Two month liftout calendar 1 December 2009 DCC may double Mt Cargill speed limit by Peter Dowden A review of speed limits on rural roads standards. around by DCC traffic engineers Two sections of Rd were suggested suggests that North Rd, twisting and climbing for speed increase: Evansdale to Warrington from toward Mount Cargill, and another section near Karitane, both to be should have its speed doubled from 50 to increased from 80 to 100km/h. 100km/h. The report noted that national speed The upper portion of Norwood Street is ratings relate mainly to the level of roadside also listed to be doubled from 50 to 100km/h, development (buildings and driveways), but in spite of only being single-lane. that they do take curviness into account. The report concludes that many roads Roads suggested for speed decrease have speed limits inconsistent with national include Blueskin Rd, from 100 to 50km/h. Vandalism in Waitati by Louise Booth There was another incident of vandalism in Waitati on Sunday 15 November. Trees from the Blueskin Nursery were deliberately damaged and tampered with. Please make sure you let the police know if you notice anything suspicious. It would also be a a good idea to keep your houses locked. Late night shopping at Seacliff by Liz Abbott and Rudie Verhoef Warrington Playcentre children wait for the bus In addition to the usual Sunday market we are to go to the Museum (clockwise from front left) having a special ‘Late Night Shopping’ Coast Road Arlo Bickerstaff, Alice Bickerstaff, Rosa Cameron, Market on Friday 18 December from 5–8pm. Issac Brogan, Mitchell Lobb (obscured behind The Coast Road Market at Seacliff is on the Issac), Jack Gee, Madi Lobb, Ben Hay, Bruno first Sunday of every month from 11am–2pm, McMillan, Brook Holt, Hailee Wass, Reuben Holt, Amelia Hay and Phoebe Holt. rain or shine. • See page 15 for more Warrington Playcentre There are arts, crafts, food, plants, produce, news bric-a-brac and sundries. Free stalls are available and kids’ stalls are welcome. Phone 465 7990 for further information.

December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 1 Letter to the Editor Librarian Mike Wooliscroft sends thanks to Dear Gentle People, Thank you all for being so warm and friendly Thank you so much for the fine pastel “Coast and welcoming me into your/our community. I Road (Omimi)” by Liz Abbott to which you so have only the most delightful memories of my generously contributed as my fine memento of engagement with you and I frequently miss the so many happy “momentos” at the Blueskin Bay happy contacts I had with so many of you. Library and elsewhere on the Library’s outreach Hopefully we will catch up with one another from programmes. time to time when I am in the Deeper South. This afternoon I hung it alongside a companion Warmest regards, Mike work earlier given as a token of appreciation when I was Celebrant at Liz and Rudie’s civil union Blueskin News advertising ceremony. Consider advertising locally. Contact us to book My time at Blueskin Bay Library, the Warrington advertising in 2010. Our rates are: and Waitati Primary Schools, and an A&P show • business card (up to 1/8 of A5 page) $15 were some of my happiest in libraries and came • up to quarter A5 page: $25 as a rather unexpected but delicious coda to my • up to half A5 page: $35 decades in a most satisfying career in libraries. • up to full A5 page: $60 At Blueskin I was free of the restraints of serious • Double A5 page spread: $100 politicking, management policy and planning Discount or waiver of the above fees may be which I had thoroughly enjoyed through several available for non-commercial community challenging and stimulating decades and was events. Blueskin News is “free” but we welcome free again to focus on engaging with readers one koha/donations accepted at Blueskin Bay to one - just the sort of involvement I went into Library, by cheque to Blueskin Media, PO Box libraries for 46 years previously. 154 Warrington, or to account Blueskin News My time with y’all (readers and colleagues) was 03 1726 0010157 00. very precious and it would not surprise me if, in a Blueskin Media is a not-for-profit, 100% few months time, I again feel the call to work and volunteer- run community publisher. delight in small public library services on much Deadline: 22nd of the month, January to the same basis as I did at Blueskin. November Blueskin News Published not-for-profit by volunteers of Blueskin Media on the 1st of each month, February to December, 600 copies distributed around Seacliff, Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati and Doctors’ Point. Additional copies available at Blueskin General Store, Blueskin Bay Community Library and Warrington Post Office Boxes. Blueskin News is “free” but we welcome koha/donations accepted at Blueskin Bay Library, by cheque to Blueskin Media, PO Box 154 Warrington, or to Blueskin News 03 1726 0010157 00. We publish anything about this area, or anything written by someone from this area; and all ranges of opinion which are expressed in a respectful way. All unattributed opinion shall be attributed to Blueskin Media. All material sent to and/or published by us is “copyleft” and may be freely copied, re-edited and re-published. Content is pooled with the blueskin.co.nz website and other local media. Content offered for publication under the above principles is welcome; please email by the 22nd of each month to [email protected]. Electronic copy should be formatted as simply as possible with two returns between each paragraph or item in a list, and after each heading. Produced and distributed this month with the help of: Craig Marshall, Louise Booth, Lynnaire Johnston, Peter Dowden, Polly Higham, Rozalina MacRae, Samantha Charlton, Kelvin & Bev Lyon Milk Vendors, Blueskin General Store, Gallery on Blueskin, the Contributors and Advertisers. Printed by North East Computing, Hampden. 2 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 WARRINGTON SCHOOL by school staff and parents Warrington pupils represented the school at the competition for children within the community to East Otago athletics competion, and those who create a logo for “Blueskin Bay FM 87.2”. met regional standards will compete in the Otago Welcome to our teacher trainees Abby in Primary School Championship Athletics. Room 1 and Anna in Room 2. Over the last two years the school has ‘No Plastic November’ supported by the worked towards implementing the new National Waikouaiti Coast Community Board sponsored Curriculum that comes into operation in 2010. lots of cloth shopping bags for pupils to paint. This document has had wide consultation, These are still available for sale from the shop at thorough educational research and will allow Waitati – proceeds from the sale of these bags go children to experience success in a broad range to the school. of areas. Year 7 and 8 spent a wakeful night in tents on New National Standards arrived in the school Rabbit Island in November in wild wind. They recently, and were put together in a few months fared well in adverse conditions, cooked over an with little consultation, poor research and narrow open fire, built sand sculptures and even managed the curriculum’s focus to writing, reading and to remove other people’s rubbish from the island maths. At Warrington School little will change as before wading their way home across the bay. we already use nationally recognised standards for Friends of Warrington School have been our assessment and report twice yearly on pupils’ selling calendars and greeting cards based on progress in plain language. children’s artwork and photos, as well as Fair Trade These standards imply that science, products. We have also begun planning our school technology, the arts, PE, Health, Maori, EOTC fair. To make this event a success we really need and Environmental Education no longer matter support and commitment from everyone. and that everyone in NZ has to be literate and Dates numerate. What a sad place school will be if this • Monday 8-Friday 11 December: Year 5-8 type of nonsense continues. It shows little foresight Camp Waianakarua, Middle School Sleep-over by the Minister of Education in the skills required and Junior activity week. to create a diverse and multi-talented nation. • Tuesday 15 December: Road Race 9:15 and The School pool has just received a “perfect picnic 6pm water balance rating” ready for its opening. • Thursday 17 December Road Race 9:15 and A meeting held at the school to look at picnic 6pm (postponement day) the feasibility of establishing a radio station at • Friday 18 December: End of school year at Warrington School showed that all concerns of the 1.30pm Board would be met and it looks like a community • Website: http://wikieducator.org/ radio station will be set up in the school. There is a Warrington_School

