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Horse trial triumph MAC mag page 2

Zoe McNeilly of Wanaka riding Strictly Kosha in the cross-country phase of the Central Otago Pony Club Horse Trial at Cromwell Racecourse on the weekend. Zoe, who rides for the Hawea/Wanaka Pony Club, competed successfully in the dressage, cross country and show-jumping phases, winning her section of the horse trial. See sports results, page 15, for more information.

Your footprint

PHOTO: iNFINITY IMAGES.

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Dairy farm proposed Sue Wards

Going the distance page 5

Keeping warm page 11

Read online:

www.thewanakasun.co.nz

A large scale dairy farm is on the cards for Hawea Flat, and if developed will be the first dairy farm in the Upper Clutha. The property facing conversion to dairy is understood by the Wanaka Sun to be a 2400ha sheep farm, on four separate titles, with boundaries onto Kane, Watkins and Camphill Roads and the Hawea and Clutha Rivers. Project manager Peter Hook, a farming consultant from Lake Hawea, said “The property has changed hands and a major development is being looked at, including large scale irrigation.” The property’s new owner, Jim Cooper, who is based in Darwin but has family links to Wanaka, was not available for comment. While local farmers have been grazing dairy cows for some

time, this would be the first dairy farm in the Upper Clutha (the closest is in Omakau). “It will bring a few changes to the district,” Lake Hawea farmer and former Otago Federated Farmers president Richard Burdon said of the planned conversion. Dairy development in this region “was never a matter of if, it was a matter of when,” he said. “It should be quite exciting and it will offer a lot of employment opportunities.” The project team is said to be in the process of preparing consent applications for irrigation. The Otago Regional Council director of resource management Selva Selvarajah said any consents would be unlikely to be notifiable and, as long as the planned activities comply with the rules in the water plan, consents would not even be required, he said.

Effluent disposal to land is a permitted activity. “We don’t control land use activities,” he said. “People could change from sheep to vineyards to dairy to forestry without telling us.” ORC land resources manager Susie

dairy chairman David Wilson said a property of 2400ha would need to run at least 1000 cows for the figures to stack up. “I’d be encouraging them if I was you guys. It’s fairly inevitable that progress will be made

People get a bit emotive about it at times, but it’s just going to be growing grass. McKeague said the council has checks and balances to ensure good farming practice is being implemented. The Regional Plan: Water contains “some quite stringent requirements” and the ORC checks every dairy farm in Otago every year to assess their effluent systems and waterways management, she said. Otago Federated Farmers

that way,” he said. “People get a bit emotive about it at times, but it’s just going to be growing grass.” Dairy effluent is well monitored both by Fonterra and the regional council, David said, with dairy farmers being proactive in terms of fencing waterways, planting trees and putting in effluent systems.

However Otago Fish and Game Council chief executive Neil Watson said intensive agriculture such as dairy farming has the potential to damage local waterways. “There are no grounds for being confident that dairy farms will be able to manage their impact on water quality – it’s not happening,” he said. “There’s a direct relationship between land use intensification and poor water quality.” He cited animal waste run off, waste percolation into ground water and effluent disposal as issues to be carefully managed. “When people set up they need to look carefully at how they manage dairy shed effluent and run-off from farm paddocks, because the current practices aren’t achieving the desired results regarding water quality.” TXT THE WANAKA SUN

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sunnews events calender Here’s our pick of what’s happening around Wanaka over the next week:

What: Wanaka Gardeners’ and Farmers’ Market When: Thursday, May 12, 4pm Where: Pembroke Park Cost: Free

What: Wild Night Out with the Tarras Gamekeeper When: Saturday, May 14 Where: Tarras Hall Cost: $240 for a table of eight What: Winter Walk (Upper Clutha Tramping Club day walk) When: Sunday, May 15, 8.30am Where: Meet at Pembroke Park carpark Cost: Free

What: Wanaka Walkers When: Monday, May 16, 9.30am Where: Meet at lakefront opposite showgrounds Cost: Free What: Wanaka Blokes’ Shed Open Days When: Tuesday and Wednesday, May 17 and 18, 2-4pm Where: Behind the Fire Station Cost: Free

MAC mag Charlotte Trundle Two Mount Aspiring College graduates designed their way to third place in the Taieri Print School Magazine Cover Design Competition, beating entries from all around the country. MAC graduates Kansas Davis and Laura Prescott won $100 and an additional $100 for the school for their ‘don’t forget your roots’ concept which was used on the cover of the 2010 Mount Aspiring College magazine. “It’s great recognition for the students who worked on the magazine,” magazine teacher Laura Williamson, pictured right, said. “They put

in a huge number of hours on top of their academic programme, designing and creating what amounts to a 100 page book.” The MAC magazine is produced annually and given to all students at the end of year prize-giving.

PHOTO: CHARLOTTE TRUNDLE

An island history Sue Wards Overgrown with weeds, over-run by goats and rabbits, and beset by fires: Ruby Island’s past has been a sad one, according to a new book. “It’s been neglected a lot,” Wanaka author Ian Gazzard said of the island, subject of his new book ‘Ruby Island – a jewel in Lake Wanaka.’ During Ian’s 12 years on the island’s management committee he heard many stories about the island. “I thought I’d go and find out the facts while there were people around who knew them,” he said. The result is a book which covers

the island’s geology, vegetation, animal life and history, including first hand memories of early experiences on the island, such as the Ruby Island Cabaret, which for about three years offered afternoon teas and dancing in a unique cabaret setting. There is still a lot of interest in the island, Ian said, with up to 30 people attending most working bees. Many community groups have also contributed money to the island’s restoration. Ian hopes the island will remain as a reserve, providing protection for the giant wetas, geckos and native ducks and the hard-won native vegetation.

