Jan 22

this issue

INSIDE

the

Obser ver

Summer reads | Local cheese making classes Cocktail time | Art fundraiser + much more

JANUARY 2022

JANUARY 2 0 2 2 As we write this it is pouring with rain, and while the rain is needed, there are a lot of us who are excited for a lot more summery weather later this week.

Going into this new year is a little bit different to last year when we hoped we were almost done with the pandemic.

I know a lot of people are feeling quite tired, and anxious about the coming year.

We hope you have all had a chance to relax and spend time with your families, and are heading into the New Year feeling positive and rested.

The Committees of Keep Oxford Beautiful and Oxford Promotions are working together to bring back a mural for the public toilets beside the Council service centre.

These have been plain for a few years, and they are looking for local artists to come up with concepts related to local flora and fauna.

If you are interested check out the article on Page 8 for more details.

If you have any stories you would like us to consider, please don't hesitate to get in touch at info@oxfordobserver.co.nz.

Thank you to all of our readers and advertisers for your continued support.

w Year!

Happy Ne y.

Bruce and

Emil

Here's to a safe and successful 2022!

THE OBSERVER is a community based magazine bringing local news, information and advertising to Oxford, and the wider North Canterbury region.

The focus is on quality, postive content promoting local people, businesses and lifestyle.

Advertising in the Observer will enable you to reach 5,500 households and businesses throughout the area.

Published and delivered at the beginning of each month the Observer is distributed to ...

Oxford, Cust, Bennetts, Waddington, West Eyreton, Eyrewell, Swannanoa, Fernside, Sheffield, Springfield, Summerhill, Ashley Gorge, Okuku, Glentui, Lees Valley, Carlton, Horrellville, Springbank and View Hill and parts of Rangiora.

Copies are available from Darfield, Rangiora & Oxford Libraries & Cust PO Boxes, CANTERBURY LANDROVER ARE SPECIALISTS IN SERVICING AND REPAIRING ALL MAKES AND MODELS OF LAND ROVERS. WE ARE ENTHUSIASTIC AND PASSIONATE ABOUT PROVIDING THE HIGHEST QUALITY SERVICE AND W.O.F REQUIREMENTS

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T H E H A I R S A L O N T H AT C R E AT E S Y O U R L O O K 53A MAIN STREET OXFORD W W W. M A I N D I V I D E H A I R L O U N G E . C O . N Z

03-312 3311 three

Learn to make your own cheese. words and photos by Candice Breeze

A woman stands in a white and brown striped apron in a lightly lit kitchen, in the small town of Sheffield. Everyone stands quietly listening intensely as she talks about the cheese making process.

Andrea started classes 10-12 years ago when she began a small cheese making business. She was going to do an amateur cheese making competition at Amberley Market, and had an overwhelming response to do classes.

The classes are three hours long. You will make Casablanca, mascarpone and feta goats cheese. Everyone takes home, samples, cheese moulds, a recipe booklet, rennet and culture.

You also enjoy a lunch featuring cheeese. The cost is $100 per person.

Empty milk and cream bottles stand on the kitchen bench. Huge stainless steel pots that house cheese in the process of being made have bowls, plates and cloths overtop of them to keep the warmth in. Nearby is a platter of various cheeses that have been sampled and each person has a small recipe book opened onto the Feta recipe page.

Andrea Gauland has been making cheese since her boy was little, since cow’s milk upset her son's asthma and food allergies she took it as her cue to buy the goat she always wanted.

“The goat's milk helped ease his rashes and after a few months they were completely gone. I then started to experiment with cheese and a small recipe book,” she says.

“I made a lot of mistakes,” says Andrea.

The rest is history. Ever since then she has been making various different types of goats cheeses from camembert and blue, to sweet mascarpone and feta.

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If anyone is interested in attending a class, or would like any more information, you can contact Andrea via email at andrea@littlefarmgoatdairy.co.nz

CATERING PLATTER MENU

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Options for Breakfast, Antipasto, Ploughmans, one for the kids, BBQ packs, custom made, or we can make whatever you require, priced to your event needs! All boxed up and ready to go!

JUST CONTACT US TO DISCUSS YOUR NEEDS.

We still have our traditional options of Club Sandwiches, Savouries, cream cakes and slices, as well as our cakes and desserts.

Trips to organize? No problem, we can provide packed lunches or a platter to take with you.

Just call or email our Catering Manager Leeanne on 033124397, catering@sheffieldpies.co.nz.

CHECK OUT OUR T WO GREAT LOCATIONS

78 MAIN STREET, OXFORD - 03 312 4397 and 51 MAIN WEST ROAD, SHEFFIELD - 03 318 3876

e. sales@sheffieldpieshop.co.nz www.sheffieldpies.co.nz Monday - Friday 6:30am - 4:00pm Saturday & Sunday 7:00am - 4:00pm

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cocktail time

with Sean Juniper

6 1

Young

An excellent summer drink for those lazy summer days, or nights.

INGREDIENTS 30ml Juniper Jinn Slice of cucumber Sprig of Rosemary Fever Tree Mediterranean Tonic Ice

METHOD Add ice to your favourite G&T glass Pour the Jinn over the ice Add cucumber and rosemary Top with Mediterranean Tonic, as much or as little as you like.

THE PEOPLE WHO STAND BEHIND THE OCHC TEAM Oxford Community Health Centre is proudly owned by locals, for locals, through the Oxford Health Community Trust.

