Cooking fundraiser to aid Meals on Wheels

Wharekaka Auxiliary, the key group behind the area’s Meals-0n-Wheels programme, is mounting a Christmas Cooking fundraiser, seeking $2,000 in extra cash to cover the current operating deficit and expand its daily meal offering.

Chairperson Esther Read said the group hopes the fundraiser “will shore up the deficit” as they also want to expand the numbers of meals delivered to customers in Martinborough, Greytown and Featherston from the Wharekaka commercial kitchen facility. 

Currently, the group delivers 600 hot meals every month, using volunteer drivers across the region.

There is a paid cook, with other costs including “(electric) power as well as the food,” although some food and fruit is donated by supporters.

“It’s not a huge deficit, but it’s there,” Read told The Star, despite support from Masonic Lodge, Rotary and a contract with health provider Te Whatu Ora that provides a subsidy of nearly $5.00 a meal.

“The quality of the meals is outstanding and they are very eagerly looked forward to. This is a hugely worthwhile service.” 

“Wharekaka Auxiliary continues to fundraise to keep this valuable service going and we are pleased that we are once again offering our wonderful Christmas baking,” she added. 

The Christmas Cooking fundraiser will offer mini Christmas cakes, Christmas mince pies, shortbread, merangues and Italian almond biscuits, Read said.  

The service has not yet reached break-even so the Auxiliary volunteers, long term supporter of Wharekaka, have continued to fundraise to assist Masonic Trust meet the shortfall and to support the undertaking, including through the purchase of high-quality insulated food bags. 

Wharekaka Meals-on-Wheels has the capacity to feed even more customers, which would bring the service closer to break-even. 

This is not a service that is just for the frail elderly, the group noted in a statement. 

Booking a meal could be considered: after a hospital discharge; for someone struggling to cook nutritious meals; for someone temporarily disabled through an accident; to reassure the family worried that someone is not eating well;  to help a family or individual through a crisis.

“Mate, Martinborough,” a self-admitted toast-burner,  offered his commendation of the project: “The quality and variety of the meals is superb, a credit to cook Maddie and they provide me with a good level of nutrition. 

“What makes a big difference for me is that unlike off-the-shelf ready meals, they are delivered hot and ready to eat. I recommend it wholeheartedly.”

Library Book Club returns

Like a book long overdue, the Library Book Club has returned to Martinborough Library. 

The club  is for anyone who loves reading and wants to share about books that have bought enjoyment, entertainment, and thought- provoking challenging truths. Here is an opportunity to discuss our discoveries with other readers. There is no set title: all books are welcome. 

In October it was a general getting to know each other, a discussion on the situation in Israel and presenting books that have caught our attention. 

For example ‘The Accidental Duchess’ by the Duchess of Rutland that gave an intriguing glimpse into the life of the nobility and as club member Teresa commented you could understand some of what the late Princess Diana found. 

‘The Woman in the White Kimono’ is a story of a Japanese  girl who refused an arranged marriage to an American sailor. This is set in Japan in the 1950’s and present day USA. The author is Ana Johns.

Or ‘Fire Weather’ by John Valliant, the account of the 2016 Fort McMurray fire in Canada, the evacuation of 90,000 people and the way this fire created it’s own weather. Scary stuff but topical as we come to terms with our hotter world.

As always it is a time of fun and a place where we can become sidetracked as we follow our individual trains of thought.

We meet on the third Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the library. Next meeting will be November 15 _  everyone is welcome.

Big Red Suit Guy: back by popular demand

Santa has the date in his diary, the Mens Shed have finished the sleigh, and now its off to be painted. 

Storm Robertson from the Community board has been working on the Traffic Management Plan, so it’s all go for the 2023 Martinborough Santa Parade on Saturday 9 December at 5 p.m.

Now it’s everyone’s turn, with entries for Santa Parade floats open. Put on thinking caps, unleash that creativity, dust off the dancing shoes. This is a chance to delight and entertain the children (and adults) of our community. 

It’s also an opportunity to showcase that organisation or activity to a big audience. You can go as big or as small as you like _ from a truck to a bike. It’s a great chance to demonstrate the spirit and scope of our community, from farming to winemaking, from clubs to commercial businesses.

There’s lots going on in conjunction with the parade. 

The talented Madcaps members are organising carols in The Square. 

There will be a Christmas market in the Waihinga Centre.

The Business Association’s Magic in Martinborough is happening. 

The Toy Library is setting up a Santa Photo Opportunity for the kids. 

Don’t miss the chance to be part of this amazing day.

Oh, and there is no entry fee! So, to enter, or for more information, contact: Community Board member Angela Brown:

Angela.Brown@swdc.govt.nz

Deadline for entries: Friday, 30 November.

Will Capital Value rating win the day?

SWDC is considering a major change to its rating system _ to move from land value as the basis of its annual charges to properties to use capital value as the key _ in other words moving from a “bare land” rating base to rating both “land and improvements.”

If you haven’t seen the statements on the issue, check out: https://swdc.govt.nz/wp-content/uploads/Final-SoP-and-Draft-Policies-for-Consultation.pdf

In summary, it includes the following:

In its statement on the well-advanced rating review it has under way, SWDC notes:

“Capital value is the total value of the land and improvements, i.e. the land and any buildings on the land. 

“Land value is the value of the bare land.” 

It asks: “Do you agree with council’s proposal to change the general rate to capital value from land value?” 

Already many rural dwellers, slugged by 29% rate rises this year, are calling for this change as offering a more equitable system than the current one.

Council also adds: “No system is ideal, however on balance, council believes that capital value is fairer than land value. Considering the overall rating impacts across different groups of ratepayers and individual properties, council considers capital value represents a better correlation to ability to pay than land value.”

Given it says “fairness” is another a critical part of the rating review process, it notes it is “considering affordability relative to matters such as access to services, land versus capital value.”

Transparency is a further key principal guiding its review, which it says means “providing clear information so the rating model is understood, and ratepayers know what they will need to pay.” … Continue Reading