Issue No. 344 - 3 January 2008
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Issue No. 344 - 3 January 2008 |
By-election candidates confirmed
A by-election will be held on February 16 to fill vacancies on the Wanganui District Council and the Kaitoke subdivision of the Wanganui Rural Community Board. Nominations for both vacancies closed on December 21. The nominees are: Member for the Wanganui District – Election at Large (one vacancy) Anderson, Allan Royce Member for the Wanganui Rural Community Board – Kaitoke subdivision (one vacancy) Handley, Rochelle The elections will be conducted by postal vote under the First Past the Post electoral system. Voting documents will be sent out to all qualified electors between Friday, 25 January 2008, and Wednesday, 30 January 2008. All returned voting documents must be received by the Electoral Officer no later than 12 noon Saturday, 16 February 2008. |
Promise kept: Virginia Lake "clear by Christmas"
"I made a pre-election promise that the lake would be clear by Christmas. A combination of political will and staff expertise has allowed that to happen." Mayor Laws said that the $630,000 clean-up programme had the unanimous support of the council and the community "because Virginia Lake is one of our prime city jewels and a much loved recreational spot for families and visitors. The algal blooms were robbing of us all of this beautiful area – both the sight and the smell was unpleasant". A combination of the SolarBee aerator, a clean-up of algal-friendly irises and other exotic lakeside plantings, and the recent placing of the 'floating island', was having a marked effect upon the lake's health and appearance. "This is not to say we may not get a reoccurrence. There are still plantings required, and a pipe system designed to 'flush' the lake. That will happen in the New Year. "Elsewhere in New Zealand, entire lakes are being sacrificed to algal blooms. We have no intention of surrendering in Wanganui. There are natural means to restore our district's lakes and waterways. On these initial results, we are winning the battle." |
Down from the Nightlands –
on now at the Sarjeant Gallery
A site specific work, it features flights of miniature stairs extending up into the Gallery dome, mini versions of the stadium lights at Cooks Gardens and a giant swirl of clouds made from recycled New World shopping bags. The exhibition is on at the Sarjeant Gallery until February 24. |
Wanganui Opera Week
January 3-14 Wanganui is hosting some of New Zealand's future opera stars, and world class tutors, during Wanganui Opera Week from January 3-14. Students from throughout New Zealand, and tutors from around the world, will participate in classes and productions, some of which are open to the public. The events are not shown anywhere else in New Zealand. Public classes and performances during Energy Direct NZ Wanganui Opera Week include: Saturday, January 5, 7.30pm - Public Masterclass Sunday, January 6, 11.30am - Chapel Service Monday, January 7, 12.30pm – Lunch and Recital Tuesday, January 8, 7.30pm - Public Masterclass Thursday, January 10, 7.30pm – Opera Top 10 Saturday, January 12, 7.30pm - Great Opera Moments 2008 Bookings can be made at the Royal Wanganui Opera House or you can pay at the door, except for the Opera Top 10 events which must be booked and paid for at the venue. |
Scholarships on offer for sports course Up to four scholarships will be offered to students enrolling in Whanganui UCOL's Certificate in Exercise and Sport Performance. Administered by the Council's Sport and Recreation Committee, the scholarships will be supported by a range of Wanganui businesses including the YMCA and the Kingsgate Hotel and Conference Centre. 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 is proposing to 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:
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. |
An exciting global career
Wanganui District Council Sister City Scholarship to study at IPC
IPC offers
Expressions of interest for semester one close 31 January 2008. To get started phone Bex on 0800 367 472. |
Graffiti hotline 349 0500
Want to report graffiti? Graffiti can now be reported through a central phone number provided by the Council. The number is 349 0500. This number is for reporting graffiti only. |
Establishment of a Maori Committee
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 Expressions of Interest close Friday, 8 February 2008. |
Vacancies Details about the following vacancies are available on this page: Communications Officer IT Systems Engineer/Service Desk Support Assistant Archivist Executive Assistant Assistant English Teacher to Wanganui's Sister City, Nagaizumi-cho, Japan Nagaizumi, Wanganui's Japanese Sister City, is a thriving town situated close to Mt Fujiyama and three hours by train from Tokyo. It enjoys a mild climate and abundance of natural beauty, and its main industries include agriculture, medicine and paper manufacturing. Nagaizumi is special to Wanganui due to its enduring Sister City relationship of 20 years. The period of the appointment will be for one year from 1 April 2008. By mutual agreement the term may be extended for a further 12 months. Preference will be given to applicants with a university degree and teaching experience. However, other interested persons with university qualifications are also invited to apply. A cheerful, outgoing personality and interest in Japanese culture will be important qualities in intending applicants. Single accommodation is available. Persons wishing to obtain a copy of the Conditions of Appointment should contact Customer Services, Wanganui District Council, telephone (06) 349 0001. Interviews for the Assistant Language Teacher will be held during the week commencing 14 January 2008. Written applications, together with curriculum vitae and contact details for three referees, should be addressed to: Governance Services Manager Applications close at noon on Friday, 11 January 2008. |
Upcoming Council meetings
We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings Council – Friday, January 18 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. |
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Mayor Michael Laws has publicly complimented Wanganui District Council staff and contractors on the state of Virginia Lake after repeated toxic algal blooms, saying that the remedial work currently under way "has restored Virginia Lake to a condition not seen for the last couple of years".
Down from the Nightlands is a dome installation by Joanna Langford, the recent Tylee Cottage artist-in-residence.
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.