everything printed here appears on our website as it arrives, in full colour, with clickable links and in searchable form

December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 3 4 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 BLUESKIN BAY FM By Rozalina MacRae and Peter Dowden The Waikouaiti Coast Community Board approved the funding application for Blueskin Bay FM, granting us $1000. This is about $300 less than we asked for, but we can begin by ordering the transmitter and getting other equipment ready. The other money will be not a problem to collect, we think. We will try to find cheaper options to buy equipment if it is possible. And donations will help also. As ‘Blueskin News’ is getting ready for printing, we are about to meet and discuss getting our station on-air. Logo competition We need a new logo. Some children at our local schools have already started designing one and all ‘Blueskin News’ readers are welcome to have a go. The logo needs to read “Blueskin Bay FM 88.2” and should be bumper-sticker shaped: 30cm wide and 7cm high (that’s an A4 sheet folded lengthwise into thirds). Entries with the artist’s name, address and age to the Blueskin Bay Library by 31 December please. There will be a small prize or prizes (yet to be determined) for the winners.

December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 5 Ask Aunt Lucy by Lucy Jack Dear Aunt Lucy, If your garden is getting thoroughly chomped My garden is full of spittle bugs and aphids, on and the natural cavalry haven’t arrived after two especially my greenhouse. What should I do? weeks, you can use homemade soap spray applied Rest assured, although you may consider only to the affected part of the plant and not in the spittlebugs unsightly, they do little damage. If you full sun of the day. must get rid of them, a general remedy will do (see GARLIC & SOAP SPRAY RECIPE below). But remember, they support your garden’s Soak 120g (4 oz) chopped garlic in 2 tablespoons of predator community. Pesky aphids, however, can mineral oil or liquid paraffin (or even cooking oil be very erm … pesky, especially when they boom though it’s not as good) for 48 hours. Add1 litre of in numbers by reproducing asexually. warm water and 7g of pure soap flakes (or leftover Try to bear in mind the natural role of aphids old soap) then strain. Dilute in 25 litres of water. in your garden (even when they are chowing down In addition: Yellow nasturtiums can be planted your veggies). Aphids are at the bottom of the around tomatoes to serve as a decoy for black food chain and so form the foundation for a large, aphids and can be removed with their pest burden complex, and therefore resilient and productive, before the aphids’ young develop wings. organic garden ecosystem. Don’t kill them off right XX Aunt Lucy away, wait for a predator community to establish and do it for you, a long term solution that makes the garden work for itself. Helpful predators include: wasps and hover flies, ladybugs, lacewings, predatory midges, small spiders and birds. Learn what your helpful insects look like and don’t squish them or their larvae. Encourage them in your garden by growing umbelliferous (flowers shaped like umbrellas) plants including parsley, carrot, fennel, buckwheat, poached egg plant, sunflower, yarrow and wild Angelica, and letting them go to seed. Plant native plants in your garden.

