Issue 73 The Bay News 1

Are you interested in the community centre rebuild? Issue 73 April 2015 The Governors Bay Community Association (GBCA) invites anyone who is interested in the re- building of our new community centre to the next committee meeting with a view to setting up a GBCA Newsletter subcommittee to be involved in the planning process. The purpose of this group is to support and liaise with the City Council planners who are implementing the rebuild. Money for the The Bay News is produced rebuild was set aside in the 2013/14 annual plan and some of the planning work is already underway; bimonthly and appears about GBCA thinks that it would be useful for the community and City Council staff to have direct con- one and a half weeks after the tact. The GBCA hopes that this will be an effective way for community views and needs to be com- Committee meeting for that municated to the City Council. If you would like to participate in this effort, please come to the next month. GBCA committee meeting on Monday evening 27 April 2015 at 7.30pm at the Governors Bay Fire Station, and/or contact Karen Banwell or Melanie White via the GBCA email address, Deadline for copy [email protected] . for next issue 29 May 2015 Governors Bay Fete—Sunday 15 March at the Allandale Domain

A great vote of thanks to Annabelle Bain, the Sumner Silver Band, June Burney, the Governors Bay Send articles to the editor Volunteer Fire Brigade, and all the other performers, volunteers and helpers who worked so hard to make the Fete an enjoyable time for all. Thanks also to the Hawkins family for the loan of Quo Vadis. Bob Spigel

Email [email protected]

Phone 3299 933

Governors Bay Community Association

www.governorsbay.net.nz

governorsbaycommunity @gmail.com

Send an email request to the editor at [email protected] to receive the Newsletter by email as a pdf in colour, on the Monday following the deadline. Representation Review 2015-16 – Previous issues of The Bay ‘Community identity’ and changes to election boundaries (wards) for News can be read or down- Christchurch city including loaded from our website www.governorsbay.net.nz Christchurch City Council is reviewing how communities are represented on the Council and on community boards. At present, all of Banks Peninsula is represented by one councilor (currently An- drew Turner) and two community boards – Lyttelton-Mt Herbert Community Board, and - Wairewa Community Board. Governors Bay is part of the ‘community’ represented by the Lyttelton- Mt Herbert Community Board, which also includes Lyttelton, Diamond Harbour, and Quail Island. We were allowed this special representation under the isolated community provision following amalgamation. While the Lyttelton-Mt Herbert Community Board would like to see Banks Peninsula remain as a separate ward, this is unlikely to happen because of Banks Peninsula’s much smaller population rela- tive to other wards in the city, combined with the fact that Banks Peninsula is not truly isolated geo- Continued on page 2

Issue 73 The Bay News 2

Representation Review 2015-16 —continued from page 1 graphically. The Local Government Commissioners have indicated this isolated community status should not continue. From information recently presented at public meetings held by the City Council, it seems likely that changes for the 2016 elections will see the Banks Peninsula ward divided and amalgamated with other wards in city. Information on the review process is shown on the City Council’s website at http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/haveyoursay/ representativereview.aspx . The City Council will be holding formal consultation from April to June 2015 and will continue to update the web page with details and documents for discussion. Maps showing ideas for draft ward boundaries will be posted on the website in the near future. Governors Bay residents who want to have any influence on how the new electoral boundaries are drawn will need to check this website for the posting of the draft maps and notification of the formal submission period. They will need to make known what their community of interest is – whether it lies principally with Lyttelton, Diamond Harbour and other coastal communities such as Sumner and , or elsewhere. The GBCA will be presenting a submission affirming our pref- erence to remain with the community. Governors Bay Community Association

