A street collection is taking place on Friday, February 20, to support the Wanganui District Council Australian Bushfire Appeal 2009.

Collectors will be based at various locations around the city and there will be a fundraising event at Majestic Square during the lunch period. ANZ Bank staff will run a fundraising barbecue in Majestic Square, with all proceeds going to the appeal.

Senior students from local high schools will join Council staff and community volunteers to collect money for the victims of the devastating fires.

"Cr Stevens, who is co-ordinating the appeal, said the tragedy in Victoria, Australia, had touched everyone.

"The graphic pictures in the media do not tell the whole story. The horror for a nation and a people can and never will be forgotten. I hope Wanganui people will give what they can to help those in need.

"I appreciate the generosity of everyone who has already donated to the Council's appeal and the support of Wanganui's ANZ Bank, as well as the volunteers and organisations who are helping with the street collection.

"If people haven't donated to the appeal but would like to, Friday's event is a great opportunity. There will be people all over the city with collection buckets and plenty of activity going on in Majestic Square."

Donations to the Wanganui District Council Australian Bushfire Appeal 2009 can also be made at any New Zealand branch of the ANZ Bank.

The account is called the "Wanganui District Council Australian Bushfire Appeal"; account number 01 0790 0181052 00 ANZ Wanganui.

The Cooks Gardens velodrome will host two days of spectacular international cycling today and tomorrow, including the NZ Madison Championship, NZ Omnium Championship and the International Night of the Stars.

Ninety riders will compete in the different events over two days, including four New Zealand medallists from the Beijing Olympics. Also competing is triple World Champion Tom Palmer from Australia.

The first big race – the NZ Madison – takes place on Thursday at 7.00pm, in which 12 teams of two riders race in relay over 1¼ hours, producing an action-packed and exciting race.

The Omnium takes place on Friday at 1.00pm and the event culminates with the International Night of the Stars and the Rivercity Wheel Race, starting from 6.30pm.

Prior to this race, children aged 10 and under are encouraged to bring along their bikes and trikes and take to the track for a couple of laps. Everyone who takes part with their 'bikes and trikes' will receive a prize. Children will also get to meet the cycling stars.

The event has received financial support from Wanganui District Council's Impact Fund and promises to be a spectacular two days of racing and great entertainment for the whole family to enjoy.

Entry to the Madison is by gold coin donation. The afternoon Omnium event is free. International Night of the Stars admission costs $8.00 for adults, $4 for school children (pre-school free) and a family ticket costs $20.00.

Harp Concert
Sunday, March 1, at 5.00pm
International harpist Robin Ward, originally from New Zealand and currently based in the UK, will perform on the triple harp at the Gallery as part of his No Pedals Attached New Zealand concert tour. Robin has performed as a soloist and as part of various ensembles throughout New Zealand, Australia, the UK and Bermuda. He plays a wide array of music including Classical, Baroque, Latin, Jazz, Celtic and Folk and will include music by Dowland, Devisée, Bach, Krumpholtz and Glinka.

Bookings at the Royal Wanganui Opera House. Adults $20, seniors & Gallery members $15, children $5.

Concert runs for two hours (with intermission). There will be a limited number of seats.

Human Rights Documentary Film Festival
Screening at the Gallery from Monday, March 2, to Saturday, March 7, at 7.00pm
To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the French Embassy are presenting a selection of films on human rights issues. From the child soldiers of Liberia to the women of Srebrenica these films draw a path of memory and history through our times with its burning wounds and immense hopes.

Bookings and programmes at the Gallery. For enquiries phone (06) 349 0506. Admission $5. All films subtitled.

Details of the following vacancy are available on this page:

Technician/Mechanist - Royal Wanganui Opera House
Applications close 2 March 2009

We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings

Council – Extraordinary Meeting – Tuesday, February 24
- The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the submission to the New Zealand Geographic Board regarding the spelling of Wanganui.

Community Development – Tuesday, February 24 (immediately following the Extraordinary Meeting of the Council)
- Youth Committee Update; Strategy and Development Activity Report; Property Group Activity Report; Neighbour Responsibility Bylaw 2009; Horizons Regional Council Whanganui River Vegetation Management; Virginia Lake Update; Community and Cultural Portfolio Activity Report; Iwi Liaison; Family-friendly Funding; Graffiti Service Levels; Wanganui District Council Cemeteries and Crematoria Bylaw – Hearings of Submissions; Street Infrastructure Bylaw 2008; Wanganui District Council Cemetery Monument Policy – Hearing of Submissions; Antisocial Behaviour – Durie Hill Tower Lookout; Proposed Taylor Watt Plaque; Castlecliff Community Development Project; Wanganui Coastline Issues.

Finance and Infrastructure – Tuesday, March 3

Council – Tuesday, March 10
- The purpose of the meeting is to approve the Draft 10-Year Plan 2009-2019 for consultation.

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.