Waitati Hall Committee Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Waitati Hall Commitee will be held on Tuesday 15 Dec 7pm in the committee room, Waitati Hall.

All new members welcomed.

Mandy Mayhem

6 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 Waitati Volunteer Fire Brigade by Deanne Burrell Guy Fawkes Night has been and gone and the • Make sure everyone knows how to operate Brigade attended only one fireworks call out. escape windows and doors. The countdown has now started to the • Keep gas cylinders outside the caravan unless Christmas and New Year holidays. We want to a special ventilated compartment is provided. see everybody having a safe and joyous time but Fire Safety in the Countryside would like to remind people of a few rules if you Every year fire is responsible for the destruction are planning outdoor fires. We don’t like to spoil of thousands of hectares of countryside, open people’s fun, but if we are called to an outdoor fire spaces and wildlife habitat. Some of these fires are and the correct procedures have not been followed, started deliberately but by following a few simple then we are required to extinguish the fire. precautions many others could be prevented: Currently it is a ‘Restricted’ season and no • Dispose of smoking materials properly and fire may be lit in the open air without a permit. A make sure they are completely extinguished. permit is required for all outdoor burning, other • Don’t leave camp fires or barbecues unattended than gas barbecues and incinerators, at any time and extinguish them properly after use. of the year. All new permit applications must be • Clear away bottles, glasses and broken glass made at least two weeks prior to the event and are to prevent them focussing the sun’s rays and subject to a site safety inspection. starting a fire. No fires are permitted on beaches and no fires • Explain to children the dangers of playing are allowed to remain alight after dark except those with lighted fires. specifically issued for bonfires at New Year, Guy • If fire breaks out, call the Fire & Rescue Service Fawkes or significant community celebrations. immediately. Mention landmarks – a church If you intend to burn rubbish in a back yard or pub say – and if calling from a phone box, fire then you need to be aware that only paper, stay nearby so you can direct fire appliances. cardboard, plant matter and untreated wood may • Don’t try to fight the fire unless it is very small be burned. The material must be dry, not green, so – grass and crop fires can travel very quickly. you can’t burn material just cut from living plants. Camping Wood must not be painted, varnished or treated, • Allow at least 6m (18ft) spacing between tents. or contain glues or other plastics. The fire must be • Don’t use candles in or near a tent – use a torch. 50m from any boundary and the smoke must not • Discourage smoking – especially in smaller be a nuisance to your neighbours. tents. Camping and outdoor activities are a great way • Don’t use cooking equipment in smaller tents. to spend your holiday, but they have their own set • Make sure everyone knows the location of the of fire risks. Some common-sense preparation can nearest telephone and nearest fire point. ensure you have a safe and enjoyable experience. Cooking Caravanning • Keep cookers away from the tent entrance. Caravans are smaller and more confined than a • Make certain the cooker is stable, away from house so the fire risks can be more hazardous. draughts and in an area where they will not Install a smoke alarm to give early warning of a fire get knocked over. and follow these precautions to reduce your risks: • Keep flammables (including long grass) away • Find out the firefighting arrangements at a from the cooking area. caravan site. • Avoid using liquid fuel appliances if at all • Don’t leave children alone in a caravan – they possible. are particularly vulnerable. • Only change disposable gas cylinders when • Keep a fully charged water fire extinguisher or they are completely empty. dry powder fire extinguisher near the caravan The Waitati Volunteer Fire Brigade would like to exit door and a fire blanket should be adjacent wish all residents of the Blueskin Bay community to the cooking area. a very merry Christmas and a happy, safe, and • Keep a torch handy – never use candles. prosperous New Year. December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 7 Orokonui Ecosanctuary by Sue Hensley thinking of Christmas presents – give an Orokonui Ecosanctuary gift voucher for a tour or a fencepost plaque this year. The Visitor Centre shop has a good range of gifts that also support the work of the Ecosanctuary. Information about Orokonui is available at www.orokonui.org.nz and the Visitor Centre and cafe are open 9.30–4.30 daily, (please check statutory holiday days).

The first month of operation since opening the Visitor Centre has seen a mix of frantic activity, interspersed with quieter moments and the sorting out of the inevitable teething problems associated with a new building, equipment and software. Overall however it has been a very successful launch. The Ecosanctuary is open exclusively for guided tours at present although work is progressing on tracks, brochures, and signage etc to allow for freedom walkers and it is hoped that this work will be completed by February or March 2010.  November-December is chick time at the sanctuary and tours regularly see bellbird and  tomtit chicks calling and begging for food from parents. All four kaka females are also nesting with two chicks already hatched. It will be February  before we see most of these chicks outside their nests.  At least three tieke/saddleback chicks have left their nests, which is a significant happening and  confirms that rat numbers are low. Rat footprints  were found on less than 1% of ink cards put out in  November and while this decline is encouraging they are not yet down to the undetectable levels  that we are aiming for.  This year has seen huge changes and the many hours of volunteer labour has contributed to all  of these. To all of you wonderful and generous   volunteers – a big thanks from the staff, Trust, as well as the flora and fauna. Have a safe and  wonderful festive season. If you’re one of those early birds already

8 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 WAITATI OPEN ORCHARD

Helped by the gifts of WEGie and WEP ‘Eco-Hero’ award prizes (fruit trees) to the Waitati Open Orchard initiative, WEGie Jenna Packer and sons Bruno and Lucan Willis, along with View Street neighbours Mette and Peter Goodin, and Antony Deaker, planted a small ‘Open Orchard’ on View Street on a beautiful Sunday the 22nd of November. Photo supplied by the Waitati Edible Gardens group.

