The News
Thursday March 19 2015
Page 19
Future of the Heartland Forum
The aims of the forum are: 1. To work positively with central and local government to realise the government policy to double agricultural export earnings by 2025 while complying with the imposition of a raft of new environmental regulations. 2. To portray a better image of farming to the urban community by demonstrating that a profitable rural sector is also in their interests. 3. To emphasize that the farming community are responsible stewards of the land with enduring sustainability a core belief.
Cream of the crop . . . Rangiora High School arts captain Kalyn Thomas (left, 16) and Jack Lai (17) display some of last year’s year 12 and 13 NCEA art portfolios, which are being gathered in for this year’s annual showcase. Kalyn will be displaying her portfolio from her year 12 photography and design work, while Jack will be performing the guitar on the PHOTO: DAVID HILL night.
Students art on show Rangiora High School will be showing off its talented arts students on Tuesday, March 31, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at the school’s annua ‘‘Cream of the Crop’’ Arts showcase. An exhibition of senior students’ artwork, live music, drama, dance and kapa haka will be on display, while hospitality students will provide nibbles at the school’s annual arts showcase. Arts faculty head Christine Rowe says the showcase is an opportunity to show off last year’s student art portfolios which gained excellence in NCEA results. ‘‘This is our big celebration of our successes from last year. We have collected work from our year 1113 art
students from last year. ‘‘They go off to Wellington to be moderated and we never see them again, so this is an opportunity to see their work. ‘‘We are proud to get our year 13 students from last year back to the school to celebrate with them.’’ She says the event is always well supported by the community and Waimakariri Mayor David Ayers has confirmed he will be attending. Arts coordinator Ruth Zahner says the arts showcase was first trialled three years ago and proved successful. Dance students will also perform, while the school’s kapa haka group will open the evening.
Waratahs at Rga Town Hall The iconic Kiwi country legends, The Waratahs, along with The Eastern and Katie Thompson will help launch Rangiora’s reopened Town Hall as a concert venue next Wednesday evening. ‘‘The Drivin’ Wheel Tour’’ on March 25 promises to be a massive night of heartland and heartwarming roots music. The Waratahs have been busy recording songs for a new album and will be
showcasing them on this tour, plus all the material that’s fit to sing from their previous albums, many of which are now part of the great New Zealand canon of song. From Rangiora the tour moves to Speights Ale House in Christchurch on March 26 and the Regent Theatre in Hokitika on March 27. Bookings can be be made a www.cosmicticketing.co.nz.
Animals at Harvest day Some special guests are expected to turnout at Victoria Park, Rangiora, for the second annual Harvest Day on Saturday from 10am to 2pm. Organiser Belinda Topp says Wee Dram Farm Park will be bringing an array of animals to set up a ‘mini farmyard’, including ‘‘a brand new baby alpaca which on Saturday will be just 1 week old’’. ‘‘Alongside these animals we will be holding some fun, ‘old school’ activities and games, like gumboot throwing, apple bobbing and sack races, just to name a few.’’ To liven things up father / daughter music duo ‘‘Fade’’ will perform in the band Rotunda, along with some talented singers from the Rangiora Country Music Club. There will also be a great range of stalls, including children’s stalls and some hot food options. People are encouraged to ‘‘dress country’’ for the day and linedancers, cowboys and cowgirls are especially welcome. While you are in town, take some time to browse the shop window displays decorated in the harvest / country theme and cast your votes on the Rangiora Promotions Facebook
Date:
Friday, 17th April 2015.
Venue:
Te Mania Angus Stud Selling Ring, Conway Flat, North Canterbury. Allow 2 hours from Christchurch. The venue will be sign-posted from SH 1.
Time:
9.30am – 5.00p.m. Speakers start at 10:30am. Early arrival is strongly recommended
Registration:
Entry is limited to those who have pre-registered and paid. $25.00p.p. (Email: travel@fedfarm.org.nz or ring 0800 FARMING). Places are limited so early registration is strongly advised. Registrations close Tuesday 7th April unless sold out prior.
Refreshments: Morning tea will be available on arrival Ticket price includes a lunch box Complimentary barbecue & refreshments from 5.00p.m. – 7.30p.m. Questions:
Question times have been scheduled. Priority will be given to written questions submitted prior to the conference.
Questions should be submitted by email to Jenny Pullen at european@xtra.co.nz, naming the speaker, the question to be posed, and your name and contact telephone number. Transport:
Transport may be able to be organised by your local Federated Farmers branch.
Accommodation: Accommodation in Cheviot and Kaikoura. Please note this forum is during school holidays, so book early. Registration: travel@fedfarm.org.nz or 0800 FARMING Enquiries: Jenny Pullen 03 319 8642 or european@xtra.co.nz PROGRAMME M.C. Don Carson, Federated Farmers 1. Welcome - Charles Wiffen, Chairman of Organising Committee How this forum arose – Chilean Needle Grass and the need for Government assistance with biosecurity incursions. 2. Peter Townsend, Canterbury Employers Chamber of Commerce The importance of Canterbury agriculture to the economy of Christchurch and New Zealand. 3. Craige & Roz Mackenzie, Sam and Mark Zino Coping with external demands of markets in the 21st Century - farmers can do it! Questions 4. Hon Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries The role of the Minister and Government in supporting agriculture in the 21st century. Questions 5. Nicole Masters, NZ Biological Farming Association Farming practices that will deliver value added opportunities for New Zealand agriculture 6. Dr William Rolleston, National President of Federated Farmers. Investing in agriculture – the value of R & D and the value of water storage Questions Lunch 1:10– 2:00p.m – mingle with PM John Key 7. Lindsay Lloyd, Chairman Hurunui Water Project Ltd Establishing irrigation schemes; opportunities and challenges. 8. Hurunui District Council Mayor, Winton Dalley A local government perspective on the issues facing farmers and the rural community. 9. Environment Canterbury , Dame Margaret Bazley Roles & responsibilities of regional councils and changes to the regulatory system that would enable councils to work more constructively with farmers. Questions 10. The Rt. Hon. John Key, Prime Minister
Feeding time . . . Animals from Wee Dram Farm Park will be paying a visit to Victoria PHOTO: SUPPLIED Park, Rangiora, on Saturday. page. Prizes include a $250 advertising voucher from The News and a $100 meal voucher from Monteiths. For more information call Belinda on 0211910103 or email rangiorapromotions@gmail.com.
Questions
11. Doug Avery, Farmer Turning adversity into profit. Closing- Kaikoura MP, Stuart Smith Complimentary Refreshments & BBQ follow Major Sponsors: Federated Farmers, Silver Fern Farms, Fonterra, PGG Wrightson, Avon City Ford, Soil Matters, FMG, Charles Wiffen Wines Disclaimer: Programme may be subject to change