648 5 August 2015 Week 1.indd

Transcription

The
Mercury Bay
Issue 648 - 5 August 2015
Phone 07 866 2090
PORTING
P
U
S
S
L
A
LOC
LOCALS
Ultrasound scanner
for Mercury Bay
Circulation 6,000
Welcome to the
new format Informer.
Win two tickets to the
Whitianga
Summer Concert see page 27.
By Stephan Bosman
All going to plan, the Mercury Bay community
will be able to have ultrasound scans done in
Whitianga from October this year.
“From when the Mercury Bay X-Ray
machine facility opened in Coghill Street
in Whitianga in September last year,
we’ve been talking to medical professionals
and the general public about what we can do
to provide a better service to the community,”
says Chris Rendle, chairman of the Mercury
Bay Community Radiology and Health Trust.
“The feedback was almost unanimous get an ultrasound scanner.
“We first had to see what had to be done to
operate the X-Ray machine on a financially
sound basis. Fortunately the machine is
performing very well. Since it’s opening,
more than 1,100 X-Rays have been done.
That enabled us to start making enquiries
about an ultrasound scanner earlier this year.”
Chris says it soon became apparent to
the members of the trust that securing
the services of a sonographer was a far
bigger issue than purchasing a scanner.
“We're fortunate to employ Val Elgie as one of
our radiographers. She has been with us from
day one and is very experienced. She knows
a lot of people in the radiology industry and
spoke to an Auckland-based sonographer
who’ll be happy to come to Whitianga once
a month for a few days to work through
whatever amount of ultrasound scans have
been booked in.
“Once that was in place, we started
negotiating funding agreements with the
Waikato District Health Board, ACC,
the Ministry of Health and Midlands Health.
Val was again a great help in putting us
in touch with the people we needed to talk
Chris Rendle and Val Elgie, two of the people who were instrumental in bringing an ultrasound scanner to Mercury Bay.
(Continued on page 2)
Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz
Mercury Bay
Taputapuatea spit
restoration underway ultrasound scanner
(Continued from page 1)
The Mercury Bay branch of the Royal Forest & Bird Protection Society has recently launched
a project to restore the Taputapuatea Spit in Whitianga as close as possible to what it was
before the arrival of humans in New Zealand.
Planting of the 4ha area of land between the Mercury Bay Boating Club in the north and
Buffalo Beach Reserve in the south in low growing coastal plants like pohuehue and knobby
rush kicked off in all seriousness on Saturday last week.
The project is expected to take 10 years. More planting will be done in the next week or so
by Mercury Bay Area School horticultural students.
Pictured are some of the Forest and Bird members and members of the public who turned up
to help on Saturday. From left to right - Gay Breeuwer, Bob Nicholls, Meg Graeme, Jim Dahm,
Sue Neureuter and Gordon Willis.
The Mercury Bay Informer is published weekly on Wednesdays and distributed
throughout the Coromandel Peninsula.
Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of
contributions are entirely at the discretion of the editor. Contributions will only
be considered for publication when accompanied by the author’s name and
surname, telephone number and residential address.
Opinions expressed (especially in letters) are not necessarily those of the owner
or publisher.
Owner - Mercury Bay Media Limited
Publisher - Petra Roodt
Editor - Stephan Bosman
Contributors - Len Salt, Gillian O’Neill, Meghan Hawkes and Jack Biddle
Office - 14 Monk St, Whitianga 3510
Mail - PO Box 426, Whitianga 3542
Tel - (07) 866 2090, Fax - (07) 866 2092
Editorial - email [email protected], tel (07) 866 2090
Advertising - email [email protected], tel (07) 866 2094
ISSN 2422-9083 (Print)
ISSN 2422-9091 (Online)
© 2015 Mercury Bay Media Limited
Please contact us if you live in the wider Mercury Bay area and would like to
have a copy of The Mercury Bay Informer delivered to your lettterbox.
ONLINE POLL FOR AUGUST 2015
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Page 2
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to at the Ministry of Health as we haven’t
dealt with them before. The good news is
agreements are now in place with all of these
organisations. The Ministry of Health will
provide funding for pregnancy ultrasounds.
“We've also spoken to Philips, one of the
leading manufacturers of ultrasound scanners
in the world. They were fantastic to deal
with. Not only have they agreed to give us
an interest-free loan for a third of the value of
a second-hand scanner, but when they heard
about the amazing community effort last year
to raise money for the Mercury Bay X-Ray
machine, they decided to donate to us a fifth
transducer, or probe, to use with the scanner.
“This donation is very generous. A new
probe costs around $10,000. Most ultrasound
scanners have four probes. For us to have
five, means we’ll be able to give the people of
Mercury Bay the best possible service.”
The scanner that will come to Whitianga
is about four years old and has a useful life
of a further six years. “The scanner is in
mint condition and will be able to work for
decades to come, but the technology it uses
will be outdated in six years,” says Chris.
The scanner will be housed in the same
facility where the Mercury Bay X-Ray
machine is. The facility was designed
with an extra room that could be used for
an ultrasound scanner or a plaster room.
Chris says minor modifications to the facility
are required to install the scanner and work
on that will start later this month.
A surcharge will be payable for each scan
done in Whitianga. “That is unfortunately
unavoidable,” Chris says. “In addition to
paying the sonographer for her services, we
have to pay for her transport, accommodation
and food. We also have to pay someone to
coordinate appointments and look after the
paperwork related to the scanner.
“We expect the surcharge to be $45. Scans
at Thames Hospital are free, but the waiting
list is three months or longer. If you add to
that the time and cost it takes to get to Thames,
we’re sure most people will see the benefits
of having a maximum waiting time of two to
four weeks and not having to travel.”
Chris says one of the things the members of
the Mercury Bay Community Radiology and
Health Trust is most pleased about is that they
didn’t have to go to the community to raise
funds for the ultrasound scanner.
High & Low Tides
for Mercury Bay and Hot Water Beach
DAY/
DATE
HIGH
AM
LOW
AM
HIGH
PM
11:14
LOW
PM
Wed 5
10:48
4:24
Thurs 6
11:42
5:16
Fri 7
0:08
6:10
12:38
6:35
Sat 8
1:03
7:06
1:36
7:34
Sun 9
1:59
8:04
2:36
8:35
Mon 10
2:57
9:03
3:35
9:35
Tue 11
3:55
10:03
4:34
10:34
Tide data sponsored by
4:44
5:38
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4 Dakota Drive
Whitianga
Tel 07 869 5990
What’s that Number?
Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police) 24 hours ................................ 111
Police (Whitianga) ....................................................................866 4000
Police (Tairua) ...........................................................................864 8888
Police (Coromandel) .................................................................866 1190
Fight crime anonymously - Call Crime Stoppers ............... 0800 555 111
Dog and Noise Control ................................... ..........................868 0200
Dental Emergency (Mercury Bay) ............................................869 5500
Civil Defence ............................................................................868 0200
Medical Centre (Mercury Bay) ......................... ......................... 866 5911
Doctors Surgery (Mercury Bay) ....................... .........................866 4621
Medical Centre (Tairua) .............................................................864 8737
Harbour Master (Whitianga) ..............................................027 493 1379
Coastguard Radio Operators ....................................................866 2883
Social Services Whitianga .................. ......................................866 4476
The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz
A 31 year journey
Saturday last week was a milestone day for the members of Crossroad Encounter Fellowship Church
in Whitianga when they formally opened their church building on the Corner of Cook Drive and
Campbell Street.
The celebration service, which was attended by more than 250 people, was somewhat bittersweet as
Morry Mounsey, senior pastor of the church and driving force behind the building, is in Waikato Hospital.
His wife Audrey, also a pastor of the church, was able to attend the event.
Pastor Mounsey’s brother Owen, who’s a pastor of churches in Howick and Huntly, led the service.
The journey of the building started 31 years ago in 1984 when the land the building is on was purchased
for $30,000. The foundations of the building were laid in 1993 and in 1995 the steel structure was erected.
The wooden frames went up in 1998 and in 2001 the roof was put on. Between 2006 and 2008 all internal
construction work, including the installation of a kitchen and a sound room, was completed. From 2009 to
2014 finishing work like tiling, painting and flooring took place.
In his address, Owen Mounsey said the building is testament to the generosity and hard work of many
members of the Mercury Bay community. He also said the heart of Crossroad Encounter fellowship is to
serve the community and the building is an asset Whitianga can be proud of - a place where larger events
can be held as and when needed.
The highlight of the celebration service was the unveiling of a plaque in the foyer of the building.
Pictured at the plaque are, from left to right - Owen Mounsey, Niven McLachlan (a trustee of the church),
Audrey Mounsey and Shona and Warwick McLean (Warwick is also a trustee of the church).
Page 3
After 175 years a heartfelt thank you
Buffalo Week (last week Monday 27 July
to Sunday 2 August) attracted national and
international attention. The week of events
commemorating the 175th anniversary of the
grounding of HMS Buffalo had many highlights.
It is well-recorded that local Maori provided
a vast amount of assistance to the Buffalo crew
after the ship ran aground. One of the most
significant moments of Buffalo Week took
place on Friday afternoon 31 July during a
commemoration programme in the Whitianga
Town Hall. Among the dignitaries who attended
the Town Hall event were Pierre Delorme,
Consul and Senior Trade Commissioner of
the Canadian Consulate in Auckland and
Commander Brett Burlingham, Defence
Advisor of the British High Commission in
Wellington.
When Commander Burlingham was given
an opportunity to speak, he said the Buffalo
was a Royal British Navy vessel and never in
175 years did the Royal Navy express their
appreciation to the people of Ngati Hei for
the assistance they provided to the men of the
Buffalo. He then went on to formally thank the
people of Ngati Hei and handed Wiremu Davis,
who represented Ngati Hei at the event, a plaque
as a token of the British Navy’s appreciation of
the friendship extended to them.
In a very emotional moment, Mr Davis
replied by handing a traditional bone carving to
Commander Burlingham.
We were fortunate that Commander
Burlingham handed us his speech notes.
These are extracts of what he had to say
on Friday “As the United Kingdom Defence Advisor to
New Zealand, I am thrilled an honoured to have
been invited here to beautiful Whitianga on this
auspicious occasion.
“I represent in my role as a diplomat His
Excellency Mr Jonathan Sinclair, the British
High Commissioner to New Zealand, and
as a Royal Naval Officer of 30 years’ service
Admiral Sir George Zambellas, First Sea Lord.
“It is clear from the warmth of the reception
here and the enthusiasm of all those involved
that the history of HMS Buffalo is woven into
the fabric of this beautiful place in more ways
than just the naming of a beach - impressive
though it is!
“For a small ‘store’s’ ship in a large worldwide navy, the Buffalo punched well above
her weight in terms of strategic significance.
She played a key part in the establishment of
South Australia and New Zealand on her many
long voyages... And is the personal “anchor”
for generations of descendants who travelled on
her, for whatever reason.
“But the Buffalo is also a very local story
of an unrelenting gale and a captain’s worst
nightmare. Although two of her crew did perish,
local assistance saved many sailors’ lives 175
years ago.
“Ngati Hei provided shelter and food and
cared for the sailors as well as burying the dead.
“I find it my most pleasurable duty to say a
formal ‘Thank You’ to the descendants of the
people of Ngati Hei for whom this place was
Come, enjoy and vote for our
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Commander Brett Burlingham (right) of the Royal British Navy and Wiremu Davis of Ngati Hei
with the plaque Commander Burlingham presented to the people of Ngati Hei.
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home in 1840.
“Your kindness and assistance is not forgotten
by Great Britain, the Royal Navy or indeed the
Royal New Zealand Navy created from it in
1941.
“In recognition I would like to present this
plaque to Wiremu Davis. Thank you. Kia ora.”
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Our Girl (M) (Out Now)
This is the story of Molly Dawes, born and raised in Newham, London. She is the eldest of five kids who left school with no
qualifications and has a part-time job in a local nail bar. Drunk and downhearted on her 18th birthday, she throws up in the
doorway of an Army Recruitment Office. She doesn’t know it then, but it’s an action that will change her life forever... This is a wellmade drama, giving a female perspective on life in the army. Lacey Turner gives an outstanding performance in this thoroughly
engrossing TV Show. A Must See. Reviewed By Cara.
Page 4
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Page 5
Auditions start of a great talent show
Auditions for The Bay’s Best concert were
held on the weekend in the performing arts
centre at Mercury Bay Area School.
The concert will be held on Saturday
29 August in the Whitianga Town Hall.
Holding the auditions in the purpose-built
facility is a significant thumbs up for the
centre which was developed after MBAS
principal John Wright saved the former
school technology block from demolition
with a vision of what it could potentially
contribute to the school and the community.