Happy Hands Craft Group meet every 2nd Blueskin Bay Library & 4th Wednesday at the Hours Palmerston Community Monday: 2.00 pm – 7.00 pm Centre. Tuesday: 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm New members most Wednesday: 2.00 pm – 5.30 pm Thursday: 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm welcome. Friday: 10.00 am – 12.00 pm For more information 2.00 pm – 6.00 pm Saturday: 10.00 am – 1.00 pm phone Lyne 4822822 Marlene 4822348

December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 9 Waitati Film Society by Leonie Rousselot Half year memberships are now available at $30. Drama, comedy, history or just plain entertainment in a warm, pleasant environment with convivial company. Membership allows you free entry to our screenings as well as discounts at film festivals and some Dunedin cinemas. For more information ring: Brigitte 482-2829 or Leonie 482-2508 or check out our website: http://www.nzfilmsociety.org.nz/waitati.htm Tuesday Dec 8 BOUDOU SAVED FROM DROWNING France 1932 Perhaps saving a degenerate tubercular tramp from a watery grave was not the best thing for an upper class bookseller to do, but Lestingois did it and subsequently his household has to endure Boudous’ challenges to their morality. 87m

10 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 11 12 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 13 14 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 Warrington PLAYCENTRE by Mary-Jane Mirfin Our Playcentre would like to say a big hello and Thank you to all the parents and kids who have welcome to Savannah, Oliver and Rhiannon. We been involved in Playcentre this year and all those also say farewell to Alice and Lyon. We hope you families who participated and contributed to the have just as much fun at Warrington School as you photo and book fundraiser. did at Playcentre. We look forward to seeing you Why a Playcentre is such a worthwhile part of on one of our regular visits to Warrington School. our community Recent outings have included Pet Planet in • A great opportunity to get involved in your town to see the animals and then an exciting community. bus trip to the Museum to look at Animal Attic. • To make friends for all the family in a warm, We were kindly invited to visit the Portobello nurturing and safe environment. Aquarium with Blueskin Playcentre. It was fun • A fantastic adult to child ratio of 1 adult to 5 meeting Harriet the Hermit Crab, playing with children – this is much higher than most early all the wonderful sea themed resources, looking childhood centres. at pools and being able to touch all the • Having playcentre right at your doorstep interesting sea life such as anemones and starfish, • Sessions are for 0 to 6 years of age. Preschoolers and holding crabs if we felt brave enough. for all ages mix and mingle. Coming up we have our always fun and • Early eductation training opportunities for popular Christmas Party. In previous years, Santa parents in through the Playcentre Association. has arrived to see the kids on a horse and cart, If you are interested in bringing your child to motorbike and boat and trailer with elves. We also Playcentre, our sessions are Tuesday, Wednesday are having another outing with Blueskin Playcentre and Friday 9.30–12.30 am on Stephenson Street, to do some gymnastics in town. We are looking Warrington, by the hall. Call Mary-Jane Mirfin into a visit to Orokonui Ecosanctuary in the near 482 1962 or Warrington Playcentre 027 227 7329. future and another visit from Sport Otago to try Merry Christmas to everyone! out a bit of rippa rugby for the older kids.

December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 15 BLUESKIN GARDEN CLUB by Lynnaire Johnston Three gardens and a church were the focus of Blueskin Garden Club’s November outing. The area’s keen gardeners visited gardens in Warrington and St Barnabas Church. First port of call was Maretta and John Thom’s Reservoir Rd garden. The result of many years’ hard work, and with fabulous views over the bay, terraced gardens and thousands of well-placed rocks, it was an inspiration as to what can be achieved in a less than ideal situation. Back down at the bottom of the hill, one of the area’s best kept secrets was revealed. The stained glass windows of St Barnabas Church are just stunning and well worth a visit if you’ve never had the opportunity to see them. The story goes that they were acquired after WWII when Australian watersiders refused to offload them from the ship they had been transported because they had been made in Germany. The windows ended up in Dunedin where they were warehoused before being bought and placed in St Barnabas. The evening was rounded out by visits to two further gardens – Jackie and Alistair Wright’s modern garden on the corner of Watson and Ferguson Streets with its fabulous bed of Chatham Island forget-me-nots, and Rowena Park’s cottage garden in Hill Rd. Rowena’s pure-bred rabbits were a particular favourite. Finally, a reminder that the club is holding its Christmas get-together on Saturday December 12.

Christmas greetings from WCCB AMNESTY by Alasdair Morrison INTERNATIONAL At our latest Community Board meeting we were Local contact: pleased to be able to grant financial assistance Elspeth 482 2022 of $1,000 grants to our two local schools for very worthwhile projects: to Waitati School for www.amnesty.org.nz the initial excavations for a BMX track and to Warrington School for the purchase of equipment to start a new community radio station. We look forward to developments with both projects. On behalf of the Board, I wish you all a safe and peaceful Christmas holiday.

