From the Mayor

April 25 in the Wairarapa was the perfect day for ANZAC Ceremonies.  The weather was fine, calm and lacking that toe numbing cold that we have endured from time to time.  Martinborough Square was again filled to the brim with young and old alike. 
Each year the numbers have grown as more people take an interest in the history behind ANZAC Day.  This year was no exception with at least five hundred people crowding in to the Memorial Square.
This resurgence of ANZAC Day is interesting as it is opposite to what often happens to commemorations as they age.  Time softens memories, those that lived the event pass away and the relevance of the commemoration is questioned against modern times. 

None of this, however, can be applied to ANZAC Day which has now become effectively our day of national pride. There is more interest than ever as families research their relatives and carry their memories on parade.
Council’s biggest challenge is knowing how many service sheets to print.  A few years ago we needed less than one hundred.  This year’s three hundred meant many went without.  Perhaps we need to develop an app so people can read it on their smart phones?  It would save paper and save the need for a torch.

Heartfelt thank you

On behalf of the Tora Volunteer Rural Fire Force and Community we would like to extend heartfelt thanks to the Rotary Club of South Wairarapa & the Martinborough Community Board who together with our Fire Force provided funds for the purchase of an additional Automated External Defibrillator (AED) to be housed at the Tora end of our community. 
We would also like to acknowledge the support from Jim Clark of Cotter & Stevens for providing a new cabinet for the AED to be housed in.   The support of these organisations and business is greatly appreciated as without such support this project would not have come to fruition. 
Thank you, for making a difference.     

Highly successful Dog Trials

Another successful Dog Trials drew competitors from as far away as New Plymouth, Taihape, Ohingaiti, Waverly, Hunterville, Wanganui, the Kapiti Coast and Hawkes Bay. There were a total of two hundred and eighty four runs held over two days on the four courses in fine weather conditions and with sheep behaving reasonably well.

There were strong results for some of our local club members with Stuart Ross winning the Short Head and Yard. Stuart Henson won the Zig Zag Hunt and was also second in the Short Head and yard. John Bartlett from Tinui won the Straight Hunt with his young Huntaway ‘Spoilt’ and was second in the Long Head. This was won by Dave Wallace from Tutira with his dog ‘Toi’. … Continue Reading

Liberary news

Great celebrations at the library. We now have a lovely big purple thing behind the counter! Yes another shelf unit – those lovely MenzShed men have done it again. They have made a lovely big shelf unit with the donated purple paint to match the ones in the back room. Thank you so much guys. We are now organised, can you believe it, after 3 years.
NZ Book Awards and Hell Pizza Reading Competition has started. It goes until December so there is plenty of time. Read a book, get the pizza wheel card stamped by us and after 7 book stamps Hell Pizza swap the wheel for a pizza – only for children though! Come and see Janet for a wheel.
Once again thanks everyone for the donations of books, games, DVDs, coloured pencils and all the many shoe related articles – these are all much appreciated. … Continue Reading