The sole objective of the Trust is to provide medical services for the wellbeing of the Oxford Community.

This is the heart and soul of our practice. The Trust is administered by a Board of nine independent Directors, who all bring diverse health, business, and community experience. The Trust works behind the scenes to support the Management Team and wonderful OCHC staff, who go above and beyond to provide a high standard of service and patient care.

We are very proud that many of our staff are familiar faces that you would have seen around the practice for years!

We see this as characteristic of the wonderful environment we share.

Looking forward, Covid will present further clinical and operational challenges for our community.

The Health Centre is in a strong position to weather the impact of any Covid challenges. We continue to seek guidance from the Ministry of Health on the latest practice developments and you can be confident we are ready to manage any Covid illness we may see.

(03) 312 4195 | six

39 Park Avenue Oxford

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FOR ANY MEDICAL EMERGENCY CALL 111

Summer reads for the holidays.

by Amy Riach

2021 has certainly been a memorable year, albeit one that many of us are more than ready to leave behind, and as we move forward into 2022 with the sun shining, things are looking up.

The frantic, last minute shopping trips that led us to Christmas are a thing of the past, and the summer holidays stretch ahead; so as you look to fill those long summer evenings, here are some of the best books to be reading this new year.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins Reid.

A perfect beachside read, this brand new best seller The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, unravels the complex and Gatsby-esque life of Hollywood starlet Evelyn Hugo, movie icon in the limelight turned aging recluse. Now for the first time, Hugo is ready to tell her story, to grant the world access to the long kept secrets of her glamorous and scandalous lifestyle.

But despite the plethora of journalists clamouring for an interview, Evelyn Hugo singles out unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant, and it is to her, and only her, that she begins to recount her life in the spotlight. Monique is more surprised than anyone when the elusive star asks for her by name, but with her professional career headed nowhere fast, she has no intention of questioning her opportunity. And as Evelyn tells her story, everything from her first arrival in LA, to her abrupt exit from the glory of show business in the ’80s, she reveals that after all her infamous husbands, it was her wife she loved most.

The Girl in the Mirror - Rose Carlyle.

For those of you who relax by reading nerve wracking thrillers, The Girl in the Mirror is a perfectly twisted summer read that begins on a beautiful family yacht, and ends in tragedy on vacation. Summer and Iris are identical twins, mostly. They are a mirror image, beautiful, blonde, and startlingly alike. But Summer is everything that Iris isn’t. And Iris is left the less loveable, less shiny, less beautiful twin. Long envious of Summer’s seemingly charmed life and her perfect husband Adam, when she is called to Thailand to help sail her sister’s yacht to the Seychelles, Iris nurtures her own secret hopes of what might happen out on the beautiful water. But when she suddenly finds herself alone in the middle of the Indian ocean, Iris has the chance to take everything she has ever wanted. And as she finally makes it to land, swept up into the arms of Adam, she convinces herself that this was meant to be. Even though Adam is calling her Summer, and this new old life lurches between the perfect dream and a paranoid nightmare. It seems the twins haven’t really known each other in a very long time, and as time goes on, each becomes more and more frightened of the other. So long as you don’t plan on spending New Year’s swimming, this is a great, suspense filled book for the holidays.

Cloud Cuckoo Land - Anthony Doerr.

For the long summer days when that 20 chapter airplane read doesn’t quite cut it, Cloud Cuckoo Land is the perfect book. Anthony Doerr’s newest release, Cloud Cuckoo Land shifts between time and place, weaving together five unforgettable characters, all of them dreamers, outsiders from very different worlds, and all of them bound by one single ancient text. A young orphan, Anna works as a seamstress inside the great walls of Constantinople, and it is there, curious and determined, that she learns to read. As this ancient city comes under attack, the walls of Constantinople bombarded in the siege of 1453, Anna reads by candlelight the story of Aethon, the Greek fool who sought a paradise in the clouds. On the other side of the wall is Omeir, an ostracized village boy miles from home, conscripted into an invading army. The two are fated to meet, and Omier too will be drawn to the story of Aethon and his Cloud Cuckoo Land. 500 years later, in a library in present day Idaho, Aethon and his tale lives on, preserved against all odds across centuries. Octogenarian Zeno has begun to translate the Ancient Greek story, and now he rehearses 5 young and enraptured children, in a play they have named Cloud Cuckoo Land. Nestled among the library shelves is a bomb, planted there by teenage idealist Seymour, who was told that no one would get hurt. And decades from now, 14 year old Konstance sits alone on the floor of interstellar ship Argos, writing from memory the story her father once told her, the story of Aethon, and the world in the clouds. The characters span centuries, but they have more in common than they might ever have guessed, and Cloud Cuckoo Land is a beautiful summer read about what it means to be human. seven

Mural planned for Oxford’s Main Street toilets.

A joint project by the Committees of Keep Oxford Beautiful and Oxford Promotions, is underway to paint the front of the Council’s Main Street Toilets with attractive artwork, which reflects native fauna and flora of the area.

Keep Oxford Beautiful members, a local artist, and volunteers from the community, painted the original mural on the exterior and interior of the toilets, but this has since been painted over by the Council.

The mural won a New Zealand award in the late 1990’s and was a tourist attraction for many years.

“We are looking for a design that is bright, fun and appealing, but incorporating native birds and native plants” says Shirley Farrell who is co-ordinating the project.