16 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 WAITATI Edible Gardeners By Lynnaire Johnston Waitati’s edible gardeners have been extremely $15 for non-WEGies, $12 for WEGies. To book, busy of late. We have been involved with the call Lucy Jack on 482 1773. global climate change “350” effort, working on the Harvest markets community gardens and open orchard initiatives, Three harvest markets are planned for plus planning for the upcoming harvest markets 2010 - February 21, March 21 and April 18. These and the edible garden tour. will be held at the Old Waitati Stores in Harvey St, 350 and will offer a plethora of locally produced items For such a small town, Waitati punched above its including vegetables and fruit, honey, preserves, weight at the Spring Food Festival in late October. plants and anything else that fits the “local” criteria The WEGies, WEP and Warrington School all had that someone wishes to contribute. For more stands at the festival to support the international information contact Rayna on 482 2504. day of climate change action. Lucy Jack worked New members hard and enthusiastically, promoting the WEGies The WEGgies are always keen to extend and successfully encouraging people to both their network so new members are welcome. We donate and join, while the Village Potager sold Waitati- made preserves and plants. Many local Waitatians also dropped by to lend their support. Community gardens In recent weeks, Derek Onley has been busy with other WEGies planting pumpkins and potatoes in the WEGies’ hillside plot. A bumper harvest is expected provided the weather cooperates over the next few months. Edible garden tour There has been a date change for the planned Purakaunui Edible Garden Tour next month. It will now be work to promote local food sources by providing held on Saturday January 23, with a rain date learning opportunities, initiating such projects of Sunday the 24th. The all-day event will take as community gardens and open orchards, and in Purakaunui’s finest food-producing gardens the growing and harvesting of local food. Life with the aim of promoting learning, inspiration membership costs just $5. To become a Friend of and self-sustainability. The tour includes the the WEGies and receive emails about upcoming now-famous Amazing Lunch made from locally events email [email protected] produced food. There are limited tickets available,

STILL NEEDED Then we would love to meet you! Rape Are you interested in supporting women Crisis Dunedin runs a training programme affected by sexual abuse? Are you a good for new volunteer support workers at the listener? end of November – so if you would like Do you want to be part of a women’s to be involved please pick up the phone organisation? Do you want to learn new and call us. Rape Crisis Dunedin Inc. Ph: skills essential for support work? YES? 474-1592 E: [email protected]

December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 17 BLUESKIN PLAYCENTRE by Marion Rucker We have had an action packed, fun month at area over Christmas with the purchase of a new Playcentre. We started the month wishing Max double cot. a happy 4th birthday and enjoying a yummy At the end of term we will say a sad farewell morning tea. We have had lots of messy play this to Tessa and Lisa. Tessa will be starting at Room month with foam, glug, clay, painting our feet and 3 at Waitati School in the New Year. Lisa has been bodies in some cases, along with lots of water play. involved with Playcentre for 12 years with all four During one session the sand pit became a jungle for of her children attending. Over these years she has the dinosaurs and wild animals to live in. made an invaluable contribution to Playcentre. We have enjoyed a trip to Doctors Point Tessa was the driving force behind our bike Beach to collect shells and a visit to Portobello track which children are still enjoying, while her aquarium to learn more about sea creatures. In knowledge of grants has seen many areas renewed December we look forward to playing ripper rugby and equipment replaced. During 2009 she has in association with Sport Otago. We’ve done a lot volunteered on our supervision team, she will be of baking of various muffins and cookies, made sadly missed and we wish her well. smoothies and chocolates and enjoyed eating these Blueskin Playcentre is celebrating its 50th at sharing time. anniversary. Why not join us for afternoon tea on Our children are enjoying our carpentry area Saturday 12 December 2009 at 2pm, at Waitati Hall which has been renewed with a new table and and help us put together our history. Bring a plate, tools. Thanks to a grant from Dunedin Casino your photos and your early childhood memories. Trust we will be upgrading our baby sleeping For more information contact Marion on 482 1395.

Warrington surf patrol ready for a new season

This season’s Warrington surf patrol members gather on Sunday 15 November at the beach to refresh their life saving qualifications (from left): Johnny Kelly, Sam Todd, Sam Thomas, Allan Todd (obscured), Jake Shearstone (arms folded), Pete Russell, Max Corboy, Chris Groenewegen, Byron Dodge (rear), Aimee-Leigh Rainbow, Phil Clayton (rear), Sarah Henderson, Eilsh Thomson, Connor Beaton (rear), Elise Doyle, Robert Bloem (rear), Immy Doyle, Peter Dowden (rear), Mark Familton, Jack Turner, Cameron Wallace, Arthur Ibbotson, Hamich McCulloch (rear), Jimmy Brown, Joe Anderson (rear), Matt Kelly (obscured); seated at front are: Cherie Oldham, Simon Cox, Charlotte Ibbotson, Kim Martyn, Rebecca Henderson, Talia Oldham, Dom Harrison, Fiona Nicholl, Linda Groenewegen. Photo by Pru Casey.

