Waikino Whisper Issue 164 May 2022

WAIKINO WHISPER WAIKINO HOTEL CELEBRATING 125 YEARS ANZAC REFLECTIONS LOCAL WANDERING WHAT'S ON

YAY THE

MUMS FAMILY BUSINESS

HIDDEN IN THE HILLS ISSUE 164

•

MAY 2022

Kia ora

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Welcome to our May edition, after a small break we are back. As we're now publishing twice a quarter, we have two issues with a month's break. You probably didn't notice it, but it feels to me like a lot can happen in a month in our little community. Eventually we'd love to be in a position where we can publish monthly again - perhaps next year.

This Sunday is Mother's Day, and a great chance to show a mother in your life how much they're appreciated. It could be flowers, but doesn't need to be. Perhaps a gift or house plant from a local business there are plenty. Perhaps you can take her for lunch or dinner at one of our wonderful eateries: Waikino Hotel, or Waikino Station Café or Falls Retreat. The latter two also have gifts available.

Some of my favourite 'gifts' have been simple joys of cycling the Hauraki Rail Trail with my family, and receiving homemade vouchers for cups of tea and foot rubs.

While it's generally thought of as a celebratory time to spend with our Mums, something I saw online by @mariandrew (Instagram), really says it best. A handdrawn image of bouquets, and for each one a message:

Thinking of you: mothers who have lost children, those who have lost mothers, those with strained mother relationships, mothers with strained child relationships, those who have chosen not to be mothers, those yearning to be mothers.

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ISSUES & DEADLINES Our next issue is due out on 3 June 2022, right on Queen's Birthday weekend. If you have an article or piece you'd like to

h Sara

publish, please see our deadlines below.

Bookings : 13 May 2022 Cancellations : 20 May 2022 Final content due : 5pm, 27 May 2022 EDITORIAL • SARAH HOLMES

ANZAC DAY

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Words & photos by Vanessa McHardy When we walk the Pit Rim in Waihi there are wooden poppies showing the 420 service men who left Waihi to go to World War I. Some have a little black cross indicating that they died; I counted 84 in total (that may not be all - I couldn't source accurate data), who did not return to NZ shores.

When you watch movies like 1917 the over-whelming sense is that the majority of men who went to WWI were boys who died en masse, young men who had never even been kissed by a love, they were just at the beginning of this life. The Waihi Museum website has stories of some men who left our area for war, and these are just two that died. PTE Barry Pfundt worked in Waikino as an draughtsman and was part of the Waikino Association Football team that played an Auckland Representative Team at Eden Park, and PTE James Keven a miner who was born in Thames.

The fact that the horrors of war are still being experienced today, and have indeed never stopped indicates that we have a long way to go before we make their sacrifice worth it. If they could speak, what would they make of our modern lives, the things that we place importance on and how that sits with the reality of what is truly important? PTE Keven and PTE Barry Pfundt and all those who have died in wars - we remember and honour your courage and sacrifice.

Keeping the memories alive 'Gallipoli Monologues' by professional actor Mark Wright will premiere June 11th, 7pm at Boyd Rd Theatre in Waihi. His great grandfather was the proprietor of the Rob Roy Hotel in Waihi and two of his great uncles left from there to serve in Gallipoli. The one man play will be very moving.

You can also view the online commemoration video series "Voices behind the Uniforms" online via Hauraki District Council YouTube channel.

Source: https://archive.waihimuseum.co.nz/world-war-I-Individualstories

'Gallipoli Monologues' by Mark Wright

SCHOOL LIFE Words by Joanna Percival-Wheway

What’s new: In term 2 we are launching the Life Skills for Mental Health and Wellbeing; a whole school community approach. It's a mouthful, but it encapsulates what, after 20 years working in schools as a therapist, Vanessa McHardy knows is very important; mental health does not exist in isolation. The whole environment impacts how we feel and think. This is why Vanessa has developed this programme over the last 8 years, and we will be inviting parents/carers in to the school to learn alongside their tamariki about the basic neuroscience of why we react and then learn how to respond to stress.

