1

Community Contact—a newsletter

compiled from the contributions of the

people of South Westland.

Send your articles/ adverts to your contact

or email okaritojudith@gmail.com

by 15TH SEPTEMBER

to be in the OCTOBER issue

ADVERTISING RATES

Full Page $150.00 1/2 Page $80.00

1/4 Page $ 40.00 1/8 Page $20.00

PLEASE SEND YOUR PAYMENT OR

ANY DONATIONS to Brenda Monk -

Lake Paringa Postal Centre,

South Westland 7834

OR Bank to; Community Contact

12 3166 00423000 02 with your name

& what the deposit is for.

C O M M U N I T Y C O N T A C T

S E P T E M B E R 2 0 12

Remember your contacts

Ross Annie Hughes 755 4145

Harihari Bronwyn Mason 753 3122

Whataroa Anne Dennehey 753 4138

Barbara O'Neill 753 4224

Anne Kennedy 753 4050

Franz Susan Miller 752 0747

Fox Jacinda Halford 751 0076

South Brenda Monk Home 751 0892

Brenda Monk Work 751 0837

Haast Anita Freer 750 0104

Okarito & Newsletter Compiler

Judith Maloney 753 4222

okaritojudith@gmail.com

The views expressed in Community Contact are not necessarily the views of

the CC board.

All personal opinion pieces should be signed. Publication is at our discretion.

IT’S

SEPTEMBER.

COMING READY

OR NOT!

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Community Contact Police report

Franz Josef has been fairly peaceful this month, which is always good news.

Last month, however, we had quite a serious Aggravated Robbery in the Whataroa area. This occurred when a male and female couple from Hokitika took exception to the way a couple from Argentina braked abruptly when entering some roadworks on Mount Hercules. This was quite possibly only an issue because the Hokitika locals were following too closely, nevertheless they became extremely angry, and tried to force the tourists to stop.

The frightened tourists tried to get to Franz Josef Police Station, which they had entered on their GPS, however they failed to notice the dog-leg on State Highway 6 in Whataroa, and ended up on a no-exit country road in the middle of the night.

When the tourists tried to turn their vehicle around at the dead-end, they were blocked in by the offenders, who then went to the driver door of the tourists' vehicle, and began punching the male driver repeatedly around the head. When the victim's female partner bravely got out and went to the offenders to plead for them to stop hurting her partner, she was also punched in the face.

The offenders then threatened and intimidated the victims into handing over an expensive laptop and a considerable amount of foreign currency.

Luckily the local Intel network worked, and Police had a tip off as to the whereabouts of the offenders and their vehicle within an hour.

Bill and I armed ourselves, and went to the offenders' address, where we arrested the offenders and recovered all the stolen property for the terrified tourists, who decided to end their holiday and wanted nothing more from Westland other than a Police escort out of town.

Of all the places for tourists to be the victims of an Aggravated Robbery, this beautiful part of the world would have to be close to the most unlikely place for it to happen, however this incident does illustrate that serious crime can and will happen anywhere.

In another recent incident, a Stihl 660 chainsaw and Pneumatic impact gun in an unlocked 'Safa' tool box were stolen off the back of a utility parked outside a motel overnight. A reward is offered for any-one who has information leading to the recovery of these valuable tools and / or the prosecution of the offender(s).

Something that has come to the attention of Franz Josef Police recently is the number of people who leave their keys in the ignition of their vehicles overnight. Well that's nice that people feel so safe, but the reality is, as I hope I've demonstrated above, that crime does happen, and such laid-back practices leave people utterly exposed to becoming victims and having their cars stolen. Be smart and lock it up.

Well that's all from me for another month. Stay safe out there, and be kind to one another.

Guy Bradley

Franz Josef Police

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4

OKARITO Another very entertaining evening at Donovans last month from the flying fingers of celebrated

Celtic harpist Helen Reddy with Davy Stuart on guitar and bouzouki.

The concert included a selection of Traditional Irish and Scottish music, as

well as original airs, much enjoyed by all.

