Obser ver
Welcome to the May issue of the Observer.
While we had a taste of winter a few weeks ago, we have been enjoying some absolutely glorious autumn days.
Last week was the Health Services meeting in Oxford, with over 200 attendees. This really showed how passionate about our local services the community are, and what an involved community we live in.
More info on how to get involved at a local level in the Oxford Community Trust column on page 19.
Thank you to local photographer K B Pearce for the beautifulphotos of the A&P Show on the cover and on page 14 - it was a fantastic day out.
Remember to get in touch if you have a story you would like us to consider, or if you would like to advertise your business or event. info@oxfordobserver.co.nz.
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Just the Facts
Kiwi property markets that have increased the most over the past decade.
Vendors considering a 2026 sale have compelling evidence on their side, according to the latest realestate co nz data
Over the past 10 years the New Zealand proper ty market has navigated a pandemic-fuelled boom then a sharp adjustment while also weathering significant regulatory changes that have impacted borrowing limits and proper ty investing
Against this backdrop of change, some markets and regions have emerged as clear standouts, recording the strongest proper ty price growth over the past decade Leading the way is G isborne with a 145 5% increase in asking price from $284,134 in 2015 to $697,527 in 2025
Manawatu/Wanganui followed with a 121 5% increase from $274,032 in 2015 to $606,985 in 2025 and Central Nor th Island recorded the third highest increase of 119 2% from $348,659 in 2015 to $764,316 in 2025
Southland (111 3%), Hawke’s Bay (105 0%), Wairarapa (100 7%) and Coromandel (100 1%) were the four remaining regions that more than doubled their average asking price during the 10-year period
Of the other major regions and centres, Taranaki was the standout per former with a 99 6% increase in average asking price followed by Central Otago/Lakes District (96%), Waikato (95 9%), Otago (95 3%), Bay of Plenty (86 8%), Marlborough (86 3%) and Nor thland (85 8%) Wellington’s average asking price increased 73 4% over the decade, followed by Canterbury (53 7%) and Auckland (23 5%)
Concept image
Raine & Horne New Zealand General Manager James Shepherd said the data reinforced that the K iwi proper ty market was cyclical and that growth rarely occurred in a straight line over the medium term with external factors regularly causing variations, spikes and adjustments
“Increases in value usually depend on the nature and quality of individual proper ties, land size, location, and population changes ”
James continued, “While Raine & Horne proper ty professionals provide valuable advice on current market conditions to assist your buying and selling decisions, it is time in the market that often delivers the best results when the time arrives to sell ”
Over the past two years, many of you will have come to know Julia through our work together here in Oxford What began as a professional partnership has been incredibly special for me not only as her mentor in real estate, but also as her mum, watching her grow in confidence, skill, and passion for the industry We’ve shared a lot over that time, from first steps to big milestones, and I couldn’t be prouder of what she’s achieved Julia has recently made the decision to take the next step in her career and focus her work in Rangiora It’s a busier market and an area she’s genuinely excited about, and I fully support her in this move In fact, I’m really looking forward to seeing her continue to grow and succeed there While she’s no longer working alongside me day to day, she’s still very much part of my world just carving out her own path, which is exactly what you hope for as both a mentor and a parent I know she’ll do incredibly well in this next chapter, and I’m excited to watch it unfold
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Prevention is better than Cure.....
Just as your car benefits from regular checks and maintenance, so do your teeth!
A regular check of your car keeps it functioning well, avoids breakdowns that are inconvenient and sometimes costly, and keeps it running longer over its lifetime. It’s a similar situation with teeth...... a check up can avoid problems that can become costly and in this case, painful without early intervention.
A dental WOF checks for decayed and/or cracked teeth or fillings as well as checking all areas of the mouth and the gums. Other things like the jaw joints, wisdom teeth, a cancer check, your bite, medications that affect your teeth, diet and nutrition are all things that are important to check. X-rays show what’s happening inside the tooth and also in the bone around the teeth. Decayed teeth can often be sorted with a simple filling, however over time, the tooth may need to be extracted or have a root canal (if you are determined to keep the tooth in place).
