Wanganui is one of 10 regions covered in Te Ara, the world's first national encyclopaedia created specifically for the web and an excellent resource for people wanting information about the district's history.

Te Ara ("the pathway") is still being developed - the project began in 2005 and will be completed in 2013. It will eventually be a comprehensive guide to New Zealand, its people, land, culture, history and identity. Te Ara is produced by a team in the Ministry for Culture and Heritage.

As well as lively and engaging text, the site includes photos, maps, sounds, interactives and video clips. Visitors can choose between English and te reo Maori versions.

The Wanganui entry for Te Ara's "Places" section was written by historian Diana Beaglehole, a former Wanganui resident, with assistance from Malcolm McKinnon and led by General Editor of Te Ara, Jock Phillips. Information was sought from a wide range of Wanganui people.

The Wanganui section of the website was officially launched last month. It includes:

• An overview of Wanganui's history
• Landscapes and climate
• Vegetation and human impact
• Maori tradition
• European settlement 1840-1860
• A troubled decade – the 1860s
• Forging a region, 1870s-1920s
• Hard times, easier times, 1920s-1960s
• Fighting stagnation, 1970s and beyond
• Maori and Pakeha
• Government
• Outdoor recreation and leisure
• Buildings and heritage
• Cultural life
• Facts and figures

There is also a gallery of photos, audio and video clips; a biographies gallery; information about books and websites relating to Wanganui; and a guide to places of interest in and around Wanganui.

Visit Te Ara's Wanganui pages. Online visitors are encouraged to contribute their own stories, comment through a blog and add images with the Flickr feature.

The Council has approved more than $140,000 of event funding from the Impact Fund for the 2008/09 financial year.

The Impact Fund is targeted at organisations that can deliver a significant economic impact through projects, initiatives or events in Wanganui and/or the wider Wanganui region.

Fifteen applications totalling $140,009 worth of grants were approved. Applications were first considered by a Wanganui Inc assessment committee which made recommendations to the Council. At its meeting on June 30, the Council approved the following applications:

The vetting of grant applications is performed by Wanganui Inc (Wanganui Holdings directors plus Cr Barbara Bullock), who recommend their decisions to the full Council. The Council unanimously accepted their recommendations at its meeting on 30 June 2008.

The major criteria is that there must be a direct economic benefit to the wider Wanganui community from the approved project.

A second round of funding applications will be available at the end of the year with the remaining $60,000 on offer.

At its June 30 meeting, the Council discussed the threat of the Whanganui Regional Museum Trust to reduce the opening hours of the Museum and close the institution on Sundays.

After discussing the Museum Trust's healthy financial accounts, including interest-bearing investments of almost $900,000, the Council passed the following motions:

(Cr Stevens/Cr Bullock):
'That a requirement of the Council's 2008/09 funding be an agreement on opening hours and include a requirement that the Whanganui Regional Museum be open seven days per week'.

(Cr Dahya/Cr Waitai):
'That children be admitted to the Whanganui Regional Museum free of charge'.

Community organisations working within the Wanganui District are advised that applications for Community Contracts for the 2008/2009 financial year (July 1-June 30) are now invited.

The closing date for applications is Monday, 11 August 2008, at 5.00pm.

The Community Contracts programme provides funding to community organisations which provide service initiatives that:

• Support the 10-Year Plan
• Provide depth of value and benefit to the wider Wanganui community
• Increase community capacity in the Wanganui community

There is $80,000 of contestable funding available for the 2008/2009 year. Please note that the Community Contracts Fund is separate from the Impact Fund which supports initiatives that attract visitors and deliver a significant economic impact to Wanganui, and deliver sustainable programmes that raise the national profile of Wanganui.

Community organisations interested in Community Contract funding can obtain a specific application form, explanation notes, guidelines and criteria at:

• Wanganui District Council Office, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui
• Community House, 53A Ridgway Street, Wanganui
• Wanganui District Library (Central City @ Queens Park, Mobile Library) www.wanganuilibrary.com

Thinking of applying?

Thinking of applying and not sure you meet the criteria? Please contact Keith Smith or Marion Gibbard at the Council, phone 349 0001, for further information.

Vacancies

Details of the following vacancies are available on this page:

Animal Control Officer
Applications close 25 July 2008

Information Services Manager
Applications close 27 July 2008

HR Administrator
Applications close 31 July 2008

Senior Water/Wastewater Engineer
Applications close 8 August 2008

On 19 May 2008, the Wanganui District Council approved the Draft Sarjeant Gallery Collections Policy 2008–2011.

The Council now invites the public to provide feedback on the draft policy.

Consultation
Copies of the Sarjeant Gallery Collections Policy 2008–2011 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, the District Library, Queens Park, and the Sarjeant Gallery, Queens Park.

The consultation period will be from 12 June to 1 August 2008.

Submissions are welcomed and should be addressed to:
Sarjeant Gallery Collections Policy
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 5pm on Friday, 1 August 2008.

If you have any queries or require further information, please contact Pete Gray, Deputy Community & Cultural Manager, at the District Council, telephone (06) 349 0001 or email Pete Gray.

On 19 May 2008, the Council approved the Wanganui District Council Draft Arts Policy 2008 for public consultation.

The Council invites the public to provide feedback on the draft policy.

The objectives of the Wanganui District Council Arts Policy are:

1. To build Wanganui's profile as a centre of excellence for the arts through improved management, marketing and promotion of the arts.
2. To build creative capacity.
3. To maximise the tourism and economic potential that can be derived from the arts sector.
4. To improve access to and participation in arts activities.
5. Our built environment reflects our culture through the use of public art.

Consultation
Copies of the Wanganui District Council Draft Arts Policy and submission form are available for public inspection, during normal working hours, at the Customer Service Desk at the Wanganui District Council, 101 Guyton Street; District Library, Queens Park; Community Arts Centre, Taupo Quay, Wanganui. The consultation period will be from 5 June 2008 to 18 July 2008.

Submissions are welcomed and should be addressed to:

Wanganui District Council Draft Arts Policy
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 Friday, 18 July 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

Hearings – Thursday, July 17 (2.00pm)
- Submissions to Gambling Venue Policy.

Wanganui Rural Community Board – Friday, July 18 (4.00pm, Committee Room 2)
- Temporary Road Closure – Wanganui Car Club; Rural Theft; Rural Bin Sites; Remuneration Authority – Local Government Elected Members' Determination 2008 Amendment Determination 2008; Bad Neighbour Bylaw – Effects on Rural Community; Meetings in Rural Communities.

Community Development – Tuesday, July 22
- Community and Cultural Portfolio Activity Report; Strategy and Development Activity Report; Property Group Activity Report; Strategy and Policy Project Priorities; Iwi Liaison; Heads Road Cemetery Management Plan; Wanganui District Council Cemetery Monument Policy; Wanganui District Licensing Agency Annual Report; Wanganui Loyalty Card; Youth Committee; Entranceway Project.

Council – Tuesday, July 29 (3.00pm)
- Setting of rates for the year commencing 1 July 2008 and ending 30 June 2009.

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, July 29 (immediately following Council meeting)

Unless otherwise noted, meetings are held 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.