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SOUTH WAIRARAPA TRAMPING CLUB

May 12, 2015 May 2015 Comments Off on SOUTH WAIRARAPA TRAMPING CLUB

As Maria in the Sound of Music said, When the Lord closes a door, He opens a window. This has been the case with 2 recent club trips.

On the 11th April we were supposed to try out a new route to Pinnacle Ridge, but as that would have involved crossing the flooded Atiwhakatu River, we chose instead to do the Rimutaka (or should that now be Remutaka?) Skyline to Abbotts Creek route. It was a perfect day – unusual for the top of the Rimutakas! We had sunshine and no wind, and glorious views south down the top of the Hutt Valley, north towards the Tararuas, and east over the Wairarapa Valley and Lake Wairarapa. … Continue Reading

The Wairarapa Book

May 12, 2015 May 2015 Comments Off on The Wairarapa Book

The-Wairarapa-Book A huge new project is underway for Pure Wairarapa that has the potential to be of interest and value to both the businesses involved and people in the community who will use the book. Pure Wairarapa is a comprehensive online directory for all the local food, restaurants, cafes, wineries and events in the Wairarapa. Gretchen Saulbrey says “We are passionate about high quality, fresh, local food and want to tell the world about it”! … Continue Reading

A Landmark to be Proud of

May 12, 2015 May 2015 Comments Off on A Landmark to be Proud of

When Eiffel built his tower in Paris the locals hated it. The architect of the Sydney Opera House was so vilified he left and never came back. Today the residents of those cities couldn’t imagine life without their iconic buildings.

Perhaps it is a stretch to compare our own Town Hall and Community centre project with these grand designs, but in the scale of things it is just as important to us and will be just as much of a landmark in our town. It will transform what is currently a very quiet corner of the square into a vibrant meeting place.

It was with this in mind that the Steering Group knew they had to find the best architects and designers for the project; people who had done outstanding work elsewhere but who would also understand our community’s needs.

They chose internationally acclaimed architectural firm Warren and Mahoney who have worked on some of New Zealand’s most well known buildings and who are also heritage specialists. Their portfolio includes projects similar in size and purpose to our own such as libraries in Paraparaumu and Riccarton and community centres in Kaiapoi and Taita (www.warrenandmahoney.com).

Complementing their expertise are Wraight and Associates, urban designers and landscape planners. You may have enjoyed their very popular developments along the Wellington Waterfront from Waitangi Park around to the lake in front of the Boating Clubs. (www.waal.co.nz). They will help make Waihinga Centre surrounds as attractive as the inside.

Our project is in good hands and our team are working hard to achieve the fundraising target set by South Wairarapa District Council. We need to raise another $200,000 from the local community by the end of May.

To pledge, please contact Victoria Read on 06 306 8570 or Max Stevens on 06 306 9095.

Esther Read
Many of you will know Esther from the 9 years she served as Mayoress along side her late husband John Read (seen here receiving his MNZM).

She is a keen supporter of the Waihinga project and admires the interesting and exciting design. “If we’d opted for the demolition option, we would have ended up with nothing.”

Esther had an active career first as a Plunket nurse and then as a senior manager in the organisation. She oversaw similar successful projects, for example Carterton, where the Plunket facility was incorporated into a larger community space. “Our centre will offer a great, child-friendly, social space for young mothers, and a one-stop shop for services”.

Wharekaka residents will also benefit from having a more accessible library, she noted, and the opportunity to mix and mingle with other people coming and going from the Centre.

ATTENTION: ART LOVERS AND WELL WISHERS

Come and enjoy the exciting collection of contemporary art on show at the Martinborough Town Hall on Saturday May 30. These works will be auctioned that evening to raise funds for the Medical Centre and Waihinga Centre projects.
You will be able to view paintings, ceramics, photography and sculpture by some of New Zealand’s best known artists. You can also bid in a silent auction for works by local artists.
Admission by gold coin. Hours 10 am – 2.30 pm. Saturday 30 May.

