West Franklin Breeze - December 2022

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A breath of fresh air for West Franklin

Two of the Waiuku leaders have been awarded the prestigious Order of St John and two cadets the Grand Prior’s Award.

But to top it all is that three of the award winners are from the same family. Mum, Cheryl Thomas, her daughter Hayley and son Ronan along with fellow member Lisa Richards received their awards at a ceremony last month.

Hayley has been a member of Waiuku Youth Division for 13 years and has clocked up over 1000 hours of community volunteering. She has a formidable list of achievements to her name including member of the 2019 Regional Champion team, District Champion nine times, 2021 District Individual Champion and has been selected for the Northern Region National Squad.

Hayley was the 2019 Deputy Regional Cadet of the year, 2020-2021 Counties District Cadet of the Year, the Super Penguin Award and this year achieved the prestigious Grand Prior’s Award.

Presently at university doing a degree in engineering, Hayley says it has been a great grounding to help her arriving at a solution to all sorts of problems.

“This background in St John makes me look at community issues from a different angle,” she said. “I look at problems that older people may be experiencing and I adapt my approach to solving their issues.”

Ronan has been in St John youth for ten years and was also selected for the 2019 District Champion team and the 2019 Regional Champion team. He is also a Grand Prior’s recipient.

He is currently in the workforce and is enjoying giving back to the community and helping people using the skills he learnt as a cadet in Waiuku.

Cheryl was a cadet in 1992-93 at Waiuku Youth Division.

In 2002 she rejoined as an events volunteer, spending many hours at sports games in the community eg netball, rugby and dirt track events both as a volunteer and a participant.

2002 she also joined the youth division as a leader and then was promoted to Divisional Manager.

During this time the division grew from less than ten to over 50 cadets.

“I had the privilege of working with the most amazing and passionate leaders throughout my journey in St John. I have held many roles and since 2019 I have held the role of District Youth Manager,” said Cheryl.

Lisa Richards is the St John Community Engagement Co-ordinator for the Franklin area and was made a Member of the Order of St John for her numerous voluntary roles on top of her paid role. She was the driving force behind the St John Community Cupboard initiative which recognises a significant need in improving health outcomes for families struggling with hardship, displacement or financial issues.

Lisa was incredibly humbled by this award and continues to work within our communities by providing clothing, blankets, shoes and hygiene products to those in need.

“I am enjoying my role within St John Hato Hone at present. Working with the youth in Waiuku is fun and very rewarding. They are a dedicated and enthusiastic bunch of young people from many walks of life coming together to learn first aid, leadership and caring for their community. Every week they teach me something new,” Lisa said.

Waiuku Family Support celebrated 35 years since becoming a charitable trust on Saturday 26 November.

The day started with the official opening of their Artisan’s Alcove at 8b Queen Street, Waiuku. The Alcove displays and sells artwork and products from a diverse group of local artists.

At the opening chairman of Waiuku Family Support, Bruce Howat told guests how proud he was to be involved with such a positive group. “The support that is extended to our community by the folk involved in family support is awe inspiring. This Alcove also shows another side to the organisation. It encourages participants to be proud of their achievements and is giving them a space to be able to reach the next level of their goals,” he said, “we have some very talented people in our community and this space reflects that.”

The Alcove gallery is open 10 to 2 Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10am until 2pm.

In the evening the Waiuku Family Support hosted a Mocktails and Memories evening for past and present board members, volunteers and employees to share stories from the previous 35 years.

The Coral anniversary cake was cut and a memorial video was enjoyed by those who attended.

Waiuku St John Hato Hone leaders and cadets have shone at the national awards in 2022.

Lisa Richards with Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro after the investiture of Lisa’s Member of the Order of St John award.

Proud husband and father Les after Merry Christmas r e e z e B from all of the team at Counties Energy $13m discount payment out now! See Page 5 for details

trio were awarded honours at Government House recently.

New RIB ready for summer

Surf lifesavers at Karioitahi Beach have a new rigid inflatable boat thanks to the Franklin Local Board.

Members visited the surf club recently to see the RIB decked out and ready for action.

Board chair Angela Fulljames says the club does fantastic work and the board was pleased to be able to support it through its Coastal Services Rescue Grants programme.

“We have helped before with grants for various safety and rescue equipment but the need for the rescue boat was explained to us by club members and their case was compelling. We’re lucky to have such dedicated volunteers giving up their time to keep others safe.”

Board Waiuku subdivision member Sharlene Druyven says crews patrol thousands of hours every summer. “The club is a hugely important part of our community. Volunteers do exceptional work.”

A few may spoil it for all

Driving a motor vehicle on any Auckland beach is currently prohibited, except to launch or retrieve a boat, or in an emergency.

However, Auckland Council Franklin area operations manager Eli Ewens says the about 3500 permit holders who comply with specific rules, including having a registered vehicle, can drive on specificincluding Karioitahi.

“Unregistered vehicles, including trailbikes and offroad buggies, are not allowed on any beach and Police and Auckland Council staff will check over summer.

“We are aware of vehicle safety issues at Karioitahi and are working with Franklin Local Board, iwi, Police, Auckland Transport and the surf club to put a programme in place.”

He says it’s important to balance the interests of all to ensure everyone’s enjoyment is maintained. “But we must also act to protect public safety and the environment.”

The surf lifesaving club has raised concerns that with growing visitor numbers the ‘safe zone’ between the club and beach is so cluttered with drivers that lifeguards may be prevented from getting to the water quickly and safely in an emergency.

Franklin Local Board Waiuku subdivision member Gary Holmes recently conducted an online pole about vehicles on the beach.

“Poor and aggressive driving regularly arises, and I got hundreds of responses. In the main it’s the few spoiling it for the many but 60 percent of poll respondents opposed a ban. The rest don’t, and they’re increasingly frustrated at bad behaviour, particularly motorbike riders. Some locals went as far as saying they no longer go because of reckless behaviour, while others said a fatality or serious accident was inevitable.”

Fellow Waiuku subdivision representative Sharlene Druyven says members are aware of the problem and police and council staff have met. “It’s an issue with some complexities around the beach being a road, but also with many locals wedded to vehicle access.

“We have work underway around the management of Karioitahi reserves and expect to get advice about addressing the issue. We are also seeking input from Auckland Transport and Council’s environmental services staff, but ultimately the beach is a road and road-user behaviour is a police matter.”

She says current legislation

means AT can’t close a road for any length of time and the surf club might have to campaign to see if the relevant legislation around beaches as roads can be changed.

“We have tried to help by funding increased safety signage at beach entrance points over the past three years, with limited success.”

Both say change is possible, with the Far North District Council modelling a bylaw on rules in place in the Whangarei area to ban access to Coopers Beach and impose speed limits elsewhere in response to poor driver behaviour.

Ninety Mile Beach is often cited as a working example of a beach doubling as a road, but a 30kmh limit and signage spelling out rules for driver behaviour have been in place for years in response to community concerns.

Fellow Waiuku representative Gary Holmes says without the club, the beach would be a much more dangerous place.

“Club members’ actions are an exceptional example of service to the community – and that’s not me saying that, it comes from a Certificate of Appreciation presented to the club by Counties Manukau Police.”

Auckland Council Franklin area operations manager Eli Ewens

Members of Surf Lifesaving Karioatahi beisde their new IRB patrol boat. To the right are Sharlene Druyven, Angela Fulljames and Gary Holmes from the Franklin Local Board.

AFS New Zealand celebrates 75 years

For 75 years, this not-for-profit, volunteer-driven, international student exchange programme has promoted its noble vision of ‘helping to build a more peaceful world by promoting friendship and intercultural understanding within our global community.’

In the course of these 75 years, AFS has enabled thousands of participants to leave their home countries and live overseas with

a family willing to open their homes and hearts to them while they attend school and become immersed in the culture of their new country.

AFS (American Field Service) began as a volunteer humanitarian aid organisation which drove ambulances into the battlefields of World Wars One and Two to rescue the wounded. In 1946, after the end of hostilities, AFS drivers from both World Wars came together and determined to help build bridges between cultures by founding a secondary students’ exchange programme. By 1947, they had eight countries signed on for the inaugural programme, including New Zealand.

