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Auction for a good cause page 2

Over the moon

Caring for the environment

The pet parade ring on Saturday attracted a good turnout of children leading a variety of pets which included dogs, alpacas, goats and cows. Jack McCorkindale (pictured) came third in the Best Cow category with seven-month-old Rosebud.

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PHOTO: ruth bolger

Run-off fears allayed Tim Brewster

Local women exhibit page 5

Concerns over effluent run-off from dwellings and nutrients from the golf course into Lake Wanaka from the proposed Parkins Bay development should not be an issue according to a long time member of the Guardians of Lake Wanaka, Peter Hook.

After last week’s approval by the Environment Court for the proposed 18 hole golf course, lakeside clubhouse and restaurant, 42 houses and luxury lodge, the Wanaka Sun received inquiries

retired to Wanaka.

“He said it was the best high-tech system available, with very safe and appropriate storage of any chemicals.”

Peter said.

The only other concern following the review was the number of times the water in the bay would be monitored which the developer then agreed to increase to the satisfaction of the group.

John Darby of Darby Partners said studies from environmental organisations such as the Nelson based Cawthron Institute have shown nutrient run-off from golf course turf

about the potential environmental damage to the lake due to run-off.

Seven years ago when Peter was the chairman of the watchdog group it lodged an objection to the development for the purpose of getting full information on the management of effluent, especially from the dwellings, Peter said.

After receiving extensive data from the developer involved in the project, Darby Partners Limited, the group then had it peer reviewed by an independent civil engineer who had PHOTO: ruth bolger

Examining land use page 7

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is “significantly less” than farmland and the development’s sewage and wastewater management would not be an issue. “We employ best practice. This is our fourth major golf resort in the Southern Lakes.” The company has developed Jacks Point, The Hills and Millbrook resorts which all involved substantial environmental considerations, he said.

He said it was too early to say when work might start on the Parkins Bay project, but planning is underway.

sunnews

inbrief

Call for help from Wanaka Caroline Harker

Saved by a kebab Local photographer Antony Hansen had a lucky escape in France last week when he avoided a rock slide which closed the road from Bourg St Maurice to Tignes and Val d’Isere. Antony delayed his departure from Val d’Isere to buy a kebab and missed the slide which occurred at about 7pm last Wednesday at the entrance to the Brevieres tunnel.

Antony, a regular photographer for the Wanaka Sun, will be filming at the X-Games in Tignes this week before he returns to Wanaka.

Re-boot your wardrobe A sewing course at the Autumn Art School needs a few more enrollments to go ahead, so anyone interested in taking it should enroll as soon as they can. The course by Jess Gunn called Re-boot Your Wardrobe will include altering clothes to make them fit you better, learning how to adjust shop-bought patterns, and how to put different fabrics together in a garment. Jess has studied clothing and textile design and fine arts, and has worked in costume design at the Court Theatre.

Digging for a gold medal Local engineer Blair Duncan will represent Otago in the National Excavator Operator Competition finals starting tomorrow (Friday) in Fielding.

The contest is organised by the New Zealand Contractors’ Federation and is designed to test the operator’s skills and industry knowledge to the limit.

This will be 28-year-old Blair’s third time to compete at the national event and he faces competition from nine other finalists.

The contestants will carry out two days of construction, planning and loading challenges as well as undertaking a surprise challenge which has previously included pouring a cup of tea and popping a champagne cork using the buckets of 12tonne Hitachi machines.

“Excavator operating is a highly skilled profession and every year we look for new ways to test our finalists to the utmost to not only assess their operating skills but to see how they deal with a very wide range of often difficult and unexpected situations,” federation executive officer Malcolm Abernethy said.

Wanaka builder Paul Bowley (pictured) is looking for volunteers go to Christchurch with him to repair quakedamaged houses for people who aren’t getting help from anywhere else.

The Habitat for Humanity project aims to help elderly people and young families who are living in their damaged houses.

“They are literally stuck with a house they have no money to repair and cannot sell, and they have nowhere to go,” Paul said. “Many of them didn’t have insurance when the earthquake

struck. Habitat for Humanity go in with teams of volunteers and repair the quake damage so they can get on with their lives.”

The project started late last year and has already fixed 20 houses. Four more are being worked on at present and another 26 homes are on the Habitat for Humanity list. They were referred to the group by Red Cross assessors.

Wanaka local Michael Sidey has just returned from volunteering. “I wanted to help in a hands-on practical way instead of only throwing money into a fundraising pot,” he said. “I’m going to go again

when I can.”

Paul said he is looking for people who are prepared to go

to Christchurch for two weeks.

“Most people can’t get away for longer than that,” he said. “Many take part of their holidays to help us out.” Volunteers come from all around New Zealand and some are from overseas.

They don’t need specific skills and accommodation and meals are provided. “This is very rewarding work, we give these people a hand up, not a hand out,” he said.

There will be an “info hour” about the project on Saturday at 7pm at the St Johns rooms.

Christchurch project manager Paul Galbraith will speak at the meeting along with Michael Sidey.

New goal for UCRFC Caroline Harker The rugby club wants to give its 30-year-old clubrooms a facelift, once a new lease of the showgrounds site is in place. Speaking on behalf of the club Mike O’Connor asked the Wanaka Community Board for a longterm lease so they can add another storey to the building or, alternatively, expand on one level.

“The clubrooms were built by our older

members 30 years ago,” Mike said. “The Upper Clutha Rugby Football Club is one of the largest rugby clubs in the South Island and one of the fastest growing. The facilities have fallen behind.”

Mike said the Upper Clutha A&P Society is behind the proposal to upgrade the building, as is the Lions Club. He told the Board there is a rapidly growing demand in Wanaka for facilities like the clubrooms to hire.

Council staff member Jo Conroy said

the term of a new lease usually reflects the capital investment to be made, and as the club wants to expand the clubrooms, a longer lease would be helpful, particularly as it would appeal to any community funders approached.

The community board agreed to a 30 year lease with the proviso that submissions are called for before the lease is finalised.

The rugby club’s current lease runs out on June 30, 2012.

Auction for a good cause

Relay for life This Saturday a group from Oanaka Educare will head to Cromwell to take part in the New Zealand Cancer Society fundraiser ‘Relay for Life’. They will be running or walking for 24 continuous hours around the Cromwell track to raise money for people affected by cancer.

PHOTO: tim brewster

Tim Brewster A stay in a luxury lodge, limited edition prints of top golfers and a rugby ball signed by the 2009 All Blacks (pictured here with auction convenor Laurel Gilks) are all on the auction block this weekend to raise funds for the Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust.

