Forget the expense, dangers and hassles of fireworks at home; bring the whole family to enjoy the spectacular entertainment and pyrotechnics extravaganza at Cooks Gardens.

Skyshow @ Cooks returns to Cooks Gardens on Saturday, November 3, with the promise of a night's spectacular entertainment.

There will be hot air balloons, a bouncy castle, an obstacle course, mini train rides, a display by the New Zealand Army, food stalls and lots more.

Plus a magnificent fireworks display to light up the night.

Gates open at 7.00pm. Tickets are $8 for adults, children under 14 years free admission if accompanied by an adult. Gate sales will be available; otherwise tickets are on sale at the Royal Wanganui Opera House.

This year's Triennial meeting – the first Council meeting to be held after the local body election – will be held on Monday, October 29, in the Council Chamber.

This is where all the official and ceremonial business of the new term is carried out. The Mayor is invested and clothed with the robe and chain of office; the Mayor, Councillors and members of the Wanganui Rural Community Board give their statutory declarations; the Deputy Mayor is appointed; elected members are provided with an explanation of legislative matters; Council's standing orders are adopted and a date for the first of the Ordinary meetings is arranged.

Mayor Michael Laws has said that he will nominate Cr Dot McKinnon to be Deputy Mayor for a second successive term, mainly because of her experience in the role as well as the fact that she is the top-polling councillor.

Mayor Laws also said that he will be proposing "a revamped council committee structure to reflect the challenges of the next three years". For example, the Community Development Committee will be renamed 'Community and Environment Committee' and will therefore be responsible for sustainability issues in addition to its original duties.

The Mayor wants to see some changes in chairmanship and deputy chairmanship responsibilities and would like to see a specialist Maori Committee formed.

All of these ideas will be debated by the new Council at the Triennial meeting. Members of the public are welcome to attend.

For the second year running Wanganui's representative rugby team has reached the finals of the Heartland Championship, only to miss out on the coveted Meads Cup.

Last Saturday at Centennial Park in Oamaru, Wanganui lost to North Otago 25-8. In front of a crowd that included Mayor Michael Laws and family, Steelform Wanganui put up a good fight against the very powerful home team.

Once again, Wanganui proved they could get there. Perhaps next year they'll take it that one step further.

Heritage Conference

National Heritage Conference now a Wanganui showcase. Read more here.

Vacancy

Details about the following vacancy are available on this page:

Policy Analyst - Sport & Recreation
Applications close 28 October 2007

Impact Fund

Applications are now being accepted for activities occurring between July 2007 and June 2008.

Wanganui Incorporated Impact Fund grant applications will be assessed and allocated to projects, events and initiatives that deliver significant economic benefits to Wanganui City and Region.

Enquiries can be made to: Wanganui Inc, phone (06) 349 0380, email info@wanganuiinc.com or application forms are available online at www.wanganuiinc.com.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 9 November 2007.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – 4.00pm Monday, November 12 (Council Chamber)
- First full business meeting of this Council.

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.