Whitianga skatepark progress - Circulation 7,200 - The Mercury Bay Informer
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Issue 855 - 24 July 2019 Phone (07) 866 2090 (07) 867 15
80 Circulation 7,200
Telephone the Coromandel
pport
Proud to su Helicopter Trust
Rescue
Whitianga skatepark progress
By Stephan Bosman
Earlier this month, the Mercury Bay
Skatepark Trust (“MBST”) and Thames-
Coromandel District Council appointed
international company, Convic, to design the
new skatepark that’s earmarked to be built at
Taylor’s Mistake in Whitianga.
“We’re pleased to have taken the first
formal step towards a new skatepark in
the Whitianga town centre,” says Chris
Devenoges of the MBST. “Our arrangement
with TCDC is that the community will come
up with about one-third of the costs to design
and build the skatepark.”
Convic’s design quote came in at just
under $30,000, of which TCDC will be
contributing approximately $20,000.
The MBST has already raised sufficient
funds for the remainder of the design costs
through the sale of t-shirts and donations
from Chris and the other trustees of the trust,
The Informer and Ray Burgess, the owner
of the building immediately adjacent to the
existing skatepark at Taylor’s Mistake.
TCDC budgeted $450,000 as their
contribution to the construction of the
skatepark in their 2020/2021 financial year.
The amount can be requested to be brought
forward if it’s feasible to start construction
earlier than July next year.
“Our challenge is now to come up with
about $150,000 to go towards the building
costs of the new skatepark,” says Chris. “Once
we have a design and can finalise costings,
we’ll be approaching a variety of gaming
trusts and philanthropic organisations for
Chris Devenoges (left) and Caleb Jennings, two of the trustees of the Mercury Bay Skatepark Trust, at a sign at Taylor’s Mistake
grants. In the meantime, we’ll be selling more
in Whitianga indicating the trust’s goal of raising $150,000 for a new skatepark in the Whitianga town centre.
t-shirts through Blackjack Surf in Whitianga
and we also would like to encourage the the skatepark itself.” square,” says Chris. “Their skateparks aren’t The third workshop will be held on Friday 23
Mercury Bay community to donate towards The Informer will also publish the names necessarily rectangular in shape and they’re August, also at the Mercury Bay Community
the skatepark. The MBST is registered as a of all those who donated to the skatepark also not afraid to use colour.” Boardroom.
charity, which means all donors, businesses over the course of the next four months in our Convic will facilitate three workshops next Donations towards the new skatepark
and individuals, can claim a tax benefit. Summer Magazine 2019/2020. The magazine month to obtain public input in the design can be deposited into the Mercury Bay
“The skatepark is an exceptionally good will be published before Christmas this year. of the new Whitianga skatepark. The first Skatepark Trust bank account with Westpac,
cause to support as it will benefit the entire Convic is a leader in skatepark and youth workshop will be focusing on the thoughts account number 03 1578 0110921 000.
community for many, many years to come. space design. Included in their portfolio are and ideas of school students and will be held All donors must please email Chris at
“We plan to provide some form of skateparks across Australia, and the Valonia at Mercury Bay Area School on Thursday 22 skate@devenoges.com with their name,
enduring public recognition to all those who skatepark and Waterview BMX park in August from 3:00pm to 5:00pm. The second contact details and the amount of their
contributed to the skatepark. That may be in Auckland. The company has also designed workshop will also be held on 22 August, donation in order to be issued with a receipt
the form of putting up a plaque with the names skateparks in Dubai and Shanghai, and an from 6:30pm to 8:30pm at the Mercury and to be included in the list of supporters
of all donors in the vicinity of the skatepark extreme sports park in Singapore. Bay Community Boardroom (behind the who will be publicly recognised for their
or etching their names into the concrete of “The people at Convic think outside the TCDC offices in Monk Street, Whitianga). contribution to the skatepark.
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
A proud legacy of one man’s passion
and another man’s craftsmanship
By Ian Stewart
At the annual model train show at the Whitianga the (then) Shell service station in Whitianga.
Baptist Church last week, residents and visitors These provided the perfect raw material from
had the opportunity to see a unique collection of which the AB could come to life.
kauri steam trains. There isn’t another collection The engine was meticulously assembled from
quite like it anywhere in the world and it’s only individually fashioned pieces of kauri and took
the second time that the collection has been on 200 hours of painstaking work to complete.
public display. Each driving wheel consists of 11 pieces of
Mercury Bay local, Colin Stewart, timber. The detail of the engine is amazing to
has had a lifelong fascination with steam, see and inspired a much bigger project that
which began with his childhood growing up in would only end when Les could no longer
the tiny King Country timber town of Ongarue. continue to fashion the tiny individual pieces of
There, the mighty main trunk locomotives timber because of failing health.
roared through town on their way to cities and The money Colin paid Les for the AB allowed
ports around New Zealand and the little bush Les to purchase better tools, not only for making
locos worked day and night feeding the timber the trains, but also to make some beautiful kauri
mill which provided employment and electricity furniture. “Les was a master when it came to
to the town. making furniture,” says Colin. “His attention
After moving to Papakura, marrying and to detail was incredible. If he made a set of
having a family, Colin and his good friend, drawers, you could run a feeler gauge around
well-known Whitianga local, Alan Watson them and there would be no variation between
(known to his friends as Wattie), spent time the drawer and the frame.”
searching out old locos and finding these long All in all, Les created a collection of nine
abandoned icons of New Zealand’s rail history locomotives for Colin, each carved from the
in out-of-the-way places like Pukemiro in the same kauri slab and to the same scale, and each
Waikato and Shantytown in Greymouth. taking 150 to 200 hours of work. The engines
Some years ago, Colin had the good fortune were all modelled from New Zealand-assembled
to meet another Whitianga local, Les Randall. work horses, ranging from the tiny Climax bush
Les was a retired sheet metal worker, loco to the mighty Bayer-Garret freight engine.
but was also well-known for his exceptional There is also a Rogers K Class engine, used in
craftsmanship with wood. New Zealand in the 19th century, which looks
After some discussion, Les agreed to like it came straight out of a western movie.
create an AB Class locomotive for Colin. Colin and his wife, Rosie, are thinking
Plans were sourced from which Les could scale about the future of the collection and are
the individual pieces of the engine. The AB currently considering approaching the
is well-known throughout the country as the Whitianga Museum to have it displayed under
workhorse pulling the Kingston Flyer. permanent loan.