Luke Waghorn from Waghorn Builders has offered the free services of a painter to clean, prepare and paint the front exterior to give the artist a clean, clear canvas to work on.

“We just can’t paint a mural on a public building like we used to. The design has to be approved by the Waimakariri Public Arts Trust, Community Board, and ultimately the Council, so there is a process to go through.

We are developing a brief in co-ordination with the Oxford Arts Trust, to go out to local Oxford artists for expressions of interest.

We have some great artists around the area, and would like to use their talent in creating something that reflects our bird life, in an interesting way, for our community and travellers to enjoy.”

If you are a local artist and would like to develop a concept idea, and express your interest in painting the mural please email oxfordmuraltoilets@gmail.com or phone/text 0213124382 for further information.

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OXFORD CLUB

OXFORD CLUB EST - 1887

160 High Street Oxford | Phone 312 4411 | www.oxfordclub.co.nz

BAR | BOTTLESTORE + GAMING ROOM Open from 11am Daily

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SUNDAY - THURSDAY 5:00pm - 8:00pm FRIDAY & SATURDAY 5:00pm - 9:00pm

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FRIDAY - SATURDAY - SUNDAY from 5:30pm

We look forward to seeing all our members and guests in 2022 and hope you all have a happy and safe holiday season.

JANUARY HOLIDAY HOURS

JANUARY

BAR & BOTTLE STORE

Saturday 1st Sunday 2nd Monday 3rd Tuesday 4th Wednesday 5th Thursday 6th Friday 7th Saturday 8th Sunday 9th

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Our Bistro Reopens on Friday 7th January 2022 with some new menu items………

ENTRÉE $12

Scallops Pan fried to perfection & served with side salad Smoked Salmon Served on crostini with cream cheese & basil pesto dressing

MAIN

Steak Sandwich $20 Sirloin steak with onion jam, smoked cheese, lettuce & tomato served with Fries & Salad Scallops $28 Pan fried to perfection & served with Seasonal Salad or Vegetables and Fries Plus your favourites – Chicken & Bacon or Vege stacker, Roast or Fish of the Day and a classic Ribeye steak cooked how you like it with mushroom or pepper gravy or garlic butter.

DESSERTS $12

Caramel Tart Sweet base with a layer of golden caramel topped with crispy rolled oats and a hint of coconut & served with ice cream & cream Check out the specials board for our Dessert of the week

OXFORD CLUB YOUR SOCIAL HUB JOIN TODAY FOR JUST $35 OR $17.50 IF OVER 60 (valid until 31/8/22)

FANTASTIC FACILITIES, REASONABLE PRICESAND GREAT COUNTRY HOSPITALITY

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Check out our website www.oxfordclub.co.nz subscribe to our newsletter and like our facebook page for more information on our live shows and upcoming events & promotions nine

Pop in and see what we have been up to over Christmas and New Years.

Loads of new products and services coming your way.

Including all the favorite garden tools & supplies; animal feed, paint & DIY products.

Oh yes..and nuts and bolts!!!!

Happy new year from the team at Womersleys, 82 High Street.

Don’t forget to like us on our now updated face book page

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Helping you get back on track KOWHAI CHIROPRACTIC Dr Julianya Jay DC LRCC

559 Greendale Rd, Darfield 7571 | 03 318 8866 or 021 283 8892 kowhaichiro@protonmail.com | kowhaichiropractic.com

Steady as you go exercise class in Oxford.

by Candice Breeze

The likelihood of falling increases with ageing and 30% of people over 65 fall at least once a year.

However most of these falls can be prevented with small exercises and movements that help improve balance, leg strength, flexibility and general fitness and wellbeing.

These activities can be done seated in a chair, standing and walking, and participants will feel physically better and more able. It is also a great way for people to make new friends.

Age Concern developed Steady As You Go in Dunedin in 2003 by Falls Prevention Coordinator Margaret Dando. The programme is Age Concern accredited and can only be used by people trained in the technique.

Project Coordinator from Age Concern, Beverley Mason says the classes have 100% success rate and participants often make new friends.

“We have 100% successful outcomes in strength and balance for those attendees who take part for 3 months or longer. As well as falls prevention, participants make new friends, socially connect for future activities which helps with their mental health and wellbeing,” she says.

Anyone can come along to the class. However if someone has a serious or chronic medical condition a medical clearance from their GP is required.

Classes run at the Oxford Town Hall on Thursdays at 10.00am for $2.00 per person, which goes towards the cost of the hall hire or social functions for the group.

If you’d like to join Steady As You Go or have any more questions you can contact Age Concern Canterbury on 03 366 0903.

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Art event benefits Search and Rescue.

by Candice Breeze

Artist Donna Costa paints beautiful landscape pieces featuring Canterbury scenes, Oxford, and Lake Brunner. Her paintings use a mix of art mediums including watercolour, acrylic and pastels.

Donna wanted to pick a charity to donate some of the proceeds to from her Art in the Garden event and knew exactly who it would be.

When she and her family moved to Oxford over 20 years ago, Ron and Jo Ealam were the first people to introduce themselves and reach out.

“I remember going on tracks with Ron helping him train search and rescue dogs by leaving scents for them to find,” says Donna.

“I knew it would be Search and Rescue, I was excited to tell Ron about it.

30% of the sales from the sales will go to them,” she says smiling.