Thank you to our generous supporters
Stephen Allwood, Ata Rangi, Harry Baigent, Simon & Liz Beveridge, Richard Blundell, James Bruce, David & Winifred Bull, Tom & Di Bunny, Jane & Jack Cameron, Carême Cooking Classes, Jim Clark & Michael Honey, Paul & Rosie Collins, Doug & Jill Colton, Heather & Frank Colton, Cotter & Stevens Ltd, Wyatt & Danny Creech, Cresswell Family, Paul & Cherry Cutfield, Designer Clothing Gallery, John & Trish Donald, Draper Land Co Ltd, Doyle Family, George & Olivia Fenwick, Roger Gaskell & Julie-Claire Baxter, Gawith Burridge, Matthew Gloag & Kate Paterson, Peter & Ruth Graham, Catherine & Marco de Groot, Ro & Lyle Griffiths, Mark Hadlow, M & M Hanson, Gerald Hensley, David Kernohan, Michael Lamont & Bev O’Keefe, Victor & Jane Lenting, Robin Lockie, Tim & Lesley Lusk, Madcaps, John & Di Martin, Tim Martin & Victoria Read, The Martinborough Star, Martinborough Community Board, Martinborough TOP 10 Holiday Park, Martinborough Properties, Martinborough Town Hall Centenary Ball Committee, Helen & Ben Masters, Andy & Bridg Mathewson, McDougall Family, Euan & Noeline McQueen, Helen & John Meehan, Maria Mudford & Steve McCabe, Murdoch James, Pain Estate, Pain & Kershaw Ltd, Palliser Estate, Patuna Farm, Perception Planning, John Petrie, Pirinoa Station, Poppies Martinborough, Plunket, Pukeatua Station, Pukemanu Adventure Ride, Pure Martinborough, Esther Read, SW Rotary, Richard Riddiford, Yvonne Riddiford, A J Rigby, Riversdale Station, Scotty’s Calendar Sales, SGL Group, Hamish & Sue Sims, Mary Smith & Family, SWDC, Max & Liz Stevens Family, RA & E Sutherland, Mike Tayles, Connie Taylor, Sir Somerford & Leonie Teagle, Graeme Thomson & Chris Cassels, Thunderpants Ltd, Tokoroa Farm Ltd, The Tora Coastal Walk, Trust House, Turanganui Ltd, The Village Café, Gary Wall, Felicity & Arthur Warren, Nicola & Richard Warren, Weatherstone Family, Rotopai Farms, Pam & Garry Wells, Wood Family Paharakeke??Plus we have a number of anonymous supporters – so thanks to them too!

Waihinga Centre Fund-Raising Closes in on Target

May 12, 2015 May 2015 Comments Off on Waihinga Centre Fund-Raising Closes in on Target

A magnificent $1.28 million has been raised from the Martinborough community and trust grants so far, to enable the transformation of our Town Hall into a multi-purpose community hub. The fund-raising team is closing in on the desired target of $1.5m set by South Wairarapa District Council to progress the project to the next stage.

Victoria Read (Project Coordinator) explains “the project has resource consent and the next step is to commission detailed design drawings for the building consent application. We believe that meeting our target of $1.5m will give SWDC the confidence to approve this next project phase, at their meeting on 3rd June”.
The fund-raising team is working hard to achieve the June target, meeting on Tuesday 28th April to draw up a targeted plan for a fund-raising drive during May. Victoria says “we have a number of ideas but in particular we would like to encourage those who can, to give amounts of $5,000, $3,000 and $1,500, these pledges will be recognised with donors’ names recorded on engraved seating in the park around the new community centre. … Continue Reading

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Sports

Golf pro-am success _ without clubhouse

By Karen Stephens A record field of 172 players, including 43 professionals from New Zealand and Australia, battled light winds, warm temperatures and even light early-morning fog at Martinborough golf’s 2024 CER Electrical and Holmes Construction pro-am on February 1. At least that was the range of excuses for some …

Featherston wrestlers go offshore

Two members of Featherston Amateur Wrestling Club’s senior class have again been asked to join a New Zealand team overseas.  Wairangi Sargent and Angus Read will take part in the Journeymen Tournament and Training Camp over Easter in New York state.  Over the week they are there they will be …

Martinborough Golf Club has tumbled down

The demolition of the Martinborough Golf Club is complete. In the last days prior to Christmas a fully-insulated pole shed, much like a top end farm outbuilding, was erected to act as both office and temporary clubhouse. New septic tanks, internet connectivity, power, water, and Porticom loos were installed. On …

Regular Features

News from First Church

 Many folk imagine that going to church is a bit of an ordeal, a waste …

FROM THE MAYOR

By Martin Connelly In February the local Lions Club invited me for dinner and asked …

Driving Growth and Collaboration: Martinborough Business Assn Committee

The Martinborough Business Association Committee plays an important role in fostering economic growth and collaboration …

How Well Do We Know People in our Community?

Michael Bing talks to Lyle Griffiths Michael was raised in Auckland, attending St Peters College …

BOOK REVIEWS FOR HOT SUMMER DAYS

By Brenda Channer – Martinborough Bookshop “Whether Violent or Natural” by Natasha Calder This debut …

Community Garden News

By Debbie Yates This is definitely the month of thank you. Nga Mihi Nui! We …

EVENTS

Saturday 10 February: 10th annual Citizen Science Kākahi Count at Western Lake Shore Reserve, 18km …

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