Community Projects Team

Within the Council's Recreation and Culture activity, volunteers are involved in work through the Bason Botanic Gardens Trust, Virginia Lake Trust, Cooks Gardens Trust, Royal Wanganui Opera House, Coastguard, Surf Lifeguard, Library and Museum, rural hall committees, Port Bowen Trust, Beach Society and various service clubs.

"The work carried out by volunteers in the Recreation and Culture activity is extraordinarily diverse," Mark said.

"From providing the Dial-the-News service and specialised research and indexing projects in the Heritage Room at the Library, through to a fabulous maintenance job on the iris and succulent gardens at Bason Botanic Gardens, it's all done for free.

"At Virginia Lake not only did the volunteers, through the Lake Trust, fund raise and see the light show installed but they continue to this day doing the big tasks along with little ones, working in the garden beds, landscaping and tidying to add value around the lake.

"Our beaches and recreational waters are safer, tidier and more attractive because of the volunteer Coastguard and Surf Lifeguard, and the work of the Port Bowen Trust and Beach Society. Our walkways and public spaces are better for our children through the efforts of civic-minded unemployed people who are willing to give back to society. The Community Projects Team, which is basically a voluntary group, has shown the public service spirit amongst the men and women who chose to become part of that team.

Friends of the Opera House

Kowhai Park

"Cooks Gardens has won international acclaim as an events centre but the day-to-day life owes a great debt to the volunteers working there.

"Wanganui has always had a strong service club presence through the years. Projects like Kowhai Park have been built and enhanced by service clubs like Jaycees, Lions, Zonta and the Rotary clubs. Indeed, the late John Souter was the ultimate volunteer - for many years, until his death last September, he spent 20 hours a week at the park.

"Next time you see a volunteer take a moment to thank them - we all owe them a lot."

Council Meetings

• Wanganui Rural Community Board Meeting
  2.00pm Friday 31st August 2001

Unless otherwise noted, the meetings will commence 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.

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

Burns Street

Due to the Wanganui wastewater separation project, Burns Street between Fitzherbert Avenue and Konini Street will be closed between 8am on Thursday, August 16, and 5pm on Saturday, September 8.

The closure is for the purpose of installing a new sewer main in the street.

Access to residential properties will be available at all times. Through traffic intending to use the closed section of Burns Street is requested to detour via the marked detour route.

Any inconvenience is regretted.

Durie Hill Memorial Tower

The tower will be closed to public access from 20 August 2001 up to and including 16 September 2001.

This is to allow repair and replacement of a number of concrete steps.

We regret any inconvenience caused.

Page 2