The fundraiser is part of this week’s annual Hirequip golf tournament held at the Wanaka club.

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Since being set up in 2009 to help local families cover expenses for their children’s medical care, the trust has helped more than 40 families in need, with accommodation and travel expenses to Starship Children’s Hospital, speech therapy and doctors bills as well as specialist equipment such as mobility trikes and wheelchairs, trust spokesperson Yvonne Gale said.

“It’s tough for some families.

Having a sick child is stressful

enough.” She said parents are very grateful for the assistance as the cost of going to Auckland and having to stay there as well as missing work and bringing other children along can be quite substantial. The assistance is confidential and the trust only responds to requests made on the recommendation of health professionals, she said.

“We have met many families that have had to move away from their homes and we feel

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

fortunate that we are able to treat our child’s illness here in Wanaka,” one family who wishes to remain anonymous said after their assistance.

The fundraiser starts on Friday with a silent auction on items on display at the Wanaka Golf Club, with the main auction on Sunday at the end of the three day golf tournament. The auction is open to all members of the public, not just golfers, Yvonne said, with the trust hoping for a good turnout.

sunnews

It is cricket Board debated

Caroline Harker

The Luggate Albion Cricket Club has been granted a 20 year lease (with a 10 year right of renewal) of the Luggate Domain, subject to submissions.

The club took over the domain in 1993, maintaining the land and managing the camping ground in exchange for the lease, which expires later this year.

Speaking on behalf of the cricket club, Mike O’Connor told the Wanaka Community Board the reserve was in poor condition when the club took over. Since then it has built clubrooms, sown new grass, put in a $10,000 irrigation system and cleared broom, bracken and gorse from the surrounding area. The club manages the camping

Caroline Harker

ground charging $5 per night per person. It also rents out the clubrooms and grounds.

“The cricket club maintains the entire grounds which amounts to 700 hours of voluntary work every year,” Mike said. “If this was contracted out it would be a burden on ratepayers. We are at the mercy of the council on this, but the longer the lease we can get the better.”

Mike said there had been no conflict between campers and the fortnightly cricket matches.

“We’ve had no broken [vehicle] windows. Touch wood,” he said.

If no opposing submissions are received the WCB will recommend council approved the lease.

If submissions are received the board will nominate a panel to hear them and make a recommendation to council.

Denser housing for Wanaka Land in North Three Parks will contain up to 25 town houses per hectare (including roads and reserves) if Plan Change 4 goes ahead. This will be publically notified next week, QLDC senior policy analyst Sue Mavor said. While housing of this density (officially classified as ‘medium’) has already been approved for the adjacent Three Parks subdivision, the North Three Parks land is currently designated Rural General.

Plan Change 4 seeks to re-zone the 46.8 hectare block for residential activities, visitor accommodation and business. The land is between the golf course and Three Parks.

“It is the logical location for any urban expansion as it will link Three Parks to the existing urban area,” Sue Mavor told the community board last week. “The plan change will form a sensible progression for development and will reduce the likelihood of pockets of urban development being located amongst rural land remote from the Wanaka urban area.”

- Caroline Harker

Tension is mounting within the Wanaka Community Board as some members believe the board is redundant while others see it as vital.

Community board member Bryan Lloyd said there may be an element of self-interest in some councillors apparent lack of support for the community board.

“Regretfully expressions of opinion from the local councillors that the Board’s continued existence is unnecessary are not conducive to the team approach which is necessary for the smooth running of the Board’s affairs,” he said.

“It might be of interest to note all three Wanaka councillors [Lyal Cocks, Jude Battson and Leigh Overton] served their time on the Board before climbing the ladder to the next rung. Did they think the Board was past its use by date then?”

WCB chairman and QLDC Deputy Mayor Lyal Cocks supports

retaining the Board.

“While councillors take an oath to act in the best interests of the whole district, Wanaka Community Board members take one to act in the best interests of the ward, and therefore can and do represent the views of their constituents more effectively,” he said.

Current members Ken

Lloyd said without a Board people would lose easy accessibility to their elected representatives.

“In my case golf club members and inhabitants of the Bullock Bar would find themselves bereft of someone to vent their views of the significant local issues of the day.”

WCB members

Wanaka residents and ratepayers simply do not trust Queenstown councillors ...

Copland, Dick Kane and Mike O’Connor support retaining the board. They do not like the option of the Wanaka ward having four councillors (rather than the present three) and no community board. They said the four councillors would spend most of their time on Queenstown issues and in Queenstown. They said as board members they attend local community organisation meetings and residents have direct access to them. Bryan

and councillors Jude Battson and Leigh Overton disagree.

“Four councillors would suffice,” Leigh said. “Councillors go to a lot more meetings than community board members.” Leigh also said the current Wakatipu councillors are interested in the Wanaka ward. Jude said with appropriate communication channels in place between council and community it would be “okay not to have a

community board”.

Board member Ken Copeland said people here do not believe that to be true. “Wanaka residents and ratepayers simply do not trust Queenstown councillors to look after the interests of Wanaka,” he said. “The Wanaka Community Board, with its semiautonomous status, is regarded as a model of how community boards should be formed and governed throughout the country.”

Wanaka residents were in favour of keeping a community board when the issue arose six years ago and it appears the situation has not changed. A call for decisions to be made at the most local level possible has been a strong feature of the Shaping Our Future forums. Wanaka people regard the area as a distinct and independent community and under the Local Electoral Act 2001 this entitles the area to ‘effective representation’.

Wash, squash, boom...

Tim Brewster In the past two weeks Wanaka’s new recycling pick-up service has handled some confusion over dates and crates, crankiness from residents over cardboard boxes left behind, concerns over wind and now a potentially explosive incident.

A sharp-eyed reader who is also, possibly, a Wastebusters supporter, pointed out an aerosol

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

can of oven cleaner pictured alongside empty food tins in the information brochure for the new recycling service. As part of the prescribed contents and procedure for ‘crate two’, the tins are meant to be “washed and squashed” prior to being placed for collection along with paper, cardboard and plastics (glass goes in crate one).

The request for squashing is a direct contradiction to aerosol

manufacturer’s instructions, with the cans carrying dire warnings about piercing or rupturing the cans, even when empty. QLDC solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said the inclusion of the aerosol can in the pictures was simply to show they were part of the items that could be recycling.

“We’ve been collecting them for years. Obviously we want people to follow the instructions on the cans.”

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sunnews

Taking care of the environment

The Wanaka Preschool is now an Enviroschool which means it works with families to ‘create a healthy, peaceful and sustainable community’.

diversity.”

