The Observer - June 2024

the Obser ver

fromthe Publishers

Welcome to our June issue.

Winter seems to have arrived and with it the dark evenings. To combat this winter gloom, OPAC are once again putting on the Matariki Winter Lights Competition.

Last year’s competition was beautiful and it is always lovely to drive through the town and see houses and businesses sparkling. For more information on this go to page11.

Our beautiful colour page art is by the very talented Neela Curran who is running “Lazy Sundays Watercolour Workshops” starting next month. You can read more about Neela and the classes on page 5.

National Volunteer Week is from the 16-22nd of June this year.

Oxford as a town, has a huge range of people volunteering to support their community. Thank you to all of you who do so much to make Oxford such a great place to live.

We hope you enjoy this issue, it’s always great to see what is going on in the district. Keep warm this month!

Bruce & Emily.

the Obser ver

PUBLISHER

Schnurrbart Design and Publishing Limited

EDITOR

Emily Chapman

ENQUIRIES

info@oxfordobserver.co.nz

0800 627 378 37

www.schnurrbartdesignandpublishing.co.nz

THE NEXT ISSUE - OUT JULY 2024 ADVERTISING DEADLINE | JUNE 20

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.

Any views, information or opinions expressed within this publication are not necessarily the opinions or views of Schnurrbart Design and Publishing or any of its providers.

Cover Photo Painting by Neela Curran

Most of you will already know this friendly face, for those who don’t meet Ruby!

She has worked at Main Divide part time for 10 years, and has now made the shift to full time, ensuring the salon is ticking along as it should.

Ruby is also looking to refine some of her skills and has a range of services she can offer.

• Wash only $10

• Wash & Dry $25

• Wash, Dry & Hot Tools $35 Tint retouches & Global colour (20% discount)

Toners & all treatments including our FAVOURITE treatment/blow wave combo ‘Dream Regime’.

If you are interested in booking a treatment with her you can either call 03-312 3311 or message us on Facebook. Check out our website for a full list of treatments on offer at Main Divide Hair Lounge.

OAS students prepare for trip to Hamasaka

by Amber Chun

Since 1995, Oxford Area School and Hamasaka Junior High School in Japan have had the exciting tradition of student exchanges. This exchange involves students from both schools having the opportunity to spend some time studying at another school while also experiencing the highlight of staying with host families. As fostering cultural understanding is becoming more important, this is the perfect way to achieve it and gain personal connections to the country.

In 1996, Oxford and Hamasaka signed an agreement to be sister schools, which means they have a long-term relationship which can consist of student exchanges, joint projects and online collaborations. Hamasaka students commenced this exchange program by visiting here first in 1995, then Oxford to Hamasaka the following year.

Our last visit was in 2019, before exchanges had to stop due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After a long break, this year we will finally be continuing our exchanges for every second year. In the years when we will not be holding physical visits, we will instead be doing virtual exchanges with video conferencing between students and teachers. This offers a useful alternative where we can continue the program from the safety of home.

This year we have 10 students from years 12 and 13 going to both Singapore and Japan. They are enthusiastic and excited to ‘experience school life in a country other than their own’.   Students are hoping to achieve personal and academic growth as well as seek valuable opportunities, and, furthermore, to build connections with new people. They will be staying in the homes of Japanese families, and this will forge lifelong relationships and provide the best way imaginable to become familiar with their culture. And of course, they anticipate exploring the streets of this picturesque town and seeing what it has to offer.

The plan is to spend 9 days with Hamasaka Junior High School, where they will partake in classes and activities. During August this year, we look forward to hosting Hamasaka students for 7 days.

“Lazy Sundays Watercolour Workshops” will be launched by artist Neela Curran next month, at a beautiful farmhouse gallery near Oxford.

Neela is passionate about teaching people her skills and techniques in watercolour, as well as other mediums, as she once believed she would never be able to paint or draw.

Now with 13 art awards and a Diploma in Visual Art with distinctions in painting and drawing, she wants to help other people reach their artistic goals into the future.

“There are those few people who are born with natural talent,” she said. “But that’s not me, and I never could paint or draw to save my life. In fact, I took up cake decorating instead because I had no self belief that I could paint or draw.

“No -one ever told me that it could be like learning to read and write, that I didn’t need to have talent, but just passion and a willingness to practice consistently.