18 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 Letter to the Editor Our choice and not the decision of a few Blueskin News readers may be aware that the sought funding, applied to the school board for Blueskin Youth Hall Committee is planning permission to build and had to prove the worth of to build a 950m2, 8m high steel barn in our their project. They’ve applied for resource consent community park, Bland Park. and will be involved in construction. It’s truly their They have sought permission from the A&P own project and they have learned so much (www. Society who have given approval “in principle”. We ecoclassroomnz.com). are really disappointed that the A&P society does The Youth Hall/Sports Arena is a steel building not think it necessary to speak with the community with no consideration given to environmental before making decisions of such importance. impact, aesthetics, sustainability or even basic Bland Park was “gifted to the community” and heating and lighting. The plans are in the Blueskin these major changes to our environment should be Library and www.futuresteel.co.nz. our choice and not the decision of a few. Please have a look, but be aware that the The BYHC has been asked many times to Playcentre have pulled out of the project and that advertise and hold open meetings. They have the Toy Library were never asked to be involved refused, but why? They claim they have a mandate although both have been included in the plans. You from the community to proceed. They also can also see a copy of the original survey. claim that they have already consulted with the I hope that we will be able to discuss this community by way of a five question survey put project and all others as a community with out in February 2005. Since then, there has been no the many innovative ideas that we have. This consultation with the members of the community is the principle of Transition Town Waitati – a who will be most affected by the building. community making decision about what is best They will be seeking funding from the DCC for us – not an elite doing it despite us. It’s time to and other major funding sources for this building move on to a new way for the community to work that will far exceed the $100,000 or so that is in the together, inclusive, ethical and sustainable. Youth Hall coffers. Neither has there has been any If you would like to express an opinion you proper consultation with the youth of Waitati, who could contact the following people: are purported to be seeking this building. • Waikouaiti Board member Nancy Higgins What would they do with more than $100,000 [email protected] if they were given a opportunity to investigate and • Waikouaiti Board member Geraldine Tait 03 design a project? Imagine the sense of ownership 4822 517 and therefore care attached to a project that the • Forum www.transitiontowns.org.nz/ youth of Waitati really owned. node/2112 Hukanui primary school students designed a Yours etc sustainable building called “The Livingroom”. They Tania Turei and Alex Whitaker

BLUESKIN CAFE at Blueskin Nurseries Come and meet Belinda and her team. Taste the delicious home baking and enjoy the best coffee in town. Open 7 days from 8.30am - 5pm Ph 03 482 2633

December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 19 Waitati Energy Project by Scott Willis Distributed and renewable generation generation comes closer to fruition we will need Distributed Generation (DG) is the big theme to do more than just talk about it in the ‘Blueskin this month. The Blueskin Resilient Communities News’ and at the odd public meeting. So in parallel Trust (BRCT – the charitable trust supporting with the business and technical feasibility work, Transition Town initiatives and sustainability we’ll be working out a comprehensive consultation initiatives in Blueskin Bay) was successful in its plan. Because while community support for this bid to the Energy Efficiency and Conservation project has been fantastic to date, we can’t assume Authority’s DG fund in November, and now we that there won’t be any issues and we want to have the ability to build our business model. ensure that everyone has the ability to participate Over the next three months (with a pause for in the development of this community project, and Christmas) we’ll be working with accountants feels comfortable doing so. Polson Higgs and our partners on the financial A Comunity Organisations Grants Scheme feasibility of a community owned wind turbine. grant this month has given us funds towards We’ll also be working to find the appropriate developing the BRCT office, an increasingly business shape for community ownership important task as the workload increases. Thank and broad community benefit. Of course, the you to all the applicants for the BRCT admin WEP office will still be engaged in all the other position - it is wonderful to have such interest activities, but time will be limited for anything in the community and exciting to see local non-essential as we work hard to see if we can employment options emerge in the sustainability generate, own and manage our own electricity. sector. We’re anticipating our office to be fully The DG fund from EECA helps us to build staffed again in the new year, and our long-term the business case. After all, nothing can proceed goal is to establish this position as another long if we can’t ensure it makes good economic sense. term position. Alongside the business case, we need to make East Otago Collaboration on Solar progress on the technical front, and nothing Since the very successful “In Transition” film is sitting still here either. Two wind test sites premiere we’ve been maintaining the good level (Mopanui Ridge and Double Hill Rd) are still being of dialogue with other East Otago transition monitored, and data is being collected. A third site, and sustainability groups and this collaboration with a taller tower, has yet to be selected but several has taken the form of an application for funds are under consideration and the third tower will be to work together on a specific action: solar hot in place before the end of the year. Alice Bowden, water. If successful, WEP will collaborate with Nicolas Cullen’s Masters student, is working from the Hampden Energy Group, the University of Otago Geography department Transition Town and Transition Valley 473 (North with this part of the project and we’re receiving East Valley) to build a case for a broad scale solar valuable assistance from our partners at Windflow hot-water system rollout. The funding applied for Technology Limited and PowerNet Limited. is limited. However, the momentum around this As the project to develop our own community action is strong, so I envisage this becoming a serious effort in 2010, by hook or by crook. Turbine Fund Launched The 350 Spring Festival on 24 October was too good an opportunity to miss. We had our own little ‘Waitati corner’ beside the Weggies on Anzac Avenue and were serenaded by the Waitati Militia Band on their way back from drumming up the mayor. So what was more appropriate than bringing out the teapot for donations? While the funds raised on the 24th were only a tiny contribution towards the cost of a community 20 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 turbine, it was a strong symbolic start. We’ll be designing our fundraising strategy alongside the business case, and now that the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust has been officially registered as a charity with IRD we have the ability to give donors a tax credit. The Spring Festival was a very successful day of action on climate change, and a great networking day. Quite apart from being bombarded with interest and being engaged in stimulating conversations, I was left with a profound optimism in the ability of society to make a difference. Reviewing our activities this year is very satisfying, and nothing more so than the WEP Retrofit Rollout. EnergySmart, the main contractors, report that they’ve done all the Quality Audits, bar a handful of homes whose residents have proved very elusive. They’re now completing the small amount of remedial work, in a very successful end to 2009’s energy efficiency initiative. 2009 has also seen the WEP’s capacity grow, with a two-person office and the very strong support of a healthy volunteer community. As the year draws to a close, the initially slow and cautious development of the Renewable Generation project has just stepped up a pace, and like a slingshot, will propel us into 2010 with great momentum (check out ‘Blueskin 10:10’ as well). On behalf of the Waitati Energy Project and the Blueskin Resilient Communities Trust I want to wish you a great holiday break. Remember to save some dollars if you’re going away by turning off your hot water and don’t neglect to make the most of our beautiful local environment and time with the family. For more information about WEP or BRCT initiatives, contact me at: waitatienergy@gmail. com, or by calling the BRCT office on 4822048. You’ll also find plenty of information on the website http://transitiontowns.org.nz/waitati or by going on the WEP email list.

