631 8 April 2015 Week 2.indd

Transcription

The
Mercury Bay
Issue 631 - 8 April 2015
Phone 07 866 2090
PORTING
P
U
S
S
L
A
LOC
LOCALS
A brotherhood
among men
Circulation 6,000
Masterchef winner
Chelsea Winter
is coming to
Mercury Bay see page 4.
Impressions of the Vietnam War Veterans’ Victor 3 Company reunion held over Easter in Whitianga
By Stephan Bosman
The members of Victor 3 Company who attended their fourth reunion in Whitianga marching into Soldiers Memorial Park on Easter Sunday,
proudly carrying the flags of their company and their country. Read the story on page 2.
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Covering Whangapoua to Pauanui, including Whitianga, Hot Water Beach and Tairua - www.theinformer.co.nz
Victor 3 Company reunion in Whitianga
Easter weekend something special
happened in Whitianga and I was privileged
to experience it.
Victor 3 Company was formed in 1967
and, on instructions from the New Zealand
Government, became involved in the
Vietnam War in 1968. The members of the
three platoons that made up the company
served a one year tour of duty in Vietnam,
before they returned to New Zealand
in 1969.
Victor 3 and all the other New Zealand
Vietnam War Veterans went to Vietnam
as young men at a time when much of
the world hated the war and hated them.
They returned home in secret in the middle
of the night. The work they did was not
appreciated at the time and it would be
many years before the true value of their
sacrifice and their contribution would be
recognised.
In fact, only in 2008 did then Prime
Minister Helen Clark acknowledge that the
Veterans were soldiers who undertook their
duties bravely, loyally and professionally.
In the case of Victor 3 it can almost be said
that it was “too little too late,” as two of
the company members, Michael Wickman
The Air Force Iroquois helicopter during its fly-past on Easter Sunday.
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed
throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of
contributions are entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only
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Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner
or publisher.
Owner - Mercury Bay Media Limited
Publisher - Petra Roodt
Editor - Stephan Bosman
Contributing Editors - Len Salt, Alison Smith, Meghan Hawkes and Jack Biddle
Deliveries - 14 Monk St, Whitianga 3510
Mail - PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542
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ISSN 2422-9083 (Print) ISSN 2422-9091 (Online)
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Page 2
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and Donald Bensemann, lost their lives in
the conflict.
President of the Mercury Bay RSA,
Bruce Collier, was a member of Victor 3.
Some years ago the surviving company
members decided to get together every two
years. This Easter was their fourth reunion,
organised by Bruce and held in Whitianga.
The memorial service held this past
Sunday (Easter Sunday) was a moving
experience. At 11:30am 41 of the surviving
Victor 3 members marched into Soldiers
Memorial Park, proudly carrying the flags
of their company and their country.
They were first addressed by Reverend
Mary Petersen of St Andrews by the Sea
Community Church, honouring their
commitment, courage and compassion.
That was followed by a fly-past of a
Royal New Zealand Air Force Iroquois
helicopter, the significance of the moment
not lost on anyone.
Coromandel Member of Parliament
Scott Simpson then spoke about the
achievements of Victor 3, the most
decorated unit of the New Zealand armed
forces since World War II. He also read
a message from New Zealand Prime
Rob Dil (right) with Ross Miller, his platoon leader when he was injured in the Vietnam War.
High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot Water Beach
DAY/
DATE
HIGH
AM
LOW
AM
HIGH
PM
LOW
PM
Wed 8
9:46
3:23
10:10
3:43
Thu 9
10:27
4:04
10:53
4:24
11:38
5:08
Fri 10
11:11
4:48
Sat 11
11:57
5:35
Sun 12
0:27
6:26
12:48
6:48
Mon 13
1:21
7:21
1:44
7:45
Tue 14
2:18
8:20
2:44
8:46
5:55
Tide data sponsored by
nzwindows.co.nz
4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tel 07 869 5990
What’s that Number?
Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police)........................................................................... 111
Police (Whitianga) .............................................................................................. 866 4000
Police (Tairua) .................................................................................................... 864 8888
Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers .................. ....... ............. 0800 555 111
Dog and Noise Control .......................................................................................868 0200
Poison Centre ..............................................................................................0800 764 766
Dental Emergency (Mercury Bay) ...................................................................... 869 5500
Civil Defence ..................................................................................................... 868 0200
Medical Centre (Mercury Bay) ........................................................................... 866 5911
Doctors Surgery (Mercury Bay) ......................................................................... 866 4621
Medical Centre (Tairua) ....................................................................................... 864 8737
Harbour Master (Whitianga) ........................................................................ 027 493 1379
Harbour Master (Tairua) ............................................................................... 027 476 2651
Coastguard Radio Operators ............................................................................ 866 2883
Social Services Whitianga ..................................................................................866 4476
The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz
Victor 3 reunion
Minister John Key, saying the reunion
is an opportunity to celebrate the strong
friendships that were built at the time the
company members served in Vietnam.
And that is most probably what I will
remember most from the experience.
There is clearly a brotherhood among
the men. Many of them don’t see each
other often, but they are looking out for
each other. Even during the memorial
service, there was, at appropriate times,
friendly banter going on, the kind you only
find between really good friends.
After the memorial service I had the
opportunity to talk to a few of the company
members. When asking what they will
remember most from this reunion, all of
those I spoke to said the story of Rob Dil.
So, I spoke to Rob - and indeed, his story
is worth telling.
On 22 June 1968, 2 Platoon of
Victor 3 engaged the enemy in the forests
of Vietnam. Ross Miller, platoon leader who was also at the reunion, told me later
they had a big problem. The enemy was
less than 10 metres away from them and
they had no way out.
The decision was made to call in
overhead artillery fire. What that meant
was while the artillery fire would be
directed at the enemy, because of the
close proximity of 2 Platoon, there was a
real chance of “friendly fire” casualties.
The strategy was needed to give 2 Platoon
a chance to withdraw to safety.
And there was a casualty, Rob was
badly wounded. Some of the Platoon
members carried him to a clearing where
an American helicopter winched him
to safety.
After his evacuation, Rob was first
stabilised in an American field hospital,
he was then operated on in an Australian
field hospital and ultimately ended up
in Middlemore Hospital in Auckland,
where he spent nine months. His injuries
resulted in impaired movement for life.
After he was discharged from hospital,
Rob stayed in the Army for another four
years. He moved to Australia in 1977.
In 1989 he moved to the United States.
He has recently retired from Microsoft in
North Carolina where he was a software
development engineer for more than
20 years.
This was Rob’s first Victor 3 reunion
and the first time many of the company
members saw him since that day when,
in Ross’s words, “Rob was bleeding
all over us as the American helicopter
winched him through the forest canopy.”
While I was talking to Rob, one of the
members of 2 Platoon came by to say
goodbye. He had to leave early. He looked
at me and said, “I was 20 feet away from
Rob that day he was hit. I never thought
I would see him again. He’s a good man.
Having him at the reunion made my day.”
I also spoke more to Ross. He said this
about his platoon, “I had the privilege
to lead a group of exceptional young
New Zealanders.”
And that maybe sums it up - the members
of Victor 3 may have moved on in years,
but they all remain a group of exceptional
New Zealanders. They keep in touch and
they look after each other as best they can.
Their bond is unbreakable.
And in two years’ time, when they
meet for their fifth reunion in Blenheim,
Rob will be there once again.
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Page 3
Chelsea Winter coming to Whitianga
New Zealand food royalty is coming to
Whitianga after an ambitious phone call
from a Mercury Bay Area School teacher
turned an idea into reality.
Anne-Maree McDougall has been a
Chelsea Winter fan ever since Winter won
New Zealand Masterchef in 2012. The last
time Chelsea did a masterclass in Auckland
Anne-Maree tried to get tickets, but they
sold out in minutes.
A few years further down the track AnneMaree was looking for an event to organise
as part of the MBAS Talent Development
Programme.
“I have followed her website so I knew
that there were a lot of Chelsea buns in
Whitianga,” says Anne-Maree. “Many of
them are students at Mercury Bay School.”
Chelsea fans are called ‘buns,’ a term that
needs no explanation. “I picked up the
phone and called Chelsea’s agent to see if
the door would be open to do an event in
Whitianga. Chelsea was keen and so the
idea quickly turned into a major event for
the school.”
Winter’s first book, At My Table, is a sellout success and spent over three months on
the New Zealand bestseller list. Her new
book, Everyday Delicious, follows what
has become her trademark theme of using
everyday ingredients to make food which
is tasty and easily accessible for people of
all ages.
Both books are still in the top ten on the
bestseller list.
Anne-Maree explains that Winter’s age
and background have been inspirational
for many of the MBAS students. “Because
she doesn’t come from a food background,
and yet she decided to compete in
Masterchef in her twenties, many of the
students find her easy to identify with and
want to follow what she has achieved.”
With the help of fellow MBAS teacher
STEAK NIGHT
SIRLOIN, Egg ‘n’
Chips
Surf ‘n’ Turf
SCOTCH, Tavern made
ONION RINGS w salad
Sue
Huntleigh-Smith,
Anne-Maree
put together a plan for the weekend of
19 - 20 June where Chelsea would run
a masterclass and a canapé evening,
giving both students and members of the
community an opportunity to experience
what is involved in a professional
hospitality event.
“We are very keen to open up the world
of possibilities for students who might be
interested in a career in food or hospitality,”
says Anne-Maree. “There is sometimes a
perception that hospitality is something
you do while you plan your real career.
In reality, and Chelsea is a perfect example,
a career in hospitality has the potential
to take you to some exciting places.
The opportunities are endless.”
The Chelsea Winter weekend at MBAS
will start on the Friday (19 June) with the
chance for self- selected food and nutrition
students to learn how to put together
a range of dishes for a special event.
On Saturday (20 June) the masterclass for
adults will prepare a three course meal
with wine. Tickets for this class are $150
and are limited to a total of 24 participants.
Anne-Maree already has advance feedback
at such a level that she knows the tickets
will be heavily over-subscribed. “We need
to try and be fair to everyone who wants
a chance to participate. We will raffle two
of the masterclass tickets, with the raffle
numbers limited to 1,500. There are two
tickets for sponsors and the rest will go
into a draw. That way everybody has an
equal chance.”
Anybody who wants to go into the draw
to purchase the $150 masterclass tickets
will need to ensure that Anne-Maree has
their name and contact details. Her email
is mcdougalla@mbas.ac.nz. For those
without email, they can drop a letter in
to the MBAS reception or the Informer
DARTS
NIGHT
7:30pm
Newbees Welcome!
Best night of
the week
Opening Hours:
Mon - Sat 10am - 7pm
DV
D
Buy One Main
and enter into
the draw to win
Dinner for Two!
offices to ensure they are included in
the draw. “We will do the draw on Saturday
23 May, so it’s important that people are
registered by then.”
Anne-Maree says that raffle tickets will
be available from MBAS, The Informer
offices and the Matarangi General Store
and are expected to sell out quickly.
The crowning event of the weekend will
be a canapé evening in the school hall on
the Saturday night. Students involved will
have the opportunity to plan and decide how
the hall will be decorated and presented
and will be responsible for preparing and
serving the food and beverages to guests
during the evening.
“Details for the evening are still being
finalised. We expect to have around 20
to 25 tables of eight,” says Anne-Maree,
“So the presentation and service is a very
important part of the students’ learning
opportunity.” Chelsea will oversee the
food preparation during the day and will be
Masterchef 2012 winner Chelsea Winter.
HAPPY HOUR
SUPERUGBY
TONIGHT
Superugby
CRUSADERS V
HIGHLANDERS
7.35PM
+ RAFFLE NIGHT
5pm - 7pm
Blues v Brumbies
7:35pm
chatting with guests through the evening.
No doubt there will be many questions
to answer about how she went from a
marketing executive in a building society
to one of the country’s top celebrity chefs.
Anne-Maree got a helping hand for the
event from local New World supermarket
owners Stacey and Sally Rolton.
Sally had been a competitor and finalist in
a Masterchef style event a few years ago,
run by Foodtsuffs, and so the connections
were there and the Roltons didn’t hesitate
to be involved (New World supermarkets
are part of the Foodstuffs co-operative).
Anne-Maree
says
the
Roltons’
enthusiastic support was an unexpected
bonus. Having New World on board as
a major sponsor meant the difference
between breaking even on the event and
allowing for the possibility of a small profit
to go towards MBAS’s Youth Leadership
Trust Fund.
POOLS ON
US ALL DAY!