Friday 6th May kōrero 2:15pm We are really excited about this and will be having our launch information session for parents and caregivers on May 6th at 2:15pm.

This will provide an opportunity for parents to meet Vanessa and discuss the project. We know how important it is for our tamariki that all adults are consistent in how we communicate. We will cover the 1-5 how are you feeling? scale, with posters for you to take home. We also welcome any topics for future kōrero planned over this year with Vanessa and Jo.

Waikino Memorial Wreath It was heartening to see Sophia Egan (pictured with sister Ella) taking up the beautiful wreath made by Waikino School to honour and remember those who served and paid the ultimate sacrifice at the 9am Gilmour Reserve Anzac service in Waihi.

Humbling stories were shared of how the men and boys left from Karangahake Hall to sign up and go to Europe. Seeing both young and old present their stories and wreaths meant a lot to those service men alive. Everyone was there to acknowledge a future without war, and the harmony we want for our tamariki.

Daily Hikoi begins 16th of May 8:15 - 8:45 This is part of the life skills for mental health, daily exercise and a daily walk particularly is very good for overall wellbeing. Inspired by the Daily Mile UK https://thedailymile.co.uk.

1-5 how are you feeling? scale

RE-CONNECTION CUBE

LOCAL ACTIVITY

WHAT'S ON COMMUNITY POTLUCK AFTERNOON TEA

WAIKINO RESERVES COUNCIL IS CONSULTING - GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK

Sunday, 22nd of May at 3pm, Victoria Hall. Bring a plate, drinks provided. All welcome. The WARARA team are holding an urgent special meeting happening at the Victoria Hall following an unsuccessful attempt to form a new committee. Unfortunately there wasn't the numbers at the AGM on 21 April. If you are keen to keep the committee alive, head down for a potluck afternoon tea, with drinks provided by the current committee.

Even if you're not interested in being on the committee you're most welcome to attend.

CAUTION: RUNNERS It's cross country season! Waikino School tamariki are in training, so please drive slowly or avoid Poland Street and Abbott Road between 8:45am and 9:30am for the next few weeks. Teachers will be on these streets monitoring safety and traffic.

WANTED Waikino School are looking for some items for their maker space. If you have any of these items you're willing to donate, please see the school office: Sewing machine, knitting needles, wool, macrame hooks, old linoleum, lidded jam jars for preserves, cutlery, screws, nails, bolts, hinges, wire, string, rope, fabric/material, beeswax and small containers for balm making.

WHAT'S ON

The Council's reviewing how reserves will be developed over the next 10 years, and this is a great opportunity to get involved and give feedback about what you want to see happen in our community. All reserves are listed in the draft plan, including the future development plans for the reserves. Reserves include the Waikino Recreation Reserve, Karangahake Reserve, as well as some lesser known smaller reserves.

There are no plans to further develop the Waikino Recreation Reserve, however if funding and community support allow, the Council says it could consider enhancing the tennis court and playground areas and continue tree planting.

A new reserve has been named near Pukekauri Road: the Tramline/Water Race Reserve.

Public access to the reserve is via the Hauraki Rail Trail cycleway between Waihī and Waikino. Subject to funding, the Council says it may install seating and information about the historic gold mining features of the reserve.

For the full list of reserves and plans, see the Council's consultation website https://weneedtotalk.haurakidc.govt.nz/reservemanagement-plan/ - there you'll also find links to webinars they're holding for more information: Monday 09 May 2022, 5.30pm Tuesday 10 May 2022, 9.30am May 2022 | pg 5

And we think traffic is bad nowadays !

HI DDEN GOLD WEAVI NG NEW AND OLD

THE WAIKINO HOTEL This coming June, the 125-year anniversary of the Waikino Hotel will be celebrated with a Miners and Madams Ball at the hotel. Dust off your lace and flat caps, and head on down for a weekend of rich history and storytelling surrounding this ubiquitous Waikino landmark.