The talent show, presented by Creative
Mercury Bay, provides an outlet for the talent
being nurtured behind the scenes by local
music teachers, schools and dance tutors.
It also provides an opportunity for young
people writing original music to perform in
front of a live audience.
It’s been two years since the last Bay’s Best
concert and the show this year will adopt a
slightly different format. It’s one that seems
guaranteed to provide the audience with high
quality entertainment.
“This is a challenging event to put on,”
says Len Salt, Creative Mercury Bay
trustee and member of the selection panel.
“However, it’s very important that we
provide an opportunity for people to play to
a live audience. It’s equally important that
we provide the highest possible level of
entertainment we can so that our audience
enjoys a great show.”
Jan Wright, also on the selection panel of
Creative Mercury Bay, says that the auditions
were just the first stage in a process of putting
the show together. “The level of talent coming
forward is truly exciting, with a very diverse
range of performers and entertainment.
“Now that we have a selected group of
performers, we will spend the next four
weeks working with them through a series of
rehearsals to polish their acts and get it ready
for the big concert.”
Jan says that they are trying to encourage
collaboration between musicians, matching
up guitarists with bass players, drummers and
vocalists.
“For some of the people auditioning it
will be the first time that they have stood
on a stage and used a microphone and that’s
OK because every musical or performance
journey has to have a beginning,” says Len.
“All the technical requirements of getting a
show put together can be daunting for those
who aren’t used to it. If they aren’t rehearsed
properly it can be distracting and it can affect
their performance.
“You might have a young person with just
their solo voice and a guitar trying to reproduce
a song that had half a million dollars spent
on it in a Los Angeles recording studio. The
version you hear on the radio will probably
have multi-tracked vocals, keyboards, highly
paid session musicians and sometimes even a
symphony orchestra thrown into the mix. It’s
a tough thing to do.
“The answer is often for the performer to
make the song their own, give it their own
flavour. That can make a difference. But if we
can help a performer by adding more layers
of sound, then it’s another step towards that
performer becoming a experienced at working
with their music and other musicians.”
Mercury Bay Area School year 9 students Gracie Lowe (left) and Gemma Louden
during The Bay’s Best auditions last weekend.
The duo will be performing an original song by Gemma at the talent show.
The second half of the Bays Best concert will
feature Auckland’s Kings College student
band The Burtones, acknowledged as one of
the top school bands in the country.
The day before the concert, on Friday
28 August, The Burtones have agreed to
spend time working with local students and
musicians in workshops aimed at playing
individual instruments and working in a band
environment.
Tickets for The Bay’s Best concert are $10
(adults) and $5 (students and under 18) and
are available from Paper Plus in Albert Street,
Whitianga. There will also be door sales.
However, demand is expected to be strong
for seats to the event, so early bookings are
strongly recommended.
Open all day from
12 noon
Friday, Saturday and Sunday
________________
Open from 5:00pm
Wednesday and Thursday
________________
Closed
Monday and Tuesday
Open 7 Days
Ph 07 866 3887
8 Pye Place
Hot Water Beach
Hot Waves is taking a break
from our open mic for the month of August.
Will resume Friday 4 September.
As always open 8:30am – 4:00pm
New quiz night Thursday 3 September.
For bookings phone 866 3887
Page 6
with Stuart Brown - Whitianga Coastguard President
News from Thames-Coromandel District Council
4 A U G U S T, 2 0 1 5
Get Reddy – Civil Defence handbook for youth
“Get Reddy,” is a handbook our Council has
developed for primary school students as a “howto” manual
on how to get
ready if there’s
a Civil Defence
emergency.
The booklet
was also
made with the
support of the
Thames Valley
Emergency
Area Office.
“We all need
RALLY NZ
Children and young people can
enter the “Design Your Own Rally
Car Competition” to win a ride
in a Rally NZ car as part of the
Mahindra Goldrush Rally of Coromandel.
This is the second year in a row that Rally NZ
returns to the Coromandel with 60 cars vying for
pole position on Saturday 22 August.
Competition entries can be picked up from our
something simple to remind us of what we need to
have ready – or reddy in this case, so we made this
book in the secret hope our kids will bring it home
with a giggle and show it to the jaded and time-poor
among us,” says our emergency Public Information
Officer Drew Mehrtens who wrote the book. The
delightful illustrations were drawn by local 15-yearold illustrator LivArtisan.
The book includes information on what to pack in
an emergency, how to be prepared as well as what
to do in different scenarios including earthquakes,
tsunamis and storms.
Schools around the Coromandel have taken up
our offer of having the booklets as a resource for
students and it is also available in our Council Area
Council offices and district libraries
or by going to our web page
www.tcdc.govt.nz/rallynz2015
There are 5 age-group categories
and entries need to be sent in by
5pm Friday 14 August to:
[email protected]
or dropped into your local area office or district
library.
On Friday 21 August, the Whitianga Events Trust
and the Mercury Bay Business Association have
organised for Blacksmith Lane in Whitianga to be
closed between 3pm – 6pm for a ceremonial start.
There’ll be autograph signing sessions, some fun
bike races and activities and race cars and crews
will be on display.
Official racing takes place on Saturday with a
special race section down Joan Gaskell Drive,
Whitianga on the Saturday afternoon.
For more details about the weekend along with
road closure information go to
www.tcdc.govt.nz/rallynz2015
AA now in our Thames Council office
AA vehicle and driver licensing has moved to
our district office in Thames, so everything
around drivers testing, vehicle and licencing
is being processed out of our Council office
at 515, Mackay Street Thames during Council
hours.
FREE driving lessons
AA Ignition offers new learner drivers three
free driving lessons, delivering the best
possible kick-start towards staying safe behind
the wheel. There are terms and conditions
around this. To be eligible for our AA Ignition
offer, you need to:
TCDC/0678
Get our free eNewsletters!
www.tcdc.govt.nz/subscribe
www.facebook.com/
ThamesCoromandelDistrictCouncil
• Hold a learner licence that was issued within
the last two months
• Be an AA Member (including Youth and
Associate Membership) or have a family
member who is an AA Member – this could
be your parent, aunt, uncle, brother, sister or
grandparent
• Have a valid email address – we need this to
send your vouchers and contact you about your
lessons
AA vehicle and driver licensing is
based at our Council’s district office
at 515 Mackay Street, Thames.
www.coromandel.govt.nz
[email protected]
Private Bag, 515 Mackay St, Thames
Phone: 07 868 0200
GO BAG
Dust mask
Protect your lungs from
debris, dust and ash.
Rain cover
Really thin plastic covers
are ugly but they beat
shivering in wet clothes.
t h ic k Gloves
Thermal blanket
If you have to move
wreckage and debris,
you’ll be glad of these.
Thin but surprisingly warm. Not
snuggly, but will keep you from
freezing. And smaller to pack
than a sleeping bag.
AKA YOUR PORTABLE GETAWAY KIT
This is different to your stash of emergency items for your home. This is the one you take when you have to leave
your home urgently and you can only take a go bag with you.
Water
Pocket knife
Whistle combo thingy
Pack of cards
Water is really important!
These rock in emergencies!
Usually has a compass and
more to help you find help
or annoy others.
When people get bored
they go crazy. This helps.
Medical waste bag
For needles and medical
waste.
Contact numbers
A paper version of
Facebook.
Reflector vest
Important documents
Light ones pack up easily.
Passport, bank accounts
and other spy kit stuff.
Wind-up torch* / radio
Listen to your local radio
station for emergency info.
First aid kit
For ouchy boo boos.
Medicine backup
Fire-lighting flint
Also include hearing
aid batteries if needed.
For those born in a cave.
*We hope you
know what to do
with a torch...
MAKE A LIST AND COLLECT THEM ALL!
You can buy a Go Bag or make your own. How many of these do you have?
• torch and radio with spare
batteries
• face and dust masks
• special needs such as hearing
aids and spare batteries, glasses
or mobility aids
• first aid kit and essential medicines
• emergency water
• easy-to-carry food such as energy
bars and dried food
• extra supplies of any special
dietary requirements
• essential items for infants or
young children such as formula
and food, nappies and, if you want
peace, also pack a favourite toy
• a change of clothes (wind or
waterproof clothing and strong
outdoor shoes)
• toiletries like a towel, soap,
toothbrush, sanitary items and
toilet paper
• blankets or sleeping bags
• pet supplies
Bag of food
Towel and toiletries
Energy bars / dry food
Towel, soap, toothbrush,
sanitary items, toilet paper.
Glow sticks
For waving down planes.*
Matches or lighter
For those not born in a
cave (see fire lighting flint).
*Some people say glow sticks are not for waving down planes. We say they lack imagination.
Offices and libraries. You can also download it from
our project page as well as getting more information
on what to do in an emergency.
www.tcdc.govt.nz/getreddy
Mercury Bay
Community Board
UPDATE
• Buffalo Beach rock seawall is now
complete and under 12 months maintenance
period by the contractor.
• Brophys Beach GSB seawall contract
is now underway with completion mid
December 2015.
• Work on reopening Bluff Rd Matarangi is
progressing. A geotechnical report which will
contribute to a resource consent application
is currently underway.
• If you applied for a Community Board
grant you will hear in August if you have
been successful or not. The Board will be
making decisions on applications at its next
Board meeting, Tuesday 11 August.
Rates rebates
What would you do with an extra few
hundred dollars in your pocket?
We’re concerned that a lot of our ratepayers
could be missing out on saving a few hundred
dollars by not applying for a rates rebate.
The district average rate (2015-2016) will increase
by 2.88% this coming year and rates notices will
be going out shortly.
While we can’t know for sure until we see their
applications, we suspect that quite a number
of people haven’t applied for a rebate from last
year, who may well qualify.
The maximum rebate this year has increased
to $610.
The income threshold is $24,440 but that’s
not the full story, because you’re allowed an
extra $500 income for each dependant in your
household.
Pick up an application form as soon as they are
delivered to our area offices
Feel a bit overwhelmed? Don’t worry, we
understand, and we also know how it works and
really want to help as many as possible.
Our Customer Services teams at all our area
offices in Thames, Whangamata, Whitianga or
Coromandel township are available to help you
fill in the forms.
www.tcdc.govt.nz/ratesrebate
Page 7
The week that was Buffalo Week
Buffalo Week came and went and the organisers
can pat themselves on the back. The week of
mostly free events, from Monday 27 July to
Sunday 2 August, was a roaring success.
And one thing is for sure, the Buffalo is now
one of the most famous ships in history to have
sailed in New Zealand waters.
This is a quick overview of some of the
highlights of the week.
On Monday more than 60 indoor bowlers
competed for the Whitianga Senior Citizens’
Buffalo Cup.
On Tuesday morning the Whitianga
Coastguard and Whitianga Harbour Master
placed a commemorative buoy on top of the
Buffalo wreck site. On Tuesday evening about
30 people competed in a social darts “Buffalo
Competition” at the Mercury Bay Club.
Mercury Twin Cinemas were sold out
for a screening of acclaimed documentary
“Song of the Kauri” on Wednesday evening.
On Thursday Royal New Zealand Navy
historian Michael Wynd presented a very
interesting talk at the Mercury Bay Game
Fishing Club on what life was like on a Navy
ship (including the Buffalo) in the early days.
And for those who wondered, yes it was
possible to be kidnapped (press-ganged) and
forced to become a sailor.
A commemoration afternoon at the
Whitianga Town Hall on Friday afternoon saw
a historic thank you from the Royal British
Navy to the people of Ngati Hei (see page 4 of
this issue of The Informer) and the unveiling of
a magnificent Buffalo quilt made by a group of
Mercury Bay quilters.
More than 220 people enjoyed a three course
“Captain’s Dinner” at the Mercury Bay Club
on Friday evening. In addition to New Zealand
Navy Captain Andrew Watts talking about
“Project Neptune,” the Navy’s 75th anniversary
celebrations in 2016, Whitianga locals Rissa
Simpson and Stewart Pedley and the Mercury
Bay Big Band entertained the guests with
outstanding musical performances.
Among the songs performed by Stewart (with
the help of his band “The South Sea Sirens”)
was “The Ship, The Buffalo.” It’s a song
Stewart wrote and composed specifically for
Buffalo Week and can now rightfully lay claim
to the title, “Whitianga’s Very Own Song.”
On
Saturday
morning
a
formal
commemoration ceremony was attended
by more than 200 people. A short sermon
by Reverend Mary Petersen was followed
by addresses by Coromandel Member of
Parliament Scott Simpson and Commander
Brett Burlingham of the Royal British Navy.
