Martinborough Town Hall Working Group Update

In the August STAR we reported that professional fundraiser and planner Steve Bramley had been employed by the SWDC to scope and evaluate a broadened concept of developing the Town Hall precinct into a multipurpose community centre around the Town Hall. A significant part of the research was to engage with the many community groups who have an interest in the Town Hall and ask what they imagined Martinborough and the Town Hall could be like in 30 years. In August Steve and his team began gathering information.

They began by presenting an amalgam of work that had already been done on concept development and extended this by adding in the most popular brainstorming ideas gathered from a community meeting run by the MTHWG earlier this year. As a first cut this concept was as exciting as it was challenging.  … Continue Reading

Know your fire fighters

Dean di Bona

Here’s an Aussie that came and stayed. After achieving the rank of Captain in the military, Dean di Bona decided to leave Sydney and make his first stop in Waitakere. Here he could pursue his hobbies of tramping and community service, volunteering at the local youth club.

Moving to Martinborough several years ago he began apprentice in the building trade with David Roberie and completing training with Bruce Lovell of B&L Construction. He now has his own company, DEDICO Construction Ltd.  You might see his van with the logo I Build 4 U. He joined Master Builders Association to demonstrate his commitment to the higher standard of construction demanded by Wairarapa clients. … Continue Reading

GAIL FAREWELLED

Wharekaka fair welled Gail Thomas our fabulous cook of 25 years. Gail has retired to take care of her busy farmlet and homestay. We all miss Gail and wish her all the best.

We welcome Wharekaka’s new cook Don Findstrup, welcome to the team. Don you have some big shoes to fill.

FUN RIDE ENTRIES OPEN

Get pedalling.  Entries are now open for the Martinborough Charity Fun Ride on Sunday 3 November.  That gives recreational cyclists two months to tune up their legs and lungs to participate.

“It’s not a race,” says organiser Geoff Lankow. “The majority of participants just want to enjoy getting out around “a varied, interesting course” of either 48km or 115km. … Continue Reading