Author Ian Gazzard at his computer. PHOTO: SUE WARDS

Ian’s latest project is working with a small group of locals to eradicate stoats and possums around Diamond Lake and Rocky Knob by setting more than 50 traps under DOC supervision. “We really want to protect that area for the native falcon to nest,” he said. Angus Ho and Ivy Willmott of Wastebusters display the coveted awards for the worst and best packaging in New Zealand.

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PHOTO: SUE WARDS

What: Fundraiser for house fire victims When: Thursday, May 12, 7pm Where: Opium Bar Cost: Free

MAC Class 7DB enjoyed the Real Art Roadshow on Friday afternoon. PHOTO: CHARLOTTE TRUNDLE

What: Wanaka Home and Lifestyle Show When: Saturday, May 14, 10am – 4pm Where: Lake Wanaka Centre Cost: Gold coin donation to Wanaka Skate Park extension project.

Calling all community groups... If you have an event coming up email the details to theeditor@ thewanakasun.co.nz for selection in our FREE calendar.

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And the winners are... Sue Wards

A taste for real art Charlotte Trundle

Students at Mount Aspiring College got a taste of New Zealand’s best contemporary art when the Real Art Roadshow visited their school on Friday. The mobile art gallery, the country’s biggest travelling collection, unfolds to form an 80 square metre space, displaying more than

60 original artworks. The roadshow aims to give New Zealand students interested in

by the scale, texture and colour of original artworks, roadshow codirector Fiona Campbell

We do this so the kids can open their eyes, hearts and minds to being creative. art the opportunity to see the real thing and be inspired and challenged

said. “We do this so the kids can open their eyes, hearts and minds to being

creative,” she said. Highlights of the silver truck collection for a MAC year 7 class included a monkey face made out of string, a furry fish, a neon light display and a glittery palm tree screen print. “This is a great opportunity for our students to see original artworks right at school,” teacher Jenni Dobbie said.

Potatoes and prunes were the winners - and losers - of the national Unpackit Awards, masterminded by Wanaka Wastebusters. Almost 9000 votes were received on a shortlist of eight examples of the best and worst packaging in New Zealand, and the winners are a compostable take-away container made from waste potato starch (the best) and individually wrapped prunes imported from America (the worst). Unpackit spokesperson Sophie Ward said Potatopak is at the forefront of a new way of thinking about packaging. “The company is turning a waste stream, potato starch, into a valuable product,” she said. Of the prunes, Sophie said, “Without exception, every single person I have talked to on the Unpackit Roadshow of Joy’s travels around the

Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

country has been amazed that something so ridiculous exists.” The finalists showed many small to medium-sized New Zealand businesses are passionate about sourcing minimal, recyclable packaging, Sophie said, while on the other hand, big multi-national companies pumping out “convenience” foods such as single-serve snacks were well-represented in the worst shortlist. Ivy Willmott has designed trophies which will be presented to the winners later this month. The Unpackit project received financial support from the Waste Minimisation Fund, administered by the Ministry for the Environment. Wastebusters will apply for funding from the second phase of the fund to undertake further public education and they hope to run the Unpackit Awards again next year.

sunnews

Submissions closing Sue Wards The community has sent a strong message to the QLDC that road gritting should continue at its usual level. The council proposed a reduction in winter gritting (due to reduced New Zealand Transport Agency funding) and an end to ratepayerfunded oiling on unsealed roads in the 2011 Draft Annual Plan. QLDC has asked for submissions on the plan and has already received almost 200 responses. Council spokesperson Meaghan Miller said the community had sent a “strong message” that it wants

gritting to continue. QLDC deputy chief executive and finance manager Stewart Burns said council is looking for a firm

ratepayers take the time to give their feedback, which will be presented to councillors for their deliberations during the Annual Plan hearings in

It is great to see so many residents and ratepayers take the time to give their feedback. guide on these issues, and others, including a proposal to lower the waste management rate but have residents pay more according to the amount of rubbish they make. “It is great to see so many residents and

June,” Mr Burns said. This year people can go to the council website and write a submission on line. Submissions close on Monday, May 16 at 5pm.

Shaping the future Libby Paulin

Local researcher Ella Lawton is interested in your ecological footprint. PHOTO: CHARLOTTE TRUNDLE

Your footprint Charlotte Trundle The communities of Tarras and Cromwell are going under the microscope by a local researcher. Ella Lawton is looking at the resource use of the farming community of Tarras and the service town of Cromwell, hoping to identify how to reduce resource use. She is managing a study examining how Kiwis consume the world’s resources and how communities can become more resilient by reducing their dependence on these resources as costs rise over the next 20 – 30 years. Ella, the community

development and research manager at the Otago Polytechnic Centre for Sustainable Practice,saidUKresearch shows 60 percent of our ecological footprint is made up of our personal lifestyle choices, such as food and transport. Twenty four percent of your ecological footprint is made up from food choices, with eating out and overeating being big culprits. “It’s all about creating a system where we can measure what is really important to us,” Ella said. “If we don’t pull together and make better decisions about the use of our resources, soon we won’t have a choice.” Once the data is

collated and analysed, Ella will assist the communities to identify a plan for the future. “New Zealand has plenty of work to do in this field, we know how much resource we have available but don’t know how much we are using or how we are using it,” Ella said. “We need to understand the global situation and act locally.” Research is also being carried out in Auckland communities in Waitakere and on Waiheke Island by part-time Wanaka resident Maggie Lawton (Ella’s Mother). TXT THE WANAKA SUN

