Council signs up Wanganui's first ambassadors

Wanganui's first honorary ambassador is Morrie Springer.

Mr Springer, of Siena Motor Lodge, was the victor in an auction for the honour of becoming the first member of the Wanganui Ambassadors' Scheme. The auction took place at the launch of the 'Come to Wanganui' campaign at a civic function in the Council Chamber last Thursday. Mr Springer's winning bid was $1150.

Another group of Wanganui citizens paid $100 each to be among the first to join the Ambassadors' Scheme. They are Ron Cheatley, Nygllhuw Morris, Jacinta Fremlin and Susan McFee, Liam Byers and Lynda Paterson, Graeme Pleasants, Rob Vinsen, Warren Ruscoe, Anne and Dion Ngatai, Dorothy Symes, Chester Borrows and John Maslin.

How you can become an ambassador

Becoming an ambassador is your chance to convince your friends, family, acquaintances and associates to come to Wanganui and be part of this country's most vibrant, enterprising and creative community.

You can become an ambassador by buying four copies of the new Wanganui promotional booklet and sending them to people you know around New Zealand and overseas. Be part of the campaign to attract businesses, tourists and overseas students and to encourage families and individuals to relocate to Wanganui.

If you want to become an ambassador, call in to the Customer Service desk at the Council building or the i-SITE Visitor Centre in Guyton Street. Packs of four booklets cost $10. Each ambassador receives a personalised, numbered certificate signed by Mayor Michael Laws and Council's Chief Executive, Dr David Warburton.

You can also buy individual copies of the booklet from bookshops around Wanganui. But you can only join the ambassador scheme at the Council offices or the Visitor Centre.

Take this chance to promote Wanganui and share our beautiful city with the rest of New Zealand and the world - become a Wanganui ambassador.

Next Wednesday the Council will confer the Freedom of the City on RNZAF Base Ohakea.

The Freedom of the City Charter allows the Base to parade in the city and march ceremonially through the streets "with bayonets fixed, colours flying, drums beating and bands playing".

Granting such a charter is a centuries-old tradition granted to a military unit associated with a city, honouring them for providing protection. Today it provides a dignified and appropriate means of promoting a liaison between a local authority and the Armed Forces.

Representing the Mayor and Council, Cr Don McGregor, and Mayoress Leonie Brookhammer will perform the ceremony on the War Memorial Hall forecourt at 11am on Wednesday, March 15. There will be an Air Force flypast at about 11.20am followed by a parade through the central city streets to the Wanganui RSA.

Members of the public are invited to attend the ceremony and watch the parade which will include a traditional challenge by the Police.

The Putiki community is invited to attend a meeting on Sunday to discuss a number of issues.

Items for discussion:

• Wastewater/stormwater update
• Industrial park
• Cashmore development
• Car park upkeep and maintenance - Takarangi Street
• Any future developments for Putiki

The meeting will be held at Putiki Marae at 1pm on Sunday, March 12.

Nominations are now open for the 2006 Wanganui Civic Honours Awards.

Awards will be made to people who have carried out outstanding voluntary, unpaid community service in Wanganui. A maximum of five awards per year will be made.

Nominations will require the signature of two Wanganui citizens or a bona fide organisation.

Please note that previous nominations will not be considered for selection. Only people who are nominated this year will be considered.

Nomination forms and conditions of nomination are available from the Customer Services Desk, Ground Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

The closing date for nominations is Friday, 7 April 2006.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Wanganui Rural Community Board - Thursday, March 9
- Resignation - Cr Ray Stevens; Temporary road closures - Wanganui Car Club; Transit New Zealand's Draft 2006/07-2015/16 10-Year State Highway Forecast; Rural roading update; Whangaehu Valley Road - Aranui and Mt View Bluffs road safety audit; Whanganui River Road - Litter Control Officer; Referendum '06 results - rural ward; Weed transfer; Elected members' remuneration; Chairman's report on Local Government Rural Forum.

Council Extraordinary Meeting - Friday, March 10 (3.00pm Council Chamber)
- Consideration of Bylaw for Central Business District Behaviour Standards; Draft 2006-16 Long-term Council Community Plan

Heritage - Monday, March 13
- Heritage inventory update; Alternative Anniversary Day; Bank of New Zealand centenary; Airport Control Tower; John Ballance statue restoration and relocation; Harrison Street sewer.

Finance and Administration - Tuesday, March 14

Community Development - Thursday, March 16

Infrastructure - Tuesday, March 21

Strategy - Thursday, March 23 (Council Chamber)

Youth - Monday, March 27

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are held at 4.00pm in Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

Agendas are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui, and the Wanganui District Library two working days prior to the meeting.