Eventually I took up watercolour and read that the great English artist John Constable suggested to paint a sky a day, and I thought this was good advice, and I started doing that.

“So I spent a few minutes every day painting a quick sky and I read a lot of watercolour how-to books, but with the books, things never seemed to work out like they were supposed to!

That was disappointing, but I kept going.

And I’ve read about 150 books now. And then one day, things started to happen, and I went from there, but I think I was a slow learner!

Neela worked in human services in Australia, as a drug and alcohol clinician, with clients from the Department of Corrections and rehabs, and started introducing some of the clients to painting.

She left her career and moved to Canterbury three years ago, to join her partner Dr Vaughan Seed, who recently retired from veterinary practice at Oxford.

“I have quite a number of students in Oxford who did my workshops at the Oxford Art Gallery last year,” Neela said.

“I am hoping they will continue their artistic journey, as there really seems to be very few opportunities for people to get good solid tuition here. I know what it feels like to have no ability or confidence to paint, and so I explain all the processes and demonstrate, and of course everything looks easy now when I demonstrate, but it is through all the things that went wrong, that I ended up learning the most!

cre ativity with watercolour workshops

Lazy SundaysWat colo W ho

with award winning artist Neela Curran

Enjoy fun, relaxed and informative watercolour workshops at a farmhouse gallery, 20 minutes drive from Oxford, near the township of Springfield.

All art materials and refreshments are supplied, so you don’t need to bring a thing!

Age range: Adults 18+

Time: 1.00pm to 4.30pm

Price: $100 per person per workshop

The scheduled workshops are:

• Watercolour for people who can’t paint or draw, Part 1. Sunday July 7

• Watercolour for people who can’t paint or draw, Part 2. Sunday July 14

• Trees, Cottages and Landscape. Sunday July 28

• Impressionistic Flowers. Sunday August 11

• Dramatic Skies. Sunday August 25

• Vibrant Still Life. Sunday September 8

For more information and bookings, please phone or text Neela on 0278 441944 or email ncurran@internode.on.net

There are only 8 places available for each workshop, so book early to secure your place. Following payment, you will be sent all details, including a course description for the workshop you have booked.

“With my own art practice, I am so inspired by impressionism and like to put a lot of emotion into my work. I am not into realistic painting at all, I think we live in a world of very harsh reality, so it’s good for the mind to step away, and just dream a little. “So I like my paintings to look romantic and ethereal, and I like being able to suggest things and let the viewer fill in the rest, so

that they are also part of the creative process. “Watercolour is a wonderful medium as it will pretty much paint itself if you let it, usually it’s when you interfere with the process too much, that it turns into a disaster.”

National recognition for Oxford Football Club

by Beka Hunt

Many are feeling the squeeze of rising costs, and sport clubs are no exception. In 2023, the Oxford Football Club (OFC) had such low registration numbers that the committee considered closing the doors for good. To OFC President, Keith Gilby, giving up was never an option, and the Club needed to make changes. Now, two years on, the OFC has been recognised through three finalists at the Canterbury 2024 Sports and Recreation awards, setting the standard for rural clubs in New Zealand.

Keith was nominated for, and won, the Volunteer of the Year award. The category was open to nominations across community and international levels, with Keith being chosen from five finalists. Although he is adamant on remaining out of the spotlight, Keith shines for his leadership. With his guidance and the committee's hard work, the Club can now offer free membership to children aged 16 and under. They are one of the only clubs in New Zealand to provide the option. Whilst funding is always harder to secure compared with the larger city clubs, the rural community of Oxford has rallied in support of OFC.

Local businesses including Moorpork, Oxford Pharmacy, FreshChoice and the Oxford Club are all fully engaged, recognising the value that the Free Kids Football initiative has in the community.

This season, OFC was able to enter 15 teams and Keith says that he's proud of the growth. “Sport should be accessible for everyone. Rather than being a club in the community, our goal was to be a community club.” He would love to bring recognition to the 40 volunteers that keep football in Oxford, saying, “it’s a reflection of the hard work that has gone into the club and the strength comes from the people as a whole.”

Paul Dillon was a finalist for Coach of the Year (community), nominated for his work with the 2023 Senior Men's Team, which was also recognised as a Sports Team of the Year (community) finalist.