Some old, air-dried kauri slabs, cut from Whatever the future holds for the collection,
logs found in the Whitianga estuary many it will always mark a proud legacy of one man’s Mercury Bay local, Colin Stewart, with his collection of nine kauri locomotives at
years before, were located in a house behind passion and another man’s craftsmanship. last week’s model train show at the Whitianga Baptist Church.
What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information
provided and sponsored by
Week of Wednesday 24 July to Wednesday 31 July - The tiny planet Mercury has just completed its pass behind the Sun and can now
be seen just before sunrise instead of sunset, very low in the northeastern sky. The Moon can be used to help us locate this elusive object.
The International Space Station (ISS) makes early morning appearances this week and can be fun to watch as it glides silently by with its crew
of six. Thursday 25 July - Early risers will be able to see the ISS rise in the northwest at 6:30am and pass overhead a couple of minutes later,
before setting in the southeast at about 6:35am. This is also the day that the Apollo 11 capsule, “Columbia,” splashed down in the Pacific
Ocean at about 5:00am exactly 50 years ago, after the historic first eight-day mission to the Moon. Monday 29 July - The crescent Moon lies Astronomy Tours and B&B
above and to the left of faint Mercury in the pre-dawn sky. The ISS will pass from the southwest to the south between 6:28am and 6:30am.
Phone (07) 866 5343
Tuesday July 30 - The even thinner Moon is now lower in the pre-dawn sky and slightly above and slightly to the left of Mercury. The ISS will
move from low in the south towards the southeast below the southern cross between 5:41am and 5:44am. www.stargazersbb.com
Whitianga and Hot Water Beach tides Tides data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Tel 07 869 5990
Page 2 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019
Library’s “Plastic Free July”
programme a success
The Mercury Bay Library hosted another successful school holiday programme last week and
the week before.
Embracing the “Plastic Free July” theme, the children who participated in the programme
created some amazing artwork from recycled items. Milk bottle top art was created,
pictures were made from recycled magazine pages, recycled tins were converted into bird
feeders and bug motels, leftover wool was used for creative weaving projects and pillowcases,
and ball gowns were turned into reusable bags.
Pictured are some of the children with some of the artworks they created during the programme.
Clockwise from the top left - Braxton Toia, Joshua Storey, Cash Williams and Briar Toia.
699 - 24
Issue 855 27 July 2019
2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 3
Fish & Chips ALL Bingo from 2pm!
Winning Wheel New to Tuesdays!
HAPPY Special!
$16 Meat Raffles
BLACKS
v
Including a
TRIVIA BINGO
HOUR
Super Bingo Bonus
TOSS the BOSS Free Nibbles SOUTH Join the fun for only $5! Starts at 7pm
Win a BIG discount on
5 to 7pm AFRICA FREE Entry
4 to 6pm your round! Game of Chance for teams of 2!
6 to 7pm 7:35PM
Open 7 Days Dine in FREE Authentic
Lunch from 11am - 2pm on your birthday North Indian Cuisine
Dinner from 5:00pm - late Wide selection of seafood,
One main, rice & naan.
Dine In • Takeaway • Delivery vegetarian & gluten-free.
13 / 1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga Minimum 2-person party. Children’s menu available.
WE will be closed
from 28 JUly to 2 September
We apologise for any inconvenience
Open 7 days
Lamb Shank Thursday’s Full menu Every Day is Monday’s Special Tuesday’s Special
12:30pm to late
Special Special
Happy Hour available Roast Day Steak Eggs All You Can Eat
Single shank for Lamb Fry & 4pm - 6pm all day & Chips Ribs $26
$22 or make it a at
double for $27 Bacon $18.50 Monday to Friday Every Day Grace O’Malley’s $18.50 From 5pm
Woodfired pizzas
Open
Thursday - Monday
12 - 8pm
Opening hours Tuesday to Thursday from 5pm
Friday to Sunday Lunch 12 - 3pm and dinner from 5pm
For more information please email us at info@sabyskitchen.co.nz or call ABHI on 022 426 5602
Tuesday Roast Night - 5:30pm 7 Days
7am - 3pm
Fully Licensed
- Call 07 866 4750 for reservations and takeaways -
Page 4 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019
Chicken $18 scotch fillet Burger & Fries ALL BLACKS ALL DAY SPECIAL Twice cooked
$18
cooked to your liking, Scotch Fillet
Specials fries, salad and your
$15.00 v Sharing Platter & caramelised
cooked to your liking,
Parmigiana $17.50 choice of sauce 5 - Late SOUTH a 1140ml Jug pork belly with
1Kg Wings $15.50 Vegas DJ LEON AFRICA $39.50 asian slaw
fries, salad and
your choice
5 to 9 9 - Late FREE POOL $12.50
9 - late Live 7:30 of sauce.
Check out our Lunch Specials and OPEN FOR Closed Open 6 Days
LUNCH and
our lunch club for a FREE Lunch DINNER
33/3 Albert Street, Whitianga
Upstairs above Fagans
~ ~ ~ P h o n e 869 5919 for res ervatio ns a nd ta k eaways ~~~
Reopen this New Winter Menu Sunday Roast Full menu available Open from
Friday 26th New Dishes Include From 5:30pm www.govino.co.nz 5:30pm
5:30pm Prawn dumplings and kimchi $5 discount if Phone five nights
booked before 07 867 1215 Thursday - Monday
Bookings Mushroom sausage with pickled onion
2pm Sunday Closed
appreciated Lamb rump, tamarillo chutney and feta ice cream for bookings Tuesday/Wednesday
BALL THIRSTY Members Saturday Morning
BALL INDOOR DARTS
7:15pm THURSDAY Raffles 11am 7:15pm
Draw $1 EACH 1pm BOWLS
SNOOKER HAPPY RAFFLES 5:30pm Members
1Pm SNOOKER ALL MAIN BISTRO
HOUR FRANK Draw
QUIZ NIGHT 4 - 6pm 1pm MEALS $15 CLOSED
DURANT Raffles 5:30pm
7:30pm
••• ••• ••• $10 LUNCH TUESDAY - SATURDAY 12 noon - 2pm ••• ••• •••
“PUT YOUR FEET UP
WELCOME
DARTS HAPPY HOUR New Burgers Today lets kick NEW LOVE, WE’LL DO
Freshest Fish
HOSPITALITY ass and make SPECIALS
NEW ZEALAND NIGHT 5:00 - 7:00pm
EVERY Friday
Juicy Steaks
dream happen! On the
THE COOKING.”