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There were two questions in my mind as I walked in to the Lake Wanaka Centre to attend the Shaping our Futures Forum: “Will there be other people there like me – with a child in tow?” And, “Will we be made welcome?” The answer was to the first was no. The answer to the second was a resounding yes. My son Finn, at five years old, was the youngest attendee, however he was joined by people from many parts of our community, including students from

both Mount Aspiring College and Otago Polytechnic. The purpose of this forum was to elicit the views of the Wanaka community and facilitators Steve Henry and Dave Roberts made it very clear this was a communityled, not a council-led, process. They then took us through a carefully planned brainstorming session focussing on what we saw as the drivers of change in the Upper Clutha, with reference to the economic

sphere. It was interesting to see how similar many of the ideas generated by the more than twenty groups were: both in this brainstorm and in the second session looking at indicators of success (how to measure the success of any particular driver of change). And it was heartening to see many people believed that things like quality of life and access to good food, clean water and affordable housing were important to the economic sphere. These things loom large in the minds of people like me, raising the next generation. This forum will be followed by another in late June and one in early August, by which time the steering group hope to make recommendations to district decision-makers.

Libby Paulin and Finn Paulin at the Shaping our Future Forum. PHOTO: SUE WARDS

You can ts e k c i t 2 n i w go to Email the Wanaka Sun (admin@thewanakasun telling us what the ball! .co.nz) year the Luggate Hotel

Evening gowns are being chosen and moleskins ironed for the annual Luggate Ball next Saturday (May 21). The ball, held in the historic Luggate Hotel (established 1867) is where town meets country. “It’s a real good mix of ages and different types of people,” ball organiser Laurette Young said. If you want to go to the ball there’s no need to ask your fairy godmother: just email the Wanaka Sun (admin@ thewanakasun.co.nz) telling us what year the Luggate Hotel opened and you’ll go in the draw to win two tickets.

opened and you’ll go in the draw to win two tickets to the ball.

Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

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sunnews

timewarp

Speedy sheets Charlotte Trundle Pamela Pittaway can make a bed faster than Speedy Gonzales. The Edgewater housekeeping supervisor has won the bed-making competition at a Queenstown trade show for the second year running, with a time of 1.59 minutes. Pamela also won last year’s national competition. “I am quite competitive, I would love to win nationally again,” she said. The format for the competition differed from previous

years as pillow protectors and throws were added to the challenge and competitors were not allowed to let pillows touch their faces. The beds had to be made to hospitality standards and five seconds were added to the final time for any errors made. Pamela is a perfectionist when it comes to making a good bed. The competition is an individual event, but Pamela usually makes beds in a team with housekeeping management Ann Saunders and Marie Mullerova (who is currently

The Edgewater housekeeping team, from left, Ann Saunders, Pamela Pittaway and Marie Mullerova. PHOTO: CHARLOTTE TRUNDLE

fourth in the competition) at Edgewater Resort. Together the trio has come up with a secret time-cutting technique. “We have pride in housekeeping and strongly believe if you don’t do it right the first time you do it again,” Ann said. The national bed-making winner will be determined when the times are in from all 15 tradeshows.

Rebuild for historic building: The original Hawea Flat Post Office, built in 1912 for ₤495, is still busy and well-used, but these days it houses the Hawea Playgroup. The building was recently upgraded with a new extension, with help from Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community Trust, The Elsie and Ray Armstrong Charitable Trust and The Callis Charitable Trust. The upgraded building will be officially re-opened next week. About 40 children from Lake Hawea, Hawea Flat, Albert Town, Wanaka and Luggate use the playgroup each week.

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Bella Urquhart who was postmistress at the Hawea Flat Post Office from 1927 - 1940. Men’s Shed members Neville Dippie and Bill Fay want to recruit new people to potter around in the Wanaka Men’s Shed. PHOTO: CHARLOTTE TRUNDLE

PHOTO: The Lure of the Lakes by D W Fraser Urquhart.

Fundraiser for fire victims Charlotte Trundle

A place to potter and tinker Charlotte Trundle A man’s shed is his castle, the place he can go to potter and tinker without a care in the world. Fortunately for men in the Wanaka community, there is a giant shed full of tools waiting to be utilised

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by Wanaka Men’s Shed club members. Club members Neville Dippie and Bill Fay are busy trying to recruit new members for the community club. “Every man needs a shed. This is a great place for anyone to come and meet new friends, learn new

skills or be creative,” Neville said. The club’s aims include passing on skills to young people, delivering companionship and addressing men’s health and well being. “This is an opportunity for compulsive tinkerers to come together and help

build some community projects in addition to having a general potter,” Bill said. “Women are allowed at the men’s shed. It’s not exclusive.” Two open days for the shed, located behind the Wanaka Fire Station, will be held on May 17 and 18 from 2pm - 4pm.

