Wellbeing Programme | Winter Reads Beauty News | Winter Craft & Recipe plus much more

August

Keeping Healthy

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Tracie Miller

DRY itchy SKIN

While normal skin has a smooth and glowing appearance, dry skin looks dull and may be rough, scaly and prone to cracking. How dry our skin is varies with age and genetic make-up, but dryness can also be caused by exposure to the sun and wind, airconditioning, soaps and detergents, hot spas, baths and showers, and some medications.

Although any body site can be dry, dry skin tends to affect the shins more than any other site and areas may become itchy, indicating a form of eczema/dermatitis has developed.

When the dry skin of an older person is itchy without a visible rash, it is sometimes called winter itch.

The mainstay of treatment of dry skin is moisturiser/emollients.

They should be applied liberally and often, and generally work best if applied to damp skin.

Dry skin can be prevented by • Reduce frequency of bathing.

• Humidifier in winter and air conditioner in summer • Consider having a short shower rather than a prolonged soak in a bath.

• Use lukewarm, not hot, water.

• Replace standard soap with a substitute • Apply a moisturiser liberally and often, particularly shortly after bathing, and when itchy.

The drier the skin, the thicker this should be, especially on the hands.

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Welcome to the August Edition...

It has certainly been a bit of a wild time with the winds and excessive rain. We are certainly looking forward to this last month of winter being over. We are hoping for a more settled spring weather wise, and health wise for everyone!

There is a lot of sickness out there, which is putting additional strain on businesses, so please support our awesome local businesses, and be patient if they have staff shortages.

We live in a great community. Let's all look out for each other at this time.

We have a cosy focus this month, with a great craft to try from Fiona from Wishcraft, book reviews from Amy and a lovely recipe from Louize.

Keep warm, keep well and safe out there this month, and we will see you in spring!

Bruce & Emily.

Obser ver

AUGUST 2022

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with

AU G U ST COV E R P H OTO C R E D I T

Tammy Pfahlert

Inside

THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Hoof Camp Rural Wellbeing Programme | Winter Reads Beauty News | Winter Craft & Recipe plus much more

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Winter Reads to keep you firmly inside and out of the rain!

by Amy Riach

Winter has well and truly set in, and I am going the extra mile to keep myself firmly inside! Between the rain and the nor-west, and persisting expectations of incoming snow, the fire is looking more compelling by the day.

And because the fire is always that much better with coffee in one hand and a good book in the other, here are a few recommendations for this winter, books tried, tested, and loved by yours truly.

THE MAIDENS - Alex Michaelides

The winter weather makes its appearance in fiction too, and The Maidens is a book drenched in storm clouds and pathetic fallacy, thunder gracing the skies of an otherwise idyllic Cambridge campus. In a contemporary psychological fashion, Michaelides has delved into the spellbinding world of Donna Tart’s ‘Secret History’, and the tragedy of Greek myth meets the tragedy of a tradition steeped college and its missing students.

Cambridge classics professor and charismatic speaker, Edward Fosca is untouchable, adored by staff and students, and loved particularly by ‘The Maidens’ of the novel’s title; a secret society of female students at Cambridge University, who cluster slavishly around Fosca.

Only soon the Maidens start to disappear, found murdered in a strangely ritualistic fashion, and the idolised Fosca seems remarkably unfazed at the sacrificial deaths of his beautiful protegees. Convinced of Fosca’s guilt, in spite of every alibi that would seem to absolve him, Mariana Andros an old Cambridge student, now a brilliant but troubled group therapist, comes running back to the hallowed English halls, when her niece Zoe calls to say her closest friend had been found dead. Fixated on The Maidens, and on the guilt of Fosca, Mariana is drawn into the elusive, ancient society where Persphone reigns Queen.

Perfect for reading by the firelight, 'The Maidens', draws on the poetic work of Tennyson, and on the words of C.S. Lewis; who said, “I never knew grief could feel so much like fear”.

PEOPLE OF THE BOOK - Geraldine Brooks

In true 'Taming of the Shrew' style, 'People of the Book' is a story about a story, a modern novel which follows an ancient manuscript through years of exile and war; read by me in one sitting on exactly the same spot on the couch, because although Brooks spans continents I didn’t plan to move even one room over. A fictionalised history of a real text, 'People of the Book' traces the harrowing journey of the famed Sarajevo Haggadah, a beautifully illuminated Hebrew manuscript, created in fifteenth-century Spain, and now in the midst of conservation in present-day Sarajevo. When it falls to rare book expert Hanna Heath to restore and preserve the priceless work, the tiny artefacts she discovers in its ancient binding only begin to unlock the book’s deep mysteries; and slowly a partial butterfly wing fragment, mulberry wine stains, salt crystals, and a single white hair, plunge Hanna into the intrigues of burning libraries, fine art forgers and ultra-nationalist fanatics. Comforting and timeless, 'People of the Book' promises that it is the everyday people who have an impact, the everyday people who will be remembered for their unexpected contributions to an unexpected masterpiece.

THE LAST EXILES - Ann Shin

Inspired by a true story, 'The Last Exiles' is a semi-fictional account of two besotted students, who fall in love in North Korea, and risk everything for the sake of young love.

Suja is a talented journalist from a prominent family, born into a family which grants her access to the University Halls of Pyongyang. Jin meanwhile comes from an impoverished farming village of little means, studying in the nation's capital on a scholarship, unwittingly part of a propaganda campaign. And yet within Pyongyang’s walls, in spite of everything, the two fall madly and deeply in love. But outside the relative security of the school, North Korea has fallen under great political upheaval, plunged into chaos and famine. When Jin returns home to find his family starving, their food rations all but gone, he makes a rash decision that will haunt him for the rest of his life; an irreversible choice made in the face of his shattering disillusionment with a previously beloved leader. Meanwhile, miles away from her beloved, Suja has begun to feel the tenuousness of her privilege, when she learns that Jin has disappeared. So begins the young woman's efforts to find him, and she embarks on a dangerous journey through North Korea’s festering black markets, defying her family and staking everything on love. four

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using a Different perspective?

by Kerri Booth

If you are like me, it’s always about this time that I start to get a little tired of my winter wardrobe.

I start to feel like we are getting closer to spring, but there is still a whole lot of winter wearing left to be done.

I began to wane on the inspiration, and start to yearn for spring to be here.

This brings me back to perspective and regurgitated fashion.

(I know. Sounds completely gross).

One of the exercises that I do with my clients in a workshop, is to ask them to bring three items of clothing that they love, but every time they wear them, they just don’t feel right.

They can’t put their finger on it, but they end up taking the item off and going for another tried and true item.

On paper, the item should work, but on the body it doesn’t quite hit the mark.

We then present these items to the group and see what they think. It is game changing.

People bring a different perspective.

Options like shortening a dress, tying a knot on the side of a t-shirt, opening a shirt to become a shacket, putting a split up the side of a skirt, cutting sleeves off a top, adding sleeves to a top, wearing a top backwards.

The list goes on and on.

The amount of times I hear “I never thought of that!” is crazy, and it gives a completely different perspective.

I call this regurgitated fashion.

An item that can have a whole new level of love is the best form of regurgitation (I’m going to stop saying that word now).

It’s refreshing to have a pair of new eyes to help with perspective.

Sometimes you just can’t see the wood for the trees, but when someone points it out, then it can be so obvious. There is no need to keep yourself in a box with clothes. Look at items from all angles.

Try wearing them all different ways until they slot back into your wardrobe, like they had never left.

When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

KERRI BOOTH STYLIST

P 021 059 0984 | E kerri@polkadotcom.co.nz | www.polkadotcom.co.nz six

Oxford Youth M.P represents young rural drivers.

Waimakariri’s Youth MP has done her home town of Oxford proud with an outstanding performance at Youth Parliament 2022.