In 2021, the senior team was battling it out in Division 10. In 2022, they began climbing the ranks, winning Divisions 10 and 8, followed by 4 and 3 in 2023. Now, the team plays in Division 1 and is holding its own, unbeaten after the first six games. In 2023, Paul was player coach, but retired from the pitch after an early season knee injury. From there he was able to lead the team, also coaching the under nines. He attributes the senior team's success to the culture they were able to build. “We changed to have a better team spirit- in the past, we had played as individuals, now we play as a group.”

This year, Paul has his hands full with the Director of Football role and under 8s players, so is proud that some of the emerging stars have stepped up to lead.

In 2023, New Zealand Football released their annual participant voice survey, and Oxford out performed in every category. From engagement to diversity, the OFC received the highest marks. They are also the first club to be awarded a ‘Safe for All’ accreditation. When asked why he keeps going, Keith found the answer easy. “Volunteer hours are the most precious commodity. They’re the first thing you lose when things aren’t going well, and the hardest thing to gain. But it’s worth it to see all the smiling faces. All the parents are so thankful, and that’s worth every minute.” He says it takes approximately 4000 volunteer hours to keep the club running as there is no paid staff.

With the Sports Award success, Keith is hopeful he can raise awareness of the opportunity that OFC offers. They are always on the lookout for more players or volunteers to join in the fun.

For information and contact details, there is a club website and Facebook page. The Football season is currently in full swing and in early June, the OFC will learn the results of the NZ Sports and Recreation awards. For Keith and the team behind the players, it's all in a day's work.

Recipe of the month.

with Louize Juniper

CHILLI, LIME & COCONUT CHICKEN

INGREDIENTS

6-8 chicken thighs

2 tbs smoked paprika

2 tbs olive oil

salt & pepper

1 onion chopped

3 cloves of garlic chopped

2 Tbs minced root ginger

2 green chillies

½ cup chicken stock

400ml coconut milk

1 cup coconut cream

1 Tbs soy sauce

1 Tbsp fish sauce

2 limes zest and juice

1 cup chopped coriander

METHOD

• Chop chicken thighs into large chunks, put into a bowl with paprika, salt & pepper, mix well with the olive oil.

• Heat heavy based saucepan, brown chicken on both sides a few pieces at a time. Place to one side.

• Add onion and chilli, cook for 3-5 mins over a low heat, mix together the ginger, garlic and lime zest and cook for another 2 mins.

• Pour in stock, coconut milk and the coconut cream.

• Add fish sauce & soy sauce cook out for 15 mins and sauce should thicken slightly.

• Once cooked, stir in the chopped coriander and serve with steamed rice or couscous if desired.

• If serving with couscous add lime zest and juice when preparing for a zingy flavour.

Oxford Area School students selected for National Tournament

Oxford Area School (OAS) works with the NZ Area Schools Association (NZASA) to connect students across the country.

by Beka Hunt

Area schools are unique for offering 13 year levels, but are often found in smaller rural towns, so the NZASA runs annual events for them to come together. One such event is the National Sports Tournament. The tournament pits North against South in netball, volleyball, rugby, football, basketball and Ki o Rahi. Students trial to represent their region. Oxford falls under the ‘top of the south’. This year, four students attended the trial in Murchison, and three were named in teams. Unfortunately, the trial dates clashed with two school trips, so Oxford numbers were lower than usual.

Still, to be named in a team is a great accomplishment and Deborah Baggott, Sports Coordinator, is happy to see Oxford represented. “It gives many of our students the opportunity to compete at a national tournament. Often they are playing in a sport where our numbers are not large enough for them to field a team at a regional tournament, so this provides that opportunity.”

Abi Rei was selected for mixed Ki o Rahi and Liam O’Carroll will represent Oxford in rugby. Abby Taylor scored a hat trick; chosen for football, basketball and mixed Ki o Rahi. Abby has been to the last three tournaments, and says this is her first time being named in three teams. She plans to make the most of the opportunity. “It’s a long way to go, and I want to have fun when I get there.

I might as well make the most of it!” She’s pumped, and is looking forward to seeing friends that she has made over the years through other area school events. Abby’s goal is to be named in the NZ football team for the fourth time. To do so, she first must be chosen to represent the South Island in a game against the best of the North Island teams.

