Tuesday, Nov 5, 2019 Since Sept 27, 1879 Retail $2 Home delivered from $1.35 THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY 140 YEARS Flying high FULL STORY P24 PHOTO HEATHER MACKENZIE 031119-HM-0228 Dinner club P3 New agri college for Mid Canty BY SUE NEWMAN “Having dealt with thousands of cli- be required to undertake a four-week [email protected] ents and potential candidates who were residential training course. A new agricultural training college, one looking to be placed within the prima- Study would be at two levels – a two- that will offer a combination of study ry industries, I can see from both sides year diploma in agriculture with the op- and on farm work, will be established in the skills that are desperately needed tion of a further two years of study to- the Ashburton District next year. by employers and in demand by candi- wards a diploma in agricultural finance The new college will be based at what dates. I knew the industry was looking management. was previously Winchmore Research for something different,” Jones said. Unlike other training courses, the Station and is the brainchild of New While there are a number of training Ashburton agri training programme Zealand Dairy Careers director Matt courses focused on specific areas of ag- will be run under City and Guilds rath- Jones. It will be guided by a six-person riculture, the new college would cover er than being measured against NZQA Melbourne board of industry representatives. every facet of the industry, he said. standards. The college had been a long time and It would offer training from the most a lot of research, in the making, Jones basic level for school leavers through to said and it was designed to produce those already in the workforce wanting Cup sweep graduates with the grassroots skills the to gain a qualification. CONTINUED P3 industry needed, he said. New entrants to the industry would Motoring P17 Friday, July 5, 2019 Jenny’s XK8 Jaguar is her dream car. Local news for local people Mid Canterbury’s only locally-owned daily newspaper FULL STORY P21 Ph 03 307 7900 Mid Canterbury. to subscribe! That’s our Heartland. Earn 1.60%p.a. with Heartland’s Direct Call Account. Find out more at heartland.co.nz Direct Call Account terms and conditions apply. News 2 Ashburton Guardian Tuesday, November 5, 2019 www.guardianonline.co.nz McLaughlin retains chairman role BY SUSAN SANDYS the paper and bowl, and Don- [email protected] aldson said “moment of truth” Methven Community Board before drawing out a piece of members faced two competing paper, unfolding it, and reading bids for the top jobs of board “Dan”, to which everyone in the chairperson and deputy, so drew room clapped to congratulate the winners’ names from a bowl. McLaughlin. At their first meeting of the new No sooner had the election local body term yesterday, one- finished, than a sense of déjà vu term chairperson Dan McLaugh- descended upon the room as the lin had the luck of the draw on his same scenario played out for the side and was able to return to the role of deputy chairperson. role, defeating new member Kel- Newly-instated chairman vin Holmes. McLaughlin nominated McAlpine For the role of deputy chair- as his deputy. McAlpine first of all person, Sonia McAlpine won the asked about declining, but then draw, with Holmes once again de- decided she would stand for the feated. role. McMillan seconded the Holmes had been nominated nomination. by fellow newbie for the role of Smith then nominated Holmes, chairperson – Ashburton District which was seconded by Letham. Council representative Rodger A show of hands had three sup- Letham. The nomination was porting each candidate, with each seconded by member Ron Smith, nominee voting for themselves who has served one term on the alongside their supporters. board. This time McAlpine won the The motion was put by the draw and was named as new dep- Holmes camp to have the former uty chairwoman, to which every- councillor as chair, but then coun- one clapped to congratulate her. cil representative Liz McMillan Methven’s new community board members are (from left) Kelvin Holmes, Sonya McAlpine, Dan “Well that’s democracy in ac- nominated McLaughlin, which McLaughlin, council representatives Liz McMillan and Rodger Letham, and Ron Smith. tion,” McLaughlin said. was seconded by McAlpine. PHOTO SUSAN SANDYS 031119-SS-0005 All was not lost for Holmes, who A show of hands had three was nominated as the board ap- supporting each candidate – the council environmental services that would be okay, as long as the Donaldson got a $1 coin from pointee to the Mt Hutt Memorial nominees each voting for them- group manager Jane Donaldson candidates agreed. her