December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 21 Blueskin 10:10 by Meiling Blank 10:10 Moving Beyond CFLs and Insulation What can I do? So you’ve replaced your incandescent bulbs with There’s no point in setting a 10% reduction goal if compact fluorescents, use reusable shopping bags, there is no way to measure progress. CarboNZero and have taken advantage of the government is an easy to use carbon calculator for households home insulation subsidy. Hopefully by now you’re that requires you to answer some simple questions noticing a difference to the size of your wallet, about your home energy use, transport, waste while the planet notices a difference due to your and recycling habits. You need to complete a free smaller carbon footprint – but what now? registration (it took me about 90 seconds) and have 10:10 is a climate change campaign promoting your power bills and fuel receipts for the last month cooperation of all members of society - individuals, or so handy. Once you are registered click the “add businesses, schools, community groups, local and data” button to start using the calculator. Check national government – towards one single goal: to it out at www.carbonzero.co.nz/EmissionsCalc/ reduce overall carbon emissions by 10% during login.aspx 2010. Check out the website at www.1010uk.org We also need to hear from you, because this Why 10%? is the community where you live, work (maybe?) Most climate change proposals set ambitious goals and play. You, your friends, your children and your for sometime in the far distant future, but scientists neighbours are what make Blueskin Bay. What sort believe emissions must begin decreasing by 2015 of community do you want to live in, now and in if we are to avert major changes that may one the future, and how should we respond to the 10:10 day make places like Blueskin Bay uninhabitable. challenge? Just as important as promoting personal A 10% reduction now is an achievable and action, 10:10 is about Blueskin Bay coming necessary first step for virtually everyone and together and finding its own creative solutions every organisation. for its own unique challenges. Are you up for it? What does 10% mean for me? Everyone at the Waitati Energy Project and Carbon emissions vary from person to person, but Blueskin Resilient Community Trust hopes you, a Ministry for the Environment publication “New your family and loved ones have a safe and happy Zealand’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory 1990–2007” holiday season. Keep a note of carbon reducing estimates that our per capita CO2 emissions ideas and look out for this column in next year’s amount to 19 tonnes a year – 11th highest in the Blueskin News as the Blueskin 10:10 team offer world. So a 10% decrease would mean each person up more tips, tools and tales to reduce your reducing their emissions by 1.9 tonnes during carbon footprint and fatten your wallet. For more 2010. Making smart choices to eliminate waste information, or to discuss the 10:10 campaign and increase efficiency may be all that’s needed to further, please contact Meiling Blank, Tel: 482 achieve your 10%. 2289, email : [email protected] Do we really need another greenwashing awareness campaign? 10:10 aims to go beyond simple awareness. The Waitati Household Energy Use survey conducted by the Otago Energy Research Centre last year found the strong pro-environmental values in Colin Hall Fencing Contractor Waitati did not necessarily translate into green Specializing in Lifestyle Blocks behaviours. 10:10 is a platform to help make that Tel: 03 482 2110 Cell: 027 326 4678 leap from good intentions to action. It depends on E Mail: [email protected] us as individuals making smart choices, but it also New Fences & Old Fence Repairs depends on the creativeness of the community so Restoration Maintenance & More the smart choice is the easy choice.