Gotta Love
Sundays
$1.00 from EVERY
cake, muffin or slice sold
here gets donated to
COROGLEN SCHOOL
• Sushi
• Japanese Cuisine
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69 Albert Street,
Whitianga
Ph 07 866 5858
In t r o d u c i n g S i g n a t u re S e a f o o d B i r yani and Go at Curr y
Delicious and Affordable Indian Food
Enjoy restaurant quality food in the comfort of your own home.
Food made with freshly ground spices. Enjoy real curry pies.
Open for dinner only
Open for dinner only
What’s New REVIEW
Stonehearst Asylum (M) (Out Now)
A recent medical school grad who takes a position at a mental institution soon finds himself taken with
one of his colleagues - though he has no initial idea of a recent, horrifying staffing change. This film is
a sinister delight with its distinctly modern intelligence and razor-sharp plotting. Starring Jim Sturgess,
Kate Beckinsale, Ben Kingsley and Michael Caine. Well worth a watch. Reviewed By Cara.
Page 4
HEAVIEST DUCK
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REGISTRATION
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TOP MOVIES
Interstellar
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Night at the
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Ribs ’n’ Chips
Only $15!!
Happy Hour
3-7pm
Pool Comp 8pm
Salmon cutlet,
salad & fries
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Meat raffles
Steak Night
$16 Scotch Fillet!!
Jameoke 9pm
Happy Hour 3 - 7pm
$100 Bar Tab
Draw @ 6pm
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$10 Burger & Fries
DJ Mighty 9pm
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Super 15 Rugby
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Crusaders v
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4-6:30pm
New Dish
Open for brunch, lunch
Saturday and Sunday
Caramlised pork hock with
sweetcorn panna cotta and fried tripe
and dinner 6 nights
Open 7 Days
From 5pm
Dine In • Takeaway • Delivery
13 / 1 Blacksmith Lane, Whitianga
8 BALL
7pm
SNOOKER
1:30pm
BISTRO LUNCH
11am
Tai Chi 9am
Body Balance
9am
Summer
season is
now over
but we are
still open
7 days a
week.
Play Bar
Trivia from
4pm
Dine In FREE
on your Birthday
One main, rice & naan.
Minimum 2-person party.
Members Draw
Raffles 5.30pm
THE LOCAL LADS
7:30pm
Tai Chi 9am
11am
every day,
kitchen
closes
8pm
Open 7days for dinner
from 5pm
Lunch from 12 noon
Fri / Sat / Sun
Club Opens
11am
Sports Bar
TAB POD
Garden Bar
Restaurant,
Brewery
& Bar
Award
winning
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7:30pm
Full Menu at
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pizzas also Ph. 867 1215
available for for bookings.
takeaway
Closed today.
Authentic North
Indian Cuisine
Wide selection of seafood,
vegetarian & gluten-free.
Children’s menu available.
Free Pool Tables
Games Room
Sports Bar
TAB Pod
Tai Chi 9am
RAFFLES 5:30pm
MEMBERSHIP DRAW
DARTS 7:30pm
Dance/Rock ‘n’
Roll Lessons
7:15pm
Tai Chi 9am
Bookings Welcome to
taken,
Hot Water
07 866 3830
Brewery
Lamb & Beef
2014 Silver Fern Farms
Kleftiko
Tue - Thur 4pm - 10pm
Fri - Sat 4pm - 10:30pm
Sunday 4pm - 9:30pm
www.alcaminos.co.nz
SAT MORNING
RAFFLES 11am
only $1.00
Lunch 11am
Meals/Bar Snacks
5:30pm
QUIZ
NIGHT
Award winning
11A Coghill Str, Whitianga
Tel: 07 866 2200
In house
smoked
salmon with
kumara &
apple
Happy Hour
Every week
day from
Smoked salmon
pate with pita
bread.
Come try.
Lamb Pizzas
• Lamb, artichoke, red onion &
dried fig
• Lamb with mushroom
Book your lunch
Bring the
Try our
Seafood &
Bacon Pizza
Ask about our date with us and girls out for a
Cold day?
cocktail and try
new
soak in the
our salads and Come try our
coffee club
atmosphere
chowder
platters
07 866 0456 www.thelostspring.co.nz
We are
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Much much
more specials
to come and
try out
Page 5
OPEN
Thursday - Monday
from 11:30am
and Wednesdays
from 4:00pm.
Closed Tuesdays.
For the freshest local
fish and seafood.
Open from 3:30pm.
Book to avoid disappointment 07 867 1710 squids.co.nz.
New winter menu on the way!
Serving the freshest seafood in town
Peninsula Past 1897
with Meghan Hawkes
Extracts from the newspapers that circulated in the Mercury Bay area in 1897 pure gold!
The skeleton of a man in a sitting position
was found by two boys at Wharekawa
Creek. Constable Rist, of Whitianga,
proceeded to the place where he deduced
the grisly find had been there for some
months.
Mercury Bay, said a correspondent,
may only be a little tinpot village,
but their enthusiastic celebration
of Jubilee Day “… has never been
seen before and shall never be seen
again.” After a children’s sports day,
the festivities concluded in a dance for
“… elder people - dancing being kept up
vigorously till morning.”
Bushfires were raging in the area
destroying a large amount of kauri
at Wharekawa. In the Tairua and
Whangamata districts the fires were
most destructive and a few scattered
settlers had an alarming time. The roar
of flames could be heard several miles
away. A phenomenal drought had been
experienced throughout the Peninsula,
resulting in a crop of bushfires. There was
scarcely any bush land between Cape
Colville and the southern extremities of
the goldfield which escaped unharmed.
The damage to timber and dams totalled
hundreds of pounds. At one dam which
completely burned away, the water in the
creek was reduced to a mere rivulet and
the logs were demolished.
Things in Kuaotunu were brightening,
not only in mining, but also in business.
Additions to buildings, dwellings,
the town hall and the new post office
proved the confidence held in the
future of this gold field. Mr Meikle,
junction store keeper, had built a large
addition to his store. It was not unusual
to see seven or eight pack horses going
from his store twice daily to Murphy’s
Hill, Matarangi, Opitinui and Owera.
Scows were arriving from Auckland
bringing timber and carpenters.
WANTED by October 22nd A Qualified Medical Man (married
preferred). Must be accustomed to
riding. Salary 300 pounds per annum
with residence and liberty to Outside
Practice. Mercury Bay Hospital Board.
The fate of the New Zealand pioneer settler - a bush fire in progress in the back blocks.
TAKEAWAY
• Fresh Fish n Chips
• Classic Burgers
• Heat n Eat dishes
R ORDER
PHONE YOU
Y TO GO!
D
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Main Road, Tairua
OPEN 11am - LATE Ph 07 864 8617
Got guests coming? Need an affordable bed?
See your sleeping specialists - Bedpost Whitianga
Lee Street, Whitianga P: 07 866 2448
Page 6
LONG TERM PLAN
201501515
202
20
025
Where do you see
the Coromandel
in ten years’ time?
A FEW PROPOSALS THAT MAY INTEREST YOU...
Retirement villages
• Introducing a rates remissions for retirement village residents
who own a “License to occupy” their homes. This will put them
in the same position as other low-income home owners who are
able to access the central government rates rebate scheme.
Other issues
• Introducing an automatic 50% rates remissions for small (50 sq
metres or less) second dwellings (so for small granny flats).
• Planting World War 1 Memorial Forests around the Coromandel.
• Moving the funding of information centres in Tairua, Pauanui,
Whangamata and Coromandel from being managed Districtwide, to local.
• Move $46.6M of the debt on the Eastern Seaboard Wastewater
Treatment plants to be paid through rates rather than future
development.
CONSULTATION IS OPEN UNTIL
THURSDAY 9 APRIL
TCDC/0618
• Change stormwater from a local rate to a district rate.
www.tcdc.govt.nz/ltp
Page 7
Tough X Factor experience for
Tairua contestant
By Alison Smith
Taking criticism is the reality for contestants
in the television show the X-factor New
Zealand, but dealing with the flood of
emotion that follows a daunting audition
process was tougher than expected for
Tairua musician Aaron Dunn.
Restaurant Manager Aaron, 35, is no
hardened, stage-savvy performer. A father
of four young children - Sage, Tippi,
Indigo and Lyric - he is a self-taught
guitarist since the age of 15 and has “bags
and bags” of song lyrics that he has penned
over the years.
Aaron has a wonderful voice and
performs a range of popular songs
as well as his own original music.
During the Coromandel Music Month
last year in Thames, he placed third after
performing an acoustic guitar original
about his grandma Marie, honouring her
death and her life in a song that gave the
audience goose bumps.
The thought of singing to an audience
had previously been far too daunting,
but the community of Tairua, the relaxed
vibe of local venues, including his
workplace at Manaia Kitchen and Bar,
and the support of his father-in-law John
Hert and wife Mel convinced him to
venture beyond his comfort zone.
Aaron told his daughter Sage that if the X
Factor came around again in New Zealand,
he would give it a go. “I wanted to force
myself to keep my word as an example to
my daughter,” he says.
Aaron drove to Manurewa in Auckland
X Factor hopeful Aaron Dunn from Tairua with wife Mel and children (from left) Indigo, Sage, Tipi and Lyric.
for his first audition, performed in front
of radio DJs who got to hear the song he
chose to sing in its entirety.
The first audition went well. “They really
liked it and gave me positive feedback.
They said to go and see the producers,
who were waiting with cameras pointing
and a much more ‘business-like’
atmosphere,” he recalls.
“Neither of the producers looked at me,
which was weird, they were either looking
at a monitor or typing the whole time.
I wasn’t sure if they were really paying
attention and there was hardly any eye
contact at all.”
Aaron was thanked and told at the end of
the song that it was good and well worth a
visit. It was a maybe. And so the waiting
for a “call-back” began.
“They email you if you are not going
through and a week before the live
auditions I got a phone call. It goes from
thousands of people over the whole of
New Zealand to between 280 and 300
performers split across four categories of
male and female under 25, the over 25 year
olds and groups.
“They told me they don’t want you to do
originals because they want to hear how
your voice measures up with something
that they know.”
Aaron chose to sing Lonely Boy by the
Black Keys, which he decided to perform,
“Stripped back to a more emotional
love song, then turned into an angry big
rock screaming voice,” before bringing
it back to finish on a soft voice again.
“That was my idea to show them the range of
my voice,” he says.
APRIL 2015 UPDATE
What a fantastic Easter, incredible weather and lots of people in town.
The amount of boat traffic through the Waterways was comparative to
December/January, as obviously people took the opportunity for another
spell on the water. Easter coinciding with the school holidays certainly
ensures a longer stay as well.
MARLIN WATERS
We are just working through the final paperwork, but expect to be in a
position to break soil this month. This will see three units constructed.
These two bedroom/one bathroom units will be built alongside
Vanita Drive.
ENDEAVOUR QUAY
Our new stage on the island is complete and now open for viewing.
Access is off Leeward Drive. There are some great sections in there and
the landscaping really sets the whole area off. Secure a section and get
designing or take the opportunity to work with us or with one of our partner
builders on a house and land package.
This will be a special neighbourhood for retirees - safe and secure, but still
close enough to all the amenities town has to offer.
The Island represents great value and with a limited number of sections in
the development, now is the time to jump in.
Talking of houses, the whole development is experiencing another rush
on new house construction. As far back as Stage 1, new homes are on
the plans, building consent stage or under construction. What is really
pleasing is the number of these houses that are going to be permanently
occupied. This is great for town. As many of the regions struggle to attract
people and grow their population in the current environment, we should all
be thankful people want to move here.
A town is either going forward or backward.
SHOWHOMES
One of thing we are certainly noticing in the market at the moment is
people are looking at what options they have to build on their sections.
This is done as part of the buying process, not at a later date. They also
want to see what can be achieved. The showhomes on the island give a
real good indication.
Hamr Homes is now open and GJ Gardner and Jennian will be open soon.
They look great and give you a real feel of what you can expect.
BUFFALO WEEK
It is great to see the plans coming together for Buffalo week. This is going
to be a unique week of activities and a great chance to celebrate a small
piece of our history.
Well done to all the people who have come together to put this event on.
Our sales office is open 7 days,
Weekdays 9:00am - 4:00pm and Saturdays and Sundays 10:00am - 2:00pm.
For further information please do not hesitate to contact our sales office on 07 866 0164.
Email - whitiangawaterways@xtra.co.nz Website - www.whitiangawaterways.co.nz
Page 8
Tough X Factor
experience
The day of Aaron’s audition in front of a
live TV audience had begun with a drive up
from Tairua and a wait from 3:00pm until
around 9:00pm for his shot at stardom.
