the Observer September edition

the

Obser ver

Inside

THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

SEPTEMBER 2022

Oxford Netball Club celebrates successful season | Students meet the PM Youth events in Oxford | Meet the Candidates

plus much more

September 2

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INVITATION OXFORD WORKINGMENS CLUB CLASSIC VEHICLE SECTION INVITES ALL WITH A CLASSIC CAR & /OR BIKE TO

Show & Shine

Sunday 25 September 2022 from11AM to 2PM at Oxford Club’s carpark 164 High Street, Oxford

Oxford Netball Club finished the year with some great wins. So much hard work goes in for all the teams, and it is exciting to see such great results for them.

Check out the story on page 22.

Oxford Community Trust has a youth recreation programme called OxBox Youth. If you or a young person you know is looking for some activities to get involved in there is more information on page 10 Oxford & Districts Lions are putting on a Meet the Candidates event on September 13 which is a good event to go along to, to hear from candidates and be able to ask questions.

See page 6 for more details.

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The Oxford Club has a huge number of events happening including happy hours, cocktail and wine pairing events. Why not have a look at their ad on page 9 and see if there is something there for you?

We have had some lovely feedback from readers and advertisers over the last month, and we always love to hear from you.

We also appreciate you supporting our advertisers.

Businesses are facing challenging times, but if we all support each other, then it benefits everyone.

Have a great month!

Bruce & Emily.

Obser ver

the

Tax Returns Payroll GST Returns Annual Accounts Rental Returns

Jeanette Graves Sharon Stewart

elcome to the September Observer.

How lovely is it that it is spring? Of course there is always wintery weather to come, but I think we can all agree things are on the up now. The blossom is out. The evenings are lighter and everything is starting to grow.

SEPTEMBER 2022

COVER

P H OTO C R E D I T

Tammy Pfahlert Inside

THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

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Oxford Netball Club celebrates successful season | Students meet the PM Youth events in Oxford | Meet the Candidates

plus much more

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the Art of

Layering ? with Kerri Booth

S

PRING! The season which gives you promise that summer is also coming, which means warmth and holidays ,and longer daylight hours.

Oh how we are holding onto that promise at the moment.

Out of all the seasons, I think that spring is the one that needs the art of layering.

You still need your winter woolies, but there is a chance that you will need to shed them during the day as it could warm up. Feeling like you are too hot, and then going to feeling like you are too cold, goes with the territory for a Canterbury spring. Say hellooo to layering.

To stop yourself feeling like an overstuffed baby bear, there are a few handy tips to have up your sleeve for such a time as this. Ideally you want to take items off, or put items on ,and still look like it is all part of an outfit and not haphazardly missing key pieces. The foundational key is to get the basics right. If the bottom layer is a t-shirt, then make sure the t-shirt works as a piece all on its own.

As you start adding layers, think about texture, thickness and structure.

A whole outfit all in one colour can have its own interest just by texture and choices of fabric that your items are made out of.

Generally it’s the top half of the body that we add layers to.

Layering the top half is where the importance of length comes in, as you don’t want to make yourself look top heavy. It doesn’t matter what item is longer or shorter, but it helps to have a variety of length.

I always think that comfort is so important with layers.

That restrictive, too hot feeling is awful but so is the ‘not enough clothes on’ feeling as well. My thermometer is like a bowl of porridge that has to be jusst right otherwise this baby bear loses her mind. The art of layering is just that.

An art. The more you fine tune it, then the more your wardrobe works for a Canterbury spring.

KERRI BOOTH STYLIST

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

Brent Anthony Firkin Dorothy, Nick and Tina, Rachel and Aaron, Chris and Megan would like to thank the many people who attended Brent's Funeral on Wednesday 10th August.

The messages, cards, beautiful flowers, baking and prayers are a big comfort to us in our time of great loss and sadness.

Brent was a stalwart of the community, a gifted teacher, artist and potter.

Forever in our hearts.

Rest in Peace.

four

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You must be able to interact well with children and their families, and hold a full drivers licence.

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six

T

homas Robson is no stranger in the township.

He has lived in the Waimakariri District his whole life, with 12 years at Oxford Area school under his belt. In an ideal world he would spend his summer evenings at the Speedway and his afternoons waterskiing.

Oxford is his home, and he genuinely loves the community he is a part of. “When I left school, my friends and classmates moved on to other things- but I don’t know many places better than Oxford.” If anything, his recent work with the Oxford-Ohoka Community board is testament to his claim.

For the last few years, Thomas has worked with the board of locals, advising the Waimakariri District Council and advocating for the community. Recently he has been involved in the revival of the Oaks Walkway behind the cemetery and a collaboration with the Ashley Gorge Reserve Advisory Group to develop a new BBQ area by the river. In addition to improving aspects of our township, Thomas has utilised his time on the board to prepare for a Council position. “Working with the Board, I’ve learnt alot about the issues in the Oxford area, so I have an understanding of what we would need to address.” He has worked closely with the current council through the Community board, and feels equipped with the skills to tackle the tough jobs including campaigning. He plans to bring in the classic campaign tactics- door knocking, flyer delivery, and maybe a few hours on the side of Tram Road.

However, it’s not about the popularity, or the abundance of signs. To Thomas, running for Council is simply a way to give back to the town he has grown up in. As he puts it, “I just want to make a difference in this community. I want to be able to hand it over to the next generation better than it was.” It’s not the first time Thomas has run for the Waimakariri District Council - he missed out by roughly 100 votes in the last election.

However, that opened up the opportunity to join the Community Board, which he does not regret for a moment.

“I honestly think that I wouldn’t have been able to handle it [the Council] without the experience I have gained in these past few years.”

Now all he can do is hope for a chance to step up into a Council role, and is completely dependent on the Oxford locals that choose to vote. For Thomas, this is an area of concern.

Only half of the Kiwis that vote in the Nationwide elections tend to vote for their local councils, which is a worrying statistic.

“Council members are just like you and me. They just want to help the people.

That’s what they’re there for. Roads, and even the water that you drink is provided through your local council.” These are the people who are responsible for your livelihood, so why not vote?

As Thomas puts it; If we’re going to be paying rates, we need to get good value for money.

It’s as simple as that...”

Voting begins on the 16th of September and is open til October the 8th. If you are enrolled to vote, you will be able to do so through the post or at Oxford and Rangiora service centres.

Why not have your say?

VOTE

THOMAS ROBSON

Hi I am Thomas Robson and I am standing for the Waimakariri District Council.

I have lived in the Waimakariri District all my life, growing up on a rural property in Oxford, I attended Oxford Area School where I was head boy in 2013, and have been heavily involved in various community groups ever since.

I have been a member of the Oxford/Ohoka Community Board for 6 years; 3 of these as Deputy Chair.

I am also the Chairperson of the Oxford Community Trust, have been a U Drive mentor, and former Chairperson of the Waimakariri Youth Council.

I have worked in the Civil Construction Industry for 9 years and have a lot of experience in Roading projects across Canterbury. Because of this experience I have an interest in infrastructure and ensuring town planning is carried out in the most efficient and effective way possible.

