World pianist plays in Featherston on March 3

Wairarapa concert-goers raved about Nikolai Saratovsky on his all-too-brief visit to New Zealand last year.

The master pianist is a highly-regarded professor in the prestigious Music Department of the University of Taiwan. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of classical piano, an impeccable technique and is in great demand for student masterclasses wherever he goes in the world.

His NZ mentor Mary Gow first met Saratovsky in Brussels on a concert tour of her own.

“I knew right away that this young man was very special. He has such fire and dynamism on his playing and he demonstrated such an understanding of the great composers _ even the ones demanding great skill and technique,” she said. “I knew he would be going far.”

At the first opportunity, Gow arranged a concert tour to New Zealand for Saratovsky.

“He fell in love with the country,” she said. “He loves the outdoors, and New Zealand worked its spell on him.”

Nikolai has returned several times _ even though he has received international recognition, occupies an important teaching post and wherever he gives a concert he fills prestigious concert halls in the Far East and Europe.

Saratovsky will be playing at Anzac Hall in Featherston on Sunday March 3, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. 

The programme will include Chopin Preludes, Brahms Opus 76, Scriabin and more.

Information and tickets ($35, students $15) from marygow@gmail.com The Dickensian Bookshop in Featherston, Mrs Blackwell’s Bookshop in Greytown and Martinborough i:Site.

Website: www.mulledwineconcerts.com

Obituary: Maree’s passing a sad los

By The Star Crew

Sadly, from this edition of The Star there will be no more Maree’s Musings as our much-loved columnist Maree Roy died in Dunedin Hospital on 18 January 2024. 

Following some elective surgery, Maree experienced a devastating medical event and died two weeks later.

Maree was a very loyal and consistent columnist for The Star. This is never more obvious when we learned she had broken her left shoulder in a November fall. Not to let The Star down Maree, with her left arm and shoulder strapped up, full of pain killers, wrote her last December column with her right hand only.

Maree had lived in Martinborough for over 40 years and four years ago moved to Dunedin to be nearer her daughter, Melyssa, a doctor, and grandchildren Jaiden and Emily.

She was born and schooled in Auckland and went to Otago University, graduating with a Bathelor of Science degree majoring in biochemistry.

Maree and husband Don came to live in Martinborough in the early seventies. Tragedy struck when Don was killed in a car accident just out of Martinborough which Maree and 3-month-old Melyssa survived; but both had long recoveries in Wellington hospital.

Maree continued to live in Martinborough and became very much a local. She taught science and biology at Kuranui College. … Continue Reading

“Over the Hill” tennis tourney (not the players)

Runners-up of the Men’s Doubles Gold (L to R): Jacob Emery & Ed Wilkie and winners Jason Canning & Marc Paulik.

Over the scorching weekend of 13 – 14 January 2024, Martinborough Lawn Tennis Club hosted its annual “Over the Hill” tournament. 

The Men’s and Women’s doubles on Saturday and mixed doubles on Sunday provided a riveting display of skill, with the draw efficiently managed by Jacob Emery from Dry River Tennis Centre, ensuring a seamlessly run event. The draw had to be split into tiers to accommodate the overwhelming number of entries and complete games within daylight hours!

Amid the competitive matches, participants and spectators enjoyed a delicious lunch and sizzling BBQ, fostering a sense of community. 

The hot weather on Saturday added to the summer vibe, while Sunday brought a challenge with the wind picking up during the mixed doubles.

The tournament’s success was a collective effort, not only from the players but also thanks to the hard work of volunteers and the incredible generosity of sponsors. 

These sponsors, showcasing the best of Martinborough, provided gifts and vouchers. A heartfelt thanks goes out to all sponsors and volunteers, whose commitment played a vital role in making the “Over the Hill” tournament a memorable success for the Martinborough tennis community. Congratulations to all the winners as anticipation builds for another fantastic event next year!

How Well Do We Know People In Our Community?

Keryn Banks

Keryn was brought up at Mangatoetoe, an exceedingly small settlement east of Ngawi. The coast was a playground, perfect for motorbikes, with the added delight of a waterhole which lay below the ford. If it was too shallow a bulldozer would ensure it was safe for swimming.

“The school bus would pick us up from Ngawi and take us to Pirinoa School. Then I attended Wairarapa College as a boarder, before going to Victoria University where I took a double degree in Commerce and Tourism.

“After working for a year in The Beehive for Hon George Hawkins, the of Minister Internal Affairs and Police, I went overseas.

“London was not my city of choice. Manchester was the first port of call. I lasted a year. In Manchester there were few green spaces, and a sea of endless concrete. 

“Seeking fresh air and outdoor spaces I moved to Glasgow, working firstly for the Royal Bank of Scotland before taking a job with Christian Aid, where after a period of time I took on a Funding Management position. Opportunities came to travel to see projects in action, in India, Malawi, Zambia, Bangladesh. My role was to check on the progress of development, provide support with finance and compliance, and report back to the donors.

“In Malawi, the project was twofold. The aim was to improve the maternal health of women, educate them about HIV and encourage livelihood farming. Access to fresh water was another prerogative. With a changing climate food production needed to encompass new practices. Rice production worked well.

“In India, the project we were supporting was in an extremely remote area, East Odisha. The community was marginalised as Untouchables. Women undertook the farming. … Continue Reading