If you missed that one cheer up…..The next is on Sept 26th at 7.30pm

and will be Gimel

Donovans might be the oldest wooden building in NZ, but she is modern enough to have her own

Facebook page. All you Facebook junkies can catch up with the concerts that have been, (including

photos & brief video clips), with what’s coming up next, and generally with restoration progress.

Check it out and become a friend.

The Okarito Library is open in Donovans on Sunday mornings, 11-Noon. A big thanks to Brian who

was a very competent stand in for librarian Jean while she was away.

Jean has been quietly working away at the archiving of Community Contacts since their inception..

This is a mission given that there are 28ish years worth. Thanks to the Hoki Museum for their help

and Good on you Jean.

Here is a message from her.

I just want to let everyone know that the scanning of old issues of CC is proceeding

apace. Many thanks to the librarians in Hokitika who have been a great help with the

issues that are larger than A4. They are slowly being loaded onto Kete WestCoast so

everyone can read them

If you go to http://ketewestcoast.peoplesnetworknz.info/ and enter the search term 'Community Contact', you will find them under "documents". I am also trying to index them so they can be searched by keyword as well. I am indexing articles about specific people and events, but if anyone can suggest terms for more detailed indexing, let me know.

Gimel is Jonathon Besser’s new music group.

Jonathon is a prolific composer and pianist and is joined

by vibraphonist John Bell, Bassist Tom Denniston, and

renowned drummer Alistair Deverick.

These musicians are at the height of their creative and

instrumental powers and make music that is lively,

challenging and original Book now with Edwina 7534 017

Debbie 7534014

5

*Need a painter?

*Need a Gib Stopper?

Kevin Hansen Paint-

ers

Whataroa 0275 753405

kevinhansenpaintrs@farmside.co.nz

FOR ALL YOUR

ELECTRICAL NEEDS

For advice and a price

contact Gordon

Phone/Fax (03) 753 4068

Two Irishmen were waiting at

the bus stop when a truck went

past loaded up with rolls of

turf.

Jimmy said, "I'm gonna do dat

when I win da lottery."

"What's dat den?" asks

Mikey.

"Send me lawn away to be

mowed."

What about a funny? (with Apologies to

the Irish!)

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Daffodil Day Auction for the Cancer Society at the Whataroa Hotel

On Friday the 3rd of August the Whataroa community held its annual auction in aid of the

Cancer Society, thanks to Mel and Mike for allowing us to host the event at the Whataroa Ho-

tel. This great night was again well attended by about 50 locals who yet again dug very deep in

their pockets for this very worthwhile cause raising an amazing $7400 which has been grate-

fully received by the Cancer Society in Greymouth. This will enable them to continue

their supporting role to cancer patients. As was pointed out on the night there are not many

families around whose lives have not been touched by the terrible blight that is cancer. A

minute’s silent was kept in memory of those in the community who had passed away recently.

A special mention must go to Robert Pamment who travelled all the way from Oamaru to act as

auctioneer for the night; he really is a natural and kept the bidding lively and above all fun.

Thanks Rob for your continued dedication to the cause and to Whataroa.

Thanks also to Kylie Waghorn from Westport & Ian Bolton who volunteered to shave their hair

on the night with Kylie raising $700 and Ian Bolton $120 .There were many items available for

auction ranging from tapestries to lithographs, many donations of cakes one of which sold for

$250, flowers, wood, vouchers for day spa treatments, massages,

accommodation, bikes, stereos and a donation of a day’s labour.

