i-SITE Wanganui Visitor Information Centre won the prestigious "Most Outstanding Visitor Centre 2002/2003" award at the recent Visitor Information Network conference held in Wairakei.
The award, presented by the Interisland Line recognises the overall general performance of the information centre.
The award was presented to Tony Cato, Manager of i-SITE Wanganui by the Interisland Line Sales Manager, Ross Keating.
When presenting the award Mr Keating said that a number of factors were taken into account including customer service, customer feedback to the Interisland Line, staff knowledge and expertise and the willingness of staff to "go the extra mile' to ensure customer satisfaction.

Centre sales and use of display material and promotional tools were also taken into account.
The award is recognised by the Visitor Information Network as being an award for overall quality.
Mr Cato said that the award was recognition from the tourism industry that i-SITE Wanganui Visitor Information Centre has one of the very best teams in the country for providing quality information and service to our customers.

Wanganui Culture of Peace Sculpture Queens Park, Wanganui

A year ago Handspan was dedicated by Her Excellency the Governor-General, the Honourable Dame Silvia Cartwright, to 'a culture of peace and non-violence for the children of the world'.

There are many hand casts covering the walls of the sculpture and these came from people of all ages, mostly from Wanganui.

On Sunday 21 September 2003 it will be one year since the dedication of Handspan. Also, that day is the International Day of Peace.
To celebrate both events everyone is invited to participate in a picnic in Queens Park, at noon. The Community Choir will entertain and there will be hot drinks and some food provided.
Please come along and join in this celebration.

Social Indicators:General Issues Summary

The following information is from the Council's Social Indicators Report 2003. The report, which has been updated each year since 1997, measures the social well-being of Wanganui. It covers a broad range of aspects of social well-being.

• Citizens Advice Bureau's overall enquiries showed a decrease from 1997-2001, with an increase in 2002.
  
• Use of the Budget Advisory Service has shown a general increase from 1994-2000, but a drop in 2001 and 2002.
  
• The average house sale price has generally risen since 1994 and the number of sales increased in 2001 and 2002.
  
• Seatbelt usage has increased from 83% in 1999 to 88% in 2002.
  
• Use of the Wanganui-Castlecliff school bus rose from 1994-2001 but decreased in 2002.
  
• Use of transport for the disabled (Total Mobility) rose steadily from 1994-2001.
  
• The Country Women's Institute has a declining membership.
  
• Visitors to the Information Centre showed a slight increase from 1999-2001, with a slight drop in 2002.
• The number of visitors staying in Wanganui has remained reasonably steady.
  
• The number of resource consents has declined from 1998-2002 but the building consents have increased over the same period.
  
• Commercial flights were steady from 1998-2001 but dropped in 2002.
  
• The number of people voting in Local Authority elections has decreased from 1989-2001.
  
• Residential rates have generally increased from 1999-2002.
  
• The number of people gaining citizenship has remained steady.
  
• There was about the same number of marriages as marriages dissolved in 2002.
  
• Registered births show a slight but steady decline; the number of deaths remains static.
  
• The number of fire callouts trended up from 1998-2001 but decreased in 2002.
  
• The number of registered dogs remained reasonably steady at around 7500-7800 dogs.

September 13/14: Weber Brothers Circus
Venue: Springvale Stadium. Saturday 2pm and 7.30pm, Sunday 1pm and 4pm.
September 13: 'Ave Fashion Week
Venue: Majestic Square. 'Ave Style Finalists - Chronicle Creations and Wearable Advertising Fashion Parades, 12.30pm start. Contact Mainstreet Wanganui phone 348 0157
September 13: Rivercity Markets
Venue: Wanganui Racecourse. 8am - 1pm.
September 13: St Marcellin School World Cup Gala
Venue: St Marcellin School, Totara Street. 11.00am. Contact Kathy, phone 347 9005
September 13: Last Night of the Proms
Venue: Royal Wanganui Opera House. 8.00pm. Contact Great Events, phone 349 0511
September 13 - 20: Marton Arts and Crafts Centre Annual Exhibition
10am - 4pm daily, late night Thursday 18 September from 5pm
September 13: Rugby - Wanganui Under-20 vs Horowhenua-Kapiti
Venue: Westpac Trust Stadium Cooks Gardens. 2.30pm. Curtain-raiser Under-16 Challenge Cup at 1pm.
September 14: Wanganui Music Society Concert Vocal and Instrumental Group
Venue: Lower Lounge, Christ Church, Wicksteed Street. 2.00pm. Contact Lyla Starr, phone 345 0703
September 14 - 16 September: NZ Association of Occupational Therapists Conference
Venue: Wanganui Function Centre, Wanganui Racecourse. Contact: Jennifer Harris, phone 04 472 6600
Throughout September:
A wide range of exhibitions at the Sarjeant Gallery, Whanganui Regional Museum and other galleries.

More information about things to do in the Wanganui District is available from the
i-Site Wanganui Information Centre, 101 Guyton Street.

Unless otherwise noted meetings are held at 2.00pm 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.

The Council welcomes members of the public to attend its meetings.

What's New on the web?

Recent additions to our web site www.wanganui.govt.nz include:
Council Plans - The adopted Long-term Council Community Plan 2003-2013 and supporting Service Management Plan are now available on-line. Please note that both documents are in PDF format.