Issue No. 40 - 9 March 2002

Community Projects work an asset to Wanganui

Wanganui District Council's Michael Tyson, Supervisor of the Community Projects Team, leads a group of workers which is improving the appearance of our district.

The main purpose of the team is to carry out environmental/community projects which are beneficial to the wider community and which provide employment and training opportunities for unemployed volunteers sourced from Work and Income NZ.

Michael, a qualified carpenter, joined the Council in September 1986 as building maintenance foreman at the old Council yards. He has been in his current role for about six years.

"It's a rewarding job, working with people who have been unemployed for anything from one month to 15 years," Michael said.

Photo courtesy of Wanganui Newspapers

 

"They often have low morale and little incentive to work. We try to boost their morale and this is the first step back to employment for them. They work in teams so they can teach each other - it's a learning curve for everyone. It's rewarding when you see them go on to get jobs."

Projects have included construction of walkways, such as the Green Belt Walkway network on St John's Hill and the Riverbank Walkway from the City Bridge to Cobham Bridge; the theme areas at the Winter Gardens; and a six-month project at Bason Botanic Gardens.

"The work we do benefits Wanganui people and visitors. For example, the riverbank from Amadeus to Bullocks, which was a dead area, now has a walkway, seating, grass and native trees and people are using it. We get a lot of positive feedback from the public about the work we do."

What's on in and around Wanganui

March 9-10: Wanganui Heritage Weekend
Celebration of our people and our heritage. Saturday, March 9: Heritage Market Day, (10am-2pm), Wanganui to Napier mail run, Whanganui River raft race, Daybreak project, steam train excursion, Classic Hits Picnic in the Park, Veteran Car Club, twilight entertainment at Bushy Park. Saturday/Sunday: Waimarie Cruise, steam boats and traction engines, heritage walks, Art Gallery Heritage Collection tours, displays, collectors and antique show, Regional Museum collection, visit historic Hikurangi Rest Home, heritage sewing machines display, craft fair, gardens. Sunday, March 10: Church service.

March 9: Rowing - Secondary Schools
Venue: Whanganui River.

March 9-10: African Violet Show
11am-4pm. Venue: Intermediate School Hall.

March 9-10: Bentley & Rolls Royce AGM
Cars will be on display at the Riverboat Centre, 1A Taupo Quay from 1pm-3pm.

March 9-10: Conference - Legion of Frontiersmen - Annual Gathering

March 9-10: Wanganui Craft Fair
Great selection of craft to choose from. In conjunction with Heritage Weekend. Venue: War Memorial Hall.

March 10: Eides Sportsworld $35,000 Surf Fishing Contest
8am. Venue: South Beach

To March 16: Heritage Exhibition
Venue: Community Arts Centre, 19 Taupo Quay.

More information about things to do in the Wanganui District is available from the Visitor Information Centre, 101 Guyton Street.

Heritage Room

Local History & Family Research in the Heritage Room of the Alexander Library, Queens Park

Open all day from:

9.00am - 4.30pm

Saturday, 9 March 2002

Experienced library staff and volunteers from the local Genealogical Society on hand to assist you

Wanganui Heritage Weekend

Vacancy - Network Administrator

Applications close at 5.00pm on 29 March 2002.
 

Next Week's Council Meetings

Wanganui Rural Community Board
2.00pm, Thursday, 14 March 2002

The meeting will be held at 2.00pm in Committee Room 2, 1st Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

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

Meeting Cancellation
Hearings Committee

The meeting of the Hearings Committee scheduled for 2.00pm on Wednesday, 13 March 2002, is cancelled as there is no business to transact.

The Council welcomes members of the public to attend its meetings.

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