Four wreaths were then taken out by members
of the Hot Water Beach Lifeguard Service to
the Buffalo wreck site.
That was followed with great fun at a polar
bear swim, with more than 50 adults and
children braving the winter ocean, and a beach
dig (with more than 60 children digging for
treasures) further along Buffalo Beach.
It was at the polar bear swim and beach
dig that word started to circulate that Mark
Jones from the Glass Bottom Boat succeeded
in capturing very clear images of the Buffalo
wreck below the surface. Later on Saturday
an aerial image taken of the wreck, exactly
where the commemorative buoy was placed,
also started to circulate.
It was as if the ocean itself waited for the
perfect opportunity to let everyone know that
HMS Buffalo, a ship that played a role in
the history of many places around the world,
undoubtedly belongs to us, the people of
Mercury Bay.
Participating in the “Buffalo Darts Competition” at the Mercury Bay Club on Tuesday last
week, from left to right - Rae Jensen, Jim Beaton and Tony Curtain. The competition was
ultimately won by Pauline Curtain and Jim Reekers.
Mercury Bay quilters Isabel Lloyd (left) and Shirley Beer at the unveiling of the magnificent
Buffalo quilt in the Whitianga Town Hall on Friday afternoon.
The MERCURY BAY
HEALTH SUPPORT GROUP
Welcomes to you our meeting
THURSDAY 6th August - 1:25pm
Guest Speaker Maria Low - speaking on “Understanding Epilepsy”
Venue - Social Services Building,
2 Cook Drive, Whitianga
Door $2.00
Phone Mary-Anne on 869 5952
Page 8
The week that was Buffalo Week
Musicians Rissa Simpson (photo left) and Stewart Pedley (photo right) in action
during the “Captain’s Dinner” at the Mercury Bay Club on Friday evening.
Polar bear swim “best dressed” winners - Damian Percival (photo left) with his children
Rohan, Reuben (centre) and India and Kensey Dyer (photo right)
with her mother Dana and older sister Makaylah.
An image of the Buffalo wreck captured by Mark Jones of the Glass Bottom Boat
on Saturday morning.
The Buffalo wreck and the commemorative buoy clearly visible from the air
on Saturday afternoon.
Page 9
Free hearing assessments
available to Whitianga and
Tairua residents
When hearing loss arrives, it is often ignored by the person it affects. They hope it will go away and
they may change their lives to reduce the effects of the deafness rather than dealing directly with the
problem itself.
They may be frightened by the cost of hearing aids and are often put off by people who can’t cope with
them and leave them in the drawer.
The truth is, however, that the sooner you get help with hearing loss the more effective hearing aids
will be in both the short and long term.
Applied Hearing Limited has been in the business for over 50 years and believes resolutely that properly
fitted hearing aids are the only way to minimize the effect of sensory hearing loss. They are essential
for communication, safety and long term quality of life.
The business has clinics nationwide and has been providing its services to the Coromandel since
1970. They still offer a bimonthly clinic at Te Korowai in Thames and a monthly clinic in Tairua that is
available to the people of Whitianga as well.
The business is a 100 per cent New Zealand owned company. They can provide funding options for
those who can’t afford hearing aids.
They also offer free hearing assessments. Anyone interested can phone 0508 20 30 20 to arrange an
appointment.
Pictures is Applied Hearing Limited owner and audiologist Alan Ferguson.
Defibrillator now
available in Moewai Park
When the defibrillators of the Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade were upgraded a few months
ago, they decided to find a home for one of the old defibrillators in the Moewai Park area
of Whitianga.
“There are quite a few defibrillators around the Whitianga CBD, but nothing close to the
industrial area,” says Brian Bowering of the Fire Brigade. “I spoke to Richard Vetter, the owner of
Peninsula Roofing and Scaffolding. Their premises are on South Highway opposite the Moewai
Park residential area. He was happy to take it a defibrillator and have it available for the public
to use during the hours they are open for business.
“The defibrillator we could give Richard needed a new battery, which he was happy to pay for.
“It’s important for the public to know where defibrillators are available. When someone is
unconscious they can have huge value. There’s no need to be concerned about using them.
They talk you through what to do.”
Pictured is Brian with Diane Collins of Peninsula Roofing and Scaffolding and the defibrillator
that’s available on their premises.
Mobility equipment available for locals or visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 10
Page 11
The Shipwrecked Ball - what a night!
And what a ball it was! Last Saturday night
1 August was time for the long awaited Shipwrecked
Ball in Whitianga. Once again Rekha Percival
and Rebecca Edwards, organisers of the annual
Whitianga Charity Fundraiser, didn’t disappoint.
From the huge, impeccably made up marquee
on Vanita Drive (next to a Whitianga Waterways
pond) and the canapés and dessert buffet
to the highly talented performance by Aucklandbased contemporary Maori dance troupe
Te Tu-a-Rehia and the evening’s signature cocktails,
Blue Mermaid and Port Royal Punch, the event was
perfect in every sense.
The expectation is that a significant amount of
money was raised for this year’s chosen charity,
Trust Waikato Hot Water Beach Lifeguard Service
Incorporated.
And let’s not forget the 230 guests who attended
the ball. Everyone made an effort. Let the photos
on the opposite page (taken by well-known
Whitianga photographer Vaughan Grigsby) tell
the story.
Hollywood glamour in Tairua
It will be Hollywood glamour all the way this Saturday night 8 August in Tairua as the local
Playcentre stages an evening of top quality cuisine and entertainment.
For one night only, the Tairua Community Hall will be transformed into a five star venue worthy
of the A-list celebrities expected to turn out for “Tairuawood.” Dinner, dessert, music, DJ,
an auction and spot prizes are included in the ticket price, with wine and beer available at the
cash bar.
With those attending encouraged to dress as their favourite movie character, who knows
who may be spotted among the crowd? If rumour is to be believed, Tom Cruise and Marilyn
Monroe may well be among the famous faces putting in an appearance. But for whoever
makes the effort and gets their glad rags on, organisers are promising a fun night out with the
opportunity to support one of the town’s most valuable community groups.
Run solely by volunteers, the Tairua Playcentre relies solely on donations from users and the
Page 12
public. In recent years, the energetic committee has been striving to improve the facilities
available to parents and the children who come to the Playcentre. According to Jill Winter
from the organising committee, funds raised from Saturday’s event will help with some much
needed updating to the interior of the Playcentre building on Main Road.
Tickets are priced at $35 or $60 for two and are still available from the Tairua Information
Centre. “Tairuawood” will run from 6:00pm until 11:00pm.
Let the photos tell the story
Fleur Edwards &
Derek Luke
Amanda & Matt Iggulden
Jeni & Brett Candalaria
Amber & Travis Boyd
Gary Hinds, Rekha Percival,
Rebecca Edwards and Sandi Lowe
Rekha & Damian Percival and
Gareth & Rebecca Edwards
Luana Reece and
Paul & Amanda Casey
Casey Harper & Dan Gaskell
Dave Sharples, Sean Cooper, Wayne & Tracy Ashton,
Lorry Monrad, Di Simpson, Janine Hoyland,
Dave Cummings, Tracey Cooper, Carmel McKeown,
Tama Sharples and Paul McKeown
Garth & Hayley Scott
Eloise Green & Tracy Aroll
Louana & Bryan Skelton and Ange & Rob Ball
Angela Rennie &
Willie Maclardy
Cara Till and Dana Grant
Gary Fitzsimons & Kim Burton
MERCURY BAY PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
Robert Lindsay Dip Phty(Otago) ADP(OMT), Dip.MT.
Co-author of ‘Treat Your Own Shoulder’
and Associates
Crystal Vause BHScPhysiotherapy
Manipulation / Back and Neck Pain / Work Injuries
Sports Injuries / Post Surgery and Fracture Rehab
Acupuncture / Hand Therapy / Women’s Health Clinic
Physiotherapists with the qualifications to provide
excellence in physical health care
Mercury Bay Medical Centre - Ph 866 5911
Page 13
Tairua School’s hip-hop group to represent
Coromandel at Waikato Gymsports Festival
By Gillian O’Neill
Weeks of early morning starts paid off for Tairua School’s hip-hop team
who danced their way to victory at the Thames-Coromandel Gymsports Festival recently.
The Year 7 and 8 team, “Two Tides Crew,” also took the prize for best overall performance
on the day and secured their spot in the Waikato regional final in Hamilton later this
month.
“They earned it. They really put in a huge amount of work and effort. They came to school
early to get practice in and also met at weekends,” said teacher Samantha Telfar.
The team of six girls and four boys worked with local hip-hop instructor Lauren Moore
to choreograph the challenging routine and are now hoping to build on last year’s
achievement when they finished second in the Hamilton contest.
“Lauren worked them hard, there’s no doubt about it. But the time and effort she put in
was unbelievable and the students absolutely appreciate everything she did. Some of
them were quite surprised at what they were capable of when they gave it their all. It was
fabulous to see them performing with such confidence on the day and clearly enjoying
themselves,” Ms Telfar added.
The team’s success in the hip-hop was backed up by some strong individual performances
in the gymnastics section of the competition, including a first place for 12 year old Bryony
McNabb.
But after the high of victory, it’s now back to rehearsals as Two Tides Crew prepares to
represent Thames-Coromandel at the regional final.
“Of course we’d love to go one better than last year’s second place. But really it’s about
going there and representing our school, our district and ourselves with pride. I’m sure
we’ll have a substantial entourage of parents and friends supporting us and hopefully
we’ll see some very exciting performances, not just from Tairua, but from the best in the
Waikato,” Ms Telfar said.
The Tairua School hip-hop team (pictured) includes Jenna Keyte, Bronte Hemmings,
Bryony McNabb, Stella Cory-Wright, Gabriella Hughes, Ella-Grace Metz, Harlee Vanbilsen,
Sollie Heath, Benin Colman and Logan Patterson.
Check out this year’s performance at the Thames Gymsports Festival and past
performances at www.tairuaschool.com.
OPPORTUNITY FOR 16 -17 YEAR OLDS!
A chance to get qualifications.
Available FREE to 16 &17 year olds not
currently working or in school.
Dedicated support and guidance in a safe and fun environment.
Contact Sharon TODAY!
Transport available
p 027 496 2684 (phone or text)
e [email protected]
Page 14
A question for Jack? Just email us or drop us a note.
Page 15
July weather and a “spring” garden
By Len Salt
Two degrees below zero overnight on 12 July
and fingers crossed it might be the lowest
point on the chart this winter with things
starting to warm up towards spring.
The first daffodils have been out for a
while, although you can’t bet on daffodils
as a harbinger of spring because they’ve
got a habit of “springing” up in the middle
of winter.
On the subject of “spring,” the problem of
mice seeking shelter, warmth and the contents
of our larder has almost disappeared and work
has begun building a garden. Far from being a
simple task involving digging up the soil and
planting the seedlings, it has necessitated the
erection of 30 metres of chicken wire fencing
half a metre high.
The animal kingdom has developed
a myriad of defence mechanisms over
the aeons. There are teeth and claws,
poisons and stings, camouflage and disguise.
Most of this is designed to protect animals
and insects against attack by other creatures.
They have few defences against man, the most
dangerous predator of all, simply because
man has not been around long enough for
their defences to have evolved. Not too many
animals have developed bullet proof vests as
part of the evolutionary process.
The things that hurt us humans normally
happen accidentally. We get eaten, bitten
and stung because we stand on a wasp nest,
go surfing dressed like a seal in waters where
sharks have hunted seals for millions of
years, or climb out of our car to take pictures
in a lion park filled with signs that say quite
clearly, “Don’t get out of your car.”
It’s not personal, it’s just what animals do.
We get pinged by defences originally meant
for other creatures, not us.
There is however, one cunningly effective
defence that certain animals have developed
specifically to protect them from being
harmed by homo sapiens. And it is by far
the most effective, the most efficient and the
deadliest of them all. Cuteness.
Millions and millions of puppies, kittens,
bunnies, gerbils, ponies and lambs and are
alive today simply because they’re cute,
fluffy and funny when they’re babies. And
before all you farm boys out there tell me
I need to harden up, I’ve seen grown men
bigger than me reduced to baby talk by cute
little puppies and kittens.
So we built a rabbit fence around the
garden, at great expense.
An important consideration is that one of
the rabbits that has the potential to strip our
new garden overnight is just a little baby and
it’s all on its own and we don’t know where
its mummy and daddy are. And if you think
I’m going to take a big old shotgun to it,
or lay out some little blue pellets with special
bunny tutti-frutti flavour in it, think again.
So on we go with the rabbit fence.