My experience on the Community board means that I have a good understanding of how the Waimakariri District Council works, and the belief that Oxford and Ohoka deserve much better representation.

The core business of Council i.e. infrastructure and community support, needs to be as efficient as possible.

My desire is to be a strong advocate for the Community and to push local interests at the Council level to ensure rate payers get the best value for their rates dollars.

I am an Oxford resident, keen to provide Oxford and Ohoka with more effective representation at the Council Level.

• • • • • •

To provide value for money for rate payers Quality roading infrastructure Well managed water infrastructure, waste, drinking and storm water Protection of the environment Effective economic development To demonstrate fiscal responsibility

I would love to have your vote and in return I will work hard to make sure your voice is heard!

Thankyou for your support!

THOMAS ROBSON

omas

Authorised by Thomas Robson 17 Park Avenue, Oxford

Mayoral update

The Winter of

Discontent

with

Dan Gordon

I

t was with great sadness that I attended and spoke at the funeral of Brent Firkin.

Brent and I cofounded the Oxford Arts Trust that built the Arts in Oxford Gallery. It was Brent’s idea to establish an Arts Centre in Oxford. Having an interest in the arts myself it didn’t take much persuasion to see the merits of his idea and begin work with others to see this achieved. The Gallery has now been open for 12 years. Brent became Gallery Director, and his work in this role, led to the gallery’s success.

While the Arts in Oxford Centre is a lasting legacy to Brent, he will always be fondly remembered for his many years of work as Head of Art at Oxford Area School. The impact he made on so many lives was evident in how many past and present teachers of the school, as well as students, attended his celebration of life.

Brent contributed, so actively to his community.

On behalf of a grateful community, rest in peace.

Recently the Councillors and I presented Council’s submission on Three Waters to Parliament’s Select Committee which was conducting hearings in Christchurch.

There have been 88,000 submissions made in total.

I’m not clear of the breakdown of the numbers for and against.

If it’s anything to go by in terms of the views that are expressed to me on a daily basis I’d suggest the numbers would be strongly against. Last year we wrote to every ratepayer to seek their view. 95% of respondents told us they oppose loss of control of their Three Water assets, and we made clear our communities’ view when we spoke to the Select Committee.

I also presented at Parliament in Wellington, Communities 4 Local Democracy (C4LD) submission to the Select Committee.

C4LD is made up of 31 partner Councils which came together to oppose the Governments forced Three Waters reform but also to present an alternative model that retains local ownership and influence. Our Council was one of the founding members of C4LD, of which I am the Deputy Chair. It’s not too late for the Government to turn this reform around and partner with Councils to achieve a better outcome that we can all agree on.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate members of the Oxford Volunteer Fire Brigade who took part in the Fire Fighter Challenge at the Sky Tower in Auckland on August 20.

The annual challenge involves each fire fighter climbing 51 flights of stairs in full PPE, with the aim of raising funds for Leukaemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.

I know the Oxford Brigade was joined at the event by some of their other brigade colleagues from across the District including Swannanoa, Rangiora and Kaiapoi who all sent teams and raised money for a very deserving cause. 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.

update with Hank

J

ust lately it seems to be quickly becoming the "Winter of Discontent". However, the good news is we're over the hump. We've had the shortest day and we're moving back towards longer days and warmer weather. But, before we get there the coldest days are yet to come. There's a bit of hardship yet to endure, before we're back to the balmy weather and long days of summer.

And so it is with various aspects of our financial life. There's a lot of noise on how bad inflation is and set to get worse. Everyday price of services and goods going up. Interest rates continuing to rise. Returns on investments such as Kiwi Saver going backwards, the value of houses reversing, the general cost of living going up and, for many of us, the big one is the cost of fuel. The one thing we as a society can't seem to do without.

But here's the thing. Just like the seasons that come and go during the course of the year so are most things in life. Most things that affect us beyond our control are "cyclic".

They come and go. Just like winter turns to spring and then to summer, so to do many of our life's challenges.

Long term things have a habit of levelling out. Now's not the time to stress and panic. Now's not the time to try and fathom out the things that we can't control. Now IS the time to consider and work on the things we CAN control.

Take a deep breath and figure it out...

There also seems to be a lot of looking to blame for our current situations. Once again that doesn't fix the issues. It just makes us angrier than we need to be. Remember stress, worry, blame are all like riding a rocking horse. It gives us something to do but doesn't get us anywhere!

I've recently had a number of clients concerned about their Kiwi Saver accounts losing money. I have to say here that we are NOT investment advisers, it's a whole different field in the Financial Services industry and we're not qualified to give such advice, but our industry associates tell us that investments are down right across the board. No Kiwi Saver provider is exempt from the current financial climate. They'll all suffering the same.

Once again, investments are cyclic. We experienced some very good returns in 2020 which logic tells us was going to hit a wall.

It has.

Once again now's not the time to panic. Now's the time to ride the trough because the trough will once again return to a wave, maybe not as big but it will return.

Hang in there. It'll get better.

If you are concerned about your Kiwi Saver or any other financial investments you may have and need some reassurance or advice, then by all means give us a call.

If we can't help you directly we can put you onto people who can.

The one thing we can certainly help with is your insurances.

Health, Life, and disability insurances. These are our areas of expertise. This is where we are very much qualified, experienced, and skilled to give advice on. If you think you're paying too much or concerned about making sure you have the right insurances in place for you then gives us a call ... .. .after all it is what we do ...

Till next time stay warm and well, hunker down and ride out the storm ...

I’m here to help.

Cheers Hank

CONTACT HANK ON 021 357 062 OR EMAIL HANK@PPNZL.CO.NZ eight

WE Love WEDNESDAY’S! HAPPY HOUR 5.30PM-6.30PM

ALL BLACKS LIVE & LOUD

IN SEPTEMBER Thursday 15th 9.45pm vs Australia Saturday 24th 7.05pm vs Argentina

Meat Raffles from 6pm til gone Members Jackpotting Cash Draw $200 From Wednesday 7th September drawn between 6.30pm-7.30pm All financial members automatically entered, Drawn winner must be here to claim the cash!

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Register your team of 4-6 from 7pm Prizes & Bragging rights to be won!

DURING THE GAME DRINK SPECIALS $10 Quarts & $7 Glass house wine

THURSDAY

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3 Course dinner with wines to match Tickets on Sale in the Restaurant or at the Bar Numbers strictly limited, no holds Ask for the Vegan & Organic Villa Maria Wine range in our Restaurant NOW

Enjoy our Fish & Chips & Burgers to takeaway or dine in the bar Great if you missed lunch or want a snack or an early dinner

COUNTRy COCKTAILS! FRIDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 7.30PM $60pp

Join us for a night of Cocktails, Canapes & Country Music Get out your Sunday best and be ready to mix your cocktails and we’ll play something Country!