Hillary Cooper, from Oxford Area School, was selected last year by Waimakariri MP Matt Doocey after impressing him with her project to improve access to driving courses and licences for young people, like her, living in rural New Zealand.

Speaking in the Beehive to Youth MPs from around the country, Hillary argued for better access to both information and resources so that young people could obtain a licence.

She said young people like her not only lived significant distances from their nearest testing station, but with no public transport system they were forced to rely on parents or friends with licences to take them everywhere.

Hillary said she was passionate about shining a light on the issue, as it was creating an inequity between young people living in urban and rural areas.

“Having your licence is now a requirement that many employers look for and can be essential for youth participation in sport, cultural, social and to further education.

“We aren't putting enough time, money or energy into a system that thousands of young Kiwis are going through every day.”

Along with pushing for greater access to licences for rural youth, Hillary also developed a survey to canvass young people across the wider region, which she launched alongside her adult counterpart to kick of Youth Week in May. Doocey said Hillary had been a great advocate for Waimakariri’s young people throughout her role as Youth MP. “Hillary worked diligently to ensure she was representing the views of her peers, but she also threw herself into preparing for Youth Parliament itself, where she spoke clearly and with confidence.

“She has been a pleasure to work with and I know she will go far in whatever path she chooses in life.”

As National’s Youth spokesperson, Doocey also had the privilege of speaking at the opening of the two-day event in Wellington, welcoming this year’s cohort of Youth MPs into the House of Representatives.

It was exciting to watch the next generation of policymakers in action, and inspiring to hear them debate the issues that matter to their peers, he said.

But as well as representing the young people in their own electorate, by bringing their voices to Parliament, he encouraged them to learn from one another, and recognise the value in different opinions.

Things were looking positive in several key areas with the younger generation making its way to seats in the House, he said. Young people were leading the charge on important issues like climate change and mental health.

“This is a generation which embraces diversity and enjoys working collaboratively.

Our future in their hands looks very positive.”

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No matter who you are, your creative project may be eligible for funding.

For the singer, the writer, the dancer, the painter, for everyone.

 waimakariri.govt.nz/creative The second round of applications for the year will close on Monday 29 August 2022.

#ArtsForAllKinds The Creative Communities Scheme supports local artists to create. Visit your nearest Waimakariri Library to get help with your funding application.

Our team is expanding! We are very pleased to advise that in the coming weeks we will be welcoming to our team some new faces – we will profile these staff members on our website but the additional roles include an extra Health Care Assistant, Rural Nurse Specialist, Health Improvement Practitioner and Health Coach.

During August and September we also have some good locum coverage – which will definitely help with appointment availability.

As you will be well aware with the extensive media coverage of late, general practice teams across the country are struggling with a shortage of health professionals.

We are working very hard to add depth to our team and will keep you informed of how we are progressing.

We have a couple of requests which will help us significantly to keep on top of our work flow.

Firstly, please allow 72 hours for the results of any laboratory testing appearing on the portal.

We continually monitor all results coming into the practice and you will be contacted immediately if there is anything of concern; otherwise, it may be 3-4 days before normal or stable results are posted onto the portal.

Please note the labs are also short of staff due to COVID and at times some results are taking longer than a week to be reported on.

Secondly, please use ANDY – our blood pressure, height and weight machine in reception. By using ANDY before your appointment this will save your health professional doing it, which means you have more time in your consultation to discuss your health concern.

We are all having to pivot and make some behaviour changes in order to get through this very challenging time and your co-operation and support is very gratefully appreciated.

Take care and stay well - The team at Oxford Community Health Centre

(03) 312 4195 |

39 Park Avenue Oxford

|

FOR ANY MEDICAL EMERGENCY CALL 111 nine

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Local wins Trainee Contractor Award.

by Beka Hunt

Josh Chittock first joined the HanzonJobs driver mentoring program to track his growth in rural contracting.

Passionate about his work, he was excited to record his skill factors and document his development.

Now, a couple of years after joining the program, Josh has been selected as the 2022 South Island RCNZ Trainee Contractor of the year!

Competing with trainees from across the South Island, Josh was chosen alongside three other finalists.

The four were chosen based on their HanzonJobs data as well as reports from their employers.

To determine the award winner, each finalist was interviewed by an impressive panel of judges - Peter Ettema (MPI’s Director of Regional Economic Development), Emily Hawker (HR & H&S Manager, Waipounamu Contracting) and Kyle Baxter (President of the TAMA). In this final interview, Josh was asked 4 questions that covered his ambitions, experiences and challenges in the rural contracting industry.

He headed into the Zoom call incredibly nervous, but overall enjoyed the unique experience saying, “this opportunity was a great way to build my interview skills- I spent a lot of time beforehand thinking about what I was going to say.”

The thinking paid off, and Josh was called personally

by Andrew Olsen- CEO of Rural Contracting NZ- who gave congratulations.

In addition to a phone call, Josh will receive a trophy and a $3,000 training bursary- both of which he will be handed at the Rural Contracting NZ road show in August.

In his interview, Josh was asked to consider how he would utilise the money if he were to win. Now, with the prize money a reality, Josh is looking at his future in the sector. So far, he plans on spending the $3000 on courses and opportunities to further his leadership skills.

With this in mind, Josh believes that his current job with Oxford Ag Services is the perfect place to be as he works on his goals, saying “I really think there’s enough room to grow where I am.” The team at Oxford Ag aim to fully support him every step of the way. Jake Vargo, Oxford Ag business manager, said “it’s a pleasure to work with such a keen young man, who really wants to further his career in the agri sector.”

Everyone in the team believes that Josh will be successful in anything that he does, as he has skills to go with his positive attitude. After all, the RCNZ trainee contractor of the year award is only given to two deserving participants- one being from the South Island, one from the North.

Incredibly, Josh not only won, but also knows the North Island winner, Mat Peart, personally- proof that Josh is part of an excellent contracting community.

He encourages anyone that’s been on the fence to take the leap and seriously consider working in the sector.

“If contracting is something you think you’re into, just go for it- go find your local contractor and start working your way up the ladder.”

Or, as Josh also said; “just get amongst it.” eleven

Rural wellbeing programme launches in Waimakariri

by Emily Chapman

Rural Wellbeing is a subject that has been discussed and worked on at length.

A Team of two, Emma Woods from Oxford Community Trust, and Thaddeus Scott from Carbon Health & Performance, with the support of the Waimakiriri District Council, are using Hoof Camp to engage and connect the rural community with wellbeing resources.

Emma Woods and her husband Simon Kermode have had many years of involvement in the Dairy Industry, and while previously in the Selwyn District in conjunction with Thaddeus, were looking for a way to build connection and wellbeing into their team dynamic. They came up with a programme they called Hoof Camp. Simon explains “We approached Thaddeus our local gym trainer who was renowned for running successful classes and had the skills to produce our idea and bring it to life. Now its proudly running in the Waimakariri. I really enjoy seeing my team working together with different opportunities to our usual farming routines. Hoof Camp creates competition and challenges team members as individuals and as a group. I hope other participants can see the benefits of running this in their teams.

"The pies and basket at the end of each session is something we all enjoy and it gives us a chance as a team to be together in a different way.”

The World Famous Sheffield Pie shop have also come on board and owner Loretta Paterson says “When approached by Emma about getting involved in Hoof Camp we were pleased to be given the opportunity to support a community project, as we love giving back to our community and feel that these types of projects involving our locals and having an insight into one of our main local industries is priceless - so it was a no brainer to help them out and fill hardworking bellies with a nice hot pie for lunch!”

Hoof Camp is a once a week, month long programme for employers and their teams that has a focus on fitness, team building and each session ends with participants sharing a Sheffield Pie lunch together. Hoof Camp stocks up the dairy shed offices with a fresh basket of fruit and wellbeing resources for teams to enjoy.