Phone for your
COOLEST
MEMBERS * TAKEAWAYS
Thames Branch
7:30pm KIDS MENU! Blackboard.
NEW PLAYERS Have you tried our
* Menu online
AGM Today WELCOME! BUFFALO WINGS yet? Pop into the Tav for
Come check coroglentavern.co.nz
CLOSED UNTIL 4pm Best night of the week Hot + Spicy deliciousness lunch with the Family em’ out! 07 866 3809
We are open from 9am Happy Bookings SUNDAY Winter soups
everyday until 6pm for Hour recommended
for weekend ROAST Changing daily
Coffee Lala 5 - 7pm
Live music
dining $21 Enjoy by the fire
Full house at museum high tea
The Mercury Bay Museum hosted a
very successful high tea last Sunday
afternoon. The guest speaker was
Eloise Green of local steampunk group,
The Endeavour’s Assemblage.
The high tea was a fundraiser for the
museum’s “Twelve Days - 1769” exhibit,
focusing on the 12 days the explorer
James Cook and the crew of Cook’s ship,
HM Bark Endeavour, spent in Mercury Bay in
November 1769.
“We’ve had a full house of guests who
thoroughly enjoyed the high tea, especially
all the yummy food,” says Rebecca Cox,
manager of the Mercury Bay Museum.
“Thank you to all our sponsors for the raffles
and spot prizes and a big thank you to all the
museum volunteers for helping to put the
fundraiser together.”
Pictured are (from the left) high tea guests
Allan Upton, Glenys Newton and Christine
Towgood last Sunday afternoon.
Issue 855 - 24 July 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 5
Whitianga Camera Club’s inaugural exhibition to open early next month The Whitianga Camera Club’s inaugural course of the past 18 months. • Two of Lia’s entries were accepted into bronze and honours in the North Shore exhibition, “Dusk till Dawn,” will open at • Hakan was a finalist in the 2018 New the prestigious North Shore Salon of Salon of Photography competition. the The Back Room at Lotus Realm Music Zealand Geographic Photographer Photography competition. In addition, she gained her Licentiate Shop and Emporium in Thames on Saturday of the Year competition. He has also • Karen achieved a third place in the Photographic Society of New Zealand 3 August. The exhibition will run until recently became a Sony New Zealand 2018 Monochrome Category of the qualification and has recently been Saturday 31 August. advocate. He regularly runs photography D-Photo Sigma Photographer of the Year shortlisted in the People Category of the Entry to the exhibition is free and all images workshops. competition. She has also achieved both 2019 Sigma Amateur Photographer of will be for sale. the Year competition. “At the beginning of this year, I was tagged • One of Kate’s images featured in in a social media message about the Whitianga Practical Photography magazine, the Camera Club taking part in a photography UK’s leading photography publication. exhibition in Thames with other Coromandel- • A large 6.7m print of one of Paul's based photographers,” says Kate Beauchamp, images is displayed in the Pauanui coordinator of the club. “Unfortunately, Village Centre. Most of Paul’s images we were a bit late to the party and all the are taken within a 3km radius of his exhibition space was taken. Then in June, home in Pauanui. the curator of The Back Room contacted me • Kay’s digital art regularly featured in the to ask if we would be interested in holding Artists Down Under magazine. our own exhibition. Naturally we jumped at • Anita and Tina have both recently been the opportunity.” shortlisted in the Still Life Category of the Over the past few months, members of 2019 Sigma Amateur Photographer of the the club have been experimenting with Year competition. long exposure, light painting and astro “We have different challenges every month” photography. The “Dusk till Dawn” theme says Kate. “Anyone interested in joining us of the exhibition was chosen to reflect and taking part in our monthly challenges these techniques. can contact us through our Facebook Page. The Whitianga Camera Club is highly Just search for ‘Whitianga Camera Club.’ regarded. Hakan Nedjat, Lia Priemus, New and keen photographers are always Karen Moffatt-McLeod, Kate Beachamp, welcome to join us. Paul Schrader, Kay Evison, Anita Ruggle- The three Whitianga Camera Club members who have recently been shortlisted in the “We hope many Mercury Bay residents will Lussy and Tina Macrae are all members who 2019 Sigma Amateur Photographer of the Year competition. be able to get to Thames next month to have a can be proud of their achievements over the From left to right - Tina Macrae, Karen Moffatt-McLeod and Anita Ruggle-Lussy. look at our ‘Dusk till Dawn’ exhibition.” Page 6 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019
“Solitude” is coming to Whitianga In 1908, after divorcing his first wife, Henry Chaffey travelled to the mountains of remote northwest Nelson and began searching for minerals. He decided to live there permanently and in 1913, Annie Fox left her unhappy marriage to join him, leaving her two teenage sons behind. As a newly separated woman, Annie entered the remote mountains of the Kahurangi National Park to live a hidden life with Henry. They married in April 1932. Their simple but happy life of solitude spanned 40 years until Henry died at the age of 83. “Solitude” is a play brought to Whitianga by Arts on Tour and Creative Mercury Bay and will be performed in the Coghill Theatre in Coghill Street at 7:00pm on Friday 9 August. The play tells the touching true story of Henry and Annie Chaffey, historical exiles from ordinary New Zealand society. Solitude is directed and performed by Martine Baanvinger (pictured). Martine’s performance of the play at the Nelson Fringe Festival in 2017 prompted her nomination for the Best Actress, Best Solo Performance and Best Script awards. The story in Solitude is based on facts about Annie’s life, but the emotional and intimate experiences are a reflection of Martine’s own imagination. New Zealand musician, Mark Manson, worked with Martine to provide a unique recorded soundscape for the play and for this exceptional work, won the Best Music/Sound award at the Nelson Fringe Festival in 2017. Solitude is a tremendously interesting New Zealand story told in an imaginative and challenging way. Limited tickets for the performance on 9 August are available from Paper Plus Whitianga at a cost of $25 for adults and $10 for students under 18. Issue 855 - 24 July 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 7
MBAS international footprint expanding
Having accepted an offer to participate in
a year-long Rotary youth exchange to the
Netherlands next year, Mercury Bay Area
School Year 12 student, Cara Bosman,
will be expanding the already-growing MBAS
international footprint.
