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Community Contact is compiled from the contribu�ons of the people of South Westland. Ar�cles, items,

news, recipes, stories, etc. from everyone are most welcome. All personal opinions should be signed and

publica�on is at the discre�on of the Community Contact team. The views expressed in Community Contact

are not necessarily the views of the CC board. Send your ar�cles or adverts to your contact or e-mail to

weegerm@hotmail.de by 15TH August to be included in the September issue.

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We prefer online banking payments directly into the Bank Account:

Community Contact 12 3166 0042300 02 with your name & what the deposit is for. Please do not send

cash.

Kids! I have hidden a little mouse somewhere in Community Contact! Can you find it? Beware of imposters!

Congratulations to Lisa Reinhardt and Dean

Caldwell on the recent birth of the beautiful wee

Elise.

Our amazing compiler, Lisa, is taking “maternity

leave” for the month to give Elise her full

attention!

Missing you totally Lisa, but take the time you

need.

By the time Community Contact comes out the annual Woodham Shield Challenge will be underway!

Saturday 26 July Whataroa vs Ross at Whataroa 2pm

Sunday 10 August Winner vs Southern Combined Team at the winner’s venue 2pm

Sunday 17th August Winner vs Hari Hari at the winners venue 2pm

Winners of the Woodham Shield Challenge?? Rugby, Community, Families, South Westland, us!

Lets all have a great time, stay safe and look after each other. May the best team win!

Even if they don’t win they are still the best team! (You know who they are!!)

Bruce Bay Sports Day—October 26th

Some things to be thinking about….

Photo Competition - Theme - Weather—Two sections - Adults and

13 years and over and Children under 13. Contact Nicky 751 0114

Cake Baking

Gateau of you choice—must be at least 3 layers

Cream Sponge—Traditional plain sponge filled with jam and whipped

cream

Children under 13 —6 iced and decorated cup cakes

Stalls/Displays

If you would like to have a stall or display at the sports day please contact

Carol 751 0898; Jacqui or John 751 0095; Brenda 751 0892

Sponsorship/Prizes/ Raffle Prizes—If you would like to donate please

contact Lisa, email weegerm@hotmail.de or

Alice, email salmonfarm@xtra.co.nz

We are selling whitebait raffle tickets now—contact Maree 751 0882

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BRUCE BAY AREA HAAST HAPPENINGS

Coming up::

Labour Weekend 2014

The Bruce Bay Sports Day

and The Bruce Bay Ball

Sunday October 26th 2014

⇒ Timber Sports

⇒ Children’s Events

⇒ Raffles, including whitebait

⇒ BBQ and homemade food

⇒ Stalls

⇒ Nail Driving

⇒ Teams Events

⇒ Hospitality Event

⇒ Baking Competition

⇒ Photo Competition

⇒ Fun for all the Family

⇒ Much, much more

In the evening—The Ball

Theme this year—Mardi Gras

♦ Great Band

♦ Continuous supper

♦ Spot Prizes

♦ Coach from Fox Glacier

♦ Community Van will run locally

♦ Beau and Belle of the Ball

Don’t forget to organise your sober driver!

Bruce Bay Community Hall Inc.

Annual General Meeting

Tuesday 2nd September 2014

7.30pm at the hall

All very welcome.

There were some teething problems with the new fast

broadband internet connection but we in the Haast area

will now have access to the fast internet delivered through

the new network. It was a close thing, but the system was

hooked up for the grand opening at Haast School on

Thursday 19 June.

Many people gathered for the luncheon put on at Haast

School to launch the new network. Nick Lourentous of

Araneo, who has overseen the project for the last three

and a half years, spoke about the possibilities that will be

there with the provision of more affordable internet access

for the whole community.

The community listened to the short speeches and then

enjoyed a barbeque lunch cooked by the parents of our

Haast School children and funded by Araneo__________.

The Haast Allstars group enjoyed a well organised trip to

Christchurch on 2-4 July. There was snow on the pass on

the Trans Alpine train trip which made the photos perfect.

The accommodation was close to the shops and transport

which made it easy to shop and site see. On Friday they

took the bus back to Greymouth where the Allstars then

had a lovely dinner together at the Kingsgate Hotel and

celebrated Gail’s birthday. Di made a wonderful birthday

cake. On Saturday they met up with Margaret Hogg in

Hokitika for lunch then headed home.