The night went beautifully, with people beaming over Donna’s talent, and she was able to sell several of her artworks to new homes, donating $350 to Oxford Search and Rescue.

“It feels so good to share some Christmas cheer with our community,” says Donna.

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Toot for Tucker supports Oxford Community Trust.

Thanks to Bev Wright and the Property Brokers team, with help from the Oxford Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Oxford & Districts Lions, Toot for Tucker was once again a huge success in the community.

Oxford Community Trust benefits from this event and Manager Jo Ealam says "“Thank you to everyone for your support through Toot for Tucker.

The overwhelming response this year will help so many in the community”.

The donations this year were extremely generous, which has topped up the food bank, and included lots of Christmas treats that were distributed to families for their Christmas dinner.

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Oxford local becomes new Youth MP. words by Beka Hunt - photo supplied

Hillary Cooper is, in her own words, “a country girl from Oxford.” A country girl who is rapidly establishing herself in the community, helping to organise many events behind the scenes.

A keen farmer, Hillary has been showing cattle from a young age, whilst juggling netball- playing, coaching and umpiring. Over the years, Hillary has discovered that she loves being able to throw the rulebook in dissenters' faces (metaphorically of course).

Now, Hillary can add ‘Youth Member of Parliament’ to her list of accomplishments, and pick up some new rules to enforce. Every 3 years, Members of Parliament from around the country elect a highschooler to attend the ‘youth parliament’ in Wellington. The event brings together young people of all backgrounds into the big leagues, and in 2022, Hillary will be one of the 120 youth MPs. The Waimakariri Member of Parliament, Matt Doocey, is Hillary's mentor in this venture.

This particular youth MP position was advertised throughout the Waimakariri electorate, which stretches from the Ashley river border to as far as Saint Bedes- yet this is the second time Matt will be working with someone from Oxford Area School.

The selection process involved a single A4 piece of paper to introduce herself, an interview, and the discernment of an issue in the Waimakariri area that requires change for it to be resolved. For Hillary, this is what stood her apart from the rest.

Her project, which deals with driving licenses, is incredibly relevant in today's society.

This means that leading up to the youth parliament next year, Hillary will be looking into the cost

of defensive driving, driving lessons, and the issues surrounding it. Having been through the license system herself, Hillary has a lot of knowledge on the process, saying; ‘when I took my defensive driving course, I used everything I had learnt, but it’s so expensive.

The more the cost goes up, the less people can learn to drive and the more inexperienced drivers there are on the road.” She is incredibly passionate about making a change, and Doocey found the idea was worth bringing to life. He has high anticipation for the youth parliament as it brings a fresh perspective into politics.

“I don’t claim to see the world through young eyes, so it is very informative being able to see the issues young people face.” Both Matt and Hillary pointed out that youth in Oxford will have different struggles than those in Auckland, and it will be eye opening to hear the stories of those from around the country.

“Oxford can be very proud of Hillary, I think she’s very hard working and Oxford can rest assured that there will be someone great representing them.” As for Hillary, she’s just doing what she does best- expanding her comfort zone and experiencing all she can. “One thing I’ve always been told is, you gotta keep your doors open. I’m glad I had people to push me into taking this opportunity, and I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of qualities this is going to bring out in me.”

Part of Hillary's project will involve gathering the opinions of youth from all across the district, so we’ll be seeing a lot more of her in the future.

However, for Hillary, it’s all in a day's work. fifteen

TUMUAKI | PRINCIPAL’S UPDATE Kia ora e te whānau, family and friends of Oxford Area School, With another year completed in the world of COVID-19, we have learned a great deal about ourselves.

Change is inevitable and as a community of people we learn to adapt, we learn to respect the beliefs of others - even when they are different to our own beliefs - and we learn to look forward to what we hold important.

Despite external influences (COVID-19) on our school, we have developed many memories through exciting learning experiences throughout the year. One of those memories would have to be way back in Term One when we hosted the annual CASA, Canterbury Area Schools Association Festival (aka CASAFest).

Our school was on show - and without a doubt, we shone brightly demonstrating what makes us a school. And to end the year, our annual Activity Days provided that opportunity for our younger students to work with our older students as they learn from one another, in a tuakana-teina relationship or buddy system where the learning relationship is reciprocal.

He aha te mea nui o te ao What is the most important thing in the world?

He tangata, he tangata, he tangata It is the people, it is the people, it is the people What makes a school? It is the people - the School Board, staff, the students and their families that make us who we are. Collectively we are on our "mission" to develop fine young adults who can grow together, learn together and shine together. We are very proud of all of those groups.

A special acknowledgement to our outgoing staff and students who have made this a better place in their time here and the memories they have created. To our Year 13 cohort, aptly led by the student leadership team - what a wonderful group of young adults we are releasing to the world. We can not be any prouder than we are with these people who we know will go on to be positive contributing members of our society. Nothing is more rewarding in our profession thanto see these successes.

To our supporters, and there are many to acknowledge. We rely on a close relationship with our local community as learning often occurs outside of the classroom and we are grateful for their support. We have a very strong Parent-Teacher Association that regularly donate significant funds to our school as well as supports our community - I would like to thank this group for their continual support.

Again our small rural school has achieved beyond expectations at national and regional levels in both sports, during the National Area School Sports Tournament and Dragon Boating successes, and in academics. This year we celebrated successes in our qualifications results which we are confident will be repeated again.