A fundraiser is being held tonight (Thursday) at Opium bar for a group of local flatmates who lost most of their belongings in a house fire last weekend. All the money raised at the event will help Elliot Sims, Grace Caudwell, Jade Higham, James Ponsford and Foley the dog as well as the house’s owner Kazu Tomita. Organiser Rachel Harvey said the fundraiser will help the flatmates get back on their feet. “A lot of people know them around

town, they are such great people. It’s so lucky no one was hurt - it could have been so much worse,”

The night of entertainment will feature local DJs and bands as well as food, raffles and auctions. Opium will

This is an opportunity to bring up the importance of smoke alarms so this doesn’t happen to anyone else. she said. “I think this is an opportunity to bring up the importance of smoke alarms so this doesn’t happen to anyone else.”

Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

donate all the profits from the night to the group of friends. TXT THE WANAKA SUN

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sunprofile

Going the distance

inbrief Change at fire station Wanaka fire chief Steve Trevathan has stood down after 14 years as chief and almost 30 years in the Wanaka Volunteer Fire Brigade. Steve is taking on some work in Australia and is therefore unable to give the same level of commitment to the role. Deputy fire chief Bruno Galloway will be acting chief until a new chief is confirmed by the Southern Area Commander.

Heather Clay. More roadworks

PHOTO: WANAKA SUN

An upgrade of Dunmore and Dungarvon Streets began on Monday, making 12 carparks unavailable during the estimated two week work period. The project involves replacing the footpaths, kerbs and channels, and affects Dunmore Street between Spencer House Mall and the Dungarvon Street intersection and Dungarvon Street between the Dunmore Street intersection and Monteiths Ale House. No traffic delays are expected.

Winter driving

Dougal Allan with his sporting toys. PHOTO: CHARLOTTE TRUNDLE

Charlotte Trundle Dougal Allan wanted to be a professional rugby player until multiple concussions put him out of the game for good. A natural athlete, standing six feet tall, Dougal took it all in his stride and started training with a different career in mind: multisport and adventure racing. Dougal, 26, was born in Foxton and grew up playing representative rugby. He made his first trip to the South Island on a holiday with his family and decided he wanted to study physical education at Otago University in Dunedin. He was selected to play rugby for the under-19 Otago team but after a series of concussions he was told to hang up his rugby boots for good. “I was gutted at first. So I started running instead,” he said. “I instantly loved the solitude and the freedom.” He completed his honours thesis on why people seek risk and stress. “I looked at how this relates to life in general, especially with outdoor education as a medium.” He considers his graduation in 2006 as one of the biggest achievements of his life. A friend who worked at the Wanaka Community Pool called Dougal with a job offer in 2008. “I still work at the

pool 30 hours a week and I love it there. The job really fits around my training,” he said. Dougal specialises in multisport: road biking, mountain biking, kayaking and running. He also competes in adventure racing. “I love the nature of these sports; there isn’t as much structure as a triathlon.” Dougal came second two years in a row in the world’s premier multisport event, the 243km Coast to Coast race, in a field of more than 800 competitors. “People don’t realise how crazy that race is. You run up a river full of rocks, with no trails, it’s really gruelling.” Other career highlights include winning the 375km Central Otago GoldRush race three years in a row and winning the coveted yellow jersey last month when his team won the Baise Outdoor Quest in China. Dougal’s dedication has taken him to the top but he remains humble and grounded. He trains more than 20 hours a week in rain, hail or shine. “It’s so I can get ahead: if I train in really bad weather I will get the extra edge,” he said. Although Dougal has won the top events in the country he doesn’t make a living as an athlete and is looking for a backer, as multisport is not eligible for funding from sporting bodies. “I think every

day how good I could be if I could just concentrate on training,” he said. “It is my love and my dream but this can only carry you so far until the unpaid bills catch up.” He loves Wanaka and rates it as one of the best places to train in the world. “I never

More care is required on the roads now winter is almost here. Gritting has yet to start on a regular basis but grit trucks have been deployed on the Crown Range in the last month and Queenstown Lakes District Council transport manager Denis Mander said people need to prepare for the harsher conditions. “Cars need to be checked for anti freeze and chains need to be carried,” he said. ‘People also need to allow more time in the mornings and drive with caution.” The QLDC is also applying the chemical CMA to stop wet roads from freezing, which leaves a wet finish on the road for a short period and may make the road slicker than normal.

get bored training here. I can kayak on the lake, mountain bike in Sticky Forest or run up a mountain. There are so many amazing locations. I am really spoilt to live and train here.”

People don’t realise how crazy that race is. You run up a river full of rocks, with no trails, it’s really gruelling.

Dougal in action at this year’s Coast to Coast. PHOTO: JIM ROBINSON

Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

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Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

Trekking tales

sunnews

This is our second week of dispatches straight from an expedition to Nepal run by Wanaka mountain guide Mark Morrison. The Three Passes Nepal Trek dispatches provide an insider’s peek into what goes on during a trek. Here are the highlights of week two:

Wednesday, May 4

Friday, May 6

The view was possibly the most spectacular on the planet: Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam and a multitude of other peaks. We entered a flowering rhododendron forest and visited the famous Tengboche Monastery, the largest in the valley, to witness the ancient prayer ceremonies.