purse, but following discus- Hall Board later in the meeting. selves and McLaughlin supported sought advice from council head- “I’m pretty uncomfortable sion about how to allocate either “I’m happy to do that,” he by McMillan and McAlpine, and quarters. She was informed she about doing a casting vote, one of heads or tails to each of the can- said prior to nominations being Holmes supported by Letham had the casting vote. them here is not going to speak to didates, board members instead called. and Smith. Donaldson asked if there could me again,” she joked. decided to go with writing each He was nominated by McMil- Having been given the task of instead be a coin toss, whereup- The candidates and fellow candidate’s name on a piece of lan, and McLaughlin appeared re- chairing the meeting until the on the council correspondent on board members agreed a coin paper and drawing it from a bowl. lieved and said “good” when there new chairperson was elected, speaker phone informed her that toss was preferable. A council assistant prepared were no competing nominations. Groups issue safety warnings ahead of Guy Fawkes They’re entertaining to watch enjoy the thrill but to put some use fireworks. lighting fireworks in a wide-open need to be aware of the stress up in the night sky, but fireworks plans in place. “Whether it’s the first firework area, keeping a bucket of water their use of fireworks can cause come with their fair share of “We would urge every one you light or the 25th, it is impor- or fire extinguisher nearby and others in their neighbourhood warning messages too. planning on using fireworks to tant to check your surroundings, pointing fireworks to the sky. and act considerately. Tonight is officially Guy Fawkes think about safety prior to use,” make sure the weather doesn’t Meanwhile, the SPCA were While SPCA does not support night and while sales began on Peter Gallagher, national advi- pose a danger and to make sure putting the message out that this the private sale and use of fire- Saturday, national organisations sor, Fire Risk Management said. the fireworks are on a flat surface time of the year can be a highly works and has long called for such as the SPCA and Fire and “It’s important to check the or nailed to a surface as specified distressing one for animals. a ban on the sale of fireworks Emergency New Zealand are weather forecast, make sure you in the instructions.” Each year SPCA receives doz- to the public, is urging those sending out the message around have water nearby and use the Tips offered by FENZ to help ens of calls relating to fireworks, planning to set off fireworks on safety for both humans and pets. fireworks in a responsible man- ensure safety when using fire- including: animal injuries, their properties should consider Last year, in a two-day period, ner.” works include: not lighting fire- frightened animals, missing pets speaking to their neighbours, or there were 56 fireworks related Gallagher hopes users will works in windy conditions, care- and, occasionally, abuse of ani- leaving a note in their letterbox, incidents across New Zealand maintain a high level of safety fully reading and then following mals. so that those with pets and live- and FENZ are urging people to consciousness every time they the manufacturer’s instructions, People who don’t have pets stock can prepare accordingly. 4 DAY SALE STARTS WEDNESDAY $2000 SALE BONUS across the range of new and demo vehicles ASHBURTON: Main South Road, Tinwald \ 03 307 9028 \ Facebook: SmallboneAshburton Mon - Fri: 8am - 5pm \ Sat: 9am - 12noon www.smallbone.co.nz News www.guardianonline.co.nz Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Ashburton Guardian 3 Ladies club continues to thrive BY HEATHER MACKENZIE At a recent gathering 84 wom- [email protected] en from all different backgrounds The Mayfield District Ladies Din- were happily chatting over a cool ner Club, originally started by An- chardonnay, looking forward to ama Rural Women 19 years ago, is dinner and the mystery guest still going strong. speaker. Founding member Betty George Madeline Brown and Jo Murphy said the idea was born after read- were the caterers for the night. ing about a similar club. They are the administrators of i “I read about something like this nuinui, meaning The Hope in Fi- somewhere and thought why not,” jian. she said. The pair are raising money to “If the men of our district can help struggling families in Fiji. go out to Lions and have a catered Entertainment was provided in meal, why can’t we?” the form of Ethel and Bethel the George floated the idea at the Bingo Babes. They certainly add next Anama Rural Women meet- an unconventional twist to bingo, ing.