The earlier we can help the better.
You would think that teeth with cracks in the fillings would be sore, some are, others are not.... your teeth don’t always tell you something is wrong! The ones that are not sore will often have decay under and around the broken part of the filling as the tooth is not sealed with the filling.
These ones can get to the point of a toothache before you know something is wrong, unfortunately at this point the tooth usually needs to be removed.
Gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss so we need to identify and treat this as early as we can. Apart from causing smelly breath and loose teeth, gum/bone infection has been proven to be linked to heart disease, diabetes, strokes and low birth weight babies. This is because gums act as a barrier and when gums are infected and inflamed, bacteria get into the blood stream as the natural barrier is compromised and then affects other parts of your body.
One last word of advice. If an ACC claim needs to be made at any stage, ACC require a report on the health of the gums and teeth and also the standard of your oral cleaning. If a dental implant is applied for to replace a missing tooth, ACC require a 5 year history of regular dental attendance and good oral health. Without this ACC may provide limited or no financial help.
Prevention is better than cure for sure, and your overall health depends on it!
Community Camera Update
Work is progressing on the Community Cameras project. Several cameras have already been installed around the township, and footage from these has been successfully used to assist in solving crimes within the district.
Since the last update, the fundraising target has been increased to $50,000 to support expansion into rural areas. Installing cameras in these locations requires cooperation from landowners to provide power and communications, as well as permission to house equipment on their properties.
Some local businesses have also committed to contributing toward the project.
The Men’s Shed in Oxford is planning to install cameras covering the Oval and is currently seeking funding to support this initiative.
Additional sites will be considered as community feedback continues to come in.
If you would like to contribute to the project or learn more, you can contact the project coordinator, Tim Livermore, at timlivermore@hotmail.co.uk.
No cure for that post viral cough
A persistent cough driving you and your family mad? Well, you’re not alone. Many people of all ages suffer from a dry and unproductive cough straight after suffering from a cold, flu or chest infection. Your cold may have cleared up, but your airways could still be irritated.
The bad news is that this annoying cough
- which is known by some as the 100 day cough - can last anywhere between three to eight weeks. In addition, antibiotics won’t work because the cough is generally a result of a recent viral infection.
So what causes this cough?
• A post nasal drip.
• Cold air: Breathing through the mouth when the throat is sensitive can cause coughing.
• Inflammation of the upper airways.
• Asthma.
The good news is that you can treat the symptoms. Do this by:
• Drinking honey drinks to soothe the throat.
• Sucking lozenges (demulcents) to
• Stimulate saliva production that in turn coats the throat to help protect it.
• Taking appropriate cough suppressants
• Keeping the air around you warm and reasonably dry. You can do this by
• Wearing a scarf over your mouth and nose to help warm air up before it gets to your throat.
In some cases, a cough can be the cause of other underlying problems like food allergies, medicine side-effects, an ear, nose or throat problem, or something more serious. If the cough gets worse or has not improved in a few weeks pop in and see us or your GP.
Recipe of the month.
VIETNAMESE CARAMELISED PORK BOWL
This is a super quick, colourful dish and so delicious, fried shallots are available in all good Asian stores and available at Rangiora produce market.
Ingredients
500g pork mince
2 tbs coconut oil
1 onion
2 tbs fresh ginger
2 tbs fresh lemongrass
1 fresh red chilli
2 cloves garlic
¼ cup brown sugar
3 tbs fish sauce
Method
vermicelli noodles
Sesame oil
Chopped fresh coriander
Chopped
Fried shallots
Pickled red
Pickled carrot
Pickled cucumber
• Finely dice onion and fry off in the coconut oil in a large frying pan or wok for about 3 mins
• Chop garlic, ginger, and lemongrass together, add to the frying onions
• Cook for a further minute
• Add the minced pork, break it up as you stir it around over a hot heat, do this for about 8 minutes until the pork is looking browned.