The 2024 tournament will be held in Te Awamutu, Waikato, from the 8th to 11th of July. With the price of flights, gear and entry fee looming, the students need sponsors to cover costs.

Deborah explained that there is a fast turn around between selection and the event, so fundraising is a struggle.

Some local businesses have already stepped forward, Liam is proud to be supported by Thorne Travel and the Oxford Rugby Football Club. Abby is sponsored by F Mehrtens Construction Ltd, and is grateful for the help. However, Abi Rei is still looking for backing, so anyone interested is welcome to contact the school. This is a major event for small town players, and an opportunity they can’t afford to miss.

Cinema, Coffee & Cake

Thorne TRAVEL

Principals update

Te Kura o Te Poho Rakahua Oxford Area School

Cycle Sense

We, along with schools across the country, have adopted a set of rules regarding mobile phones in schools. Although we had pre-existing rules on the use of mobile phones, the newly implemented rules allowed us to reassess and consult with staff, students, and parents/caregivers on the matter.

As a school, we are pleased with the way our students have embraced the new rules. For our school, the biggest rule change was no phone use during breaks. This wasn’t a concern for us as rural kids typically enjoy connecting with their peers during break times. At the end of the school day, most students are on a bus out to their houses not socialising at a mall as our urban kids might. The school day is the time they connect face to face with their friends.

We are supportive of helping our young people to “take a break” from their mobile phones, at least during the six hours of school, as the social norm seems to be that their phones are so important that they must have access to one at all times.

As the term progresses we will check in with our students to see what positive impact this is having on them - stay tuned!

In Week 1 of the term, all our Year 6's worked with the North Canterbury Cycle Sense tutors on a school-based programme and practiced and developed balance and control skills, learnt some road rules and practiced turning.

In Week 2 we split into Homerooms and put our newly acquired skills into practice out and about in the township of Oxford. You might have spotted our students in their yellow vests around the town.

Cycle Sense is an important and fun annual activity as part of our Year 6 programme and we look forward to seeing them again in 2025.

North Canterbury Wearable Arts ENTRIES NOW OPEN

Our 2024 show is scheduled for Saturday 31 August in the Rangiora Baptist Church Auditorium.

Entries are now open. A great opportunity to showcase an individual's (student or adult) creativity in a fun and supportive platform. Check our our new website www.NCWA.nz which has all the details, information, categories and Entry form.

Categories:

Students

- Years 1-6 - Space - Blast into Space

- Years 7-8 - Space - Final Frontier OR Open category

- Years 9-13 - Wild, Weird and Wacky OR Open category

Adults - Open OR Natural Fibres

As a school each year we make efforts to show our support for the Mental Health Foundation which promotes working together to spread kindness and celebrate diversity. This year we raised $154 for the cause

Youth Voice continues to be heard!

During 2023, students in Years 7 and 8 wrote persuasive letters about a facility in Oxford that they would like to see improved. A range of letters were then posted to the Waimakariri Council.

During Term 1 of 2024, several students had the opportunity to talk further about their letters with Thomas Robson and Sarah Barkle from the Oxford-Ohoka Community Board.

Luke Toulson, Carlos Miller, Aarden Sloane, Axel Le Lievre and Rose Lal chose to extend this opportunity and presented a submission at the Council’s draft Long Term Plan Hearing that was held at the Oxford Town Hall on 8th May.

Luke's submission was about bike jumps, Carlos and Aarden spoke about extending the skatepark, Axel shared his thoughts about a motocross track and Rose spoke about extending the bus service.

These students can be very proud of the way they showed a huge amount of bravery and confidence to share their thoughts in front of a large panel of Board Members.

Ka pai hoki koe!

Mike Hart

Pink shirt day

Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora – Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

2024 World Vision Youth and Junior Youth Conferences.

In May, a selection of students attended the World Vision Youth Conferences to learn about how hope can be found in 're-greening' our future.

We heard from a number of speakers who helped motivate us to make change for a better tomorrow. The whakatauki “Ko au te whenua, ko te whenua ko au” which means 'I am the land and the land is me' was used throughout the day to show it is our responsibility to protect our planet for future generations.

