That's Mayor Michael Laws' hope for this Saturday's Wanganui versus Wairarapa Bush rugby game at Cooks Gardens.

The Wanganui representatives are having a stunning season this year! With six wins and a draw so far, the boys are currently sitting in the winning spot for the national inter-provincial AA Rewards Heartland Rugby Championship, and are "well on track to winning the inaugural Meads Cup". Pictured are Wanganui lock Michael Fitzgerald (left) and open side flanker Peter Rowe on their way to a 46-3 win against Horowhenua-Kapiti on September 2.

Mayor Laws is urging the Wanganui community to get behind the team this Saturday at Cooks Gardens from 2.30pm as they play the last game in round two of the Heartland Championship.

The Wanganui community will be spoilt with another home game next weekend with the team battling it out in the Meads Cup semi-final at Cooks Gardens from 4.35pm on Saturday.

So far the team has come out tops against Thames Valley, Horowhenua-Kapiti, South Canterbury, Poverty Bay, Mid Canterbury and last weekend's game in Oamaru saw the boys secure a 49-37 win over North Otago. The 23-all draw against King Country in wet conditions at Te Kuiti has been the only minor hiccup to date.

The most capped Wanganui player this season so far is Mike Thompson with 45 games. The highest points scorer is Steelie Koro with a massive 78 points and the highest try scorer is Pati Fetuia, who has touched down an impressive 12 tries.

Wanganui Rugby Football Union chief executive officer Haig Elgar says this is the first year teams are competing for the Meads Cup so everything the team is doing is making history.

"The boys are training hard and are well coached, thus have definitely earned the right to play in the semi-final."

Mr Elgar says the more support the team gets the better, and with the next two games being held in Wanganui he's hoping the Wanganui community takes the opportunity to back a team that is dedicated to seeing our city and province take the title and Cup.

Wanganui Rugby Football Union chairman Dave Hoskin says the boys have been playing with passion, tremendous commitment and pride.

"They're definitely showing pride in their performance and pride in wearing the Wanganui representative jersey."

To show your support, grab your spot at Cooks Gardens this Saturday. Kick off is at 2.30pm with admission $7 for adults, $2 for secondary and primary school students and Junior WRFU players with WRFU ID cards get in free.

'D' day is just around the corner for the 15 Miss Wanganui contestants.

The ladies will be putting their best foot forward on Wednesday, October 11, in a bid to win the title of Miss Wanganui.

Building up to next week's pageant evening, where Miss Wanganui will be chosen, the contestants have spent the past six months learning to dance, being involved in community presentations, including fundraising for the Splash Centre extension, as well as representing their sponsor at various events.

As well as 'Miss Wanganui', two other titles are up for grabs including Miss Personality, which will be presented by Mayor Michael Laws, and Miss Beauty with Knowledge, presented by Whanganui UCOL.

The evening will start off with pre-drinks and nibbles from 6.30, followed by a salsa dance by the contestants, before moving onto the pageant segment of the evening.

The ladies will be judged in three clothing categories: swim wear, day wear and evening wear.

Five locals including John Kimbrey, Margaret Musson, Sharon Warburton, Kane Salanoa and Mayoress Leonie Brookhammer will have the difficult job of judging the pageant.

The winner of Miss Wanganui will receive a $3000 prize from Harvey Norman, $1000 from Jamie O'Leary Builders and tickets for two to Vanuatu thanks to Air Vanuatu and Holiday Shoppe. The prize for Miss Personality is $500 cash and Miss Beauty with Knowledge will receive $500 worth of education with Whanganui UCOL.

Organiser Annie Aspinall says the lady chosen as Miss Wanganui will continue to contribute towards the community and represent Wanganui.

"Miss Wanganui will continue to represent her sponsor till February next year and will also appear at a number of community events, including this year's Christmas Parade and the Fashion at the Fields at the Wanganui Race Course in December. She will then head up to Auckland in March next year to take part in the Miss New Zealand competition."

Tickets to the Wanganui Pageant are $65 and available from the Wanganui Chronicle, Minx Boutique and The Radio Network.

Vacancies

Finance & Administration Technician
Applications close 8 October 2006

Manager Information Services
Applications close 15 October 2006

Records Support Assistant
Applications close 15 October 2006

Principal Planner
Applications close 22 October 2006

Resource Management Planner
Applications close 22 October 2006

Human Resource Manager
Applications close 22 October 2006

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Youth – Monday, October 9
- Meeting non-attendance; Term of Membership; Deputy co-chair working party; Youth for Christ; Liquor Control; Youth in Local Government Conference; Youth discount card; Concert proposal; ‘Make It. Take It.’ Project update

Heritage – Tuesday, October 10
- Central City consultation; Heritage conference; John Ballance Statue proposals

Sport and Activity – Tuesday, October 17 (1pm)

Hearings – Wednesday, October 18
- Objection Against Menacing Dog Classification

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.