In 2009 Wanaka Preschool won the QLDC ‘Making it Happen’ zero waste award. “More recently we have visited Wastebusters and Te

We have always encouraged awareness and understanding of the environment.

“We are community owned and our philosophy strongly reflects the Enviroschool Foundation’s values of working alongside families to build strong connections and trusting relationships and to foster a culture of creating and sharing,” teacher Lucy Robins said. “We have always encouraged awareness and understanding of the environment and promoted respect for

Kakano nursery, enjoyed nature walks and been on litter pick-ups. In the last year our children have worked alongside adults to establish an abundant vegetable garden from scratch and have greatly enjoyed eating the rewards.”

Lucy said the garden project has been a great success at the preschool.

“It will continue to evolve and grow so there will always be opportunities

Chloe Murray.

PHOTOs: supplied

for learning,” she said.

“All these experiences have been great fun, and valuable learning experiences for the children and for families and staff as well. We are excited about the new opportunities

being an Enviroschool will bring.”

Pictured top are Isaac Moore, Dharcy Keane, Savanna Gibson, Madison Scott, SarahJane Frisby, Floyd Larkin, Xavier Warren and Myles Nichol.

No Red Cross in UC Caroline Harker Twenty-one Red Cross volunteers are collecting door to door in town this week even though there isn’t a branch in Wanaka.

“We used to have up to 50 collectors but a lot of our stalwarts are too old now,” coordinator Richie Marlow said. Both Richie and the Otago area manager Karen Clements would love to see someone start a branch in the Upper Clutha. The nearest branch is in Alexandra and there is a service centre in Queenstown.

The Alexandra branch will be out in force on Red Cross Rose Day (March 30) which is a popular fundraiser there. Alex members also deliver Meals

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on Wheels and serve tea and biscuits when the blood bank comes to town.

The centre in Queenstown

and earthquake in Japan. There are more than 100 branches and groups throughout New Zealand. The main work done

We used to have up to 50 collectors but a lot of our stalwarts are too old now. is the Central Otago base for community and emergency management programmes, and provides education and training for members and volunteers.

Work done by Red Cross members ranges from helping old or housebound people to fundraising for the tsunami

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

by branches involves helping vulnerable people. Help is tailored to community needs so there is wide variation in what is done around the country Anyone interested in setting up a branch or group in the Upper Clutha should contact Karen Clements at the regional office in Dunedin.

sunnews

Local women exhibit Liz Breslin Below the surface. That is where a lot of the literal and metaphorical stuff happens in Wanaka. Nothing is only how it first seems.

There is always more than one angle. So does that make us more than a small town with a small town mindset?

Below the Surface is also the name of an upcoming exhibition by three local artists – Robyn Bardas, Laetitia Campe and Vicki Urquhart (pictured left).

They are excited to have translated their subjects from lived to visual experiences.

Vicki has created a series of oil on canvas portraits of

landscapes, showing “where the non-physical and physical universes collide”.

It is the first time the three women have exhibited

Where the non-physical and physical universes collide. one young man with a lot going on below the surface.

Laetitia’s collographs (a form of printmaking) are inspired by the underwater world of a surfer, or a diver. Anyone immersed in natural forces, she said. Robyn recreated local

together, though some locals will be familiar with their work. The exhibition opens on Friday(March 16) and runs until March 23. A great opportunity to look beyond the norm and below the surface in Wanaka.

PHOTO: supplied

Peta the agony aunt Caroline Harker Peta Mathias is coming to town next Thursday (March 22) and is keen to give some straight talking advice to anyone brave enough to lie on her therapist’s couch and reveal a problem or two. This will be done in front of a live audience who will also see Peta cook some blue cod and sing an Edith Piaf number.

Peta is familiar with Wanaka people needing help. Her regular agony aunt column in the Dominion Post recently featured a letter from a Wanaka man wanting advice on appropriate Valentine’s Day behaviour towards a woman at his tennis club he has a crush on. Her (abridged) reply is printed on the right.

Peta’s first career was nursing. “I realised I had missed my calling. I was more interested in the emotional and psychological side of things,”

she said. “I love helping people figure life out.” She worked as a counsellor and therapist to drug addicts and alcoholics, as well as a singer, before coming to her higher profile roles as cook, author and television personality.

Next week’s show is part of a brand new stage production which is touring five centres in the lower South Island.

“She’ll be telling tall stories, ironing out the agonising problems of your life, sautéing up a storm, singing of lost love and explaining how egg whites can transform your life,” show producer Jane Avery said. Dunedin based Jane and her husband Jeff are partners with Peta in a film and television production company called Red Head Media. They have filmed in Marrakech and the South of France and hope to do a third series in India later this year.

Peta is looking forward to coming to Wanaka as she has friends and family here including her brother Johnnie Mathias and his wife Sharyn.

Her last visit was to promote her book on Marrakech.

“Everyone came along dressed up in North African clothing,” she said. “People in Wanaka love going out to a do.”

See sunspots for details.

Dear Brett, option to Day is a soft Valentine’s is drinks nn te k at the getting drun arming something ch and saying out of the is ag sh a ose your lady like, “I supp nd se ld I wou ter, question”. … la r he then ask friend a card 30-love of e or sc e h th as you reac e liked it. g tennis, if sh ss on the while playin pa es, I would If she blanch s, I would If she blushe chocolates. roses. e th vely with move decisi PHOTO: supplied

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

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sunnews 1.

Show closes on a high

Tim Brewster With a final estimate of 19,000 visitors and just missing one of the heaviest rainfalls in months, A & P Show organizers are “rapt” with this years outcome.

“The general feeling was relaxed and happy and people embraced the 1930’s theme,” show president Fe Howie said.

The cooler weather on Saturday was helpful as, if the heat had continued to build from the day before, people would have been sweltering, she said.

The prime minister’s visit was also a success, with John Key engaging with show goers prior to his judging of the Gold lamb ‘glammies’ awards.

“It was amazing how the little kids approached him. He related to a lot of people.”

Fe is now stepping down as president as the tenure is only for two years. The show committee has been busy for the past couple of days, organising trophies, tidying up and ensuring the grounds are restored to their prior condition.

2.

Rebecca Wilkinson and her daughter Beatrix relax at the Plunket Tent on Saturday afternoon.

3.

Eight-year-old Tom Hayward beside calf and Champion Female (exhibited by R.B. and S.C. Hayward) with the R Scaife Trophy.

1.

John Key and Upper Clutha A&P Show president Fe Howie enjoy a spot of showjumping.

2.