125 years young To celebrate 125 years , business owner Wayne Chowles and bar

manager Jan Mercer encourage you to join them over Queen’s Birthday weekend to reminisce about the days gone by. If tales of slighted lovers, gun fights, and ghost stories interest you, the Waikino Hotel is full of them. As you might expect with 125 years of operation, the hotel has been through a lot. The walls can’t talk, but thankfully there are plenty of tales to pass around about the building and its former inhabitants. These are the stories that Jan says they love to hear and tell.

While the current building was built in 1897, it’s not in fact the

hotel that was originally built in that spot, nor the one that replaced it. The first was opened on 2 June 1987 and boasted 12 bedrooms, 2 dining rooms, a sitting room, a parlour, as well as a 6 metre bar to cater to serve the increasing number of thirsty miners working at the Victoria Battery. That building was unfortunately destroyed by a fire in 1906 which ‘illuminated the country for miles round’.

With thirsty miners to look after , four months later it was

announced that the 50 room Waitekauri Hotel would be moved to Waikino. It was dragged by a bullock team and re-erected, renamed as the first ‘Waikino Hotel’. When the Ōhinemuri Council voted ‘dry’ in 1920, the hotel was unable to sell alcohol, and soon closed. The contents were auctioned off, and the building dismantled, with many of the materials taken to Hamilton for building cottages.

They say the third time’s a charm . In 1926, after the prohibition

ended, the hotel in Mackaytown was cut in two and towed on rollers by bullock team through the Karangahake Gorge to its current location. After years of neglect and effects of flood damage from the 1981 flood, the building was restored in 2017 to the lighter,

HIDDEN GOLD * WAIKINO HOTEL

brighter, family-friendly space is it today.

MINERS & MADAMS

BALL 4 June 2022 Tickets on sale at the Waikino Hotel

As part of the 125 year celebrations, a Miners and Madams Ball will be held on Saturday, 4th June. Tickets are available from the Waikino Hotel, and dressing up in period costume is encouraged. As we're now in the Orange traffic light setting, the dance floor will be open.

$15 Wednesday

Dinner dine in or takeaway

Dress up in costume, enjoy a buffet style dinner and dancing

If a ball isn't your thing, pop into the hotel over the long weekend for a meal, or a drink, and reminisce about the days gone by.

Lunch is served from 12pm.

Any past or present members of the Waikino community are welcomed to pop in and enjoy the hotel's history. You might have your own story to tell.

While you're there, you might like to try Wayne's gin, distilled on site.

The award winning Gold is a balanced herbal gin with rosemary. Wayne also offers a Dry Gin as well as a Ruby Gin, which is described as floral, a sweeter and lighter gin with hints of hibiscus.

Gin tastings are available (bookings preferred), and each gin can be purchased by the bottle from the Waikino Hotel.

8541 State Highway 2 Waikino, 3682 Tel: 07 863 8381 info@waikinohotel.nz ​Open from 12pm Tue-Sun May 2022 | pg 7

L O C A L

C R E A T I V E

AUDREY AND FLORA Waikino local Audrey Ranga (nee Dawson) has moved on up the main street to a new shop in the heart of Waihi.

Open from Monday, 2nd of May, the new shop sits between the Quartz Café and the curtain shop, opposite the Waihi Memorial Hall. It offers a lot more space for Audrey's successful floristry business.

The move comes just before her business anniversary of three years. In that time, Audrey has not only got married and welcomed a second child, but like many, adapted to running a retail business during a pandemic.

She says she couldn't have done it alone, and credits both her own parents and her

husband's family for her success. In the lead up to Mother's Day, it's a good time to reflect on all our mums have done for us. Audrey's mum, Dianne Dawson, has been a huge inspiration to her, modelling a hardworking woman in business. Audrey grew up watching her parents successfully run the popular Waikino Station Café, where Dianne continues to serve locals and tourists alike.