Since that time, over 300,000 students have participated in over 55 countries. AFS New Zealand alone has sent over 20,000 students overseas, and hosted 20,000 others in New Zealand with the objective being to develop global skills and the passion to make a difference in the world. Added to these numbers are the amazing families who host the students and the incredible

volunteers and staff who support them and make it all possible.

AFS is the only international student exchange to have received a special citation from the United Nations for services to the youth of the world.

AFS New Zealand is very proud of its heritage and is certain that the founding ambulance drivers would be delighted to know what their vision for peace has achieved in the last 75 years.

The organisation knows there is still much work to do as we move into the next

75 years and is passionately determined to work towards achieving the vision of a culturally sensitive and more peaceful world.

Chairperson of the local AFS committee Annette Egbers said the group is keen to reconnect with any-

New awareness of local JPs

Recently, the Franklin & Districts Justices of the Peace Association produced 4000 community service cards with a QR code to ‘Find A JP’. These cards will be placed in local high traffic vicinities and businesses supporting this promotional exercise. This will help bring awareness of the free services from Justices of the Peace to our community.

Long history of Justices in New Zealand

Justices of the Peace services to the community is very relevant currently even though the services of Justices of the Peace started in New Zealand since 1814.

Here in Franklin, we have the Franklin & Districts Justice of the Peace Association that actively provides training to new Justices of Peace, and on-going training to all their Association members. Justice of the Peace are accredited to ensure that the work that they do is relevant to the current legislative changes and to ensure that all aspects of services required are conducted correctly as required by the receiving agencies.

Here, in Waiuku, the Justices of the Peace Service desk is held weekly at the Waiuku Information Centre at 2 Queen Street from 11.30 am to 1.30pm. These services are free for everyone.

Since 2019, Justices of the Peace are involved with certifying identity documents for sale of property as required under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act), when these identity documents are not sighted by the sales agents in person. Some other services they provide are taking statutory declarations or affidavits under the Oaths and Declarations Act 1957 with certifying of documents being the most common.

body or family that have hosted a student in the past.

“It would be good in this anniversary year to make contact again and let them know of any events happening in the local area.”

Annette can be contacted on egbers@ps.gen.nz

The Franklin & Districts Justices of the Peace Association has a panel of Judicial Justices of the Peace who are authorized to preside over certain criminal cases in the District Courts. There are also visiting justices who attend prisons to hear charges and appeals related to offences against prison discipline, Issuing Officers for search warrants and production orders under the Search and Surveillance Act 2012 and some Justices serve as independent observers for various stages of the electoral process.

The Association is seeking out a more diverse range of members who would truly represent both the cultural and age diversity in our growing population in the Franklin District. The work is not time-consuming and is rather meaningful. If you would like to know more, here’s a link to the information - https://justiceofthepeace.org.nz/Page/Landing/Becoming-a-JP

The community service cards were made possible through the very kind sponsorship of Go Graphics/Deed Printing, Barfoot & Thompson Pukekohe, Tuakau and Pokeno, MW Insurance, Diamonds.co.nz, Campbell Tyson Chartered Accountants, Counties Home Loans and Insurance, Diana Cussen and Ginni Parvez from Barfoot & Thompson and Kiwi Mortgages.

Franklin AFS has a replica of one of the 1914 war ambulances.

Counties Energy customers set for almost $13m in discount payments

Counties Energy’s 47,000 customers will share in a $12.9m windfall as the company distributes their annual discount payment. As a 100 percent consumer-owned lines company, Counties Energy customers connected to the network on 4 November 2022 will receive the payment, based on power consumption over the period 1 November 2021-31 October 2022.

The Counties Energy discount is paid as a credit on customer’s December or January power bill from their electricity retailer.

Counties Energy Chief Executive Judy Nicholl says the record payment for customers signifies another exceptionally busy year for Counties Energy, both in network projects and maintenance and in future proofing the network through strategic projects and investments.

“We’ve continued with our extensive works programme and ensured support of our many community partnerships and initiatives, and of our local environment, while also ensuring that as your 100 percent community-owned energy company, we can return a healthy discount to you. This year we’ve invested more than $70m into projects to build and update your local electricity network and invest in technology and systems to improve service and work towards decarbonisation. Our robust capital investment programme matches the strong growth occurring throughout our region.”

“We have once again been recognised as a finalist earlier this year at the New Zealand Energy Excellence Awards for our electric vehicle charging platform OpenLoop - which provides creative and innovative EV charging offerings

to Kiwis and enables greater competition in the market. To be honoured as a finalist four years in a row at these awards, which celebrate the very best of the energy sector, shows the journey we’re on as a company to reimagine energy, developing solutions for the changing energy needs of consumers today, and into the future.”

Counties Energy is the electricity distribution provider for the network that runs from coast to coast between southern Papakura and Mercer, and west of the Waikato River from Mercer to Waikaretu. The company is owned by the Counties Energy Trust who holds the shares on behalf of electricity consumers.

Counties Energy Trust Chairperson Christine Rupp says the Trust is proud the company has returned a record discount payment to customers, while working to build, maintain and future proof the electricity network for the region.

“Our role as a Trust is to oversee customer’s shareholding in Counties Energy, ensuring the company is working to supply a safe, reliable and cost-effective electricity network. I thank the Trustees for their role working for the benefit of all power users in the region, and congratulate Counties Energy for their sound management and strategic foresight of this $400m asset for our community.”

Customers can view the amount of discount they will receive online at www.countiesenergy. co.nz/discount.

To find out more about Counties Energy or to report an outage, go to countiesenergy.co.nz, call 0800 100 202 or use the app –app.countiesenergy.co.nz.

Crime ction the latest from Waiuku novelist

ing when she was looking for something more meaningful and satisfying to do nearly two decades ago. She began writing seriously in 2009.

Her first novel, Third Person Present, was published in 2017, following the theme of writing, the writer’s life, and the challenges of becoming a writer.

Joanne said she was able to explore friendships, relationships, love and fame with that novel.

Waiuku resident and author Joanne Ganley has published a second novel, Tranquil Bay.

After completing a psychology degree and working in various administration jobs, Joanne began to consider writ-

Her second book, crime fiction novel Tranquil Bay is a mystery which focuses on similar themes, as well as smalltown dynamics, grief, loss and women’s empowerment.

Joanne said one of the most satisfying things about completing a novel is seeing it

BY TIFFANY BROWN

come to life in book and digital form. “I have to pinch myself every time I glance at my two books on the bookshelf in a shop or the library - did I really write those!?”

Joanne has lived in Waiuku for sixteen years and said she loves the friendliness of the community, the slow pace of life and the lack of traffic lights, as well as being surrounded by native trees and bird life. “I don’t think we’d be blessed as much if we were living in the city.”

Tranquil Bay is available at selected bookshops and libraries, including Waiuku Library, online through Amazon and as an e-book on Kindle Unlimited membership.

from the team at Bakers Shoes & More

8 Kitchener Road, Waiuku PH: 09 235 8507 info@bakersshoes.co.nz

Christine Rupp - Chair Counties Energy Trust, Judy Nicholl – Chief Executive Counties Energy

Joanne Ganley

Mangroves – to keep or not to keep?

Mangroves that must be kept as part of Waiuku Mudlarks’ consent to remove the plant from the estuary are threatening to derail its work.

Presenting a petition to the Franklin Local Board, group members Tony Ogilvie and Paul Stewart appealed for help to combat “rampant reinfestation”.

The Mudlarks have consent to remove 74 hectares of mangroves, work divided into four stages. But retention areas imposed as a consent condition were “seedling production factories”, with Mudlarks spending many hours to prevent reinfestation.

The problem was particularly bad near the golf course, with widespread regrowth.

“Near the town there are no retention areas, so we’re not seeing mangroves return,” Mr Ogilvie says. “But where there are, seedlings establish easily. We suspect reinfestation is an unintended consequence of the condition for retention areas at some sites.”

The group, which receives annual board funding, urged members to champion its project.