Cara’s achievement follows hot on
the heels of last year’s MBAS head girl,
Ella Tomkins, securing a four-year scholarship
to study at McDaniel College in Maryland,
USA and the recent return of Year 13 student,
Petra Fisher, from Space Camp in Huntsville,
Alabama, USA.
Cara will be the first MBAS student to
participate in a 12-month Rotary youth
exchange. She’s sponsored by the Thames
Rotary Club. “We’re the only Rotary club on
the Coromandel Peninsula and although we’re
based in Thames, we support young people
around the Peninsula to become the best they
can be,” says Warren Sly, president of the
Thames Rotary Club. “We were proud to put
Cara’s name forward for a Rotary overseas
exchange. She’s a hard-working and dedicated
young lady who has already achieved much in Mercury Bay Area School Year 12 student, Cara Bosman (second from the right), with Thames Rotary Club president, Warren Sly (on the right),
her life. We have no doubt that she’ll be a great
and Rotary youth exchange inbound students Kilian Wiesinger (on the left), Noé Pennequin and Anne Lucas in Rotorua on Saturday last week.
ambassador for not only New Zealand, but also
the Coromandel and MBAS.” weeks ago the first MBAS student to obtain Zealand when I was one year old,” she says. Noé Pennequin comes from France and is hosted
Cara likes to keep herself busy. Having an intermediate pilot’s licence. She hopes “My Dad’s family emigrated from the by the Te Aroha Rotary Club. Anne Lucas hails
achieved NCEA Level 1 with an “Excellence” to obtain an advanced local licence with a Netherlands to South Africa 10 generations from the Netherlands and is hosted by the Te
endorsement last year, she’s working towards passenger endorsement in the next month or or so ago. Bosman isn’t an uncommon Dutch Kuiti Rotary Club.
the same achievement in NCEA Level 2 so. “An advanced local licence will allow me surname. Who knows, I may end up bumping Coincidentally, Kilian and Anne also have
this year. She’s one of the senior students at to fly within 50 nautical miles from Whitianga,” into some very distant family members an interest in aviation. Anne is, like Cara,
En Pointe Dance Studio in Whitianga and she says with a smile. “It will be quite cool if next year.” considering a career in commercial aviation
dances most nights of the week. She’s also a friend, or my younger sister, and I can fly Cara spent Saturday last week at an and Kilian recently did some holiday work at an
playing netball, is part of the MBAS senior to Ardmore Airport in Auckland for some orientation day in Rotorua with 10 other aviation engineering facility in his hometown.
band and aeroplane build programme, and is a shopping. I’ve promised my Mum to fly with outbound Rotary exchange students from He’s keen to come to Whitianga and look at the
shift supervisor at Subway Whitianga. her first, though. Whakatane, Napier, Tauranga and Cambridge. MBAS aeroplane build programme.
With a keen interest in aviation, “I genuinely love flying and am seriously All the outbound students are earmarked to go Cara is scheduled to fly out to the
Cara started to learn to fly last year and flew considering a career as a commercial pilot. to different countries in Europe, and North and Netherlands in early January next year.
solo on her 16th birthday nine months ago. I think it’s awesome that the young people of South America. “I’m already reading up on the Netherlands,”
With 16 being the minimum age any student Mercury Bay have the opportunity to not only Cara has also met on Saturday three inbound she says. “It’s a very interesting country.
pilot can fly solo in New Zealand, she may well build aeroplanes, but to learn to fly as well.” Rotary exchange students who have only I’m also trying to learn a bit of Dutch. I’ve been
have been the youngest pilot in the country for Cara is excited to live for a year in the last week arrived for a 12-month stay in New offered a wonderful opportunity and am keen
a few days. Netherlands. “I was born in South Africa Zealand. Kilian Wiesinger hails from Austria to make the most of it. ‘Ik kan niet wachthen,’
Cara is continuing to fly and became two and came with my Mum and Dad to New and is hosted by the Thames Rotary Club. which is Dutch for ‘I can’t wait.’”
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed throughout the
Coromandel Peninsula. What’s that Number?
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police) 24 hours .....................................................111
entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only be considered for publication when
accompanied by the author’s name and surname, telephone number and residential address.
Police (Whitianga) ........................................................................................866 4000
Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner or publisher. Police (Tairua) ..............................................................................................864 8888
Statement of scientific fact needs to be accompanied by evidence of the fact. Police (Coromandel Town) ...........................................................................866 1190
Published by Mercury Bay Media Limited Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers .................................0800 555 111
Dog and Noise Control ................................................................................868 0200
Editor - Stephan Bosman
Contributors - Meghan Hawkes, Jack Biddle, Debbie Wilton, Suzanne Hansen, Pamela Ferla, Dental Emergency (Mercury Bay) ................................................................869 5500
Ian Stewart and Meg Tatton-Brown Civil Defence ...............................................................................................868 0200
Advertiser Management - Petra Bosman and Alex Kennedy Mercury Bay Medical Centre (Whitianga) ....................................................866 5911
Administration - Diane Lodge
Doctors Surgery (Whitianga) ........................................................................866 4621
Medical Centre (Tairua).................................................................................864 8737
Office 14 Monk Street, Whitianga 3510, Mail PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542
Telephone (07) 866 2090, Fax (07) 866 2092 Harbourmaster (Whitianga) ..................................................................027 476 2651
Editorial email info@theinformer.co.nz, Advertising email sales@theinformer.co.nz Coastguard Radio Operators ......................................................................866 2883
ISSN 2422-9083 (Print), ISSN 2422-9091 (Online), © 2018 Mercury Bay Media Limited Whitianga Social Services ...........................................................................866 4476
Coromandel Locksmith Services .........................................................027 446 6921
The Mercury Bay Informer is subject to the principles of the New Zealand
Media Council. Please contact us first if you have concerns about any
of the editorial content published in The Informer. If we were unable to
address your concerns to your satisfaction, you can file a complaint with
ONLINE POLL FOR JULY 2019
the New Zealand Media Council, PO Box 10 879, Wellington 6143 or
www.presscouncil.org.nz. Are you concerned about the new cell towers that are
See page 2 for what’s happening Like us on Facebook. going up around the Coromandel Peninsula?
in the night sky and the Whitianga and
Hot Water Beach tides.