Wanaka toy library fundraising barbecue volunteers Harvey Kane, Jane Evan, Sam Hudson and Melissa Thompson prepared to feed the masses with a menu of bacon sandwiches, sausages and cold drinks.

3.

Charlotte Davie riding Aylestone Melody won the Most Points Leading Rein title.

PHOTOs: ruth bolger & tim brewster

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Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

sunnews

Examining land use Professor looks at farming in the Upper Clutha A UK academic spending two months in Wanaka is interested in the arrival of dairy farming and the environmental challenges of agricultural intensification in this district.

Professor Geoff Wilson of Plymouth University, whose research interests include agri-environmental policy, is interviewing landowners around the area about native

include the risk of soil salinisation from climate change and land use intensification, and the need to take more water from rivers as glacier melt reduces water supply during the dry months. He is also interested in the role of big multinational conglomerates, such as dairy giant Fonterra, and is interested in New Zealand’s decision making

New Zealand is already one of the worst affected countries in regard to soil erosion. forest management on private land, but his research looks at “a lot of interlinked areas” relating to climate change and changing agricultural practices in New Zealand, he said. The rise in demand from India and China for New Zealand agricultural products, especially meat and dairy products, is leading to intensification across the board, with environmental repercussions for water management and soil degradation, Geoff said.

“New Zealand is already one of the worst affected countries in regard to soil erosion.”

Geoff said local issues

“around the balance between conservation and greed” in general, he said.

Geoff is working in collaboration with Lincoln University’s Environmental Management Professor Ali Memon on this project. While in New Zealand he also spent time in Christchurch looking at community responses to the earthquake and its aftermath, an issue relevant to his recently published book, ‘Community resilience and environmental transitions’.

Geoff, who is originally from Germany, completed his PhD in Geography at Otago University in 1992.

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

inbrief Chained to the in-law Carol Little and Bart Nicol won The Rock radio station’s chained challenge and $10,000 prize on Friday. They survived five days of being chained together, and completing challenges, to beat a Christchurch son and mother-in-law pair in the final. The challenges included blind-folded balloon popping, swapping overalls and the final challenge was biking on an exercycle to cover the most distance within a deadline.

“Although both say they will not be so quick to enter another challenge such as this, they have no regrets about completing and winning the first ever chained competition.” Bart’s wife Kim said.

World record attempt for friendliest day St Patrick’s Day will be celebrated across the world this Saturday and a Guinness-led campaign hopes to crown the day the ‘Friendliest Day of the Year’. The campaign, to celebrate the friendly nature of the Irish, was started at the home of Guinness in Ireland’s capital city Dublin and has gone global through facebook.

At the time of print, 56,470 people had made the online pledge to commit to friendliness on the day which will be verified by Guinness World Records officials on March 17. Officials will also count the number of people celebrating at 4000 venues around the world as part of the Guinness World Records attempt for largest global St Patrick’s Day celebration.

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Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

sunnews

Come in, drop off Gina Dempster Everyone is asking us what they can do to support Wanaka Wastebusters and our commitment to clean stream recycling. It’s simple – come to the recycling centre and drop off your recycling. The more recycling dropped off, the more jobs we can keep in town. When Wanaka Wastebusters was set up 11 years ago, the whole community used the recycling drop off. The recycling drop off is getting busier every day, and we hope a visit to the recycling centre is going to become part of everyone’s

lives again.

Some people have been asking us why we need to charge $1 per 100 litre bin of recycling. Don’t we sell the materials? The unfortunate truth is that the value of materials is not high enough to cover the recycling costs.

For example, you need 1.5 shipping containers of milk bottles (20,000 milk bottles) to earn $585. Our isolation also makes it expensive to get the materials to the re-processors. In the past, the council has partially funded the drop off, but we’ve now switched to a payas-you-go system.

Some people are

confused about the future of the recycling centre in Ballantyne Road. The recycling centre is owned and run

by Wanaka Wastebusters.

This week we received the signed copy of the lease to occupy the site for the next 35 years, so we are here for a long, long time. Next time you visit, remember we recycle lots more than just packaging. We also recycle computers, televisions, metal, whiteware (not fridges and freezers), gas bottles, cell phones, batteries, polystyrene, used engine oil and vegetable oil – some pay-as-you-go charges apply.

crimescene Arrests A 49-year-old male was arrested last Thursday afternoon for shoplifting. He stole a merino top from one outdoor retail store and a sleeping bag liner from another. He was detained in one store when staff recognised him as the thief. He admitted to the thefts and is due in court later this month.

Two local males were also arrested during the weekend for breach of bail, and another two males were processed for drink-driving.

Heed your speed The police have received public complaints about excess speed in areas where road works are being carried out and temporary speed limits are in place.

Constable Mel Twyman said they are keeping an eye on these zones and drivers should keep an eye on the signs and lower their speed appropriately.

Be scam savvy

Hot pools proposal Caroline Harker Queensberry Hills residents are meeting on Saturday to discuss their opposition to a hot pool and health spa complex proposed for the area which is intended to cater for up to 300 people a day. Dunedin residents Catherine Mann and Micheal Hodges have applied for resource consent to build the complex on their Kaituki Ridge Lane property in Queensberry.

It would include six hot pools with space for 100 people at any one time, apartments for 12 people, cabins for 18 and a house for an owner/ operator.

The proposed hot pool

complex would operate up to seven days a week from 11am until 11pm, opening for special occasions until 3am.

It would include spa, sauna and gym facilities, a kitchen, lounge and reception area, and sales of food, drink and

souvenirs.

“We are not aiming to build a water park for children,” the application reads. “Rather a health and relaxation spa for adults.”

There are three main target groups: skiers/snowboarders

We are not aiming to build a water park for children.

wanting to relax after a day on the mountains; tourists looking for activities to do while in the Wanaka / Cromwell area; locals.

A Queensberry Hills resident (who asked not to be named) said all the neighbours she has spoken to are opposed to the complex.

“Most of us moved here for the peace and quiet,” she said.

“We don’t want a commercial business next door.”

The proposal was publically notified last week and submissions (to the Central Otago District Council) close on April 10.

image: supplied

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

Next week is Fraud Awareness Week and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs is reminding people to be scam savvy.

“Kiwi’s just aren’t that savvy when it comes to online scams, we’re a bit too trusting for our own good and internet fraud is getting more and more sophisticated,” Ministry of Consumer Affairs team leader Jarrod Rendle said. People are advised to keep their guard up and to ignore any obvious scam.

Recently Wanaka Police have warned about a spate of computer scam phone calls made to local residents and this week a new credit card scam was reported.