Trainer Thaddeus Scott says “A lot of farms now days are massive units that employ a heap of staff that come from vary different walks of life, whether this be culturally or socially. With these big unit style farms some of the staff may have limited interaction with their co-workers, so Hoof Camp is a great way to get them all together, working together and interacting with each other.” Hoof Camp has a fitness dynamic, but the benefits are far more widespread than that. Connection, camaraderie, team dynamics and challenges create and inject a sense of wellness.

Emma says “Often employers don’t see their team in action as they work individually, and it is great for them to see the commitment and hard work they are putting in”. They also see the sessions as a way to connect their staff with their local communities and resource them.

Thaddeus says “Hoof Camp is designed and structured in such a way that everyone has the opportunity to participate.

All exercises can be either scaled up or down to suit and the individual can choose the amount of effort they put in”.

While it is boot camp style, workers turn up in their overalls and gumboots and use equipment such as tractor tyres, battle ropes, weights and other gym equipment in their Hoof Camp sessions.

The North Canterbury roll-out is a collaboration between Oxford Community Trust and the Waimakariri District Council, and has started with Schouten Dairies, with more groups already signed up to participate. Emma is keen to get others involved in the programme, not just the farmers and their workers, to create positive connections in the Community.

If you would like to find out more information about Hoof Camp, you can contact Emma at emma@oxfordtrust.co.nz.

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MEMBER SUBS DUE BY 31/8/2022

RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP BEFORE THE 1ST OF SEPTEMBER & YOU WILL QUALIFY FOR OUR MEMBER’S $1,000 CASH DRAW Thursday 1st September be here between 6.30pm & 7.30pm to claim the cash!

Terms and conditions apply. You can renew your membership at the Bar or online; Oxford Club BNZ Account 02-0876-0011484-097 with your name as reference and member # as the code

ORDINARY MEMBER $35.00

SENIOR MEMBER (OVER 60) $17.50

Sunday 7th August

GREAT GARAGE SALE VENUE FROM 9AM – 2PM

The Club has had a clean out and our Sections have goods for sale, along with a “make us an offer table” $10 car boot Stall (or table inside if wet) for Club Members.

BINGO 3PM – great prizes & raffles with proceeds going to Canterbury/West Coast Air Rescue Trust

PRESENTED BY OWMC & PAUL MADSEN PROMOTIONS

Saturday 27th August

THE EAGLES Tribute Show

AB’S VS ARGENTINA 7.05pm Live on All TV’s and Big Screens Free half time fries & pick the score prize

7.30PM-10.30PM - TICKETS just $25 each Tickets strictly limited and available at the bar till gone

Sunday 28th August

MEGA MEAT RAFFLES! Over $2,000 of meat to be won From 2pm 30 Raffles with tickets just $2 and on sale til gone $2 tickets for the Mega Meat Pack worth $250 drawn after all raffles sold

Saturday 20th August This show sold out last time so get your ticket today!

Special licence event Members and non-members welcome

11AM DAILY WE’LL HAVE THE TV AND BIG SCREENS ON FOR ALL THE ACTION FROM BIRMINGHAM

OXFORD CLUB EST - 1887

BAR | BOTTLESTORE + GAMING ROOM OPEN FROM 11AM DAILY TAKEAWAYS SUNDAY - THURSDAY 5PM - 8:00PM | FRIDAY & SATURDAY 5PM - 9PM RESTAURANT THURSDAY DINNER FROM 5.30PM -8.30PM | FRIDAY & SATURDAY LUNCH 11AM - 2PM DINNER 5.30PM - 9PM SUNDAY BRUNCH 10AM - 2PM DINNER 5.30M - 8.30PM

160 HIGH STREET OXFORD | PHONE 312 4411 | WWW.OXFORDCLUB.CO.NZ

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Countdown is on...

Have you registered yet???

Scan the QR code to go to our website or

https://sites.google.com/oxford.school.nz/oxfordschools-150-years/home REGISTRATIONS CLOSE: 10th SEPTEMBER REGISTER BEFORE THE END OF AUGUST TO GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN A SPOT PRIZE. Questions: Email - jubilee@oxford.school.nz

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Lamb & Feta Meatballs with

hummus & pistachio dukkah

by Louize Juniper

HUMMUS • 2 cups Chickpeas (Drained tinned chickpeas are good) • 1 Cups Tahini paste • 2 Lemons Juiced • 4 large garlic cloves • ½ cup water • 1teasp.sesame oil • Pinch salt & pepper

Make Hummus, blitz drained chickpeas in food processor, add tahini, lemon juice and garlic.

Blitz well. With machine still running, drizzle in the cold water.

Mix well for a couple on mins. Add ,sesame oil, salt and pepper to taste.

If you like you can add more lemon juice to get that zesty taste.

Transfer hummus to a bowl and cover, leave to rest.

LAMB MEATBALLS • 2 tablespoons olive oil (plus more for later) • 1 diced onion (from 1 onion) • 3 cloves chopped garlic • 500g lamb mince • 100g Feta (optional) • 1/3 cup chopped parsley • 1 teaspoon salt • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper • 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika • 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary • 1 teaspoon ground cumin • Zest one lemon

In a frying pan heat olive oil, sauté off diced onion until soft, add crushed garlic, chopped rosemary, smoked paprika and ground cumin, cook for a couple of mins stirring well. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl.

Add lamb mince, chopped parsley and lemon zest to the bowl. Mix well with your hands, knead the mix for a couple of minutes, This will help to tenderise the meat. Once well mixed crumble the feta and mix in gently.

Pre heat the oven to 180 degrees celsius, put an oven proof dish or roasting tray in the oven to get warm.

Make 20 evenly sized meatballs. Heat a frying pan with a splash of olive oil, and sear the meatball a few at a time until they are brown on all sides.

Place the seared meatballs into the warmed oven proof dish and put them in the oven to continue to cook for about 8 mins.

Place lamb meatballs on top of the room temperature Hummus, sprinkle with Pistachio Dukkah and any Feta that is left.

Serve with Toasted Pitta bread or warmed Flat Bread, wedges of Lemon and a good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.

PISTACHIO DUKKAH • • • • • •

125g shelled unsalted pistachios 1 tabsp cumin seeds 1 tabsp coriander seeds 3 tabs sesame seeds 1 teasp dried chilli flakes 1 teasp flaky sea salt

Toast the pistachios in a hot oven (200 degrees celsius). They will only take about 3-4 mins On a separate tray toast all the seeds again for about 3-4 mins.

Chop the toasted Pistachios as finely as you can, add to the toasted seeds, add the chilli flakes and salt, grind all together with a pestle and mortar or pulse in a food proccessor.

Dukkah will keep well in an air tight container for at least 3 weeks.

Dukkah is a great addition to a Roast Veg salad or just sprinkled on roast meat once it is served.

Enjoy.. fifteen

Mike Hart

Welcome to…..

Tumuaki | Principal

Update

Last term was busy with plenty of events, activities and learning experiences.

It was great to see the whānau of our students getting back into school this term as those COVID-19 restrictions slowly reduced.

Mrs Jenny Hildyard has worked in our school office looking after our school's finances for the past 23 years. Mrs Hildyard is going to be missed as she starts her well-deserved retirement, leaving our school in a very strong financial position. While it is sad to see a loved staff member depart we look forward to a new member joining us in Sophia McCully. Sophia joins us as our new Executive Officer.

We are looking forward to Miss Kate Weir starting this term as the new Head of Physical Education and Health as she joins us from Auckland.

We recently set a challenge to see our whole school learning our school haka. While we have had a strong kapa haka group over the years, strengthened more recently with senior students, we see the benefits in our whole school knowing and being able to perform our haka. Term 2 saw our young men from years 1 through to 13 learning the haka with a performance at our End of Term assembly. The school and community was blown away at the passion, the power and the pride. Well-done boys, you represent our school with honour and mana. The person behind it all: Matau Rihari with support of Mr Richard Hines. Legends. This marks a new beginning where we all know the haka for our kura, and what it means to us.