Follow us on Twitter.
Check us out on Instagram. Have your say at www.theinformer.co.nz.
Page 8 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019
Issue 855
699 - 24
27 July 2019
2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 9
An adventure of a lifetime
A contribution by superyacht captain, junior sailing coach and Whitianga resident, Jonathan Kline
I will soon be travelling to Greenland, as are the historical sites and native communities Greenland is an autonomous Danish territory. in summer, primarily by ice breakers. But in the
the least densely populated territory on sprinkled in the area. It has no internal waters that cut through last 10 years, more and more of the waters that
earth, with only 55,000 inhabitants. Eighty But the owner also wants to see first-hand the country and instead features a rugged connect the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean have
per cent of the island is covered in ice. what many scientists consider to be the epicentre coastline indented with fiords and glaciers. remained ice free for an unprecedented number
My destination is dogsled land, Greenland’s of climate study, specifically the effects of The Canadian Arctic on the other hand, just to the of months.
far north. I will be joining the bridge team on global warming at the poles, where the massive west, is a vast expanse of bays, inlets and deep This has allowed adventure sailors and
board the superyacht Rosehearty for a 45-day ice sheets are. Last year, Rosehearty sailed to waterways that stretch from the Atlantic to the shipping companies to begin to ply these waters
expedition into the Northwest Passage. I will be Antarctica. This year’s high latitude voyage will Pacific Ocean. with a higher frequency and increasing numbers.
away for two months. bring the yacht to Greenland and then west and Up until the last decade, the Northwest As one scientist observed, “As melting ice opens
Rosehearty is a 56m sailing ketch weighing north of Baffin Island, placing the yacht about Passage has remained choked by ice much of the up travel routes, it has become a potentially
more than 550 tons. She was built by the Perini 900 miles from the North Pole. year. Transits were few, during a short window lucrative shortcut for international shippers and
Navi Shipyard in Italy and was designed and
constructed for blue water sailing and long-
term independence from shore facilities.
Eleven crew - a senior captain, two co-
captains, two engineers, two deckhands,
a chef and three stewardesses - look after the
navigation, operations, galley and hospitality
on board.
There will be 10 in the owner’s party plus
two local experts - the expedition leader
and an ice pilot - responsible for assessing
where the yacht can and cannot go based
on the quantity and type of ice encountered.
With more than 20 hours of daylight in every
24 hours, the owner’s party will explore by day
and the crew and experts will sail them to their
next destination by “night.” Rosehearty will run
continuously in order to cover the vast distances
along her projected route. Senior Captain David
Hutchinson has been to the region before and
prepared the yacht for this expedition into the
Northwest Passage.
The American owner of the yacht has
longed dreamed of visiting the High Arctic,
specifically Greenland, and the navigable
channels and islands that make up the
Northwest Passage. Seeing the wildlife, Whitianga resident, Jonathan Kline, will soon be travelling to Greenland to join the bridge team of the superyacht
both marine and terrestrial, are major attractions, Rosehearty for a 45-day expedition into the Northwest Passage.
Mobility equipment available for locals and visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and wheelchairs.
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 10 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019Jonathan Kline a destination for adventure cruises.” and weigh in excess of 500kg. The search for a route from the Atlantic to the During a dispute with America in the 1980s, Pacific Ocean captivated mariners and wealthy Canada claimed sovereignty over the entire nations for centuries. For the Europeans, it was region - all of the land and sea that make up finding a shorter trade route to Asia that fuelled the Northwest Passage, from the border with the exploratory journeys. As early as 1745, Alaska on the Pacific side all the way east the British offered a reward of 20,000 pounds to the territorial waters of Greenland on the “to such persons or subjects as shall discover Atlantic side. The United States argued that a northwest passage to the Western Ocean.” the waterways themselves were “international” After numerous failed attempts during the 18th and not subject to Canadian oversite. A loose and 19th centuries, costing the lives of many agreement was reached during the Reagan explorers and their ships, Norwegian Roald era, whereby Canada agreed to allow US ships Amundsen became the first to successfully to transit, but these US ships first had to ask transit from one ocean to the other in the permission from Canada. early 1900s. This casual understanding has worked for Others were not so lucky. Two decades the last 30 years, but now that the potential of prior, two British ships, the Terror and the a reliable and shorter sea route exists between Erebus, retrofitted for polar exploration, east and west (sailing via the Northwest Passage were sent to the region to gather magnetic data instead of the Panama Canal shaves 5,500nm off and complete the mapping of the Northwest the voyage to the US East Coast and Europe for a Passage. Severe conditions hampered the Chinese ship), environmentalists are concerned expedition and both ships became trapped in that an increased number of commercial the ice and were crushed. Stranded, without ships, including super tankers, will start to use their ships and without the survival skills this route. of the local Inuit people, all hands perished. Unless Canada can successfully assert Campsites, graves and human remains from its sovereignty over these waters and these expeditions can still be found. implement suitably strict shipping policies, Anthropologists confirmed that the other countries may claim that the Northwest indigenous populations had successfully Passage is an international thoroughfare and colonised the region for at least 1,000 years not able to be regulated by a single nation. prior. The ancestors of these early cultures, This could lead to poorly manned and underbuilt now known collectively as the Inuit, inhabited ships transiting these waters. Increased traffic the region from Alaska to Greenland. brings with it an increased risk of a collision or Seal, whale, walrus, reindeer, muskox and birds grounding in one of the hardest places on earth made up their diet as well as forming the basis to stage a rescue or clean up. of their materials for tools and clothing. I could not have picked a place on earth to Polar bears, the largest carnivore on land, visit further away from Whitianga, but I have a roam the region and are prized for their hides feeling that it will be an adventure of a lifetime and meat. An adult bear can reach 3m in length and that I will learn a lot. Issue 855 - 24 July 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 11
Police Report
By Sergeant Andrew Morrison of the Whitianga Police
Monday 15 July to Monday 22 July 2019
General On the 15th a takeaway and adjoining
Obtains by Deception and Fraud-related premises in Albert Street were burgled with
incidents where complainants have used chat- assorted food items stolen.