For Aaron, it was a big decision to give
up time from his busy life as the sole
breadwinner of the family and as father to
four youngsters, including five-year-old
Tippi who has special needs.
He was accompanied by Mel and
daughters Sage and Tippi who was a
little star that jumped in front of other
people auditioning and the camera crews
conducting
pre-audition
interviews
backstage and did five renditions of
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in front of
the X Factor judges and audience of 800
people in the auditorium before he and
wife Mel were able to stop her.
As the family waited for Aaron’s turn,
film crews recorded interviews backstage
with Aaron and Mel and other contestants
with scenarios for the family to act out
such as interacting with each other in
various ways and Mel “saying something
supportive” to her husband just before
his song.
There was a lot of build-up since Aaron
did not know when his name would
be called and as the night wore on he
witnessed other talented singers being torn
apart with comments from the judges.
“Having watched the first couple of
audition rounds I was frustrated because
it’s difficult to know what direction the
judges have been given from the producers,
because people were going through even
though their auditions were bad, but they
may have remembered them from previous
years’ auditions or liked their style
and looks.
“In front of me there was a girl that had
the crowd cheering, some even standing
up, and none of the judges liked her at all
and tore her apart, mainly focusing on her
style and not the way she sang. It was about
the lyrics and how they weren’t relevant to
her because she was only 15. They said she
sounded too mature and had no innocence
in her voice. They said they didn’t think
she conducted herself properly and the
music should have been different, but they
wouldn’t let her sing a second song.
“We were in the ‘group of death’ because
they’d already filled most of the places in
our group and we were at the end of a long
audition process. The guy in front of me
got 10 seconds and was out. Stan Walker
[one of the judges] cut him off and said,
“There’s nothing wrong with your voice,
but there’s been too many good people in
your category and it wouldn’t be showing
respect to hear any more.’”
For Aaron’s performance he wore a
bright blue shirt, plain pants and a trilby
hat which he describes as his own “folky
rock” style and which the stylists for the
show didn’t try to alter at this stage of the
competition.
He was filmed being interviewed by host
Dominic Bowden backstage and walking
across the stage as he took his spot at the
microphone and was questioned by the
judges. “They said, ‘How do you feel?’
and, ‘Are you going to smash it?’ and,
‘Do you have kids?’ - which they would
have been cue’d to ask - and when I said I
was a barista with four kids, everyone went
‘ooh and ahh’ then I began my song.”
But unlike the earlier performance for
producers who gave Aaron the full allotted
time to hear his song all the way through,
this time he got barely through a couple of
lines before judge Mel Blatt stopped him.
“She said, ‘I don’t like the tone of your
voice. You sound like a muppet. I couldn’t
listen to that kind of voice.’ I said I was
just about to open up my voice when you
stopped me, and she said, ‘I couldn’t listen
to any more of it,’” Aaron recalls.
And that was it.
In the weeks that followed Aaron’s
X-Factor audition, it was obvious to those
that know him that he hasn’t completely
processed what was essentially a creatively
traumatic experience.
“I’ve been thinking about the muppet
thing for some time afterwards. It’s
quite annoying, it can sting you. I may
have pushed that particular tone too far,
I thought they would either get it or they
wouldn’t. Stan said, ‘It’s a no from me
bro,’ and the other two judges said no,
no one expanded on anything. I could have
pulled back that tone a bit. But it was 20 or
30 seconds.
“I was worried that everyone would
be so good and I wouldn’t measure up.
I don’t really stand up to sing and play
guitar either and in the audition that’s what
I had to do, so I had all this stuff going on
in my head. You need to be comfortable in
what you are doing and it’s not good if you
come across as nervous. You need to look
like you are at home on the stage.
“When you get caught up in it,
it’s hard not to dream big. When you get the
phone call, pretty quickly you get caught
up in the fever of it and think, ‘Maybe this
is me, maybe I’ve got the X Factor and it
becomes all-consuming.
“I started to really want it and it made
it more serious. I didn’t realise how much
I wanted it until I got the phone call and
I was totally stoked. They said that the
further you go into it, the more intense the
pressure gets.”
Despite the feelings of frustration,
disappointment and self-doubt that have
followed Aaron’s audition, he has no
regrets and believes the experience has
grown him as a musician.
“I feel pretty comfortable playing a gig
at Manaia now, and that used to feel like
pressure. It has helped me as a performer.
You need to be prepared for being pulled
apart. It was the first time I have had any
really serious rejection of my music and I
guess it’s good to experience that, since not
everyone is going to like you.
“The commentary on TV has made me
feel better, I got a short sharp dismissal.
When you sign up forthe X Factor,
you are saying any footage can be used and
if they decide to say directly hurtful things,
they are likely to use that on TV. The more
awkward it is, the uglier it is, the more
likely it is to be shown on TV.”
Sounding like a muppet? On reflection,
that’s nothing. Even so, it has taken Aaron
a month to play outside of his home again
and three to four weeks to feel any sort
of musical inspiration at all. “I started to
question myself whether I did sound like a
muppet or not and what perceptions people
had of my voice. Then after a while it felt
good again.”
Aaron says he intends to continue on with
his gigs in Tairua and on the Coromandel
and hasn’t completely given up the idea of
giving the X Factor another go.
Page 9
The St John Siren
Sponsored by Mercury Bay Pharmacy Tel 866 4532
March has been quite a bit busier for
Whitianga Ambulance than the same
month last year. We have responded to
a total of 83 call-outs, which have been
made up of 48 medical cases and 35
trauma cases. We have utilised helicopters
for onward transport on nine occasions.
This time of the year we should be
thinking about some of the typical winter
ailments and ill. The most common of
these are the common cold and influenza
or the “flu.” It is important to distinguish
between the two.
Common colds usually last for one
to two weeks, however you could get a
bacterial infection after a cold, such as an
ear or sinus infection which may mean you
are unwell for longer.
You are more likely to get a cold if you
are tried or emotionally or physically
stressed, do not have a healthy diet,
are a smoker or you live or work in
crowded conditions.
Cold symptoms usually arrive one to
three days after contact with a cold virus
and symptoms may include a sore throat,
a cough, runny or blocked nose, watery
eyes, blocked ears and a slight fever,
along with feeling generally tired
with headaches.
There are no medicines to cure a cold but,
there are medicines to treat the symptoms.
Some medicines aren’t safe for children
or for women during pregnancy, so, if you
want to take medicine, seek advice first.
Self-care when you have a cold includes
plenty of rest, drinking lots of fluids that is water, fruit juice, tea and soft
drinks - and use of a humidifier to increase
air moisture, especially in your bedroom.
Most colds only last a week or two and
you most probably won’t need to see a
doctor. However, you should see a doctor
if you get these associated symptoms with
your cold •
An earache that gets more painful.
•
Wheezing, shortness of breath or
trouble breathing.
•
Swollen, tender glands in your neck.
•
Skin rash.
•
Chest pain.
•
A sore throat that gets more painful or
has white or yellow spots.
•
A cough that gets worse or becomes
painful.
Also see your doctor if you have a
high fever lasting more than two days,
shaking chills and a headache that lasts
several days.
If your lips or nails look blue or you’re
feeling confused, it would be a really good
idea to seek immediate assistance and dial
111 and ask for “ambulance.”
There are a lot of things that you can do
to prevent the spread of colds •
Turn away from other and cover
your mouth/nose when coughing or
sneezing.
•
Wash your hands regularly and often,
especially after coughing or sneezing
or before preparing food or handling
plates and cutlery.
•
Use paper towels in bathrooms.
•
Don’t let your nose or mouth touch
telephones or drinking fountains.
•
Avoid close contact with others for
the first two to four days.
Influenza is something quite different.
Influenza is a virus that affects your nose,
throat and lungs and is normally worse
than a cold. You are more likely to get
the flu in winter months and some people
get very sick - influenza causes deaths
every year.
Symptoms of influenza come on
suddenly and can include fever, chills,
muscle aches, runny nose, cough
and stomach upsets. Older people,
young children, pregnant women and
people with certain medical conditions
are at higher risk of developing serious
complications from influenza, such as
pneumonia. Danger signs where you
should seek urgent medical advice, or dial
111 and ask for “ambulance” include •
A high fever that doesn’t come down.
•
Chills or severe shaking.
•
Difficulty breathing or chest pain.
•
Purple or bluish discolouration of
your lips, skin, fingers or toes.
Seizures or convulsions.
Signs of other serious conditions,
such as meningococcal disease which
include severe headache, sleepiness,
vomiting, stiff neck, dislike of bright
lights and sometimes a rash.
The flu spreads quickly from person to
person through touch and through the air.
Whilst you are unwell, stay away from
work or school, look after yourself and
your family. Rest and fluids are especially
important.
The seasonal influenza vaccine is altered
most years to cover the particular strains
of the virus that are circulating each year.
It is important that you get your flu vaccine,
especially if you fall into a susceptible
group, and it is available free to people
over 65 years. Contact your local surgery
to arrange this.
When a new strain of the flu virus
emerges that infects many people in a very
short time, it is called a “flu pandemic.”
So, the simple take home message for all
this is to look after yourself, stay healthy
and do your best not to spread viruses.
Seek advice early from your health
professional and don’t be afraid to Dial 111
and call an ambulance.
Mike Burrows
St John Whitianga
Station Manager
•
•
WHITIANGA PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
Robert Lindsay Dip Phty(Otago) ADP(OMT), Dip.MT.
Co-author of ‘Treat Your Own Shoulder’
and Associates
Crystal Vause BHScPhysiotherapy
Manipulation / Back and Neck Pain / Work Injuries
Sports Injuries / Post Surgery and Fracture Rehab
Acupuncture / Hand Therapy / Women’s Health Clinic
Physiotherapists with the qualifications to provide
excellence in physical health care
Dr Adam’s and Hemmes’s Surgery - Ph 866 4621
Page 10
The weather in March - all about a cyclone
We survived Cyclone Pam and despite the warnings, the Mercury
Bay area seems to have escaped with minimal impact. There were
some decent swells hitting the beaches and these made for some
spectacular photo opportunities.
A dramatic piece of film captured by The Informer showed a wave
crossing Buffalo Beach Road and catching some people unawares
and the footage spread around the interweb at lightning speed (see
The Informer’s Facebook page).
Other places didn’t get off so lightly, with the northern and eastern
parts of the North Island in particular sustaining damage and
power outages. Footage of big yachts smashed together in a
pile in Vanuatu was sobering, especially knowing that a number
of people lost their lives in Vanuatu and the outlying islands of
the archipelago.
It was great to see Derek Corbett, owner of the Stunned Mullet
in Whitianga with his wife Nora, put together a parcel of medical
equipment and head over to Vanuatu to help out.
In light of this latest tropical cyclone to pass by our shores, we did
some research on the frequency of tropical storms and cyclones in our
waters over the past 45 years. Metservice recently released a chart
showing the number and intensity of cyclones in the South Pacific
covering the period 1969/70 through to 2013/14.
The 28 years from 1970 to 1998 saw some fairly intense activity, with
the number of cyclones and storms peaking at or over 14 a year on six
occasions. The last 15 years has seen a significant drop in both the
numbers and strength of storm activity through to the 2013/14 season.
As a rule, the waters around New Zealand are not warm enough to
generate the kind of conditions that tropical storms like, so the ones
that batter our eastern coast in particular have their origin in the
waters to the north of us, often tracing a path southwards and giving
the Chatham Islands a final smack before running out of energy.
More research from a combined effort by Nasa, Met Office Hadley
Centre in the United Kingdom and other overseas agencies shows a
dramatic climb in global average temperatures from the period 1960
to the present day. Total average rise in temperature is “only” 0.6
degrees, but the speed of the increase after 110 years of virtually no
change is what makes the research interesting.
It remains to be seen whether or not these changes result in an
increase in tropical storm activity reaching New Zealand in the future.
Record sale prices
at Pet Rock Day
People like you
save lives like mine.
Please donate now.
In June 2014, St John saved my life after a cardiac arrest.
I was just one of the 1,000 calls for help they receive
every day. Costs keep rising and St John is a charity, so
right now they need money for 12 new ambulances so
they can keep saving lives like mine. Please donate now.
Kuaotunu Rudolf Steiner Kindergarten hosted a very successful Pet Rock Day
last Sunday at the Kuaotunu Reserve.
More than 120 people attended the auction of a wide variety of decorated
rocks - some bordering on sculptures - entered by local children and adults
(including some well-known artists).
Under the guidance of Harcourts real estate agent Rob Ball, who played
the role of auctioneer, bidding was brisk with some record prices
recorded - artist Claire Elliot’s Easter Rabbit (pictured) sold for $250 and artist
Chris Charteris’s entry Sinker wasn’t far behind with a sale price of $220.