“We know Waiuku is delighted with what’s been achieved,” chair Angela Fulljames says. “Many thousands of

volunteer hours have gone in. That’s led to new picnic, paddling and play areas, and seen native plants and birdlife return and thrive.”

Waiuku subdivision member

Sharlene Druyven says the retention areas were to ensure habitat remained for the endangered banded rail, to prevent erosion, and at the golf course site to act as a filter to stop leachate from a former tip site.

“But now we’ve got almost 800 signatures on a petition and a dozen letters of support for the group, calling on us to not let its efforts so far go to waste. Our community is very supportive of the Mudlarks, and we should reflect that in any decision we make.”

Waiuku subdivision member Gary Holmes said a process to avoid reseeding had to be agreed on.

“We are talking about retention areas that are only about one and 1.5hectares. We should investigate taking those mangroves but adding back the same coverage to another site.”

The board received the group’s petition and agreed to request a report so the issue could be discussed as soon as possible at a workshop with Council environmental services staff.

Waiuku Lions donate to Starship PICU

Warkworth Lions is spearheading the effort to raise funds to build a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit treatment room at Auckland’s Starship Children’s Hospital

In February this year The Starship PICU Appeal was progressing well with banked funds and pledges totaling $257,388.04

When Waiuku Lions presented their cheques on Tuesday last week, Peter Henderson of Warkworth Lions Club and Lesley Head of Starship PICU Strategic Relations, commented that the Warkworth Lions were close to their target of $406,700.

There’s an adage that Lions use, “where there’s a need there’s a Lion”. Lions Clubs from all over New Zealand have been doing similar efforts as Waiuku Lions and through the generosity of their members and you the Public that need has almost been met.

Congratulations to Warkworth Lions.

Waiuku Lions would especially like to mention: Dawn Hutson, (it was Dawn’s treasured MG that raised the major part of their donation), Cowan at Otaua Motors, Jo at MW Insurance, Pukekohe Tramping Club and of course our Waiuku Lions members.

The Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Starship is a national service for children requiring intensive care for longer than 24 hours and a regional service for all children requiring intensive care or high dependency care. More than half the children admitted come from outside the greater Auckland region.

You can donate to the Lions PICU appeal with a deposit to the Warkworth Lions Trust Account 02-0480-0015374-97.

Lions Club of Waiuku

Are

Lions can help you with that!

Email waiuku@lionsclubs.org.nz www.facebook.com/waiukulions

Local people helping local people for over 50 years.

you looking for a way to help your local community? Do you want to give back?

Left to right: Lesley Head, Lion Derek Robbins, Lion President Ivy Tapsell, Lion Pam Foote, Lion Nick Herrold, Lion Peter Henderson.

Did you know that Waiuku Lions recently donated $7666.19 to the national children’s hospital?

Bob and Julie McMurtrie are ready to welcome visitors to do more than just inspect and be entertained by their spectacular 800-metre track working indoor model railway at Glenbrook Model Railway (GMR).

After nine months of work and 65 tonnes of metal, ‘Bob the Builder’ has finally completed his next project—laying the track for an outdoor ride-on miniature train—and he’s ready to call ‘all aboard’.

The couple conceived the idea for their model railway visitor attraction around ten years ago while living in Pukekohe and in 2016, they bought and moved on to the property in Morley Road where the vision would come to life, right next to Glenbrook Vintage Railway’s Morley Road Station.

A large shed was constructed which now houses a three-bedroom home, an 18m x 8m train room, a further display featuring trains, cars and trucks, and two lounge and dining spaces for visitors.

The venue can accommodate around 70 guests, and is available for group tours by arrangement, for birthdays and special occasions or private hire.

There is also space for camper vans, and tourists from all over can often be found parked up alongside the railway line.

Bob and Julie plan to offer ice cream and coffee in the coming months, as well as BBQs

for hire, and Bob has a plan for ‘stage two’ of the ride-on train, which will see the loop of track enlarge to encompass more of the 6-acre property.

Bob, a self-confessed ‘jack of all trades, master of none’, designed and built the indoor railway over about six months, with the help of a few train-enthusiast volunteers who answered his local appeal; they’re now good friends and key supporters of the venture.

The newly added ride-on train was sourced from Rotorua. It has three carriages and a 300-metre track.

Groups of car enthusiasts, local people and children have all enjoyed the experience at Glenbrook Model Railway over the years. Julie, who volunteers at Glenbrook Vintage Railway, said everyone who comes to visit ‘just loves it’.

Bob and Julie have decided to call the enterprise ‘Glenbrook Leisure Time’ to reflect their expanding offering, and to encourage people to see it as a relaxing place for all sorts of visitors to enjoy.

Seeing the delight on young faces is particularly rewarding for Bob.

Glenbrook Leisure Time is open from 10am to 4pm on Sundays and public holidays, and any day that GVR is operational.

For more information, check out the Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/glenbrookmodelrailway or email bobjules@xtra.co.nz.

A Hig Te Ex rienc lik n o er!

Ride in style and indulge in the only High Tea on a train in New Zealand - only at the Glenbrook Vintage Railway!

From the comfort of your seat lavish in the scenery, food and beverages as you make your way along our vintage railway.

Services depart 10.00, 11.30, 1.00 & 2.30. Online booking encouraged - tickets sell fast!

Proudly catered by locals - The Shires, Waiuku.

Steam train rides this holiday season!

Travel over the 100 year old Waiuku Branchline behind a steam engine from the 1910’s! The Glenbrook Vintage Railway takes you back in time to the hey-days of rail travel - the romance of rail travel has never been better.

Trains depart 10am, 11.30am, 1pm & 2.30pm. Operating 27 Dec - 3 Jan and every Sunday in Jan.

Book Now: www.gvr.org.nz

The Glenbrook Vintage Railway is operating over the Christmas - New Year break, jump aboard and experience the nostalgia of steam train travel!

Charlotte's voice as rare as her talent

Opera singer Charlotte McDonald was about five years old when she discovered her life’s passion, sitting on mum Vanessa’s lap, with dad Johnny, watching her older brother perform in a choir on stage. “I pointed at him and said, I want to do what he’s doing!”

Charlotte, whose family counts five generations in West Franklin on both sides, is at the tail end of her Bachelor of Music degree, majoring in Performance Voice with Honours. Her recent recital caps off four years of learning about classical music, working on technique and performance.

24 year-old Charlotte has a rare voice for opera. She is a mezzo-soprano with a register that has a wide range, and has a voice described as ‘big’; one which is still in the process of maturing.

After her final college year, Charlotte began vet nursing, but found it wasn’t for her.

She credits taking a break from her studies—including working at the Steel Mill— with giving her the space she needed to determine her new career path.

One afternoon saw her rush home from work, change out of

BY TIFFANY BROWN

grimy overalls and into her opera garb to perform—transformed—a concert that same evening.

The patient guidance of her singing teacher, renowned soprano Gina Sanders, who she has worked with since 2016, was also key to the decision.

“Gina got me. She knew how I ticked, and knew what I needed, not just for my musical but o;so general education. Because of her guidance, I felt like my mind was able to open up. I was quite surprised at the rate that I was learning.”

Charlotte comes from a very music-oriented family; her maternal grandmother, Margaret Craig, was a well-known local singer, and although Charlotte was very young when Margaret died, she said it was nice to know her grandmother would be proud of her.

Charlotte suspects it was growing up on her family’s Big Bay farm that instilled in her a great work ethic.

“Generally, every young singer would like to make it professionally in some capacity, and we all wonder if we’re good enough. But you don’t need to be the most talented in the room. On the whole it comes down to hard work, dedication, and how much you love your craft.”

During her studies at Waikato University, under Gina’s continued tutelage, she’s had plenty of opportunities to develop as a performer. “You can’t learn how to perform out of a book.”

Charlotte said she was deeply grateful to have experienced masterclass tuition with opera greats like Dame Malvina Major and Pene Pati of Sole Mio.

“The cool thing about NZ is that everyone’s very supportive of the next generation of classical singers.”