“How high can a bunny jump?” is a question
I never thought I would have to answer,
which just goes to prove that, for all of us,
life often comes right down to survival of the
fittest (or cutest).
Tile & Grout restoration work
including cleaning, repair work
Grout clear/colour sealing,
re-colouring silicone work
Shower glass/glass cleaning/treatment
Phone/txt Jack 021 775 118
Page 16
platinumhomes.co.nz
07 869 5149
Rob Duxfield 027 4467 961
Long service to family
budgeting recognised
Whitianga’s Lorraine Bunn is quietly spoken and you get the feeling that she’s not somebody who is
comfortable blowing her own trumpet. But the voluntary work that she has done for Budgeting Services
over the last 12 years is the kind of stuff that can be life changing for some people.
Lorraine’s contribution was formally recognised on Monday with the presentation of a certificate
“In recognition of valued community service to family budgeting” from the New Zealand Federation of
Family Budgeting Services.
“Budgeting Services offers a confidential service and can help acting as an intermediary in dealing with
creditors if people get out of their depth,” says Jenny Wolf, Whitianga Social Services manager.
Over the last twelve years Lorraine has seen many clients come in with serious budgeting problems that
seemed overwhelming to them. “I can remember cases where people have been able to turn their lives
around and become very successful,” she says. “That makes it all worthwhile.”
Presentation of the certificate happened to fall on Lorraine’s birthday, a fitting day to recognise her
contribution to society.
Present at the presentation were fellow Budgeting Services volunteers and Whitianga Social
Services staff. Back from left to right - Christine Bowering, Barbara Beckingham and Jenny Wolf.
Front - Delle Jackson (left) and Lorraine Bunn.
MERCURY BAY POOLS LTD
Concrete
Swimming Pool Builders
• Design and build new pools
• Renovations of existing pools
• Pool covers, auto or manual
• Quality portable spa pools
Contact Peter Thomas
M: 0274 806 288
A/h 07 866 4358
www.mercurybaypools.co.nz
Whitianga
07 866 0070
• Spouting
• Roofing
• Water treatments systems
• Septic tanks
• Hot Water cylinders
• New Housing
• Alterations
• General Maintenance
• Solar water heating
• All LPG gas installation
Page 17
Specialised Building Services
From concept through to council consent- we handle it all for you
Mark Pennell
ph: 027- 418 2817 ah: 867 1707 e: [email protected]
recladsrenovationsalterationsleaks
INCLUDING REPAIRS
& MAINTENANCE
101 PEEBLES LANE KUAOTUNU
RD 2 WHITIANGA
• 021 130 8745 • 07 - 866 2175
Page 18
What’s On the next few weeks
Sponsored by Dive Zone Whitianga Tel (07) 867 1580
Op-Shops
Social Services Op-Shops - 2 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm and Coghill Street
(west of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9:00am - 1:00pm.
The Church Op-Shop, at St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Owen Street, Whitianga. Open Thursday to
Saturday 8:30am - 12:30pm.
St John Opportunity Shop, Coghill Street (east of Albert Street), Whitianga. Open Monday to Saturday,
10:00am - 4:00pm. Phone 869 5416.
Justice of the Peace
Every Monday 10:00am - 12:00 noon at Whitianga Social Services, 2 Cook Drive. Phone 866 4476 for more
information.
Free Budget Advice
Confidential and no pressure. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more information.
Free Community Meals
At St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, Albert Street, Whitianga. Phone St Andrews on 867 1102 or email
[email protected] for more information.
Mercury Bay Community Bus
Available for transport to hospital, specialist or health related appointments outside of the Whitianga area.
Phone 866 4993 for information and bookings.
“Whitianga Movers and Losers” (the Old WW’s)
Wednesdays 5:00pm - 6:00pm at St Peters Anglican Church, Dundas St, Whitianga. $2 donation (to cover cost
of room rent). We promote a slow, steady weight loss based on eating well, nourishing foods and moving more towards maintaining our our ideal weight and optimal health. New members always welcome.
Whitianga Senior Citizens Club
Meet Mondays in the Whitianga Town Hall, 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bowls, scrabble, card games, housie etc. Afternoon tea,
55 plus age group. Lance Hayson (president) on 866 5817.
Road Cycling and Mountain Biking
Road cycling meet every Saturday at 8:00am at the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information. Mountain biking meet every Tuesday at 5:15pm and every Saturday at 7:30am at
the Fire Station intersection, Whitianga. Phone Paul on 021 605 230 for more information.
Social Cycling Group
Meet every Sunday at Taylor’s Mistake, Whitianga. Short 45 minute cycle and coffee. Phone Bryan on
022 155 8944 for more information.
Mercury Bay Indoor Bowling Club
Thursday evenings at 6:45pm in the Whitianga Town Hall. New members and visitors welcome. Just come along or phone
Doreen on (07) 866 5237 or Alan on (07) 866 4024 for more information.
SeniorNet Whitianga Incorporated
Classes held on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at various times. We give older adults an opportunity to demistify their
computers and to learn more about new communications and information technology. Contact Lorna Russell on 866
4215 for more information or to join.
Whitianga Probus Club
Meet on the fourth Monday of every month at the Mercury Bay Bowling Club, 92 Cook Drive, Whitianga. Friendly club for
seniors. Visitors welcome. Phone Des Robinson on (07) 866 0960 for more information.
Social Darts
Every Tuesday at 7:30pm at the Mercury Bay Club. Contact Pauline Curtain at [email protected] for
more information.
Mercury Bay Table Tennis
Every Tuesday 9:30am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Pat or Neville on 867 1447 for more
information.
Mercury Bay Badminton
Every Wednesday 9:30am - 11:00am at the Whitianga Town Hall. All welcome. Phone Diane on 027 246 1915 for more
information.
Bridge Clubs
Mercury Bay Contract Bridge Club meets every Wednesday. Hahei Bridge Club meets every Tuesday. Phone Anne Knowles
on 866 5686 for more information.
St John Cadets
Meet every Monday from 6:30pm - 7:30pm at the St John Ambulance Station, Cook Drive, Whitianga. Phone Beth on
(07) 869 5294 or (021) 241 9757 for more information.
Free Anger Management Counselling Sessions
For men - Every Wednesday afternoon. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more information.
For women - Every Tuesday morning. Phone Whitianga Social Services on 866 4476 for more information.
Mercury Bay Creative Fibre Group
Spinning, weaving, dyeing, everything to do with fibre. Meet the first and third Wednesday of every month from
10:00am - 2:00pm at the Whitianga Town Hall. Phone Betty on 867 1233 for more information.
Operation Cover-Up
Meet the last Wednesday of every month at Whitianga Social Services from 1:30pm - 3:30pm. An initiative knitting
clothing for Missions without Borders in the Ukraine and Moldova. Phone Brenda on 866 5814 for more information.
Whitianga Social Services Youth Space
Corner of Bryce Street and Cook Drive, Whitianga. Open Wednesday - Fridays after school. Phone 866 4476 for more
information.
Whitianga Art Group
Meet every Thursday and Friday at the Art Centre in School Road, Whitianga. New members welcome.
Phone Rose on 022 139 2968 or Maryanne on 866 4099 for more information.
Lioness Club of Mercury Bay Quiz Nights
Wednesday evenings 19 and 26 August and 2 and 9 September. Entry fee $25 per evening per team of five.
Raffles, spot prizes and winning team prizes every night. Trophy for overall winning team. Final night dress
theme - “Shipwrecked.” Entry forms available at Mosaic, 53 Albert Street Whitianga or contact Chrissy on 866 4476 or
866 0117. Registration closes 12 August. Entries limited to the first 20 teams.
Weekly Church Services
Mercury Bay Co-operating Parish
St Andrews by the Sea Community Church, 9:30am every Sunday worship service and kids friendly Bible sessions with
Rev Mary Petersen, Albert St, Whitianga.
Anglican Services
St Peter the Fisherman, 9:30am Sunday services. All are welcome, Dundas St, Whitianga.
Crossroad Encounter Fellowship
10:00am Sundays, cnr Joan Gaskell Drive and Cook Drive, Whitianga.
St Patrick’s Catholic Church
Weekend Mass Saturday 5:30pm and Sunday 8.30am, Monday - Friday 9:00am (except Tuesday no Mass, Wednesday
12:00 noon). Tairua Sunday 10:30am, Tuesday 9:00am, tel 866 2189.
Whitianga Baptist Church
10:00am every Sunday, children’s programme, 112 Cook Drive, Whitianga, tel
866 4027.
C3 Whitianga
10:30am every Sunday, children’s programme, 23 Coghill St, Whitianga,
email [email protected].
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons)
Meet on Sundays 10:00am - 11:30am at the Whitianga Town Hall.
Children’s programme. Phone 021 277 2126 for more information.
Seventh Day Adventists
Home study group. Phone Laurie/Lois on 866 2808 for more information.
Penny University kicks off
To the Editor
See page 2 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions
Dear Editor - St Andrews Community Meals
Thank you for your article “Locals supporting locals” in last week’s Informer. Also thank
you for your very generous donation to the St Andrews Community Meals last week. It has
prompted me to say “thank you” to the people of Mercury Bay for their generous support of
the Community Meals.
Since the Monday meals started in 2014, this programme has proved to be completely selffunding, thanks to the overwhelming support of our caring community and churches.
I took a year off in 2014 and when I returned as Parish Secretary, my first thought was,
“This might be God’s work, but can the Parish afford it?” A faithless question that was
soon quashed!
The unstinting gifts of food, money and volunteer help has meant that neither the St Andrew’s
congregation, nor the Church Op-Shop are called upon to contribute to this very worthwhile
programme. It stands alone, not only financially, but in its unique ability to respond to all those
in our community who, for whatever reason, find themselves in difficult circumstances.
Thank you, Mercury Bay!
Dorothy Preece
Mercury Bay Co-operating Parish Secretary, Whitianga
Dear Editor - Rat Populations and 1080
The Department of Conservation is using 1080 against rats, but applications of 1080 simply
increase rat populations, which it does very quickly.
In 2013 DOC sprayed 1080 all over Moehau mountain west and south of Stony Bay. A year
later the rat population has exploded and now DOC are spreading more rat poison over the
same area south of Stony Bay.
The 1080 in 2013 has created the "need" for more rat poison a year later.
The more rat poison you use the more you need to use.
Whenuakite now gets doses of 1080 at intervals of less than five years.
After any distribution of rat poison, the by-kill species usually require at least five years of
no poison in order to recuperate. Rats recoup more quickly.
Poisoning wild animals is only ever a very short-term remedy. Any form of wild-animal
control, if it is to be successful, has to be long-term and on-going.
We await, with patience, the time when the government turns its head toward traps and
trapping, the time when some of the enormous budget which is now spent on producing and
spreading poison products to control wild life, is given to traps and trapping.
John Veysey
Coromandel Town
The inaugural congregation of the Whitianga Penny University took place at Cafe Nina last Sunday
for a sharing of thoughts, opinions and ideas covering a wide range of topics - from population
growth, opportunities or barriers to employment, infrastructure issues such as ultra-fast broadband,
road accessibility and air connections to medical facilities, retail developments/proposals and the
long-anticipated town upgrade.
Out of this came a consensus that people are keen to be involved in decisions around the town upgrade.
With the current development of an arts strategy for the Thames Coromandel District, it raises, among
other things, the potential for public art - sculptures and a design which could form greater connections
to the coast, the greater Mercury Bay area and surrounding islands.
“Research suggests that if people feel connected to a place, they are more likely to have good social
relations, sense of community and community engagement,” says Stella Pennell, who’s responsible for
introducing the Penny University idea in Whitianga from one originally conceived in mid 17th century
English coffee shops.
“The increased visitor numbers or increased visits by holiday home owners contribute to the economic
growth of the Mercury Bay area and tourism by its very nature stands or falls on an attractive
environment that people want to experience.”
Stella has developed a website, http://mypennyuniversity.weebly.com/forum, and invites contributions
to a forum created on the site. The next Penny University will take place on 6 September at Cafe Nina.
All are welcome.
Pictured are some of the Mercury Bay locals who attended the first Penny University last Sunday.
Clockwise from the left - Stella Pennell, Lynda Campbell, Derek Campbell, Mark Pennell, Terri Lipanovic,
Grant Vaughan, Peter Hull, Len Salt (behind Peter), Svargo, Kevin Pringle and Sandi Lowe.