sites to buy and sell property occur on a pretty On the 17th a local chat site was used to
regular basis. Police advice is that sites that purchase concert tickets and the seller’s
track sales and purchases are used so that if actions appear to be fraudulent, while also
things go wrong, there are simple enquiries to that day a business premises on Moewai
locate offenders. Road was entered unlawfully. The property
Please secure your property and report any was searched with nothing stolen.
suspicious behaviour to Police. A small garage was burgled at a Scott
Arrests Drive, Cooks Beach address on the 21st with
22nd - 1 x 39-year-old local woman for assorted tools stolen, while also that day
Breach of Bail (x3). a launch moored near Hei Esplanade was
Occurrences burgled and dive gear stolen.
Two Family Harm incidents attended Traffic
this week. One drunk driver apprehended on the 21st,
On the 16th a mother argued with her a 25-year-old Palmerston North man who
school-aged son at a Ngaio Drive, Matarangi recorded a result of 827/250.
address and sound advice was given. On the 16th a driver reversed from a
A stressed couple at a Cook Drive address parking space in Albert Street and crashed
argued about their circumstances on the 19th into another car. This person then drove off
and were separated for a short period of time without leaving details and enquiries are
to calm down. continuing to locate this person.
021 025 26447 • www.paradisepets.co.nz • 43 Moewai Rd, Whitianga
Page 12 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019Larger doors for rescue Tips for Business Owners
helicopter hangar By Christine Petrie
Information about prospects, clients, donors and secure storage, individuals’ access to and
members can greatly help to improve product ability to correct the information, the use and
and service offerings, and increase income. disclosure of the information collected, as well
Databases with contact details - especially as the assignment of unique identifiers.
when segmented by factors such as age, gender, The Unsolicited Electronic Messages
location and interests - assist in informing, Act 2007 prohibits organisations sending
selling and receiving feedback cost effectively. “commercial” electronic messages unless
However, when data is poorly managed, recipient consent has been given. While consent
not held securely and/or used indiscriminately, can be inferred or deemed, it is best to have a
organisations (including privately-owned record showing the recipient’s choice to opt-in.
businesses) can suffer reputational damage and Electronic messages must clearly state the name
be penalised financially.
and contact details of the sender and recipients
Two pieces of legislation in particular govern
must have the opportunity to unsubscribe.
the use of personal information.
The Privacy Act 1993 controls the If you are unsure, seek professional advice.
collection, use, storage and disclosure of Information included in this column is of a
personal information. Based on 12 principles, general nature and is not a substitute for tailored
organisations are expected to collect legal, accounting and other professional advice.
information fairly, to consider whether the Christine Petrie will be the guest presenter at
information is necessary, to obtain it directly a Mercury Bay Business Association (MBBA)
from the person (unless publicly available), seminar on Tuesday 13 August, covering the
and to tell people what the information will be topic, “How to Get Your Business through
John Murray, the owner of Bay Project Services, started last week with the installation of used for and who will have access to it. The act Winter.” The seminar is open to both MBBA
larger doors for the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust’s hangar in Whitianga. The larger also specifies requirements regarding how long members and the general public. For more
doors are necessary to accommodate the new AW 169 rescue helicopters of the Auckland to keep the data, ensuring the data is accurate, information, email mbba@whitianga.co.nz.
Rescue Helicopter Trust.
“The new doors are 1.15m wider than the old doors and a significant amount of engineering
design was required before we could start with the project, which Peter Rodgers of Mercury
Bay Civil Design very generously provided free of charge,” says John. “I hope to have the
project completed in the next week and a half.”
Brian Bowering, chairman of the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust, says the larger doors Christine Petrie, the author
are all paid for. “To replace the doors isn’t a cheap exercise, but is yet another example of this column, is the owner
of the generosity of the people of the Coromandel Peninsula and how much they value an of Shifting Focus Business
effective rescue helicopter service,” he says. Consulting. She can be
contacted on telephone
Picture is the hangar after the old, smaller doors have been taken off. John Murray can be (021) 775 571 or email
seen on the scissor lift. christine@shiftingfocus.co.nz.
Issue 855 - 24 July 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 13Robinson Road boat ramp
work on hold
Work on the upgrade of the Robinson Road boat ramp in Whitianga has been put on hold for four
to six weeks. An authority from Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga is required before the
work planned above the highwater mark can commence.
“Most of the upgrade work below the highwater mark has been completed,” says Thames-
Coromandel District Council project manager, Andrew Scobie. “It has, however, come to our
attention that the area may contain archaeological features, which has been confirmed in
an Archaeological and Historical Assessment of Effects report we’ve already obtained from
archaeologists Matthew Gainsford and Warren Gumbley. As a result, we’ve decided a heritage
authority is necessary before we disturb any of the ground at the boat ramp.
“Once the upgrade project is completed, a longer and wider boat ramp running parallel to the
existing boat ramp will enable larger vessels to be launched and additional parking for boat
trailers will be available.”
The Robinson Road boat ramp was originally known as “Abe’s Wharf” and is situated in an
area that was commonly referred to as “Trelease Point.” The first commercial building on the
western side of the Whitianga Harbour can be found next to the boat ramp. The building was
constructed from Te Ana sandstone that was quarried from the opposite side of the harbour
and bricks from Auckland. The building was part of a trading post that was called the “Pig
and Whistle.” The trading post was built in the 1870s by GW White and is said to have been,
among other things, an illicit grog shop for bush workers and gum diggers.
Historical records indicate that a homestead belonging to the family of GW White was built at
Trelease point and also that Abe’s Wharf comprised of two jetties.
Work on two drainage projects in Whangapoua was also put on hold while TCDC obtains a
heritage authority for each of the locations of the projects.
Pictured is some of the work that has been completed below the highwater mark at the Robinson
Road boat ramp.