Her recent performance at St Andrew’s Waiuku saw Charlotte collaborating with pianist Lindy Ten-

nent-Brown, and duetting with her mentor Gina.

She would love one day to perform with close friend, 2022 Lexus Song Quest runner-up Felicity Tomkins.

Charlotte would also like to head overseas to further develop her craft like her friend; Felicity is currently studying at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

The future may see Charlotte teaching; she’s keen to offer opera singing support to other Waiuku youngsters, teaching in the same style as her mentor.

“Gina’s my biggest influence. I wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t for her. She was the one who told me it was possible, and made me realise what I was capable of. I’d like to teach the way Gina taught me; not squeezing everyone into one box. What she did changed my whole direction in life.”

In the meantime, Charlotte has some exciting developments in the pipeline, including an upcoming gig in Whakatane, and has a solo part in a concert that is being performed in the Auckland Town Hall.

“I love performing, I love talking to people. Because my voice is distinctive, the combination has set me up for what should be a very interesting career.”

Awhitu pair rock Auckland’s band scene

Local band The Boondocks has made it through to the semi-finals of Auckland’s Ding Dong Bands Competition.

The two-piece act includes frontman Scott Parker who sings, plays bass and uses a pedal to add guitar, and Branden Pritchard on drums.

The Awhitu pair have been playing together for less than six months, and are set to compete against four other bands in late November.

If they win the competition, their prize will be recording time at The Lab Studio in Auckland, along with music videos and band promotion.

The prolific duo has racked up close to 20 gigs since they formed, entertaining Auckland crowds with a mix of genres mainly influenced by punk and hard rock, with a couple of ‘catchy melodies’.

Lyrical content is mainly social commentary on issues affecting young people.

Scott said the band’s plan is to gig as hard

BY TIFFANY BROWN

as possible, building up traction behind its quickly-established reputation on the scene. The band would like to increase its following, release demos, and open up for bigger NZ acts like Shihad or Villainy.

“Eventually building a reputation good enough to open up for bigger international acts would be a dream come true.”

Charlotte McDonald

Branden Pritchard and Scott Parker of The Boondocks

Funding in place for Franklin partners

Grant details

• Waiau Pa Hop, $5000, traffic and waste management, event costs

• Franklin Family Support, $10,000, men’s, Pacifica and antenatal courses

• Franklin Integration Project, $8000, Positive Ageing Expo

• Waiuku Steel n Wheels (Business Assoc), $10,000, event costs

• Beautification Trust, $8000, Eye on Nature at Botanic Gardens

• Counties Manukau Sports Foundation, $24,000, Franklin activities

• Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust, $15,000, operations and solar gates

• Clevedon Community Business Assoc, $12,000, workshop and other costs

• Waiuku Family Support Network, $10,000, lease, rates and insurance

• YMCA North, $12,000, Hūnua Falls Water safety advisor training and costs

• Takutai Charitable Trust, $5000, project co-ordinator and other costs.

Organisations delivering iconic local events, attractions or services have been awarded Franklin Local Board partnership funding.

The groups include the Waiuku Business and Development Association, awarded $11,000 towards Blast to the Past event costs and Pohutukawa Coast Rotary’s $5000 for traffic management costs associated with Beachlands much-celebrated Trolley Derby.

Former Franklin Local Board Chair Andy Baker says partnerships are entered into for three-years and give the groups certainty.

“It means they don’t have to reapply for contestable funds each year, so they can concentrate on what they do or seek other funding.

“Also on the list are $20,000 grants to the Franklin and Clevedon A&P societies, which deliver events that are part of the fabric of who we are as rural communities, and the Manukau Heads Lighthouse Trust, whose members look after probably the most recognised landmark in our area, and one that is an important part of our heritage.”

The total allocated was $175,000 with the board also reallocating $8000 not used in year one because the Positive Ageing Expo could not be held during COVID-19 restrictions, to discretionary community grants funding to enable an alternative community initiative to be funded.

Playcentre’s recipe book fundraiser

Otaua Aka Aka Playcentre’s most recent fundraising venture is the creation of a recipe book entitled ‘From One Mother To Another’ with contributions from Franklin locals.

Recipes include favourite dishes from lunchbox ideas to slow cooker winners, desserts, snacks and everything in between, contributed by Playcentre parents and others, including the Kentish Hotel, Nourish Holistic Lifestyle Nutrition, The Wellness Shot, Emily Te Kani and former Masterchef New Zealand judge and iconic Kiwi chef, Simon

Gault.

Major sponsors were Emily Te Kani from Harcourts Waiuku and Campbell Tyson Pukekohe. The books are available from Botanica on Bowen in Waiuku, or through the Otaua Aka Aka Playcentre Facebook page.

The organising committee will also have them for sale at various upcoming markets in the local area over summer. The funds will be used to provide new learning resources and play equipment for Playcentre tamariki (children).

Otaua Aka Aka Playcentre mums and bubs

Waiuku Steel n Wheels attracts thousands of visitors to the town.

“Now is the Hour”

Maewa was the second wife of Henare Kaihau of Waiuku, the Maori Member of Parliament representing Western Maori until 1920. Maewa and Henare had six daughters and two sons.

Maewa was musically gifted; she played the piano, sang and taught music. She was also well known for reading poetry.

In April 1920, Edward, the Prince of Wales visited Australia and New Zealand. His visit was the Royal way to officially thank the people of Australasia for the sacrifices made during the Great War. He arrived at Auckland on board the HMS Renown and he spent four weeks travelling the country aboard a lavishly appointed Royal Train and by motor coach visiting 50 cities and towns from Auckland to Invercargill.

At a ball in Rotorua, Maewa’s eldest daughter was one of a group of teenage girls who, in bare feet and piupiu skirts, entertained the Royal entourage. The girl formed an attachment with one of the escorts but he only had a short time with the girl because he had to depart with the Prince.

So Maewa quickly wrote the This is the Hour verse for her daughter, using the well-known Po Atarau tune as a basis. In 1935 she modified the Po Atarau verse. This became the Haere Ra Waltz Song, which was sung when steamships were departing overseas. In 1945 English wartime singer Gracie Fields learnt Haere Ra on a visit to New Zealand. Her version of it known as Now is the Hour became a world-wide hit in 1948.

Renditions of the song have been performed over the

years by many well-known performers including Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby and Dame Vera Lynn to name a few. Bing Crosby’s Now is the Hour entered the Top Ten charts on 5 February 1948. It was No. 1 or 2 from 28 February until 29 May. It stayed on the Top Ten charts for 23 weeks until 3 July 1948. It was Bing’s 42nd and last single to reach the top of the pop charts.

Emira Maewa Kaihau was born Louisa Flavell in 1879

The End of the Harbour

been able to visit her and show her the new cover she had authorised but she was never to see it grace the pride of place on the completed book,” said Bill.

This book The End of the Harbour looks back to the very different scene in Waiuku, where Elsie grew up and went to school. The harbour is the Manukau and Waiuku is the southern-most point, linked in those days by a canoe portage to the great waterway of the Waikato River.

It is now 21 years since GoGraphics (Deed Print) published a unique book on behalf of well-known and respected author Elsie Locke. The book is an historical novel for children set in Elsie Locke’s hometown of Waiuku.

“At the time the printing preparation was underway, I had constant communication with Elsie,” said Bill Deed of GoGraphics. “Elsie had her roots here in Waiuku, and because the subject of the book was set here, she thought it logical to have the volume printed in the town.”

But before the production was complete, sadly Elsie passed away at her home in Christchurch. “I was very fortunate to have

One February day in 1860, the cutter Betsy sails down the calm Manukau Harbour bound for the village of Waiuku. Aboard is 11 year old David Learwood who has travelled from the other side of the world to settle here.

at Whangaroa, in Northland and moved with her family to Waiuku in 1893. On her father’s side she is said to have descended from French nobles fleeing the French Revolution, and from a musician of the court to the Austrian Emperor. On her mother’s side she was a direct descendant of Ngapuhi chief Hone Heke of Ngati Rahiri and Ngati Rehia Hapu.

After Henare Kaihau died in 1920, Maewa married Charles Molesworth and they had two sons and two daughters.