P: 07 866 5787
F: 07 866 5780
M: 0274 521 298
[email protected]
Ph 07 866 0937
MERV GEORGE Plumbing
& Drainage Ltd
“Do it by George and you’ll be right”
Mob 021 063 8367
•
•
•
•
PO Box 74 Whitianga
Page 19
Road Crash Rescue team The Cave in new hands
back from Alice Springs
The Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade Road Crash Rescue team is back from Alice Springs in Australia
where they competed in the Australasian Road Rescue Challenge the weekend before last.
Teams from Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong participated in the challenge and the Whitianga team
placed in the top ten in a number of the exercises they had to complete.
Team leader Roly Chaney (also Deputy Chief Fire Officer of the Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade) says the
team, who self-funded to participate in the challenge, had to make one change from the team that won the
Auckland Provincial Challenge earlier this year and with a lack of vehicles to train with, they are pleased
with what they have achieved.
The Whitianga Road Crash Rescue team has now competed at the Australasian Challenge in every state
and territory in Australia and also twice in New Zealand.
Kelvin “Fingers” Spence retired from the team after the challenge in Alice Springs. “Fingers joined the
Whitianga Road Crash Rescue team in 2003 and is very experienced. Fortunately he’ll remain involved as
a team coach in the future,” Roly says.
The team would like to thank Yuasa Batteries for sponsoring them and the rest of the Whitianga Volunteer
Fire Brigade for allowing them to attend the challenge.
Pictured are the team members during the challenge in Alice Springs. Back - Kelvin “Fingers” Spence.
Middle, from left to right - Dallas Martin, Julian Lee, Max Day and Roly Chaney. Front - team coach Grassy
Mangin (left) and Spida Mangin.
Rolla-Tilta-Sectional
and custom made doors
Garages
Automatic Openers
Houses
We service all
makes and models
5 Year warranty on all
new doors and openers
One of Whitianga’s iconic retail outlets, The Cave, has a new owner.
Almost eighteen years after being created by Rob and Karen Reilly, the business in Monk
Street is now in the experienced hands of another well-known Whitianga local.
Nina Hammond, the original founder of Cafe Nina in Victoria Street almost 20 years ago,
and her sister Anna have teamed up to buy the business.
Nina says that they have no plans to change a successful format at The Cave. “We plan to
continue operating the business pretty much as it is. Although one area I want to promote a
bit more is local artwork. There are lots of talented sculptors and artists in Mercury Bay and
if we can showcase more of their work, then it’s something I’m keen to do.
“We will carry on with the musical instruments and accessories that is stocked by the
business and we’ll continue to offer watch straps and repairs. We’ll also continue to offer
clothing repairs and alterations as well as a range of second-hand books. We’ll certainly
make sure our eclectic mix of retail and services will remain a popular destination for locals
and visitors alike.”
Willis Electrical
Electrical installations and
maintenance
Sleepouts
Your design or ours
Licensed building practitioners
All concrete work
DOMESTIC | COMMERCIAL | INDUSTRIAL
Paul Willis
Registered Electrician
Ph 07 866 5544 or 027 493 2691 71a Cook Drive, Whitianga
www.hoylandcontracting.co.nz
Page 20
Phone: 07 866 2413
Mobile: 027 404 8941
E: [email protected]
W: www.williselectrical.co.nz
Whitianga Marina Society support for
MBAS Marine Academy
The Whitianga Marina Society has developed over time a
keen interest in the Mercury Area School Marine Academy,
especially how the society and its members can help students to use
the skills they have learned at the academy when they leave school.
“We wondered if the academy wanted to connect its diving
training to a science-based program as well,” says Darryl Smith,
manager of the Whitianga Marina.
“A major problem in New Zealand at present is the continuing
introduction of marine pests being brought to our shores mainly
in ship ballast water and then transferred around the country by
unsuspecting vessels.
“The Marina Society has decided to offer an opportunity for students
to use their diving skills within the marina to identify fish and
plant species growing within the marina. They will have the help
of Waikato University to identify and track plant growth and fish
stocks, do sediment testing and formulate over time a detailed
picture of what is happening in the marina environment.
“We are hoping that in time some students may go on to use this
experience in Marine Biology studies at university.”
The Marina Society donated on Friday last week $5,000 to the
Marine Academy to acquire some of the equipment needed to kick
start the initiative.
“We see this as a long term arrangement between the school,
the university and us,” says Darryl.
Present when the donation was made were, (back) from left
to right - Darrell Bird (owner of Dive Zone Whitianga and
Marine Academy coordinator), Brian Parker (chairman of the
Whitianga Marina Society), Mike Smith (MBAS deputy principal),
Aimee Vincent (MBAS student), Takashi Sato (MBAS student),
Leene Timmermann (MBAS student), Glennis Drane (Marine
Academy tutor) and Ryan Hansen (Marine Academy tutor)
and (front) from left to right - Connor Rankin (MBAS student),
Johan Kregting (MBAS student) and Treena Bellamy (MBAS student).
PENINSULA
NAIL GUN
SERVICING
Ph Ian Sloane
866 4235
027 7263 797
Page 21
Catherine’s Column
UK Style Crossword
Catherine Delahunty - Green Party MP
© Lovatts Puzzles
The TPPA and you
UK Puzzle 648
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Win a $6 Big Wednesday ticket. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to
The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
[email protected] to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
his/her prize from the New World check out manager directly before the Wednesday of the week
following the issue in which he/she was announced the winner.
ACROSS
1
5
7
8
9
12
15
19
21
22
23
24
DOWN
Holds spellbound
Arm or leg
Hop-drying kiln
Dormant
Punctuation mark
Nastiest
Illegal hunter
Symbols
Christmas season
Hand rest
Regrets
Water outlets
1
2
3
4
5
6
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Geological time units
Tether
Foreign
Basic dietary item
Soothing cream
Chest
Defendant's statement
For ... & every
Spoil
Lowest female voice
Otherwise, or ...
Sports participant
Cringes
Improve
Bible songs
Twill weave
Buddhist fate
The Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement
negotiations have stalled again, sadly it’s
not over.
What's the big deal you might ask?
Why not trust the government?
It's important to know that the government
has kept the deal secret and not chosen
to tell us that it’s not really a trade deal,
it’s primarily about opening up economies
to global corporate investment.
Opponents have been worried about the
risk to the Pharmac affordable medicines
model we enjoy in this country and now,
despite endless assurances, the government
concedes the medicines are at risk.
They keep saying medicines won't cost us
more, but if Pharmac has to pay more for
new medicines, guess who will have the
cost passed on to them? And that is just the
beginning of the risks to our well-being
and sovereignty contained in the deal that
is being thrashed out as I write.
All this is supposedly in exchange
for access for our agricultural products.
However, at the eleventh hour it seems the
deal is not going to open up these markets.
What a surprise! It was never going to
happen, but the TPPA was sold as the
magic bullet for our trade overseas.
Critically, the government did not tell the
public about the rules in this deal which
will allow corporates to sue governments
if they think they are being disadvantaged
in terms of expectations as well
actual contracts.
The Hauraki/Coromandel needs to wake
up to the risk of foreign mining companies
suing our government if we block their
plans. This is happening right now to the
government of El Salvador who are being
sued in a trade court by Oceana Gold,
new owners of the Waihi Mine.
If Oceana wins and the TPPA goes
ahead, we have double the trouble as we
act to protect our homes and environment.
Right now the Australian government
is fighting off a long term legal challenge
from the tobacco company Phillip Morris
because of an investment agreement.
Phillip Morris is suing for attempting to
put plain packaging on tobacco products.
The cases are costing millions. This is the
cost of “free trade.”
Some real leaders have stepped up to take
claims against the TPPA to the Waitangi
Tribunal and the High Court. They are
acting on your behalf for your future.
We all need to support these challenges,
because it’s not over until we have a
government committed to transparency
and fair trade!
ECO PLUMBING &
HEATING SOLUTIONS
Ph ROSS
027 444 7667
07 866 3374
[email protected]
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - Bill Jackson
Page 22
Native flora and fauna flourishing in
Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group area
An intensive listening survey for Coromandel
Brown Kiwi within the area the Whenuakite
Kiwi Care Group operates in, detected at least
150 kiwi between 17 April and 28 May this
year. Of these, 93 birds were male and 57 were
female and when factors such as non-detection
and habitat not sampled are accounted for,
it is estimated that 112 pairs plus juveniles are
in the area.
This is the fourth survey in the area, carried
out by the same independent contractor Patrick Stewart from Red Admiral Ecology
and his team. The results indicate a 13 per cent
per year increase in the Coromandel Brown
Kiwi population since the first survey in 2001,
when 29 birds - 16 males and 13 females were detected. Density is estimated to have
increased four-fold from one pair per 102ha in
2001 to one pair per 24ha in 2015.
The Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group is
delighted with the results. “The result is a
real tribute to our volunteers who each month
contribute about 120 hours of time, checking
521 traps over more than 100km of trapline,”
says Arthur Hinds, chairman of the group.
“We are proud of what we have achieved,
as not only have our kiwi numbers increased,
but every species of native bird in the area has
increased.”
The Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group operates
in an area from Hot Water Beach in the
north, to Ocean Beach Road, Tairua in the
south, with SH25 as the Western Boundary.
The area is the southernmost stronghold of the
Coromandel Brown Kiwi on the east coast of
the Coromandel Peninsula. Within the area is
the largest area of protected lowland coastal
forest on the East Coast of the North Island.
Since 2001, the area has been intensively
Part of the Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group area at Sailor’s Grave between Hot Water Beach and Tairua.
trapped, targeting all species of introduced
predators, possums, mustelids, rats and
feral cats.
Dogs are not permitted on the private
land in the north of the area and no hunting
permits have been issued for the Department
of Conservation-owned land at Whenuakite
since 2011. Despite this, dogs still remain the
biggest threat that adult kiwi face and of the
seven kiwi found dead since 2001, five were
killed by dogs (one was run over by a vehicle
and the other is suspected to have died of
old age).
Possums are present in the area, but in
relatively low numbers since 2000 and are
controlled by aerial 1080 (primarily targeting
rats) every two to four years. “This has
the added advantage of removing trap-shy
stoats and feral cats as a result of secondary
poisoning from the targeted rats,” says Arthur.
“It’s been a real learning curve for us as it
wasn’t until a year after the first 1080 drop that
we noticed a large increase in bird life and we
realised that rats were having a massive impact
in our forest. Just removing them through the
nesting period gives the birds the break they
need and we see the results on a daily basis.
“The larger forest birds - kereru, kaka and
tui - are present in ever-increasing numbers
and tomtits are now spotted on a regular basis,
having not previously been present.
“As to the future, funding will always be an
issue, but with support from DOC and other
organisations, the native species in the area the
Whenuakite Kiwi Care Group operates in will
continue to flourish.”
Page 23
3
5
1 49
7
8
6
2
Fishing Report With Alan Proctor
Sudoku
Sponsored by H&M Pascoe Tel 0274 852 046
Sudoku Puzzle 648
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Fill in the boxes using the numbers 1 to 9. Every row and column, and every group of nine boxes
inside the thick lines, must contain each number only once. Deliver or mail or scan and email
your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga
or [email protected] to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The weekly prize is one
free DVD rental from Civic Video, Whitianga. The winner must please claim his/her prize from Civic
Video directly.
The middle of winter is another busy time at
the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club as we
work through much of our administration and
prepare for our AGM and prize-giving in midSeptember. All of last season’s winners are
being encouraged to bring back the trophies
they took home last year and we are in the
process of working out this year’s winners of
over 50 cups and trophies.
Our AGM is timed to be very close to the
New Zealand Sport Fishing Council (NZSFC)
AGM (to whom we are affiliated) and many
of our members will be recipients of national
certificates and awards as a result of the
success they enjoyed over the last season.
The yearbooks for our club and the national
body are being compiled right now and these
will incorporate all the updated records and
any information about other meritorious
catches. With such good fishing grounds
right on our doorstep, our members feature
regularly in the NZSFC publication.
Whilst preparing our accounts for the
AGM, it is appropriate to reflect on the
previous year with a view to expanding on the
positives and addressing any areas that require
improvement. Like many other businesses in
the hospitality trade, changes to the drinkdriving limit introduced late last year have had
an impact on patronage. We have responded
by having a much higher focus on meals
and as well as tweaking the odd menu item,
we have introduced two specialised meal
nights that are proving particularly successful.
Every Wednesday we have our $10 roast
night. The type of meat changes from week
to week, but in recent months we have
been rotating pork, beef and lamb shanks.
On Sundays we have our $10 smorgasbord
night at which we normally have about five
dishes to choose from (or a little of each!)
as well as salads, potatoes and rice.
Our club night on Thursdays is still our
busiest night with the focus on having a bit
of fun.
