art before dark
Arrowtown Creative Art Society (ACAS) is delighted to announce that the First “Art Before Dark” Arrowtown Open Gallery event will take place on 14 December from 5:30–7 pm With a similar format to the popular First Thursday events in Queenstown, this will be a family friendly opportunity for art enthusiasts to visit seven Galleries in Arrowtown, all within a short walking distance of each other. Each Gallery will offer visitors a warm welcome and a glass of wine, with a chance to enjoy the art on display in a relaxed way and learn more about the artists, including Artist’s talks. www.acas.nz
2022 grammy star for athenaeum
Simon O’Neill – one of the world’s very top Opera stars – is booked for a special onenighter at the Athenaeum on 8 December. It’s a remarkable chance to hear a “for all tastes” program from the stunning voice of a superstar called “the Wagnerian tenor of his generation.”
Earlier this year an album featuring O’Neill won him a coveted Grammy award – the biggest honour bestowed by the $85 billion recording industry. Joining him that night on the winners’ list in Las Vegas, were names like Lady Gaga, Tony Bennett, and the Foo Fighters. O’Neill is supported by the rising New Zealand soprano, Olivia Pike. Raised in Ashburton, he has a special affection for Arrowtown because of family connections with the Feehly family, whom he stayed with during school holidays. (O’Neill did a surprise Arrowtown gig in 2020, when Covid bans cancelled his Berlin season).
O’Neill loves the Athenaeum because of its sound quality and 250 seat boutique size. This means an Arrowtown audience is blessed with a far richer, closeup experience, than concert goers paying small fortunes for seats in the world’s most famous opera houses. (Six thousand seats for O’Neill’s 2022 BBC Proms night performance in London’s Royal Albert Hall). Big voice, huge night out.
Arrowtown Athenaeum, Thursday 8 December, drinks and canapes from 5.30 for 6.30 pm start. Tickets $120 general admission; $100 for members of Arrowtown Creative Arts Society. Available from Arrowtown Pharmacy or www.eventfinda.co.nz
arrowtown village association news
arrowtown building projects
Works have begun on Arrowtown’s new Tewa Banks development supported by Queenstown Lakes Community Housing Trust, their largest development to date. Located on 3.7Ha of land off Jopp Street, beside Arrowtown Golf Course. The master plan provides for 68 new homes from one to four bedroom homes to be held under a mixed tenure of Senior Housing, Public Housing Rental, Affordable Rentals, rent-to-buy programme Rent Saver and an award winning assisted ownership model, the Secure Home programme. This will provide much needed affordable housing, bringing new community members to our village. Earthworks are currently underway with building due to commence in mid-2023, final completion is expected in December 2025. Julie Scott, Executive Officer of the Community Housing Trust will be joining the AVA for a public Zoom Meeting on 8th December at 7pm. Look out on our Facebook Page for further details. From new builds to old builds, Arrowtown’s historic Butler’s Wall has been allocated funding for much needed repairs to stabilise it and the road above. Barriers have been in place for sometime to protect the public from rockfall or possible collapse. Following a feasibility report, council have confirmed there is $600k in the Annual Plan for the works but more funding will be required to complete the necessary work. Anchors and traditional style capping plates are likely to be required to stablise the wall. Work will be completed mid-2023.
– Nick Fifield – AVA ChairpersonCOME AND CELEBRATE WITH US! 9 December 2022 at 9 am
stronger than ever
The team at the Lakes District Museum are excited to be in the final two weeks of the seismic strengthening, restoration and display upgrade project. Final touches are being completed in preparation for the official opening ceremony on Friday 9th December. The 1875 BNZ building and stables required seismic strengthening work after being assessed as earthquake prone several years ago. “We are looking forward to sharing 100% of our museum with our visitors for the first time in nearly three years. It’s going to be worth the wait. The BNZ building and stables have been restored and are looking amazing. We have created new displays around our favourite taonga that tell a great story. There are interactive activities and a few surprises.” David Clarke, museum director. The official opening is on the 9th of December at 9 am. The opening ceremony will be followed by a light morning tea and an open morning for locals to come and see what has been happening behind the scaffolding!
school report
Year 7 – Riverton Camp
Year 8 – Bowls and Bungy
Year 7 & 8's Fun Run. The kids put a lot of effort in this year and they look AMAZING. They are raising money for this year's Wainui camp and next year's Cecil Peak camp, so thank you to everyone who has helped them with their fundraising.
local club notices
Arrowtown Bowling Club 03 442 1905
Club Day Thursday. New members welcome – coaching available – More info phone Liz 027 433 1669
Arrowtown Business Women’s Group
Any and all local business women are welcome to register. It is free to join but each event may have a charge to cover costs. Email Hayley Delport on arrowtownbusinesswomen@gmail.com
Arrowtown Community Yoga 03 442 0515
Every Thursday 5 pm @ Arrowtown Community Rooms. Bring your own mat. All levels welcome.
Arrowtown Entertainers
A local group of entertainers who love to perform and sing. Programmes include: Anzac Day, Christmas, music hall sing-along, popular variety songs from shows etc. If interested, please contact Lorraine 021 111 2270. New members welcome.
Arrowtown Golf Club 03 442 1719 Club days–every Weds & Sat(men) / Tue (9 holes) & Thurs (ladies). Phone the golf shop for more info.
Arrowtown Library 03 442 1607
Hours: Mon–Fri 10 am–5 pm. Sat 10 am–2 pm. Reading to Dogs: Tues 3.30–4.30 pm, during School Term Time.
Arrowtown Menzshed 027 284 8814
The Menzshed is open to new members for woodworking projects for the individual and community. The shed is open Monday, Wednesday, Saturday from 10 am–1 pm Prestons Dr. Ph 027 284 8814 or 03 409 8688 for information.
Arrowtown Scouts Want to know more about the Arrowtown Scout group? We are catering for Boys and Girls aged 6-17 years. For more info email: arrowtown@group.scouts.nz
Arrowtown Swim Club
Mon/Tues training & Fri ribbon night/BBQ till 4 March. Block training week 24–28 Jan. $30 child & $50 family, arrowtownswimclub@gmail. com or facebook /arrowtownswimmingclub
Arrowtown Village Association
Join the Arrowtown Village Association, the voice of Arrowtown. We work to protect & enhance the unique character of our town. Visit arrowtownvillage.nz to learn more.
Dorothy Browns Bookclub 03 442 1964 Meet the 1st Tuesday of each month at 10.30 am at the cinema. Newcomers welcome.
LCF fun languages
03 442 0075
For children from 2–12 years old. Fun French lessons for preschool children & in school & after school for primary school. We do adult lessons too, in group or privately. Email nathalie@lcfclubs.co.nz or www.lcfclubs.co.nz
Petanque
Sundays 3 pm, Library Green. All welcome! Plunket 0800 933 922 Little fingers craft/activity playgroup, Mondays 10–12 pm. Gold coin donation. Remarkable Mothers group, 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month, from 11 am. All welcome. For all current information, LIKE the Arrowtown Plunket Facebook page.
Remarkables Line Dance Group
Beginner–intermediate levels. Weds 12.30–2 pm $10 at the Pavilion, Lake Hayes. 021 0284 0681
Shotover Country Music Club 03 442 0785
Arrowtown Primary School Hall, 3rd Sunday of each month at 1.30 pm. All welcome. Free. Contact Reg McTazggart 027 656 3554, r.j.mctaggart@xtra.co.nz
Wakatipu Garden Club 027 565 0349
We meet on the 2nd Monday every month. New members welcome. For further information. Contact Heather Stirling.
FREE to place local club information, email details to thelooparrowtown@gmail.com