As we head into 2022 we note a number of exciting opportunities happening. 2022 marks the 150th Jubilee of Oxford Schools, with the establishment of the District High School on our current site in 1872. Please bookmark in your diaries Labour Weekend (21-23 October 2022) where we will be celebrating this milestone. We also hope (fingers crossed) that at some point towards the end of 2022 we will be breaking ground on our significant building project. We are very excited about the prospects and opportunities this rebuild will provide.

From the staff of Oxford Area School to our community - we thank you for your ongoing support, willingness to work together and look forward to 2022.

Ngā mihi nui, Mike Hart Tumuaki | Principal Te Kura o te Poho Rakahua Oxford Area School

52 Bay Road Oxford

DONATION OF ICE-BLOCKS The Oxford Area School PTA wishes to acknowledge and thank Oxford Fresh Choice and Fonterra Tip Top for the kind and generous donation of ice-blocks which were distributed to all our Years 1-10 students after their prize givings this year.

A little sweetener for not having parents, whanau or the public at their award ceremonies due to Covid restrictions, was really appreciated.

DATES FOR 2022 FRIDAY 28 JANUARY 2022 Course Confirmation (Old Library) 1.30pm-2-30pm, Year 11 2.30pm-3.30pm, Year 12 & 13 WEDNESDAY 2ND FEBRUARY 2022 All Students Year 1-13 9.00am Start 11.30am: Mihi Whakatau (Welcome) GP Hall Welcome to the new school year and to new students, staff and parents.

Buses run from Wednesday 2nd February

03 312 4197

info@oxford.school.nz

ACTIVITY DAYS

CELEBRATING OUR YOUNG WRITERS

Our annual Activity Days were held in December.

Students participated in a wide range of activities from Christmas baking, Gymnastics to Tramping.

By Jo West HOD English "If there's a book that you want to read, but it hasn't been written yet, then you must write it." -Toni Morrison

This year a small group of Year 7-10 students took part in an inspiring 2021 Masterclass Writing Workshop with "Write On," an organisation offering tuition to young writers in NZ and all around the world. Throughout the course of the day Heather McQuillan - award winning writer and editor of "Write On" - mentored and lead our students through a series of writing tasks which focused on 'spinning a tale from memoir'.

From this workshop, the written pieces of three young Oxford writers were selected for publication from almost 700 submissions! This is an outstanding achievement!

Copies of the writing will be published in Write On 57: Believe It or Not! The students selected were: Callum Riach with "First Time" Morrin Kelly with "What do you fear?"

Lucy Snell with "Anxious Performance" Congratulations on a day of excellent work and success! Awesome talent!

He rā whatiwhati kō.

Nga mihi!

www.facebook.com/oxfordarea

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

Oxford Area Schools 2022 Head students. words by Beka Hunt - photo supplied

It feels like only weeks have passed since we last celebrated the selection of Oxford Area Schools (OAS) student leadership team- yet here we are.

Now, the classic Oxford wind heralds in 4 new Student leaders. This year, the composition of the team has been reshuffled from its previous format of two head students and two deputies.

In 2022, OAS will have one head student, a single deputy and two supporting student leaders; Amy Riach, Cailey Hollard, Ashleigh Lawler and Zara Frahm.

Due to the nature of Oxford Area School, it’s possible for all ages to interact and learn from each other.

Ashleigh has only attended OAS for 4 years, but has loved the environment and adventures that OAS has created. She has made the most of every opportunity given to her, and is looking into studying health sciences in the future. “I like that I can see my friends, have student teacher relationships, friendships and learn as well. I’ve really been able to grow myself.”

Amy Riach, the new head student, is an avid reader. One of the Observer's' very own writers, she is considering further study of English literature, or perhaps chemistry- her favourite science.

Amy has attended Oxford for her entire school career; soon to be 13 years.

This year, many previously available events were impacted by covid 19. Still, here’s hoping that next year, students can experience the classic OAS activities with the student leaders backing them up. Zara is especially people orientated, and plans to invest her future into helping others.

She summed up the attitude of the group saying; “the most important thing to me is making people comfortable, so they can approach me easily.”

Zara Frahm, a keen artist, has also attended Oxford for the same amount of time. They agreed that being familiar with both high school and primary school teachers was a welcome bonus, as the adults' opinions are always considered in the selection process.

The new deputy, Cailey Hollard, shares a love of sport with student leader Ashleigh Lawler. They both play netball, while Ashleigh also dominates the tennis court. “Being a part of school and club sports teams is something that brings me a lot of happiness and keeps me super motivated,” said Cailey. Like Amy and Zara, she is heavily involved in art, and is considering developing her skills after leaving school.

The four are looking forward to working together.

Amy exclaimed,“I’m so excited about the team and I think we’ll work so well together,” and Cailey echoed her, saying “ it was so exciting to find out that I had been chosen to be a part of the student leadership team in 2022 and work alongside my friends.”

None of the student leaders are a stranger to contributing their time and leadership in the school. They’re familiar faces among the house leaders, in the student council, and lead in various other student driven clubs. Due to their previous experience, Amy, Cailey, Ashleigh and Zara all share a similar goal- bringing the juniors and the seniors closer together. Amy is particularly excited about the prospect, saying; “one of the key things I wanted to pursue is fostering relationships between the senior and junior sides of the school.”

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This represents the leadership team quite well, as the respect these four have for their peers and schoolmates is admirable. Oxford Area School is in good hands, so bring on 2022!