LIVE MUSIC FROM JAYDIN SHINGLETON

CLASSIC

VEHICLE SECTION

(Winner NZ Gold Guitar Senior 2019)

RESTAURANT

NEW SPRING MENU INTRODUCING OUR NEW SPRING MENU FROM THURSDAY 15TH SEPTEMBER

SUNDAY 25TH SEPTEMBER

11AM-2PM

Come on down and check out the Classic Cars & Motorbikes Restaurant open for Brunch from 10am-2pm Followed by our MEGA MEAT RAFFLES 2pm-5pm $2 per ticket

Come on in and see what delicious and nutritious meals chef Jimmi has for Spring!

Plant based and gluten free options Bookings recommended 03 312 4411 ext 4

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OxboxYouth fun activities for young people

by Emily Chapman

O

xbox Youth is a youth recreation and education programme run by the Oxford Community Trust.

Community Youth Worker, Georgia Harris, says “Oxbox Youth originally started when I was beginning high school. Without making myself sound really old, it would make the group around 15 years old”.

It is a community based youth group, providing recreational events fortnightly on a Friday evening, and is a fun and safe place for the young people of the area to come together to socialise, meet new people, and try new things.

Being in a rural area can be prohibitive for young people to leave the district without relying on parents/caregivers, so we are able to take away that barrier for youth and make their ideas a reality.

Georgia’s role includes planning and running events in collaboration with the young people of the area, and offering support and mentoring for individuals.

She works closely with other organisations including the school, gym, and Council.

Georgia says “Growing up in Oxford myself, I totally understand the lack of activities, so being able to help create a programme that gives our local youth some freedom is definitely my favourite part. Meeting new people and growing connections as well as being an active part of the community I was raised in, is very special!

Events are varied and include events such as mall trips, Woodford Glen, swimming, trampolining, along with events based in Oxford like pool parties, movie nights and Active Youth programmes through the local gym.

Oxbox Youth events are open to all youth in years 7-13.

Coming up in September and October are Ice Skating, Junior Formal, a day trip to Hanmer and Woodford Glen.

If you would like more information you can contact Georgia on youth@oxfordtrust.co.nz, or follow their facebook page @OxboxYouth.

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RE

T

C ELE

NIKI MEALINGS

FOR COUNCIL

NIKI MEALINGS FOR COUNCILLOR, OXFORD-OHOKA WARD I’m standing for re-election having served as your councillor for the last 3 years.

I’ve lived in our ward and been an active member of the community for 23 years with my Waimakariri born and bred husband, and raised our 3 children here.

I’ve been a successful business owner, I have a Bcom(mktg/mgmt),I’ve worked in agriculture and horticulture, and I run the Waimak Lifestyle Block Group.

I understand our rural communities’ needs, concerns and challenges.

I previously campaigned on four main issues: Sustainability, Sensible Planning, Sound Financial Management and Community & Wellbeing.

I’m proud to say I’m doing what I promised.

I hold the Climate Change and Sustainability Portfolio, and we’ve made great progress.

I’m associate portfolio holder for the District Plan and became a qualified RMA commissioner to better understand and take part in the planning process.

Despite global and local events, WDC held its AA credit rating, limited average rates increases to well below inflation, maintained levels of service despite reduced funding, and still allowed for growth.

I chair the Community and Recreation Committee and have enjoyed working with the Waimakariri Youth Council and various wellbeing and community initiatives.

I represent Waimakariri’s interests on the Greater Christchurch Partnership Committee to help our whole region achieve better outcomes together.

Most of all, I love being able to effectively advocate for our residents and get good results for them.

I have worked hard for our community at regional, district and local levels.

I hope that you will support me to continue that work.

Authorised by N. Mealings, niki.mealings@icloud.com

SPRING

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eleven

Keep a Strong Voice at the Table

ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY

VOTE

FOR

T

his month is the time to exercise your democratic vote.

In seeking re- election as your representative to Environment Canterbury, I bring strong leadership and good governance to the table, supported by my skills for critical and strategic thinking needed for reasoned decision making.

CLAIRE MCKAY

A key goal is balancing social, cultural, economic, and environmental wellbeing. We can’t have one without the other.

FOR SENSIBLE DECISION MAKING & COMMITMENT TO :

We all want to see improving freshwater outcomes, protection, and enhancement of biodiversity, and improved public transport service. These have been, and will continue to be priority areas for my focus if re-elected.

A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT

Real and lasting change will take time and requires a huge shift in commonly accepted practices and behaviours, in both urban and rural communities. Everyone must “do their bit”.

A HEALTHY ECONOMY

AUTHORISED BY CLAIRE MCKAY, clairemckay2016@gmail.com

V e Pete Merrifield Pete Merrifield

Oxford-Ohoka Community Board

Vote Pete Merrifield Oxford-Ohoka Community Board

Hi, I’m Pete Merrifield.

I live near Cust, having recently moved to Waimakariri. I am married to Karen and we have a blended adult family.

I trained as an Automotive Engineer, and then retrained to become a Technology teacher.

These career choices have given me strong problem solving and public speaking skills, and the ability to relate to many varied groups of people.

I want to put something back into my local community.

I believe that one of the important aspects of this position is to listen to people because it is people who make our community strong and viable.

I look forward to meeting residents of the area, and hearing their concerns and feedback about issues relevant to our area.

He aha te mea nui o te ao?

He tangata he tangata he tangata!

What is the most important thing in the world?

It is people. It is people. It is people!

Authorised by petemerrifieldcust@gmail.com. twelve

CMC/19001/OXF

A VIBRANT COMMUNITY

With the recent flood events across Canterbury and other parts of NZ, the urgency to address how we adapt and mitigate these risks is highlighted. I want to be part of the next council that will be focused on how rivers are managed, who contributes to any protection, and how we develop resilience in our communities through understanding and be prepared for impacts of climate change.

The upcoming term of council will be challenging as it responds to the raft of central government legislative directives requiring new regulatory plans notified by 2024. Add into the mix, the uncertainty of significant reform underway with the Resource Management Act and Local Government.

The impacts will be significant across both urban and rural communities.

A key focus for me will be to ensure our communities are involved and heard in this significant planning process, so we take people with us, and achieve change faster and more effectively, rather than solely relying on pursuing a rigid regulatory approach.

My business background and appreciation of the value of hard- earned cash, means I will continue to drive for a focus on prioritisation of work, and an efficient and effective organisation funded with fair and affordable rates.

North Canterbury needs an advocate and strong voice to ensure ongoing effective representation of the community.

I have local knowledge and two terms of experience on Council, which means I have a detailed understanding of the complexity of the issues facing not only our area but the wider Canterbury region.

I value trust, transparency, collaborative processes, effective communications, and strong relationships on the path to working together to solving issues.

I care about our People, natural resources and environment, public transport, economy and most importantly our future.

If you care as well, then vote for me – Claire McKay.

Call me 0274864023 Email: clairemckay2016@gmail.com Face book – Claire Mckay Ecan Councillor

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TIM FULTON Oxford/Ohoka Ward Council Candidate Community Board candidate – Oxford subdivision Waimakariri District Council

I grew up on a sheep and crop farm at Swannanoa and have lived and worked in the Oxford/Ohoka ward most of my life.

As an agricultural journalist for nearly 25 years, I have developed a strong understanding of land and water management issues, both locally and nationally.

The Oxford/Ohoka ward is facing big challenges, including effective and affordable land and water management.