Haast Community Library

Open Saturdays 1pm – 4pm

at the Hall in the Haast

township.

Books are issued out on a three weekly basis,

And we are lucky enough to get 100 books

changed over every 3 months

from the Hoki�ka Library.

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Hari Hari AUGUST 2014

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Hari Hari AUGUST 2014

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Hari Hari AUGUST 2014

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Hari Hari AUGUST 2014

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Appren�ce Electrician – Aotea Electric Westland Ltd

Due to the ongoing growth in the South Westland region, we are looking to train an

appren�ce electrician.

You will become part of a very dynamic three man team of registered electricians living in

the area and part of a twenty five man team on the West Coast.

This posi�on is based in the town of Franz Josef which is nestled at the base of the Franz

Josef Glacier, surrounded by beau�ful lakes and rainforest.

To meet the high standard this qualifica�on demands, you must have L2 NCEA with 8

credits in Maths, Science and English.

We would also just as importantly like you to have

Clean NZ Drivers Licence

Excellent communica�on skills

Ability to work accurately

You will be honest, reliable and enjoy comple�ng jobs to high standards and accuracy.

A professional work/study ethic, self-mo�va�on and efficient organisa�on skills are a must

in this posi�on!

We offer above award remunera�on for appropriate candidates, coupled with a work

uniform and cell phone.

APPLY NOW with CV aHached. Feel free to email with any ques�ons also.

brendon.rae@aoteaelectric.co.nz

Or phone

Brendon Rae – General Manager 0800 768 494 or 027 5454 242

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Ross Ramblings AUGUST2014

Campbell Live reporters are becoming regulars to small rustic homes in Ross, with

the second visit in as many months. Brian Anderson, resident glaciologist at this

correspondent's house was interviewed recently (the glaciers are melting) and now

Josh Marcotte will be discussing his YouTube channel, Josh James Kiwi Bushman.

Some of his videos demonstrating the likes of hunting goats with a homemade

longbow are getting a hundred thousand page views or more.

Another member of the Ross Marcotte household

was in the spotlight on school production night,

when seven-year-old Jack stepped up at the last minute to take the

lead role in The Point of the Pyramid. With good reading skills and

a high-tech autocue out the front, the show went on...

The production was a triumph in all respects. The hall was warm

and heading on for full, the kids were miked and easy to hear, and

there was a yummy supper afterwards. Plus, the slaves were ador-

able, the plotters suitably conniving and were happily foiled at the

end. It was a huge effort from the entire school community: kids, staff and parents. Special mention

has to go to local artist Mark Neilson for his awesome ancient Egyptian headdresses, now on dis-

play at the school. Songs such as Welcome to Ancient Egypt are still being sung at a number of

houses...

Past Ross residents will be honoured at a community planting day in late August. A hundred trees have already been pur-

chased to remember local family members. At the same time our last WW2 veterans, Les Gilmore and Pat Harris, will unveil

plaques to accompany the recently planted oak trees commemorating local soldiers. Members of the public are welcome

along – the date is yet to be decided but it will be the early afternoon on a weekend day, and will be advertised closer to the

time. Contact Biddy Manera (7554193) for more information.

Meanwhile the cherry tree pruners have begun the job of keeping our roadside trees healthy and growing well. Gareth from

Totara Valley Landscaping deserves a huge thank you for volunteering his time to pass on tree pruning skills to this team. If

you'd like to help, and improve your tree pruning skills in the process, contact Karen Mayhew (7554224). This is the same

group of people who have been keeping the new Ross roadside berms planted and weeded, so additional recruits are

needed now.

Okarito—Winter sunshine!

Although I am currently far far away from Okarito in British Columbia, Canada, it is great to stay in touch with

happenings in Okarito. Holiday homes have been busier with bookings this year—perhaps it is the lovely winter

sunshine we are hearing about? You just can’t beat a sunny July day on the West Coast! Well, okay, maybe a sun-

ny day in British Columbia now that it has cooled from temperatures in the

40’s down to high 20’s!

But by the time this edition of Community Contact reaches you, many will be

checking over the whitebait nets and the days will already be getting noticeably

longer! After a community get together last April to plant new daffodil bulbs,

hopefully they will be blooming all around the village this spring. Not only will

September bring that much awaited season and fishing frenzy to the coast, but

we will also have some great entertainment happening at Donovan's Store.