Recently we had many students out and about representing Oxford Area School.

From our Youth MP our very own Hillary Cooper in Wellington speaking in Parliament, the Agrikids Grand Final in Whangarei, to our Netball teams competing in the SISS Junior Netball Tournament and our students representing the ‘Top of the South Island’ (TOSI) teams that competed at the New Zealand Area Schools Tournament in Whangarei. They have all done us proud.

Noho ora mai, nā Mike Hart Tumuaki | Principal

Kaiapoi Art Show Oxford Area School was well represented at the Kaiapoi Art Show recently with 12 students exhibiting their work. Well done to Elsi Lester, Lexie Waghorn, Aaliyah Anderson, Baeley Coombs, Madeline Bay, Gavin Cacho, Rose Lal, Fletcher Griffiths, Indie Blomfield, Diaz Cameron, Isabel Ashby-Daniels and Samantha Sloane.

SOPHIA MCCULLY Hi, I’m Sophia McCully.

I’m a Chartered Accountant and the new Executive Officer at Oxford Area School.

I come from a corporate background having worked in the Finance industry and FMCG. I have spent the last couple of years on maternity leave and have enjoyed getting involved in local community groups during that time.

I’m excited to get to know the Oxford community better in my new role at the school.

In my free time I love exploring the outdoors and local parks and playgrounds with my two young daughters. I love the farmers’ markets and supporting local. If you see me out and about feel free to come say hello!

KATE WEIR I’m Kate Weir and I am looking forward to starting as Head of Department Health and Physical Education at Oxford Area School in Term 3.

I have moved back to Christchurch after a short stint in Auckland and very happy to return to the South Island and closer to family and friends.

I grew up on a farm in rural Southland and my family have now retired to Queenstown.

I have been teaching in a variety of schools in Dunedin, Christchurch and the UK across the past 12 years.

I enjoy mountain biking, skiing, and hiking in my spare time.

My main sports passion is netball where I have coached and played for as long as I can remember. I also enjoy touch rugby and have experience coaching this too.

I look forward to involving myself in the school and community in Oxford.

We are extremely proud of Year 12 Hillary Cooper who spoke to Parliament over the holidays as the Waimakariri Youth MP. She gave a powerful speech in the House of Representatives as part of Youth Parliament 2022.

Well done Hillary

52 Bay Road Oxford

03 312 4197

info@oxford.school.nz

National Area School Sports Tournament - Whangarei

Ten students were selected to represent the Top of the South Island (TOSI) following trials earlier in the year. The tournament sees the first three days with TOSI playing against the South of the South, Central North and Northland in various sports. Our students represented in Netball, Basketball, Football, Ki o Rahi, and Rugby. On day four South Island and North Island selection teams battled it out in all sports and at the end of the tournament New Zealand Area Schools selection teams were announced following performances over all four days.

Cailey Hollard (Top of the South- Netball A and Ki o Rahi; South Island - Ki o Rahi; New Zealand - Netball) Earl Cacho (Top of the South- Rugby and Basketball; South Island - Rugby and Basketball; New Zealand - Rugby and Basketball) Billy Hollard (Top of the South - Basketball and Football; South Island Basketball and Football) Jon Smoothy (Top of the South - Football; South Island - Football; New Zealand - Football) Abby Taylor (Top of the South - Football and Basketball; South Island Football; New Zealand- Football) Connor Slemint (Top of the South - Rugby) Logan Paulin (Top of the South - Rugby; South Island - Rugby ) Ashleigh Lawler (Top of the South - Netball A and Basketball Reserve; South Island - Netball A; New Zealand - Netball ) Jess Booth (Top of the South- Football and Netball B; South IslandFootball and Netball B) Oliver Sillars (Top of the South - Football; South Island- Football) Many thanks to our Sports Coordinator Deb Baggott for her organisation of the team, and the many parents who made their way to Whangarei to support.

www.facebook.com/oxfordarea

Agrikids

by Jodi Glassford

On the 6th July, Will Glassford, Elizabeth Cooper and William Shore headed to Whangarei to compete in the 54th Young Farmers Competition. The competition consists of 3 categories-Agrikids, Junior Young Farmer and the FMG Young Farmer of the year.

The Agrikids competition is for primary school students with the aim to excite them about the food and fibre sector while having some fun. The Oxford Dudes and Dudette took out first place in March at the Agrikids Tasman Regional Final, this gave them entry into the National final.

21 teams competed on Friday 8th July in the Agrikids final. The weather conditions were wet, but this did not dampen the teams spirits. The day consisted of 3 rounds, general knowledge of farming in an hour long quiz. Seven modules that put their knowledge and practical ability to the test and then a face off round, which is a hands on round that involved team work to build a planter box, plant seeds and set up an irrigation system for the garden; all while racing to tie a motorbike onto a trailer and labelling the meat cuts of venison.

Competition was fierce on the day and Oxford Dudes and Dudette walked away with smiles and a sense of pride at making it to the grand final and having an amazing experience.

Will, Elizabeth and William would like to thank Oxford Fresh Choice, the Queen of Calves, Cooper Whenua Hereford and Drummond and Etheridge for their support and sponsorship at getting them to Whangarei.

http://www.oxford.school.nz/

Countdown to the OAS Jubilee

Mary Chisnall

Colleen Williamson

Euan Pulley

Over 150 years Oxford has welcomed hundreds of new students, new teachers, and new staff; but today there are a few special staff members who have been working here at Oxford for more than a decade or two, and as they all count down to the Jubilee, they shared a few highlights from their years of longevity. All of them tell me that it is ultimately the people that have kept them here so long, the staff and the students of Oxford who have made it easy to stay on, and while they’ve all formed many memories themselves, they have also created wonderful memories for the students that they teach. From the trips into museums and galleries made by Marie Mehrtens and Colleen Williamson, to the sport tournaments attended and organised by Euan Pulley and Julie Evans, and the school camps undertaken by Mary Chisnall, Oxford’s longest standing staff have made a long lasting impact.

Long time organiser of school camp, and now the Coordinator of the Oxford Schools Jubilee, Mary Chisnall has been teaching here for 42 years, and she was my own teacher back in 2014, remaining a valued role model for me still in 2022. Mary started on here long before I was in her class, joining Oxford in 1980 with Marie Mehrtens, back when teachers were responsible for stoking the pot-belly stove in class, and latching all the windows before the nor-west wind to keep them from smashing in the gale. As a new teacher in Oxford, the first time the nor-west rolled in and shattered the glass in Mary’s unlatched and forgotten windows, she tells me “I thought I’d never survive in Canterbury!”. But survive she did, and Mary is proud to number among Oxford’s longest standing teachers, saying that “OAS gave me the inspiration to improve myself and make a difference for others”. As a teen just out of 6th Form, Mary went straight into Teachers College and taught for three years before travelling overseas; and then as a young teacher at Oxford she decided to take on a degree qualification. She successfully achieved Higher and Advanced certificates out of Otago University and Canterbury Teachers College, travelling weekly into Christchurch for lectures, and gaining a Bachelor of Teaching and Learning in 1999. Mary brought all that learning right back into her own classroom, and she has a great pride and a great love of her students, saying that the joy in teaching comes from the students in her classes, from building confidence and helping them grow. She is proud to have introduced a target maths development programme, supporting students to be confident with numbers, and she still continues to learn; returning as a postgraduate, and growing alongside her students.