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COUNCIL U P DAT E with Councillor Wendy Doody

I thought 2020 was disrupting enough but 2021 sure surpassed it, what with Covid-19 vaccine roll outs and people protesting loudly about refusing to have it, and to top it off Government throwing 3 Waters Reform and Local Government Reforms and many other Government mandates into the mix.

Never mind, we have been very lucky not like Auckland and other areas. Life has been reasonably peaceful and we can get on with a life of masks, Covid tracer apps, and vaccine data details.

What has and is going on in our community? Oxford-Ohoka Community Board requested Council to take over the Oaks Reserve in High Street. This is now a pleasant walking reserve for you, and if you have a dog, to enjoy. It will develop over time and Keep Oxford Beautiful group will be planting the area with spring bulbs. If you have some spare bulbs, pot and keep them for planting in the autumn.

Back in 2018 (when all was normal) Oxford Promotion Action Committee asked Council to consider putting an EV Charger in Oxford. Roll on 4 years and a lot of planning by Council Staff and support from the Oxford-Ohoka Community Board this will happen in 2022 and is to be placed in the carpark on Main Street beside the old Pine Tree and where the Sunday market is held.

Also the West Oxford Reserve will have a toilet built there. It will be a remote toilet without running water but hand sanitizers will be available. The toilet will be emptied by a septic tank operator. (Council has one built at Salt Water Creek Reserve and the system works well). The Oxford Lions have built a picnic gazebo on the grounds and Keep Oxford Beautiful continue planting and developing the area.

Council and Oxford-Ohoka Community Board have given funding to develop and plant the West Eyreton reserve opposite the Community Hall. Once again this will be planted and maintained by the community of West Eyreton.

This shows how communities grow and develop strong bonds by voluntary input, which has worked well for over a 150 years.

If you would like to support the many volunteers that make this area so special, then please contact the Oxford Community Trust or myself, and we'll forward information onto the committee you wish to support.

Just on another note the Justice of Peace Service Desk at the Council Service Centre will be in action again mid January on a Thursday, from 11am – 1pm. Once again all Covid requirements must be in place.

Happy New Year to you all and have a safe and relaxing time.

Kind Regards, Wendy

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Oxman 2021

On Sunday the 12th of December, over 400 men and women braved the rain and cold weather to participate in this year’s Oxman.

Participants could participate in the Duathlon, Triathlon, Aquabike, Mini Triathlon, Mini Duathlon, Mini Aquabike, OxRun, OxDash or the OxJunior/OxKids events of the day.

The event began with a 1.9km swim around an irrigation lake which equates to two laps of the entire lake for triathlon participants and 1 lap for duathlon participants.

Participants then dry off and hop on their bikes for a 92km bike ride that goes through Cust, up and over Summerhill & German Road, through Oxford, down Harewood road, and past the race site.

Lastly competitors then did a 21km run on a mix of shingle and sealed roads.

Event Director John Newsom says that the event went well and he enjoyed seeing lots of local engagement.

“Local schools were doing marshalling, Oxford Lions were doing food and event supporting and Farm Strong were out supporting as well,” he says.

“We were also fortunate to have some elite atheletes join Oxman this year, such as Olympian and Commonwealth Games medalist Andrea Hanson (nee Hewitt),” John says.

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You can check out the results from the event below.

OxMan Full Triathlon: Male:

1.

2.

3.

Female:

1.

2.

3.

Jared Millar Tom Somerville Chris Keogh

Rebecca Clarke Fiona Gallagher Danielle Donaldson

Mixed:

Team Roberston

OxMan Full Duathlon: Male:

1.

2.

3.

Female:

1.

2.

3.

Sam Manson Ryan Kiesanowski Samuel Clements-Stewart

Lindy Millar Tatiana Guzman Anne Haefner

OxMan Full Aquabike: Male:

1.

2.

3.

Female:

1.

2.

3.

Michael Crow Hayden Beetar Matthew Dobson

Michaela Rogan Rachel Watt Katy Roberts

For full results of all events please see https://www.sportsplits.com/races/oxman-2021

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Oxford Community Trust

Social Services TRUST OFFICE REOPENING on 17/1/2022

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January 24 - 28 contact oscar@oxfordtrust.co.nz or phone nicky on 022 171 8637

We have a lot of people to thank for their generosity over this time.

The people who donated vouchers and gifts for Christmas.

The Budget Boutique who provided food for Christmas Day. Satisfy Food Rescue for their ongoing support.

Niche Shared Space for organising presents for children in the community.

North Canterbury Patchwork & Knitting Group for the beautiful quilts and gifts.

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Ma� Dooc ey MP for Waimakariri

S TAY S M A R T W H E N O U T IN THE SUN THIS SUMMER Living in New Zealand we are often bombarded with messages about the dangers of sun exposure. And rightly so. With our high rate of skin cancer it is often hard to fathom why we go out into the sun at all – especially during the summer months as we get enough vitamin D by doing outdoor activities outside of peak Ultraviolet Index (UVI) times.

All types of sunburn, whether serious or mild, can cause permanent and irreversible skin damage and can lay the groundwork for skin cancer in later life.

Sunburn occurs when living tissue, like your skin, is overexposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) causing it to change in colour from slightly pink to severely red or purple. Severe sunburn may cause blistered skin and even a fever, nausea and dehydration. Your eyes may also be painful or irritated due to overexposure to UVR. The best way to prevent sunburn is to use sun protection, especially in the summer months between 11am and 4pm. Sunscreen is one type of sun protection and you should also always wear protective clothing during this period, as well as a hat and sunglasses.