• Still with a hot heat add the brown sugar, stir and follow with the fish sauce
• Leave this to bubble for about two minutes it will start to caramelise
• Once most of the moisture has gone your pork will be ready.
• To cook the rice vermicelli noodles, add to a pot of boiling water and cook for about 3 minutes, strain, toss in some sesame oil
• Toss the cooked vermicelli noodles with the fresh herbs, keep some back for final garnish. Place in the bottom of your bowl.
• Then arrange the caramelised pork, pickled vegetables, sprinkle with the dried shallots and the remaining chopped herbs.
Oxford Gallery remembers friend and Patron, Philip Trusttum (1940 – 2026)
It is with heavy hearts and so much gratitude that we remember our dear friend and Patron, Philip Trusttum, who died at age 85, on 4 March 2026.
Philip Trusttum, ONZM (1940 -2026) was a beloved patron of Oxford Gallery. Philip’s connection to Oxford Gallery ran deep, as his interest in art was first taken seriously in Oxford, when at age 12 he was sent for painting lessons from a Miss Cederman.
The Trusttum family lived in Oxford from 1949-54 before moving to Hawarden, Rangiora and then to Ashley. Philip’s passion for art, tennis and rugby flourished and were honed over the following years.
It was on establishment of Arts in Oxford gallery in 2010 that Philip was distinguished as patron and he became both champion and friend. Encouraging and assisting creative practice was a natural state for Philip alongside his daily painting ritual recording his everyday life experience. His positive thinking was infectious and uplifting, his feedback insightful and reasoned.
Some of our favourite memories of Philip are during his exhibition changeovers at Oxford Gallery. At one install, he laid his huge canvases on the floor then pragmatically would walk all over them to move across the room!
At another lively closing event, he rolled up his sleeves and got everyone involved in taking down and rolling up his canvases; no need for a return trip! Both moments were pure Philip: practical, generous, and always getting ‘stuck in’.
It’s the same spirit that made his art so alive and accessible to everyone.
Philip’s support went far beyond his art, to mentoring local artists, backing our Team and fundraising for our gallery cause.
Over the years, Philip supported our local creatives in a one-toone capacity, which, for our small, rural community, felt particularly special to have a mentoring voice from someone with such an impressive career.
His was a tight partnership with wife Lee who welcomed artists into their home and added her spirited opinion and advice to the kōrero sought. Lee Trusttum passed away in 2025 and is remembered with aroha.
We are so grateful for everything Philip did to encourage our Team and to keep our community arts centre thriving.
Most recently Philip auctioned two of his artworks, donated a painting for raffle and produced Trusttum t-shirts to help generate much-needed income for Oxford Gallery. In these tough times for not-for-profits, his generosity and creative energy has been a lifeline.
Philip celebrated his very last exhibition with us at Oxford Gallery and we were honoured to have the opportunity to thank him in person at the opening.
Te Kura o Te Poho Rakahua Oxford Area School
Term one of 2026 has been an absolute whirlwind, highlighted by remarkable individual student accomplishments, community-wide sporting successes, and wonderful school camps. It has been an honor to serve as your Tumuaki (Principal) during this time, allowing me to view our school community through a fresh lens. Throughout the term, we have focused on learning our established routines and connecting with the incredible people who make our school what it is, including celebrating the successes of students like Matilda Hart and Paige Wakelin Noble and reflecting on events like CASAFEST. As we look back on these achievements, we are also eagerly anticipating the new term and the many exciting opportunities ahead. It has been a genuine privilege to serve as your Tumuaki (Principal) for this school community. This past term has given me the opportunity to view our school through a different lens. I have focused on observing, learning, and becoming familiar with the established routines, expectations, and working with all the wonderful people both within and outside the school. We are now enthusiastically looking forward to the new term and all the exciting opportunities it promises.