A phone call was made to a guest in a local motel: “the caller told the hotel guest that they were calling from reception and asked for their credit card details.”

Constable Mel Twyman said.

“If you think it sounds wrong, it’s probably because it is,” she said. “Trust your instincts and ask questions first.”

Cromwell Police are also warning of another computer scam where the callers, claiming to be from Microsoft, “fixed” a problem and then asked for money for the service. Police are warning not to engage with these callers.

If you have information on any crimes call 0800CRIMESTOPPER (0800555111).

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sunnews

inbrief Schoolgirls’ winning film A short film made by two Mount Aspiring College students won the New Zealand section in a Panasonic competition, and then went to Singapore where it won a trophy for the most creative concept. The five minute film made by Mikaela Cooper and Daisy Thor-Poet is on the theme of communication. The film is now in a global competition and if it is chosen as one of the top six the girls will be flown to London for the ceremony.

Grant for good books and magazines The Otago Community Trust current round of grants will assist the Royal New Zealand Foundation for the Blind to digitalise the National Accessible Library store of audio books and magazines to replace the old cassette tapes.

“A good book is a simple and great pleasure everyone should be able to enjoy, being sight impaired also shouldn’t cut you off from the rest of the world and important information,” Otago Community Trust chief executive Keith Ellwood said.

In February $278,950 was granted to organisations across Otago by the Otago Community Trust.

Race director excited at cycle prospects

Tim Brewster With the Oceania Road Championships being held in Queenstown this weekend, the Southern Lakes is in a great position to position itself as a premier location for elite cycling events, according to the Wanaka man appointed as the event race director.

Local bike shop manager Scott Rainsford, a previous top 15 finisher in the Tour of Southland and pro category one competitor in the U.S.A. said the field includes some of New Zealand’s top domestic riders such as national

time trial (TT) champion Paul Odlin going up against a very strong Australian field.

The Australian entries include their women’s TT champion, Shara Gillow, multiple Oceania winner Bridie O’Donnell. As well as a group of promising young male riders.

Scott said three local riders from Alexandra, Sophie Williamson, Liam Aitcheson and Tom Vessey racing in the under 19 category are going to be highly competitive in their races.

“The ORC will help cement the region’s

prospects of hosting a number of future cycling events such as club national road cycling championships in 2013 along with a potential stage of the Union Cycliste International road cycling tour of New Zealand.”

Held in New Zealand every two years, the event will be based on a 25km circuit from Nugget Point in Queenstown out to Millbrook with distances ranging from 20km for the junior riders in the time trials to a 153 km road race for the elite and under 23 men.

PHOTO: tim brewster

Kuzma twins on podium for finals Skiing and snowboarding twins Janina and Maria Kuzma each placed third in their respective disciplines at last weekend’s Freeride World Tour at Fieberbrunn, Austria.

It’s the second time the two Wanaka-based athletes have both made the podium at the same time and they’ve now qualified for the second year in a row for the tour finals in Verbier starting on March 22. Freeskier, Janina, who had a disappointing unplaced result in Norway last week, said it was her “best run so far this year,” putting her in fifth place overall with Maria fourth in the snowboard rankings.

Another Wanaka-based skier, Sam Smoothy, crashed in the event but maintains his top ranking in the men’s competition.

PHOTO: supplied

tightlines How trout see you Surprisingly the shallower a trout is in the water the less able it is to see you on the bank. The deeper it is while still being in sight, the better it can see you. This sounds wrong but simple physics explains the phenomenon.

A simple line drawing will show how this works. You can draw a line on a piece of paper representing the surface of the water and then draw a circle just below it representing a fish hanging close to the surface.

For the trout to see something on the bank a light beam has

Page 12

to travel from you down to the surface of the water, refracting slightly as it goes through, and then to the trout’s eye. If you draw a line representing the light beam you can easily see that there is a very narrow cone of visibility between the trout and the water’s surface.

Conversely, if we draw the diagram with the trout well be low the sur face the lig ht beam travelling from you to the trout enters the water at a much steeper angle and there is a much wider cone of visibility above it. Hence the trout has a much wider field of visibility.

Knowing it can not see as well

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

in shallow water, a trout feels exposed so it is essential your approach is careful, keeping below their line of visibility. Try not to make sudden movements and do not cast directly at the trout in these circumstances.

Fish in deeper water are usually a bit more relaxed knowing they can see better and are usually a bit easier to approach, always keeping in mind though that they have a better view of you as you sneak up.

Tight lines - John Barlow

sunviews editorial

TXT MESS AGE

BOARD I see the speed bumps are working so well with the increased traffic over show weekend, not !

Please please please take them out!

Happy birthday beautiful Krisztina, I hope you all have a great trip back to Hungary we will miss you soooo much!!! Take care hugs, Team Stahlhut xxxx Richie McCaw...best in show Traffic lights, get some electricians 2 put up some traffic lights 2 slow crazy drivers! it would be a safer town if we all moved at their pace. bumps don’t work!

The reason for a lack of available volunteers to collect door to door for the Red Cross this week is an issue faced by a number of organisations who help others.

“We used to have up to 50 but a lot of our stalwarts are too old now,” an organiser said referring to the 21 people who went door to door for them around Wanaka.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the Red Cross is irrelevant. Helping the old and housebound, fundraising for their disaster relief teams and their crucial bloodbank work are issues that seem to require more resources, not less. Possibly it’s a generational thing, with older people more used to pitching in and getting behind a cause, club or community project rather than assuming the job will be done for them.

Older people also tend to realize that investing in their community with a volunteer effort will have benefits for the future.

Perhaps it’s the competition. There are a huge range of charitable causes out there using well crafted designer marketing campaigns with attached celebrities selling environmental and wildlife organisations. Whatever the reason, groups like the Red Cross who help people in need are in need of a helping hand themselves to keep doing what they do.

I wonder if the wanaka flasher will do his thing in the winter...wouldn’t be much to see!!!

The views expressed in the text board and in the Letters to the Editor are those of the author alone and not necessarily those of the Wanaka Sun.

TXT THE WANAKA SUN

021 986 786

Get the point

Family friendly fun

I don’t think the council get it.

It being the speed bump, courtesy crossing debacle which, months after the fact, we still have not seen a solution to.

To make it easy I will break down the problem: Speed. Drivers, locals that is, don’t mind slowing down on Ardmore Street. It is a slow moving road. Particularly when tourists first spot the lake and rubber neck all along the lake front in their big campers. Speed is a not a problem. Drivers respect the fact that the speed bumps considerably lower the speed along this busy road.

Pedestrian crossing. Drivers don’t mind people crossing the road safely. It is good not to knock somebody down. It is good to have a safe place for people to cross.