The club has also recently purchased a
vehicle for the purpose of introducing a
courtesy vehicle. The idea is to be able to
transport our members to and from the club
rooms without them having to think about
getting behind the wheel if they have had a
couple of drinks.
While the tournament committee is
working on organising next year’s fishing
contests during which hundreds of thousands
of dollars’ worth of prizes will be dished
out, others are doing their best to ensure our
members get the best value for money they
possibly can throughout the whole year.
If you are interested in having a look at
what is going on in our club at any time,
come in and make yourself known to our
staff. If you like what you see, we welcome
new members. All 2,000 current members are
in the weekly
draw that will
jackpot to its
“must win” total
of $1,800 in just
a few weeks.
Tight Lines,
Alan
Last week’s solution
Last week’s winner - John Twemlow
Mobility equipment available for locals or visitors.
Walking frames, crutches, walking sticks and mobility scooters
Phone Roger on 07 867 1986 for more information
Page 24
Rescue Helicopter Update
With with Walter Russell QSM JP - Chairman of the Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Trust
A busy July indeed with more than 20
missions to the Peninsula for a wide range
of reasons.
We are happy to report that the GPS
approach system to be installed at Pauanui
and Tairua has been written and shortly flight
testing with the Civil Aviation Authority
will begin.
After testing, the program is sent to the
USA to be formatted before installation.
Through the wonderful community
spirit of the locals of Pauanui and Tairua,
the $20,000 needed for this project was raised
in a heartbeat, for the benefit of all.
When this project is finished, we hope to do
the same at Whangamata and slowly as funds
allow, we will move around the Peninsula establishing GPS approach systems.
A very good example of the GPS system
working was at 2:45am last Tuesday morning
when it was very wet and the visibility was
poor, however the helicopter came straight
into Whitianga unchallenged.
Shortly you will see a fundraising drive on
the Peninsula, which is very much needed
to keep the helicopters and crew in the air.
It’s quite amazing that when you talk to
friends - there will always be somebody who
unfortunately had a ride for different medical
reasons in one of our helicopters.
As always you are most welcome to contact
us anytime, phone 866 5032, PO Box 227
Whitianga and email [email protected].
Until next month - take care and enjoy
life safely.
Auckland and Coromandel Rescue Helicopter Missions from 27 June to 26 July 2015
27.06.15 Whitianga - Responded to Whitianga for a female patient in her 40s suffering a medical condition.
She was transported to WBH in a moderate condition.
28.06.15 Coromandel - Responded to Coromandel for a male patient in his 50s suffering a medical condition.
He was transported to Thames Hospital in a moderate condition.
28.06.15Whitianga - Responded to Whitianga for a female patient in her 40s suffering a medical condition.
She was transported to WBH in a serious condition.
28.06.15Coromandel - Responded to Coromandel for a male patient in his 50s suffering a medical condition.
He was transported to the Thames Hospital in a moderate condition.
05.07.15Whangamata - Responded to Whangamata for a male child suffering a medical condition. He was
transported to WBH in a serious condition.
05.07.15 Whitianga - Responded to Whitianga for a male patient suffering an injury. He was transported to WBH.
11.07.15 Coromandel - Responded to Coromandel for a female patient in her 40s suffering a medical condition.
She was transported to WBH in a serious condition.
13.07.15 Coromandel - Responded to Coromandel Airfield for a female patient in her 80s suffering injuries after
a fall. She was transported to WBH in a serious condition.
16.07.15 Pauanui - Responded to Pauanui for a male patient in his 70s suffering a medical condition. He was
transported to WBH in a moderate condition.
17.07.15 Coromandel - Responded to Coromandel Airfield for a male patient in his 60s suffering a medical
condition. He was transported to WBH in a critical condition.
18.07.15 Paeroa - Responded to Paeroa for a female patient in her teens suffering injuries after a 4wd accident.
She was transported to ACH in a serious condition.
19.07.15 Whangamata - Responded to Whangamata for a male patient in his 50s suffering a medical condition.
Unfortunately the patient passed away at the scene.
condition. He was transported to WBH in a serious condition.
24.07.15 Tairua - Responded to Tairua for a male patient in his 60s suffering a medical condition. He was
24.07.15Whitianga - Responded to Whitianga for a female patient in her 70s suffering a medical condition.
She was transported to ACH in a moderate condition.
25.07.15 Coroglen - Responded to Coroglen for a male patient in his 50s suffering a medical condition. He was
transported to MMH in a moderate condition.
25.07.15 Whangamata - Responded to Whangamata for a male patient in his 60s suffering a medical condition.
He was transported to NSH in a serious condition.
25.07.15 Whangamata - Responded to Whangamata for a female patient in her 60s suffering a medical
condition. She was transported to WBH in a critical condition.
26.07.15 Whangamata - Responded to Whangamata for a male child suffering a medical condition. He was
condition. Due to weather conditions he was transported to ACH in a serious condition.
Pre purchase home inspections
Over 25 years experience
in the building trade
Page 25
Everyman Cryptic Crossword
© The Observer
New Puzzle! New Puzzle! New Puzzle!
Observer Puzzle 648
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Go in the draw to win a package of Mercury Bay delights (including restaurant, cafe and attraction
vouchers). Hand deliver or mail or scan and email your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer,
14 Monk Street, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or [email protected] to reach us by
6:00pm Monday each week. The winner will be drawn in July 2016 and will be notified by phone.
No correspondence will be entered into once the winner has been notified. Conditions apply.
NZ
NZ WIDE REMOVALS
Local & NZ Wide
furniture movers
• 7 Day Service
• Weekly runs to
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• Free Quotes
• Friendly & Reliable
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Phone Josh
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www.nzmoveit.co.nz
Across
1 Bankrupt regretted embracing hollow
illusion (6)
4 Material in article pinched by humorous
writer (7)
9 New set primed for paint (9)
10 Dance in uncertain state (5)
11 Captured period, retaining look in
old-fashioned cinema (11)
14 Run into great area of land (4)
15 Dramatic rendition of choir isn’t
entertaining one (10)
17 Guarantee fuel, securing litre
subsequently (10)
18 Speaker’s solitary advance (4)
20 Betray twenty in style of
ancient Rome? (6-5)
23 Engineers joining line in
charge for survival (5)
24 Proper uncertainty reflected
in gambling (9)
25 Mark for each escape (7)
26 Superior ordered no rise (6)
Down
1 Sadly cry and end up without power,
showing uselessness (10)
2 Home and dry, you finally rest safely?
On the contrary (10)
3 Team taking part in cruel event (6)
4 Flair the angler wildly exaggerated (6,4,4)
5 Opponent among last struggling for lost
land (8)
6 Be busy, quietly coming to prominence (4)
7 Rip off piece starting in corner (4)
8 Counterpart to pope is afflicted with
senseless hesitation (8,6)
12 Motion in an old car showing advancing
age (4,6)
13 Using garlic in a stew, left out sweet
powder (5,5)
16 Hamper with help I cover (8)
19 Tool chest rattled, holding unknown
quantity (6)
21 Flower heads for instance rich in scent (4)
22 Fold, lacking time for appeal (4)
Carpet
Cleaning
Solution of last week’s New York Times Sunday crossword
Charlie Lodge
& Restoration
Residential Commercial Industrial
Carpet Cleaning & Restoration - Marine Carpet & Upholstery
Upholstery Cleaning - Stain Removal - Rug Cleaning
Vinyl Floor Restoration - Spot Dyeing - Odour Control
All work undertaken will be to the AS/NZ Standard
Institute of Inspection Cleaning
And Restoration Certification
T: 07 866 0075 M: 027 2806374
Page 26
Win two tickets to the
Whitianga Summer Concert
We have two tickets to the Whitianga Summer Concert on 31 January 2016 featuring Melissa Etheridge, REO Speedwagon and Huey Lewis and the News - to give away.
To go in the draw to win the tickets, simply answer the following question Where in Whitianga will the Summer Concert be held? Tip - the above photo may be of help...
Your answer must be in writing (mail, email, hand delivered, Facebook or Twitter) and must
reach us no later than 5:00pm on Wednesday 12 August. Your name, physical or email
address and telephone number must accompany your entry. We will not engage in any
correspondence or other form of communication once the winner has been announced.
Good luck!
Working bee at old
Coroglen saleyards
Staff of Thames Coromandel District Council’s Mercury Bay Area Office, members of the Mercury
Bay Community Board and Coroglen locals joined forces on Thursday and Friday last week in a
working bee at the old Coroglen saleyards.
Over the two days the toilet block at the saleyards was painted and some minor landscaping work
was done. The Mercury Bay Community Board made $10,000 available out of its discretionary fund
for upgrading of the buildings at the saleyards.
Pictured are some of the people who helped out during the working bee. From left to right Guy Banhidi (Coroglen resident), Councillor Tony Fox (Mercury Bay Community Board member),
Scott Farrell (TCDC Parks and Reserves Manager), Sam Marshall (TCDC Area Manager) and
Andrew Scobie (TCDC Project Engineer).
Brain Teaser - Binary Puzzle
© Lovatts Puzzles
New Puzzle! New Puzzle! New Puzzle! New Puzzle! New Puzzle! New Puzzle! New Puzzle!
Brain Teaser Puzzle 648
Win a coffee and a muffin from Espy Cafe in Whitianga. Hand deliver or mail or scan and email
your entry to The Mercury Bay Informer, 14 Monk St, Whitianga or PO Box 426, Whitianga or
[email protected] to reach us by 6:00pm Monday each week. The winner must please claim
his/her prize from Espy Cafe directly before the Wednesday of the week following the issue in which
he/she was announced the winner.
Name: __________________________________________________________________
Tel no: __________________________________________________________________
Every week this space will be occupied with our new brain teaser puzzle.
The puzzles will vary between letters and words and numbers and logic.
Clear instructions will accompany every week’s puzzle.
The solution of the previous week’s puzzle will be published next to every
week’s brain teaser.
This week’s brain teaser is a binary puzzle.
Binary Puzzle Instructions 1 Each square in the puzzle may contain either 0 or 1
2 No more than two adjacent squares may contain the same digit, ie you cannot have three adjacent squares in a row or column of the same digit.
3 Each row and each column must contain the same number of 0s and 1s, eg for a 10x10 grid, each row and column will contain five 0s and Five 1s.
4 No row may be the same as another row and no column may be the same as another column. However, a row may be the same as
a column.
Page 27
Sport Results
MERCURY BAY JUNIOR RUGBY
Saturday 1 August
9th Grade Gold - We played against Whangamata at
Lyon Park in the semi-final. Whangamata has improved
immensely over the season and started off strong.
Our boys played a good attacking game, with some quick
ball handling skills, setting their team mates up for some
good runs to the try line. We kept Whangamata in their
own half for much of the first half of the match.
The second half saw the opposition break through our
defence, resulting in four tries. However, we kept the
pressure on and this reflected in the final score which
was 60-20 to us.
Player of the Day was Zach Sloss. Crunchie Tackler of the
Day went to Quinn McCleery.
A huge thank you to the awesome support we received
from our fellow club members, coaches and parents.
Three of our junior teams are going through to the finals
in Te Aroha this coming Saturday, so well done and good
luck to everyone! Well done to the 7th Grade team who
made it to the semi-final. Mercury Bay Junior Rugby is
strong and is something that all who are involved in are
very proud of. Go the Bay!
9th Grade Black - The team played Thames again this
week, at home at Lyon Park in Whitianga. Thames played
a lot harder this week, with it being the semi-finals.
Mercury Bay came back stronger in the second half,
though, and took out the win, 35-5.
The boys are through to the finals and will play
this coming weekend in Te Aroha. Go hard boys!
Thames choose Ivan Adams as Best and Fairest Player
this week. He had a really strong game, putting up some
awesome defence as well as a great try. Mark Rowland
got Player of the Day for his efforts, not only on the day,
but throughout the season and Tyler Ray got Tackler of
the Day for a great effort every week with his tackling, he
did some of his best this week.
Thanks to Anchor Milk for the sponsorship of the
Calci Yums and Countdown for the half time
oranges each week.
8th Grade - This week was semi-final rugby in Thames.
With two good practices and some senior rugby
motivation, our boys went over the hill with some belief.
The fowards started well and muscled over for a try
to Quinn Smith in the first five minutes. This stunned
Thames who fought back for the rest of the half,
but some determined defence from our boys kept
them scoreless.
The second half saw some brilliant running from our
backs and a determined Colville Green crossing the line
to make it 10-0. Thames scored soon after, but time ran
out and a 10-5 win will see us in the final next week.
Good luck boys.
Player of the Day was Jakub Markowski, Tackler of the
Day - Mason Norgrove and Best and Fairest Player was
Taylor Wolburg.