Maewa is also known for her compositions Akoako, o te Rangi, E Moe te Ra and Me Pehea Ra which were published in Māori and English in 1918. They were some of the first Māori songs to be performed in classical concerts. In 1926, two of these songs were featured on a special New Zealand programme on BBC Radio in the United Kingdom. In 1927, she wrote the lyrics for a song The Huia composed to welcome the Duke of York and his wife to New Zealand. In 1928 The New Zealand Herald said that her music “spoke something of that elusive spirit which is the unique heritage of the Maori”. In 1930 she composed a farewell song for Lady Alice Fergusson, the wife of Sir Charles Fergusson after he had completed his term as New Zealand Governor General. This song was described by the Auckland Star as being of a “haunting, sincere style so characteristic of Maori music”.

Maewa died on 27 February 1941 at Auckland Hospital but her music legacy will live on in the annuls of music history forever.

“Some of the characters are fictitious: the Learwood, Corner and Mera families, the hotel staff, Bert Harford, Mrs Reed and Louis. The other adults were real people, and I have tried to imagine them to their real lives as far as I know,” wrote Elsie in the author’s note at the beginning of the book.

Elsie Locke was a writer, a social historian, one of the pioneers of the New Zealand family planning movement, and an activist for social justice, women’s rights, environmental preservation, peace and civil rights. But she is best known as a writer for children. Her children’s books and stories have been treasured by successive generations, and The Runaway Settlers has been continuously in print longer than any other New Zealand children’s book.

Kentish Hotel where the

But life is far from calm around the Kentish Hotel where the Learwoods are employed.

Pākehā settlers seek to extend their holdings but Māori fear the loss of their land, and rumours of fighting in Taranaki cause mounting tension.

David and his new friend Honatana are swept into an exciting chain of events, including the visit of the Māori king, an epidemic of influenza, and a cattle hunt with a tragic outcome.

David’s mother is fearful and will not go outside the hotel, but David discovers a fascinating new world.

Elsie was born Elsie Violet Farrelly in Hamilton on 17 August 1912, the youngest of six children and a fourth-generation New Zealander. When she was two the family moved to Waiuku. Elsie and her siblings had a carefree childhood, exploring a nearby beach and camping in tents during the summer, the kind of simple, outdoor activities that she later organised for her own children. Elsie attended Waiuku District High School, which her father had helped build. By her final year she was the only pupil in her class.

Elsie never forgot her affinity with Waiuku and each time she returned she

made contact with people and families she had known in those years and she loved visiting the Waiuku Museum.

Elsie’s book The End of the Harbour are available at Action Office Products Depot, 16 Bowen Street, Waiuku. They are $25.00 per copy and are an ideal present for Christmas.

Elsie Farrelly in her guide uniform when she lived at Waiuku as a child

Elsie Locke

Maewa Kaihau (nee Flavell)

It is reputed as being New Zealand’s first million selling record Now is the Hour (Haere Ra or Po Atarau), but it is not commonly known that the lyrics of this world-famous song originated from a Waiuku lady Maewa Kaihau.

Engaging Waiuku’s youth through Blue EDGE

BY SANDY SMITH

The Waiuku Blue EDGE programme is a Blue Light programme supported by the NEN team whereby ‘NEN’ stands for Non-Enrolled Noti cation. Renee Ward is the programme coordinator for Blue Light in the Franklin area and is also part of the NEN team.

Blue Light are currently contracted by the Ministry of Education to help families with children who are out of school in East Auckland and South Auckland, ranging from Mount Wellington to Mangatangi. They focus on getting non-enrolled young people between the ages of 6-15 years back into school, training or full-time work.

The programme started on 31 May 2022 and ran until 25 August. It was carried out by Renee and Youth Mentor, Shannon Benterman with the support of team members from the Blue Light NEN team. The programme also engaged the help of four local police officers: Dean Borrell, Terry Oram, Summer Marks and Rosalie Carter.

“They helped us with preparing and cooking the food and participating in the physical activities we would run twice a week for ten weeks,” said Renee. “This created an awesome relationship between our Waiuku College students and local police officers and it was a great programme to run.”

According to the latest Blue Light NEN newsletter, The EDGE in Blue EDGE stands for educate, develop, grow and empower. The programme incorporates physical training elements designed to grow a young person’s mind and physical capabilities and is run in partnership with the local Police. It includes valuable conversations about goal setting, career education, health

and fitness and mentoring with a view to influence youth to achieve their potential.

The Final EDGE is the closing component of the course and involves students taking part in team as well as individual physical activities which are designed to test the students’ physical and mental capabilities.

The Blue EDGE graduation took place at Waiuku College with Willie Iosia acting as MC for the celebrations. The CEO of Blue Light Rod Bell attended as did ex-All Black Keven Mealamu, who was the night’s guest speaker.

More information about Blue Light can be found at www. bluelight.co.nz and www.facebook.com/nzbluelight.

Elephants are the ultimate

Andrew Coers and Burma the elephant have grown up together

After twenty-plus years working at Auckland Zoo, with many of those years working with the elephant programme, Andrew Coers’ commitment to zookeeping, animal behaviour and training is now legendary.

Growing up in Glenbrook on a lifestyle block, Andrew was exposed early on to an appreciation of nature and New Zealand native species.

“I had a permit to keep native geckos and my parents had one for keeping kākāriki, a type of native parrot. We also had the usual mix of animals you get on a lifestyle block.”

Andrew went to Glenbrook School and then Waiuku College. It was at Waiuku College that a careers advisor suggested he gain some work experience at Auckland Zoo.

“I was 15 at the time and saw myself working for the Department of Conservation (DOC) given my interest in native wildlife species. My careers advisor contacted Auckland Zoo, and I was very fortunate to be accepted for work experience on the New Zealand Fauna section.

“They didn’t normally take on work experience students for this particular section, but due to my interest in native species and looking after licensed species at home, they took me on.”

This opportunity led to weekend volunteering and eventually Andrew picked up some casual work on the weekends and school holidays. He took on a full-time role at just 16 years of age, and has been there ever since.

Initially Andrew worked as a trainee, which meant he obtained experience in most areas of the Zoo but he became particularly keen on animal behaviour and training.

“I really enjoyed being able to establish a relationship with an animal to help benefit its life. Our aim is always to give the animals in our care a sweet life – a rich and fulfilling one, and I’ve been so lucky over the years to work with a variety of species, learning from them all.

The majority of Andrew’s time at Auckland Zoo has been working with Asian elephants.

“For me elephants are the ultimate, and I feel very privileged to be able to work with these amazing animals.

For Andrew, who has been the Zoo’s elephant team team leader for the past 16 years, working with his fellow keepers caring for Burma, Aotearoa New Zealand’s last elephant, is particularly poignant. He has seen how the programme has continued to grow and develop over the last two decades.

“The animals let you know if you are on the right

Probus Waiuku reaches milestone

The Combined Probus Club of Waiuku celebrated their 20th birthday last month on 15 November.

Current president Annette Grey welcomed former officers and members including inaugural president Ken Letcher who presided over the first meeting.

Annette told the Breeze that their gathering was a great occasion with lots of memories, a special morning tea which included a

BY SANDY SMITH

track, and it’s such a privilege to work with these incredibly charismatic, intelligent and awe-inspiring beings.”

This year is Auckland Zoo’s centenary. The Zoo officially opened on 16 December 1922, and has this year been inviting the community to send in old photos, which are being shared on its social media channels. It also has a dedicated section on its website that includes a 100-year historical timeline and video series – https:// aucklandzoo100.co.nz/.

“In celebration of our 100th, the Zoo has also just published a centenary book called ‘Auckland Zoo – 100 Years, 100 Stories’. One of the stories was when Burma went for a walk around Western Springs. We had to find her and bring her home – that was an interesting day!”

As her name suggests, Burma is from Myanmar (formerly Burma). Now 40 years old, she arrived at Auckland Zoo in 1990 and is very much loved by the Zoo whanau and the wider community.