Lyttelton Port Recovery Plan On 11 April 2015, Environment Canterbury (ECan) will be notifying its preliminary draft of the Lyttelton Port Recovery Plan, which it has prepared under the direction of the Minister for Canterbury Earthquake Recovery; the plan will be open for submis- sions from 13 April 2015 to 11 May 2015. The Recovery Plan is based heavily on Lyttelton Port Company’s 30-year vision to cater for growing freight demands. More information about the Recovery Plan can be found on the ECan website at http://ecan.govt.nz/our-responsibilities/regional-plans/lpr-plan/pages/default.aspx The Recovery Plan includes deepening of the existing dredged channel by about four metres, the reclamation of a further 27 hec- tares in addition to the 10 hectares reclamation already consented and a plan for the reconfiguration of the Port. As described in the December 2014 Bay News, the additional reclamation, if implemented, will have an enormous visual effect on Governors Bay as it will extend container handling facilities into the Harbour along the entire length of the existing Sticking Point breakwater. In addi- tion, the reclamation has the potential to influence circulation patterns in a way that could encourage further intertidal mudflat ac- cumulation and expansion in the upper harbour. Lyttelton Port Company have explained to the Governors Bay Community Asso- ciation that the proposed configuration is necessary to provide the space and layout necessary to provide for freight demands, and that they are not prepared at this stage to consider an alternative configuration that would see the reclamation extending instead along the natural shoreline beyond Te Awaparahi Bay. In addition, the Plan does not specifically cover where the dredge spoil from channel deepening would be dumped (see the recent article in the Press, “Port plan ‘fails residents’”, 4 April 2015, p.C20). There is the potential that this may be within the harbour as the dumping is covered under existing regulations and a consents-based process. If Governors Bay residents want to question whether the Plan’s proposals really represent the only viable alternatives for the Port’s recovery, they should consider making a submission. In a message to the Governors Bay Community Association, ECan has said: “Making a submission is the only way to ensure your views are heard and we’d like to encourage you to do so. To find out more about what’s in the Plan and how to make a submission you are welcome to visit us in our PORTacabin on the corner of Oxford and London Streets in Lyttelton. This will be open on Thursdays 10am to 2pm and Saturdays 10am to 12.30pm commencing Thursday 9 April 2015. “We are also holding three public meetings, which you are welcome to attend. They are:  Lyttelton’s Naval Point Yacht Club, on Tuesday 14 April 2015 at 7.30pm  Christchurch’s Hagley Park Netball Club Rooms, on Thursday 16 April 2015 at 7.30pm  Diamond Harbour Community Centre, on Monday 20 April 2015 at 7.30pm. “There will be further publicity about these events nearer the time. If you have any questions about any of the above please email [email protected] or call Customer Services on 0800 324 636.” The GBCA will be making a submission and we welcome anyone who can help us prepare this. Governors Bay Community Association

Christchurch City Long Term Plan The City Council has adopted the consultation document for its Long Term Plan 2015-25 and is now seeking public feedback on its proposals. The Plan covers everything the Council does over the next 10 years and beyond. It also outlines options for dealing with an estimated $1.2 billion funding shortfall resulting from the earthquakes. Public consultation on the Plan runs from Tuesday 17 March until midday Tuesday 28 April. The consultation document and a list of times and locations of public meetings can be accessed through the City Council’s website at http://www.ccc.govt.nz/thecouncil/policiesreportsstrategies/ltccp/index.aspx . The next meeting will be held on Monday 13 April, 7.30-8.30pm, in Diamond Harbour at the St Andrews Church Hall. Those making submissions can ask to be heard in person at public hearings held in May. Councillors will consider this feedback before they finalise the Plan at the end of June. Issue 73 The Bay News 3