Thanks to you all for your donations and to all the attendees

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WHATAROA SCHOOL and COMMUNITY POOL

Currently the FAWS Team (Friends At Whataroa School) are currently raising funds to cover the

pool. Our aim is to cover the pool by summer 2012. A target of $35,000 has been set so that we can

achieve this goal. To date we have raised funds by:

A and P Show stall - $460 Triathlon - $1,000

Catering at the April calf sale - $1,200 Mother’s Day Raffle - $309

Jewellery Sales - $95 Disco- $100

Kiwi Sport - $330 Community Quiz Night- $1,885

Pie Order /1- $300 Raffles, Pie Orders etc. - $1000

Pie Order /2 - $150

We have been fortunate in receiving a grant from The Westland District Council for $5,000. The

Whataroa School Reunion Committee have pledged $5,000 towards the covering and another

$5,000 towards Solar Heating. The Whataroa Playgroup have pledged $2,000.To date in total we

have raised $5,630 plus a pledged total of $17,000 making an amazing total of $22,630. A Calcutta

night is planned for Friday the 14th of September. This will run by the Hari Hari Lions Club and will

take place in our Community Hall. It will be fantastic to have as much support as possible; we look

forward to seeing you there. If you are able to donate towards the Pool Fund your contribution will

be gratefully received and appreciated by all of the Community.

Please send contributions to: The School and Community Pool Fund .Attention: The Principal

Whataroa School PO Box 50 Whataroa 7857. Cheques should be made out to the: Whataroa Swim-

ming Pool or payments can be made directly into the swimming pool bank account. Contact the school

on 7534061 or email office@whataroa.school.nz for bank account details. We thank you for your

support. The FAWS Team.

School & Community Pool Calf Rearing Scheme.

The FAWS Committee would like to invite the community to be involved in a Fundraising event for

the future of our Community Pool.

Similar to the IHC Calf scheme, we hope to involve the community in a fundraising

scheme for the heating and covering of the Community and School Swimming Pool.

We ask you to donate one calf, which you rear and then sell it at the Whataroa

Calf Sale in April 2013. All proceeds from the selling of these calves will go towards the Community

Pool and all on going associated costs for it’s upkeep.

This is a great opportunity to get with the FAWS and help to build a greater futurefor our Commu-

nity Pool.

Anyone interested can get in touch with the school before September the 28th 2012

There will be a cake stall, raffles and general stall held at the

White Heron Store & Tearooms on Friday August 31st from 10am

till 12 noon. If you have any items you would like to donate please

contact Shirley Arnold on 753 4060 otherwise we’ll see you on the

31st.

All proceeds will go to the Cancer Society.

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Whataroa Community Association News

Monday, 23 July the Whataroa Community Association held their regular meeting at 7.30 in

the town hall. 12 members and all three officers were present. Items on the agenda includ-

ed an update on the community playground, trees and a proposed future barn dance. An

item of discussion was a requested letter of support for funding for planned RSA renovations.

The WCA agreed to provide this letter if there were no conflicts of interest with requested

funding for the current Whataroa Hall project. Immediately following the regular meeting, the

Annual General Meeting was convened. Chairman T McBride provided a report on WCA

financial status. As usual there isn’t enough money in the current toilet grant to maintain the

Whataroa toilets. More money will be requested and other monetary sources are being

sought. An item of past concern has been the number of members required for a meeting

quorum. Following a brief discussion a motion was presented to reduce the number of

members to 5 with 2 officers also being required to form a meeting quorum. This motion was

approved with a “member” being designated as anyone from the Whataroa Community who

is 18 and over and attends the meeting. This will reduce the problems of not having enough

members to constitute a quorum for meetings. All community members are still strongly urged

to come to these meetings as input and assistance is needed to maintain the Whataroa

Community Association and serve the community.

Election of new officers was next on the agenda. Terry McBride was re-elected as Chairperson,

Sherry Woodside as Secretary & Bernadette Friend as Treasurer. Many thanks to the outgoing

treasurer, Jan Goodall for her efforts on behalf of the Community Association.

Special thanks were also given to the WCA and the whole Whataroa Community for their

support to local families in bereavement during the past twelve months. The meeting was

adjourned to a “bring a plate” supper which was enjoyed by all who stayed. Note: copies of

the WCA minutes are posted on the shop bulletin board and are available on request to the

secretary.

YOU’RE ATTENDANCE AND SUPPORT FOR THE WHATAROA COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION

IS GREATLY APPRECIATED.