Acclimatisation day: It is important to allow our bodies to adjust to these new altitudes. Walking a few hundred metres up a hill and dropping back down again allows our bodies to get used to having less oxygen. Resting allows our bodies to recover and move safely to new heights.

Thursday, May 5

Saturday, May 7

One of our head guides, Ang Dorjee, invited us to visit him at his boyhood home. He grew up in Pangboche but now lives in the USA. His mother still lives in the modest, traditional family home. We sat enthralled while Ang Dorjee told us about growing up in the Khumbu valley, starting out as a porter then as a climbing Sherpa, summiting Everest 14 times. We then visited the 600-year-old Pangboche monastery: we could feel the history.

A three hour walk to Chhukung. We learned there are four walking speeds: slow, medium, fast and Sherpa.

Sunday, May 8 First summit day: a long walk up Chhukung Ri. Ri means hill in the Sherpa language, even though some are more than 7000m high. At 5400m, this is our highest point so far. Himalayan giants of Lhotse,

Nuptse, Cho Oyo, Ama Dablam and Pumori stood before us with the clouds below. We won’t cross our first pass, the Kongma La, because of the unusual amount of snow this season. Instead we descend to Dingboche, on the main trail to Mount Everest.

Monday, May 9 We walked to Lobuche, the gateway to Everest, and tomorrow we’ll head to Gorak Shep.

Tuesday, May 10 It is 15 years ago today that a storm on Mount Everest claimed the lives of several people in the ‘Into thin air’ tragedy. I walked up to Rob Hall’s and Andy Harris’ memorial stones to pay my respects this afternoon and my thoughts go out to all those families, friends and colleagues who were involved.

poeticjustice This month’s poem was chosen by Wanaka’s Poetic Justice group as the winning poem in their monthly open mic night. Poems can also be sent to poeticjustice@gmail.com for selection.

Meniscus: Surface tension & the comforting science of water’s skin Week 1. Sloshed The blue room again. Everyone here has fallen out of love. The first nurses a Matisse bruise. Watch it smart as sunlight catches and shatters on his twelfth rib. He tells you this: A glass half- filled with red wine will float freely in the bath. Week 2. Toss Sterile lake, the operating table in a blue hospital room. We stare, laugh at the way we seem on its cold metal surface. You can’t see our bruises. Hold on to each other’s ribs, Let’s get a photo of this! We look good together, no? We throw rocks at the Pukaki dusk. To skim a stone, first select smooth, unscathed, heart-sized stones Use forefinger and thumb to spin, then release the wrist throw flat and fast. Now hold your breath and hope Week 3. Duck, duck, goose

Back row, from left, AOPA life member Brian Hore, AOPA guest Mandy Deans, Shaun Gilbertson, Ray Mulqueen. Front row from left, Ground Up team Aisling Mulholland, Sue Henry and Sharron Collett. PHOTO: NIKKI HEATH

With no sticks or stones to throw, we feed the ducks. You say not all ducks and drakes mate for life: some mallards are philanderers and hens can be picky when selecting their partner from the pecking order. Many prefer a drake that will protect for as long as possible. The hen however is capable of looking after her ducklings without the drake. Social fidelity is far more common than genetic fidelity. In other words, animals may appear to pairbond, but there’s lots of fooling around going on. - A. Wilson.

Winning watering hole Sue Wards Ground Up Café is the best aviation watering hole in New Zealand, according to the experts: pilots and

aircraft owners. The Wanaka airport café is now proudly displaying the aircraft piston trophy representing the 2011 Aviation

Watering Hole of the Year Award, a national award voted on by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots’ Association of New Zealand. AOPA member

Shaun Gilbertson said the café won the most votes because it is close to the aircraft and has “great friendly staff and great food.”

Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

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Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

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sunnews Local winegrowers showcased

Wedding buzz at Elmslie

Central Otago winegrowers will be showcased as part of the Rugby World Cup. Regional wine will be featured at The Cloud venue on the Auckland waterfront for the duration of the Rugby World Cup tournament and a series of events is planned by the wine industry throughout New Zealand, including a Central Otago Pinot Noir Experience in September.

Dorothy Hodge with Elmslie staff member Helen McKie wearing Dorothy’s wedding dress from 1941.

Elmslie House residents are still buzzing after a wedding show held before the royal wedding on April 29. Twelve wedding dresses, from 1912 to 2007, were modelled in front of the residents while pianist David Strang played a selection of wedding music. Friends of Elmslie supplied the cake and wedding breakfast.

PHOTO: RUTH HUNT

Take a shower with the Wanaka Sun Wanaka’s freezing winter inversion layer has threatened to stick around this week, turning our thoughts to keeping warm. To help out, the Wanaka Sun is offering readers the chance – over the next four weeks - to win a free showerdome. The showerdome is a clever Kiwi invention which eliminates bathroom steam, giving you a warmer, drier bathroom and a healthier home. It stops the cool air mixing with the warm moist air in your shower cabinet. No steam means a clear mirror, no condensation, no wet walls or ceilings - and no mould or mildew. The showerdome makes bathroom cleaning easier and you’ll save money by turning off the fan and heater and keeping that drafty window closed. To go into the draw to win a free showerdome – worth more than $400 - email us (admin@thewanakasun.co.nz) with two ways you can keep warm, reduce costs and feel the difference this winter with our “warmer winter” advertisers.