Update on Cholmondeley rebuild It has been some time since I have provided an update on the Cholmondeley rebuild to this newsletter and much progress has been made which is now very visible. Things are getting very exciting and busy as we plan the final stages which include a migration from our temporary accommodation at Living Springs, a good shakedown cruise of the building with a hand-picked group of children and the staff, and of course an official opening and public open day. I truly appreciate the patience and tolerance of our nearest neighbours in the initial stages last year with the deluge of concrete trucks as the foundation slabs were poured. There was some damage to the road on the corner of Cholmondeley Lane and Merlincote Cres- cent which has been marked off with warratah stakes. This has been assessed by engineers as stable and will be repaired by the City Council at the completion of construction. The whole rebuild project is on-budget and on-time. Our fundraising campaign to raise the shortfall between our insurance and the actual cost has been very successful and we are confident that our board’s goal of rebuilding of the centre will be achieved debt free. We are still targeting a completed construction date of end of June or beginning of July then it will be a matter of sorting through the various compliance requirements. We are delighted to have two people from our local community involved with us as we work through the final design stages. Jenny Moore has developed our landscape design for the internal courtyard and external perimeters, and Jane Swinard is working with us on the interiors. This has been a great collaborative process and I’m sure the results are going to be fantastic. On the landscaping, within the next several months we hope to hold a “community planting-day” once the “hard” landscaping is in place. More info to come regarding dates and things, but if you’re available and able to help you will be more than welcome. In the meantime it is business as usual with children and families who seem delighted with what is being built before them. Shane Murdoch, General Manager, Cholmondeley Children’s Centre

Community Schools Celebrate Harvest at Living Springs The Harvest Festival, initiated by the Project Lyttelton's Harbour Resilience Project, is part of a project to increase food resilience and awareness of food and other natural resources in the Lyttelton Harbour area. This year the event was held on Friday 27 March at Living Springs Farm Park and attended by 500 Lyttelton harbour school children, parents and teachers. The 16 workshops attended by the children were focused around topics such as local produce, living off the land, environmental art, caring for the environment, and fun activities including sheep shearing and even a rural relay! Project Lyttelton organiser Lucette Hindin says "the goal of the festival on the one hand, is to celebrate what we have in the harbour and the people who are putting their energy into making our local environment healthy and productive, and on the other hand to find ways to come together to increase those efforts and encourage the next generation to grow up understanding our relationship with and reliance on the natural environment. We held the first festival at Orton Bradley Park and 2015 will be the second year we are running it with Living Springs. Living Springs adds a whole heap of value Learning about medicinal weeds ... to the festival because of the programmes they are able to contribute and we've found that working together has been really easy because we share similar values and goals." Over the last four years Living Springs has been working hard on creating a balance between agricul- tural land use and environmental best practice. This has included major revegetation projects, pest control programme, protection of the water- ways and catchment basins, retiring the land from grazing, and a commit- …...and saving seeds ment to planting 100 Totara's every year for the next 5 years. In the 1850's Banks Peninsula was covered in 99% native flora and by the turn of the century it was down to 1% native cover. Today the coverage is up to 15% (Sourced Boffa Miskell, Banks Peninsula Landscape Study 2007-2008). Living Springs aim to Learning about fire safety with Gov- contribute to reinstating some balance. ernors Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade Living Springs is a charitable trust initially established as a camp for church youth camps in the 1970’s. It is situated at the head of Lyttelton Harbour and the property is 450ha. Today over 24,000 people stay on-site annually and many engage in outdoor pursuit activities offered on site as well as for camps, community events and conferences. Wendy Duggan, Living Springs

Issue 73 The Bay News 4

Governors Bay Volunteer Fire Brigade Report

Call outs, 2 February – 1 April 2015 We had a quietish time with eleven call outs: Two car fires. Two MVA's (Motor Vehicle Accident). One Tanker only call out. Four false alarms. One diesel spill. One camp fire.