In total more than $2,000 was raised for the kindergarten.
Annual Appeal 2015 / 6-12 April
stjohnappeal.org.nz 0800 ST JOHN
St John does not provide ambulance services in Wellington or Wairarapa regions.
Page 11
Changes at Mercury Bay Club restaurant
The Mercury Bay Club has taken
their
catering
in-house
again.
“We’ve experimented with outsourcing our
restaurant, but realised it’s an arrangement
that doesn’t give us a lot of flexibility,”
says David Stoddart, club manager.
“An example is where we would like to
discount on food to attract a function, say a
birthday party, in order to get the bar trade.
That’s not fair on the person operating
the restaurant. So, when Alison Kite,
who operated the restaurant the past year
as her own business, said to us she would
like to return to where she comes from,
we decided to bite the bullet and employ
restaurant staff ourselves again.
“We’ve also decided to use the
opportunity to brand the restaurant and
didn’t take long to settle on the name
‘The Kitchen.’”
David says the club’s requirements
for a new manager for The Kitchen were
simple - someone with drive and passion
who is focused on good service and
would be able to produce quality food at a
reasonable price.
He mentioned to Nickie Parker, who has
been working, in her words, “On and off at
the club for the past five years,” that they
were looking for a new, club-employed,
manager. Nickie spoke to Delwyn Stevens,
her best friend, and the two of them
decided to propose to David and the club
committee that they take on the role as a
combined force.
“It all made sense,” David says.
“Both Nickie and Delwyn are long
time Mercury Bay locals, they both
have experience working in cafes and
commercial kitchens, in fact Delwyn’s
cakes are legendary, and they both know
a lot of people. We had no doubt that
our club members and the community in
general would take easily to them.”
Nickie and Delwyn started in their new
role about two weeks ago and already
their mark on the menu is evident.
Prices are affordable and the regular
offering is mouth-watering, from ham
steak with caramelised pineapple and
apple sauce and a substantial scotch fillet
steak to a variety of lighter bites, including
nachos and toasted sandwiches, and a long
list of burgers.
There are also a raft of daily specials,
which will change every second day.
On the list as it stands at the moment
are bangers and mash, beef stroganoff,
lamb shanks, seafood chowder and
something mysteriously called a “his and
hers burger.”
The menu also now sports a wide
variety of desserts. “That’s my specialty,”
Delwyn says. “I love home-made desserts.
It’s so nice to be able to share my passion
with a larger group of people.” Among
the offering are cheesecake, raspberry
brownie, a variety of sundaes and
banoffee pie.
And the kids aren’t forgotten. On the
menu for them are delights like mini hot
dogs, chicken nuggets, a kiddy burger and
fish bites. And for less than the price of a
cup of coffee they can also have a sundae,
chocolate mud cake and ice cream or fruit
salad.
“Delwyn and I both have young
families,” Nickie says. “We want to work
in a restaurant where all the members
of a family are catered for. A place
where everyone can be happy and enjoy
themselves.”
The Mercury Bay Club has recently
decided to drastically reduce their
membership fees. Membership will only
be $30 per adult and $50 per couple per
year. Junior members can sign-up or
renew for $15 and seniors, those over 80,
for $10. “We want the club to be accessible
for everyone,” says David.
Or, translated into everyday speak,
it’s not going to cost and arm and a leg
for mum and dad to each tuck into a
“his and hers burger” while the kids enjoy
some of Delwyn’s chocolate mud cake and
ice cream.
Delwyn Stevens (left) and Nickie Parker hard at work in the kitchen of
“The Kitchen” at the Mercury Bay Club.
Revitalize with
Thumbs
Up
Reflexology
To Bruce
Collier
for organising an
outstanding reunion
for Victor 3 Company
in Whitianga last
weekend.
Nick Reynolds
Sleep better
Less Pain
More Energy
i
nternati
onal i
nsti
tute of reflexology
goodnikservices@gmail.com
0274 799 763
7 Punga Place
Bad night’s sleep? Need a better bed?
Page 12
MBAS - surely one of New Zealand’s best
A few days ago we received this message via our website from Malcolm Mackie,
“Hi. I'm a retired schoolteacher who taught at Mercury bay Area School from 1977 to
1996 and was a Mercury Bay resident up to 2005. Recently I had reason to visit the
Bay and decided to pay the school a visit. I was so impressed that, if you are interested, I would like to write an article about the changes I noticed.” We replied in the
affirmative. What follows is what we received from Malcolm.
I had assiduously avoided contact with
Mercury Bay Area School from 1997.
Way back in 1977, the old DHS
(District High School) translated to
Area School status with a roll of around
450 students (aged 5 to 17) and a
hand-picked staff of approximately 40
(of which I was one). Some 20 years
later, failing hearing meant I had hit
my “use by” date, so I accepted the
inevitable and retired.
The school, when I took up my initial
appointment, sat on two sites some 2km
apart. In reality the Primary School was
sited on School Road, the Secondary
School on its present site on South
Highway. The building process had
already started and it has never stopped!
Teaching
methodology
was
traditional... computers had yet to invade
the institution... great staff, wonderful
kids, supportive parents.
Fifteen years on (early 1990s),
technology was making an impact...
a suite of networked computers,
specialist IT teachers, even the school
reports were starting to be computer
driven. The roll had increased to around
700 (although this fluctuated due to
parent disenchantment). When I left,
we had dropped two full classes
amounting to some 50+ students.
Not
only
were
the
parents
concerned, but also the teaching staff now numbering over 50.
In 2005 I left the district bound for
a quaint country town, Taumarunui,
where our young grandkids were located.
Of course this shift affected friendships,
although we returned to Mercury Bay
several times.
The most recent of these visits took
place in March this year. We undertook
a meandering tiki tour, saw the school’s
new gym (from Sarah Avenue),
continuing along the front of the school.
The physical changes were huge!
Then a very strange occurrence
manifested itself - I just had to see these
developments for myself. To the office
I went hoping to make contact with the
principal (whom I had yet to meet).
And that happened in the staff
workroom (as I knew it). We chattered
enthusiastically for some 15 minutes,
John [Wright] insisting that at some
future date he would be delighted to
show me around.
Back to the car with its two very
patient female passengers, when who
should I bang into talking to the ladies?
None other than Michael, a gentleman
of considerable girth with whom I had
associated professionally since 1986.
There was no way out! So began an
hour's meander, under the watchful eye
of deputy principal Mike [Smith].
Michael steered me from room
to room, many of which I was well
acquainted with. But there had been a
huge transformation over the 15 years
since my retirement.
No longer was the scene teacher
dominated, but very definitely teacher
The Mercury Bay Area School campus basking last Saturday
in the Coromandel sun. Insert (top left corner) is Malcolm Mackie.
directed, with the students totally
engrossed in what they were studying.
This was a revelation - kids on task
without a big stick!
What really impressed me was the
relaxed, friendly atmosphere apparent
at all levels. A number of the kids fired
a wave in my direction and remember I
was a complete stranger to these students,
(although I would have taught a number
of their parents and grandparents).
And so we wandered into and out of
classrooms. Some teachers I knew
(compulsory
handshakes
and/or
hugs) - one of the original shower was
still going strong (he must be in his mid60s), another I had actually taught.
The second revelation was the
extensive utilisation of computers,
heaps of 'em - desktops, laptops, tablets
(particularly in the Middle and Junior
School) and the roll is now in excess of
900, growing steadily.
I would have felt privileged to teach
in this environment - Whitianga,
you are so fortunate to host a learning
centre like this. Surely it must be one of
New Zealand's best.
Page 13
Evakona students positive about
Whitianga experience
Imagine yourself as a young person,
in your mid teens, leaving everything
that you know, including your mother
and father, sisters, brothers and all
your friends, and travelling a long way
from home to land in a country where
you barely know anybody, you don’t
speak the language, the food is strange
and almost every aspect of the culture
is different to everything you have
ever known.
For the Japanese teenage students
attending
Evakona
Education’s
Year 11 to Year 13 Programme, that’s the
challenge that most of them face when
they arrive in New Zealand and head off
into deepest wilds of Whitianga (forgive
the slight over dramatisation, but this
story has a happy ending).
As a rule the students enrolled in
the Evakona programme live with a
homestay family for one year, while they
complete Year 11 at Evakona’s campus
next to Mercury Bay Area School in
Whitianga. During that time the students
work through NCEA level 1.
Upon completion, when the students
move on to NCEA level 2, they have the
choice of which school they would like
to attend for Years 12 and 13. The choice
of school can be determined by a number
of different factors and various colleges
Page 14
Five of the Japanese students in Evakona Education’s Year 11 to Year 13 Programme who decided to remain
in Whitianga and achieve NCEA level 2 at Mercury Bay Area School this year.
From left to right - Takashi Sato, Kiu Oshima, Kaito Nanri, Kosei Mitsumari and Riku Kitamura.
around New Zealand have developed for example, has a golf academy which Whangamata Area School has a focus on
specialist courses which appeal to suits those who might aspire to be the next surfing and a coastal environment which
many students who want to develop Lydia Ko. And yes, boys can be inspired is ideal for that pursuit.
by girls playing sport, especially if they
The good news story for Whitianga
certain skills.
Rotorua
Boys
High
School, have earned $2 million by the age of 17. is that, despite a myriad of choices
Positive about
Whitianga
across the country, fully one third of
the Evakona Year 11 students moving
on to NCEA level 2 choose to stay on
in Whitianga and attend Mercury Bay
Area School.
“Diving, paint-balling and kayaking.
All the classmates have different
personalities and they are fun,” is one
example of a quote from a student happy
to stay in Whitianga. There are many
more. “Whitianga has beautiful beaches
and you can get to them easily. The best
experience I’ve had is star-gazing. I’ve
never seen so many stars before.”
While it sounds like something that
we take for granted, there are some big
cities in the world that do not see the sky,
day or night, for days or weeks at a
time. The comments from many of the
students after a year in Whitianga with
their host family are testimony to the
support that they have had and also to the
strength of their own resolve in making
their overseas study experience work.
Their period of living abroad and their
education in New Zealand coincides with
a critical time in the growth and maturity
of these young adolescents. There is a
consistent theme to the comments that
many of them make after being exposed
to what is often a more physical outdoor
lifestyle than they may have been used to
Welcome to our newest residents
Please phone or email us if you would like us to publish your new baby’s details.
It will be our pleasure to do so!
at home. “My outlook has broadened.”
“I’ve become more active than before.”
“I’ve become tougher in mind and body.”
For some students the reasons they
enjoy Whitianga are more to do with
the people they have met and formed
friendships with along the way.
“Living with a New Zealand family,
doing Friday activities, swimming in the
sea, making friends, cycling and hanging
out with my friends,” is an example.
Evakona has a follow-up programme
that ensures all of the students who
are part of their programme, it doesn’t
matter where in New Zealand they end
up, are regularly visited throughout
the year following their NCEA level 1
graduation.
It’s worth remembering that Evakona
and other educational business models in
the same field are a significant “exporter”
of Kiwi products and services.
As an exporting nation, we aren’t
not just about dairy products, wine and
hobbits. Providing a first class product in
the education sector to foreign students
means these young people are enriched
by their adventure to such a degree that
they, the leaders and decision makers
of tomorrow, return home with an
experience they will never forget.
Well done Whitianga!
Welcome to Tyler River Lowe.
Born on 23 February 2015 at 9:20am Waikato hospital. Weighing a healthy 8lb 13oz.
A very handsome boy that has extremely happy parents and a very proud
big brother.
Need a decent pillow? Large selection in store.
Page 15
Taste of Japan at MBAS
For Judy Evans, teacher of Japanese
at Mercury Bay Area School,
the possibility of a visit by a delegation
from the Consulate-General of Japan
to MBAS was an opportunity not to
be missed.
The office of the Consulate-General
has a programme of school visits which
come under the umbrella of the Japanese
Education and Cultural Department.
Until recently most of the school visits
have been to city rather than rural or
area schools, so the visit to MBAS on
Monday and Tuesday last week took on
a special significance.
The group to visit Whitianga was
headed up by Mr Kuohei Tanaka,
Vice-Consul and Ms Yuko Wiles,
officer in the Education and Cultural
Department of the Consulate. They spent
two days in town and had an opportunity
to enjoy the local scenery and hospitality
as well as working alongside teachers
and students during their visit.