Lesley Inch
Tumuaki | Acting Principal
Te Kura o Te Poho Rakahua Oxford Area School
Farewell Ms Shaw
A huge farewell to Ms Andrea Shaw. Thirty years of dedication, which must be close to 1000 students through her classroom doors.
We thank you immensely Andrea, not only for your time and dedication but for the fact that you have touched the lives of so many, and I know they are all better off having had Ms Shaw as their teacher.
The Canopy
Our impressive new canopy and turf are nearing completion and remain on schedule for use early in Term 2. We are excited to use this versatile area for outdoor education, lunchtime activities, and after-school training—facilities that have been greatly missed during the construction process. We are confident the finished space will be well worth the anticipation.
We are going to need full community support to look after this amazing facility and follow a few simple rules.
• Absolutely No skateboards on the turf
• Absolutely No scooters on the turf
• Absolutely No bikes or other wheeled contraptions on the turf
The manufacturers have advised us not to allow wheels on the surface as it will cause damage and inhibit future use. We thank our community in anticipation of us all being able to manage these simple rules.
Area School Leadership Camp
By Scarlett Hart and Nicholas McKinney
Over the last week of the holidays, we, as head students alongside over 40 student leaders from New Zealand, Area Schools - including those as far north as Waikato in the North Islandcame together for a 5-day camp from the 13th to the 17th of April. Throughout the week, we were challenged both mentally and physically, taking part in activities such as high ropes, coasteering, raft building, a search and rescue simulation, and even tackling a giant swing with the highest point at 17m, constantly pushing our teamwork and leadership skills. One of the most memorable moments was an unexpected 6 am wake-up to the sound of pots and pans, followed by a 2km run down to the freezing Akoroa Harbour for an ocean plunge.
The camp focused on communication and connection, with students presenting about their schools and sharing ideas, while forming new friendships with peers from across the country. As aspiring leaders, we were constantly put outside our comfort zone, learning and self-reflecting on our personal leadership skills whilst using others’ feedback to enhance our growth.
Whether it be through simple conversation or hanging from a harness, learning to understand the people around you is crucial when developing trust and fostering new, lasting connections that stay by your side through the most challenging and punishing situations. Overall an extraordinary camp with hard-hitting life lessons which will guide us through the coming years.
The Muddy Good Run!
Our Level 2 and 3 Physical Education students recently took part in an action-packed mud run, and what an incredible experience it was! The 5 km course was filled with a variety of challenging and exciting obstacles, making it a true test of both physical endurance and mental determination.
Students tackled everything from deep mud pits and man-made hills to slippery slides and muddy water runs. They climbed over and crawled under cars, scaled containers, conquered hay bale obstacles, and pushed themselves through camo net crawls and cargo net climbs. In between obstacles, they kept moving through the course with energy and enthusiasm.
With the sun shining down, conditions couldn’t have been better—although that didn’t stop everyone from getting extremely muddy!
All students performed exceptionally well, demonstrating outstanding leadership, resilience, and determination throughout the event.
They supported one another, pushed through challenges, and represented Oxford Area School with pride.
Thank you to all the whānau who came out and supported us.
CASAFest
Over the three days of term 1, 33 of our students took part in the 2026 CASAFest.
CASAFest is a yearly three day exchange between six Area Schools from the Canterbury region. This year the event was held at Cheviot Area School. Our students represented Oxford with great pride and demonstrated high levels of fairplay. Students have had the opportunity to take part in a range of sporting activities, music challenges, math quizzes, scavenger hunts and more. Below is a student perspective written by Nathaniel Sillars from the first two days.