Timor Leste, a tiny country in the Asia Pacific, is only responsible for producing 0.003 % of the world's global emissions, yet it is one of the world's most impacted nations. Floods and droughts have wiped out 70% of the country's rural families' crops leaving them without food or income.

Our challenge to you: Join the World Vision 40 Hour Challenge or sponsor someone, and together, we can regreen our future. You can be part of a global movement, working with nature to restore forests – fast. For kids in Timor-Leste, who’ve lost 90% of their original forests, this would be a total game changer. So...are You in?

By Lexie Graham and Scarlett Hart

Some of our Year 8 students attended the Junior Youth Conference and here is what they had to say about it:

Ethan - For me the highlight of the day was learning about how this country named Timor-Leste produces 0.003% of emissions and is getting the worst of Global Warming.

Alyssa - It was interesting learning the difference between New Zealand and Timor-Leste and I'm keen to learn more. I am excited to help run this year's 40 hours challenge.

Fletcher - It was interesting learning about a girl called Pasquela and Timor-Leste and how she was at school for the start of her life and then a flood came and ruined her family farm which meant she wasn't able to return to education.

Sienna - I'm excited to help run the 40 hour challenge and I thought it was interesting learning about the impact of climate change.

The Oxford Area School Observatory

The Oxford Area School Observatory has equipped itself with new gear for the 2024 season. The gear will be used to extend the offering during a show as well as to increase the number of shows altogether.

Integrating the new equipment into the already-popular shows has been a priority to ensure focus remains on outreach and education.

One of the recent acquisitions has been a new Seestar S50 smart telescope.

Guided by smart devices, it tracks the Sun and deep sky objects. Visitors may already expect to come across the 50-cm high astrophotography powerhouse in our open nights.

www.facebook.com/oxfordarea

If you haven’t had a chance to come down and take a look at the Observatory’s meteor camera yet, please make sure you get a chance. It sits just above our entrance way and points straight up at the southern sky. Take a look at all the meteors it tracked on the night of 12 May!

Seats are limited and bookings essentials. Please go to the Observatory’s website oxford.ngawhetu.nz, and click on the bookings tab to organise your visit. We also offer a wide range of on-line astronomy courses and materials for all levels and backgrounds.

(All pictures above are taken from the Oxford Observatory.)

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

Seestar S50 smart telescope on tripod

The Sun, source of all life as we know it, Sun spots pictured on left, photographed by the Observatory’s Seestar S50 March 2024.

The Sombrero Galaxy (constellation Virgo), 29 million light years away, 13 billion years old photographed by the Observatory’s Seestar S50. March 2024.

The meteor camera was installed last year in 2023

Meteor bursts light up short streaks, with star arcs in the background, photographed by the Observatory’s meteor camera. 12 May 2024

Kiwilaw pushes government to have probate threshold increased.

Kiwilaw, based in Oxford, launched a petition in 2023 to ask Parliament to raise the financial threshold for requiring High Court paperwork before funds can be released to loved ones. It was presented last August by Matt Doocey.

If a loved one has more than $15,000 in any one financial institution when they die – such as Kiwisaver - their executor or family must obtain High Court approval before the funds can be released. That costs money in legal fees plus a $200 court fee.

The $15,000 limit was set in 2009. Adjusted for inflation, that $15,000 limit would be closer to $25,000.

In response to Kiwilaw’s petition, the Petitions Select Committee has now recommended (7 May) that an adjustment be made ‘as soon as possible’ to match inflation since 2009. The Committee also recommended ‘that a mechanism be established that would regularly adjust the threshold for inflation in future years’. The government has until 1 August to provide its response to the Select Committee.

Cheryl Simes, director of Kiwilaw, is awaiting confirmation that the recommendation will be adopted. She is urging the government to implement the recommended initial adjustment before 1 August and has even provided a draft regulation to make it easier.

‘Kiwilaw provides a cost-effective, nationwide, online alternative to other law firms, by preparing documents for people to submit on their own behalf to the High Court. Whereas other law firms usually charge $1500-$2500 or even more, Kiwilaw usually charges $490 if there’s a valid will and no complications. However, even Kiwilaw’s fees can exceed $1000 for complicated applications when there is no will. Bereaved families should not have to bear this, for such small sums.’

‘When someone dies, their Kiwisaver should go to their loved ones, not to lawyers’, she says.