Judy explains that she took the chance
whilst the delegation was here to open the
experience up to Year 7 and 8 students,
as well as the Year 10 students who
were taking Japanese as a curriculum
subject. “We had more than 70 students
involved in the end. Our guests worked
in class groups on Monday and then
spent the day on Tuesday in the library
with groups coming through. They had
brought boxes of materials with them to
share with the students and had prepared
special packs for the children.”
The students had the chance to try on
kimonos and authentic Japanese wooden
sandals. “Lots of photos were taken of
the students dressed up. Being able to
experience a small taste of Japanese life
was a great way of opening up the doors
to another culture. It’s also proving to
be an important way for the students to
get interested in and enthusiastic about
learning the language.”
Judy says that one of the most
popular topics covered during the visit
was Japanese food and it opened up a
fascinating subject and insight into a
unique aspect of Japanese way of life.
“Unfortunately, because of the practical
logistics, we were not able to sample
Japanese food, however the students
were enthralled by the samples of food
items which are made from plastics.
They are so lifelike and realistic that it
seems like you could eat them straight
off the plate.”
These “fake food” samples are an
example of craftsmanship that has
The Year 7 Mercury Bay Area School class of teacher Monique Garland (back row third from the left) in their kimonos and other
traditional Japanese dress with the delegation of the Japanese Consul-General that visited MBAS last week.
Coromandel Woodcraft
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Kitchens Bathrooms Wardrobes
All types of custom furniture
245 B South Highway, Whitianga
Phone Gary on 027 293 5947
coromandelwoodcraft@outlook.com
Tile & Grout restoration work
including cleaning, repair work
Grout clear/colour sealing,
re-colouring silicone work
Shower glass/glass cleaning/treatment
Phone/txt Jack 021 775 118
Mobility equipment available available for locals or visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 16
Taste of Japan
been raised to an art form in Japan.
It started originally in the early 1900’s,
before the use of photography became
commonplace. Japanese plastic food by
the Maizuru Company was exhibited at
London's Victoria and Albert Museum in
1980, and regular competitions are held
in Japan making fake food dishes out
of plastic and other materials. The food
displays are called sampuru, derived
from the English word “sample.”
The plastic food manufacturers fiercely
guard their trade secrets as business
is lucrative - the plastic food industry
in Japan, by conservative estimates,
has revenues of billions of yen per year.
A single restaurant may order a complete
menu of plastic items costing over a
million yen ($11,000).
Judy hopes that by having the chance to
experience Japanese culture at the Year 7
and 8 level, some of the MBAS students
might go on to learn the language later
on. “My teaching experience in the
classroom today is very interactive,”
she says. “Many of the students embrace
the experience and dive wholeheartedly
into the language and the culture.
It’s very common for students to come
to class with new facts and information
that I didn’t know about what’s going on
in Japanese society, particularly popular
youth culture, just because they are so
interested. One student researched how
to make some special Japanese cakes,
sourced all the ingredients, then made
the cakes and brought them to school for
us to try.”
English, Japanese and te Reo Maori
are the only languages taught at MBAS,
but new technologies are opening doors
and new opportunities. As well as
her MBAS students, Judy teaches 14
different students from seven different
schools as part of a video conferencing
programme. Some of the students at
MBAS also take part in other language
programmes with schools and teachers
in other parts of New Zealand using the
same methods. The world is becoming
increasingly interconnected and in some
areas education is at the forefront of
those changes.
Judy says the feedback from the
delegation of the Japanese ConsulateGeneral after their visit was very
positive. “We have had a group of
students from Mercury Bay visit Japan
in the past and maybe that is something
that we could do again. We also had a
sister city relationship with Keihokucho
in the north of Japan, which came to
an end when the city was absorbed by
the greater Kyoto prefecture. It would
be great to see those closer ties and
relationships restored at a school and
even a city level at some time in the
future.”
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Email: VeeBeeWhitianga@xtra.co.nz
Sleepouts
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All concrete work
Ph 07 866 5544 or 027 493 2691 71a Cook Drive, Whitianga
www.hoylandcontracting.co.nz
Page 17
What’s On the next few weeks
Sponsored by Dive Zone Whitianga Tel (07) 867 1580
For more
information and
photo’s visit our
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Email testdrillnz@xtra.co.nz
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Page 18
Op-Shops and JP
Social Services Op Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill
Street (west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00am - 1:00pm. Also JP at Social Services,
every Monday 10:00am - 12:00 noon. Phone (07) 866 4476 for more information.
The Church Op-Shop, at St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Thursday to
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm.
St John Op-Shop, Coghill Street (east of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00am - 4:00pm.
Phone 869 5416. Every first Saturday of the month a special promotion.
Free Community Meals
At St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Albert Street, Whitianga. Phone St Andrews on 867 1102 or email
mjpetersen@xtra.co.nz for more information.
Mercury Bay Community Bus
Available for transport to hospital, specialist or health related appointments outside of the Whitianga area.
Phone 866 4993 for information and bookings.
“Whitianga Movers and Losers” (the Old WW’s)
Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm at St Peters Anglican Church, Dundas St, Whitianga. $2 donation
(to cover cost of room rent). We promote a slow, steady weight loss based on eating well, nourishing foods and
moving more - towards maintaining our our ideal weight and optimal health. New members always welcome.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club
Meet Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc.
Afternoon tea, 55 plus age group. Contact Pam Phillips (president) 866 5908 for more information.
Road Cycling and Mountain Biking
Road cycling meet every Saturday at 8:00am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information. Mountain biking meet every Tuesday at 5:15pm and every Saturday at 7:30am
at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Paul on 021 605 230 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on
866 4215 for more information or to join.
Whitianga Probus Club
Meet on the fourth Monday of every month at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Friendly club
for seniors. Visitors welcome. Phone Arnold or Vivienne Leigh on (07) 869 5995 for more information.
Bridge Clubs
Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club meets every Wednesday. Hahei Bridge Club meets every Tuesday. Phone Anne
Knowles on 866 5686 for more information.
Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club
Thursday evenings at 6:45pm in the Whitianga Town Hall. New members and visitors welcome. Just come along or
phone Doreen on (07) 866 5237 or Alan on (07) 866 4024 for more information.
St John Cadets
Meet every Monday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at the St John Ambulance Station, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Beth
on (07) 869 5294 or (021) 241 9757 for more information.
Whitianga Art Group
Meet every Thursday and Friday at the Art Centre in School Road, Whitianga. New members welcome.
Phone Heather on 866 4474 or Maryanne on 866 4099 for more information.
Whitianga Social Services Youth Space
Corner of Bryce Street and Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Wednesday - Fridays after school. Special activities every
second Friday evening during the school term. Phone 866 4472 for more information.
Free Anger Management Counselling Sessions
Every Wednesday. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more information.
Mercury Bay Creative Fibre Group
Spinning, weaving, dyeing, everything to do with fibre. Meet the first and third Wednesday of every month from
10:00am - 2:00pm at the Whitianga Town Hall. Phone Betty on 867 1233 for more information.
Coroglen Farmers Market
Every Sunday from 9:30am - 1:00pm at the Coroglen Hall, SH25, Coroglen.
Hahei Tractor Bash
Friday 10 April - Sunday 12 April in Hahei. A variety of activities. Main tractor parade on Sunday at 10:00am.
See www.hahei.co.nz for more information.
Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club Junior Tournament
Saturday 11 April - Sunday 12 April. Fishing for billfish, tuna, kingfish, snapper, kahawai, mahimahi and trevally.
More information at www.gamebase.co.nz.
Whitianga Art, Craft and Farmers Market
Saturday 11 April from 8:30am - 1:00pm at Soldiers Memorial Park, Whitianga.
A Taste of Matarangi
Saturday 11 April at the Village Green, Matarangi. Food, music, cooking shows and kids activites.
See www.atasteofmatarangi.co.nz for more information.
Federation Dance Hip Hop Workshops and Expo
Monday 13 April - Wednesday 15 April at Mercury Bay Area School. Workshops Monday - Wednesday.
Mentoring of dance tutors Monday and Tuesday. Expo Wednesday at 5:30pm. Expo tickets $5.00. A Creative
Mercury Bay Initiative. Email info@creativemercurybay.co.nz or phone Jan Wright on 027 224 1927 to register.
Waka Ama
Sunday 18 April from 9:30am - 2:00pm at Brophy’s Beach, Whitianga. All welcome. The following Sunday in the
case of bad weather. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more information.
Church Services
Mercury Bay Co-operating Parish
St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, 9:30am every Sunday worship service and kids friendly Bible sessions
with Rev Mary Petersen, Albert St, Whitianga.
Anglican Services
St Peter the Fisherman, 9:30am Sunday services. All are welcome, Dundas St, Whitianga.
Crossroad Encounter Fellowship
10:00am Sundays, cnr Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Weekend Mass Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 8.30am, Monday - Friday 9:00am (except Tuesday no Mass,
Wednesday 12:00 noon). Tairua Sunday 10:30am, Tuesday 9:00am, tel 866 2189.
Whitianga Baptist Church
10:00am every Sunday, children’s programme, 112 Cook Drive, Whitianga, tel 866 4027.
C3 Whitianga
10:30am every Sunday, children’s programme, 23 Coghill St, Whitianga,
email info@c3whitianga.org.nz.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Meet on Sundays 10:00am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall.
Children’s programme. Phone 021 277 2126 for more information.
Seventh Day Adventists
Home study group. Phone Laurie/Lois on 866 2808 for more information.
Cooks Beach Easter
market a success
According to the organisers, the Cooks Beach Easter Market held on Easter Sunday
at the Cooks Beach Hall was a resounding success.
Holidaymakers turned out in droves, which meant stallholders were rushed off
their feet. All stall sites were occupied and there was a wide variety of goods
for sale.
The Cooks Beach Hall Committee will decide at their next meeting how to use the
funds raised at the market. It is likely to be a repeat of last year - a community
mid-winter Christmas in July.
Pictured are the father and son team of Hendry and Conor Tainsh flat-out at the
sausage sizzle.
Continuing Care’s Community Comment
The planned refurbishment of our facility
continues with a new en-suite bedroom
having been added. New curtains are being
hung as I write and the painting and carpet
laying in all communal areas will begin
shortly.
Heartfelt thanks to those who have
had recent weddings and brought in
their flowers afterwards for the residents
to enjoy. It really does brighten the
place and we all greatly appreciate the
kind gesture.
Donnamarie and Louise have been busy
decorating like crazy for Easter when our
residents enjoy their traditional hot cross
buns and Easter eggs on Sunday morning.
They are also making the best of the current
fine weather to organise lots of walks with
our more able residents.
We currently have two student nurses
with us and it’s nice to see some Whitianga
locals among the registered nurses in
training. They all are doing well and will
be a credit to the profession I’m sure.
Nothing further has been heard about
our request for a crossing across Buffalo
Beach Road in front of our facility, with
the last update being that the request had
been passed to the planners, although
no individuals were named in the
correspondence. Louise continues in her
campaign for this with our full support and
we anticipate further developments in the
near future.
Another big thank you to those in the
community who have brought in bags of
fresh figs and feijoas. These have been
put to good use in the kitchen and again,
we really appreciate the kindness and
generosity of those who have donated
them.
Craig Scaman - Business and Care
Manager and the
Team at Whitianga
Continuing Care
Whitianga Continuing Care
• Kitchens
• Laundries
• Vanities
• Walk in robes
• Splash backs • Media Units
Contact Carol Harker: 866 4111 or 027 22 66 289
www.kitchensoncoromandel.co.nz
Sore back at night? Need a better bed?
Page 19
3
1 95
4
6 2 87
Sudoku
Fishing Report with Alan Proctor
Sponsored by H&M Pascoe Tel 0274 852 046
Puzzle 631
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Tel no: ___________________________________________________________
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and
every group of nine boxes inside the thick lines, must contain each
number only once. Deliver or mail your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer,
14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga, to reach us by 6:00pm
Monday each week. The weekly prize is one free Current Release from
Civic Video, Whitianga. The winner must please claim his/her prize from
Civic Video directly.
Near perfect weather conditions for
the Easter weekend saw boats of all
descriptions taking to the water as their
crews went off in search of a good
fishing spot.
The bottom fishing proved to be a
little patchy with a great start on Good
Friday, but a few disappointed fishers
coming in over the next couple of
days, even though some of them had
been fishing the same areas.
It seems later in the weekend that
patience was the secret with many
getting off to a slow start even when
fish were showing on the sounder, but
plenty of burley and perseverance saw
them head home happy.
There are still a lot of stories about
particularly small snapper, less than
100mm long, nibbling the baits and
even getting hooked up on 6/0 hooks.
