Junior Rugby

Our 2019 JAB season has come to an end, we have had an another amazing season with some awesome results. 2019 saw MRFC have around 75 registered players each year our numbers continue to grow and we have some huge things in the pipeline for 2020.

Congratulations to all players that received awards and this years Prizegiving and to all our JAB players that have represented Wairarapa Bush this season.

Thank you to all our sponsors this season that helped with getting our U11 down south, all food that was donated for the trail ride and all the continuous support through out the season.

Huge thank you to all our coaches and managers this season, MRFC is a great family to be apart of and nothing goes unnoticed.

The 2020 season is just around the corner with some amazing opportunities in the pipeline, keep an eye for what’s in store. If anyone is wanting to sponsor or support the 2020 JAB Season please contact Kaitlin on 02102489647

Note: Working Bee Sunday 27th October

Rotary Club of South Wairarapa

A highlight of August for the Rotary Club of South Wairarapa is picking daffodils to be sold on Daffodil Day. Alastair and Jacqui Sutherland of Whangaiomoana have a large field of daffodils which they donate to this worthy cause. Rotarians friends and family all join in to pick the flowers, and this year we had a gloriously fine day and picked them in record time. Afterwards we had the opportunity to chat over morning tea.

Earlier in the month we had a combined meeting with the Lions Club of Martinborough to hear Harry Wilson, the new CEO of the South Wairarapa District Council. We had a good attendance as people were very interested to meet him and hear what he had to say.

He started by saying that councils are about people and need to be part of the community. He acknowledged that there is a lot of work to do in this area. He then spoke about his varied career, starting with obtaining a certificate in shearing and becoming a shearer and shepherd. He would have liked to be a farmer but there were no openings available that that time … Continue Reading

News from Wharekaka

Thelma, celebrating her recent birthday.

The AGM was held on 19 September.  Attendees heard that Wharekaka is in good heart and operating at full capacity with waiting lists for rooms, but that fees for services (set nationally) are falling further and further behind costs.   This resulted in an operating loss of $134,000 in the last financial year, with the position unlikely to improve in 2019/20. The Board is looking to manage this shortfall by:

• Building 2 new villas – one of which is still available
• Setting up an Endowment Fund to enable Wharekaka to continue in perpetuity
• Applying for funding from charitable trusts
• Developing a bequests programme

If anyone would like further information on any of the above initiatives, please contact Joy Cooper joycooper1948@gmail.com or Helen Meehan helen.meehan@xtra.co.nz.

All the staff were thanked for their love and care for residents and the many occasions on which they cheerfully ‘go the extra mile’ to ensure the residents’ well-being, including their willingness to work extra duties when full staff cover cannot be found, due to illness, accidents, or other issues.  … Continue Reading

Dark Skies, Bright Future

Most of the population of planet earth live under a cloud of light pollution which prevents them being able to see the stars as we do in Martinborough where very child can see the Milky Way from their back garden. This is something that we all take for granted, but this won’t be the case for our children’s children unless we choose to preserve this.

The campaign to win the highest and most prestigious International Dark Sky Reserve certification is well under way.   The 3 mayors are on board and the Provincial Growth Fund has made a grant to allow an economic report to be prepared.   The Wairarapa Dark Sky Association recently held a public meeting at the Waihinga Centre to introduce the team who will prepare the report, and outline the steps left to achieve this certification and realise the benefits.

The economic report is being independently developed by Jarvis McDonald Group and will look at the economic, social and environmental benefits and impacts to the region. This will inform the community, local businesses and council on what the opportunity represents, and allow the community to make an informed decision on how to best take advantage of this opportunity. … Continue Reading