MADE YOUR OWN WILL.

Used a will kit? or Online will service?

Yes, it’s probably legally valid... Check your (signed) will now— before it’s too late.

You upload a copy, pay just $39 online, and we email to tell you whether it’s signed, witnessed, and worded the way the law requires. Cheryl

We are looking for stallholders for the 2024 North Canterbury Youth Futures Expo to showcase their business and industry.

This is different to other careers expos in that its not just an event; it's a community initiative.

Young people typically attend with their families. It’s the perfect opportunity for youth, educators, and industry leaders to converge under one roof. 4-8pm, 13 August 2024. Mainpower Stadium Rangiora

Featuring interactive stalls and seminars with demonstrations and opportunities to talk about the qualifications and skills needed.

Oxford

Community Trust

Social Services

Budgeting Advice

If you are struggling to get on track with your bills and/or debts, Budgeting Services North Canterbury are able to help. This is a con dential, free service and they are able to come out to Oxford to the Trust to meet with you. If you would like to access this service you can either contact them directly on 03 313 3505 or we can organise this for you.

Volunteer Week

16-22 of June marks volunteer week. We have a large amount of volunteers who give their time to help their community. They support in a number of ways including medical driving, youth events, holiday programme, reception duties, U-Drive mentors and much more. Thank you to all of our volunteers we could not provide the services for the community without your hard work.

Thank you!

We would like to thank the members of our community who have donated their Winter Energy Payment to the Trust, and also the Oxford Union Parish Friendship Group for their donation. These are so appreciated, and help many people in Oxford.

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.

Corey Kewish Property Manager

Braziers promises to keep you fully informed at every stage of the real estate and property management process. Our Promise

• To listen.

• To interact at every stage and keep you informed of the sale and / or property management process.

• To provide you with a lot of information, via emails, websites, and documents.

• To answer any queries and give additional information that applies to the nature of the query quickly and efficiently.

• To answer any & all questions. Where an answer isn’t immediately available, we will research and provide expert answers as soon as practically possible.

Phone: 03 377 7477 email: corey@braziers.co.nz

or scan the

• Fruit tree pruning (Autumn/Winter)

• Hedge and shrub trimming

• Stump grinding

• Felling

• Chipping

• Mixed age arborist mulch, sales and delivery

Txt/Call Alec 0275 255 044 alec@maartentrees.co.nz

Braziers Ltd is Proudly Cantabrian Owned & Operated

Winter greetings.

Kyle Scott

It is a grey, cold early winter day outside as I write this article. The month of May has been a particularly cold month, and we hope you are all keeping warm and dry.

Talking to Club members reveals that some of our newer members find that the Oxford Club offers a variety of social advantages for both single individuals and couples.

Young or old, moving to a new community can be challenging especially establishing a new social network ie: meeting new people, making new friendships, especially finding people with shared interests.

Regular social interactions and a sense of belonging can significantly enhance your mental wellbeing, reducing the chance of feeling isolated and lonely. Your Club, the Oxford Club offers you an opportunity to meet new people and foster new friendships.

• We offer regular social events.

• In a supportive environment.

• You get access to all the Club facilities.

• Affordable socialising.

• We offer a family friendly environment.

• Cater for child friendly events.

• An opportunity to gain insight into the tradition of our local community, which may be beneficial to new arrivals and expatriates.

• Access to the Clubs varied Sections offering an opportunity to engage with people sharing common interests.

Joining the Oxford Club may greatly enrich your social life by providing you with a supportive, entertaining, and engaging community environment.

As a special Winter Offer we are offering new members that join in June 2024, 3 months free membership until 31st August 2025.

The Club recently conducted a very successful membership cash prize draw over 13 weeks. The cash drew great crowds, especially when the prize draw increased which was pleasing especially in our depressed financial environment. We will in the near future, be commencing another Saturday night membership draw, watch for details in our email blast or Observer advertisement.

Remember members and guests, it may be cold and miserable outside this Winter, but you are always assured of a warm welcome, when you visit the Oxford Club “Your Social Hub”.

Looking forward to seeing you all very soon.