Recruitment. We are pleased to welcome young Will Smith and Harry Weaver to the Rural side of the Brigade. It is certainly becoming a family affair with three Norris's, three Weavers, two Smiths, and a partridge in a pear...... Stop it! We also welcome Doug Burt, who was Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Runanga Brigade on the West Coast to our Brigade. Doug and his wife have moved into the Boyce's old residence just past the Wheatsheaf Tavern. Doug has been made a Senior Firefighter. RFF Jo Stewart has resigned from the Ru- ral Fire Brigade and we thank her for her service. Your Brigade Needs You! Steve Dasler, our Rural Fire Chief, is looking for new members for the Rural Brigade, sometimes referred to as the "tanker crew". The Rurals are a vital part of the Governors Bay Brigade as they, for a start, provide water when there is a fire in a non-reticulated area (i.e., where there are no hydrants). For those who don't know, Governors Bay is the only (or possibly one of the only) joint Bri- gades in the country, where the Councils's Rural Brigade works and trains alongside the Fire Service. Some members use the 'Rurals' as a stepping stone before joining the Fire Service and it has worked out as quite a good system so far. But if you have no interest in becoming a Firefighter in the Fire Service per se then that is fine too. In fact Steve, who is not as grumpy as he at first appears, would be happy, as many 'rurals'—how shall we say it—have been 'poached'! Some find that they're quite happy to stay in the Rurals and no pressure is put on them to move. At an incident it is very much, "horses for courses". At an MVA or medical for instance, if someone is a bit squeamish at the sight of blood, there are always other jobs to do, such as traffic management. It's a great way to meet new people if you are new to the Bay and they (the experts) do say that volunteering is one of the key boxes to tick in the pur- suit of happiness! So if you want to give it a go, just give Steve a ring on 3299 060. Deputy Chief Fire Officer Jeremy Talbot and wife RFF Julia Talbot have also resigned and have left to start a new life in sunny Richmond, where Jeremy has transferred to Richmond's Brigade. The loss of a Firefighter with Jeremy's vast experience (23 years of service) is a huge blow to the Brigade, especially as it was not long ago that ex-Chief Gilbert Stace also left for pastures new. Jere- my's shoes will be big ones to fill and there will be something of a shuffle in the hierarchy in the Governors Bay Brigade. At the end of February the Station played host to our bi-annual Honours Night as well as a special going-away tribute night for Jeremy and Julia. In attendance were Acting Regional Commissioner Dave Stackhouse, Acting Area Commissioner Greg Crawford, Assistant Area Commissioner Steve Kennedy and Canterbury Provincial Fire Brigade Assistant Representative Peter Helps. Life members, three members of the Diamond Harbour Brigade and special guests made up the assemblage. Training Matt Annand and Hamish Foster passed their recruit course with flying colours at Woolston in February and were a credit to the Bri- gade. There was a scruffy motorcyclist who said he'd always wanted to be a Fireman and asked if he could be in the photo.

Matt and Hamish’s passing out parade at Woolston

Events FF Hamish Foster also participated, along with FF Rob Brown in the inaugural Rapaki FireFighter Challenge, which involved run- ning (shuffling or briskly hiking) up the Rapaki Track to the Summit Road wearing full level 2 firefighting gear and wearing Breath- ing Apparatus (donned, not started). Continued on page 5 Issue 73 The Bay News 5 Fire Brigade Report, continued Rob finished in 38 minutes and Hamish in 41 and both made it into the top 10 out of a field of 60. But as the lads were at pains to point out, "at least we beat Lyttelton!" All money raised from this event go to the UFBA, the Firefighters Union. On Friday March 27th four of us took part in the Lyttetlton Harbour Schools Harvestfest, sponsored by the Whaka Rupo Trust at the Liv- ing Springs Farm Park. Our Brigade featured as one of 15 different "bases" or activities for some 470 school kids. Other activities includ- ed such things as milking cows and shearing sheep. We think the kids had fun as we did a "Firewise" presentation, let them dress up as fire- fighters, play with the equipment, clamber around the trucks and squirt lots of water at cones. Many thanks to those members who gave up most of their day. Senior Firefighter George Lockyer. Rob and Hamish on Rapaki Track walk