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Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

win a free showerdome Email the Wanaka Sun (admin@thewanakasun .co.nz) with two ways you can keep warm, reduce costs and feel the difference this winter with our “warmer winter” advertisers.

sunnews

How do you keep warm? The Wanaka Sun went out and about this week to ask the public how they will keep warm this winter.

Luke Gane: I have a good gas heater and I just bought an amazing down duvet. It’s amazing I can’t believe I haven’t had one before.

Ronnie Hopkinson: I love getting home, snuggling up in front of the fire with my gorgeous husband and a stiff brandy (for medicinal purposes of course) – guaranteed to keep any winter chills away.”

Torte Lyons: I layer up and turn on the heat pumps. I also have underfloor heating which is amazing.

Paul George: I wear some good warm clothing like my duck hunting gear, it’s super warm. I also have a fire at home.

inbrief Diesel spill A diesel spill on the Crown Range caused two accidents and closed the road for about half an hour on Monday. Road crews have not identified the cause of the spill, about 3km from the summit. A camper van and a vehicle towing a trailer skidded in the diesel, but no injuries were reported.

Good duck hunting It was a promising start to the duck shooting season last weekend, according to the Otago Fish & Game Council. Clay.are seeing a heap of birds but the bags “AllHeather agreed they PHOTO: WANAKA SUN were a bit patchy,” spokesperson Ian Hadland said. “The birds were definitely spread about more than usual and I think that was due to the weather conditions.” Four crews covered the region interviewing around 120 hunters. Hunters were warned about shooting times and distances and had their ammunition checked for banned lead shot. Fish & Game rangers were pleased to note the number of kids in the field. “It’s great to see the next generation out in swamps learning a few skills and watching their next wild game dinner fall from the sky,” Ian said.

Hartwood Firewood PHOTOS: CHARLOTTE TRUNDLE

Free delivery in Wanaka Clean burning, dry Willow Phone Ken 443 9368 / 027 5905639

Heatpumps - Mitsubishi, Toshiba Commercial and Domestic Transfer fans We size for Wanaka’s conditions Call NOW 03 443 8246 or 0274 442 745 (FRee quote) 21 Reece Crescent - Wanaka lbeagle@xtra.co.nz

Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

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sunnews

Duckshooters’ housewives

New safety guidelines Southern Lakes and Central Otago operators met last week to discuss recommended new safety guidelines which are part of the Department of Labour’s review of risk management and safety in the adventure and outdoor commercial sectors. Other operators around the country will review the guidelines in the weeks to come. Waitaki MP Jacqui Dean said she was pleased adventure tourism operators had responded positively to the new guidelines. “I think we all accept the outcomes of the review and see that some sort of regulation was necessary in the sector, with safety being a priority,” she said. “These new guidelines are all about futureproofing the adventure tourism sector in this country and providing it with the confidence to go forward.”

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Pictured at the Duckshooters’ Housewives function at Bendigo Station last weekend are, from left, organiser Sarah Perriam with food demonstrators Carol Kavanagh and Grant Platt. Sixteen people attended and learnt how to create a Morrocan tagine, a duck terrine and a Tarte Tatin (an upside down tart).

Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

sunviews editorial

TXT MESS AGE

BOARD QLDC staff need 2 resign over their incompetence & complete misunderstanding of the ramifications of applying sewer sludge 2 land To the person who stole the bag of pine cones on SH6 Hawea collected by my 4 and 6 year old daughters, shame on you! $3 for a large bag isn`t much to ask. Where’s jerry springer spaniel? In response to your story about the shaping the future forums; It sounds like a positive move towards democracy. I hope everyone who has a vision for our future comes along to have their say. Please can we add a crematorium to the retirement village complex? That way we can arrive through the front gate and leave via the chimney. Loving the positive outlook of latest wanaka sun. feels like a community newspaper again. Is the very forgettable lance what’s his name the worst league player in the world? Congrats 2 the farmers that pulled the pin on QLDC sewage 2 land proposal. Your produce & your land would not have been saleable had u proceeded. Cops with part-time jobs coz they haven’t got enough 2 do? That’s got 2 b illegal!

TXT THE WANAKA SUN

021 986 786

The revolution began on Tuesday afternoon. The first community-led – not council-led – ‘shaping our future forum’ took place on Tuesday, with a crowd of 100 or so participants. QLDC Mayor Vanessa Van Uden welcomed us to the revolution then demonstrated the new order by helping put out chairs for the latecomers. Libby Paulin, reporting for the Wanaka Sun, was heartened “to see many people there believed things like quality of life and access to good food, clean water and affordable housing were important to the economic sphere.” Wanaka has a well-travelled population, and a few of the people the Wanaka Sun has talked to recently have noted the obvious contentment of people they’ve met in less-developed countries. This reminded me of the Kingdom of Bhutan’s ‘gross domestic happiness index’, which includes indicators of wellbeing, education, time use, ecology, culture, community vitality, health, living standards and good governance. Some of these are less tangible measures than the number of ensuites in your home or the size of your flatscreen TV, but I think the idea has potential when we’re looking at the shape of our future. The arrival of dairy farming here will help shape our future too, whether your reaction to the news is to welcome the economic growth and potential new jobs or to wish it wasn’t happening in your backyard. Ed

