The Weekend Sun
13
MSC $1 million fund closing today Applications for the Mediterranean Shipping Company’s $1 million Rena fund close today, July 19.
Photos taken this week while flying over the Astrolabe Reef show little visible evidence remains, above sea level. Insets: The wreck site in October 2011. Photos by Ross Brown.
Happy Hairy birthday Bay of Plenty children’s literature association Bookrapt celebrates its 30th birthday this month and, to honour the occasion, Dame Lynley Dodd is the guest speaker at this year’s annual seminar. Lynley was one of Bookrapt’s founding members in 1983 and spoke at the first meeting. Since then, the annual seminars have become increasingly popular, selling out each year. Past speakers include nationally and internationally acclaimed authors Sherryl Jordan, Susan Brocker, Brian Falkner, Gavin Bishop, and Ken Catran. This year Lynley is joined by Maria Gill and Chris Gurney. Bookrapt’s Big Birthday Bash is on Saturday, August 3 from 8.45am-2.15pm, at Tauranga Intermediate School Library. Tickets cost $30 (members) and $45 (non-members) and are available from www.bookrapt.org.nz/seminar
INFORMATION DAY 5D Owens Place Mt. Maunganui 10am-7pm Thursday July 25 (above BEDS R US)
www.cadtraining.co.nz
By Wednesday this week, Tauranga City Council had received 22 applications but staff expect more before today’s 5pm deadline. The fund, set up by the Rena charterers, aims to help Bay of Plenty residents cover costs incurred in dealing with the shipwreck on the Astrolabe Reef on October 5, 2011. The fund will also assist with cleaning up Bay waters and coastlines to reduce the negative effects of the grounding, including the spilling of oil and debris from the vessel. It’s also available for local iwi who suffered as a result of the pollution of the coastline and, at their own expense, fed and housed many of the clean-up and wildlife care volunteers, as well as local tourism-related businesses and affected volunteers. The fund is shared equally between Western Bay of Plenty District Council and Tauranga City Council and is managed by a distribution committee chaired by Sir Peter Trapski, who would not comment on applications made prior to the deadline. Committee members include TCC Mayor Stuart Crosby, Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Patterson, Bay of Plenty Regional Council chairman John Cronin and iwi representative Te Awanui Black. MSC managing director for Australia and New Zealand
Kevin Clarke says the fund is a gift and, while MSC is in no way responsible for the ship or its crew, the company wants to make a donation to the people of Tauranga. Aggrieved business owners seeking a slice of the Rena owners and insurers’ $11 million liability have until October 30 to lodge claims with the High Court at Tauranga. By Andrew Campbell