Through the Glass Ceiling—Kate Sheppard sculpture at the Tin Palace, Lyttelton Lyttelton’s *Tin Palace* arts space celebrated International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March with the unveiling of a sculpture of Kate Sheppard as part of its *Through the Glass Ceiling* exhibition. Commissioned by Women’s Refuge and designed and constructed by Propeller Studi- os in Wellington last year, the sculpture is on display in Te Waipounamu/the South Island for the first time since the work was launched at Parliament amid controversy in September last year. This sculpture is constructed of 351 glass-edged acrylic plates and etched with 2,616 pledges against domestic violence from all around . Lyttelton Museum has curated a companion exhibition for this sculpture based on women's suf- frage and the suffrage centenary celebrations in Lyttelton. You can still catch this exhibition until Sunday April 12th. On April 15th, the second half of the exhibition opens with five portraits of significant Harbour Basin women from Kate Sheppard's day until the present painted by Christchurch-based artist Julia Holden and displayed with the sculpture. Holden comments: "I am painting contemporary portraits of the women to visually articulate the lineage from women today to Kate Sheppard. Lyttelton may be small but it has certainly produced some dynamic and inspiring women". An evening symposium from 7-8:30pm for a Kate ($10 note) will include a performance and talks by Ruth Dyson MP and one of the women painted by Holden, New Zealand's first female har- bour pilot Joanne Laing. See Tin Palace's facebook page and website for details Photographer: Jen Kenix www.tinpalace.co.nz. Through the Glass Ceiling closes on Mother's Day May 10th with a poroporoaki/farewell. As Tin Palace volunteer Melissa Miles has commented "This piece must be seen to be appreciated, photos and words do not do it justice. Come see Kate if you can." Holly Cunningham, Curator, Tin Palace

Governors Bay Pottery Group Our group has been without a base for some time now, the shed having been damaged by the earthquakes and then demolished, but we have potted on around the Bay in various garages, sleep-outs and basements. Last year we applied for grants from Christchurch City Council, Creative NZ, and the Arts’ Council and bought two second hand kilns from the Shirley Community Cen- tre. These are now set up in a temporary home until that day when all our dreams are fulfilled - new pottery shed, lovely community hall, fixed jetty …. Dreaming aside, we held an exhibition in February, first since the earth- quakes, and were quite surprised at how much we’d achieved. Wow, with a well organised shed we'd be unstoppable! Thanks to the Fire Brigade for the use of the hall, even though I say so myself I think it looked quite splendid - well done potters!

Issue 73 The Bay News 6

From our Weatherman Birdwatch* Rainfall Statistics Fantails—Returned from the hills in greater numbers. Very 2015 Avg since 1990 friendly. Wood pigeons—Are plentiful and very active. Month mm Days mm Days Bellbirds—Plenty to be seen and heard more regularly during the day. January 17.9 12 51.13 13.92 Thrush—Not so prominent of late. February 20.5 10 48.41 12.73 Shining cuckoos—Left for warmer climates, back mid/late Sep- tember. March 72.3 13 63.12 12.58 Tuis—Heard and seen a week ago in the southern end of the set- 2015 Rainfall to date: 110.7mm tlement. 2014 Rainfall to date: 350.4mm Blackbirds—Very plentiful. Waxeyes—Back down from the hills. Flock birds January: A real summer month, hot, dry, sunny with little Kingfishers—Plenty around, not beeping at present, not nesting. wind. Rainfall was well below average, all drizzly from the Quail—Not too prominent of late. northeast. There was little wind, steady hot day and night tem- Welcome swallows—not so visible of late. peratures and plenty of sunshine. Recorded: 3 hot dry Nor’west- Pukekos—Explosion of numbers of late. Can now be seen on va- ers, 1 red morning sky. Landscape now yellow and very dry. cant north land, especially along the roadside after rain. February: Saw under half normal rainfall, but with one good David Stemmer fall. Steady temperatures both day and night, little wind and plenty of sunshine. Recorded: 2 red morning skies. Now very * If you have made any bird sightings that you would like included dry. in the Bay News Birdwatch column, please note them on a piece of paper and send them to David at 31 Main Road, Governors Bay March: Saw above average rainfall with some solid falls, so 8971, or email them to [email protected] . badly needed, declining day and night temperatures, generally little wind and slightly below average sunshine hours for March. Recorded: 6 red morning skies and 2 sea fogs. By month’s end there is a greenness to be seen.