As a postgraduate student, Mary achieved her Certificate in Education, and then her Certificate in Online Teaching and Learning, taking on the early adoption of technology in Oxford classrooms. Laughing she tells me that “Back then I started my lessons by saying ‘and this is how you turn on a computer’. Fancy that now!”. Though every class report can be issued through email now, it was Mary’s class that created the first ever e-folios at Oxford, and Mary recalls that the trial class came just weeks after she gained her Online Learning certificate, saying “Talk about just-in-time learning!”. But that constant opportunity for learning and professional development is one of Mary’s greatest highlights, ranking highly alongside all the yr 6 graduations that she helped to host, a few school camps, and even a musical or two! Before the senior musicals and bi-annual productions which appear in the Town Hall now, there was the highly regarded drama teacher Kevin Boyce, and the whole-school musicals that he produced. Known by most at Oxford for her penchant for line dancing, Mary joined in the teacher item with much joy, saying “I was 50 in a gym frock, and I did a cartwheel on the stage!”. I think teaching may be the only profession where you can say that sentence and mean it literally, and Mary tells me gleefully that “It keeps us young!”

Julie too recalls both the cartwheel and the musical, and she tells me “every time I hear ‘The Summer of ’69’ I think of Kevin Boyce”. Primary teacher and senior sport coach, Julie Evans says that Kevin Boyce and his musical were so memorable because the show was a whole school affair, and Julie still treasures the ability to teach right across the school; echoing her friends and colleagues in saying that an area school is made so special by a teacher's ability to watch their primary students grow up. She says that “I can still remember the year that Oxford became an area school”, and back when it was first instigated, teachers working at an area school were employed to teach from yr 1-13. But while she may have taught 3rd Form English a few years back, Julie has spent most of her time teaching primary, and she’s been here at Oxford for 32 years, after leaving for a couple of years to teach at a few other New Zealand schools, before coming back to Oxford to team-teach with Mary.

Mary and Julie taught yr 5 and 6 collaboratively for years, and both recall the shift into the new build as a very special opportunity, a transition made easier by their strength as a team. Having a dedicated space for team-teaching made a big difference, and it was certainly a big change from the days when Julie says “My classroom was blown off its piles in the nor-west wind!”.

That infamous wind of ours wasn’t Julie’s only brush with Canterbury's untamed weather either, and she recalls the yr 6 camp at Hamner, which went ahead despite snowfall on the morning of departure! Snow or not, those camps were a huge highlight for Julie, as are the many sports trips that she has organised and attended. Running and organising junior and senior sport is an experience very close to Julie’s heart, and she says “Even when I was a kid, that was all I went to school for!”. SISS Netball Tournaments are a particular favourite, and after successfully leading the push to introduce C-Grade netball to small, rural schools, winning the C-Grade tournament in Nelson was an incredible memory for Julie and her students. With so much travel for sport and camps, Julie brought her family along with her, and daughter Emily came along to the winning Nelson Tournament at just 9 weeks old, while sister Charlotte was on the sidelines in Timaru, slightly older at 15 weeks. Her husband was also used to travelling with all three of them, and Julie tells me that Ivan would ref games, or run the rugby team; Mary saying that they all treasured very supportive husbands, with Graeme Chisnall too coming along with his wife to every camp. Julie says that she really values making such lasting memories, for her students and for her family, telling me that “No matter where you go, there’s someone who’ll say ‘Hi Mrs Evans!’.

Some of them have kids of their own now!” Like sport, outdoor education has come very naturally to Julie, and she recalls learning how to mow the lawns with her father, while her sister learned to cook. Holder of the Girl Guides Queen's badge, Julie has always loved school camp, recalling one early Glen Tui tramp, taken at sunrise after “The kids woke us up at some ungodly hour of the morning!”

eighteen

meet Oxfords longest-standing Staff

by Amy Riach

Julie Evans

Marie Merhtens

Julie is certainly not alone in her love for sports tournaments and away games, and groundskeeper Euan Pulley tells me that some of his favourite memories include travelling with the Oxford School Rugby team. A life member of the Oxford Rugby Club, Euan is a dedicated supporter of Oxford rugby, though with a grandson starting out in 3rd year rugby on the Rolleston side, he says “I’ve suddenly become a Rolleston fan!”. After a season or two on the Rolleston sideline, Euan knows all the rugby kids by name, which he says is “just brilliant”, and he tells me proudly that he and his wife Nat were awarded their own medals at end of season prize-giving, an award given to the grandparents for ‘Being the Best Supporters’. After working here for 43 years, it’s safe to say that Euan also knows all the Oxford kids by name, and he is still committed to cheering them all on. As groundskeeper, he is also Oxford’s resident handy-man, and for every broken light fitting, wobbly classroom door, or odd job, Euan says “I’m the man”. But Euan’s time inside Oxford classrooms are not limited to school repairs and heater troubles, and he also makes visits to classes to share experiences and advice, appearing as a guest speaker in the yr 9-10 Learning Mentor classes, and recalling the Springbok Tour of ‘81 for yr 12 History. As well as an excellent groundsman, Euan was also a great speaker, and I’ve quoted him in an essay or two; even relying on Mr Pulley as a source in my exam. It is all those extra things that Euan really loves, and he tells me “I really value the friendship and rapport that I’ve built with all the kids”. Since starting here at Oxford in 1979, he’s met a few generations of new entrants and graduating classes, and though he first started groundskeeping at Rangiora Borough, it is Oxford that Euan loves, and he tells me that he’s very proud of his longevity.

Just a few years after Euan first started his job maintaining the Oxford campus, in 1982 Colleen Williamson joined him on the Oxford team, starting out first as a parent, before becoming a reliever and then a classroom teacher. A loving mother of two young kids, Colleen enrolled her daughter Rochelle in Mary Chisnall’s class, and her son Scott in Marie Merhtens’ class, starting on as a casual reliever just a week later. Now, she has taught with and befriended both Mary and Marie, and with daughter Rochelle Welch working as a yr 1-3 teacher here too, Colleen says “it’s a huge joy that sometimes I am working alongside her”. For 40 years, Colleen has worked full-time, part-time, and back when I was in yr 5 and 6, she was also welcomed as the favourite reliever. Starting out from High School, Colleen was choosing between a career in teaching or a career as a dental nurse, and as a passionate teacher now, she’s very glad to have made the choice that she did. A firm believer in hands-on and experience based learning, like her colleagues Colleen loves to make use of our local community, taking trips to the Oxford Art Gallery, the Oxford Museum, or to the Oxford Butchery wall, where students can take a look at the mural there, and paint their own renditions.

Those much anticipated field trips were not just a highlight for the kids, but were a favourite of Colleen’s too, and she would often go a little further afield and into Christchurch with her classes, saying “When I worked full time in Year 6, I had the privilege of taking my class on once a term trips to Christchurch, and made use of the local places without a RAMS form in sight!”. Pre-RAMS and pre-earthquake, the Christchurch Cathedral was a regular favourite, and Colleen recalls one particularly memorable trip when her students were given a rendition of the Crusaders music on the organ, and “joy of joys”, allowed to swing up and down on the Cathedral bells. Though swinging around on the bells was a very noisy kind of fun only experienced in town, trips closer to home were also beloved all round, and Colleen says that “A thrill every December was visiting Mr and Mrs B. Inch on their peony farm”. Her class would deadhead all the flowers with pruners, and were then allowed to have a flower fight with all the clippings, which left students and teacher alike roaring with laughter. She tells me that “It’s been such a privilege to share these experiences with so many of Oxford’s children, and I love to see the next generation come through, and hear their caregivers say ‘Hello Mrs Willie, you taught my mum and dad!”. Many in Oxford will have fantastic memories attached to Colleen and her classes, and after a few generations of students have passed through her classroom, she says “I just wouldn’t want to go anywhere else”.

Her love for Oxford, both the school and the town, is shared genuinely by Marie Merhtens, and indeed by all of Oxford’s longest-standing staff.

Marie tells me, “Teaching is a very rewarding task”, and when she started out with young children of her own, she says they helped to shape the way she taught, because she was able to offer to her students what she hoped school would offer to her own kids; guidance, support, and a field trip or two! Mary, Julie, and Colleen all agree; that having their own kids enrolled here at Oxford while they were teaching in the classroom next door is a special experience, and Marie says that it alleviated some of that mum-anxiety which comes with sending young kids off to school.