So, if you are looking for a fun night out with lots of laughter and great music

to help get you springing into spring! Book your tickets now with Richard and

Edwina for “A Cabaret” with Mel Parsons (from the West Coast) and James

Nokise (Samoan/Welsh stand up comic) “Soso Gangsta” - tickets available by

calling 03 753 4014 for this September 9th performance.

You can also see more on this show and more at www.facebook.com/

donovansstore

A Kiwi Bushman in his natural habitat

Mhotep, who plans to over

throw the Pharaoh

Happy slaves in ancient Egypt

Okarito AUGUST 2014

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Franz Josef AUGUST 2014

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Inland Revenue

Inland Revenue will be continuing to visit

Franz Josef and Fox Glacier throughout

the WINTER on the following dates:

Franz Josef : 1 July and 2 September, 1pm-

3pm, St Johns rooms

Fox Glacier: 17 June and 19 August, 11am-

1pm, Fire Station

We will resume our monthly visits in October

Appointments can be made by ringing Juliette

on 03 906 0317 or Tina on 03 906 0307.

GLACIER

CONCRETE

For all your concrete

needs in Westland

Call Tim Gibb on 0211584043 to

discuss your requirements.

Driveways, dairy sheds, lime bins,

foundations, pole sheds, animals

shelters, standoff areas, farm race

ways etc.

Now might be the time to add a concrete

patio or pathway.

Glacier Contracting can also provide

gravel , sand, large stones for soak holes

etc and can do your site preparation

work. Call Tim for a free no

obligation quote. Email

glacierenterprises@xtra.co.nz

For all your electrical

and heat pump needs.

• Servicing of heat pumps

• Freeview TV

• Installing heat pumps

• General electrical work

• Fujitsu accredited Installer

DAVE DELORE

027 291 6699

Email: david_delore@hotmail.co.nz

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Battle for our Birds

The Department of Conserva�on’s ‘BaHle for our Birds’ campaign is

aimed at saving na�ve species at risk from a massive predator plague.

This year a heavy seeding or mast is predicted across most South Island

beech forests. Beech trees produce seed every few years but this

heavy seeding is an excep�onal natural event that occurs every 10–15

years and is expected to drive introduced predators such as rats, mice

and stoats to high numbers. If we did no predator control at these sites,

some species such as mōhua, kākā, orange-fronted parakeet/kākāriki

karaka, rock wren/pīwauwau, and bats/pekapeka could become locally

ex�nct.

DOC has iden�fied several sites in parts of New Zealand

where rare na�ve species are under greatest threat. Seed

fall and rodent levels will be monitored at these sites and, if

known thresholds are met, wide scale predator control will

be undertaken.

In South Westland we have identified three at risk sites at which we

are planning the aerial application of 1080. They are: Abbey Rocks,

Haast Range, and the Upper Landsborough. Key facts packs and

information will be sent out shortly to interested parties and

neighbours. For information sheets on these proposed jobs,

please contact the Partnerships team in Franz Josef (03 752

0082). The operations in South Westland are likely to occur be-

tween August and November of this year, depending when popula-

tions reach monitored thresholds.

AgFest Our stand at Hokitika’s July event attracted hordes of chil-

dren keen to try the “Pop-a-Pest” game. Using soft missiles, they

targeted enemies of NZ native bush & were rewarded by saving a

native bird (& gaining a chocolate). The same activity at Fox Glaci-

er’s “Heavy Possum Weigh-In” discovered some strong arms and

sharp eyes.

Not all Weeds are Weeds! Next time you tidy up your garden

and find a native seedling where you don’t want it, please consider

potting it up & saving it for riparian planting or other projects. Call

Jo Mead on 03 7520082 for more information and a “Plant Me

Instead” booklet.

Graffito

“If you think small things can’t make a difference, try going to sleep with a mos-

quito in the room.” Anonymous

Well as most of you are aware Guy has moved on. We are still waiting for a replacement to be appointed to the second posi-tion here. It has been advertised locally so the process is under way. In the meantime make use of the station answer phone but if it is playing up again and you can't leave a message send me an email william.parker@police.govt.nz and I will get back to you when I get a chance.