Mother's Day is on Sunday, 8th of May - there's still time to visit Audrey in her new shop. Snap up some flowers for mum, or perhaps grab a beautiful NZ made gift or house plant.

"My business wouldn't be able to operate without support from the Mums in my life" Audrey's new shop is located opposite Waihi Memorial Hall - 52 Seddon Street Waihi, 3610. Phone: 07 863 7774 Email: audrey.floraflorist@gmail.com Shop online: https://www.audreyandflora.com/shop May 2022 | pg 9

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO

Wandering

EXPLORING LOCAL Words and Photographs by Gerard Ellmers

wan· der· ing | \ ˈwän-d(ə-)riŋ

Definition of wandering: characterized by aimless, slow, or pointless movement: such as a : that winds or meanders a wandering course What is it to wander? I’d like to think it’s an opportunity to let go and relax , breathe deeper and lose track of time.

To summit Te Aroha At 952 meters, Te Aroha is the tallest point along the KaimaiMamaku range and so a destination requiring a reasonable level of fitness.

A couple of kilometres out of town, towards Gordon is the Waiorongomai Valley. This area is steeped in gold mining history much like Waikino and Karangahake. From here on up the bush transitions through flora. The pathway called the Buck Rock Track was a favorite section and clings to the northern side of valley, far bellow is the Piako County Tramway, New Zealand’s oldest bush tramway with original rail still in place. The views across the valley are breathtaking.

The views from the top don’t let you down either. To the north, the Firth of Thames and the Coromandel Peninsula. To the East, Waihi, the ocean, and Tuhua (Mayor Island). Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngāuruhoe are visible on a clear day.

From Waihi Beach to Orokawa It’s a straight forward walk from the northern end of Waihi Beach up and around to Orokawa. This walk has been a classic go-to of mine for many years now. The bush is sweet to smell and the vistas from the headlands are classic Coro.

Watch out for the tide! When it’s a high tide, the dash between waves and rocks can leave you drenched and laughing at how easily you’d been caught out!

Once you’re on the trail it’s a very pleasant 45 minute wander to the pretty pohutukawa lined land-locked beach. It’s a very special place to spend time, or continue the adventure with walks through to Homunga Beach and William Wright Falls https://www.albomadventures.com/kara ngahake-gorge-walks/

May 2022 | pg 9

Need Whiteware? Need a TV? Need a Heat Pump?

Need any home appliances?

....then contact your locally owned and operated 100% store for all you appliance needs

WAIHI 24-26 Rosemont Road, Waihi Phone 07 863 8207. Fax 07 863 7070 Email waihi100@xtra.co.nz

WAIHI PLUMBERS KELWYN GARRETT Plumbing • Drainlaying • Roofing HYNDS Lifestyle Wastewater Systems Mobile 0274 975 580

A/Hrs 07 863 7153

PROPERTY MAINTENANCE O'Hagan Vision Care Main Office, Willoughby Street PO Box 106 | Paeroa 3600 T 07 862 8978 F 0800 666 717 E info@ohaganvisioncare.co.nz

no job too small domestic and commercial repairs, alterations, renovations, indoors and out, simple pricing, reliable and on time

Rod Hawkins

021 979 221

NEW WAIKINO BASED ELECTRICIAN Matt is an experienced commercial, industrial and residential electrician, now based in Waikino.

COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL • RESIDENTIAL

Matt Good 021841189

Brooke Edwards Residential & Lifestyle Sales 07 863 2288 • 027 435 5905 EVES Real Estate (Waihi), 42 Seddon Street

FOR THE LOVE OF...

VINTAGE PRINTS WHAT ARE SOME OF YOUR UNEXPLAINED LOVES? SHARE THEM WITH US ON FACEBOOK & SEE IT HERE!

HIDDEN GOLD * WAIKINO HOTEL

May 2022 | pg 7