She tells me that she always felt so safe having her kids here at Oxford, and Marie is offering that same security to the parents of her own students, saying that “I hope all my classroom kids will remember me as fair and kind!”. I certainly remember her as exactly that, and when Discovery time rolled around on a Friday, piling into Mrs Merhtens’ class for art class, or for poi making or bubble blowing, was always the highlight of the day.

For Marie, her own personal highlight is “Seeing the children grow”, and she tells me that it is always so memorable to see old students return as parents, or to go out in Oxford and hear now adult students saying ‘Hi Mrs Mehrtens!’. Going straight from High School, to Teachers College, to teaching full-time, Marie has been in education for 60 years, and at Oxford for 42. In 1980, her original tenure was for just 3 years, but now in 2022, she says “Suddenly 40 odd years just whizzed by!”. In 6th Form, choosing between Primary Teaching and Commercial Practice teaching, Marie settled on primary, and she loves working with young students, saying that “The greatest pleasure is seeing that lightbulb turn on in a child’s mind”. Another big believer in hands-on learning, Marie too is no stranger to the Art Gallery or the Botanical Gardens, and she loves to get involved in all the school events; making toffee apples every year for the old School Fair, or taking part in every dress up day and wearing uniform on Mufti Days, and now she is joining the Jubilee Committee, recalling the last Jubilee she was part of 1997, and saying it is “a great joy to be part of that history”.

If there is anyone interested in registering, there are only a few weeks left! The programme and registration can be found at the Jubilee website, which can be accessed by visiting https://sites.google.com/oxford.school.nz/oxford-schools-150-years/home, or by scanning the QR code.

All details will also be posted to the Facebook page Oxford Schools 150 Years Jubilee. Should you have any issues or questions, please contact the event coordinator Mary Chisnall at jubilee@oxford.school.nz or contact the school at 033124197 for inquiries. nineteen

Get Crafting with Fiona Mossop of Wishcraft.

Here’s a fun, simple craft, perfect for winter evenings.

Make one for yourself or a friend, get a head start on Christmas gifts, and change up the fabrics for each one!

Pop down your local craft store and check out their fabrics.

YOU’LL NEED...

fabric – cotton is perfect, but most non-stretch fabric will work, fusing/ interfacing, key fob and split ring, key fob pliers/square pliers from the shed, lobster clip (optional).

Key fobs, lobster clips, and pliers available from www.wishcraft.co.nz Prices start from $0.69.

Different size and colour options are available.

Cut a piece of fabric 10cm x 30cm, and a piece of fusing/interfacing 4.5cm x 30cm.

Iron the fusing onto the back of the fabric.

Iron the fabric in half, fusing to the inside, open out and then iron both cut edges in towards the centre line.

Edgestitch down both sides.

Trim threads.

Fold in half lengthwise, insert both cut ends into the fob, and squeeze closed with pliers.

Add a split ring or a lobster clip.

VARIATIONS...

Use a wider or narrower fob (make the fabric strip 4 x the width of the fob), make an extra-long strip for a lanyard, use a Cricut or similar to add a company logo or personal mantra to the sewn fabric strip before adding the fob.

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Community Garden Meeting Please come along if you are interested in making the Community Garden a thriving place to learn and connect with other gardeners.

The meeting will be on Tuesday 9th August at 7pm at the A&P Room of the Town Hall. For more info please contact Jo at 312 3006.

Shopper’s Bus Tuesday 16th August to Rangiora $7 Tuesday 30th August to Northlands $10.00 Phone the Trust to book your place 312 3006 Bike Helmets We are looking for donations of bike helmets for families in Oxford. If you have one in good condition and you would be willing to donate please drop to the Trust 37 Main Street, Oxford.

OxBox Youth Events August 19th He Puna Taimoana New Brighton Hot Pools & Northlands Mall September 2nd Mall Trip to Riccarton Mall For Bookings or more info contact Georgia 027 484 7575 or youth@oxfordtrust.co.nz

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We have certainly had a bout of wild weather in our District recently and without a doubt one of the areas hardest hit was Oxford.

Flooding and then high winds causing power outages and water conservation being required were just some of the issues affecting the township and surrounds. I want to thank everyone who contacted Council’s Customer Services to lodge service requests and update us on their situation.

Please remember you can also report issues throughout the day quickly and easily via Council’s website: https://www.waimakariri. govt.nz/have-a-say/report-an-issue or on the Facebook page.

We had contractors on the ground clearing trees, and Council’s Civil Defence team were on hand to clear “Lake Oxford” which had formed in the FreshChoice carpark. It is always a busy time for Council staff and contractors in weather emergencies, but we are here to help so please keep us updated.

We also keep our District updated via our Facebook page and website with new information as it comes to hand.

There’s still a lot of winter to come so whether it is a weather event like we’ve experienced recently or heavy frosts and icy roads, please take care and look after each other.

Some of you may be aware that Council has decided to make a submission opposing a Private Plan Change (PC 31) by Rolleston Industrial Developments Limited that proposes to urbanise part of Ohoka with up to 850 new households.

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While Council is certainly not against developments, we work very hard to ensure our District Plan caters to the future needs of everyone in Waimakariri and that it upholds the unique character of our District. That is why we cannot take lightly any changes to the Plan. In this case, we don’t feel the proposed Private Plan Change is in keeping with our vision as outlined in the Proposed District Plan or Rural Residential Development Strategy, so we have decided to submit against it.

The full details of our opposition will be made public on the Council agenda ahead of our meeting on the 2nd of August.

My weekends are spent out and about at community events, which I do enjoy, but I’m also happy when I can get to spend some time on the side-line watching local sport. I caught the Oxford v Hurunui game at Oxford Oval a couple of weeks back and thoroughly enjoyed it.

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M 027 242 3211 E Lorinda@thebroker.co.nz

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Congratulations to the Oxford Div1 side which, despite the weather, played well. I’d also like to congratulate the Oxford Dudes and Dudette team from Oxford Area School which took out the top spot at the Tasman AgriKids competition and then went on to represent Tasman at the National Final in Northland this month.

I was really impressed with your achievements and I know you made your town very proud. Well done!

I welcome contact from anyone who needs assistance or has an issue that you may want to discuss.

Email me at dan.gordon@wmk.govt.nz or phone 021906437.

I’m here to help.

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Local Elections Oxford-Ohoka Community Board For a number of reasons I have decided not to stand next term for the Oxford Ohoka Community Board (Oxford Subdivision) If you are considering standing for the Council or Community Board, nominations are open until the 12th August 2022.

Information is available on the Waimakariri District Council's website on the procedure.

Thank you to all those who have supported me over the last six years. It’s been an interesting journey with a lot of bumps on the way!

Shirley Farrell Oxford

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479 Ashley Gorge Road, Oxford

FOR ALL YOUR FREIGHT REQUIREMENTS

FREIGHT + STOCK + GENERAL + LOGS + SILAGE SPREADING + BULK TIPPERS + CONTAINER + WEIGHBRIDGE We cart almost any cargo type around central Canterbury region, and most of our deliveries are made same day.

We also transport stock around the South Island and beyond.

CALL US NOW 03 312 4016 116 HAREWOOD RD - OXFORD twenty five

OXFORD DISTRICT

UNION PARISH

VALPY FARRIER SERVICES

Sharing Christ in our Fellowship and Community

For all your horse shoeing and trimming needs.

PH: 020 4111 2569

UNION (METHODIST & PRESBYTERIAN) PARISH SERVICES FOR AUGUST 2022

ALL SERVICES WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAYS AT 9.30AM IN THE OXFORD UNION CHURCH, 85 MAIN ST.