However, if you have the misfortune of getting sunburnt come and talk to us as there are ways to help relieve the discomfort, such as using cold compresses, topical sprays and creams, oral pain medication and we can also give advice on how to look after blistered skin.

If the sunburn is severe, your eyes are extremely painful, or you have blisters accompanied by a fever or nausea, see us or doctor immediately.

And remember that there is no such thing as a “safe” tan – any change in the colour of the skin is a sign that damage has taken place.

is responsive to the physical, social, emotional,and financial needs of individuals, families and groups of people within the community of Oxford and Districts.

37 Main Street, Oxford 03 312 3006

In Touch

As local MP it’s important for me to advocate for our district, and let’s face it, the farming sector is the backbone of the Waimakariri.

That’s why I’m planning to bring National’s Agriculture Spokesperson, Barbara Kuriger, to Oxford this year to talk to farmers about the mounting pressures they are facing with the government’s overbearing legislative demands on the rural sector.

This government’s relentless beat-up of rural New Zealand is causing financial harm and mental strain for many. The biofuel mandate, announced in December, is yet another example. With the uncertainties of Covid-19, it’s vital not to lose sight of the importance of our farmers to the country’s economy.

Another important issue this year will be holding the government accountable for its Three Waters Reform fiasco. Waimakariri ratepayers were rightly outraged by the lack of transparency from Labour last year, many willing to take to the streets in protest.

With the government seemingly hitting pause on the legislation just before Christmas, it looks like they have finally heard the resounding opposition from councils and ratepayers New Zealand-wide. This year I will ensure Waimakariri’s voice is heard loud and clear around the table as a member of the select committee which will hear the Bill when it is introduced to Parliament.

Given the challenges Covid-19 posed for the Waimakariri district last year, it was reassuring to read about local businesses increasing staffing levels and investing in property and equipment.

However, while this shows an encouraging degree of optimism from the region’s businesses, we know they will continue to face significant difficulties as a result of Covid restrictions going into 2022. With uncertainty due to the pandemic, and escalating costs across a range of sectors, it will be crucial to keep supporting them throughout the year ahead to keep local employment up.

Lastly, I will be reaching out to over-60s around the electorate, who can expect to receive a letter from me in their mailbox during the course of the year. I look forward to meeting as many as possible and sharing a cuppa and a catch up at one of my coffee mornings throughout 2022.

Matt Doocey MP for Waimakariri

Rangiora Office Level 1, Conway Building, 188 High Street 03 310 7468 waimakariri@parliament.govt.nz

Phone 312 4314 49B Main Street, Oxford

Monday - Friday 8.30am - 5.30pm Saturday 9.30am - 12.30pm

Kaiapoi Office 137 Williams Street, Kaiapoi 03 327 0514 kaiapoi@parliament.govt.nz Funded by the Parliamentary Service. Authorised by M Doocey, Parliament Buildings, Wgtn.

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OXFORD DISTRICT

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UNION PARISH

Sharing Christ in our Fellowship and Community UNION (METHODIST & PRESBYTERIAN) PARISH SERVICES FOR JANUARY 2022 ALL SERVICES WILL BE HELD ON SUNDAYS AT THE OXFORD UNION CHURCH, 85 MAIN ST, OXFORD

Sunday, 2nd January – 9.30am, Communion Service.

(The Reverend Laurence Ennor’s Farewell Service.)

9th January – 9.30am Service.

16th January – 9.30am Service.

Salvation Army Service at 6.00pm.

30th January – 10.30am.

The 50th ANNIVERSARY SERVICE, and Celebration of the Inauguration of the Oxford District Union Parish, lunch included.

ALL WELCOME UNION PARISH MINISTER: REV. LAURENCE ENNOR PH: 03 357 4475 (Home) or 027 233 4687 (Mob) PARISH CLERK: KEN WALKER Ph: 03 312 1464

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23rd January – 9.30am Service.

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ENQUIRIES: Waimakariri Parish Ph: 03 313 6285

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REGULAR SUNDAY MASS: 8.30am

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EVENING MASS Every 1st & 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7pm

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

ALL WELCOME | Call Josie 022 089 8331 “With joyful tidings of light I hail thee: rejoice!

To the court of holiness I summon thee; abide therein that thou mayest live in peace forever-more” Baha’u’llahBahai.org.nz

Bowen Therapy A Gentle therapy for every body and any age.

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Chimney Sweep Winters Coming!!

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Breakfast and lunch, gourmet and delicious.

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POLICE

EMERGENCY SERVICES

Oxford Constable

Mitch Alatalo

Well, I never thought I would be saying it again, but it has been another one of those years.

I will say it again, let’s set our eyes forward, and look forward to what the new year is going to bring.

I hope everyone had a relaxing Christmas visiting friends and family, and catching up with those whom we had not seen for some time. If you are planning on going away for a break, make sure you let your neighbours know. That way they can keep an eye on your place.

If you are travelling, enjoy yourself and stay safe. Watch your speed. We are seeing far too many people speeding, not by 10-11 km/hr, but a lot more. It’s not a race.