Weed Watch Old Man’s Beard flowering season is drawing to a close. It is disappointing to still see from the roadside mature, flowering OMB growing up and over trees. It is so important to cut and paste with herbicide gel each OMB stem to kill it, because the seeds are wind-borne and they spread into gardens and up into the bush on the hills surrounding Governors Bay. If this rampant weed is growing in your garden please treat it in the advised manner. If you don’t know what it is or have trouble removing it please call me. On the other hand, both residents and groups have done a lot of work this sea- son. The weed control project on the foreshore has continued this season. Naill Mugan is the contractor, please call him, 021 054 0849, if you see any OMB growing on along the foreshore. New funding has been made available to land- owners in Zephyr Valley for a project to remove any OMB and also Darwin’s Barberry. Landowners have committed to helping the contractor with work. It is the first time since the earthquakes began that a total valley check has taken place. We are grateful to ECan for funding both these projects. Hugh Wilson has alerted us to a “new weed”, a garden plant that has jumped the fence. Hugh wrote about it in the 2014 Canterbury Botanical Society Jour- nal. It is Helichrysum petiolare sometime incorrectly known as the liquorice plant. It is a sprawling climber with very pale greyish, almost white foliage. Our QEII representative, Alice Shanks, found it growing up Zephyr Valley, and drew it to my attention. Since then we found some in our own garden. It grew from a cutting I had been given from a Governors Bay garden some years ago. It is a vigorously growing plant and quickly covered a bank as intended. We have since removed the plant in the same way as we do for OMB. Since becoming aware of Helichrysum petiolare I have notice several large patches Helichrysum petiolare of it growing in other parts of Governors Bay. It seems this plant is similar for its vigorous growth and invasiveness to OMB. Please watch out for it. If you want help with identification please contact me. Sally Tripp (329 9752) Issue 73 The Bay News 7

Sycamore control—Christchurch City Council to consider options Sycamore (Acer pseudoplatanus, sycamore maple) is a commonly grown ornamental species. Originally from central and southern Europe, syca- more grows well in open environments in New Zealand. It has become a species of concern in Southland, Otago, south Canterbury and more re- cently on Banks Peninsula where it is establishing readily along roadsides, in lightly grazed shrublands, riparian margins, and open areas within and around bush remnants.

Governors Bay—roadside and foreshore sycamore ‘hotspots’

Above: Governors Bay-Teddington Rd; right: Governors Bay Rd

The potential for sycamore to spread is high, due to the winged “helicopter-like” seeds. Based on a recent survey of a 60-year-old sycamore, planted as a specimen tree in a Banks Peninsula homestead garden, the parent tree is believed to have produced 180 off- spring ranging from 10cm to 50cm in diameter, within a radius of 200metres. This rate of spread over relatively short periods of time can create dense stands of large seeding sycamore if left unchecked. Where there are areas of high environmental value, such as the bush remnants, shrublands and rock outcrops in the Head of the Harbour, it is worth considering approaches to control of sycamore in adjacent areas to protect these values. In response to con- cerns from locals about sycamore spread in Governors Bay, Christchurch City Council will look at options to control sycamore on roadsides. This will be done on a case by case basis with willing adjacent landowners, and as budget permits, over the next few years. For further information, please contact Di Carter, Regional Parks, Christchurch City Council. 941 8999.

Issue 73 The Bay News 8

Governors Bay Garden Club At our March meeting, daffodil grower David Adams talked about the planting and growing of daffodils. David brought a carton of bulbs for us to purchase. The ground is too warm to plant out the bulbs now, maybe in another month. After flowering, don’t cut back or knot the leaves. At our April meeting,7.30pm on the 13th April, the speaker will be Heidi Andersen, who photographed her journey to Mt Everest Base Camp on the 60th anniversary of Ed Hillarys climb. This will be a great night. On May 11th at 6.45pm we will hold our Annu- al Tea meeting with soup and savouries followed by an auction of plants, bulbs and preserves from our gardens. Members look forward to welcoming you all to our meetings. GARDENING IN APRIL—Veges—Last opportunity to sow broad beans. Remove summer crops. Flowers—sow sweet peas, polyanthus (plant out), primroses etc. Trees—plant your citrus and evergreens. Shrubs—prepare spots for new trees and shrubs. Fruit—plant new strawberry beds. Herbs—sow sage, rosemary, thyme and chives. Happy Gardening everyone; see you at our April and May meetings that are held at the Fire Station. For enquiries please contact Sharon 942 4272 or Jan 3299 122