CHIMNEY SWEEP

MASKS TO BE WORN UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Winters Coming!!

Rotary Brush Technology From $70 single story.

Book now before the rush 0800-SWEEP ME or 021-0277-1927

Sunday 7th August - Communion Service.

Sunday 14th August - Service.

Sunday 21 August - Service.

Salvation Army Service at 6.00pm.

Sunday 28th August - Service.

ALL WELCOME

Breakfast and lunch, gourmet and delicious.

Tuesday to Sunday 9 am to 3pm, coffee to 4 pm.

UNION PARISH MINISTER: REV. JULIA DE GROOT PH : 022 567 9914 EMAIL : jewelsdg@gmail.com PARISH CLERK: KEN WALKER Ph: 03 312 1464

ROUTE 72 CAFE BAR Online Will EMPORIUM, CUST.

For Beautifully Handcrafted Books Tessa Warburton BOOKBINDER • Restoration • Repair • Private Tuition

$69

Route 72 Emporium, Kiwilawsomething – www.kiwilaw.co.nz with a ‘Justfor doeveryone. it!’ difference 1697 Cust Road, Cust.

Phone: 03 312 4399/027 419 6311 Email: tessawarburton@gmail.com

St Peter Chanel Catholic Parish Sacred Heart Church, Oxford

ENQUIRIES: Waimakariri Parish Ph: 03 313 6285

REGULAR SUNDAY MASS: 8.30am EVENING MASS Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm

Small Prayer & Reflection Groups Held every 2nd Tuesday at 1.30pm Oxford Church Centre

ALL WELCOME | Call Josie 022 089 8331

Hours: 8am-11am & 4pm-6pm Phone: 03 312 5744 Mob: 027 457 4431 Email: Theresa@coolcats.nz “Time spent with cats is never wasted” 1891 South Eyre Rd

www.coolcats.nz

BOWEN THERAPY

A Gentle therapy for every body and any age.

Contact Johanna Lettink, registered practitioner for 20 years Ph. 312 1316 or 021 269 0371 www.bowtech.com

Angel Cats Boarding Cattery & Pet Supplies (ukmax on Trade Me)

64 High Street Oxford 7430

03 312 4731

027 311 1140

Probate application

- $690* including GST & High Court fee Kiwilaw – www.kiwilaw.co.nz

Cheryl Simes

021 701 838 / 03 312 1508 Oxford Local - Nationwide Service ‘Just because a lawyer holds the will, it doesn’t mean they hold the purse strings.

Check their fees first.’ twenty six

“All peoples and nations are of one family”…Baha’u’llah Bahai.org.nz

Yoga ~ Oxford A 75 minute class offering a mix of classical yoga with a taste of tantra.

Discover awareness of breath, body & mind.

Create space with slow/flow movement.

Invite interception and awaken to your unique vibration.

When: WEDNESDAY 9.30am & 7.00PM $80 per term. $110 per term for ‘energy’ membership (incl. moon ceremonies) $15 casual class.

To book Text Cindy on 0212969819 or email maitriyoganz@gmail.com

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52 Church Street, Oxford

Phone 312 1452 & 0210 424367 Email: angelcats@xtra.co.nz

Existing & New Members

ALL WELCOME

Enquiries contact Mark 027 661 1025

E M E R G E N C Y S E RV I C E S Police

St John

Fire Rescue

with

with

update

update

Mitch Alatalo

Mel Brooker

with

It has been another wild month with the weather, with rain and even a little bit of snow. With all of this weather, it has left the roads in a bit of a state.

Drive to the conditions please.

There are lots of pot holes appearing, and some of the gravel roads are looking a little worse for wear.

Kids are back at school, which means an increase in both vehicle and foot traffic in the mornings and the afternoons.

Be vigilant out there, and take that extra time around intersections and especially pedestrian crossings.

Expect the unexpected.

Reporting via the rural outlook APP is going well, but we can always do better.

Please keep those reports coming in.

Information is key and you are our eyes and ears in the community.

We cannot always be everywhere.

It’s short and sweet this month.

Crime appears to be down for the moment. May it continue.

Once again thank you for your time.

Until next month. Be safe. Feel safe.

As I sit here today in the lovely sunshine it is hard to believe that yesterday was so dreadfully wet. The good news is we are past the shortest day so things should start to improve from here on in.

We have attended 30 Jobs over the last month and a total of 212 for the year to date. Interestingly this is more than the total for the whole 2016 and not far off the total for the whole year of 2019.

Please remember to call Health line on 0800 611 116 if you are unsure whether you should call an ambulance or not, but if you are really unwell please call 111 without delay.

There are some nasty flus going around this season. Some seem to be going to the chest and causing chest infections/ Pneumonia which needs further treatment from your GP or hospital. Beware of icy slippery areas and take care out there. Remember if you need us call us.

We are always looking for new people to join our great team.

If you would like to learn more please ring the station on 033123516 leave your name and number and our recruiting officer will be in touch.

The ambulance station at Oxford is not manned 24 hours a day. If you require emergency assistance please call 111.

Keep safe and stay positive.

update

Trevor Ealam In June the brigade was called six times.

Two calls were to private smoke alarm activations. Both were false alarms.

One was a defective alarm. The other the reason for the activation could not be determined.

Two were to assist St John, one to a motor vehicle accident where one person received moderate injuries and one to assist the occupant of a vehicle which had become stuck in a swollen river.

This brings our total calls for the year to thirty seven.

THIS MONTHS MESSAGE IS Think about what you do with the ashes that you remove from your fire. Don’t put them in plastic containers or cardboard boxes.

Put them in a metal container and wet them.

It can take at least five days for ashes to cool.

FOR ALL EMERGENCIES DIAL 111

FOR SALE

HUSQVARNA RIDE-ON MOWER (Model LTH1797)

• • • • •

Purchased brand new 2008 Side shute Regularly serviced - most recently June 2022 Clean & tidy condition - kept under cover Total usuage 335hrs

$1,60

0

Price includes: • 2 wheel Husqvarna trailer (100cm x 80cm x 33cm) • Mulch kit • Operators Manual

Contact 027 204 8047 or 03 312 1553 twenty seven

THE BUSINES WE OFFER:

Call me today to discuss all your hedge & tree trimming needs...

Nick McDonald Ph: 027 206 1149 or 3125 313

Tax Returns Payroll GST Returns Annual Accounts Rental Returns

• Shelterbelt & Hedge Tree Trimming • Large Farms, Orchards, & Lifestyle Blocks • Locally Owned & Operated • Servicing North Canterbury • Full Insurance Cover • Comprehensive Health & Safety Systems • Power Line Clearance Operator

Jeanette Graves Sharon Stewart

021 853 769 027 241 6345

www.smallbusinesssolutions.co.nz info@smallbusinesssolutions.co.nz

Gavin Newick GN Plumbing and Drainage Ltd Plumbing: PROVIDING INTEGRATED VETERINARY SERVICES

Integrated Functional Veterinary Diagnostics and Medicine TCVM (Acupuncture, Herbs, Food Therapy/Nutrition) ABM (Manual hands on therapy, rehabilitative programmes for horses) Reiki

Bach Flower Remedies and Homeopathy

• New Builds • Maintenance • Alterations • Dripping Taps • Hot Water Cylinder Replacements

• New Installations • Repairs • Alterations • Septic Tanks • Blocked Drains • Water Blasting

. Insurance Repairs .

Lillian Bonner ~ DVM CVA ABMgrad.dip. RMT 021 951 059

Sewer & Stormwater:

CRAFTSMAN PLUMBER & DRAINLAYER

CALL TODAY...