Last but not least, be kind to one another. I know I said let’s took forward to the year that will be, and let the past few years seem like a distant memory. But there are still a lot of people out there who will be hurting. If you do find yourself in this situation, or know someone who is having a challenging time, tell someone, or lend a hand or an ear. It will make the world of difference.

That’s enough from me. Have a great year and see you out there.

FIRE RESCUE

Thanks again for reading, and letting us be a part of this great community. Be safe. Feel safe.

November started out to be a quiet month and it certainly didn’t remain that way with our first call for the month on the fourteenth and by the end of the month we had fourteen calls.

We were asked to assist the Cust Brigade twice, one to a private smoke alarm activation and a grass fire. In our area we attended a very serious motor vehicle accident, where unfortunately three people lost their lives. We were assisted by the Rangiora Fire Brigade.

We attended three vehicle fires, two tractors and one farm Ute. We suspect these fires to be caused by birds nests. The damage to the vehicles was so extensive it was impossible to be totally sure. We were called to a suspicious hedge fire in the Oxford A&P Show Grounds which was very difficult to extinguish. We were aided by a local contractor with his digger, the Cust Brigade with two units, and the Rangiora Brigade with one unit.

After the fire was extinguished, or so we thought we re-visited the site another five times to cool hot spots. The other calls were to assist St John and a private smoke alarm activation. This brings our total calls for the year to ninety four.

Oxford Chief Fire Officer

Trevor Ealam

This months message is; On looking around some areas, vegetation has got really high around some dwellings and farm buildings - a recipe for disaster and the access in some cases impossible for emergency vehicles. Please be aware we find it very frustrating if we are unable to gain access to save your property because of the need to cut the grass or trim the trees .

AMBULANCE

On a lighter note the Brigade would like to wish everyone a happy and safe festive season.

Take Care.

Oxford St John Station Manager

M el Brooker

I hope everyone has had a well-deserved break over Christmas and looking forward to a happy, healthy New Year.

It has been a busy month, with our volunteers often transporting a patient in from Oxford and remaining in the city for the remainder of the shift. This is something we are more than happy with as sometimes our colleagues in Christchurch are really struggling under the demand for ambulances.

Summer is a good time to check your house number is very visible from the street/road and clear to read. We get very frustrated when we are driving up and down the road looking for a number that isn’t there. When time is crucial it is upsetting.

Summer time is the time a lot of barbecues take place. Remember to keep an eye out for choking patients. They will often remove themselves from the crowd and go behind a building out of sight, away from help.

Also with the hot weather there is a lot of swimming taking place. Swim safely and don’t go beyond your swimming capabilities. Know your river conditions and stay safe.

The ambulance station at Oxford is not manned 24 hours a day.

If you require emergency assistance please call 111.

Take care out there.

Please keep an eye out for your elderly neighbours, Keep safe and stay positive.

POLICE - FIRE - AMBULANCE >> DIAL 111

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THE BUSINES

s The Observer is a community based magazine bringing local news, information and advertising to Oxford, and the wider North Canterbury region.

The focus is on quality, postive content promoting local people, businesses and lifestyle.

Advertising in the Observer will enable you to reach 5,500 households and businesses throughout the area.

Published and delivered at the beginning of each month the Observer is distributed to ...

Oxford, Cust, Bennetts, Waddington, West Eyreton, Eyrewell, Swannanoa, Fernside, Sheffield, Springfield, Summerhill, Ashley Gorge, Okuku, Glentui, Lees Valley, Carlton, Horrellville, Springbank and View Hill and parts of Rangiora.

Copies are available from Darfield, Rangiora & Oxford Libraries & Cust PO Boxes, Cafes and Businesses in all the above districts.

C A L L U S T O D AY P. 0 8 0 0 6 2 7 3 7 8 3 7 e . i n f o @ o x f o r d o b s e r v e r. c o . n z www.schnurrbartdesignandpublishing.co.nz

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.

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THE BUSINES Oxford Screen Hire On Farm Gravel Screening

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Gavin Newick GN Plumbing and Drainage Ltd Plumbing:

Sewer & Stormwater:

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

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

. Insurance Repairs .

CRAFTSMAN PLUMBER & DRAINLAYER

CALL TODAY...

After Hours:

03 312 1785

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

WAIMAK

HOMEKILL

Family Business

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

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

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

Roy Hill Contracting Phone Roy 022 043 7834

Email royhill517@yahoo.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 thirty

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

S D I R E C TO RY

NEED A PLUMBER

RON EALAM BUILDER for all your Building ding

Call us now for fast friendly service Get your problems sorted out quick smart - on time!!

Local family Plumbing Business

requirements r

Phone for a

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

FREE

quote now

027 242 4907

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

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

Fencing in the greater Canterbury area.

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

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 Tax Returns Payroll GST Returns Annual Accounts Rental Returns

• • • • • • • • •

FREE QUOTES

Small & Large scale Fencing Sheep & Deer Fencing Sheep, Deer & Cattle Yards Dairy Conversions Horse Fencing Corrals, Yards & Arenas Post Driving Post & Rail Fences Entranceways

• • • • • • • •

Wooden Gates Lifestyle Blocks Sub - Divisions Boundary Fences Vineyards Chicken Runs Sheds Animal Runs

Steve is available to help with your

Planning and Design

Summerfield Fencing Ltd Jeanette Graves Sharon Stewart

021 853 769 027 241 6345

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

PHONE: 03 312 4747 MOBILE : 027 312 4747

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

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