The inaugural inductees into the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame were announced at the Wanganui Sports Awards last weekend.

The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognise sporting achievements by athletes and coaches who have made a significant impact on Wanganui's sporting heritage. The 2008 inductees are:

• Gary Anderson – cycling
• Philippa Baker-Hogan – rowing
• Peter Belliss – lawn bowls
• Ron Cheatley – cycling coach
• Trevor Coker – rowing
• Coleman Family (Percy, Rod and Bob) – motorcycling
• Arthur Holder – athletics
• Alan McIntyre – hockey
• Bill Osborne – rugby
• Arthur Porritt – athletics
• Billy Webb – rowing
• Les Wilson – hockey

The Hall of Fame inductees received a piece of inscribed glass art (pictured) made by Lyndsay Patterson of Chronicle Glass.

Administered by the Council, the inductees were selected by a panel comprising Ron Palenski (chief executive of the New Zealand Sports Hall of Fame in Dunedin), John Phillips (former Wanganui Chronicle Sports Editor), Sue Westwood (Chair Powerco Wanganui Trust), Christine Jones (former Chair Sport Wanganui), Mark Stoneman (Wanganui businessman and multisport guru) and Ken Mair (Whanganui Iwi representative).

Decisions are yet to be made on where the Hall of Fame and associated displays will be located. The project is being facilitated by the Wanganui District Council and Sport Wanganui.

Eight tuition scholarships are available for students who enrol in this year's UCOL Certificate in Exercise and Sports Performance course in Wanganui.

There are four scholarships for 50 percent of tuition fees (two sponsored by YMCA and one each by Ali Arc and Kingsgate Hotel & Conference Centre) plus four $1000 scholarships sponsored by Wanganui District Council. All of the students enrolled in the course will be eligible to apply for a scholarship.

The Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance is a full-time, one year, practically-based course which introduces students to aspects of sport science, exercise science (fitness) and sport coaching. The course starts on February 25.

Scholarship application forms are available from the UCOL Information Centre at 15 Victoria Avenue. Applications close at 5.00pm on Thursday, February 28. Scholarship recipients will be confirmed by March 3.

For enrolments or enquiries, call Whanganui UCOL on 965 3800, email to enquiry@ucol.ac.nz, go online to www.ucol.ac.nz or visit the UCOL Information Centre.

The support group which has been working to ensure the course goes ahead in Wanganui this year includes representatives from UCOL, Wanganui District Council, Sport Wanganui, YMCA, Whanganui District Health Board and WINZ.

The Wanganui community's exceptional efforts in using less water in recent weeks have allowed the Council to ease the total ban on sprinklers.

From Wednesday, February 20, sprinklers can be used between 7pm and 9pm on the odds and evens system (odd numbered houses can use sprinklers on odd numbered days of the week; even numbered houses on even days).

People need to be sensible and still conserve water where possible, otherwise the total sprinkler ban will have to be reintroduced.

However, the water supply is about to get a boost with a test bore at Westmere Reservoir being approved for temporary use for water supply.

The test bore is part of the water softening programme and will provide 1.5 million litres a day when needed. It is a softer water source and will be mixed with the main water source from Kai Iwi. Horizons Regional Council has issued consent for the water take and the Medical Officer of Health has approved use of the water as a drinking water source.

Calling all service providers

The Council is putting together a list of services/programmes that cater to children between the ages of 5-12 years.

If you or your organisation accommodates children within this age bracket, and you want to be included on our list, please contact Narelle on 349 0001. The more services noted, the better opportunities our children will have.

Youth Committee applications invited

Information on how to apply to be part of the 2008 Youth Committee is available here (PDF, 95KB). Applications close on 7 March 2008.

Applications for funding for community-based arts activities in the Wanganui District close at 5.00pm on Friday, 14 March 2008. More information here (PDF, 62KB); application form here (PDF, 207KB).

Pursuant to section 86 of the Local Electoral Act 2001, I hereby declare the result of the elections taken on 16 February 2008 for the Wanganui District Council to be:

Election of One Member for the Wanganui District - Elected by the Electors of the District as a Whole (At Large)

I therefore declare the said Allan Anderson to be elected.

Election of One Member for the Wanganui Rural Community Board Kaitoke Subdivision

I therefore declare the said Brian Maude to be elected.

Dated at Wanganui 20 February 2008
Noeline Moosman
Electoral Officer
Wanganui District Council
Ph: (06) 349 0001

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.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Monday, February 25 (Council Chamber)
- The Council will consider reports from all Committee meetings held in February.

Hearings (Extraordinary meeting) – Thursday, February 28
- The purpose of the Extraordinary meeting is to hear objections to the temporary road closure of Victoria Avenue from just north of Maria Place to Taupo Quay, but excluding Taupo Quay and the Ridgway Street intersection, on Saturday and Sunday, 15 and 16 March 2008, for Heritage Weekend community events.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, March 5

Council – Tuesday, March 11 (Council Chamber)
- Approve Draft 2008/09 Annual Plan for consultation.

Hearings – Thursday, March 13 (to be confirmed)

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.