After Hours:

03 312 1785

LillianBonnerDVM@gmail.com

Lillian Bonner DVM Balanced Beings Integrated & Functional Veterinary Medicine

HORSE RIDING

* Semi-private lessons available Monday to Thursday * Horse riding courses every weekend * School Holiday courses. * Horse treks departing 2pm daily * Complete beginners to advanced riders welcome KOWHAI RESIDENTIAL SCHOOL OF RIDING LTD

711 Island Rd OXFORD Ph 3124309 or 0211619964 www.kowhai.co.nz

4 Trash 2016 LTD

Rubbish Collection Services General household rubbish collection servicing Oxford ,Rangiora, Kaiapoi and surrounding rural areas We are a local business who appreciate local support twenty eight

Large 240 litre wheelie bins Multiple Collection options Weekly - Fortnightly - 4 weekly 6 weekly - 8 weekly - Casual phone or email for a quote

Graham & Kim

T : 03 312 4788 E : 4trash@xtra.co.nz

www.4trash.co.nz

S D I R E C TO RY NEED A PLUMBER

THOMSON AND SON P L U M B I N G LT D

ANIMAL FEED chickens, sheep, pigs, goats & horses

GARDENING TOOLS & SUPPLIES weed killer , fertilliser

NUTS, BOLTS, CATCHES & LATCHES

CALL US NOW FOR FAST FRIENDLY SERVICE GET YOUR PROBLEMS SORTED OUT QUICK SMART - ON TIME!!

Pop in to your local Hardware store…. you’ll be surprised what’s available instore!

YOUR ONE STOP HARDWARE STORE 82 High Street, Oxford

p - 03 312 4521

L O C A L FA M I LY P LU M B I N G B U S I N E S S P H O N E N OW F O R A F R E E Q U OT E

HOURS Mon – Fri 8.00am - 5.00pm Saturday 9.00am - 1.00pm e - admin@womersleys.co.nz www.womersleys.co.nz

T 03 312 1280 | M 021 898 380 | E thomsonandsonplumbing@gmail.com

Roy Hill Contracting Phone Roy 022 043 7834

Email royhill517@yahoo.co.nz

Earth Moving • • • • • • • •

Irrigation Dams Water Races / Cleaning Roads / Farm lanes Cow Lanes Building Foundations Subdivisions Land Clearing Pipe Laying / Tree Ripping

Silage & Agriculture • • • •

Silage Harvesting Claas 8m mower with groupers 56 cubic metre loader wagon 12 tonne Hyundai loader with buck rake • 9m heavy roller • Cultivation • Seed Drilling

Plant Hire • 6m giant disc • 5 Tonne tow behind vibrating roller • Road Sweeper • 2 x Tow behind 25 cubic yard scoops

Serving the North Canterbury Area

“Totally Dependable”

Phone: 0800 63 63 00

S H E LT E R B E LT T R I M M I N G LT D • Experienced Operator • Power Line Clearance • SiteWise Certified

Email: hedgework@yahoo.com Ph: 027 474 3088

Rural - Dairy New Housing Heating & Ventilation Service & Maintenance Commercial Refrigeration Solar Hotwater and PV twenty nine

THE BUSINES One stop shop for your home and property maintenance.

Sales, servicing and repair of all major brands.

Drop into the shop or call us to arrange a home or business visit.

Open Mon-Fri am--pm Durham Street, Rangiora mm rangiora@ipc.co.nz www.ipc.co.nz

Al - Mows starts giving you your life back.

Don’t know where to start or how to do it?

Gardens & Lawns doing their own thing - not your thing?

Property and / or House Maintenance falling behind?

No time for life on a lifestyle block?

CALL IN THE EXPERT No job too big or small - Regular maintenance or one off work.

Call Al Today!

0212 499 495 |

ajdavies62@gmail.com

F O R A L L YO U R L I Q U I D WA S T E R E M O VA L REQUIREMENTS

Ph: 03 312 4476 Mob: 027 4969 256 Septic Tanks, Grease Traps, Dairy Sumps, Blocked Drains Maintenance Reports Email: speechly@xtra.co.nz

High Country Canvas Specialists in Canvas Manufacturing

New Work & Repairs Welcome.

Don’t Pack & Store It All Away Get your Repairs Done Now & avoid the Spring Rush!

Darrin Lord 03 312 5025 or 027 238 1624

For Needs Forall allyour yourElectrical Electrical Wiring Needs New NewHousing Housing&&Alterations Alterations Sheds, Sheds,Barns Barns&&Farm Farm Maintenance Maintenance Lights, Lights,Plugs Plugs&& Spas Spas Phones Phones 027243 2436696 6696 027 FreeQuotes Quotes Free 3124990 4990 CompetitiveRates Rates Competitive 312 thirty

WAIMAK

HOMEKILL

Family Business

PROCESSING OF BEEF, SHEEP, PIGS, WILD GAME & SMALL GOODS

Bookings are essential

We can arrange to have your animals home killed - Sheep dropoff available

Jason & Julie Ph: 03 312 6227 Email: info@waimakhomekill.co.nz

www.waimakhomekill.co.nz

S D I R E C TO RY Oxford Screen Hire On Farm Gravel Screening

Summerfield Fencing Ltd

We Specialise in superior fencing craftmanship which adds long term value to your property investment.

Fencing in the greater Canterbury area.

Free Estimates Phone Roy 022 043 7834 - Email royhill517@yahoo.co.nz

FOR ALL YOUR PLUMBING NEEDS

Maintenance Plumbing • New Housing • Bathroom Alterations Logfires • Hot Water Cylinders • Spouting & Flashings Pump Replacement & Repair

Fast, Friendly Service, All Work Guaranteed

Aaron McCartney • Free Ph: 0508 44EVER • Ph: 03 310 2137 A/H: 027 3669 091 • Email: plumber_27@yahoo.co.nz

www.4everplumbing.co.nz

THE JOINER

For all your Solid timber Joinery needs

Owner + operator of a small local workshop

Call Brent on 027 6060 797 email imbrent50@gmail.com

ALL STOCK FENCING – POST DRIVING YARDS – POST AND RAIL FENCING FARM – SUBDIVISION LIFESTYLE BLOCKS - RESIDENTIAL

NO JOB TOO BIG OR SMALL Steve is available to help with your Planning and Design

SUMMERFIELD FENCING LTD

PHONE: 03 312 4747 MOBILE : 027 312 4747

www.summerfieldfencing.co.nz summerfieldfencing@xtra.co.nz

RON EALAM BUILDER for all your Building ding

requirements r

New Homes Additions & Alterations Farm Buildings Concrete Laying Painting & Paper hanging Experienced Builder

027 242 4907

A DV E RT I S I N G

Terms and Conditions

• All Advertising is to be paid by the 20th of the month the invoice is issued in.

• Accounts more than one month overdue will be passed on to our debt recovery team, advertising resuming once the account has been cleared.

• All fees and charges incurred due to non or late payment are fully recoverable from you, and will be added to your total debt.

•

By accepting our product or services you are deemed to have accepted our payment terms.

• We reserve the right to forward your overdue account to a debt collection company, & register the debt with the credit agencies.

• All Rates are PER ISSUE and exclude GST unless otherwise stated.

thirty one

PROVIDING INNOVATIVE AND CUSTOMER FOCUSED

AGRICULTURAL SERVICES

CULTIVATION & DRILLING

BALING HAY & BALEAGE

BULK SILAGE

TRANSPORT

We take care of all your groundwork needs from ploughing to precision drilling

We’ve got a bale size and shape to suit your needs

We’ve got the gear to get the job done once and done right

We can cart anything from bulk to bales you name it

at Oxford Ag we go the extra mile to do the job once.

FOR ANY ENQUIRIES CONTACT BALING - CULTIVATION MANAGER DAN BROOKER

SILAGE MANAGER

ACCOUNT MANAGER

027 756 3743 DAVE KNOWLES 021 275 2432

TRANSPORT MANAGER STEVE MACAULAY 021 825 552

YARD 106 HAREWOOD ROAD OXFORD

ADAM GREEN

027 374 6357