Page 14 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019Issue 855
699 - 24
27 July 2019
2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 15Fresh Page 16 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019
Issue 855
699 - 24
27 July 2019
2016 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 17MERCURY BAY PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
Robert Lindsay Dip Phty(Otago) ADP(OMT), Dip.MT.
SeniorNet
By Mavis Hicks
Update
Co-author of ‘Treat Your Own Shoulder’
and Associates
Crystal Vause BHScPhysiotherapy SeniorNet will soon be up and running for this Couldn’t be easier.
term. Members will already have received the If you’re still using an operating system
schedule of classes and readers thinking of earlier than Windows 8, there’s a spreadable
Manipulation / Back and Neck Pain / Work Injuries joining us can phone Lorna for a copy of the ransomware warning. You need to check and
Sports Injuries / Post Surgery and Fracture Rehab classes available this term. Should you wish make sure your device security is kept up to
to join SeniorNet and register for a class, date. Or better still, update your operating
Acupuncture / Hand Therapy / Women’s Health Clinic Lorna will help you. system. If you do that, not only will your
Physiotherapists with the qualifications to provide I have on occasion received an email machine be better protected, but you won’t
excellence in physical health care containing a notice that If I’m not receiving help this ransomware to spread. It’s always
the email, then I should add the name of the a good idea to check for system updates and
sender to my contacts list. I’m still working action them.
out how I will know I’m not receiving an I look forward to seeing you all during this
Mercury Bay Medical Centre - Ph (07) 868 9579 email that I didn’t know was sent. term. You’ll be pleased to know our internet
Visiting Z for petrol without your Fly Buys is now working.
card? Don’t worry, if you have previously Lorna’s phone number is (07) 866 4215.
used your card there, it will be stored on your Please phone during the day.
phone. Go to the Z app, open it and select
“Rewards.” Tap the Fly Buys or Airpoints
sign and the card with your number on it
will open. Show your phone to the little
Fly Buys machine and if it doesn’t work,
ask the operator to press the blue button.
Then, hey presto, collect your Fly Buys and
maybe a discount when you pay your account.
The members of SeniorNet Whitianga meet at the Whitianga
Social Services building at 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga.
Page 18 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019Mercury Rising project internships for two MBAS students By Meg Tatton-Brown Mercury Bay Area School students, view of the sky.” Petra Fisher and Nikita Russell, have recently Otago Museum is also planning Mercury been notified that they both have been awarded Rising project events in Mercury Bay. an Otago Museum Tuia 250 Lotteries-funded On Friday 9 November and Saturday Mercury Rising project internship. Ten other 10 November, the museum’s “Lab in a students from around New Zealand have also Box” mobile science lab will be situated at received internships. the Mercury Bay Museum in Whitianga. The Mercury Rising project was developed A range of astronomical information will be by Otago Museum as part of this year’s showcased, including the science behind a commemoration events marking 250 years transit of Mercury and the importance of the since Captain James Cook and astronomer transit in 1769 to Captain James Cook . Charles Green observed a transit of Mercury The Lab in a Box will be moved to Cooks across the sun at the Purangi Estuary in 1769. Beach on Monday 11 November as part of A transit will occur once again in November the preparations for a public viewing of this this year. year’s transit of Mercury. The 12 internship recipients will spend A “stargazing party” will be held during from Friday 2 August to Monday 5 August the night leading up to the transit, which at the Mount John Observatory in Tekapo. school students are encouraged to participate During this time, the Mercury Rising in. Telescopes will be available and science project coordinators, Dr Ian Griffin and Mercury Bay Area School students Petra Fisher (left) and Nikita Russell have each experts from Otago Museum will be on Alysha Painter from Otago Museum, been awarded an Otago Museum Tuia 250 Lotteries-funded Mercury Rising project internship. hand to teach the public how to use will assist the students in learning how to use and curious, and I wouldn’t be surprised to looking forward to being able to share this the telescopes. the observatory’s telescopes and how to take, see them engage with this field of science in new experience with other people who are The transit will be in progress as the sun process and interpret images of the planets, the future. We look forward to hearing about just as interested in science as I am.” rises on Tuesday 12 November. Ten solar moon and deep space objects. The students their experiences.” Petra is also looking forward to the telescopes will be available for the public to will also be given the opportunity to engage To be chosen for the internship, students experience. “The Mount John Observatory view the transit with. The transit will also be in science communication about the project had to be nominated by a teacher and also is a world-class facility with equipment live-streamed. via Otago Museum’s social media channels. had to express an interest in the opportunity. that’s genuinely used for astronomical field “We hope to use this year’s transit of “We’re delighted that Petra and Nikita have A Skype interview was then held with the research, as well as stargazing,” she says. Mercury as an opportunity to look back on been selected as recipients of the internship,” project coordinators. “I’m particularly interested in learning how how New Zealand has changed in the last says MBAS principal, John Wright. “It’s exciting to know that I’m going to be to operate the telescopes and gaining as 250 years and to start thinking about what “These young women are dedicated and learning about topics that I haven’t had much much knowledge about astronomy as I can. we want New Zealand to be 250 years from enthusiastic scientists. They’re hard-working exposure to before,” says Nikita. “I’m most Hopefully we have clear nights and a great now,” says Alysha Painter. Issue 855 - 24 July 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 19
New radio station on
the Coromandel
Television, radio and interactive media company, MediaWorks, has formally launched their fourth radio
station on the Coromandel Peninsula, Magic 104.4FM, on Thursday last week.
The station can at the moment be heard across the Hauraki Plains and along the west coast of the
Peninsula. Full Coromandel coverage is expected in the next few months.
Targeting those 55 years of age and older, Magic 104.4FM plays popular hits from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
The line-up of announcers includes well-known names like Mark Leishman, Geoff Bryan, Murray Lindsay,
Bob Gentil and former Coromandel FM breakfast host, Mark Smith.
“As the official station of the Repco Beach Hop over the past few years, it has been my wish to have
Magic 104.4FM actually broadcasting on the Coromandel as a local brand,” says MediaWorks Coromandel
general manager, Kate Rigg (pictured). “I’m delighted that we can finally deliver this special brand of
music. It’s definitely a feel-good, sing-out-loud station that listeners will love.”
