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Wednesday March 29, 2017
inbrief news Rates increase lower than suspected Wellington Mayor Justin Lester announced on Monday that average rates would increase by 3.3 per cent this year. The council’s long-term plan had initially forecast a 5.1 per cent increase. The Mayor said the council has achieved the lower rates increase by re-phasing capital expenditure, better utilisation of council office space, building consent processing in-sourcing from Auckland, increases in energy efficiency, and improved procurement processes. With a rate increase of 3.3 per cent, Mr Lester is 0.3 per cent above his campaign promise from last year.
Sapphire Anniversary – couple married for 65 years By Julia Czerwonatis
“She was just another girl in the office,” began Graeme Petersen telling the story of him and his wife, Margaret. The Johnsonville couple celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on March 22. Graeme was working as a community clerk at the Wellington City Council when 16-year-old Margaret got a job as a typewriter
there. Graeme was not keen on meeting girls since he was an enthusiastic sportsman. One day, however, Graeme received an invite to a friend’s party. He had to bring along a partner, and so he asked Margaret out. “That’s when it all started,” remembered Graeme. The couple got married at St Andrew’s Church on The Terrace with about 100 people on the
Porirua Harbour needs trustees Porirua Harbour Trust raised awareness about the poor health statement of Porirua Harbour. Storm water from Johnsonville, Newlands, Paparangi, Woodbridge, Grenada, Churton Park, and Tawa flows into Porirua Stream causing pollution. The trust said the harbour environment needed to be protected to secure wildlife habitats and recreational activities.
Margaret and Graeme Petersen celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary with their family. PHOTO: Julia Czerwonatis
guest list. The wedding had to be held early because Graeme’s cricket team had a match later that day. “It all doesn’t seem that long ago,“ said Margaret. For £30 the newlyweds flew to the Marlborough Sounds for their 10-day-honeymoon. “Those were the days,” said Graeme. With little money in their pockets, the Petersens moved in their first house in Stokes Valley and started to build their life there. “We were pioneers there,” said Graeme. They had gravel roads, no drainage, the post came on horseback, and the community wasn’t as thriving as it is today. Graeme and Margaret founded Stokes Valley Tennis Club, joined the golf and the athletics club. The couple moved to Island Bay where they lived with their three children for 17 years. Johnsonville finally became their home in 1974. “We will be carried out here with our feet first,” said Graeme with a grin. After working for the council
for 40 years, Graeme retired and joined the Greater Wellington Regional Council. Margaret, who had worked as the senior typewriter for two Wellington mayors, eventually took on a job at the Johnsonville School being the secretary for 17 years. Both were active members of the Johnsonville Bowling Club for a long time. “We had a good life up here,” said Margaret. The couple now has six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. “We had fun and sad times, anxieties and a lot of happiness. “It has been a big experience. We have a few moans and groans now; the mechanics don’t work that well anymore.” Margaret and Graeme are still busy. Margaret loves gardening and Graeme is a pancakespecialist making pancake breakfasts for the whole family every Christmas. “We just can’t be bothered to argue,” explained Graeme the secret of being married successfully for 65 years. “We give and take a lot. Well, I give and she takes.”
Students staging a tale as old as time By Julia Czerwonatis
A singing teapot, a grumpy candelabra, and a feisty French lady – the story of Belle and how she falls in love with a beast is, even after 25 years since Disney first brought it to our cinemas, still popular. The extraordinary story has inspired the Thorndon’s Queen Margaret College staff and students to bring the tale to their stage. Student Drew Welsby will star as beautiful Belle who only loves
one thing more than reading fairytales: her dad. So when the old inventor is captured in a castle deep in woods, Belle sets off to rescue him. Belle finds the castle to be full of enchanted creatures and eventually meets the mysterious host. “This story was a very big part of my childhood so remaking it on stage makes me very happy and excited,” Drew said. “Beauty and the Beast is not just about love. “It’s about not judging a book
by its cover and finding happiness within your own quirks and differences,” stated the Year 13 student. Ottilie Bleackley, also a year 13 student, will play the talking teapot Mrs Potts. She said the most challenging aspect of the production has been choreographing the 60 plus cast on stage for each of the musical numbers. “Both the cast and crew have been putting a lot of time and effort into this production to give our audience the best perfor-
mance – it is hugely rewarding to see it all coming together.” The cast also includes students from Scots College, Wellington College, and St Patrick’s College. Patrick Davies, award-winning director and international improviser, directed the production. Tim Jenkin assisted as musical director and Leila Morad was choreographing the crew. Year 11 student Eleanor Burns from Queen Margaret College will play Cogsworth, the loveable enchanted clock. She
A CARING HOME
Arthritis group clinics
to hold you back!
Come to one of our Group Clinics and learn about pain management, medications, exercise, joint protection and share in discussions with others about self-management
Come to one of our group information sessions and learn more about arthritis and self-care, which includes Thursday 11 June pain management, exercise and much more! Wainuiomata Library (meeting room 2) Queen Street, Wainuiomata
Monday 3 April
10.00 am-11.00 am Gout 11.30 am-12.30 pm Osteoarthritis
10:30-12:00am
1.30 pm-2.30 pm Inflammatory autoimmune arthritis (e.g. rheumatoid, lupus, ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic)
1.30pm-2.30pm
Registrations are essential. Phone 0800 663 463 or 04 4725669 or email robyn.tuohy@arthritis.org.nz to register or for further information. No cost to attend, but Arthritis New Zealand welcomes donations. www.arthritis.org.nz
Ph: (04) 478 4023 E: cm.johnsonvale@xtra.co.nz 16-18 Earp Street, JOHNSONVILLE We have Hospital, Rest Home and Respite beds available in a warm, loving family environment.
Your Home Away From Home
Beauty and the Beast will stage at 7pm from April 5 to 8 at Queen Margaret College. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for students.
TRELLIS
FOR ELDERLY PEOPLE Arthritis doesn’t have
“Our aim is to provide a caring Home for elderly people and to be a responsible employer to our staff.”
said Patrick, Tim and Leila’s enthusiasm and creativity would make this an unmissable show. “The show has been brought to life through the costumes, technology, and the energy the cast bring,” Eleanor stated. “There are still some set surprises coming that we don’t even know about.”
Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, and fibromyalgia All about Gout
Doris Mills Lounge, Linden Social Centre, 10 Linden Avenue, Linden
There is no charge for entry however donations are appreciated
Registrations are essential: Please call 0800 663 463 or 04 472 5669 or email robyn.tuohy@arthritis.org.nz www.arthritis.org.nz
• Trellis made to size • BBQ tables (assembled) • Planter boxes • Decorative fence panels • Compost bins • Gates • Bird boxes
36 Main Road, Tawa
itmtawa@xtra.co.nz • Ph: 04 232-5999
PETER DUNNE MP for Ohariu
Available to constituents:
Johnsonville Saturday 1 April Monday 3 April For appointments phone 478 0076 (J'ville office) 3 Frankmoore Ave, Johnsonville 232 5381 (Tawa office) 220B Main Road, Tawa Ohariu.MP@parliament.govt.nz