22 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010 FREE* Classifieds YOUR AD HERE [email protected] for hours a week with our edible garden at our beach classified ads in this column. cottage in Warrington. Please write with details *Classified ads are “free” but we would to: Potager, 13 Cairnhill St. Dunedin 9010 [12] appreciate a koha/donation of $0.50-$1.00 per BASS PLAYER WANTED to support a young line of text. Donations/koha accepted at Blueskin up-and-coming artist, must be proficient. Bay Library, by cheque to Blueskin Media, PO Opportunities to play original material, record and Box 154 Warrington, or to account Blueskin perform with two other accomplished musicians. News 03 1726 0010157 00. Blueskin Media is Must be creative, dedicated and easy going. Our a not-for-profit, 100% volunteer- run community influences include, Jazz, Blues and Rock. Phone publisher. Sarah after 7pm on 482 1920 [12] NOTE TO ADVERTISERS: We have several ELECTRICIAN: Local electrician avaliable, good long-running ads. We are happy to repeat them if rates. Call after 7pm, Steve Ph. 482 1920 [12] we hear from you, otherwise we will not run them HOUSE WANTED TO RENT Brechan Mutch and next issue. In future we will delete ads after three partner looking for a place to rent in the Blueskin months if we don’t hear from advertisers during Bay area from mid-August. Very tidy and friendly that period. Some ads are marked with the last people. Brechan 027 567 1921 brechanmutch@ month of publication in [square brackets]. hotmail.com [12] WAITATI HALL Large modern kitchen facility. LANDSCAPE ARTIST: Local landscapes freshly Meeting room, an attractive facility for a variety drawn by Liz Abbott. Available direct from the of functions. For more information or to hire this artist at Seacliff. Also last minute original gifts venue phone Blueskin Bay Library 482 2444 including cards, prints, patches and other unique WARRINGTON HALL: For all bookings: please hand-printed souvenirs. Ideal for posting. Gift phone Rowena Park 482 2667 vouchers available. Liz’s Art Shed is open on the MILK VENDOR: Kelvin Lyon for all your milk, first Sunday of the month from 11am-2pm (during cream, flavoured milk, custard and fruit juice. the Coast Road Market) or by appointment ph Phone 482 2698 027 699 5390 [12] LOCAL SHOP: Blueskin General Store, State COUNSELLING, LIFE COACHING, Hwy 1, Waitati: 7.30am-8.30pm Mon-Sat; REBIRTHING: David Baillie, ND, BSc, Waitati 9am-8pm Sun. Tel 482 2741 Valley Rd. Appointments: 021 122 0910 [12] CREATIVE MEMORIES: When and why do you COB-EARTH WORKSHOP: building a Cob- take photos? Where do you keep photos? How Oven and Rocket Stove, Dec 12 -13. Harmony do you share your photos? Let me help you Farm, 0211-22-0910 www.gemstonetherapy.info/ celebrate your life, your story, your way. For more courses.htm [12] information please contact: Dawn Hope Creative COURSES; and internships in permaculture, Memories consultant 482 2787 or 027 244 9854 sustainable building/energy systems/ [email protected] [12] communities, spiritual ecology, forest monitoring WOMEN: Interested in exploring the Christian and trail making at Harmony Farm, Waitati Valley faith with some others? Free on Tuesday nights? Rd. www.gemstonetherapy.info [02] Feel free to join some other women at 22 CARPENTERY WORK, post and beam, Orokonui Rd, Waitati on Tuesday nights of the stopping, etc: Mark Horsefield 482 2515 [12] school term 7-9pm. If you’d like to know more, NATUROPATH, MASSEUR, REBIRTHER, or join us, we’d love you to. Helen Beamish Waitati Valley Rd. David Baillie, ND: 482 1440, Alison Appleby 4822532 or Glenda 0211-22-0910 [03] Rickerby 482 1511 for directions and information PERMACULTURE, SUSTAINABLE LIVING, [12] Cob Earth Building, Spiritual Ecology, Forest ITALIAN LESSONS: Individual and group Monitoring, and Trail Making at Harmony Forest, lessons with a qualified and experienced Waitati. www.gemstonetherapy.info/volunteering. language teacher. Learn one of the world’s most htm [03] expressive languages. Communicative and fun teaching style. Call for more info 482 2177 or 021 039 7623 [12] GARDENER WANTED: A pair of preferably experienced hands to help us for a couple of

December 2009/January 2010 Blueskin News 23 Local bus services to Dunedin

This is a general guide only. Please confirm all details with the relevant bus company. Operator Inter PT† Inter Coastline PT naked Inter Inter PT Inter Inter Service city city Penguin bus city city city city days daily M-F daily M-F M-F daily daily Fri&Sun M-F daily Fri&Sun (origin) (Palm) (Oam) (Palm) (CHC) (CHC) (CHC) (Palm) (CHC) (CHC) Depart from Warrington — — — 9.45 — — — — — — — Evansdale — 7.55 — 9.50 12.40 — 13.11 — 16.55 19.25 22.39 Waitati — 8.00 — 9.55 12.45 13.25 13:13 — 17.00 19.27 22.41 Return from Dunedin 7.45 8.45 12.50 15.45 15.30 14.20 — 17.15 17.20 — — (destination) (CHC) (Palm) (CHC) (Oamaru) (Palm) (CHC) (CHC) (Palm) †Passenger Transport (Palmerston Service)

• Coastline Tours Penguin Bus: Times are very • Passenger Transport (Palmerston Service): approximate and are for the Oamaru-Dunedin Bookings not needed, enquiries and lost Shuttle operated by Coastline Tours, bookings property etc 474 1669 essential, tel 03 434 7744 or call the driver: • Long-distance buses are cheapest when 027 256 5651. Their services are door-to-door booked early or in bulk, at intercity.co.nz or which is nice if you have luggage. nakedbus.com

24 Blueskin News December 2009/January 2010