Governors Bay Youth Club We have most probably the largest group we've ever had, with some new faces to the Bay and lots of teens in year 7. It's been a great first term with sessions at the pool, thanks for the help Fergus and Raph (past members of the club); a crazy orienteering night around the Bay - crazy because I, as is my way, muddled the numbers up on the map - but the teams did admirably; an evening at the Roxx 'Clip and Climb', thanks to Sue, Mark and Celina for running that one. Last year some of the club attended a pottery session and made a variety of pieces (brooches\puppets\wall hangings) that were fired by the Governors Bay Pottery Group then the teens painted them with acrylics, then sealed with a clear spray enamel. These were exhibited in February at the pottery group's exhibition at the Fire Station. Jessie's fox was for sale and was purchased by a delighted lady from Lyttelton. Next term we start on April 28th, then fortnightly thereafter. If you would like to join do contact me at [email protected]. Viv Smith

Issue 73 The Bay News 9 Working bee—beach clean for Governors Bay and Allandale GBCA Committee I am interested in organising a working-bee / beach-clean for Governors Bay and Allandale. I am Chairperson: Karen Banwell looking at dates in May if I can get enough interested people to volunteer. I need people to help me Secretary: Ben Taylor organise it and more to assist on the day. If you are willing to help please contact me on 981 2300. Treasurer: Graham Barrell Kay Joyce Committee Karen Banwell Phil Jackson Do you enjoy an occasional game of Come and See Helen Chambers Ben Taylor Melanie White John Thacker Scrabble? On the first and third Sunday of each month Graham Barrell Bob Spigel A small group of us have played regularly for you are invited to "Come and See" at 10.30am Susan Shepherd several years. One of us is leaving the Bay and in the Governors Bay school library for an in- formal all-age worship service. There are re- GBCA Meetings another will be away for five months so we are freshments and time for a chat afterwards. If The Committee meets on the keen to have new players. We are a relaxed you would like to see some of the things we do last Monday every month at group who aim to enjoy our games and learn 7:30 p.m. in the Governors from each other. No egg-timers or challenges at our services, check out our website: Bay Fire Station (until the for us, we prefer discussion, helpful sugges- comeandseegovbay.wordpress.com. Community Hall is rebuilt). tions, some chat and a cup of tea. Contact Karen Banwell (3299 Please phone Vanessa (3299 802) or Gail If you could be interested, call Nicky on 3299 (3299 212) or email us with any queries at 344) for details. 697. Governors Bay Community [email protected] Hall Lost wallet and camera The Community Hall was Some elderly visitors from Australia recently badly damaged in the 2011 drove out of Waitahuna and turned left, head- earthquake; it has been de- ing for a day at Akaroa. molished and will be rebuilt. On the roof of the car had been placed a wallet Local Service Groups and a camera, which of course didn't stay there Civil Defence Sector Post very long ! Firewood for Sale Supervisor Ian Palmer Despite a good search the wallet and camera Very Dry GB Volunteer Fire Brigade were not found, but if anybody has picked Split and ready to burn NOW Chief Fire Officer them up it would be appreciated if they could 3 Andrew Norris call Gavin Bain on 3299 712. Pine – 3m delivered -$195 3 Deputy Chief Macrocarpa – 3m delivered - $245 (To be announced) House for rent (This is for delivery between and Gover- Lyttelton Harbour Issues We have a tidy, fully-furnished 3-bedroom, 2- nors Bay – add $10 for delivery to Cass Bay/ Group bathroom home available for people having Lyttelton) Representative Kate Bould EQC repairs done and want to stay local. The Phone - 329 4730, or email home has easy access, a view of the ocean, [email protected] garage and an outdoor entertainment area. If anyone is interested in more information please Prepare for winter now – get your firewood call 0211 406 457. under cover prior to the first rains.