Warmest Regards

Kyle Scott Club President

Club happenings

As you know, there is always something happening at the Oxford Club. But are you aware we have a Kid's Club for under 12 year olds? At only $5.00 to join, the children get their own club card and get points which they can spend in the Takeaway.  Events are held  regularly with lots of fun for all.  For more information contact Kylie at the Club.  A very successful 'youth games' was held on Friday 17th May starting at 3.30 where the participants were given a chance to try Darts, Pool, Indoor Bowls and cards topped off with tea of Pizza and chips.

All sections at the Club (Racing may be an exception), welcome junior members from age 16. The subscription to join the Club as a Junior member is $10.00 pa. This can give young people a safe environment for social interaction, a sense of belonging and the opportunity to interact with different age groups.   Pop in some time and check out all the Club has to offer.

Pink Ribbon Day High Tea held on 23rd May 2023 at the Club.

• Dozers

• Graders

• Rollers

• Mole Ploughing

CAP 20 Pit Run

Large Soakpit Boulders

Crusher Dust

Arena and Fill Sand

M4 - 40

Screened Soil

Arena and Fill Sand Screened Soil Dean Hurley 027 333 71

The Port Hillbillies return to Oxford

Emerging from the shadows of the Port Hills, Christchurch, New Zealand. One American, Justin Rogers on mandolin, guitar and vocals, one Aussie Gary Elford on guitar, acoustic bass and vocals. They meet up with a six-toed Kiwi singer, banjo and guitar player Steve Stern to share their love of Bluegrass, Old Time and Americana music. Playing together now for over five years they have formed into a well-balanced instrumental and vocal trio, driven by Steve’s banjo playing and Justin’s sympathetic and innovative mandolin ornamentation. Gary’s contribution on guitar and bass pulls the whole thing together into the tight unit that is the Port Hillbillies. They play a range of songs and tunes from toe tapping recognisable standards to obscure songs from neighbouring genres that are given the Port Hillbillies once over.

The Port Hillbillies formed out of the Christchurch Folk Music Club’s open mic concerts in 2016, where the duo of Steve Stern (banjo) and Kris Brown (guitar and vocals) was joined by Gary always-looking-for-aretirement-gig Elford and recent arrival Justin Rogers. The group started life as a four piece with guitar, bass, banjo and mandolin, getting together each Tuesday night to trade tunes. As with some good things, they often morph. The dark shadow of change was cast upon the group when the lead singer/guitarist (Kris Brown) accepted a job opportunity in upstate New York. The 3 remaining Hillbillies decided to continue as a trio based around guitar, banjo and mandolin.

The band’s set lists are based on the principle of shared vocals and variety in both instrumentation and style. While each player often plays to their strengths, a song is occasionally mixed up by rotating instruments, or swapping in a bass or harmonica for variety and a more textured performance.

The Port Hillbillies have been popular additions to various festivals over the last few years building up a wide band of followers from the deep south, where they have performed at the Catlins Bluegrass, Blues and Roots Festival and the Riverton Harvest Festival. Closer to home in Canterbury they have been in concert at the Christchurch Folk Music Club, Balcairn Hall, Oxford Town Hall, Lyttelton Farmers Market as well as the very popular Canterbury Folk Music Festival held every Easter at Waipara.

FUNDRAISING CONCERT IN SUPPORT OF OXFORD CANCER SUPPORT GROUP (CANCER SOC. OF NZ) AND OXFORD FOODBANK (OXFORD COMMUNITY TRUST)

Saturday June 22

2024 at 7.30 pm

Doors open at 7.00

Tickets $20.00 each, Cash or Internet Banking Reserve tickets from any of the contacts below:

Port Hillbillies direct See link to website below

Ans Fonteyn (Oxford) 021 02392396 03 3124741

Dick Sandom (Oxford) 027 71246767

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Mayoral Update with Dan Gordon

There has been a bit in other media lately discussing nitrate levels predominantly in private wells in the Waimakariri and other neighbouring districts.I would just like to clarify a few things.

The testing was carried out by Greenpeace. They allege that several public water supplies have concerning levels of nitrates present in the samples. In Waimakariri this includes the Oxford Rural No 1 supply.This is simply not true.

Council drinking water supplies are tested monthly for nitrates in accordance with the Drinking Water Quality Assurance Rules which sets out source water monitoring requirements.