With these cold clear days be aware of the roads and make sure you can see through your windscreen clearly before driving off. You need to be able to see the road as well as the roadsides and any side roads. If there is a cattle beast standing on the side of the road ready to jump out in front of an unsuspecting motorist the more visibility there is, the better off you will be.

We are still having issues with livestock on the roads. This is a council matter to sort out, but police will attend if there is a dan-ger to public safety. If a farmer knows their livestock are getting out and they cause an accident they could be prosecuted for crim-inal nuisance. With grass growth slowing down and livestock be-ing pushed to graze paddocks hard over winter this problem will not go away in a hurry.

Again I have noticed an increase in the number of people choos-ing not to wear cycle helmets. If you in fact actually did borrow the bike off a mate as I am quite often told, make sure you also borrow their helmet. With longer hours of darkness make sure you have lights on the front and rear of your bicycle. All these offences carry a $55 fine.

We recently had a red Peugeot stolen from Franz Josef Township about the 14-15th of July. It was located several days later floating in the Waitangi Taona River near the end of Whataroa Flat Road. Many expensive items had been removed from the car before it was dumped. The vehicle had the engine running when it was put into the river by some idiot, causing extensive damage for no reason at all. If anyone saw this vehicle being driven around Franz or Whataroa area let me know.

Sadly we had another drink driver who was more than double the adult limit. The worst thing was he made the decision to drive less than 250 metres to get his vehicle home. Why his mates in the hotel did not stop him from driving I don't know. If I see a vehicle drive out of a hotel car park late at night it will be stopped and the driver checked. Think before you drive how much have I had to drink and is it worth it if I get stopped by the police and end up losing my driver’s licence. Police will also look at a person’s suitability to hold a firearms licence if they are con-victed of drink driving.

As usual I try to end the report on a happy note but nothing comes to mind so just keep safe out there.

Bill Parker

Licensed Building Practitioner

New Homes, Additions, Renovations,

Concrete Work, Gib Stopping, Tiling

and Finishing Work a Specialty

Phone: 751 0170 Cell: 0272 751017

Email: deancaldwell@getrheel.co.nz

*Need a painter?

*Need a Gib Stopper?

Kevin Hansen Painters

Whataroa 0275 753405

Police Franz Josef

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Whataroa AUGUST 2014

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14

Machinery Hire (with or without operator)

Small equipment hire: Concrete cuRng and

breaking,

Weed-eaters, lawn mower, compactors, water

blasters,

and much more.

Site works/Contrac�ng

Farm drainage

Landscaping

Track work

New gravel screen for all your landscaping material.

Area distributor of MORRIS OILS, BLACKS bolts/nuts/

washers

NEW STORAGE SHEDS TO RENT

Ask us for an obliga�on FREE quote

Ian: 027 695 6988 Kathy: 0274 741 306 Dave: 027 6956989

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Astronomy AUGUST 2014

Planet Watching Four of the five bright planets are visible this month, with only Jupiter too close to the Sun to be seen. Mars and Saturn continue to dominate the early evening sky, Venus falls ever lower in the morning sky, and – by month end – Mercury begins to become visible to the west in the early evening sky.

The Mars-Saturn show which was the feature of the July sky continues to unfold this month, with Mars closing in on Sat-urn even as the two planets start to fall westwards as the month advances. As seen from Earth, both planets currently lie more or less at right angles to the line of sight between Earth and the Sun. Each planet follows its own orbit, but – because Mars is so much closer to Earth than Saturn – it moves much more rapidly relative to the background stars than does its more distant big brother.

On 1 August it lies about halfway between Spica (alpha Vir-ginis) and Saturn, but the Mars-Saturn separation decreases visibly from night to night and the red planet finally overtakes Saturn on the evening of 25 August. At closest approach the two planets lie just over 3 degrees apart – about the width of two fingers held at arm’s length. By month end Mars will lie some 5 degrees east of Saturn, ready to move from Libra into Scorpius early in September.

As in July, the August Moon makes two spectacular passes through this part of the sky. The half-full Moon lies just west of Mars on 3 August, and just west of Saturn on the 4th. It returns to the area on the evening of 31 August, when the three bodies will form a small and rather flattened triangle.

