Mark February 16 in your diary – it's the date of the third annual Mayoral Mile event at Cooks Gardens.

The Energy Direct NZ Mayoral Mile 2008 will follow a similar format to previous years, with mass participation events throughout the day for people of all ages and abilities. Everyone will be invited to run, jog or walk a mile at the venue where Peter Snell broke the world mile record in 1962.

The evening programme will include celebrity and schools races, with the highlight being the events for elite athletes. The prize for the winner of the elite men's race is $10,000 so the pace will be on! Previous winners are New Zealand's leading middle distance runner Nick Willis (2006) and Englishman Andrew Baddeley (2007).

Discussions are still under way with the elite athletes but a number have already confirmed their participation in this year's event.

The elite men's field will include David Campbell (Irish international), Adrian Blincoe (New Zealand Commonwealth Games and World Track & Field representative, based in the United States), Richard Olsen (current New Zealand 1500m champion) and Rees Buck (New Zealand representative at World Cross Country Champs). The rest of the men's field will be made up of elite New Zealand athletes and other internationals.

The organisers are liaising with a number of elite New Zealand women athletes and other internationals. So far Nikki Hamblin, an English athlete currently training in New Zealand, is a confirmed starter for the elite women's race.

Look for more information on the mass participation events, entertainment, prizes and elite fields in Community Link in the coming weeks.

Wanganui will host a range of great events over the next few months, bringing many visitors to town and providing entertainment for locals.

Victoria Athletics League – February 2
New Zealand's first professional athletics meeting. Racing starts at 5.00pm at Cooks Gardens.

NZGP Hydroplane Racing – February 2-3
Hydroplane racing and other entertainment based around the new riverfront development in the central city.

Energy Direct NZ Mayoral Mile – February 16
Premier athletic event for elite athletes as well as mass participation events, inclusive of all ages and abilities, at Cooks Gardens.

NZ Superstock Championships – February 22-23
Biggest meeting on the New Zealand speedway calendar. Entrants from all over New Zealand will compete at Oceanview Speedway.

Touch NZ Youth and Open Nationals & Masters Nationals – March 1-8
The largest and highest profile event on the Touch New Zealand calendar.

Heritage Wanganui – March 15-16
In conjunction with Heritage Weekend, Wanganui will also host the National Heritage Conference.

Chicago – March 13-23
A musical set in prohibition era Chicago. See local talent on stage at the Royal Wanganui Opera House.

Artists' Open Studios – March 29-30 & April 5-6
Wanganui's thriving artistic community opens its doors to the public. Many of the artists and studios in this year's event have not featured before.

Te Pihi Mata – The Sacred Eye – December 2007 to September 2008
Partington's photos of our district 100 years ago are being exhibited at the Whanganui Regional Museum.

More details about these events are available from i-SITE Visitor Centre, www.wanganui.com or look for the brochures available around town.

Sarjeant Gallery exhibition
Woodwork

The exhibition, Woodwork, features recent work by Regan Gentry, Warren Viscoe, Glen Hayward, Harry Watson and Ben Pearce.

Each of these artists uses wood in surprising and transformative ways. Even if some of these objects are not likable or beautiful things, they can all be admired for their trickery, wonder and craftsmanship.

The exhibition is on at the Sarjeant Gallery until March 2.

The photo is of The Red Band by Harry Watson (Collection of TheNewDowse).

Weekend payments of parking fines

i-SITE Visitor Centre (in Guyton Street next to the Council building) is now able to accept payment of parking infringement fees at weekends on behalf of the Council. This applies on Saturdays and Sundays during i-SITE's normal business hours.

During the week, pay your infringement fee at the main Council building as usual.

Members of the public are encouraged to report graffiti via the Council's graffiti hotline, phone 349 0500. This number is for reporting graffiti only.

Sprinkler restrictions

The public is advised that the sprinkler restrictions are:

Even numbered houses can water on even numbered days and odd numbered houses can water on odd numbered days between 6pm and 10pm.

Hand-held hosing is allowed at any time.

On 17 December 2007, the Wanganui District Council approved the Draft Graffiti Management Strategy and Policy for public consultation.

The Council invites the public to provide feedback on the Draft Strategy and Policy. The Council is particularly interested in the community's view on whether education, as a preventative method, should form part of the Strategy and/or Council policy. Education methods may include talking to offenders, working in schools, art/mural programmes, working with youth networks etc.

The objective of the Draft Strategy is to remove graffiti from public and private property, particularly in highly visible areas.

The Draft Strategy is based on a three tier approach:

1. Eradication – to ensure graffiti is removed as quickly as possible
2. Enforcement – to increase penalties, reporting and notifications
3. Prevention – to prevent the likelihood of graffiti occurring

Consultation
Copies of the Draft Graffiti Management Strategy and Policy and submission forms are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Service Desk at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street, and at the District Library, Queens Park, Wanganui. The consultation period will be from 23 January 2008 to 25 February 2008.