Day 1 – CASAFest
CASAFest has been a great experience so far, starting with an exciting first day. We arrived to a warm welcome from Cheviot Area School, which helped everyone feel comfortable and ready for the competition ahead. I started my events by playing football, where our team worked really well together and managed to go undefeated, despite going up against some very skilled players. After that, I took part in the tech challenge, where we had to build a cart using materials like bikes, pallets, and wood. We tried a few different ideas but eventually decided on something unique—creating a wooden wheel to use on one of the bikes—which was certainly an interesting approach.
Later, my team and I competed in an 8-round quiz covering a range of topics. We all contributed strong answers, making it a really fun and engaging event. Overall, it was a very enjoyable first day.
Day 2 – CASAFest
Day 2 continued to be a great experience. I started with volleyball, where our team once again worked well together and managed to go undefeated. There were a few tense moments during some close games, but we stayed focused and were able to pull through. After that, I played touch, where our team won 2 out of 4 games, with the other two being very close contests. Everyone put in a strong effort, and it was great to see the teamwork throughout all the matches. I also got to watch the tech challenge race, where another team took over from us on Day 1 to finish building the cart and race it. They did really well and created something that performed strongly, especially considering what we had left them with.
Finally, we finished the day with a social/disco, which had a fun and energetic atmosphere. It was great to see everyone relaxing, enjoying themselves, and showing off their dance moves after a full-on couple of days.
2026 Dragon Boating Canterbury Secondary Schools Championships
The 2026 Dragon Boating season reached a powerful conclusion last weekend at the Canterbury Secondary Schools' Championships, where the team achieved a spectacular victory despite limited time on the water.
The team, which embraced many juniors, mainly year 8 and 9 students starting their Dragon Boating journey this year, secured gold across every mixed race. They pulled away with first place in the mixed sprint 250m, 420m, and 1 km races.
The dominant performance also resulted in the team achieving two major trophies: the Turns Cup and the Mixed Small Boat Cup, which coach, Mike Robinson, was pleased to retain. This success was hard-won, as weather conditions severely limited the team to only five training sessions. Ably led by our two senior captains, Will Wratt & Jake Eder, who stepped up to lead the way and put in the hard yards. The victory is a testament to everyone's hard work
Congratulations Matilda!
The 2026 South Island Secondary Schools' (SISS) Athletic Championships were held on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March at Ngā Puna Wai.
Organised by School Sport Canterbury, this premier event brought together top secondary school athletes from across the South Island to compete in a high-quality track and field competition.
This championship is always a highlight on the athletics calendar, and provides a fantastic opportunity for athletes to test themselves against the very best in the region.
We are incredibly proud of Matilda Hart (Year 11 Student) for her outstanding achievements at this year’s event.
Matilda delivered a superb performance in the Under 16 Girls Triple Jump, securing 1st place with an impressive jump of 10.26 metres. Her consistency throughout the season truly paid off, and it was wonderful to see her reach the top spot. A special mention also goes to her coach, Brian, whose encouragement and support from the sidelines have played an important role in her success this season.
Matilda also qualified for the highly competitive Under 16 Girls 100m sprint, where she finished 6th. It's an excellent result at this level and a reflection of her dedication and hard work.
Conrgatulations Paige
Congratulations to Paige Wakelin-Noble and Pluto on their recent success at the Hastings @ Air Napier Show Hunter Series Finals! It was an incredible experience for Paige to compete against some of the top equestrian riders in New Zealand.
Only three riders from the South Island made the journey up to Napier, making Paige's achievement even more impressive. They did an amazing job finishing in the top positions in various categories. They secured 3rd place in the Handy Hunter event, clinched 1st place in the Open 80 cm, and excelled in the Brave Pants 90 cm to take the top spot. Winning the overall Cat C 90 cm series for the 25/26 season is a remarkable accomplishment!
Let's not forget the well-deserved bronze medal for the Equitation Rider series - what an outstanding performance! The competition must have been fierce with such a large class of 26
On behalf of the students we would like to say a big thank you to Mr Miller, Ms Haines and Mrs Luiters for supporting our students while they have been away. Thank you to Mrs Baggott for her time to transport the team to and from Cheviot.