5th Grade - The team travelled to Whangamata to play
their semi-final game. Hoping this wouldn’t be their
last, they played hard and to the best of their abilities.
Unfortunately Whangamata hit them harder and came
away with the win.
The Best and Fairest Player Award for our team went
to Carter Hodge. The Crunchie Tackler Award went to
Kieren McLean. Whangamata chose Troy Bernhard for
their Player of The Day.
So, on this last note a big thank you goes out to all the
dedicated parents who transported these budding and
enthusiastic young players every weekend over the hill
to their games. A huge thanks to Hodgey and Dougie for
your dedication and expertise, coaching every Tuesday
and Thursday night, and Amy for emailing and organising
where everyone needed to be each week. It’s been
a great season boys and you should be very proud of
yourselves for getting to the semis.
MERCURY BAY SECONDARY SCHOOL RUGBY
Saturday 1 August
4th Grade - It was a chilly start to our day and a long
trip over the hill to Waitakaruru to play against Hauraki in
our last pool game of the season.
We started the game well with good ball retention
and good field position. Some outstanding play from
Daniel Cunningham secured great ball for Mercury Bay.
Our forwards were doing a lot of hard work up front,
but unfortunately our backs could not hang on to the ball.
With a few mistakes from Mercury Bay and some quick
pick-ups from Hauraki, we saw them run to the other end
of the field to score under the posts. This gave Hauraki
the boost they needed and managed to break through
our line on several occasions to go to the break 17-0.
Mercury Bay came back fighting in the second half and
held the ball for the majority of the half. Excellent tackling
by both Emma O’Brien and Casey King saw Hauraki drop
a few balls and allowed us to gain some good ground.
However, we could not quite get over the try line,
finishing the game 27-0 to Hauraki.
Player of the Day - Emma O’Brien, Achievement Award
- Daniel Cunningham, Tackle of the Day - Casey King,
with club points going to Antonio Anderson,
Khan Simpson and Liam McQueen.
We would like to say a big thank you to all the parents
for the support and travel during the season. Well done to
our boys on a great season.
MBAS First XV - The First XV had an away game this
week, playing Hauraki Plains College. The boys had a
big ask as Hauraki Plains is one of the top teams in the
competition.
The Mercury Bay Junior Rugby 8th Grade team and their coaches after their
semi-final win against Thames last Saturday.
(Continued on page 31)
Thumbs
Up
To the Mercury
Bay Area school
ukulele group for
returning to The Lost Spring
and repeating a performance
after it became known that
some people missed their
performance the first time
around.
Peninsula Home Kills
SERVING THE WHOLE PENINSULA - 2011
Processing beef, sheep,
pigs & all game
Top quality
sausages, bacon,
ham & salami
g
Knife sharpenin
.
service available
Phone Nick Burcombe
866 3970 or 021 2125 260
21 Rangihau Road, Coroglen
Page 28
Timber & Cork Floor
Installation
Polyurethane
coating & colouring
Call
chris mcKibbin
M: 021 046 7169
www.mercurybayfloorsanders.co.nz
The Fire Alarm with SSO Derek Collier
Sponsored by Safety Safety + Apparel Tel 0800 726 726
Once again only six calls for assistance
from the Whitianga Volunteer Fire Brigade
in July and thankfully no one hurt in any of
those calls.
We were called to assist Coromandel twice,
but they had things in hand and we came
home. We were called to investigate fire
alarms sounding on two occasions at private
properties and in both cases found nothing.
During windy conditions we were called
to clear a tree that had fallen and blocked
the road.
We also had a call to a fire that turned out
to be a controlled burn, but was unpermitted.
All open outdoor fire require a fire permit,
these are available from the local council and
are free. Permits outline the conditions under
which you can light a fire and suggest controls
you should have in place. If you light a fire
without a fire permit, you can run the risk of
be prosecuted. As they say it's better to be safe
than sorry.
Remember if you can't be
good, at least be careful.
Senior Station Officer
Derek Collier
Police Report
With Sergeant Andrew Morrison
Monday 27 July to Monday 3 August 2015
GENERAL
An unlicensed 17 year old driver who crashed
on Racecourse Road on the 28th was very
lucky not to have seriously injured himself,
his passenger or a member of the public when he
crashed the utility he was driving into a fence.
At his age his alcohol limit for driving is zero
and he recorded 759 micrograms of alcohol per
litre of breath.
Please plan your night out so that drinking
and driving is not an option.
This young person will have an Excess
Breath Alcohol conviction recorded against his
name, he will be disqualified for a number of
months and fined for his actions. He will also
receive an Infringement Notice for driving
while unlicensed and be forbidden from driving.
Thankfully no one was injured or worse.
Please encourage family, friends and anyone
else you see considering driving drunk, not to
drive as you may save someone's life.
ARRESTS
No arrests this week.
OCCURRENCES
No domestic incidents attended this week.
On the 27th we dealt with a breach of bail
incident on Albert Street and our enquiries are
continuing.
A wallet was found missing from an unlocked
car at the Cathedral Cove car park on the 2nd
and it is suspected to have been stolen. Please
lock your valuables away out of sight if leaving
them in your car or keep them with you.
TRAFFIC
Please remember that if your car's warrant of
fitness expires and it fails the warrant of fitness
check, you can't just keep driving around until
you get it fixed. The 30 days on the check sheet
relates to the time you have to get the vehicle
re-checked, which is included in the initial fee.
The vehicle can only be driven to and from
a location for repairs or for the re-check and
making an appointment with the service
provider is advised to prove the reason for
your travel.
Police recommend that you renew your warrant
of fitness before it expires.
Classifieds and Public Notices
IN MEMORIAM
THANK YOU
WANTED TO BUY
TREE SERVICES
“RAELENE”
Your Mum’s there now too.
We will never stop thinking of
and loving you.
Miss you.
Sophia, Levi and Cody
SG DRIVER
Levi, Cody and Sophia would
like to say thank you to
everybody for their support
and help to farewell their dad.
Taken too soon.
GOT a DEAD or ALIVE VEHICLE
$ $ $
Free removal,
cash paid
Peninsula wide
TREE SERVICE
Any tree work at all.
Free quotes.
Phone Jeremy on
(07) 866 0118.
PUBLIC NOTICES
KUAOTUNU
VOLUNTEER RURAL FIRE FORCE
2015 Annual General Meeting
will be held at the
Kuaotunu Fire Station
on Wednesday 26 August
at 7:30pm.
Visitors Welcome.
WORK WANTED
SHOWERDOME
COROGLEN/GUMTOWN HALL
AGM
The Annual General Meeting of the
Hall is to be held on
Tuesday 18 August at 7:00pm.
All welcome to attend and help
preserve this community facility.
MERCURY BAY EVENTS
Thank you to the following sponsors of the beach dig and
polar bear swim that took place on Saturday 1 August
at Buffalo Beach, Whitianga Coromandel FM, Fun Zone, Whitianga Waterways,
The Lost Spring, Paper Plus Whitianga,
New World Whitianga and The Informer.
Thank you also to everyone who participated in the fun.
Tel (07) 869 5264 www.whitianga.co.nz
®
SUPPLY &
INSTALLER
Say goodbye to
shower steam forever.
Enjoy the benefits of a drier,
healthier home by simply
®
installing a Showerdome.
Approved installer Graham Robinson
Ph: 866 0531 or
027 246 5176.
EXPERIENCED HAMMERHAND
Own tools.
Wood machining, kitchen install,
steel fixing and slab prep,
floor sanding,
sole charge shop managing,
cash handling experience and eftpos.
Anything considered.
Phone David on 866 4174 or
(021) 258 4220.
LAWN MOWING AND
RUBBISH REMOVALS
Reliable service.
Free quotes. Great price.
Phone Rebecca
021 064 7659
or 07 867 1586.
MIKE’S MOWING
$25 empty sections, fortnightly
or monthly mowing.
Free edge spraying.
Free quotes.
Phone Mike or Deb 866 4678
or 027 320 1703.
SAWMILLING
BULLDOZER
DIGGER WORK
Call Mike 021 337 943.
CHIMNEY SWEEP
SITUATIONS VACANT
CASUAL RELIEVING POSITION
Person or couple needed for house minding cattery.
Flexible hours/days. Must be available weekends when necessary.
Paid position.
Phone 866 5631.
PART TIME VACANCY
WHITIANGA SOCIAL SERVICES - WHITIANGA YOUTH SPACE
Youth Activities and Volunteers Supervisor
20-24 hours/week with youth aged between 13-20.
Developing and producing activities programmes and overseeing
the volunteers roster.
Closing Date Friday 14 August.
For enquiries and Job Description call Jenny Wolf,
Manager 866 4476.
0800 227 3867
Clean and
efficient service.
Phone Ian now
on 866 5344.
HOUSE WASHING
Detergent Soft Wash,
Roof Clean/Treatment, Window Cleaning.
Phone Russell Short on
866 2097 or 0273 602 937.
Tricky Trees
•
•
•
•
Pruning
Felling
Stump grinding
Firewood
Call Chris
•
•
•
•
Hedge maintenance
Crown reductions
Difficult removals
Chip waste to mulch
021 240 9909
Page 29
Classifieds and Public Notices
FOR SALE
HOME BREW SUPPLIES
Right price. Nice guys.
Mercury Bay Pharmacy
GARDEN MULCHER, Masport 2.5kw
electric motor. Ph: 866 4864
Water Pump EMAIL as new - $150
Skilsaw - $35
Gas heater with bottle - $18
Phone 866 2805.
FIREWOOD
$60m³
Phone 021 543 723
CATTERIES
KRISTIN’S
BOARDING CATTERY
Vet nurse, warm, clean,
secure, outdoor run.
Phone 866 4724.
Bella Cattery
5 Golf Road, Whitianga
Hours 8am-10am and 4pm-6pm
Inspections Welcome
Phone 07 866 5631
COURIER SERVICE
ART CLASSES
DRY
FIREWOOD
Pine, Gum, Cypress.
For prices and to order go
to www.trickytrees.co.nz
or phone Chris on
021 240 9909.
BLACK LEATHER CORNER
LOUNGE SUITE WITH RECLINER
AND CHAISE LOUNGE
$1,750, as new.
Phone 866 0980 or 027 231 6633.
BEIGE/TAUPE VERY GOOD
QUALITY LEATHER CORNER SUITE
Plus separate chair and footrest.
$1,500.
Phone (021) 260 2882.
BOATS WANTED
WE NEED
YOUR BOAT NOW!!!
Quality late model trailer boats
needed for sale on behalf!
We have buyers waiting!
Call the team at Whitianga Marine
Centre today on 867 1182
or come in to 233 South Highway,
Whitianga.
TYRE SERVICES
WENDY WALLS ART CLASSES
“Give it a Go” Mixed Media 20 September
and/or
“Collage & Paint” 21 September
Email
[email protected].
TOY LIBRARY
WHITIANGA
TOY LIBRARY
Isabella Street (off Coghill St)
Open Tuesday 4pm - 5:30pm and
Friday 10am - 12.30pm.
New members welcome.
~Toys for Hire~
TO LET
MATARANGI - LONG TERM RENTAL
3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, garage.
Older style house. Brand new wood burner.
$280 per week. References essential.
Phone (07) 866 2994.
Richardsons Real Estate Licensed under the REAA 2008.
TO LET
2 BDRM APARTMENT, Hahei, for
long term rent. Stunning views, fully
furnished. $280 p/w, includes power.
Ph/txt: Paul (027) 331 5027
STORAGE SHEDS available, various sizes, reasonable rates. Dry and secure.
Free furniture trailer available - conditions apply. Ph: 07 866 5147
STORAGE SHEDS Whitianga Total Storage opposite Carters. Ph: 0800 944 660
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT & HOMES FOR RENT
“Our expertise in property management will ensure your
investment property is well looked after. You can just sit
back and relax. We also offer a selection of quality
rental homes for tenants.”
We welcome your enquiry at 7 The Esplanade (by the wharf).
CHURCH SERVICES
ANGLICAN
SERVICES
Robyn Turner 866 0098 or 027 550 0120
[email protected]
Licensed under the REAA2008
St. Peter the Fisherman
Dundas Street, Whitianga
Sunday Service: 9:30am
ALL WELCOME
HEALTH SERVICES
Enquiries Ph 869 5577
www.anglicanchurchwhitianga.co.nz
NATUROPATH
MEDICAL HERBALIST
Registered
ILLNESS can benefit from support
of plants and nutrition.