There's not much point in hanging
around in these areas waiting for
bigger fish to turn up as you'll probably
churn through your bait at a great rate
when these voracious youngsters are
present in plague proportions.
A few of the areas getting a good
going over by fishers that seem to have
given good results are the Kuaotunu
Reef, off Opito, all around the Maori
Lady and Needle Rock and down
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Malc Cooke
towards Hot Water Beach.
Inside the Bay things weren't quite
as consistent, with varying reports
coming in, maybe the huge number of
watercraft zooming around made the
fish a bit skittery?
Immediately prior to the long
weekend there were several fishers
reporting a decent return from
their favourite spots in the river,
with snapper the main catch, but some
excellent trevally being landed too.
Those lining the shore at the river
mouth are catching the odd snapper,
trevally or kahawai and shore fishers
around Brophy’s are also catching
enough to keep them interested.
Out wide the news is better with
another excellent week behind us.
Catches in the last few days include
marlin, big eye tuna, yellowfin tuna
and mahimahi. The water is very fishy
out there still and many are optimistic
that the great season we have enjoyed
to date will continue for a while yet.
The skippies seem to have made a
second run and their presence should
be enough of an incentive to keep the
larger gamefish in our area. Fishers
are reporting hook ups in most areas,
but many of them will head to the
southern part of the Ammo dump,
up around the Footprint, the old
favourite - the Hook, or down around
the Alderman Pins.
These settled water conditions are
also allowing vessels to head wide
in search of bluenose and hapuku,
with some very positive results
coming in. It's not always that easy
for recreational fishers to get out and
target these fish, so it is pleasing to see
a few crews
having some
success.
Tight lines,
Alan
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Page 20
Not one, but two Easter egg hunts
Mercury Bay was the place to be Easter Sunday for parents, grandparents and children alike.
First there was the Fun Zone Massive Easter Egg Hunt in the morning, with heaps of children (and parents) not only hunting for mountains of Easter eggs, but also enjoying the bouncy castle,
pony rides, quad bike rides, sack and running races and other activities only Fun Zone can offer. The event (which was sponsored by Fun Zone, New World Whitianga and The Informer) was a
fundraiser for St John Ambulance and raised a whopping $1,812.80.
Then in the afternoon there was another Easter egg hunt. This time at the Whitianga Bike Park. With more than 400 adults and children attending, this event was also a roaring success.
The children had a ball of a time with the bike races that were on offer and couldn’t resist experiencing real billy tea in between looking for the hidden Easter eggs. The Whitianga Bike Park hosted
the event in conjunction with the Whitianga Lions.
Pictured in the top row are some of those who enjoyed the fun at Fun Zone and in the bottom row some of those who enjoyed the fun at the Whitianga Bike Park.
Whitianga Office
5 Monk Street
PO Box 1
Whitianga 3542
Phone 07 866 5418
Fax
07 866 4876
whitianga@businessone.co.nz
Chartered Accountants
Business Development Specialists
Taxation
Financial Planning
Budgeting
GST
Retirement Planning
www.businessone.co.nz
Thames Office
433 Pollen Street
PO Box 28
Thames 3540
Phone 07 868 6461
Fax
07 868 6495
thames@businessone.co.nz
5 Monk Street, Whitianga
Office Ph: 07 8671087
Email: info@plannersplus.co.nz
David: 027 4994833
Tracey: 027 4907988
See us for all your land development,
planning and resource consent requirements.
www.plannersplus.co.nz
Page 21
James Jackman’s
dreadlock is gone
Kitchens Bathrooms WardroBes Furniture shopFitting Custom Renovations or neW Builds
17 Coghill Street, Whitianga. Phone 07 866 4513,
tony@dimax.co.nz. www.dimax.co.nz
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Tel (07) 868 6003
In last week’s Informer, under the headline “James Jackman’s dreadlock must go,”
we reported that Whitianga’s James Jackman, pretty much on the spur of the moment, decided
to participate in the Shave for a Cure Campaign of Leukemia and Blood Cancer New Zealand.
The community support James received for his involvement in the campaign was overwhelming.
In the space of just a week he raised more than $1,500.
True to his word, at 10:00am last Saturday at the Art, Craft and Farmers Market at Soldiers
Memorial Park in Whitianga, James allowed his partner Carly Allen to put her scissors and
clippers to good use. First to go was his beloved dreadlock of more than six years. And then all
the hair on his head went.
As James’s “single dreadlock hairstyle” was relatively unique in Mercury Bay, it was no surprise
that a sizeable crowd (as can be seen in the photo ) watched Carly on Saturday morning doing
what she had to do.
PENINSULA
NAIL GUN
SERVICING
Ph Ian Sloane
866 4235
027 7263 797
Page 22
Scott’s Thoughts
Scott Simpson - National Party MP for Coromandel
It’s hard to beat a long weekend in and
around Whitianga and Mercury Bay.
I was fortunate to do exactly that
over the Easter break and enjoyed
every minute.
A highlight for me was to spend time
with some of our Vietnam veterans
who held a reunion in Whitianga.
Victor 3 Company was formed as a
company back in November 1967 at
Terendak Garrison in Malaysia and
deployed into Vietnam in May 1968.
They returned a year later as the most
highly decorated New Zealand subunit to serve since World War II.
It was an absolute privilege to spend
time with these men and to learn
more of their service to our nation. I
had an opportunity to lay a wreath
at their memorial service and also to
read a message from Prime Minister
John Key, wishing them well and
thanking them for their contribution to
New Zealand.
Catching up with old mates,
sharing stories of the past and news of
today is the stuff of reunions, no matter
what kind of reunion it is.
The veterans from Victor 3 Company,
like the rest of us, are older by the day.
Spending time with them focused my
thinking on the services we provide to
veterans and to all our seniors.
I know that the financial crisis of
a few years ago hit older people and
those on fixed incomes especially hard.
Many lost savings with the collapse of
finance companies and those relying
on income from savings have suffered
from falling interest rates.
I’m pleased the Government has
delivered on its promise to lock higher
superannuation payments in place for
all superannuitants and is committed
to maintaining our universal national
superannuation at 65 years for all.
Certainty and security are important
to those on fixed incomes and I’m
pleased to be part of a Government
that is firmly committed to the current
arrangements.
Superannuation will have increased
by 31 per cent since April 2008,
more than double the rate of inflation.
These increases help make sure people
who rely on national super aren’t
disadvantaged by inflation.
Sometimes people ask me if we
can continue to afford the scheme.
Whilst the dollar numbers seem large,
the actual cost of superannuation is
very manageable as part of our total
economy and the greater scheme
of things.
Currently New Zealand spends
4.6 per cent of its GDP on
superannuation. This is forecast to
grow to between seven and eight per
cent as the population ages, but this
is still considerably lower than many
developed countries. For instance,
France and Germany already spend
more than 10 per cent of their GDP on
elderly support.
So, despite the doomsday scenarios
being painted by some who are vowing
to increase the age of eligibility to 67,
the National-led Government sees
absolutely no reason to change from
the very firm commitments we made
to New Zealand seniors during the last
three election campaigns.
I know that having less people of
working age and an increasing older
population requires us to change how
we look at things. But growing our
economy, investing in innovation
and technology, reducing debt and
increasing our exports is the positive
approach that will put this country in a
position to meet the challenges ahead.
Please never hesitate to make contact
with me if I can be of assistance with
any matter. For an appointment you
can phone my electorate office on
(07) 868 3529.
Authorised by Scott Simpson MP, 614
Pollen Street, Thames.
Community Patrol Report
with Laurie Johnston - chair of the Mercury Bay Community Patrol
The last of the big weekends has been
and gone and our observations have
been that there has been very little
trouble, a couple of noisy outdoor
parties that have gone on far too late
into the night is about the most notable.
There were fireworks at Simpsons
Beach, it’s getting to be a year round
activity it seems.
We have received complaints from
residents about freedom camping
abuse, but on investigation what we all
think might be abuse regarding lack of
toilet facilities is largely unfounded.
Small vans and even cars are now
carrying portable toilets to get
around the regulations and therefore
become legal.
Our South Patrol has been asked
to help out again at next week’s Day
Camp - a well-supported event and we
are only too pleased to assist .
We are sending two members to the
National Training Seminar in Upper
Hutt, we are only able to do that
because of the local support we get from
this area.
We ran an advertisement a couple
of weeks ago for people interested
in joining our organisation and are
pleased with the response, but we are
mindful that it takes quite a while for
new members to become familiar with
our activities and so we are still looking
for more people.
There are a few of our members
selling up and moving away and others
having done many years with the patrol,
are deciding they have done their bit for
the community and this of course is an
ongoing programme for us.
If you think you might like to have
a go, give me a call on (07) 866 2243
and I will put you onto our recruitment
guru who will answer all the questions
you might have.
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
Page 23
Mercury Bay senior rugby 2015 draw
When we have spoken to Dwayne Mansell, coach of the Mercury Bay Senior A Rugby
Team ( see The Informer of 18 March), he mentioned that a team always performs
better when playing in front of a large, friendly crowd.
We thought it good to publish the draw of the Mercury Bay Senior A and B Teams in
first round of the 2015 Thames Valley Rugby Football Union competitions.
The Mercury Bay Senior A Team has already played one game, coming away with not
only a win against Paeroa West, but also the Kevin Barry Challenge Trophy.
This Saturday 11 April both the Senior A and B Teams have a home game in Whitianga.
SENIOR A DRAW
All games kick off at 2:00pm.
Saturday 11 April
Mercury Bay v Tairua at Lyon Park, Whitianga
Saturday 18 April
Ngatea v Mercury Bay at Ngatea
Saturday 25 April
Mercury Bay v Thames at Lyon Park,
Whitianga
Saturday 2 April
Mercury Bay - Bye
Saturday 9 May
Waihou v Mercury Bay at Te Aroha
(also playing for the Paul Kane Herbert
Challenge Trophy)
Saturday 16 May
Cobras v Mercury Bay at Te Aroha
Saturday 23 May
Mercury Bay v Waihi Athletic at Lyon Park,
Whitianga
Saturday 30 May
Mercury Bay v Hauraki North at Lyon Park,
Whitianga
SENIOR B DRAW
Saturday 11 April
Mercury Bay v Paeroa Old Boys at Lyon Park,
Whitianga - kick-off at 12:30pm
Saturday 18 April
Ngatea v Mercury bay at Ngatea - kick-off
at 12:30pm
Saturday 25 April
Mercury Bay v Thames at Lyon Park,
Saturday 2 May
Mercury Bay v Whangamata at Lyon Park,
Saturday 9 May
Waihou v Mercury Bay at Te Aroha - kick-off
at 12:30pm
Saturday 16 May
Cobras v Mercury Bay at Te Aroha - kick-off
at 12:30pm
Saturday 23 May
Mercury Bay v Waihi at Lyon Park,
Saturday 30 May
Mercury Bay v Hauraki North at Lyon Park,
Dwayne Mansell, then captain, leading the Mercury Bay Senior A Rugby Team
onto Lyon Park in Whitianga in their game against Waihou last year the first time the two teams played for the Paul Kane Hernert Challenge Trophy.
Dwayne is this year the Senior A Team coach.
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8a Dakota Drive, Whitianga
Bad night’s sleep? Need a better bed?
Page 24
Things tight after race 9 of Mercury Bay
Boating Club Steinlager Series
By Chris Johnston
Race nine of the Mercury Bay Boating
Club’s Steinlager Series held on
Wednesday last week saw the biggest
fleet this season. With twelve yachts
jostling for position on the start line,
the officer of the day judged H2Go
(Paul Dimmock) over the line when the
start gun sounded, requiring her to return
and restart the race. Failing to comply
resulted in a OCS result for the speed
demon. This left the remaining yachts
fighting for every positional change they
could get as the final results for the series
is extremely close.
Blue Print, with Graham McClennan
standing in as skipper for Matt Algie,
From left to right - Longshot, Bedouin and Shadz battling it out off Simpsons Beach on
Wednesday last week in race nine of the Mercury Bay Boating Club’s Steinlager Series.
had a completely new crew on board
and it took some time to establish what
all the sheets controlled. Pterodactyl
(Carl Rainsfield), fresh back in the water
after some R and M, made quick work
of the first leg and managed to get a
good cover on Blue Print, True Colors
(Lee Boswell) and Shadz (Bruce
Haynes) after the Windy Buoy, forcing
all of them into the strong tidal stream.
A position no one wanted to be in.
Once free of the cover, all yachts
tacked out into the middle of the Bay.