Whatalympics day at the Whataroa School

Recently Whataroa School paid tribute to the Olympic Games & held their own Whatalympics

day. The sun gods behaved themselves & provided yet another beautiful sunny West Coast

day. Events held were long distance running, sprinting, bike races, high jump, shot put & discus.

The children were divided into 3 teams representing the countries of Rarotonga, Ireland &

Scotland, with the children in Room 2 taking a leadership role in organizing & coordinating the

event including all art work & some realistic looking medals.

This was a fantastic opportunity for the children to showcase all their athletic skills.

The event finished up with a warm down shared lunch which by the looks of things was en-

joyed by both the supporters and the athletes.

(see photos on previous page)

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GLACIER CONCRETE

For all your concrete

needs

in Westland.

Call Tim Gibb on 0211584043 to discuss your requirements.

Now is the time to start thinking about your winter projects....

Driveways, dairy sheds, lime bins, foundations, pole sheds,

animals shelters, standoff areas,farm race ways etc

Now might be the time to add a concrete patio or pathway.

Glacier Contracting can also provide gravel , sand,

large stones for soak holes etc and can do your site

preparation work. Call Tim for a free no obligation quote.

10

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT the RATES REBATE SCHEME?

(information from the Dept Internal Affairs website www.dia.govt.nz)

The Rates Rebate Scheme was established in 1973 to provide a subsidy to low-income homeowners on the cost of their rates (see The Rates Rebate Act 1973 for more information). For 2006 the Government revised the Scheme and increased the rates rebate thresholds significantly, making more people than ever eligible for the rebate. These changes came into effect on 1 July of that year.

The Government, following a review of the Scheme's key settings, has further increased the rates rebate thresholds for the 2012/13 rating year.

The following changes came into effect from 1 July 2012:

Maximum rebate increased from $570 to $590

Income threshold increased from $23,240 to $23,650 The additional income allowance for dependants will remain at $500 per dependant. This means the income threshold for a full rates rebate for the 2012/13 year is $23,650 and is increased by $500 for each dependant in the household. Homeowners can apply for the new rebate from 1 July 2012, for the 2012/13 rating year. The closing date for applications is 30 June 2013.

Are you eligible? Although a ratepayer’s income might exceed the income threshold a rates rebate could still be available, depending

on the rates amount and number of dependants – see our example tables or electronic calculator to see if you could be eligible. If you receive a benefit from Work and Income you may also like to take a look at this Schedule of Work and Income Benefits (PDF, 10K*) for the year ended 31 March 2012. This table details the benefit rates for the tax year 2011/12 and the minimum rates payable in order to receive any or the full rebate.

How to apply

Ratepayers apply to their local council for a rates rebate. You can print and complete the application form to apply.

However, please wait until you get your 2012/13 rates bill before you see your council about a rebate.

Rates Rebate Application Form for 2012/13 as four standard pages (PDF, 183K)* Rates Rebate Application Form for 2012/13 as two landscape pages (PDF, 130K)*

When applying for a rates rebate you will need:

Your rates notice (including your regional rates notice if billed separately) for the current rating year

Information about what your income (before tax) was for the tax year ended 31 March 2012

Information about what your partner/joint homeowner’s income was if he/she was normally living with you on 1 July 2012. Note: If you are the owner of an owner-occupier flat, and your name is not on the rates bill, you must have a letter from the person whose name is on the rates bill stating what the total rates are, and how much you pay towards

them. You may use the following form for this purpose.

Owner-occupier declaration form (PDF, 38K)* If you are granted a rates rebate the council will reduce your rates by the amount of the rebate, or send you a cash

payment if you have already paid your rates.

11

JACOBS RIVER SCHOOL

PRIVATE BAG 771,HOKITIKA

6/8/2012

OPEN LETTER TO THE JACOBS RIVER SCHOOL COMMUNITY, (and any other interested

parties)

This letter is to advise that the Ministry of Education has requested a meeting with Ja-

cobs River School Community and any other interested parties, to discuss future options,

including possible closure of Jacobs River School.