Submissions are welcomed and should be addressed to:

Draft Graffiti Management Strategy
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui 4540

or delivered to our Customer Services Desk at 101 Guyton Street, faxed to (06) 349 0000, or emailed to us.

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Monday, 25 February 2008.

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Marie Gorinski at the District Council, telephone (06) 349 0001 extension 8066 or email Marie Gorinski.

Scholarships on offer for sports course

A number of scholarships will be offered to students enrolling in Whanganui UCOL's Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance for 2008.

Administered by the Council's Sport and Recreation Committee, the scholarships will be supported by a range of Wanganui businesses.

The Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance is a practically-based course which introduces students to aspects of sport science, exercise science (fitness) and sport coaching. This course has been running successfully at UCOL in Palmerston North for the past five years and Whanganui UCOL will run this full-time, one year, level four course in 2008.

Fees

The fees for this programme are $4,423.15 plus student association fees of $135.00.

Qualification

The Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance is NZQA Accredited as a Level 4 qualification. This means it is an applied, hands-on, qualification that provides foundation knowledge and skills in this area. Graduates with the CESP qualification are well suited to work as gym instructors, athletic trainers, coaches, sport co-ordinators or sports administrators. This course also opens the opportunity for students to progress onto higher study, such as the Bachelor of Human Performance degree in Palmerston North.

Delivery of the CESP Programme

The CESP programme will be delivered in 2008 using a blended delivery model. This means that a variety of teaching methods (such as practicals, labs, online support, tutorials, practicum placements) will be used to maximise both student learning and its application to the sport and fitness industries. An important part of this course is the industry placements, and the ability for students to apply what they learn within this setting. In addition, throughout the course student learning is monitored and staff delivering the course will also be involved in mentoring the students to ensure they continue to progress towards a successful completion.

Papers

Within the course students study a range of papers focused on both sport and fitness:

• Anatomy and Physiology (how the human body works both at rest and during exercise)
• Sport Practical (sports skills, tournament design and officiating)
• Exercise Science I (nutrition and how the human body grows and develops)
• Professional Studies (computer skills, communication and study skills for tertiary study)
• Exercise Training (weight training techniques, stretching and cardiovascular training)
• Exercise Prescription I (exercise testing and writing exercise programmes for fitness)
• Exercise Science II (how the body responds and adapts to exercise, sport psychology, sport movement analysis)
• Exercise Prescription II (exercise testing and exercise programmes for sport)
• Sport Coaching (planning and running a series of coaching sessions)
• Introduction to Fitness Industry (understanding of the fitness industry and fitness operations)
• Introduction to Sport Medicine (sports injuries, massage and strapping)

To be eligible to apply for a scholarship students will need to register their 'intent' to enrol in 2008 by January 31.

Call Whanganui UCOL on 965 3800, email to enquiry@ucol.ac.nz or go online to www.ucol.ac.nz or visit the UCOL information centre at 15 Victoria Avenue, Wanganui.

Wanganui District Council Sister City Scholarship to study at IPC

In the interests of fostering international awareness, the Council invites students who are actively pursuing a career in International Business, International Relations, the Environment, Japanese or Ecotourism to apply for a full time scholarship to study at IPC in a Bachelor of International Studies programme.

IPC offers

• personalised support
• NZQA Degree, Diplomas, Masters without financial worries
• holistic education
• exciting international career opportunities.

Expressions of interest for semester one close 31 January 2008.

To get started phone Bex on 0800 367 472.

To comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2002, the Council will establish a Maori Committee. This committee will not replace the Tupoho and TamaUpoko Link working parties. The establishment of the Maori Committee provides a forum for all Maori residing within the Wanganui District Council's district.

The Council seeks wide representation from persons in the Maori community or people who reside within the Council's district who can represent Maori community groups. It is important for Council that the views of all Maori on issues affecting them are fully represented to Council.

Tangata whenua will be represented on the committee; however, the Council wants wide Maori community representation so that all views are considered.

For further information about serving on the Maori Committee contact Councillor Rangi Wills, phone (06) 348 8338.

Please register your interest by letter together with your CV, including two nominated referees, to:

Governance Services Manager
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
Wanganui

Expressions of Interest close Friday, 8 February 2008.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Monday, January 28 (3.00pm – Council Chamber)

Infrastructure – Monday, February 4

Heritage – Tuesday, February 5

Sport and Recreation – Thursday, February 7

Youth – Monday, February 11 (Council Chamber)

Hearings – Wednesday, February 13 (to be confirmed)

Strategy – Thursday, February 14 (Council Chamber)

Unless otherwise noted, these meetings are held at 4.00pm in the Council Chamber, 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.