Confusion. These courtesy crossings are not safe. People walk out in front of cars (cars which are intending to drive straight on). People walking out in front of cars = collision.

So stop faffing about. Of course it is good to have a safe place to cross, of course it is good to have slow moving traffic in a busy pedestrian avenue. It is not good to have people walking out in front of that moving traffic.

Get the point QLDC, fix the problem: make them real pedestrian crossings with no built-in confusion or remove the bumps before your design kills somebody.

Gillian Milburn Wanaka

I was so impressed by the sense of community and fun around the A&P show. It seemed like everybody in Wanaka had taken the day off to attend the show, see the animals, purchase at the stalls and just spend time together.

It just brings home how well an event can be run, with minimal disruption and lots of fun for the family. Wanaka should seek to produce more family friendly events like this, inclusive events aimed at everybody.

Amee-Louisa Bridge Wanaka

write to the editor Let the community know your views, email your letter to:

editor@thewanakasun.co.nz *200 words or less

Everyone reads the Wanaka Sun

8500 copies delivered each week.

Be seen. Be in the Wanaka Sun.

Call the team now for all your advertising needs (03) 443 5252 Amanda: advertising@thewanakasun.co.nz Buffy: marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz Rob: sales@thewanakasun.co.nz

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

Page 13

sunclassifieds notice

Classifieds birth

for sale

for sale

services

Jon, Jacqui and Ava welcome darling Poppy Gloria born 16/2/12 weighing 6Ib 6oz.thanks Emma, Leni and Mountain Mama Midwives.

Filing cabinet Precision. Grey 2x door with keys. $20. Ph 4436242

Deciduous Trees on SALE - 20 to 50% OFF at Cromwell Gardenland 80 Barry Avenue, Cromwell

Cold house? Get your home ready for winter with uPVC windows and Mitten insulated vinyl cladding from Canada.

0274778805/Joe@thermaspec.co.nz

class STUDY ANIMAL care by distance, with block courses in Cromwell Your first step towards working with animals - Otago Polytechnic’s National Certificate in Animal Care begins on April 23. Apply Now!! For more info: 0800 544 905 or www.otagopolytechnic.ac.nz ABC tutoring. Personalised lessons designed specifically for your child’s needs. English and maths, any year group. 0210329114 or abctutoring@hotmail.co.nz EVENING CAKE DECORATING COURSE, register your interest today!

Contact Jo on 443-2501 (materials & equipment included in course fee) jo@brightsparkswanaka.co.nz Gentle yoga. Tone body, mind, spirit. Private instruction or 10 dollar classes Mon and Wed 9 30 Tues 8 45 Wanaka. 443 1672.

for sale Microwave Oven $10.00 also firescreen - offers. Ph 0221712718 Fruit Trees on SALE - 30% OFF at Cromwell Gardenland, 80 Barry Avenue Deciduous Trees on SALE - 20 to 50% OFF at Cromwell Gardenland 80 Barry Avenue, Cromwell PEASTRAW in Store NOW at Cromwell Gardenland - 10 bales for $100 or $11.00 each.

Go Safe carseat 2-6yrs excellent condition 35 dollars, wetsuit as new size 12 35 dollars Phone 4432951 Retro oval formica, metal and wood table with central support and 4 orange vinyl swivel chairs, tidy, $350 Ph 021 025 72119 Formica bench top. new. kitchen or workshop.2.6m x 900mm.$40.ph 4436242 French fabric sale-Saturday March24.10am-3pm.159 Cemetery Rd, Lake Hawea. enquiries to Sabine 4434584 Retro Kitchenware. Bathroom Mirror. Bust of Beethoven black.

Clothes Hanger on castors. Offers. Ph 0221712718 Hearth for wood burner. Black tiles with rimu wood trim. Bought wrong size. Never used. Ph 0221712718

Hockey registration Friday 16 March after school at Mt Aspiring College, Holy Family and Wanaka Primary. Any queries to Val Burke 0211828499

Plum chutney from Pirate Pickles at the Wanaka farmers market from 4pm Thursdays on Pembroke Park Portable gascooker & grill with 4kg LPG bottle (half full, exp 11/2013)$85. Children bike seat $20.

Genius webcam $25. 4437604 or 0212045224 PRESERVING JARS FOR SALE. 20 large jars $50. Ph 4432703

Super fresh fruit and vege - we support local growers wherever possible. organicexpress.co.nz

Chairs 4-sturdy.cream metal legs, blue upholstery seats. great nick. $15 each. Ph 4436242 CHILDREN’S PLAY KITCHEN. Tefal brand with lights , opening oven and real sounding noises ! $40 ph 4432703 Double bed oak 1930’s style.

Reasonable offers. Ph 0221712718

Habitat for Humanity: Anyone interested in the project but unable to go to the meeting can contact Paul Bowley on 021 400 471.

PANASONIC DVD RECORDER as new , little use , in original box with manuals. Only $30. Ph 4432703

Heavy metal! Set of free weights.

180lbs.2 bars. $60. Ph 0272462084.

ASPIRING AVALANCHE DOGS 2012 TC season pass raffle, tickets $5 available at Racer’s Edge, cash only. Drawn Fri 30 March 6pm at Kai. Don’t miss out on the hottest ticket in town!

notice

Wanaka Pharmacy Healthy Rewards lets you earn 1 Reward point for every dollar you spend!!

STROLLER. Folds down to small size. Great for travelling or family visiting. $20 ph 4432703

Antique milk can. $40.ph 4436242

Lost little black jacket in Wanaka shopping area please phone or text 0273479728 thanks

MOTORISED TOY TRAIN. Engine and 3 carriages. 4 foot long. $20 ph 4432703

4 SALE - SOFA, 2 seater, rolled arm, neutral tones, tidy, $50 ono. Ph 44395ll.

Table tennis table. Sturdy + able to foldup. $120. Ph 0272462084.

Found. Sun glasses at waste busters two weeks ago. In the changing room. :-) yours phone 4434391 or 0275783040

Massage table. Portable. Good conditional. offers. 4436242

Storage corner cabinet. new.900x900mm. $40.ph 443 6242

Student/office computer desk, 1000 x 600, gray with shelf, great cond. $60 443 5103

lost & found

Free delivery - when you buy your groceries online at organicexpress. co.nz Wanaka, Albert Town, Hawea and Hawea Flat residential areas.

2in1 Milano portacot +mattress $80.Philips babymonitor $20.Brand new 42 piece Volere cutlery set $80.4437604,0210347369

Swing set. Awesome for the toddlers. Dbl + 2 single swings + rings. $60 ph 0272462084.