The results across all Council water supplies are all less than 50 percent of the Maximum Allowable Value (MAV) under the Drinking Water Standards (which aligns with World Health Organisation guidelines), this means they are all less than 5.65 mg/L. Taumata Arowai, the water services regulator, are responsible for making sure drinking water suppliers provide safe drinking water. Taumata Arowai have set the MAV for Nitrate-N in drinking water at 11.3mg/L, which is in line with the guidelines from the World Health Organisation and other international standards including the European Union and Australia.

This means nitrate levels in the Oxford Rural No 1 supply and all other Waimakariri Council water supplies are well within safe drinking water standard.

For private well owners in the district who have been alarmed by the levels alleged by Greenpeace, I would suggest having their water tested by a registered laboratory, so they have all the necessary and factual information.

If residents are currently not on council water supplies but would like to discuss their options, then they can contact our customer services team and be put in touch with staff to talk about their water supply options.

I was delighted to have the opportunity to attend the Oxford Gallery to celebrate emerging artists - Oxford Area School students who have achieved excellence in their 2023 NCEA art and photography studies.

This annual portfolio exhibition was fantastic.

I was so impressed by the high standard of work and the effort, planning and detail that had gone into it. They were all excellent. I would urge everyone to go along and see it. Council recently conducted hearings to listen to people’s submissions on the Long Term Plan (LTP).

I would like to thank everyone who took the time to come along and speak, we really do value your feedback.

The next stage is deliberations on the LTP. The deliberations are an opportunity for us to consider all the feedback received from the community about what is proposed in the LTP and to help inform our decision making.

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.

I’m here to help.

Dan.

Emergency Services update

Oxford St John with

Mel Brooker

Another month has raced by and winter has certainly greeted us.

This is an ideal time for you to check your driveways and trim back any foliage that may restrict the ambulance getting up your driveway.

We often have people commenting they didn’t want to call an ambulance and make us come out. We are happy to come out and help people in our community.

This is why we volunteer on our local ambulance. If you have an alarm and you need an ambulance, please use your alarm to call for help.

We also often hear that people have had some chest pain/discomfort and maybe altered sensation down their arm/s or jaw and haven’t sought help for some time. Please call an ambulance early as there is a chance that early intervention can reduce significant damage and save lives.

Apologies for missing the cut off for last month’s report. It has been a very busy time for me with my paid job.

We have covered over 100 call outs this year, down from the same time last year, this is due to several reasons.

But our crews are always willing to help if we can.

We are still interested in new volunteers so if you think it is something you would like to look into give us a call. Please call the station on 03 312 3516, leave your name and number, and our recruiting officer will be in touch.

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

Oxford Police

with Mitch Alatalo

Well, I must say it has been a good month. Burglaries are down, but we are still receiving reports of suspicious vehicles and people in places where they should not be. So be vigilant and keep the reports coming. In saying that, I am still getting a lot of reports coming through via word of mouth and the likes. The Rural Outlook App is a great way to report those low-level incidents. It’s quick and easy to download the App and make yourself familiar with it. If you are having problems, come and see us and we will be happy to help.

With the mornings getting darker and the afternoons for that matter, please be vigilant out there in your motor vehicles. Vehicles are becoming harder to see in lower lighting conditions, so please don’t wait for your car to turn your lights on, do it yourself. Your vehicles lights are not only for you to see, but for you to be seen by other motorists. On another topic, moving day for dairy farmers is upon us, so if you are a firearms licence holder with firearms, be vigilant and remember your obligations if you are changing your address. Remember to safely secure your firearms, and if you can’t secure them immediately at your new address get a friend with a firearms licence to secure them while you move your old safe or get a new one.

Enjoy and stay safe, feel safe.

Oxford Fire Rescue

with Chief Fire Officer Trevor Ealam

The Brigade received six calls in April. One call to assist the Cust Brigade at a private alarm activation. In our area there were three vegetation fires, two of which were not permitted and were extinguished and the other was a hedge fire in the early hours of the morning for which the cause was not determined. One to investigate smoke in an area and nothing was found, and one to assist Saint John. This brings our total calls for the year to thirty six.

This months message is; KEEP YOUR CHILDREN SAFE. Keep matches and lighters out of reach. If there is anyone having trouble checking their smoke alarms or have no smoke alarms installed please call me on 0272977564. If there is no answer please leave a message so we can get it sorted.

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