The wind oscillated back and forth,
giving on one tack and then taking
away. Loose (Belinda Wallace),
Longshot (John Jackman) and Contrast
(John Wright) all tacked early and made
steady progress out towards Davis
Point. This, however, proved no more
successful than the yachts taking a more
central route as all the yachts came back
together as they approached the water
off Cooks Beach.
Bedouin (Graham Morcom) built
up a significant lead over the bulk of
the fleet, only to see much of it cruelly
taken away as the airs lightened close
to Doctors Bay. Once round Doctors,
Blue Print, followed by Solvieg
(Al Joslin), Loose and then Shadz hoisted
gennakers or spinnakers. Blue Print and
Shadz made the most of the conditions,
picking up a number of positions.
However, as the main fleet approached
Simpson's Beach Buoy, it was very
tight racing with Longshot, Blue Print
and Bedouin rounding together and at
times less than a metre between yachts.
Shadz and Loose were very close behind.
The gennaker of Blue Print proved
to be the best sail choice as the fleet
left Simpson's Buoy as she edged out
a reasonable lead over the main fleet.
This, however, was going to cost them
as the wind rounded more astern and the
yachts flying spinnakers started taking
control. First Bedouin ran them down,
followed shortly afterwards by Shadz.
Up front, however, H2Go crossed the
finish line first, but due to the OCS ruling
did not record a finish time, handing the
line honours win to Solvieg. Handicap
win went to Longshot who sailed an
exceptional race.
Overall points have become very tight
with only four points separating the
leading four yachts and only one point
separating the top three yachts.
Peninsula Home Kills
SERVING THE WHOLE PENINSULA - 2011
Processing beef, sheep,
pigs & all game
Top quality
sausages, bacon,
ham & salami
g
Knife sharpenin
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Phone Nick Burcombe
866 3970 or 021 2125 260
21 Rangihau Road, Coroglen
Page 25
US Style Crossword
Puzzle US 631
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Tel no: ___________________________________________________________
Go in the draw to win a weekend for two in Queenstown next winter (transport to
Auckland Airport, flights, accommodation and $500 spending money included).
Deliver or mail (or scan and email) your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk
St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga, to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each
week. The winner will be notified by phone. No correspondence will be entered
into once the winner has been notified. Conditions apply.
THE CAPTAIN GOES DOWN WITH THE SHIP
BY TOM MCCOY / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ
© The New York Times
ACROSS
DOWN
1 White’s partner
6 Religious journey
9 Queen’s attendant
12 Treasonous groups
18 Home of Faa’a International Airport
19 Kindle, e.g.
21 Union union
22 Asian wild ass
23 1/100 of a peseta
24 With formal properness
25 Some Halloween decorations
26 Kit ____ bar
28 “Leave!”
29 Book that needs to be read word for word?
30 Picking up strength, for short?
31 Sony video recorder
33 Relatively recent
35 Postal abbr.
36 101, say
37 Corporate department
38 Party time, for short
42 7/11 product?
45 Crime of those in Dante’s second circle
46 When repeated, classic song with the lyric
“Sayin’ we gotta go, yeah yeah yeah yeah
yeah”
47 Bully, at times
49 Begin’s opposite?
51 Word of regret
53 “So what?”
55 One who aims to hit singles?
57 Quarters of a Quarter Pounder
58 Walk quietly
59 Keepers of appointments, for short
61 Deficit, informally
62 Went (for)
63 Scoundrel
65 Baseball V.I.P.s
67 Gist
68 Crucial
69 Ayatollah’s speech
71 Afflicts
73 Hist. or Eng.
75 Flee
78 Ne’er-do-wells
79 In good ____
81 Twilight, poetically
84 It could go either way
86 Adhered (to)
88 Amaretto ingredients
89 Best-selling children’s series “____ Jackson &
the Olympians”
90 Common address start
92 Bugs someone?
94 See 97-Across
95 Explorer Meriwether ____
96 ____-breath
97 Japanese 94-Across
100 Claymation dog
102 Helpful household pets
104 Cut (off)
105 Appraises
108 Some 99-Down
110 ____ Period (part of Japanese history)
111 ____ regni
112 Go by
113 Lightly pound
115 Coming or going, say
117 Moderate
118 “No, you really must!”
119 Takes marks off
120 Yellow-and-white flowers
121 Prefix with system
122 Letters in the Greek spelling of “Parthenon”
1 Least mad
2 Example from classic American literature
3 Lively dances
4 Polished off
5 Example from television
6 Property unit
7 “____ you even listening?”
8 With 18-Down, structure that gets less
stable with time
9 Deuce preceder, maybe
10 Example from sci-fi literature
11 Brick worker’s tools
12 Summer pants
13 Big dos
14 Example from
18th-century history
15 Top
16 Pleasant inflection
17 Some beans
18 See 8-Down
20 Bond holder?
27 Clad
31 Flora and fauna
32 Deceives
34 Dampens
37 Affix carelessly
39 ____ de leche
40 Cooperated with
41 Up side?
43 Duke rival, for short
44 Game center?
46 Watchmaker’s tool
47 County div.
48 “I got it!”
50 “I *finally* got it!”
52 Example from fantasy literature
54 Some trilogies
56 Get running smoothly, in a way
60 Example from 20th-century history
63 Example from advertising
64 Words before a date
66 Is out
69 Point of sharpest vision
70 Golden ____
72 Cut (off)
74 Told
75 Metaphorical example from poetry
76 As well as
77 Classic roadsters
78 “One … two … three …,” in a gym
80 On the left, for short
82 Get together
83 Many a fed. holiday
85 British Invasion band
87 Kind of ceiling
91 Much-vilified food
93 Some fingerprints
95 Schlemiels
98 Louse’s place, in Robert Burns’s “To a
Louse”
99 See 108-Across
101 Watch over
102 Fearsome birds
103 Welcome, perhaps
105 Ixnay
106 “A Clockwork Orange” protagonist
107 Unbelievable, say
109 Talking during a movie, e.g.
111 ____ League 114 Michigan rival, for
short
116 Post-Civil War Reconstruction, e.g.
123 Capital on the Atlantic
www.hurry4curry.co.nz
Page 26
Delicious Affordable Indian Food
39 Albert Street, Whitianga
(Westpac Arcade)
Ph 07 866 2666 Open
Lunch 11 - 2
Dinner 5 onwards
Lunch Special
1/2 Curry and 1/2 Rice & Pappadam $5.95*
Chicken or Vegetarian
Available Tues & Thurs *(Lamb, Beef and Prawn Extra)
UK Style Crossword © Lovatts Puzzles
Puzzle UK 631
Name: ___________________________________________________________
Tel no: ___________________________________________________________
Win a $6 Big Wednesday ticket. Deliver or mail (or scan and email) your entry
to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426,
Whitianga, to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner
must please claim his/her prize from the New World check out
manager directly before the Wednesday the week following the issue in
which he/she was announced the winner.
MERCURY BAY POOLS LTD
Concrete
Swimming Pool Builders
• Design and build new pools
• Renovations of existing pools
• Pool covers, auto or manual
• Quality portable spa pools
Contact Peter Thomas
M: 0274 806 288
A/h 07 866 4358
www.mercurybaypools.co.nz
T HE O DD J OB M AN
GARY VINCENT
No job too small.
oddjobman@slingshot.co.nz
07 866 0059
021 1466 074
CHIMNEY
SWEEP
Clean and
efficient service.
Phone Ian now
on 866 5344.
B-ROW PROJECTS
P 020 404 31990
ACROSS
1. Beirut is there
4. Ring-shaped bun
7. Stood sentry duty at
8. Knowledge tests
9. Beat (wheat)
12. Brave
15. Chaperoned
17. Unchanging
18. Representative
21. Citrus crop
22. Mare or stallion
23. Relaxation time
DOWN
1. Lift by mental power
2. Mistreated
3. Bobs head
4. Be an omen of
5. Escape vehicle, ... car
6. Lower limbs
10. Stalks prey
11. Musical groups
13. Give outline of
14. Tenth month
16. Crow relatives
18. Shove
19. Oxen harness
20. Room divider
E browprojects@gmail.com
• Decks • Fences • Repairs
• Property maintenance
• Sleep out conversions • Minor alterations
Quick response time
Free quoting
All work considered
Call Bram 020 404 31990
Last week’s winner - Athol Hansen
Need a decent pillow? Large selection in store.
Page 27
Sport Results (our thanks to the coaches, managers and administrators who provide us with the results)
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 1 April
Best of three frames.
With three wins, Ken Gibson took home the
meat. Two wins each for Wayne Bellingham and
Barry Roach.
Highest break - Barry Roach.
MERCURY BAY CONTRACT BRIDGE CLUB
Autumn Competition Round One Wednesday 1 April
North/South - 1 Gavin Hedwig and Annette Cox
56.61, 2= Annette Cummings and Sue Gill,
54.76, 2= Laura Scaglia and David Dylla 54.76.
East/West - 1 Robyn Hogg and Giorgio Allemano
62.8, 2 Peter and Maureen France 60.71,
3 Bill Cummings and Maggie Urlich 55.36.
HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB
Paku Pairs - Tuesday 31 March
North/South - 1 Alva Gibson and Annette
Cummings 58.80, 2 Vivienne Leigh and Chris
Death 57.64, 3 Philip Shewel and Dave Dylla
53.24.
East/West - 1 Carol Brewer and Cushla Jarvis
56.48, 2 Anne Knowles and Val Dwight 52.08,
3 Mary Masters and Annette Gray 51.39.
MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Ladies Nine-Hole Golf - Thursday 26 March
A fun day with teams of three playing with a
coloured ball, each player having three holes.
The winning team was Ann Kerkhof, Lorraine
Donelley and Margret Coysh. Ann was first in
Division1 with 19 Stableford points and Raewyn
Mead was first In Division 2 with 21 Stableford
points.
There were six pars and Ann Kerkhof scored
four of them.
Ladies Nine-Hole Golf - Monday 30 March
The Mercury Bay Pennants team travelled to
Whangamata and played really well to come
second. Mercury Bay is now second overall
at this stage of the competition with the next
game at Purangi.
The team members were Pat Skinner,
Ann Kerkhof, Adele Conway and Raewyn Mead.
Ladies’ Golf Nancy McCormack RD1 Wednesday 1 April
Results - 1 Mary Ross and Jane Dew 66 net,
2 Maria Duxfield and Pam Anderson 68.5, 3
Lindsey Rogers and Sue Donovan 69.5, |4
Debbie Holmes and Edith Thompson 71.
Nearest the Pin on #4 (sponsored by Mainly
Casual) - Betty Tocker, Raffle ($10 voucher
donated by The French Fig) - Mary Ross.
Men’s Golf - Wednesday 1 April
Mark Burcombe from Coromandel Golf Club
shot an outstanding 68 off a six handicap for
45 points to easily win the Stableford Scramble.
Second equal were John Matthews, Bryce
Tippett, Graham Eccles and Craig Hill, all on 40.
Next was Keven Clarke on 39, with John Bow,
Kelly Barson and Kevan Miles all on 38 points.
Twos were scored by Kelly Barson, Keven
Clarke, Alan Henderson and Carl Mitchell.
Bob Haase had two of them and continued his
amazing run of not having to buy a golf ball
since he came to the Coromandel.
Ladies Nine-Hole Golf - Thursday 2 April
A gross and net competition.
Winners Division One - Gross - Audrey Vickers,
Net - Ann Kerkhof.
Winners Division Two - Gross - Margret Coysh,
Net Sandra Bushell.
There were 4 pars.
Saturday 4 April
The inaugural playing of the new Shootout
took place, with prequalifying occurring over
the previous three months. The top five to
qualify were Carl Mitchell, Ron Watson, Alan
Henderson, Murray Bennett and Stuart King.
After five and a half hours of play, with 19
players starting off the first tee, only two
players were left on the last green. After a puttoff to find the winner, Murray Bennett came out
Josephine Martin (on the left) of the Mercury Bay Archery Club with her North Island
Archery Championships gold medal in the Women’s Masters Recurve Division.
Carpet
Cleaning
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 28
on top over John Lister, with Debbie Holmes
next, followed by Stuart King, Keven Clarke,
Jim Kirkham, Kelly Barson, Kelvin O'Leary,
John Bow and Kevan Miles completing the list
of prize winners.
The Stableford scramble for the rest of
the players was won by Paul David (Clarks
Beach) with 42 points, from Paul Lupton and
Korbyn Green (Waikare) on 40. Ken George,
Ron Watson, Carl Mitchell and Gary Wheeler all
Charlie Lodge
& Restoration
Residential Commercial Industrial
Carpet Cleaning & Restoration - Marine Carpet & Upholstery
Upholstery Cleaning - Stain Removal - Rug Cleaning
Vinyl Floor Restoration - Spot Dyeing - Odour Control
All work undertaken will be to the AS/NZ Standard
Institute of Inspection Cleaning
And Restoration Certification
T: 07 866 0075 M: 027 2806374
Sport Results
shot 38 points.