The Meeting is to be held on Tuesday September 4th at 7.00pm in the School.

The Ministry invites written submissions from interested parties, and those submissions

would need to be received by the Ministry by September 18th 2012.

Submissions should be sent to

The Manager, Ministry of Education

19 Haven Road,

PO Box 282

Nelson 7010

(Signed, ) Nicole Harris, (Board of Trustees Chairperson) 6/8/2012

Permanent &

Casual

Commercial &

Household

HARI HARI TO

FOX GLACIER

(03) 753 4151

South

Westland

Rubbish

12

Fox Glacier Community Development Officer Report September 2012

What have I been up to for the month I hear you say?

Attended Fox INC meetings. General Admin for Fox INC. Supervised the Community Service worker. Worked on Civil Defence lists and on the CIMS 4 training. Worked with members of Council to help improve the maintenance that needed doing around

Fox Glacier. The A-Z of Fox Glacier ready for printing and collect orders for these.

The best times to contact me:

Monday 10am-12pm then 1.30-3pm

Wednesday 9.30am-12pm then 1.30- 3pm

Friday 10am-12pm then 1.30-3pm

I am able to be contacted by email or by phone on these days. If I do not answer please just leave a

message and I will contact you as soon as I can.

The quiz night on 2 August at the Fox Inn was a great success with heaps of teams once again mak-

ing it a great night, with $2029.00 being raised towards the Community Centre Project.

The Southern Boys had a great win against Hari Hari and Ross so far for the Woodham Shield which

was well deserved after the fundraising night that was held at the Fox Glacier Hotel.

This raised almost $4,000.00 for the team.

The next Community Meeting is on the 12th of September at 7.30pm at the Fox Inn. Everyone is welcome to attend and if you have any questions please contact me on the details below. If you did not receive a copy of the agenda or minutes and would like to get a copy please feel free to contact me. Abyee Williams Community Development Officer Fox Glaci-er 0274211721 foxglaciercdo@xtra.co.nz

The person of the month goes to Di Baker for all her hard work on

the fundraising committee and also as the Treasurer. Di is always

helping and organising things behind the scenes and has been

doing a great job, so a big Thank You to Di.

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Royal New Zealand Plunket Society (Inc)

Westland Car-Seat Rental Scheme

“Baby Seats” - “Toddler Seats”

Phone Anne 03 755 4039

CHURCH SERVICES SEPTEMBER 2012

CATHOLIC

ROSS

10.30 2nd 10.30 16th

HARIHARI

9am 2nd 6 pm Sat 8th 9 am 16th Sat 6pm 29th

WHATAROA

7pm Sat 1st 9 am 9th 7pm Sat 15th 7pm Sat 22nd 10.30 30th

MT follows

FRANZ JOSEF 5 pm 2nd 5 pm 16th

FOX GLACIER

11am 9th 9.30 23rd 8.30 am 30th

HAAST OKURU

5 pm 9th

South Westland Catholic Parish; Contact Fr. Michael Mahoney, 0210333746 or 037534140

Note; It is wise to check that a mass has not been changed for some special reason.

ANGLICAN Rev’d Vivien Harber (03) 755 5125

ROSS

23rd 10.30

HARIHARI

9th 5 pm 23rd 5 pm

WHATAROA

FRANZ JOSEF

2nd 3 pm

HAAST

Lifeline – West Coast Toll Free 0800 353 353

Kidsline – 4pm – 6pm every school day

0800 543 754

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) (03) 7534005

HEALTHLINE – FREE 24 HR

HEALTH ADVICE 0800 611 116

SUPPORT, HELP, ADVICE?

West Coast contact numbers are:-

Westland Victim Support – ask for

Victim Support (03) 755 8088

Arthritis Foundation (03) 768

7254

Women’s Refuge (9am – 3pm)

(03) 7898025 AH 0800 208 339

Child Support Agency – queries re

child support 0800 221 221

Disability Information Service

0800 100 946

West Coast Rural Support—

Dianne Milne 0800 787 254