Leanne Halliwell
0274 588 626 or 07 866 5899
FOR HIRE
Peninsula Marquee
and Party Hire
VEHICLES FOR SALE
Don’t let winter put you off having
a PARTY, let us help:
Marquees, Gazebos
Patio Heaters, Fire Brazier
Tables, Bar Leaners, Chairs
Fairy Lighting and much much more.
www.partyhirewhitianga .co.nz
[email protected]
07 866 5141
Facebook: Peninsula Marquee and Party Hire
HUGE BOUNCY CASTLE,
$100 on site. FREE BBQ and
playground facilities. Ph: 866 0038,
www.combatzone.co.nz
Page 30
FOR HIRE
COSTUMES FOR HIRE
Dress-ups for all occasions.
Call Diana at
“GET FROCKED” COSTUME HIRE.
Phone 866 4334 or
027 210 7557.
08 Mitsubishi Fuso 4M/Home $84,900
08 Mitsubishi Fuso 6 berth M/Home $84,900
06 Tandem Trailer, tyre rack, winch $7,600
05 Toyota Corolla S/W, alloys, auto $5,900
03 Toyota Corolla H/B, red, 1.8 $6,900
03 Toyota Rav 4, auto, silver, towbar $9,990
02 Mazda Atenza Sport Hatch, auto $5,900
02 Toyota Corolla H/B, 5 spd, 148kms $5,900
01 Ford Courier XLX C/Cab, canopy $7,900
98 Toyota Harrier, 3.0, auto, towbar $5900
98 Mazda Demio, Auto, 5 dr, silver $3,600
93 Toyota Corolla H/B, tidy, 5 speed $2,950
19 Campbell Street, Whitianga
www.coastalautos.co.nz
Sport Results
(Continued from page 28)
The first 20 minutes the Bay team struggled to contain
the “Plains” and we were down 10 points. Slowly the Bay
closed the gap with Jayden Tegg kicking three penalties.
The halftime score was 9-10 to Hauraki Plains.
The second half saw us kicking another penalty, followed
by a great forward try by Ethan Brear. However, with five
minutes to go, the Plains’ backs and forwards linked and
passed well to score a converted try, leaving the Bay
behind on the score board.
The final score 17-20 to Hauraki Plains.
A great warm-up for both teams for the semi-finals next
Saturday. Mercury bay will play Thames this coming
weekend in the semi-finals. Go the Bay!
MERCURY BAY FOOTBALL CLUB
Saturday 1 August
11th Grade - The team played the Thames Tigers in
Thames and won 9-1 and 7-0.
Players of the day were Jakob Martin and Corey Farrell.
13th Grade – The team played the Paeroa Rangers in
Paeroa and had a win 1-0 and a loss 0-1.
Player of the Day was Kenjia Campbell.
Junior Girls - The team played Ngaruawahia and
lost 1-4.
Player of the Day was Nikita Russell.
Junior Boys - The played Hamilton Boys and drew 1-1.
Player of the Day was Tane Jones.
Senior Girls (report by Hannah Trebes) - A brilliant
sunny day resulted in a great home game for the
Bay. With the help of their sponsors Mana-Nui Motel,
Dino’s Pizza, Mercury Bay Pharmacy and the Mercury
Bay Lionesses, the Bay was prepared for an intense
game against their toughest rivals Waihi.
The Bay’s good spirits and preparedness paid off in the
first few minutes with a fast goal by Taylor Martin-Free.
Through the rest of the first half, the Bay held most of the
possession and made six shots on goal, but kept missing
or hitting the Waihi goalie and went into halftime leading
by one goal.
Eight minutes into the second half the first shot came
from Shaan Wilson, but missed again. Waihi’s first shot
came soon after, but was saved by the Bay’s brilliant
keeper Freda Ngati. This was followed by a fierce
attacking response by the Bay with shots from Ysabella
Smith, Harmony Kelsall and Shaan Wilson. Finally,
from 20 meters out, a brilliant shot by Shannon Trebes
sailed over the Waihi defenders and past their goalie.
This goal was followed by more attempts by the Bay,
but the game ended with the score 2-0 to the Bay.
Player of the Day went to Taylor Martin-Free for her
amazing fast goal and overall improvement in play and
Fair Play to little dynamo Hannah Trebes.
The team thanks Marcus Ruggle who’s given up his free
time to ref a few games for the team, plus the return
of Carl Gubb as linesman, who also helped the girls in
technical support.
MERCURY BAY NETBALL CENTRE
Saturday 1 August
Year 4-6 - Rebelz 18 v Cheeky Coro Kids 5, Aftershoxs
25 v Firecats 20, Thunderbird 16 v Firebirds 8.
Year 7-8 - Hot Shotz 28 v The Pigtails 19, Black Magic
26 v Sapphires 19, Ambush 35 v Slammers 35.
Collegiate - Eclipse 25 v Legacies 21, Little Reds 31
v Wild Cats 18, Balls of Destiny 35 v All Stars 15, Wild
Cats 36 v Legacies 9, Balls of Destiny 36 v Eclipse 22,
Little Reds 28 v All Stars 19.
Seniors - Vixens 24 v Mavericks 18, Senior A 42 v Whiti
Ferns 17.
League Ladder as at 1 August
Year 4-6 - Rebelz 15, Firecats 12, Aftershoxs 12,
Thunderbirds 9, Firebirds 6, Coro Kids 0.
Year 7-8 - Black Magic 24, Slammers 23, Sapphires 15,
Ambush 14, Hot Shotz 6, The Pigtails 0.
Collegiate - Balls of Destiny 27, Little Reds 21, All Stars
9, Eclipse 9, Legacies 6, Wild Cats 4.
Seniors - Senior A 24, Vixens 15, Mavericks 7,
Whiti Ferns 0.
MERCURY BAY BASKETBALL
Junior Girls Semi-Final - Tuesday 28 July
Mercury Bay 30 v Paeroa 23.
TAIRUA INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Jack and Jill Tournament - Monday 27 July
Six mats were required.
After all teams had played four games apiece,
the qualifiers were - Ron Annan and Beryl Burrows,
Athol Avery and Perrine Busby, Terry Hefferan and Diana
Avery, Carol Laycock and Ray Thompson and Bruce
Crawford and Faye Henderson.
One pair had to have a bye and this was Bruce and Faye.
Some skilful bowls were on display during the tournament,
but the final contest was eventually narrowed down to
Bruce and Faye v Ron and Beryl.
It was a late night, but the supporters enjoyed watching
these four players bowls some magnificent shots.
The eventual winning pair was Bruce Crawford and
Faye Henderson.
Raffles on the night were won by - Margaret Snodgrass,
Carol Thompson, Shirley Pedersen, Celia Morrison,
Albie Marr and Terry Hefferan.
COOKS BEACH INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Wednesday 29 July
We held a different Club Night. There was no kitty.
The team with the most bowls in “square” earned a point.
Winners - Walter Posel, Meryll Hawke and Robyn Wright.
Runners-Up - Norm Strong and Peggy Crosbie.
MERCURY BAY INDOOR BOWLING CLUB
Thursday 30 July
Winners - John Taberner, Alma Kitchen and Earl Inch.
Runners-Up - Pat Fisher, Keith Denney and
Shirley Hamilton.
Good Sports - Rae Jensen, Wayne Fisher and
Wynne Campbell.
HAHEI BRIDGE CLUB
Purangi Pairs - Tuesday 28 July
North/South - 1 Alva Gibson and Dave Dylla 59.29,
2 Philip Shewell and Sue Gill 58.57, 3 Lyn Mitchell and
Laura Scaglia 51.07.
East/West - 1 Maureen France and Annette Cummings
55.83, 2 Jean Martin and Carol Brewer 51.25,
3 Judie Johnson and Ngaire O’Brien 50.83.
MERCURY BAY GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB
Ladies Golf LGU - Wednesday 29 July
Results - 1st Raewyn Hill, 2nd Diane Eccles, 3rd Munin
Tonsri.
Nearest the Pin on #18 in 2 - Betty Tocker, LGU trophy
winner - Raewyn Hill.
Men’s Golf Midweek Scramble - Wednesday 29 July
Results - 1st Lindsay Muller 37, 2nd Alan Henderson 36,
3rd Garry Morton 35, 4th Mike Borren 35, 5th Derryck
Tomalin 35.
Twos - Keven Clark and Lindsay Muller.
Men’s Winter Cup Round 5 - Saturday 1 August
Results - 1st Carl Mitchell 44, 2nd Andrew Fleming
41, 3rd Alan Henderson 40, 4th Gordon Davidson 39,
5th Johnny Lister 39, 6th Paul Blackburn 38.
Twos - Ray Burgess, Rod Stewart and Steve Tull, Nearest
the Pin (0-18) - Keven Clark, (19-36) - Lindsay Muller,
Longest Drive (0-18) - Andrew Fleming, (19-36) Murray Bennett.
MERCURY BAY CLUB SNOOKER
Wednesday 22 July
Best of three frames.
Three straight wins for Warren Bellingham and he takes
home the meat, after beating Peter Challis in the third
frame. Two wins for Peter and Wayne Bellingham gets
the Crunchie Bar for the highest break - 29.
Wednesday 29 July
Best of three frames.
Warren Bellingham takes the meat home after beating
Ken Gibson in the third frame. Two wins for Ken and
Barry Roach gets the Snickers Bar - 28.
H O U S E WA S H I N G
Call Drew for a free quote
The Expert with the time tested and guaranteed method of removing mould,
lichen, moss and stains. In fact any exterior surface that needs a clean, Drew can
deal to with a harmless but totally effective wash. And remember a pre-paint wash
will extend the life of your paint job and make painting easier.
Buildings. Boats. Fences. Wood. Concrete. Metal.
Call Drew Edwards - The Chemwash Man
Mobile: 0274 375 578 a/h 07 867 8493
Page 31
Town v Country
rugby
Judging by the number of people at Lyon Park in Whitianga last Saturday afternoon,
an important rugby game was in progress. An indeed it was an important affair - the annual
end of season Town v Country game of the Mercury Bay Rugby & Sports Club.
The game was this year scheduled to coincide with Buffalo Week and true to form the Country
players didn’t care much about wearing the same jerseys.
A highlight most certainly was Mike Hamilton (pictured in blue) - father of local Premier
Division and First XV team members Beau, Cody and Ricky - taking to the field for Country
on the wing.
According to referee Dwayne Mansell (coach of the Mercury Bay Premier Division rugby
team), it was a fast-flowing game in which every player gave it whatever they had. Although
Town won at the end of the day (the first time the past three or four years), nobody really
cared about the score. What mattered was that the game was played in a very good spirit
and that it was thoroughly enjoyed by all the spectators.
Saturday was most certainly an indication that Mercury Bay senior rugby is in good shape.
HMS Buffalo
yacht race
By Matt Algie - Skipper of Blue Print
Last Saturday 1 August saw a fleet of 14 yachts take part in the inaugural HMS Buffalo yacht race of the
Mercury Bay Boating Club.
Blue Print won the race with Wayne Davies at the helm, Wayne Wilton on the foredeck and me running
savouries from down below. It was a humbling experience for us as a crew as it was the first time the
race had been sailed and the last time we will commemorate 175 years since the grounding of the Buffalo.
All the skippers and their yachts taking part in this commemoration were winners. In addition to Blue Print
there were Paul Dimmock (H2GO), Mike Phear (Integrity), Al Joslin (Solvige), Lee Boswell (True Colors),
John Jackman (Longshot), John Wright (Contrast), Tony Moynes (Wright Formula), Bob Holliday (Loose),
Barry Goldsbury (Vanadis), Craig Lidgard (Wanigan), Graham Morcon (Bedouin 2), Brian Parker (Killara)
and Russell Chaney (Eclipse 3).
Off the water a huge thank you must go to the Mercury Bay Museum and the Mercury Bay Historical
Society for allowing the race to take place and for bringing dignitaries and family descendants of the
Buffalo to Whitianga.
The Duder brothers were very moved after cruising over the Buffalo in the Glass Bottom Boat and seeing
the silhouette.
Thank you to the Mercury Bay Game Fishing Club for making their beautiful club available for the prizegiving. Thank you to Sandy Wilton for being Officer of the Day and running the race. Thank you to Peter
Lewis off Mischief and Chris and Prue Morely off Frontier for acting as mark boats and thank you to Chris
Johnston for tabulating the results.
A huge thank you to Petra and Stephan of the Informer for bringing news, views and results to our town.
To live here makes us all winners!
Pictured is Matt Algie (in the centre holding the Mercury Bay Boating Club’s new Buffalo Cup - made from
teak off the Buffalo) and his crew, Wayne Wilton (on the left) and Wayne Davies.

648 5 August 2015 Week 1.indd

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