Wayne Kearney had Nearest the Pin and
Geoffrey Lowe won the Longest Drive.
TAIRUA COUNTRY CLUB
18-Hole Ladies Golf - Tuesday 31 March
Second Latham and third LGU Spoons with a
shootout were played.
Results Division One (0-27) - Heather Gale
73, Idrea Conning 74, Viv Elliot 75.
Results Division Two (28-40) - Gay Warrington
72, Liz Williamson 73, Marine Horan 76,
c/b Sue Poland 76.
Twos - Marilyne McCabe, Top Cats - Julie
Dey and Tina Larsen.
9-Hole Ladies Golf - Tuesday 31 March
A Stableford competition was played.
Results - Mike Trott 20, Diane Bruce 18,
c/b Shirley Fellows 18, c/b Bev Waterman 18,
Gwenda Flavell 17, Sadie Muntz 15, c/b Jessie
Birss 15.
PURANGI GOLF & COUNTTRY CLUB
Thursday 2 April
A 9-hole Stableford competition with drawn
partners was played.
Results - John Maddren and Bo Harvison
43, Bobby Preston and Glenys Free 40, Sally
Chambers and Barry Scott and Dick Hawke and
Buck Prendergast 37.
Saturday 4 April
An 18-hole Stableford competition was played.
Results - Geoff Dalzell 41, Barry Scott and
Grant Rowell 38, John Hughes and Lachie
Phillips 37.
MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Thursday 2 April
Winners - Doreen Davies, Alma Kitchen and
Keith Denney.
Classifieds & Public Notices
Runners-Up - Alan Henderson, Earl Inch and
Brian Lawn.
Good sports - Shirley Hamilton, Nirie Reddy
and Chris Lawn.
TAIRUA INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Monday 30 March
Three mats were in play on Monday night a very enjoyable evening with a noisy crowd
having fun.
At the close of play four teams had two wins
and a loss and after countback the results
were Winners - John McConell, Bev Mancer and
Albie Marr.
Runners-Up - Joan Smith, Perrine Busby and
Ailsa Davies.
Chocolate Fish Award - Ken Lowe,
Carol Thompson, Shirley Pederson and
Jonathon Henderson.
Raffles were won by - Frank Gosling, Carol
Thompson, Shirley Pedersen, Marion Crawford,
Sandra Morris, Johnny Morrison, Ken Lowe and
Jonathon Henderson.
COOKS BEACH INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Wednesday 1 April
23 players competed.
Winners - Selwyn Warren, Lois MacDonald,
Jan Prendergast and Sherrill McAuley.
Runners-Up - Norm Littin, Roy MacDonald,
June Littin and Keith Wright.
MERCURY BAY ARCHERY CLUB
North Island Championships held in
Auckland - Easter Weekend
Gold for Josephine Martin of the Mercury Bay
Archery Club in the Women’s Masters Recurve
Division.
COURIER SERVICES
BUSINESS HOUSE SQUASH
IS BACK FOR 2015!!
Starting Tuesday 21st April @
5.30pm or 7pm for 9 weeks limited to 8 teams (4 players/team).
Entry fee $60/team.
Individuals are welcome to enter
as some teams may
have spaces available.
Team & Individual entries
to Kiri Moore
0274 225 953 by
Tuesday 14th April.
PILATES CLASSES
FOR HIRE
SITUATIONS VACANT
WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
PUBLIC NOTICES
WHITIANGA ART, CRAFT & FARMERS MARKET
Saturday 11 April
Soldiers Memorial Park, Albert Street, Whitianga,
8:30am - 1:00pm.
Unique locally created art, craft & local produce.
Anne 866 5550 or Doreen 866 5237.
WHITIANGA
TOY LIBRARY
Isabella Street (off Coghill St).
Open Tuesday 4pm - 6:30pm
and Friday 10am - 12.30pm.
New members welcome.
~Toys for Hire~
BUSINESS HOUSE SQUASH
AUBREY PAHI
Formerly 106 Matarangi Drive,
Matarangi.
Be advised that your property
stored in shed 43 if your account
is not paid in full within seven
days of this notice.
Mercury Bay Storage
Phone 866 5147
SITUATIONS VACANT
Our lovely barmaid is heading out
on new adventures,
so we're looking to fill her
very big shoes!
This is a permanent position
25 - 30 hours per week,
nights - Sat, Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed.
You must have a bubbly personality, be
reliable, and motivated.
Duty Managers Certificate an
advantage, but not essential
(you must be willing to get it though).
Send your CV to
thecoroglen@gmail.com
with at least
two contactable references
or drop it in to Jed or Michelle.
MERCURY BAY AERO CLUB INC
NOTICE OF THE 68th
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held at the Clubrooms,
Saturday 18 April 2015
at 2:30 pm.
Page 29
FOR SALE
HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Beer. Cider. Wine. Spirits.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy
FOR SALE
Dry ti-tree $120 per load
delivered.
Phone 866 3026
20FT CONTAINER, $1500.
Ph: 021 684 636
FIREWOOD
Tea Tree, Mac,
Pohutukawa, Etc.
For full list & prices go to
www.trickytrees.co.nz
or phone Chris on
021 240 9909.
SPLIT DRY FIREWOOD
$70m²
Free delivery, including Hahei
and Cooks Beach.
Phone Jeff 021 480481.
CHURCH OP SHOP
“Winter Promotion”
16, 17 and 18 April
St Andrews Church Lounge
Items old and new,
clothing, crockery, bedding,
curtains, jewellery.
Good prices for great items.
9:00am until 12:30pm.
BOATS WANTED
WE NEED YOUR BOAT NOW!!!
WHITIANGA
THEY ARE SPECIAL!
LOLLIPOP CYCLAMEN
BOSTON FERNS
LINEN SALE
Family Op Shop, Coghill St
Bed linen at half the
marked price
(does not include blankets).
Come in and grab a bargain.
Available in store now
@ only $8.00 each.
++ All Ceramic Pots in Garden Centre
discounted by 30% off Ticketed Price.
Congratulations to Wayne Stock,
our winner of the
“Bowl of Easter Treats.”
Blacksmith Lane WHITIANGA
PHONE 866 4347
whitianga@hammerhardware.co.nz
POLES, Do you need S.E.D
H5 poles for retaining or house
foundations? Timber and poles all
lengths available.
Oriental trellis made to order.
MB Timber & Fencing Supplies
225 South Highway
Ph: (07) 866 2457
CATTERIES
CHURCH SERVICES
KRISTIN’S
BOARDING CATTERY
ANGLICAN
SERVICES
Quality late model trailer boats needed for sale on behalf!
We have buyers waiting!
Call the team at Whitianga Marine Centre today
on 867 1182 or come in to 233 South Highway, Whitianga.
TO LET
COROGLEN 12x12m² SHED, 3 phase power, $80 p/w. Ph: 027 667 5478
STORAGE SHEDS available, various sizes, reasonable rates. Dry and
secure. Ph: 07 866 5147
STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters.
Ph: 0800 944 660
HELP, HELP, HELP
Permanent rentals urgently required NOW
Tenants: Rental list changing constantly,
Holiday rentals available. Call into office at
7 The Esplanade, by the wharf or phone
Robyn Turner 866 0098 or 027 550 0120
robyn.turner@bayleys.co.nz
Licensed under the REAA2008
Vet nurse, warm, clean,
secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.
Bella Cattery
5 Golf Road
Whitianga
Hours 8am-10am and 4pm-6pm
Inspections Welcome
Phone 07 866 5631
WORK WANTED
St. Peter the Fisherman
Dundas Street, Whitianga
Sunday Service: 9:30am
ALL WELCOME
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz
Call Krissie Brand
FARRIER
Licensed Property Manager with 13 years local experience
Licensed under the Real Estate Agents Act 2008 Understanding the Coromandel Since 1960
Long term & holiday. Free rental appraisals.
Landlords & Tenants, for all your rental requirements.
2nd Hand Covers
HorseTransport
Saddlery
Cover Repairs
homes
WANTED ! Quality
for quality tenants.
Ron Cooke
866 5984
027 498 4447
WORK WANTED
Tricky Trees
Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood
Call Chris
Page 30
VEHICLES FOR SALE
We welcome you to a series of
Christian services being held at Whitianga Town Hall
Tuesday 7:30 - 8:30pm
Speakers - Debbie Chamberlain
& Lucia Williams.
Any Enquiries
Phone 021 026 86421.
THE BESS HANDZ
EMBROIDERED
MONOGRAMS
Alterations, repairs,
zip and hem service.
Ph: 866 5277
•
•
•
•
07 866 5824 or 027 273 4420
•
•
•
•
Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch
021 240 9909
11 Nissan Navara D/Cab 91kms $31,500 02 Toyota Rav 4 LTD, Auto, alloys $10,900
08 Mitsubishi Fuso 4 berth M/Home $84,900
02 Toyota Corolla H/B, 5 spd, 141km $5,900
03 Toyota Hilux D/Cab 3.0D flat deck $10,900
00 Nissan S/Cab ute, canopy, towbar $7,900
03 Nissan Pulsar H/B, 5spd, White $4,900 99 Toyota Hiace 2 berth campervan $13,600
02 Toyota Rav 4 LTD, Auto, black $10,900 98 Toyota Camry GL sedan, 5spd, $2,900
19 Campbell Street, Whitianga www.coastalautos.co.nz
Perseverance finally pays off for
local speedway star
By Jack Biddle
It’s been a frustrating season for 21
year old and talented speedway driver
Bodie Abrahamson. Competing on the
national circuit in the highly competitive
saloon car class, the Whitianga local’s
2014/15 campaign was highlighted with
the purchase of a championship winning
saloon car at the end of last season.
“The transition from the old car to the
new purpose built 500 plus horsepower
V8 powered Chev Corvette has taken a
lot longer than we originally anticipated,”
says Bodie. “The difference between
this car and the previous one is massive
and when the chassis setup is changed,
the only real test is on race nights. And
it’s fair to say we have worked extra
hard during and between meetings this
Bodie Abrahamson with a feature race trophy he won this speedway season.
year, in an effort to get that vital driver/
car combination working just the way
we like.”
Positive progress was made competing
against the nation’s best in the invitation
only DHL South Island series in
November, which involved eight intense
nights of racing over ten days.
Overall Bodie finished a credible
and satisfying sixth place, which was
followed by other solid performances in
feature races on different tracks around
the country, including a hard fought fifth
place in the hotly contested North Island
championships.
As one of the rising stars in this class
of speedway racing, those in the know
never doubted whether the new car and
driver had the potential to take that next
step - it was simply a matter of just when
it was all going to come together.
To Bodie and his crew’s delight, the
big breakthrough came in a feature
race at the Bay Park track in Tauranga
recently. The wide 451m red clay track is
not only the fortress of the current New
Zealand champion, it is also considered
one of the fastest and best tracks on the
national circuit and therefore attracts the
cream of saloon cars and drivers on a
regular basis.
After progressing through the
qualifying heats, Bodie started the fifteen
lap feature race mid pack. “Speedway
racing is very unique in the sense that the
clay surface changes over the course of
the night and during a long feature race,
so the initial vehicle set up is critical,”
explains Bodie. “Plus, it’s very rare for
a race to go from start to finish without
interruption, so any gains made can be
very easily closed down as incidents are
cleared by the race stewards.”
But with an experienced head sitting
on young shoulders, Bodie clawed his
way to the front and held his nerve to
come away with a hard earned win.
With the big breakthrough achieved,
his second feature win of the season
quickly followed at the Huntly track two
Saturday evenings ago.
With the hard yards now behind him
and his crew, it’s all about fine tuning
the car on race nights as the current
season winds down. More importantly,
Bodie will start the new 2015/16 season
as a real threat to his fellow competitors
and can target the various national
championships as a potential winner.
Bodie would like to acknowledge
the support and encouragement he has
received from sponsors this season
- Whitianga Self Storage, Heli A1
Limited, Christensen Cartage, Peninsula
Small Engines, Coastal Signs, Ace Panel
and Paint, AWS Graphics, Cooper Tyres
NZ, Rumor Streetwear, Pro-X Chassis
and Tauranga ITM. “Without their
ongoing help and support, I would not
be able to compete at this level,” he says.
Page 31
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631 8 April 2015 Week 2.indd

Transcription

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