PEASTRAW in Store NOW at Cromwell Gardenland - 10 bales for $100 or $11.00 each.

Organic Express - the grocery store that delivers to your door.

Locally owned and operated. organicexpress.co.nz Submit your Agony Aunt problem at petamathiaslive@gmail.com. Be in to win a bunch of roses at Peta’s show at The Venue Thursday 22nd.

Wanaka Primary School netball registrations. Thursday 15 march, after school in the gym. Please bring subs.

Portaloo hire and cleaning short or long term options available, ph 4434175 Septic Tank Cleaners WANAKA 0800885886 Builder, experienced all aspects, licensed. Specializing kitchen/bathroom fits/refits. Ph Rod 4436242, 021 1610062 Inland Revenue are at Community Networks Thursday 22 March 9am1pm, For help with personal or business tax, child support, student loans or family tax credits call 4437799 to make an appointment.

JP SERVICES at Community Networks, Tuesdays 1pm, Fridays 10.30am, For appointments call 4437799 Lose 10Kg plus in 3 weeks safely, naturally...and keep it off with this HCG homeopathic and protocol! Jen 443 1672 For your Septic Tank, Grease Trap or Sump clean, ph Aaron, 4434175 or 0800885886 Septic Tank Cleaners Wanaka Lovely professional singing!

Weddings, dinner, Christmas parties, birthday and anniversary serenades, and more. References available. Travel OK. Jen 443 1672 RELATIONSHIPS AOTEAROA Professional counselling for all relationship & family issues available in Wanaka.

Call 0800RELATE (0800 735 283)for an appointment.

SOLEUTIONS REFLEXOLOGY offering effective pain-free treatments. Call JO for an appointment @ Wanaka Wellness or Lake Hawea. 0276522144 Special occasion? Remember to book your window clean! Wanaka Window Cleaning, professional, friendly, efficient service. Paolo 021 0572505/ 4432420

WANAKA TOY LIBRARY loves visitors - members & non-members welcome.

Queries? Call Barb on 443-5159 or visit www.wanakatoylibrary.org.nz

WANAKA WINDOW CLEANING professional, friendly, efficient service. Enjoy those bluebird summer views. High, awkward windows a specialty. Paolo 021 0572505/ 4432420

Wanalaugh laughter club.

Wednesdays 5.30-6.15pm @ the Faulkes room, Lake Wanaka Centre.

All welcome!

WHEELS TO DUNSTAN: Free daily transport to Dunstan Hospital & Alexandra specialist appointments, Bookings call 4437799

thanks

WOODEN TOY GARAGE. Caltex with pumps , tanks , workshop and ramp to upper deck. 60x45cms. $40 ph 4432703

Your medical centre may have moved but your pharmacy is still right here! Wanaka Pharmacy - serving the Upper Clutha for 40 years & here for you daily until 7pm at the top of Helwick St.

Windows. 4 double glazed. 2@ 900w x2.2h. 2@ 1.1w x1.4h. Offers.

443 6242

Yohei wisdom says - Breakfast like sumo - Lunch like samurai - Dinner like ninja. Love Food - Long Time

Wheat 4 sale, whole or crushed, barley whole or crushed 30kg 4 $25. Mash 25kg 4 $25. 4434944 or 0212515510

New mums Medla Swing Pump, single electric pump with 2-phase expression technology. Bargain $125 or offer. Ph Suzy 021825995 Filing cabinet - 2 draw metal, good condition $30.00 ph 0275530096 Student/Home office chair in fabric, Seat & back height adjustable $40.00 ph 443 2427 Fruit Trees on SALE - 30% OFF at Cromwell Gardenland, 80 Barry Avenue

Wanaka Garden Club meeting Thursday 22 march 7.30pm at Bowling Club Rooms speaker Christine Martin on lavender. Visitors welcome. Ph.Marisa 4434018

services Caravan and motorhome repairs, renovations, parts, accessories, design, fabrication. Wiring, rust, coachwork. Done before summer! Overland Engineering. 022 097 4596.

Massive thanks to the wonderful Butlers of Wanaka for a divine picnic and stupendous house blitz! You guys rock!!

wanted Female wanted to bright up the life of a 40 yr old kind, caring and honest male, please text 022 1691521.

Wanted small chest freezer; overlocker with coverstich function 021629346 Young family looking for house 2 rent. Around $350 per week. Phone 0210329114

rent Plantation Rd apartment to let: 3 bedrooms,2 bathrooms,garage,OSP,furnished or unfurnished, $340pw. Phone or text 443 1842 or 027 6363610.

For FREE listing text your advert to

02 20 786 778 20 word limit - deadline Tuesday 4pm standard network rates apply Page 14

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

sunclassifieds cinema

Wanaka Bowls results: Herbert Trophy 2x4x2 mixed pairs. 1 Bill and Kaye Hodge, 2 Stu Hurley and Gaye Beattie, 3 Norman and Trish Hewett. Ladies Pairs championship won by Rhonda Hurley and Trish Hewett from Glad Cross and Betty Russell. Friday Progressive Tournament: Skips 1 Michael Barnett, 2 Coleen Landsborough, 3 George Russell.

Thirds 1 Jim McCone, 2 Ray Newell, 3 Mike Ryder.

Bridge results: Mt Barker Pairs 2, 12 March: North/

South:- Kate Coe, Dorothy McDonald 63.75% 1. Mary Gibson Collings 58.92% 2.

Jan Anderson, Helen Mathewson, 58.92% 3. East/ West:- Tommie Munns, Barbara Waterworth 59.83% 1.

Lynne Fegan, Dennis Pezaro 56.83% 2. Lynda Hodge, Carol Orbell 56.08% 3. Friday Bridge, (Howell Movement) 9 March: Pamela Buchanan, Carole Turner 77.08% 1.