In late 2020, Auckland Zoo made the difficult decision to rehome its elephants, and Burma’s companion, younger female Anjalee, moved to Australia in March 2022. Burma was due to move to her new home, just a few weeks after Anjalee, but the move fell through at the last minute and the Zoo is currently in discussion with other accredited elephant programmes within the region to find her a new suitable home.

“Burma and I have grown up together. She really impresses me with how she adapts to change. She’s going to do that again when she moves and we’ll be there to support her all the way. I’m just really grateful to have had that time with her.

“I’m just so proud of her — that’s animals for you. They are so remarkable in so many different ways and Burma is a shining example of this.

“Elephants have this incredible presence and an innate ability to connect with people on an emotional level. There’s just something about them and I’m so fortunate to see it on a daily basis. When vision impaired people come in and spend time with her, she just knows and will stand very still so they can run their hands over her.

“We do it so well here at Auckland Zoo and the Zoo has given me an amazing career. For example, they sent me to Sri Lanka to study elephants in the wild. The Centre for Conservation Research in Sri Lanka, which the Zoo has supported for many years through our Conservation

Fund, is doing some amazing work tracking and analysing Asian elephant behaviour,” says Andrew.

“They are providing science-based evidence that can be used at local and central government levels to help better manage elephant-human conflict. Being exposed to programmes like that helps to create empathy for conservation as a whole and it’s easier to talk to people about these issues when you’ve had personal experience.

“When Burma goes somewhere else, Auckland Zoo is committed to managing her transition, and, through my team, giving her all the support she needs to settle into her new home. A lot of thought goes into that especially ensuring we do the right things for the animals.”

Summing up his career at Auckland Zoo, Andrew says it has been a great privilege looking after and being in the presence of elephants like Burma, who continues to teach him life lessons every day.

birthday cake and entertainment.

Probus promotes friendship, fellowship and fun and all retired or semi-retired seniors are welcome to monthly meetings. Other social activities for members are organised and from time to time bus trips are made to interesting locations.

Anybody interested in Waiuku Probus contact Annette Grey amg145@gmail.com

Support for cardiac patients in Franklin

The Pukekohe Cardiac Club is a rehabilitation and support group for those in the Franklin area with a cardiac condition, especially after surgery. Members are kept informed of heart friendly food along with how to lower cholesterol and perform doable, healthy heart exercises.

Current chairman, Pat, is enthusiastic about the benefits provided by the club and encourages anyone with a cardiac condition to join.

“We’ve got about 15 members from the West Franklin area. We have people coming from Mercer and also people who have moved away but want to keep attending.”

The club enables people with similar problems to communicate with each other.

“When people go to medical appointments associated with experiencing a cardiac event, they often get a whole lot of information that can make them apprehensive about what’s happening. Talking to others can help.”

The Club meets every Friday at the Franklin Masonic Lodge Rooms, 8c Roulston St Street (2nd floor, elevator available), Pukekohe, from 10am-12pm.

“We have morning tea, then do some exercise for about 20-30 mins. Following that we have a quiz and play bingo and often go off and have lunch together.”

There are also regular outings held approximately every three months. “The club recently caught the train to Hamilton to do some shopping at Te Awa/ The Base. We’ve also been to Howick for lunch and visited the Raglan RSA.”

According to Pat, the club is definitely family-oriented and partners of those with cardiac conditions are also very welcome to join.

If anyone would like to join the group or would like more information, please contact Pat at wrpe@xtra.co.nz or phone 239-2252.

Pukekohe Cardiac Club is affiliated with the Heart Foundation NZ.

Andrew Coers with his beloved Burma

Photo: Auckland Zoo

Senior Probus Waiuku club member Bernie Hopkins cuts the club’s 20th anniversary birthday cake.

Cardiac club enables people with similar problems to communicate with each other

A life on the waves – ocean and radio!

involved as an air guard in the evacuation of British Forces from Yemen. This involved spending three months travelling up and down the coastline as fighters and bombers were readied for immediate take off. Steve’s job onboard was the servicing of the U.H.F. radios that were used by the air traffic control officers and were required to have extremely high availability.

Steve left the Eagle when he received advancement to “leading rates” rank and went “back to school” to fully qualify for promotion. Whilst completing this training, he married Dorothy, and they were posted as a married couple back to Mauritius. “It was a honeymoon,” says Steve. Steve and Dorothy were in Mauritius for two years and there, they welcomed their son.

In 1974, Steve left the navy and for a brief time worked for Ericsson in the UK.

as the company gathered momentum and innovative technologies associated with paging and intercom entered the market.

Ericsson decided to streamline their operation and dispense with paging and intercom division of the business. Steve saw an opportunity and negotiated with Ericsson to take over this part of the business and subsequently in 1990 Tellen Systems was born. The entity concentrated on servicing hospitals New Zealand wide. Based out of Pukekohe, the company consisted of Steve, Dorothy, their son Stephen and his wife Jenny, who just happened to be an accountant.

Waipipi bowls day popular

Waipipi Bowling Club hosted a tournament 17 November 2022 sponsored by Rad Electrical. Teams entered from Pukekohe, Waiuku, Buckland, Clarks Beach, Patumahoe and Waipipi, a great day with a light rain, turning heavier in the afternoon which shortened the playing day.

Results

Waiuku resident Steve Bayliss entered the British navy as a trainee at aged 16 in 1962. His first posting of 18 months was to the Royal Navy Radio Station H.M.S. Mauritius, Mauritius is an island country situated in the Indian Ocean about 850 km east of Madagascar.

His first ocean going foray was on the frigate HMS Tenby as part of a team of radio electricians looking after the radar, radios and anti-submarine displays, and anything associated with electronic warfare on board.

HMS Tenby was a specialist anti-submarine warship intended to counter fast modern diesel-electric submarines and at this time, was used primarily as a training ship for the naval officers from Dartmouth Naval College. On one of their sojourns,Tenby sailed up the St Lawrence seaway to Toronto then Montreal and finished up at Detroit where the company were permitted to perform live firing of anti-submarine mortars. “We got fresh fish!” quips Steve.

HMS Tenby also spent a considerable amount of time in the seas around Scotland on training exercises, detecting subs, and giving the submariners on those subs practice at evading and shooting warships.

Steve then moved to HMS Hermes for a brief time as a major refit was scheduled.

Deployment to HMS Eagle followed. Eagle was an Audacious-class carrier and was the second to last fleet carrier to serve with the Royal Navy. In 1966-67 it too was refitted with more powerful catapults and arrester gear to take Phantom aircraft. Eagle was fitted with an angled flight deck, mirror-landing system for its aircraft, and two steam catapults. It could accommodate forty-five aircraft and ten helicopters. Steve travelled aboard Eagle to East Asia and then up into the Artic Circle. The carrier was subsequently

In 1977 he and his family followed Steve’s brother Robin to New Zealand where he worked in the electronics industry, initially for Pye Electronics and then for a short period with his brother at Alcan Industries.

Later Steve joined Atlas Majestic Industries (AMI) in their commercial industrial division as a sales engineer specialising in PA systems, answering machines and closed-circuit TVs. The company expanded and diversified with the addition of a new division Atlas Gentech. Steve was deployed early in the new division’s history travelling the world sourcing different pieces of equipment associated with radio and telephone systems.

Steve left AMI and joined Ericsson New Zealand just as the New Zealand Post Office’s monopoly on telephone systems was ending as the industry deregulated. Right place, right time

In 2010 Steve decided to step back and sold the business to an Australian technology company. Steve agreed to stay on as a consultant. The company was subsequently taken over by one of the Australian directors with Steve remaining as a sales director. However, there was a fundamental difference in the way the business was being operated, and it was not to Steve’s liking – so he and the company parted ways.

In 2014, Steve was contacted and asked to assist his old hospital clients. He identified an opportunity to set up another company Integrated Communication Solutions Ltd. supplying, servicin, and updating paging and radio infrastructure to those clients. He now works in association with his son who is the New Zealand technical manager for a global company that specialises in supplying the personal emergency call systems for hospitals and rest homes New Zealand wide.