UCTT I read with concern R Moseby’s letter (05/05/11) that questioned, and appeared to challenge and denigrate, the role of the Upper Clutha Trails Trust in regard to submitting evidence at the Environment Court hearing on the Parkins Bay Preserve development. Council commissioners did grant consent to PBP; however the decision was only a 2/1 majority and the dissenting commissioner correctly identified a number of deficiencies in the application. The provision of adequate public access was just one of deficiencies and the UCTT was entirely correct in pursuing the matter to the Environment Court. I read, with considerable admiration, the UCTT submission to the EC hearing. This excellent submission identified a substantial number of opportunities for public access that had not been identified, or had been opposed or disregarded, by the applicant. I note, with concern, that some of the public access opportunities identified by the UCTT had been successfully opposed by the runholders at the time of tenure review. In the last decade the provision of easily accessible ‘walkways’, for both pedestrians and cyclists, has progressed in leaps and bounds and this is partially due to the efforts and the advocacy role of organisations such as the UCTT. The outstanding natural landscapes of the district are valued by a broad cross section of society and ‘development’ of the scale proposed by PBP should not disregard public interests. In this instance the UCTT has stepped up to the mark - in what appears to be an absence of council support - to advocate for the interests of the general public. I congratulate the UCTT for their advocacy role in the Parkins Bay Preserve hearings and I believe the overwhelming majority of New Zealanders, residents of Wanaka and the district, and international tourists would support me. With regard to the Court’s interim decision I sincerely hope the applicants listen to and embrace the matters raised in the UCTT submission. Alan Cutler Albert Town

Roadside rubbish When driving along the road, say as a starting point from Wanaka airport into town, there is random rubbish scattered along the roadside on both sides of the road. The same applies along Mount Aspiring Road going to out to Treble Cone and beyond. While this will only get worse when ski season comes I wondered if the local council could get a little team together to clean it up and it would be good for this Clean Green Image so much in the news lately. In fact the poll on Yahoo right now regarding if we think New Zealand has a green image has a photo of Lake Wanaka. Just a thought. Andrea Hogan Wanaka

Parkins Bay I totally agree with Roger Mosely (Sun 5/5/11). The reply by UCTT is unsigned by their president whoever he may be. I thought letters to your paper are required to be personally signed. I suggest a new name for their trust should be GUUT ( Give Unto Us Trust) or WWWW (We Want We Want). Surely we are extremely well served with public tracks in our area. The McRae family have already given enough over the last six years to complete planning for their project and have had agreement to proceed only to have it being stymied by a small minority who are pushing their own barrow for disruption and publicity. Tall poppy syndrome? The time has come to finish this nonsense and let the public enjoy their wonderful Development and amenities when completed. UCTT or GUUT or WWWW or whoever you are MOVE ON and WITHDRAW. Sincerely Michael & Lesley Johnston The comment from UCTT in last week’s Wanaka Sun, requested by the editor in response to a letter, was written by UCTT treasurer John Wellington. - Ed

Computer scam On Saturday evening we had a phone call from a Mr Sam Rogers, with a strong Indian accent, who said he was calling from the Microsoft Help centre. He asked for my wife by first name and said that he was calling because our computer was sending error messages. I told him that it sounded like a scam, but he insisted, even asking me to disconnect the computer from the internet so he could do no harm. He asked me to run ‘eventvwr’, and told me how, and also to run ‘inf’ - both produced long lists which he said were errors caused by some virus or malware on our system. But I knew that neither of these runs could cause harm. I know there are hundreds of ‘.inf’ (information) files in Windows containing information on drivers available. He then asked me to re-connect to the internet and his boss would tell me how to get rid of the ‘problem’. At this point I ended the conversation. No harm done to my PC. I then checked the internet for ‘Microsoft error scams’ and ‘eventvwr scams’ and got lots of hits. So computer users of Wanaka beware. Someone is working through the Wanaka phone book (or other source) and is trying this scam on us. Don’t get caught! *ABRIDGED Matt Primrose Wanaka

write to the editor... Let the community know your views, email your letter to:

theeditor@thewanakasun.co.nz *200 words or less

Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

Page 13

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Snowboard: made suitable for a female but a male may like it. Perfect condition: it is a KZ VaVaVoom Rocker, series JIB TIP, 139cm bright colours $290 ONO. Golf clubs (5) with red bag and trundler, suitable for Trapeze classes! Hawea age 10years up to approx 13 Flat Hall, Tuesdays 6-7.30 years. $250 ONO. and 7.30-9pm. Thursdays 5.30-7pm. Contact Emma Track shoes size 5, very for info and to book a class. light shoe, great for PE or 021660171 casual, nearly new, red & black - were $100 sell for KATWALK FASHIONS have $50. moved into a fantastic new shop in Cromwell Mall! Call Ski jacket size 12 – in and see Colleen and the Columba brand, two shades team of blue. Perfect condition, price was $175, sell for $70. GRAPHIC DESIGN for business cards, posters, SECONDHAND LABELLED stationery, brochures CLOTHING 4 SALE. Women’s and flyers email: size 8-10 and men’s size adamhalldesign@gmail. small, great condition. ph/ com or call 02102949218 text 0276326332 to view. for a quote. For sale 2x sound Word, Excel, chairs for Xbox and PowerPoint. Private playstation. Brand new. Cost computer tuition call or $150 each, sell half price.tel text Tanja 021 0737296 443 4681