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49A Main Street, Oxford Right next to the Pharmacy - come in and say hello!
Residents across the Waimakariri come to me as their local MP to raise a range of concerns, however one of the most frequent issues I hear is people struggling to access health care in a timely manner.
Many families new the district are finding it tough to even register with a GP practice, while others just find the wait times are simply too long, meaning they are left with no choice but to suffer, sometimes for a few weeks, before they can be seen.
The good news is that from June, families will be able to get faster, more affordable treatment for common health conditions through their local community pharmacy, under proposed expanded services.
Parents won’t always need to wait for a GP appointment or pay full over the counter prices for straightforward treatments for their children, while highly trained pharmacists will be able to assess patients, provide a consultation, and directly supply funded medicines where appropriate.
This change will make it easier for people, especially in rural and high needs communities, to get care closer to home. It also takes pressure off GPs while ensuring families get the right care, at the right time, in the right place.
The Waimakariri electorate covers a divergent range of communities, from northern Christchurch to west of Oxford, and I am keen to ensure everyone has access to comparable health services.
People living in rural communities deserve to get the care they need, when they need it, closer to home, and should not have to travel unnecessarily for planned healthcare. That’s why the Government is investing $1 million to train rural GPs to deliver planned care services locally. This will increase access to support for people living in rural areas and reduce the need for hospital visits.
By taking the pressure off GP practices through changes to the way pharmacies can treat patients, and improving access to the rural health force, we are on the way to a more equal playing field no matter where in the region you choose to live.
Mayoral Update with Dan Gordon
I had another fantastic day out at the Oxford A&P Show this year. It’s always a highlight on the calendar and a great chance to connect with the community.
During my speech on the day, I acknowledged President Harry Meijer, Secretary Christine Roberts, and the entire team of volunteers for their hard work in delivering such a successful event — especially on what turned out to be a beautiful Oxford day. Events like this really do showcase the best of country and town coming together.
It was also a busy day for a number of my Council colleagues, Community Board members, and staff, who were there sharing information about the services we provide. From Rethink Rubbish and Civil Defence through to our libraries, and importantly, this year’s Annual Plan.
Consultation on the Annual Plan has now closed, and we’re moving into the next stage of reviewing submissions and hearing from those who have chosen to speak to their feedback. This input is incredibly important, particularly as staff are already beginning work on next year’s Long Term Plan. What we hear from the community now will help shape the priorities we set for the future, so thank you to everyone who took the time to have their say.
I also want to thank those who attended the recent meeting at the Oxford Working Men’s Club, organised by Te Whatu Ora, which I had the opportunity to facilitate. Council has been advocating for some time for greater clarity around the future of Oxford Hospital and the provision of rural health services for this growing community, so it was encouraging to see that engagement take place.
Finally, I hope many of you were able to attend an ANZAC service across the district. It’s a time of year that holds special meaning — a chance to pause, reflect, and honour those who made significant sacrifices for the freedoms we enjoy today. For me, it’s also deeply personal, as I think of my own family members who served, and reflect on what I saw during my recent visit to Belgium as part of our relationship with Zonnebeke.
As always, I welcome contact from anyone who needs assistance or has an issue that you might want to discuss.
Email me at dan.gordon@wmk.govt.nz or phone 021 906 437.
Matt Doocey MP for Waimakariri
Office Level 1, Conway Building, 188 High Street
310 7468 waimakariri@parliament.govt.nz Kaiapoi Office
Williams Street, Kaiapoi 03 327 0514 kaiapoi@parliament.govt.nz
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WINCHUTOWING Accident Breakdown
From the Presidents Desk with Oxford Club President Kyle Scott
Hi there,
Welcome to the May edition of from the President’s Desk. We hope that you are all adapting to the rigours of what may be a cold winter. As I write, rain is falling and temperatures are in single figures and there is snow in Porters Pass.