My position on the Government’s planned Three Waters reform is that we own these assets and council manages them well, so let’s not mess with this.

I believe a councillor’s role is to listen, seek advice and make decisions with the most complete information possible.

Council should be a collaborative exercise and that’s always been my approach.

I served as president of North Canterbury Rugby Sub Union from 2010 to 2012 and as president of Ohoka Rugby Club (where I’m a Life Member), I led a team that recently invested $75,000 in upgraded LED lights for the club.

This was a five-year mission requiring support from across the club and helped by $20,000 of Council funding.

Before that project I worked with Council on the initial restoration of Swannanoa Cricket Club’s historic pavilion.

After leading the club’s return to the domain from Mandeville, I helped the club committee build a relationship with Council that enabled us to secure valuable grants, including funds for landscaping around the pavilion and practice nets.

As a councillor you can expect a strong commitment to sports and recreation, including where Council is involved. I love to see what’s possible with a combination of volunteer drive and professional support. Councils, I believe, have an important role to play in supporting clubs to stay healthy and strong.

Outside sport, I’ve published three books, Straight off the Tussock – a family memoir; Kiwi Farmers Guide to Life – a collection of Kiwi farming stories - and just now, The Clarence: People and Places of Waiau Toa. Fair to say, living at West Eyreton and being immersed in a rural community, I love any chance to share Kiwi farming stories.

Looking ahead, I believe that with good representation on Council, we can keep enjoying the best of urban and rural life in Waimakariri.

For more information you can go to www.timfultonmedia.co.nz/Fultonforcouncil or Facebook Fulton for council.

Sincerely, Tim

VOTE TIM FULTON

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Chocolate Orange Tart

by Louize Juniper

YOU WILL NEED A 20CM ROUND TART TIN PASTRY • 100g Butter chilled and cubed • 180g Plain flour • 1 Egg yolk • Pinch salt • 1Tabsp cold water In a large bowl place the flour, pinch of salt and chilled butter.

Rub it in between your fingers to resemble bread crumbs.

Mix the water and yolk together and using a blunt knife stir into the flour mix and work together to form the pastry.

Knead with your hands to get the pastry into a ball.

Cover and leave to rest for 20 mins.

CHOCOLATE ORANGE FILLING • 3 Oranges • 40g Butter • 1 egg & 1 yolk • 150g Soft brown sugar

• ½ Tabsp Cornflour • 130g dark Chocolate (70% Cocoa) • 130ml Double cream • Flaky sea salt for garnish

Preheat the oven to 200oC Spray or grease the tart tin and line the base with baking paper, this helps the base to cook evenly.

Roll the rested pastry out on a flour dusted surface. Roll pastry out slightly larger than the tin.

Place over the tin and gently press it into the sides and trim the over lapping edges. Gently prick the base with a fork a few times.

Cover the base with a square of baking paper and cover with either dried beans, ceramic baking beans or just rice.

Bake in the oven for 15 mins. Remove from oven. Remove baking parchment and beans.

Return to oven for a further 10 -15 mins until golden and crisp.

Leave to cool in the tin.

Next with a peeler remove the zest of 1 orange and with a sharp knife cut the zest in very fine thin strips. Set aside.

With a grater finely zest the remaining oranges and juice the oranges to make enough to measure up to 120ml.

Beat the egg and yolk together. Put in pan with the sugar, grated zest, orange juice, cornflour, remaining butter and a pinch of salt.

Over a gentle heat stir the ingredients until the butter has melted and sugar dissolved.

Cook out for 20 mins stirring until it is the consistency of thick custard. Do not boil!

Once done pour through a sieve into a bowl and set aside to cool.

Remove pastry tart case onto a large flat plate and pour choc orange curd into the case. Spread evenly. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours.

Put the chocolate chunks into a bowl. In a small sauce pan heat the cream gently until steaming.

Remove from heat and pour over the chocolate. Stir to combine but do not over stir.

Pour over the surface of the chocolate curd. Work quickly as will start to set. So spread evenly.

Scatter the orange zest strips over the surface. Chill for at least 30 mins and just before serving sprinkle with the flaky salt.

Serve & enjoy!

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Equestrian at Oxford Area School

Mike Hart

Tumuaki|Principal

Update

Last month our community acknowledged the passing of former Oxford Area School Head of Art (1990 to 2012) - Brent Firkin.

While Brent ‘retired’ in 2012 he remained on at Oxford Area School in the capacity of a reliever for many years. In his time as Head of the Art Department, Brent set the bar high, forging a culture of excellence among Art students.

The strength of this learning area and Brent’s legacy remains to this very day. Brent’s celebration of life brought together many community members, past and present staff, and students.

It was a nice opportunity to connect with people while reminiscing about such a wonderful educator.

by Claudia Faulkner

It is a busy month for Equestrian riders here at OAS. Congratulations to Scarlett Hart who represented OAS at the School Sport Canterbury Secondary Schools' One Day Horse Event on the 7th of August. Scarlett rode pony Inspector Gadget and together they finished in a very very close 2nd place as an individual! It was a beautiful day and the event finished just in time before the cold wintery weather came in.

We are also very excited to be sending three riders to the South Island Secondary Schools' Equestrian Champs.

Best of luck to Erin Sayer, Matilda Hart and Paige Wakelin - Noble.

Noho ora mai, nā Mike Hart Tumuaki | Principal

Strum, Strike and Blow Festival 2022 This year our tamariki participated in a really fun event! Many school lunchtimes were missed while they persevered learning new songs and chords on the ukulele.

This was a great performance evening with 1,110 tamariki from other Otautahi (ChCh ) and Canterbury schools playing ukulele, recorder and marimbas.

Congratulations to ex OAS Student

Katelyn Inch

who won a bronze medal at the recent Commonwealth Games in lawn bowls.

52 Bay Road Oxford

03 312 4197

info@oxford.school.nz

48 Hour Film Festival

by Anthea Anderson

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 2022

Last weekend saw Oxford Area School enter a team in the 48hours film competition.

Imagine having just 48 hours to write, film and edit a short film.

That was the task given to seven Oxford Area School students when they entered the 48hours competition.

A great family event with live entertainment and fabulous costumes

SATURDAY 17 SEPTEMBER RANGIORA TOWN HALL

7PM TICKETS ON SALE: Rangiora Town Hall At 7pm on Friday night the team, who had come up with the team name of Katinka Studios, were sitting in Aotahi eagerly awaiting the announcement of their Genre and special required items before being able to start their script.

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Hanmer Geography Trip This year the Level 3 Geography class chose to do their Research on the sustainability of Hanmer Springs Tourism in this post covid world. To do this we had two one-day trips to Hanmer to survey businesses. They gained both qualitative and quantitative data by asking questions like: are the visitors Domestic or International, and what was the ratio like pre-Covid. Do people pre-book or just turn up, and where do the visitors come from (place in NZ or Global)?

The students were very efficient and we would like to thank all the business owners for their time either in person or in follow-up phone calls. Students now take that information and analyse it back in the classroom. It was great to see the students' grit and resilience in gaining completed surveys. They showed real character and did a great job. I now look forward to seeing their final products in the coming weeks.

