Time Travel at Martinborough Museum

Martinborough Museum is planning a series of mini-exhibitions to tell local stories through items in its collection. The first exhibition will open on the weekend of 15-16 February. 

The exhibition will be about travel and features a cabin trunk donated to the museum by a local couple back in 1982, as well as other vintage travel memorabilia and curiosities.

Almost 100 years ago a young English woman set off on the long sea trip to the other side of the world. Her name was Lilian Hopwood, her destination Wellington where she was to work as a governess for a family there. She must have been an adventurous person because travelling to a faraway country as a single woman would have been a bold decision back in 1928. She arrived with a cabin trunk that eventually found its way to the Martinborough Museum. … Continue Reading

Southern dogs under control, behaving and returned

Of the 3,410 registered dogs living in the district, only 152 were listed in the South Wairarapa District Council’s Dog Control Activities complaints register for the year to July 2024 _ 13 more than the prior year but down 57 on 2021-22.

The highest number of complaint offences _ 83 _ were for dogs which were found wandering, fouling and/or uncontrolled.

Which means some 3,258 were not involved in aggressive behaviour, wandering, attacking people (six in the year), stock (six) or other pets (three), or lost _ then found (five).

Mutts classified legally as “dangerous” totalled just one, half the number of the two previous years.  … Continue Reading

Unnerving contrasts in Aratoi summer

By Becky Bateman

Aratoi’s Summer exhibitions are a riot of colour, but the stories behind these works will surprise and inspire you.

Main Gallery exhibition ‘Never Be Seen’ is an exhibition of artists who utilise the tension inherent in perception – through the literal use of blue and green tones, the telling of histories hidden in plain sight, forgotten objects, slippages in language, and unnerving contrasts.

“The saying goes ‘blue and green should never be seen’,” laughs Aratoi Director Sarah McClintock. “As a rule of colour its origins are murky – but it likely relates to the fact that the colours sit next to each other on a standard colour wheel.”

On the opposite side of the Main Gallery, forces of nature Keren Chiaroni, Emily Efford and Cathrine Lloyd return to Aratoi with the exhibition ‘Dream Gardens.’ … Continue Reading

Fire Brigade Report

There has been a Changing of the Guard at Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade, which has welcomed the region’s first woman Chief Fire Officer.

The brigade held it’s 117th AGM on the 23 July. 

Chaired by Wairarapa Group Manager Craig Cottrill, the meeting opened with a minute’s silence in honour of Life Member Jim Harper who passed away in July. Condolences go out to his family and friends.

The biggest news of the night was the changing of the guard, with CFO Jacob Hawkins resigning  after more than 30 years’ service to Fire and Emergency and the Wairarapa community.

Jake wanted to thank the community for all their support over that time. His absence will be keenly

felt by the brigade.

With that, the group welcomed the appointment of new Chief Fire Officer, Lisa-Marie Ireland. Lisa has been firefighting for over 15 years and is a respected leader in the brigade. 

As the first woman to achieve the rank of CFO in the area, her accomplishment is huge, and very well-deserved.

2023/24 has been an impactful year with significant change. It was our busiest year on record with

338 calls – an increase of 20% on last year, an 87% increase on the five-year average, and a 590%

increase on 2019/2020 incident numbers.

There were five promotions and two resignations over the last year, with the following awards given out:

The Charlie Johns Shield for most attendance at musters was awarded to QFF Dylan Ross.

The Thomas Family Trophy for best firefighter was voted on by the brigade and awarded to SO Brett Townsend.

Congratulations to both for their hard work and congratulations to all award winners, promotions and especially to the new CFO. 

Thank you to all in the Martinborough community who have supported the brigade.

Caption: Chief Fire Officer White Helmet changes hands as the first woman CFO takes charge.