In todays challenging financial climate, rising fuel costs and the increasing cost of travel are placing real pressure on rural communities. Being located some distance from the city means that everything supplied to our club and local businesses may carry additional transport surcharges which directly impact operating costs.
By choosing to support the Oxford Club and local businesses you are helping to keep money within our community, sustain local jobs and in the Club’s case ensure that our essential social space remains open and accessible.
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The recent reopening of the Club Bistro is a positive step forward. It provides members, guests and our locals with what we believe is an affordable high quality dining option close to home.
It’s nice to have choice, but if choice means travelling 35 minutes to an hour each way journey wise that adds time, fuel costs and inconvenience. Supporting the Oxford Club Bistro with consistent patronage is a simple way to ensure the Bistro remains open and viable, so spread the word to family and friends.
In a nutshell supporting your local Club means supporting your local community, every meal, every dollar spent locally keeps these valuable services open and available for everyone.
If you are not receiving our weekly email blast/newsletter, we may not have your current email address. Please check in with our friendly staff, as our weekly email blast is packed full of “Whats On” at your local Club.
As always, I look forward to catching up with you all and having a friendly chat, at your Club – The Oxford Club – Your Community Hub.
The Oxford Club – Your Community Hub – Bringing People Together!
Kyle Scott | Oxford Club President
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BEREAVEMENT IS HARD.
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021 701 838 https://kiwilaw.co.nz/probate
Things got a little out of hand? Difficult Trees?
Need a good snip and trim...
• All types of tree removals (large and difficult?? No problem )
• Crown lifting and Crown reductions
• Formative pruning
• Fruit tree pruning (Autumn/Winter)
• Hedge and shrub trimming
• Stump grinding
• Felling
• Chipping
• Mixed age arborist mulch, sales and delivery
Qualified Arborist, Fully Insured Locally Based
Txt/Call Alec 0275 255 044 alec@maartentrees.co.nz
Oxford & Districts Lions Club Paddy's Market
Oxford and Districts Paddy’s Market coming up on Saturday 16th May.
The Oxford and Districts Lions run Paddy’s markets in spring and autumn each year at Pearson Park Oxford.
Mostly garage sale type household items are sold, auctioned in lots, set out in lines like a farm clearing sale.
It’s a great way to sell those unwanted things cluttering up your garage ,or if you are looking to purchase handy bits and pieces ,it’s the perfect place to check out. There are always interesting and mysterious things that are presented for sale. We don’t sell whiteware or bedding.
We accept goods for sale from 7am until 10am on the Day of the sale. There is a sale fee of $2 .00 per lot plus 15% of the sale price. The auction begins at 1030am.
The Lions food caravan will be in attendance with eftpos available. For more information contact : Brian Pilbrow 0228501913.
OXFORD HEALTH SERVICES MEETING
Thank you to everyone who came out to the recent Health Services meeting. It was a huge response and sent a message about how important our Hospital is to the community. If you are interested in being part of a group working towards having an Oxford voice in the planning for the future, please get in touch with Jo Ealam - jo@oxfordtrust.co.nz, or pop into the Trust and leave your details.
SHOPPERS BUS
Tuesday 19th May - Rangiora $7.00
Bookings are essential and can be made at the Trust.
Thank you!
Thank you to Animates & Premium Petware for their very kind donations to our A&P Show raffles.
Thank you to our fab 4 funders
• Rata Foundation
• COGS
• Lottery Foundation
• Waimakariri District Council
Oxford Community Trust
Responsive to the physical, social, emotional,and financial needs of individuals, families and groups of people within the community of Oxford and Districts.
Emergency Services update
Oxford St John
It was lovely to see so many people at the Oxford A&P Show, and what a fantastic day it was, with the weather gods playing their part. The Oxford show is the best one day show in the South Island, arguably in New Zealand. We have been steady with call outs for our volunteers, with 66 to date for the year. We have been at Darfield, Springfield and Fernside (that was in one night!) as well as Rangiora, and of course Oxford.