Magic 104.4FM can also be heard on the Rova app, which is available to download on your smartphone.
Rova allows you to listen for free to more than 20 music stations. For those in Mercury Bay and along
the eastern seaboard of the Coromandel who do not yet have Magic 104.4FM coverage, this is a
suitable alternative.
H O U S E WA S H I N G
Call Drew for a free quote
The Expert with the time tested and guaranteed method of removing mould,
lichen, moss and stains. In fact any exterior surface that needs a clean, Drew can
deal to with a harmless but totally effective wash. And remember a pre-paint wash
will extend the life of your paint job and make painting easier.
Buildings. Boats. Fences. Wood. Concrete. Metal.
Call Drew Edwards - The Chemwash Man
Mobile: 0274 375 578 a/h 07 867 8493
Page 20 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Issue 855 - 24 July 2019What’s On The next few weeks
Op-Shops Whitianga. Phone Wendy Russell on (07) 866 3225 for more information.
Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street Cooks Beach Garden Circle
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:300am - 2:00pm. Meet the last Thursday of every month from 11:15am - 2:30pm. New members welcome. Phone Leila on (07) 866 3264
The Church Op-Shop - At St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Tuesday to or Anne on (07) 867 1618 for more information.
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm. Social Road Cycling
St John Opportunity Shop - Albert Street, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 10:00am - 4:00pm and Saturday A 20km ride. Meets every Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 9:00am opposite Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Followed by
10:00am - 2:00pm. coffee. Phone Tony on (021) 023 38323 for more information.
Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust Bookshop Mountain Biking
Albert Street, Whitianga. Open every Monday - Saturday from 10:00am - 2:00pm. Meets every Sunday at 8:00am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Paul on 021 605 230 if you are
Justice of the Peace interested in riding.
Available every Monday (except public holidays) from 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club
Whitianga. Phone Warren Young on (07) 869 5354 or (022) 635 4958, or Whitianga Social Services on (07) 866 4476 for Meet every Wednesday at 1:00pm at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Visitors and new members
more information. welcome. Phone Mary on (07) 866 4841 for more information.
Women’s Wellbeing and Weight Loss Whitianga Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club
Meet every Wednesday from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in Room 10 at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Meet every Thursday at 6:45pm in the Whitianga Town Hall. All levels of bowlers welcome, including beginners. Phone
Learn portion control, eliminate processed sugar, eat well at meals and eat well for life. Support to lose weight wisely. Doreen on (07) 866 5237 or Alan on (07) 866 4024 for more information or just come along.
Check out our Facebook page or phone (07) 869 5648 for more information. Mercury Bay Badminton Club
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated Meet every Wednesday from 9:30am - 11:00am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street, Whitianga. All welcome.
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their Mercury Bay Table Tennis
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on Meet every Tuesday from 9:30am - 11:30am in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street, Whitianga. All welcome.
866 4215 for more information or to join. Phone Anne on (07) 869 5162 for more information.
Peninsula Penultimates (ex Probus Club)
Meet the fourth Monday of every month at 10:00am at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, Cook Drive, Whitianga.
Phone 866 5027 for more information. Whitanga Winter Buy Local Campaign
Scrapbags Quilting Group Until Monday 29 July. Buy at any of the participating stores listed on page 16 of this issue of The Informer and go
Meet every Wednesday from 9:00am - 3:00pm at the St Andrew’s Church Hall, Albert Street, Whitianga. All welcome. into the draw to win $2,000 (terms and conditions apply). To enter, simply write your name and phone number on
phone Shelley on (07) 866 0236 for more information. the back of your invoices/receipts and drop them in the entry boxes available at all the participating stores.
Whenuakite Area Playgroup Mercury Bay Senior Rugby - Saturday 27 July
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 12:30pm at the Hahei Community Hall. Ages birth - six years. Visitors welcome. Tea and Senior A - Semi-final against Thames. An away game in Thames. Kick-off at 2:00pm.
coffee are provided.
Senior B - Semi-final against Waihi Athletic. An away game in Waihi. Kick-off at 12:25pm.
Whitianga Playcentre
Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 9:00am - 12:00 noon at 1D White Street, Witianga. For children 0 - 6 years, Tairua Senior Rugby - Saturday 27 July
free entry. Visitors welcome. Senior A - Semi-final against the Cobras. An away game in Te Aroha. Kick-off at 2:00pm.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Dancing Mercury Bay Area School Rugby - Saturday 27 July
See @Mercury Rockers on Facebook or phone Chris on (021) 504 246. First XV - A home game against Waihi College at Lyon Park in Whitianga. Kick-off at 11:30am.
Whitianga Art Group and Gallery Under 15 - A home game against Coromandel Town at Lyon Park in Whitianga. Kick-off at 10:00am.
Open for painting Wednesdays 6:30pm to 9:30pm, and Thursdays and Fridays 10:00am to 4:00pm. Visitors welcome, Black Out Night - All Blacks v Springboks
School Road, Whitianga. Saturday 27 July at 7:00pm at the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club, The Esplanade, Whitianga. Food and raffles.
Mercury Bay Quilters Tickets $25 per person, available from Guthrie Bowron Whitianga or the Mercury Bay Rugby Club. A fundraiser for
Meet on the first and the third Monday and the second and the fourth Saturday of each month from 10:00am - 4:00pm Mercury Bay Junior Rugby.
at Whitianga Social Services, Cook Drive, Whitianga. New members are always welcome. For more information phone Green Drinks Mercury Bay
Delys on (07) 866 0265.
Mercury Bay Woolcraft Group Wednesday 31 July at 5:00pm Hula Café, Albert Street, Whitianga. Environmental networking and socialising.
Meet the first and third Wednesday of every month from 10:00am - 2:00pm. in the Whitianga Town Hall, Monk Street,
Whitianga Tractors
& EQUIPMENT CENTRE
Sales Repairs Maintenance
TRACTORS & SMALL ENGINES
Dave and Karen
Phone 07 867 1046 a/hrs 0275 832 343
Email whitianga.tractors@gmail.com
Dakota Drive Whitianga
Your local Husqvarna dealer
Issue 855 - 24 July 2019 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz Page 21You can also read
