A statue celebrating the achievements of athletics great Sir Peter Snell will be unveiled at Cooks Gardens on Saturday, August 15 – and everyone in Wanganui is invited to attend this great occasion.

Cooks Gardens was the venue for his mile world record in 1962, putting Snell and the Wanganui venue on the world athletics stage.

Sir Peter, accompanied by his wife Lady Miki, will be in Wanganui to unveil the life-size bronze statue. Created by Chris Elliot from Hawkes Bay and Ross Wilson from Marton, the statue has been modelled from a photo of Snell crossing the finish line in the historic 1962 race.

People who have seen the statue have been amazed at the detail and accuracy of the depiction.

This is a fantastic and unique opportunity for the whole family to celebrate with the man named as New Zealand's 'Sports Champion of the 20th Century'. Entertainment at Cooks Gardens on August 15 begins at 1pm with children's athletics races organised by Athletics Wanganui, children's ripper rugby organised by Wanganui Rugby Union and soccer organised by Central Football. There will be a display by the Wanganui Boys and Girls Gym Club.

Brass Wanganui will begin the formal proceedings at around 2.20pm and the statue unveiling will take place at 3.00pm.

The unveiling will be followed by a private afternoon tea for invited guests, including local MPs, councillors and athletes Sir John Walker, Dick Quax and Albie Thomas, of Sydney, who was one of the competitors in the 1962 race.

At a celebration dinner hosted by Mayor Michael Laws, Sir Peter will be presented with an exclusively designed Olympic pin, featuring the rings and fern and the Olympian's unique number, by the New Zealand Olympic Committee Secretary General, Barry Maister.

Funding for the statue was raised by donations from the Wanganui community with major contributions being received from Powerco Wanganui Trust, William McAlpine Duncan Trust, Wanganui District Council, Athletics Wanganui, Robert Bartley (Ali Arc Industries), Stoneman Financial Services, Wanganui Toyota, Wells and Wadsworth and Emmetts Civil Construction Ltd.

As part of World Breastfeeding Week, the 'Big Latch On' is being held from 10am to 12 noon on Friday, August 7, in the Council Chambers, First Floor, 101 Guyton Street.

The event is part of a national campaign to raise awareness of the benefits of breastfeeding and for breastfeeding to be accepted as the normal and natural way to feed, in public as well as in the home.

All breastfeeding women and their babies are invited to come along to the event and be part of a national record breaking attempt for women breastfeeding simultaneously. For pushchairs and toddlers there is a lift to the first floor.

The event has been held across New Zealand for the last five years, during World Breastfeeding Week. 654 mothers joined the first event in 2005 and by 2007 almost 1000 mothers participated. Last year saw 1122 mothers all taking part and New Zealand won a gold medal for participation from the World Alliance of Breastfeeding Action (WABA).

Mayoress Leonie Brookhammer will be attending the event with young son Theo. She will be extending a warm welcome to all mums and babies who come along, as well as handing out some goodies. She is looking forward to seeing some of the mothers who have attended previous Latch On events at the Council as well as meeting some new breastfeeding mothers and their babies.

Last year's successful event was attended by 53 adults and a number of toddlers. There were 39 breastfed infants present and counted as part of the nationwide record breaking attempt.

Morning tea will be served for everyone attending, and there will be the opportunity to access information and spot prizes.

The event is supported by Wanganui District Council, Public Health, Te Puawai Whanau, YWCA, Plunket, WDHB maternity services and paediatrics, Maori Women's Welfare League, WRPHO.

The new Sarjeant Gallery website is now on-line at www.sarjeant.org.nz.

The site includes information on collections, current exhibitions and details of events at the gallery. There are also details about the education programmes that the gallery offers which are linked to current and future exhibitions.

Visitors to the website also have the opportunity to shop on-line. A range of catalogues, jewellery and glass by local artists is available to purchase. Items can be shipped within New Zealand and internationally.

The Sarjeant Gallery is open Monday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4.30pm. Admission is free.

The NZ Geographic Board's formal consultation period for the proposed change of spelling from Wanganui to Whanganui is from 14 May 2009 to 17 August 2009.

Members of the public have three months to make submissions supporting or objecting to the proposed name change. If a person objects to the proposal, they can suggest an alternative proposal or support the existing name.

Written submissions can be made by email, fax or post and sent to:
Secretary for the New Zealand Geographic Board Ngā Pou Taunaha o Aotearoa
c/- Land Information New Zealand
160 Lambton Quay
Private Box 5501
Wellington 6145
New Zealand
Fax: (04) 460 0112
Email: nzgbsubmissions@linz.govt.nz

Further information about the submissions process can be found on the NZ Geographic Board website at www.linz.govt.nz.

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Hearing – Thursday, August 6 (9.30am, Committee Room 2)
- Springvale Garden Centre Resource Consent.

Community Development Committee – Tuesday, August 11
- William Birch Pool Redevelopment; Divestment of 60 Exeter Crescent (Exeter Reserve); Community and Cultural Portfolio Activity Report; Arts Co-ordinator Update; Gonville Centre; Castlecliff Residents' Committee; Community Contracts 2009/10 Assessment Workshop; Iwi Liaison; Strategy and Development Activity Report; The Manawatu Wanganui Regional Disaster Relief Fund Trust; Earthquake Prone Building Policy 2009; Submission to the Consultation Paper for the Regional Land Transport Strategy Review; Wanganui District Licensing Agency's Annual Report; Property Group Activity Report; Sports Rationalisation Working Party; Gonville Pool and Town Hall Site – Alternative Community Use; Wanganui East Pool Trust 10-Year Plan Submission; Section 472, Wiritoa Road, Recreational Reserve.

Finance and Infrastructure Committee – Tuesday, August 18

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Wednesday, August 19 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)
- Wanganui Rural Community Board's Strategic Plan; Report from Wanganui Rural Community Board Workshop; Economic Development Research – Rural Sector; Public Toilet on Parapara Highway (State Highway 4).

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held at 3.00pm 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.