The business is doing very well indeed and unbelievably, this critical New Zealand entity continues to operate from little old rural Waiuku!

1st Waiuku: Richard Sheehan, Alan Fergusson, Murray Elliss.

2nd Waipipi: Roy Hopping, Eric Gillott, Sandra Jones.

3rd Buckland: Shane Fleming, Leone Fleming, Liz Whiteway.

Next Waipipi tournament to be held Thursday 18 January 2023.

Steve Bayliss

Vixen fighter planes fly past aircraft carrier “Eagle” in 1967.

Holiday Operating Hours

In the beginning, the idea of a lifestyle block seems nothing less than idyllic. The rain will fall from the sky and go where it’s needed, the grass will grow, and the animals will happily wander among the buttercups. Much of this will turn out to be true, but not always, and there will be times of crisis when the whole idea may be called into question. There is no way to prevent this, but there certainly are ways to identify and prepare for the inevitable challenges, all of which can be managed.

Starting with water, which I have touched on in earlier articles. Problems arise from either too much or not enough. When the rain is falling it is important to capture and store as much as possible and that is becoming more critical with climate fluctuations. Directly influenced by rainfall is the rate at which grass will grow. The critical issue here, which is never easy to estimate correctly is to anticipate the right level of stock.

It can be surprising how at this time of the year (December) there seems to be abundant grass and yet by February you wonder where it has all gone.

February,

Scrapping the whole idea?

when the grass dries up is not the best time to go looking for supplementary feed, that is best bought much earlier when it’s being cut and bailed, bought and stored. That is not too difficult, bales of haylage can be stacked and stored in the open.

Ideally stock levels should anticipate available feed. It’s often necessary to send some stock to the sale in preparation for the winter, but of course of everybody does it at once the price goes down. Having supplementary feed available is an important option which, one day, will be required. As the weather cools down and the grass disappears it is alarmingly easy to underestimate feeding needs and so careful and frequent assessment of animal condition, is essential.

Then, there is the old maxim that, if you can have a live one, you can also have a dead one. This will happen to us all eventually and being prepared for it is essential. Touching on the disposal issue for a moment, for cattle there are dead animal collection services available which may pay for the carcass, but for sheep and goats we usually need to make our own arrangements. Professional farms often have an offal pit, a deep hole professionally dug and covered with an approved and safety cover. This is beyond the scope of most smallholders, although those that have one will use it, but they pose a significant hazard if not properly and carefully managed. Some lifestyle farmers use composting systems which for animals the size of sheep are surprisingly straightforward and effective. The alternative is direct burial, and, unless you have your own digger, there are professional services which can attend and look after this. Whatever the final resting place, the usually urgent task which inevitably falls on the farmer, is moving the dead animal. For this, whatever type of vehicle is available, tractor or other utility, together with appropriate tackle for haulage and

Beetle traps combat spread of Dutch elm disease

The detection of Dutch elm disease at the Auckland region-Waikato District boundary has triggered an insect trapping programme that will start this month.

Waikato District Council has commissioned specialist biosecurity contractors to carry out surveillance trapping for the Elm Bark Beetle that carries the disease.

Beetle traps will be placed along roadsides across the northern Waikato to determine the extent of the disease in the area.

About 70 traps, at 1.5km intervals, are due to be placed in an approximate east-west line from Waitakaruru to Port Waikato.

Auckland Council has been dealing with Dutch elm disease for a number of years.

This effort to stop the disease spreading further south is being done after Auckland Council’s trapping programme detected the disease on the Auckland-Waikato border, 10km north of this month’s trapping area, this year.

Selected property owners are being informed that their fence-lines are ideal locations for the traps.

The traps will be placed on a fence post and remain active until May 2023. They will be checked on a weekly basis.

If beetles are found in the traps, the contrac-

lifting, will need to be pressed into service at short notice.

There will also be times when animals are in trouble, either unwell, giving birth or not uncommonly have got themselves stuck somewhere, like in a drain, where urgent assistance is needed, not necessarily in daylight hours. Again, haulage and tackle needs to be available as does wet weather gear and lighting. All these things are readily available and affordable but must be kept in good dry conditions and ready to hand when needed unexpectedly. Sudden washouts and failures of fences will have to be dealt with, some wooden planks and an old gate or two can be invaluable in such emergencies. It’s valuable to have a network of friends who can call on each other to assist in such circumstances and this also results in shared experience which is benefits everybody.

It’s also important to understand that if a situation seems to be getting out of hand or even just beyond your comfort zone, the emergency services would much rather be called when its recoverable than too late. In our rural area they are invariably willing and helpful. Most important of all though, is to always rise to deal with these problems, they will happen, they are part of the lifestyle experience and each time a crisis is overcome that is another notch of experience and competence gained which is part of the real satisfaction of lifestyle farming.

Developing and managing lifestyle blocks is neither simple nor straightforward and experience gained in coping with whatever comes is perhaps the greatest satisfaction of all. Never surrender, never give up, do not decide to scrap the whole idea, but don’t be too proud to ask for help, preferably before you really need it. When something has been overcome once it will be much easier next time and it’s not too long before fate runs out of new ideas.

tors will look for the potential source (infected trees) in the immediate area – which could be up to 3km around the source trap.

This response would involve collaboration with neighbouring property owners in the form of door-knocking and letter drops in that immediate area.

If an infected tree is found and is confirmed to have Dutch elm disease, property-owners will be notified and given an additional letter to inform them of the presence of the disease on their property.

Waikato District Council will liaise with these property owners about the removal of infected trees, which has to be done by biosecurity specialists.

Wilting foliage, dead or dying branches, and dead elm trees are all typical signs of Dutch elm disease.

If you suspect an elm tree in your area may be diseased, please call 0800 492 452.

Diseased elm trees in Auckland

New Zealand

Local legend Jim Coe has been awarded the prestigious Life Membership of Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.

Back in 1968 the Kariaotahi Surf Club was founded by Waiuku Rotary. The members back then shared remarkably similar concerns as of today – the safety of the public, those fishing and swimming at Karioitahi beach.

and 4500 members.

To add to Jim’s impressive portfolio, he is also currently a Northern Region surf official for competitions, a surf examiner for both surf lifeguard awards and IRBs.

This has culminated with Jim being honoured with life membership of Lifesaving New Zealand, Surf Lifesaving Northern Region, and Surf Lifesaving Kariaotahi, as well as many other service awards.

In addition, Jim is co-chair of the building committee for the new clubrooms at Karioitahi beach. As part of that revisiting of the history of the club, invaluable newspaper articles have been discovered from 1937 showing that Jim’s grandfather was a surf lifeguard for Kariaotahi. The article details a rescue with a belt and a reel. Jim’s grandfather’s brothers and nephew were also involved in the surf lifesaving team, so surf lifesaving has come through the generations.

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Be generally aware if there is no patrol

red and yellow ags out on the beach – Karioitahi is a dangerous beach - and it is much better NOT to swim if there is no patrol on duty. Swim only when the ags are out and stay between the ags.

In August 1968, a public meeting was held with the intention of forming a surf lifesaving club. A few members came on board, including Waiuku based dentist and member of Rotary Murray Collins. Murray valiantly took on the chairmanship of the fledgling surf club but despite the best of intentions the group really struggled to float.

The following year Jim’s father Laurie Coe, happened to go to Murray the dentist to get a tooth looked at. Jim says, “I don’t know whether it was the Novocaine that he was under the influence of or what – but Murray asked my dad if he would help out and become a surf lifeguard and he said yes.” Lawrie Coe duly qualified as a lifeguard in 1969-70 and as they say – the rest is fabulous history!

Jim says, “We’d always been at the beach as kids growing up and we spent even more time there once there was direct involvement in what was going to be the fledgling surf club at Karioitahi.”

New Zealand Steel offered the patrollers a building that was surplus after their second stage development as a club house. From then there was an enormous amount of work done in 1970-71 by a number of members including the Waiuku Lions and Waiuku Rotary to get a building delivered.

In 1978-79 Jim qualified as a surf lifesaver at the Kariaotahi Club – he was 14. However, Jim performed his first rescue when he was 13! He has always enjoyed swimming and being involved, so Jim’s surf lifesaving career started from there. That’s a massive 44-year involvement with the club.