All teams are given a number before the night that equates to one of a possible 10 genres. They had been given the number 5 which turned out to be "The Swap" so not your typical type of genre but more of a theme.

All movies were also required to contain a whisper, a sign, a bird's eye view or worm's eye view shot and a gatekeeper character.

Great teamwork was shown as they all worked together to come up with a storyline and write their script, before heading home for a much needed rest, before a big day of filming on Saturday.

Saturday started with a read through of the script they had written before piling all the gear into the school van to head to their first location for filming. Throughout the day they learnt a lot about camera angles, sound and lighting as they filmed multiple takes of every scene trying to get things right. By the end of the day they had shot in four different locations and had a lot of different takes of each scene.

Once all the footage was downloaded onto the computers, it was off home for some much deserved sleep before editing on Sunday.

Early Sunday morning it was back to school for the team to begin editing their footage. There were a few stumbling blocks along the way, like realising the reflections in the town library windows showed the entire crew. If you were making a film normally, this would have called for a reshoot of the scene, but when you only have 48 hours that is not always possible, so some quick thinking and editing was used to get around any issues that arose.

By 6pm the Sunday night, after a long day of editing, Katinka Studios uploaded their completed five minute film for judging.

This was a great weekend and although the students were very tired by the end of it, they all enjoyed themselves and can be very proud of the short film they created.

They look forward to sharing it with you all, once they are finished in the competition and are allowed to share it publicly.

www.facebook.com/oxfordarea

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

The Prime Minister Answers the Questions of Canterbury Students

by Amy Riach

O

ver the last few years, the Covid pandemic has cemented its place in New Zealand’s public consciousness, and most of us became used to seeing the Prime Minister on the news at 1:00; standing together with Chris Hipkins to deliver the latest updates, along with one infamous comment about ‘stretching your legs’, which went only slightly awry. And by about Conference 2 or 3, most of us had become equally accustomed to muting the TV when the floor opened for questions, because invariably it was like listening to a very cracked record. But this month, the questions were delivered by the Head Students of Canturbury, and in early August the Rt Hon Jacinda Ardern visited Burnside High School, to meet with Christchurch’s youth.

Living in Oxford means that when non-locals ask where you’re from, you explain your location based on its proximity to the nearest recognisable city. More than once, we have all said to someone new, “Oh we’re just 40 minutes outside of Christchurch”, in an effort to place Oxford somewhere familiar on a map.

And so as Oxford students, it’s really lovely when so many regional opportunities are extended to ‘wider Christchurch’, because that designation includes us.

Many ‘40 minute drives’ have been taken for leadership courses, for camps, or for Ara; and on Friday the 5th of August, two of Oxford’s Head Students drove in to meet PM Jacinda Ardern. Cailey Hollard and myself joined 34 other schools gathered in Burnside, and the PM arrived on the dot at 2:00 to speak to us all, and answer our burning questions.

Ardern began with her opening address, and the PM first acknowledged what has been on many minds as exams draw closer, that courtesy of Covid, New Zealand seniors have yet to experience a normal exam year. This pandemic has always been there in the background, sending us into lockdown twice, keeping teachers and students home sick. Changes have been made to NCEA in an effort to accommodate so much disruption, but these have certainly been a memorable few years! As the PM opened the floor for questions, many asked about Covid; and about Ardern’s advice on overcoming such challenges in school and in leadership, and even in exams. As a former English student who once ran out of time in her school-cert, she told us all that when things go wrong, and at some point they will, it’s easy for adults to reassure students by saying that it isn’t really a big deal. That the exam you failed won’t make a difference in a year's time, that the essay you hated won’t stop you from studying English at University. And while those things are true, while that one grade certainly won’t be a big deal in a month or a year, it is a big deal now, and that’s okay. It’s okay to be upset over those things that are hard right now, even if they won’t matter much at all in time, and she reminded that room that you can always move forward. It was pertinent advice, and that failed English exam wasn’t the only anecdote shared by the PM. She also recalled an obsession with the Jerry Springer show, allegedly “the Love Island of its day”, as well as sharing her own leadership experiences and tips, and the best advice that she herself was ever given.

Like many of Canterbury's teachers, the PM recognised the importance of failure as well as success; and Ardern recalls that when she was just starting out in politics, she put together an impassioned presentation on climate change, and what we can do to address it.

She brought her mother and her grandmother along, prepared for weeks, and then made her speech, only to be loudly booed by the crowd. Laughing she says, “to this day, I’m convinced that my grandmother joined in!”, and while she can laugh about it now, she was devastated at the time.

But she tells us that it taught her one crucially important thing, and after she called a friend to reveal that her passionate speech had been booed in response, he gave the PM advice which she carries with her to this day. He told a young Ardern that “any social change will be met with resistance, it has to be, if it is real change”, and that is the advice that she constantly returns to now, and the advice that she left us all with.

It was a really positive experience to get to meet not only the Prime Minister, but also the other Head Students of Canterbury, and Jacinda Ardern answered every question directed her way with a genuine clarity.

Hearing the questions of other students was just as valuable as listening to the answers of the PM, and all of us had some valuable takeaways from that afternoon eighteen

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Council update

In touch with

with

Matt Doocey

Wendy Doody

MP FOR WAIMAKARIRI

I understand you are all fed up with the state of the shingle roads around the district, I would like you to understand that roads do not cope with the amount of water that has besieged our district over the July rainfall events. The ground was already sodden before then.

12 July Mandeville: 68.6mm ( 5yrs,10 month return period)

26 July Mandeville: 72.2mm ( 3 yr 8 month return period)

12 July Oxford: 66.8 mm ( 4yrs, 8 months return period)

26 July Oxford: 47.2mm ( 7 month return period)

July total rainfall for Kaiapoi - 259mm Rangiora - 234mm Oxford - 205mm The annual rainfall has saturated catchments and the ground water levels are high causing resurgence channel flowing.

Understanding the complexity of dealing with the roading network over the whole of Waimakariri it has been difficult for staff and contractors to fix every road immediately. If you have roading issues use the “Snap Send Solve” on your mobile phone, Snap the issue you have and Send it to Council and they will Solve.

One particular road I was very disappointed to view was Dog Trial Road which has been used as a farm track. It is not there for your own private use so please stop.

Drainage related service requests received for the month of July 685 – typically 800 per year, so 85% years work in less than one month! Almost all have been called back to acknowledge their requests.

Thank you Staff for all the effort you have put into trying to accommodate some complex issues from the community and letting them know they are not forgotten.

Council has lodged a consent to ECAN pertaining to Commercial Road, Oxford under section 88 of Resource Management Act 1991, York Street Oxford storm water diversion which will take away massive amounts of storm water, that flows down from Commercial Road into Cheapside Street into Tawera Lane then across private land and onto Harewood Road and finally flowing into Flannagen Drain. This will also reduce flooding to the east of Oxford. Hopefully this will be consented. It has been a long time coming. The Councils of another time chose not to have the stormwater diverted down Cheapside Street because it was going to cost too much – no forward thinking back then. Would have cost less and have achieved a greater benefit than it will do now.