Oxford - Ohoka Community Board update with Thomas Robson
Hi again folks.
Our new recruits are getting through their courses and workbooks and will be second crewing in no time at all. Our four First Responders doing their EMT qualification are also navigating through their course requirements.
Oxford is very fortunate to have volunteers who are willing to drop everything to help others. It is rewarding when you know you have made a difference, but a little thanks is always appreciated. Winter is a time when we attend falls and MVA’s as well as winter illnesses (there are some nasty strains of flu around this year). Do all you can to keep yourself heathy, fit and safe.
The ambulance station at Oxford is not manned 24 hours a day. If you require emergency assistance please call 111.
Mel Brooker EMT
VTL Oxford St John Station
Oxford Fire Rescue
with Chief Fire Officer Trevor Ealam
In March the brigade received eight calls. Three calls were to commercial alarm activations, and in each case they were false alarms caused by faulty alarms or with the alarm agent in attendance. The other calls were one motor vehicle crash where the sole occupant of the vehicle was assisted from the vehicle with leg injuries, one to investigate smoke in an area which the brigade could not find, one to a drum fire causing concern and was extinguished, one to a controlled crop residue burn and no action was required by the brigade and one to assist St John. This brings our total calls for the year to twenty one.
This months message is; It’s the end of day light saving, did you remember to check your smoke alarms or replace the batteries if required. If you haven’t please do so. If you need any assistance with them please call me on 0272977564 and help will be arranged.
I’m writing this after attending the Oxford Health Services meeting at the Oxford Club, where the future of Oxfords Health Services was discussed. It was great to see a huge turn out of passionate locals, and it was also reassuring to hear that the Mayor Dan Gordon is advocating for Oxford and has offered to work with the Health New Zealand as they assess future funding and health service options for the area.
Over the weekend I was privileged to attend the Oxford and the West Eyreton ANZAC ceremonies, both of which were well attended and a great reminder of our community spirit and remembrance.
The Community Board had a tent once again at the A&P Show which was visited by a good number of people, and I was pleased to get feedback regarding several issues, and projects. Several people were interested in knowing the status of the Woodstock Quarry Environment Court appeal. Unfortunately the only up date that we can give at the moment is that it is still being considered by the Environment Court Judge, and as soon as we have an update we will post it on our facebook page.
At our last Community Board meeting we considered a number of projects in relation to our Landscaping fund, and it was decided that we should look into improvements to the Oxford Dog Park, as well the possibility of signs highlighting the historic train embankments in the area, planting at the Wards Road walk way, and new signage for the Ohoka Domain.
We also have a discretionary fund available for worthwhile community projects. To find out more about how to apply, check out the Waimakariri District Council website, or come along to our next meeting - Wednesday 6th May, 6.30pm at the Oxford Town Hall.
Time just keeps on moving, with the seasons on the move again things are definitely cooling down.
From a road safety perspective, there have been a lot of foggy morning and evenings in the area. Please drive to the conditions and be sure to watch your following distances. Also with the cooler temperatures start to creep in, the ice will start to be a major factor for those driving to work so allow a little more time and please slow down. I enjoy the outdoors and exploring the fantastic walks that are on your doorstep. If you are getting out there please be prepared. This time of years brings unpredictable fast changing weather. Let someone know where you are going and carry ample gear for your days outing.
Duck shooting season is right around the corner, and with lots of keen hunters out there please be careful. Be mindful of others and where you are shooting. With many ponds located close to dwelling houses and roadsides. Arches of fire should be at the forefront. Last but not least alcohol and firearms do not mix. Thank you for your time, until next month, Be safe. Feel safe.
Thomas Robson
Deputy Chair Oxford Ohoka Community Board
with Mel Brooker
Oxford Police with Mitch Alatalo
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