Jim has held every position in the club – chief instructor/facilitator, IRB captain, patrol captain, club president (17 years), junior surf coach, team manager and SAR squad member. For a period of seven years Jim took a break from services for the club when he became chairman of Surf Lifesaving Northern Region. After this role he returned to serve the club.

Timeline-wise, there was a call for Jim four years agojust before Covid hit, to go back as president of Surf Life Saving Northern Region, a role he still holds.

Surf Lifesaving Northern Region covers from Raglan in the south through to Ahipara in the north. That involves 18 clubs

Centenarian receives Royal card

Waiuku centenarian Betty Dawson was excited when she received the customary card from the monarch to acknowledge the milestone of reaching 100 years of age.

The card had been delayed for Betty because of the timing of the death of Queen Elizabeth and the accession of King Charles to the throne. The card now takes pride of place in Betty’s room at CTH Waiuku.

Jim’s two children are both lifeguards. Daughter Tara is Head of Lifesaving, Surf Lifesaving Kariaotahi, and is already the recipient of service awards for Surf Lifesaving Northern region. Soon she will receive a service award from Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.

Tara was employed for a couple of years by Surf Lifesaving Northern Region as Safety and Development Training Manager but has since left to pursue a new career.

The Coe family are omnipresent at Kariaotahi Club. Judith, Jim’s wife has been “swept up” in the club being made treasurer. In earlier years Judith was also head of the junior surf programme and has been involved in the club for the last 21 years. She is affectionately referred to as “Camp Mother.”

On a more sobering note, Jim was involved in all three drownings at Karioitahi last year. That is three drownings in six weeks. He says, “We tend to use the older more experienced guards to shield the younger guards.”

Jim says “Karioitahi is a pretty dangerous beach for the uninitiated. What we see sometimes is people walking into dangerous conditions – it’s unbelievable.”

Jim’s hopes for the future are that the new clubhouse which is just so close – comes to fruition. Club members are working hard to get the required funding so that these cost escalations don’t jeopardise the project.

Sponsorship is key and the club are so incredibly grateful for the support of their sponsors and the community at large.

If you would like to contribute to this critical piece of the Waiuku community, please go to the givealittle page – your donation would be much appreciated. Go to: https://givealittle.co.nz/donate/ cause/new-lifesaving-and-training-facility

Jim Coe, you are an inspiration to all. Congratulations. Thank you for your service and well done!

Jim Coe with his Life

Membership Award from Lifesaving New Zealand

BY ANNIE CHAPPELL

Electric bikes o road

BY SANDY SMITH

Becoming more popular are electric bikes for recreation.

Locally Kelvin Baker sells Sur-ron electric off-road bikes through Andy’s Moto Services at 6b Court Street, Waiuku. “These bikes are fully electric, light weight, quiet and environmentally friendly off-road bikes, he said.

“There is no fuel or peddling and no gears. The battery can last for two and a half hours or more. Once you ride one you’ll love it. They’re good value and reliable and are also quiet so less annoying than the noisier petrol version.”

Kelvin said the Sur-ron electric bikes were proving particularly popular with local hunters who want to get around off-road.

Andy, Liv and Jordyn work at Andy’s Moto Services. Andy opened the business a few days before the first lockdown in 2020 but has managed to survive the impact of the pandemic. Jordyn is in charge of sales and parts and Liv works in the workshop with Andy.

Along with selling Kelvin’s bikes, Andy’s Moto Services services and repairs most brands of ATVs, UTVs, dirt bikes and road bikes. They also stock a large range of parts and accessories along with other brands of e-bikes plus quads, side-by-sides, two wheelers and dirt bikes.

Kelvin’s electric bikes are imported crated up and in need of assembling. The bikes when they arrive are assem-

bled and checked over at Andy’s before being put into the shop.

“We set them up so they’re ready to jump on and ride,” said Kelvin. “As well as assembling them, we enhance their performance. However, people can purchase the bike in a crate, ready to assemble, at a cheaper price, if they so wish.”

Kelvin is enthusiastic about the EV industry and sees electric off-road bikes as a good way forward for those who want to be able to ride something which is a cross between a dirt bike and mountain bike.

For more information, go to Andy’s Moto Services website https://waiukumotoservices.co.nz/.

We thank our constant advertisers and also those who chose to support their local paper. We are told by so many readers that it is the “best paper in their mailbox” and that they read it from cover to cover.

“It has been a constant battle during 2022 to make ends meet and while we endeavor to keep costs down it is sometimes difficult to cover them all,” said co-owner Ngaire Deed. “The readers love it and we have no end of interesting stories and history to cover but we need advertisers to ensure we can continue to publish. It may surprise you what it actually costs to print and deliver the paper.”

Once again we have made it through another tough year, with an even tougher one forecast for 2023.

r e e z e B

Andy, Liv, Jordyn, Kelvin

The team at the West Franklin Breeze would like to wish you all a very meaningful Christmas and a safe New Year.

The Waiuku NZ Steel Christmas Fes�val is promising to be a fantas�c event for 2022.

The event �ming is a li�le different this year, it’s all happening in the evening, from 5pm-9pm.

From 5pm enjoy the fes�ve market in Bowen Street, photos with Santa, family entertainment, dancing, live music and delicious treats for all.

The Santa parade is at 6pm, leaving from Rugby park on King Street, making it’s way up Queen Street to Kirk Street, looping around the block, with the final procession from Court Street back down Queen Street.

The theme for this year’s parade is “Dancing in the Street!” to represent celebra�ng together, freedom a�er some challenging �mes, and performing with friends, family and whānau. We have had a fantas�c response from the community, par�cularly as we have been unable to hold the parade since 2019, so we are expec�ng a great evening for all!

Enjoy the fes�vi�es, do some shopping and grab something for dinner a�erwards from the great range of eateries in town or book a table to dine out with the family. Check out the choices in the EAT sec�on of www.waiukutown.co.nz

Late parade float entries- If you would like to enter a float or take part in the Santa parade, please get in touch with us as soon as possible at waiukutownmanager@gmail.com or 09 235 6231

The event rain save date is Sunday 18 December 2022 star�ng at 11am with the Parade at 2pm. Should the event be moved to the rain save date due to bad weather, this will be announced via our website and facebook page.

This event is brought to you by The Waiuku Business & Development Associa�on and volunteers from our community. We wish to thank NZ Steel and the Franklin Local Board for their generous support of this event, and Waiuku Business Park and Franklin Local Board for the new lights for our town Christmas tree.

WaiukuChristmasFestival

Shop locally to win one of two prizes of $500 worth of Waiuku Town Vouchers. Spend a minimum $20 with any of our amazing Waiuku businesses and deposit your receipt at one of our six collec�on points before 12 December and be in to win!! Collec�on points are located at The Goodness Grocer, Unichem Waiuku (Queen Street), Gary Pyes 100%, Coin Save, Baker’s Shoes and More and the Waiuku Informa�on Centre. T&Cs apply, please see www.waiukutown.co.nz

Many of our shops will be open on Sundays and open late on Thursdays during December, for your Christmas shopping. We have a wonderful variety of gi�s, art, homewares, jewellery, shoes, clothing, hobbies and books to choose from. You can find that special gi� for the whole family right here in Waiuku. Keep an eye on our Facebook page and other local community pages for our updates about who is open when. You can also purchase Waiuku town shopping vouchers from the business associa�on, which make a great gi�.

The rejuvena�on of the lights on our very own, iconic Waiuku Christmas tree! With the incredible support of Waiuku Business Park “The Be�er Place to Do Business”, the Franklin Local Board and the land owners, the giant tree in Norfolk Rise will ‘light up’ in the second week of December, for the community to enjoy over the holiday period. This is a wonderful ini�a�ve which has been in the making for the last year, thanks to previous town manager, Sharlene Druyven and the business associa�on. Now it’s �me to show off our giant Christmas tree in all it’s new glory.

Isn’t it lovely to see our town centre all lit up for the festive season.