As I am not standing again I am able to do this Councillors report to you all. Please use your vote wisely to select good people to look after your Oxford- Ohoka Ward on Council and also the Community Board representatives for both Oxford Area and Ohoka Area.

Kind Regards Wendy Doody

Two years ago the Labour government announced funding to the tune of $44 million for its ‘Counsellors in Schools’ initiative, with a promise to deliver up to 100,000 hours of counselling support every year for 24,000 students across 141 schools.

Sadly, the programme has fallen astonishingly short of its target, with only 7,875 hours of counselling delivered between November 2021 and 30 June 2022 – just 984 hours per month.

This is a shocking shortfall under a government that consistently fails to deliver. To hit their target of 100,000 hours, roughly 8,000 hours of counselling would need to be delivered every month. Right now, they are averaging about 10 per cent of that number.

It’s the same story with Labour’s mental health services investment. The government announced its $1.9 billion package to help improve mental health, yet despite this spend-up, the Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission found the government had failed in its delivery, with no material improvements in mental health.

This is a government that simply cannot deliver improved outcomes.

So it is hardly surprising, given this government’s track record, that many New Zealanders are not convinced that the Three Waters reform is a good idea.

When I spoke in Parliament on the first reading of the Three Waters Bill, I made the point of calling on the select committee to get out and hear the voices of regional New Zealand.

From National’s perspective we are also going out into regional New Zealand to hear people’s views on Three Waters, and I’m keen to hear from anyone who wants to share their thoughts.

It is an important conversation here in Waimakariri – based on feedback I’ve received it is clear people want to have their say.

That’s why I have asked National’s Three Waters spokesperson, Simon Watts, to come to the electorate. Kaikōura MP Stuart Smith will also join us as we tour the electorate, hosting four meetings in one day.

I hope to see you at one of the four meetings on Sunday September 18: Christchurch Papanui Club at 10am, Oxford Jaycee Hall Oxford at 12.30pm, Kaiapoi Riverside Church at 3pm, Leithfield Better Half Kitchen at 5.30pm.

Matt Doocey MP for Waimakariri

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

Social Services Oxbox Youth Events September 16th - Ice Skating September 30th - Junior Formal Check out our facebook for more details @OxboxYouth or for bookingscontact Georgia on youth@oxfordtrust. co.nz.

Shopper’s Bus Our Shopper’s Bus has been really popular - thank you to everyone who has supported this.

September 13th to Rangiora September 27th to Christchurch Phone the Trust on 312 3006 to book your place.

Waimak Kids OSCAR 3-7th October 10-14th October Phone the Trust 312 3006 or email Nicky at oscar@oxfordtrust.co.nz to make your booking.

We have a new staff member Emma Woods who is supporting Jo with Community work to ensure there is someone available to work with our community.

Welcome Emma!

Thank You ers Fund To Our Fab 4

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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

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Oxford Netball Club celebrates successful season

by Emily Chapman

O

xford Netball Club are celebrating a great 2022 season.

All teams did extremely well, with two teams winning their sections.

Team 4 who were playing in Grade 5 won their grade against Sefton. They had already played them twice in the season, with Sefton winning both games 24-14 and 32-28.

Coach Julia Graham says “Going into the final, the girls were super nervous, but they managed to hold it together, dug deep and pulled off one of their best wins all season, winning 32-18.”

Julia has seen their skills and team work go from strength to strength through the season and comments “I have enjoyed coaching these girls. They all bring a different aspect to the game”. The team sponsor is Sinai Ltd. Team 1 in Premier Grade also came out as winners of their division over Ohoka 61-40 with Sara Cottom being named player of the match.

This team had some fantastic results throughout the season, winning one game by 105-22. Club President Michelle Maginness says “the team has some very strong shooters who are able to shoot from anywhere in the circle”.

They won their semi-final against Amberley 66-31.

Unfortunately there were a few players unavailable on finals day, so two players; Sara Cottom and Ashleigh Lawler from Oxford 2 were able to step in.

Ashleigh Lawler and Hillary Cooper from the club were selected to umpire on the day.

CONGRATULATIONS

Oxford Netball Club was the only club to have two Premier teams this year. There is a large range of teams from years 3 or 4 right through to young women with families and careers.

Michelle says that the club tries to cater for everyone.

She goes on to say “Our club would not be as strong if it wasn’t for our amazing committee, dedicated coaches and players that support our club.

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CONGRATULATIONS to Des and Betty Hide who celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary on August 16th.

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Countdown to the Jubilee L

ong before the local schools consolidated, and the name changed to Oxford Area School, for 150 years the children of Oxford have been students here, attending rural primary school up at Keri Keri, at Ashley Gorge, or at Coopers Creek, and then coming into Oxford for the District High. Now, the Oxford Schools Jubilee is just weeks away, and there are many in town looking forward to Labour Weekend. But for a handful of Oxford locals this Jubilee is not the first in memory, and for community couples Kathy and Colin Bush, and Dawn and Brian Thompson, the 150th will mark their third Oxford Anniversary. And for local Jeanette Wells, this will be not the third but the fourth Jubilee which she has looked forward to! All of them tell me that there is something uniquely special about a Jubilee, and come October, all of them are excited to be attending once again.

Jeanette Wells helped put together the Jubilee’s of 100 and 125 years,, but her first Jubilee was the 75th anniversary, and back then she was still a student at the Oxford District High. She was excited to tell me that “this is my 4th Jubilee!”, and now a retired farmer, 75 years ago when she celebrated her first Jubilee, she was still in her 7th year at school. Jeanette first started school in Oxford in 1940, and the 75th Jubilee was held in 1947, just two years after the school celebrated VE Day in fancy dress, at the end of World War II. Some much needed cheer was in order, and Jeanette tells me that the Oxford Jubilee’s “are always just so exciting to me, because I was at school during the first one, and it was so special”.

Of course the school looked just a little different then, with many new builds since, and another on the way, but Jeanette’s form classes were all held in the same building block which is now home to the science labs. The block will be replaced in Oxford’s upcoming new build, and it is a renovation long-overdue, but for now they are a little piece of Jeanette’s history, and they have had a long life at school; standing even before Jeanette’s time, and all through the War. That first Jubilee during Jeanette’s school days remains a favourite memory for her even heading into what is now her fourth, and she says that “My school days were wonderful”, telling me that she made some of her best friends here.

She remembers all of her teachers too, and says “I can still list all their names!”. List them she did, though some certainly made a more favourable impression than others! But there is no doubt that they all shaped her experience here, stern Headmaster McClatchy included.

When the Centennial approached in 1972, Jeanette tells me that she finally reunited with her old classmates, saying “Our classes all sat together, and we had a ball!”