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LOOKING FOR A BUSINESS that adds value to your health & environment as well as your purse! Details call 0276837400. Get your spot in the sun: free text-classifieds only with the Wanaka Sun. Text 02 20 786 778 Wanaka Pharmacy is your pharmacy. We are open for you until 7pm 7 days a week. Top end of Helwick Street, across from the Police Station. Ph (03) 443 8000

notices Vintage and retro collectables, homewares, clothes, toys and furniture. Codswallop and Balderdash. Upstairs Spencer Mall Community Coffee Mornings for new residents. 10am Fridays, St Columba’s Church corner McDougall and Upton Sts. Visitors and locals welcome. Get your spot in the sun: free text-classifieds only with the Wanaka Sun. Text 02 20 786 778

wanted Smart rat! Wanted a rodent/possum trap 4434112 free/cheap working microwave Wanted for a good home 443 5252

MAC uniform, 2 trousers births very good condition 76cm waist, 1 jumper as new 97cm, all $30 each tel: 443 4681 Lauren, Corey and Amelia welcome to their Spinner’s wool from 6 family Nixon John Young white & 4 black/brown sheep born Sunday May 8, 9lb3oz. 4 sale as is. $60 ph 443 5771. Special thanks to Pauline Hunter, Mountain Mamas. DIRT BIKE Suzuki RMX, 98, 250cc two stroke, good condition, $1950ono. ph rent 0272551774 Pyranha kayaks autumn Caravan for rent. special 20% off. Demo Only 40 dollars a week. Call the ideal lake tourer with 4431242 free tuition. Pete Simpson 0211549995

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crimeline People often tell us “you guys must be quiet now”. I can tell you although town seems quiet this is certainly not the case, as you can read from a few of the week’s events. Two more drink drivers were apprehended this week, one after crashing through a fence on Sunday night. That’s 15 in the last seven weeks! The results speak for themselves and the drink driving campaign will continue for another week. We also attended several driving complaints over the week. In these cases please obtain vehicle registrations if possible when calling it in. These are like gold when investigating and attending driving offences. Police arrested three local males for an assault on Ardmore St on April 28. Unfortunately one of the males was arrested for a second time during the week in relation to a making a false statement. Police are looking for information on a small electronic safe taken in a house burglary last month in Luggate. It may have been dumped or damaged and disposed of locally. Call us on

Page 14

4437272 or visit us at the station if you know of this item. A local house fire saw both police and fire called out last Sunday with the house well involved with fire. Fortunately all got out safe. This was a very timely reminder to check you have fire alarms in your home (and any rental homes, landlords) with working batteries. We had reports of a male using electricity and trying internet access at sites around the town last week. You need permission to do this obviously and if permission has not been obtained you are committing an offence. Business owners can ask people to leave the premises in these cases and if they refuse to leave call police. Spencer Mall has had some issues lately with young people hanging around in the mall. The Mall is not a skate park, nor it acceptable to swear, leave rubbish or abuse shop owners in a public place. Police will take action and trespass notices will be issued to those that continue this behaviour. Lastly, items were reported stolen from a building site on Peninsula Bay last Friday and Police were called to two domestic incidents during the week and dealt with the families involved. By Constable Mike Thomas

Thursday 12 May to Wednesday 18 May 2011

sunclassifieds OPEN HOMES DIRECTORY Address

Time

Date

Price

Agent

HEBE COURT, ALBERT TOWN

12pm

14/05/11 $565,000

SOUTHERNWIDE

FINCH STREET, ALBERT TOWN

12:30

14/05/11 $549,000

SOUTHERNWIDE

29 WESTVIEW ROAD

1pm

15/05/11 $695,000

SOUTHERNWIDE

11 MCLELLAN PL, ALBERT TOWN

1pm

14/05/11 $449,000

RAY WHITE

2 WARBLER LANE

4pm

12/05/11 Auction

HARCOURTS

36B MT IRON DRIVE

11:30

14/05/11 $295,000

HARCOURTS

11 FOXGLOVE HEIGHTS

12:15

14/05/11 POA

HARCOURTS

2 WARBLER LANE

12:30

14/05/11 Auction

HARCOURTS

LOT 26 HEBE COURT, ALBERT TOWN

12:30

14/05/11 $565,000

HARCOURTS

2 WARBLER LANE

1pm

14/05/11 Auction On-site

HARCOURTS

5 POPPY LANE, ALBERT TOWN

1:30

14/05/11 $619,000

HARCOURTS

426 AUBREY ROAD

1:30

14/05/11 $875,000

HARCOURTS

36 OLD STATION AVENUE

2:30

14/05/11 $749,000

HARCOURTS

24 KELLIHER DRIVE

3pm

14/05/11 $1.15m

HARCOURTS

10 WAIMANA PLACE

4pm

14/05/11 Deadline Sale

HARCOURTS

10 WAIMANA PLACE

11am

15/05/11 Deadline Sale

HARCOURTS

16 LAKEVIEW TERRACE, LAKE HAWEA

12pm

15/05/11 $495,000

HARCOURTS

2 MATHESON CRESCENT

12:30

15/05/11 $729,000

HARCOURTS

9 LACHLAN AVENUE, LAKE HAWEA

1pm

15/05/11 Auction

HARCOURTS

38 MATARAKI PLACE