Sherril Haries, Mary GibsonCollings 68.75% 2. Vivienne Christie, Jan Lyness 59.37% 3.

trades&services * 20 word limit - deadline Tuesday 4pm standard network rates apply

employment

Text your classified adverts to 02 20 786 778

employment

sport results

20 words for FREE

employment

TREE services

RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

open homes Address

Time

Date

Price

FIRST NATIONAL 9 BILLS WAY

1212.45pm 17/03/12

Offers over $539k

10 MEADOWSTONE DRIVE

2-3pm

17/03/12

$640,000

17 FOXGLOVE HEIGHTS

11am12pm

18/03/12

Offers over $1.5m

40 ALISON AVE, ALBERT TOWN

11am

17/03/12

Auction

203 BEACON POINT ROAD

1pm

17/03/12

Auction

147 STONE STREET

1.30pm

17/03/12

$1,450,000

7B LITTLE OAK COMMON

3pm

17/03/12

$579,000

99 ALISON AVE, ALBERT TOWN

12pm

18/03/12

Auction

203 BEACON POINT ROAD

1pm

18/03/12

Auction

147 STONE STREET

1.30pm

18/03/12

$1,450,000

panelbeaters

LOCATIONS

Issue 548 Thursday March 15, 2012

circulation: 8,500

construction

Phone: 03 443 5252 Fax: 03 443 5250 Text view: 021 986 786

SOUTHERN WIDE 19 ALICE BURN DRIVE, LUGGATE

11.30am 17/03/12

By Neg

91 MOUNT IRON DRIVE

12.30pm 17/03/12

$595,000

20 words for

FREE Text your classified ad to 02 20 786 778

Text classified: 022 0786 778 Address: Top of the escalator, Spencer House, Wanaka Postal: PO Box 697, Wanaka Editorial manager: Ruth Bolger editor@thewanakasun.co.nz Journalists: Tim Brewster journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz Caroline Harker newsdesk@thewanakasun.co.nz Production: Adam Hall production@thewanakasun.co.nz Advertising: Amanda Hodge advertising@thewanakasun.co.nz Buffy Paterson marketing@thewanakasun.co.nz Rob Eggers sales@thewanakasun.co.nz Accounts: admin@thewanakasun.co.nz

CURTAINS

Printed by: Guardian Print, Ashburton Delivered by: Wanaka Rowing Club Published by: Wanaka Sun (2003) Ltd

* 20 word limit - deadline Tuesday 4pm standard network rates apply

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012

Page 15

sunsport

Strong lead up to Maadi Cup A gold medal and several podium places at the South Island schools competition at Lake Ruataniwha last weekend gave the Wanaka Rowing Club’s high school rowers a strong lead up to the Maadi Cup New Zealand school championships later this month.

Jarrod Wellman, 17, and Jamie Bowley, 16, won gold in the boys lightweight under 18 double sculls covering the 2000m in 7.13.5.

PHOTO: supplied

The boys under 17 coxed quad (pictured) were third winning a bronze medal in another new crew with Jamie, James Redai, 16, Eachann Bruce, 16, and Riley Bruce, 13, coxed by 14-year-old George Heard.

Riley also raced in the boys under 16 singles coming sixth in the final.

Anna Watson Taylor,16, in her first ever sculling race, placed second in the B finals of the girls under 17 and under 18 single sculls.

Swimmers continue surge Tim Brewster

Motatapu titles to Wanaka Tim Brewster A photo finish followed by a tangle of bikes and bodies in the finish chute marked a dramatic end to a busy Motatapu event with Wanaka athletes Gavin Mason, Braden Currie and Jessica Simson (teamed with Queenstown’s Baz Smith) all finishing first in their events.

Gavin (pictured left) was leading the 47km mountainbike event just metres from the finish and said he was about to raise his arms in victory when a last second dash by team mate Mark Williams saw the two lock handlebars and crash just across the line, with Mark bowling into a marshall and Gavin sliding out onto the grass out of the finish tent.

After checking the timing equipment, officials credited Gavin with first place by just 1/1000 of a second clocking him at 1:52:45.92, his best time after three previous attempts at the event.

Braden, who recently

Page 16

moved to Wanaka from Australia, dominated the half distance off-road triathlon in a record time of 3:48:05 qualifying for the world off-road triathlon championships in Hawaii later this year.

Originally from Methven, Braden has made a strong impact on the multisport and triathlon scene, winning

PHOTO: mm pro

Baz were unstoppable in the 49km Wanaka to Arrowtown race adventure race traversing over four peaks with a total vertical climb of 2790m on exposed back country via the Motatapu and Soho stations.

The two took 45 minutes off the previous male team record and more than an hour off the mixed teams record

Officials credited Gavin with first place by just 1/1000 of a second. the recent Wanaka half iron event in record time and placing third in last month’s one day Coast to Coast. Braden said he prefers the off-road events, and will be teaming up in the four to five day, approximately 450km Godzone adventure race with Richard and Elina Ussher and Sam Clark.

Jessica, who is also competing in next months Godzone, and

with a time of 6:40:3 finishing more than 40 minutes ahead of the all male second-placed team.

Other notable Wanaka efforts were cyclist Floortje Draisma as the second fastest woman in a time of 2:20:51, John Gordon winning the veteran male marathon in 3:46:45 and Eveline Coombe first in the master female division in 3:55:29.

PHOTO: supplied

Young Wanaka swimmers are turning out to be a regional, record breaking powerhouse following strong results at recent competitions.

At the Central Otago school swimming championships last weekend, Mount Aspiring College came away with the most points overall, with Sophie Fairbairn and Gregor Findlay the top two swimmers respectively, and Ellese Andrews the second placed girl.

Sophie also broke records in the 12-yearold 50m breastroke in a time of 37.09 and 1.15.80 in the 100m individual medley.

In the girls 12-yearold 4 X 25 100m relay the Wanaka team of Sophie, Ellese, Grace Heather and Meg Timu (pictured) broke a

ten-year-old record by more than two seconds to go under a minute in a time of 59.11. Sophie and Ellese also combined with Gregor and Campbell Russell in the 4 X 25 100m mixed medley relay in 1.05.67.

MAC year seven and eight sports coordinator Merryn Johnston said the students displayed polished technique, slick starts and turns and was a credit to the efforts of the area’s two swim coaches, Fiona Hezinger and Tracey Wells.

Last month Sophie and Gregor won three silver and two bronze medals respectively at the National Junior swimming championships making the Wanaka Swim Club coached by Fiona the highest ranked club in Otago for swimmers aged 12 years and under.

Local support wanted for finals Albion Cricket Club teams will face challenging games this weekend against Cromwell opposition in cup final pay-offs. The seniors play for the Koford Cup at the Luggate Cricket Ground from 12 noon and the senior reserves are also seeking support for their cup final game at Pembroke Park starting at 11.30am.

Look good for fundraiser The Upper Clutha under 13 rugby team hope to raise the necessary funds to get them to Australia in April with the help of next week’s fundraiser ‘Looking good, feeling great’. The event which will be held at The Venue this Wednesday will showcase Sue Moore’s winter collection and Peter Nolet will give a talk on modelling. The fundraiser is also a chance for people to sell their pre-loved, good quality clothing.

Thursday 15 March to Wednesday 21 March 2012