For that memorable Centennial, Jeanette was part of the Jubilee Committee, and the anniversary ran for four days over Easter Weekend, Jeanette saying “That was the really big one!”. She stayed on too for the 125th, and was the Secretary of the Jubilee that year, remaining “Very much involved”. Jeanette does love to be involved in all that is Oxford, and her family has been part of the Oxford community for about as long as the school, her great grandparents buying their forever family home in 1867. Jeanette still lives in that same house now, and she tells me “I’m very Oxford!”. It is that Oxford connection which makes the Jubilee so special for Jeanette, and though there are some past pupils coming down from the North Island for the weekend, for Jeanette it is the community that she values. She tells me that the Jubilee is “A very special occasion”, and she explains that “It’s a heritage thing. It’s the opening of that gathering of people, now the people of the 150th Jubilee”.

For what is now four Jubilee’s, Jeanette has looked forward to a celebration of the heritage, and for the famed Easter Weekend Centennial, she actually planned part of that celebration herself, helping to organise a vintage parade which wound the streets of Oxford in Art Deco Napier stye, creating a collection of ‘Wedding Dresses Through the Ages’. Past pupil Mr Lynton Morris even trained up a bullock wagon for the occasion, and that parade remains one of Jeanette’s favourite memories, telling me assuredly that “The Centennial was our highlight”.

Dawn Thompson too remembers that impressive parade well, and she stood on the front porch of her mother in law’s house to watch all the vintage costumes sweep past. She tells me it was “really beautiful”, and she and her husband have so many great memories from past Jubilee’s, both of them thrilled to be part of the 125th celebration as well. Dawn tells me that she and Brian “Like to be involved where we can!”, and involved they certainly are; both the Thompson’s volunteering for many causes in Oxford, Brian Thompson, like Colin Bush, part of the Oxford Fire Brigade. The two also spent many years on the Board of Trustees and the PTA, Dawn telling me proudly that their daughter Vanessa was the first ever Student rep on the Board. She says that “My parents were big community goers, and I really think that’s where my values come from”. In fact Dawn’s father was the local Council Foreman, and he moved down from Nelson for the job, Dawn starting at Oxford when she was 10, in 1959.

She never knew Brian while she was at school, but her future husband started here at 5 in 1956, finishing up in ‘63; and first meeting Dawn after his school days at the Wayside Inn, where she worked, and where he stopped for lunch. He remembers Dawn’s younger sisters from his time in school though, the Barrett twins who he claims got him into deep trouble with the infamous Mr McClatchy! Brian tells me that back then, “I’d rather have stayed on the farm!”, but like Dawn, he made lifelong friends at school, and says it is that which makes the Jubilees so exciting.

The couple share some treasured memories of Oxford and of the school, ranging from desk inspections and inkwells, and the students who would fill up fountain pens only to send black ink flying across the room; to the yearly school trips they took, Dawn recalling one class outing to Lyttelton, where the Oxford seniors caught the boat to Wellington, spent the day in the capital, and then spent the night on the boat before sailing back.

In 1963, Brian took that same school trip, and he tells me it will remain forever memorable, because the minute they arrived back off the boat, “We heard at once that President Kennedy had been shot. And it’s all anyone could talk about, that Kennedy was dead!”.

Brian and Dawn both have lived through experiences only shared by their classmates, and there's something very special about reuniting with those same people again. Dawn says that school is “where you make your best friends, and then you come to something like the Jubilee, and it’s just so special”.

Brian Thompson - (3rd row from top, 2nd student from right) twenty four

Dawn Thompson - (2nd row from top, 4th student from right).

The People of Jubilees Past and Present

by Amy Riach

Now on the Committee for the 150th, previously Dawn and Brian have been welcome guests, and they both have fond memories of the 125th celebration, and the Conversazione which took up half the night! Dawn says, “That’s the exciting bit really”, and she tells me it’s very special “To look at someone’s face, and suddenly say ‘Oh my gosh it’s you!”. The long-time couple are both very community minded, and Dawn adds “We wouldn't think of not going really, it’s the experience!”. There are so many memories attached to the school, and to the past Jubilee’s, and she and her husband have spent almost all their lives here at Oxford, making memories and forming friendships. There are still classes taking place in the buildings that they were both taught in, and just as the current seniors are making career plans, so too did Dawn and Brian.

Brian tells me that he is looking forward to “Taking a look around the school, and into the Observatory”, and he explains that the school once ran a shade-cloth garden in the same place where the telescope stands. Though he was never very green-fingered, Brian helped to grow sandersonias, and as a teen he planned to go into farming; while in her own last years at the District High, Dawn was convinced that she wanted to become an air hostess. Instead she tells me, her relationship with Brian became serious, and he pipes in to add that really Dawn was an awful flyer! He tells me, “I’m convinced that I actually saved the world from a truly terrible air hostess!”, and now instead, Dawn and her husband volunteer almost full time. Dawn says that volunteering here is “a rewarding job, you do it because you want to!”, and she and Brian both are looking forward to joining this Committee for the 150th, already rostered on to help run the events of Saturday. Dawn tells me that “There is something very special about a Jubilee”, and both Brian and herself plan to help make Saturday a big success.

That Saturday will be run too by local couple Kathy and Colin Bush, who are both part of this 150th Jubilee Committee, and are looking forward to helping out alongside their old friends over the weekend. Both recall the Jubilees of past, and Kathy’s father was a leading man on the Committee of the Centennial. A memorable anniversary all round, the Centennial was particularly special for Kathy’s family, and Kathy’s Grandfather, J Stevenson, was the oldest former pupil at the time; and so had the honour of planting the Centennial tree, and has his name on the plaque. Colin himself was on the next Committee of the 125th, Kathy saying “We’re both so community oriented”, and like the Thompson’s, both Colin and Kathy are dedicated volunteers. The two have joined many Committees in their time, spending 25 years with the Oxford Night Patrol; and as well as the decades spent on the Oxford Fire Brigade, Colin spent 21 years on the Pearson Park Advisory Group, and another 29 with the Search and Rescue, which Kathy also dedicated 26 years to. He’s also a life-member of the Men’s Shed, and all those diy skills are being put to good use at the school, Colin working often with Euan Pulley to make repairs. He’ll be doing the same on the Saturday of the Jubilee too, recruited already for his role as “Euan’s right-hand man!”. Colin was a student at Oxford District High from Form 1 - Form 5, while his wife Kathy was here for all of Primer 1 to Form 5, and both made lifelong friends. Kathy tells me that the Jubilee is a very unique chance to catch up, saying “it brings people back to town”, and she and Colin treasure their memories of the last anniversary, and the reminiscing which came with it.

The 125th Jubilee saw past pupils all take to the floor for a ballroom dance, which was a skill that both Kathy and Colin learnt at school.

Colin tells me that he and Kathy would practise their dances together even as kids, and their parents worked up at Coopers Creek, where each week there was an evening dance held in the hall. Kathy and Colin would get dressed up and go along, and he tells me that “Things like that just stick in your memory!”

Ballroom dancing was not the only bygone class of school's daily lessons, and the two were taught cursive writing, while Kathy was also a budding typist, recalling her typing class and her shorthand lessons, and telling me what a headache it was to decipher “All those little squiggles!”.

The now science block, which housed all Jeanette’s form classes, and stood as the high school classrooms for Dawn and Brian, was also home for many of Kathy and Colin’s classes, and Kathy took her typing lessons in the “little room at the end of the corridor”, which is now free of typewriters but instead welcomes laptops on desks, and hosts a sign that says International Office. Colin too remembers the old brick block, and tells me that when he left Oxford District High in 1961, the Woodworking and Home ec block next to it, was being built brand new.