Bay News editor retiring—new editor(s) needed to maintain publication The present editor of the Bay News, Bob Spigel, will be retiring after the next issue (June, issue number 74). Bob has helped to edit the Bay News since August 2010, for most of that time as a co- editor, and recently as sole editor. Editing the Bay News has been enjoyable and rewarding but other demands from work, family and age seem to be catching up with him. Bob feels that it is time to step aside and hand over to some new and enthusiastic talent. We will miss his thoughtful and insightful contribution. The Bay News comes out once every other month (six issues in the year); printing is done by the Christchurch City Council and printed copy is delivered to letterboxes by our local postie. Both printing and mail delivery are done without charge to the Governors Bay Community Association (GBCA). Children are back in It is helpful if the editors are members of the GBCA committee and attend the committee meetings, school—please drive so that they are aware of issues facing the community that should receive some coverage in the with care newsletter. Meetings are held on the last Monday of every month from 7.30-9.30pm, at the Fire Station. Anyone taking up the job of editor can be co-opted onto the committee if they wish. If anyone is interested in taking over the editor’s position, or in joining as a co-editor, GBCA would appreciate hearing from them; please email the editor ([email protected]), phone Bob (3299 933), or post something on the Governors Bay Facebook page for the attention of GBCA chair, Karen Banwell. At present one person has volunteered assistance with editing the newsletter, but we think that this is a role that should be shared. Bob is happy to answer any questions and pro- vide further details on how he puts the newsletter together. Governors Bay Community Association

Issue 73 The Bay News 10

Govbus has a dedicated team of volunteer drivers who are willing to take you to town on Govbus. Currently we have a small but consistent group of passengers using the 7.30am and 4pm commuter runs, but to make the journeys worthwhile, we encourage more patronage of these services. The Trust is offering a number of ways of making the bus more attractive to users. 1. During the day we are offering a flexible door to door service to residents; where the driver can collect you from home and take you to your destination in town and return you to Governors Bay. Jeanette Stanley will coordinate this service and provide advice on fare costs; she can be contacted on 021 199 0922, using phone or text. 2. A service to Lyttelton Market, departing Governors Bay at 9.30 am and returning you with your shopping to your door. 3. As our regular passengers are High School and College students, we believe we are providing a much needed service for them so we will continue to provide the 7.30am, 8.30am and 4pm, 5pm and 6pm services, where possible. 4. Provide additional bus pick-up and drop off points in the community. Currently we have the following groups regularly using the vehicle:  Governors Bay Youth Group  Groups going to the movies  A music group  Theatre group As a volunteer driver you have the advantage of using the vehicle to take family and friends to events. The vehicle has 9 seats including the driver; so get together some friends and……………..  Go to the movies in town,  Bike the rail trail, the bike rack takes 4 bikes  Have dinner out and be the dedicated sober driver for your friends  Take family and visitors on a trip (more efficient than two cars)  Join a fitness group Govbus is there for the community to use……… If you are considering becoming a volunteer driver, register your interest with Jeanette; volunteering as a driver does not commit you to a regular driving routine, but when you are involved you get the chance to discover and engage with your community……..

Bus Manager The Trust is seeking a volunteer to act as bus manager; this would involve ensuring that the vehicle is cleaned inside and out on a regular fortnightly basis, and reporting any mechanical problems. The volunteer would need to be over 25years old and have a current drivers licence. Contact Jeanette to register your interest.

Contact Details: Jeanette Stanley Tel. 021 199 0922

GOVBUS IS THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY – TELL US WHAT YOU WANT AND HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO USE IT

From the Governors Bay Community Transport Trust