The two innermost planets, Venus and Mercury, also provide contrasting apparitions as the month advances. On 1 August both planets lie close together in the morning sky, but only Venus is visible to the naked eye as Mercury is too close to the Sun to be seen. Both planets are at a point in their orbit where they are about to swing around behind the Sun, and reappear after in the evening sky. As with Mars and Saturn, however, the two planets move at very different speeds, and the switch from morning sky to evening sky occurs much more rapidly for Mercury than it does for Venus. Mercury passes directly behind the Sun on 8 August (at which time it is said to be at superior conjunction), and from the last week of August it will start to become visible in the early evening sky. Venus, by contrast, takes almost three times as long – 225 days – to complete one orbit, and remains a morning planet for another two months. It will remain visible throughout August, but will need care in finding as by month end it rises barely 30 minutes before the Sun and – even at its brightest – will lie very low in the northeast.

Moon watchers should keep an eye out for the full moon, at 6:45 a.m. on 11 August. All full moons are spectacular, but this one happens to fall within about six hours of the Moon’s closest approach to Earth during each lunar month. The Moon’s orbit is moderately elliptical, so that at closest approach (approximately 357,000 km) it appears 14% larg-er than when it is most distant (405,000 km). The variation is size is not always immediately apparent to the naked eye, but is enough to make the full moon 15% brighter than normal, and 30% brighter than when it is at its most distant.

In recent years the media has taken to using the term Supermoon to describe such events, but this is not used within the astronomical community. For one thing, such events are not all that rare: the July and September full moons (12 July and 9 September, respectively) are almost

as bright. Instead, ignore the hype, and just enjoy watching each full moon rise over the mountains in the evening, or set over the sea as the sun rises.

Martin Unwin Hannahs Clearing unwinm51@gmail.com

Permanent &

Casual

Commercial &

Household

HARI HARI TO

FOX GLACIER

(03) 753 4151

South

Westland

Rubbish

Call Grant on 027 226 2748

Go as far as you can see ….

When you get there you will be able to see further.

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CHURCH SERVICES—August 2014 Catholic 3rd 10th 17th 24th 31st

Ross 10.30am 10.30am

Hari Hari 9am 5pm Sat 9am 5pm Sat

Whataroa 10.30am M.Tea

after

9am 10.30am 9am 9am

Franz Josef 5pm 5pm 4.30 adoration, mass

dinner, 1st Comm.

Anniver.

Fox Glacier 11am 11am 11am

Haast 5pm

South Westland Catholic Parish: Contact Fr. Michael Mahoney, 0210333746 or 037534140

Note: This mass is the normal parish schedule. It is wise to check that a mass has not been changed for some special reason.

Rev’d Vivien Harber is on leave in August—there will not be any Anglican services this month.

SUPPORT, HELP, ADVICE?

West Coast contact numbers are:-

Westland Victim Support – ask for Victim Support (03) 755 8088

Arthritis Foundation (03) 768 7254

Women’s Refuge (9am – 3pm) (03) 7898025 AH 0800 208 339

Child Support Agency – queries re child support 0800 221 221

Disability Information Service 0800 100 946

West Coast Rural Support— Dianne 0800 787 254

Lifeline – West Coast Toll Free 0800 353 353

Kidsline – 4pm – 6pm every school day 0800 543 754

AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) 03 752 0200

HEALTHLINE – FREE 24 HR

HEALTH ADVICE 0800 611 116

Lynne Fegan’s Chocolate Fudge Pudding

1 cup flour 1 tsp Baking Powder

1/2 tsp salt 3/4 cup sugar

1 tblsp cocoa 1/2 cup milk

1 tsp vanilla 2 tblsp melted butter

Sift dry ingredients, add sugar, then milk, vanilla and

melted butter, mix until smooth. Pour into ovenware dish.

Use a bigger dish than you would think as it will flow over

otherwise. Mix topping and pour over -

3/4 cup brown sugar 2 tablespoons cocoa

2 cups boiling water

Bake at 170 for I hour.

Serve with berries and cream or icecream.

SCHOOL BUS SAFETY

IF YOU ARE PASSING A

STATIONARY SCHOOL BUS THE

SPEED LIMIT IS 20 KM AN HOUR!

Wanted

Logs suitable for axemen’s

events at the South

Westland A&P Show at

Whataroa.

If you can assist please

contact John Birchfield on

03 751 0095.