Those buildings will also be included in this next new build of 2022, but all the classrooms of memory will still be standing come the 150th Jubilee in October. Colin has also done his own fair share of building on Oxford’s grounds, and he built the Oxford Observatory building, as well as a few of Oxford’s classrooms. Both Colin and Kathy have such a lasting, significant connection to the Oxford school, and Kathy adds that “I’ve still got a stack of my reports from way back when!”. The couple is immensely looking forward to their third Jubilee, and Kathy tells me “I think it’s so important to keep that history alive”.

Though there won’t be any ballroom dancing on Labour Weekend, there will be a formal evening meal, which many past pupils are very excited about. Kathy says “That dinner at night will be a real highlight, we’re looking forward to that”, and both she and Colin look forward to catching up, and reminiscing with the people they used to see every day at school. And for the 150th, the anniversary is not just about the school's memorable past, but also about its future, Kathy telling me that “The current school kids are more involved this year, and I think that’s so great”.

The couple plan to make the absolute most of the celebration, and Colin is convinced that he’ll be coming back in 25 years for Jubilee number four, saying “I’ll only be 99!”. Really he'll be 101, which we both realise after actually working out the math, but what's a few years when you'll be the next honorary oldest pupil! Already the 150th anniversary is looking to be a celebration for the history books, and past and present pupils and Committee members alike, are all looking forward to Labour Weekend.

Registration is closing fast, and now there are only a few weeks left! We look forward to welcoming everyone in our community along, and the programme and registration can be accessed at 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 and paper copies of the registration form.

Jeanette Wells - (3rd row from top, 4th from left)

Kathy Bush - (4th row from top, first left behind the sign) twenty five

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Malvern Farmers' Veterinary Club Grants now open

by Beka Hunt

C

ontrary to its name, the Malvern Farmers Veterinary Club (MFVC) has deep roots within Oxford. The club was established in 1952 to provide veterinary support in the Malvern district and throughout Oxford, functioning as an incorporated society.

Now, the club operates solely as a charitable trust and aims to distribute its funds back into the community on an annual basis.

In other words, the MFVC are looking to provide grants for those meeting a set criteria.

Over the past few years, the charity has distributed grants across the Malvern and Oxford community, assisting in a wide range of ventures. In Oxford, a grant helped purchase a new technology system for the Oxford Medical Centre.

Additionally, MFVC has contributed to the purchase of Nurse cars, buying two for Malvern and one for Oxford. Funds were also distributed to Sheffield Primary and Darfield High School (among other schools) and the organisation is in the process of looking for more applicants. As they are a charitable trust, the grants are for use in the relief of poverty, the advancement of education, family, social and community welfare.

Grants could also be given to essential services that need help in this tough time, or struggling groups of volunteers. There is a more detailed list of criteria for applications which can be found on their website, as well as a link to apply.

Simply head to mfvc.org.nz to see if you or your cause is eligible.

There is also a great section under ‘about us’ that covers the beginnings of the organisation, which is quite interesting as the Malvern Farmers Veterinary Club has an incredibly rich history.

The MFVC used to own land and houses in the surrounding area. Members would pay a subscription fee, which would in turn go towards vet and medicine costs.

When this system became obsolete, the members had to adapt to continue upholding their service. These days, the MFVC owns both the Oxford and Darfield Veterinary clinics, leasing them out to the Vet Life and VetEnt companies.

Through this they can provide veterinary care on top of contributing to the welfare of the community- which suits the Club's long term goal, as the website states; “With the original objective of providing a Veterinary Service to the district well and truly met, it was proposed that surplus funds be distributed for the benefit of the rural community.”

Hence, the creation of a charitable trust, and the need for some more applicants!

If you have any questions, the Malvern Farmers Veterinary Club website is; mfvc.org.nz

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It’s funny. From the time I write the column to the time it is published things can change quite a bit, take today for example. The sun is out and the weather is improving, but who knows what the future holds.

It has been a busy month with an increase in dishonesty offending, burglaries and vehicle break ins. This is always a concern, and I am always thinking about how to lessen the risk. So, I ask for everyone in the community to be our eyes and ears. If there is something or someone who looks out of place, let us know, and if you feel the need make your presence known. It is a great deterrent.

With the recent tragedy in our community, and another life being lost on the road, it makes me think about how we can stop this from happening. Infringement notices are an obvious choice, but there are other avenues to explore as well. So if you have any good ideas on how to reduce the harm on our road, please come and have a chat. I would love your input.

On that note, community input, Police are working with our partners to improve the areas’ CCTV network. Again, we have our ideas, but if you have any ideas on camera placement, or infrastructure that could be used, whether it be a power supply, or a pole to mount a camera on, come and knock on our door or send us a message. Any ideas would be helpful.

It has been another month of mixed weather, with lambing and calving in full swing. It is important to remember that at these busy times on our farms everyone is tired and it can be when wrong choices are made. Remember before you move machinery to take an extra good look around. Make eye contact with bystanders before you move off, to avoid any misunderstandings.

We have had another busy month with 247 jobs to date, and 39 over the last month covering from Castle Hill to Christchurch and everywhere between.

Remember to use health line (0800 611 116) when appropriate, and you can always stand down the Ambulance if the condition is resolved.

We are truly needing more recruits. The team we have is stretched. If it is something you have considered please be in touch. We need your help!

If you would like to learn more please ring the station on 03 312 3516, leave your name and number and our recruiting officer will be in touch.

Lastly we can not help you if we can’t find you! Please go out to your front gates and check your house number is clearly visible from both directions. This is extremely important if your mail box is down the road or you have a shared driveway. Taking a minute now to do this, could save a life in the future.

Once again thank you for your time.

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

update

Trevor Ealam July. It was a crazy month with flooding and gale force nor- westerly winds.

From memory it would be the first time I have ever seen power poles snapped in half by the wind.

Apart from that there were damaged roofs, fences, trees over the road and fires. With the flooding we helped where we could, unblocking drains and ditches.

One house we went to was evacuated because of the water flowing through it, and there were garages flooded.

In all there were seventeen calls.

Eight calls were related to flooding which included a motor vehicle accident.

Six wind related calls which included two hedge fires. The others were to a garage fire caused by putting hot ashes in a plastic bucket, one to a suspicious rubbish fire in a reserve and one to assist the Cust Brigade at a private smoke alarm activation. This brings our total calls for the year to fifty four.

This month's message is; Keep all clothing etc, at least a metre from the heater. I know fire guards are good place to dry clothing, but very often they are too close to the heat source.

Take Care.

Be safe. Feel safe.

Stay safe and well.

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SUNDAY 4th September - Communion Service.

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PUBLISHER Schnurrbart Design and Publishing Enquires to info@oxfordobserver.co.nz or 0800 627 387 37 All efforts are made to verify the correctness of information contained within this publication however Schnurrbart Design and Publishing accept no liability for the correctness or accuracy of any information contained within these pages.

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