City Missioner Shirley-Joy Barrow got her Christmas wish granted a day early this year, when Mayor Michael’s food bank challenge was achieved.
 
At its meeting held on October 19, Council resolved that a joint Council and Christian Social Services Wanganui Food Bank campaign be launched which included matching a $10,000, 'dollar for dollar' appeal from the Mayoral Relief Fund.

A donation on December 23 of a $250 Pak n Save gift card took the Food Bank campaign total to just over $10,000. This will be matched from the Mayoral Relief Fund, bringing the total to $20,000.

Mayor Michael is delighted with the result. "I have been in regular contact with City Missioner Shirley-Joy since we launched the campaign and the response from the public has been simply fantastic. Every day since October members of the public have been walking into the City Mission and giving money – from the smallest donation of $3 to a couple of donations of $500 and $800.

"This year has been a particularly busy year for the City Mission – with a large increase in people needing food parcels as a result of the tough economic times. City Mission estimates they have given out $144,000 worth of food this year, which is staggering.

"Wanganui is the most generous community in New Zealand. I am so proud to represent such wonderful, kind-hearted people."

Shirley-Joy Barrow is thrilled to have achieved the target and described it as "Michael’s Christmas miracle. Without the support of the Mayor and council I don’t think we could have done it."

The newest stained glass window installed in the Council Chamber reflects the importance of Wanganui’s rural economy.

The window depicts sheep crossing the new Bridge 47 at Mangamahu, with the Mangamahu church in the background. The window has been sponsored by the Mangamahu community.

The window was installed on December 23, in the presence of Mayor Michael Laws and members of the Rural Community Board.

There are now a total of 16 stained glass windows in the Council Chamber. The latest window is one of a series of 32 windows which depict the Wanganui story. The stained glass installed to date include images of the Watt Fountain and bridge block of Victoria Avenue, Kupe standing at the mouth of the Whanganui River mouth and Billy Webb and Peter Snell achieving their world famous feats.

Each window is designed by artist Julie Greig and crafted by glass artist Greg Hall.  They will stand as enduring works of art and are replacing the plain glass windows between the rimu panelling and the domed roof of the Council Chamber.

Local families, individuals, businesses and organisations are invited to sponsor windows. For further information contact Malcolm Hunt at Wanganui District Council, phone 349 0001 ext 8032.

On Wednesday, December 23, Mayor Michael Laws was named as TV3 'Nightline' Person of the Year. It was announced as part of the late night news programme which included an extended interview of Mayor Michael by TV3 journalist/presenter Ali Ikram.

'It is really a recognition of how often Wanganui has featured in the TV news bulletins this year. Some of that has been controversial, and a lot of it has been positive particularly with the passage of the ground-breaking anti-gang legislation.

'Smaller centres need to keep reminding the rest of the country that we exist. I think this award suggests that we are being noticed and that we do box well above our weight. That is a very positive thing,' said Mayor Michael.

Summer visitors to the Sarjeant Gallery will be treated to a range of exhibitions including a wide range of works from the gallery’s permanent collection and a selection of glass art.

90 Works, 90 Years
2009 marked the 90th Anniversary of the Sarjeant Gallery’s opening.
Gallery staff are celebrating the rich diversity of the Permanent Collection with small themed groupings of ten works selected by each of the nine full time staff. The first work acquired for the collection in 1901 and the most recent are included in this eclectic exhibition.
Exhibition runs to 14 March 2010

Looking Glass: reflecting ideas
This major exhibition includes the work of 21 artists from throughout New Zealand working in the dynamic medium of glass. Each artist is represented by three objects that chart the development of an idea. Co-curated by Grace Cochrane, Sydney and Greg Donson, Sarjeant Gallery.  This exhibition is generously supported by Creative New Zealand and Doyle + Associates.
Exhibition runs to 14 March 2010

Second Life
Five artist have given everyday materials and ready-made objects (objets trouvés) a ‘second life’ as works of art, creating works of great beauty and imagination from cheap, humble materials.
Exhibition runs to 28 February 2010

Salt Air
Coastal life, by Edith Collier
The selection of works shown in this exhibition depicts the coastal life of communities in Bonmahon, Ireland and St Ives, Cornwall, as well as that of Kawhia in the late 1920s.
Exhibition runs to February 2010
 
The Sarjeant Gallery is open 10.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Sunday. Entry is free.

Wanganui Opera Week will once again be taking place from 3 – 14 January with a variety of performances and events across the city.

24 students have been selected to attend the NZ Opera School, which is held at Wanganui Collegiate School. The Opera School offers young singers the opportunity to develop their vocal techniques, their language and performance abilities during twelve days of intensive tuition. Tutors come from all over the world.

This year’s public programme includes a lunchtime concert at the Sarjeant Gallery on January 4 and evening café’ performances on January 7. There are also two Master Classes for the public to watch at Collegiate School. The Opera School culminates with a Gala Evening Concert at the Royal Wanganui Opera House on Wednesday, January 13.

Wanganui Opera Week has received funding from Wanganui District Council’s Impact Fund, which supports projects which generate significant economic benefits to the Wanganui city and district.

Tickets for all staged events can be purchased from the Wanganui Royal Opera House Box Office, phone 349 0511.

A liquor ban will be in force this New Year’s Eve at Mowhanau Beach. The ban will be in place between 3.00pm on 31 December 2009 and 3.00am on 1 January 2010.

The general ban area includes roads, domain, foreshore and public areas within the Mowhanau Village/Domain starting outside the Mowhanau Community Hall.

More specifically it is the area bounded by the low water mark to the south-west; the Kai Iwi Stream to the north-west; the Mowhanau Stream to the south-east, including SO14957, SO18911, and Sec 71 of the Mowhanau Domain, including roadways and public thoroughfares of Sunset Parade, Waitangi Parade, Broadview Heights, Tangi Street and Mowhanau Drive up to a point adjacent the entrance to the Mowhanau Hall.

Section 158 of the Local Government Act 2002 requires Wanganui District Council to review its Bylaws. In accordance with this requirement Council proposes to revoke and replace Part 4 – Animal Control - Wanganui District Council Consolidated Bylaw 1997 with a new Bylaw.

Submissions are now invited on the Proposed Wanganui District Council Animal Control Bylaw (2009).

Copies of the Proposed Bylaw, Summary of Information, Statement of Proposal and submission forms are available here.

Submissions should be addressed to:

The Chief Executive
Wanganui District Council
PO Box 637
101 Guyton Street
Wanganui

Submissions close at 5.00pm on Monday, 8 February 2010.

Herbicide spraying will take place at Lake Wiritoa on Monday, 18 January or Tuesday, 19 January 2010 on the area designated for public swimming and waterskiing.

The spraying is required to control the water weed Hornwort which is present in the lake. The use of the lake for swimming is prohibited for 24 hours after the application of the herbicide.

Persons within 1km who may draw water from the lake should not bathe in it, use it for human consumption, fish farming or livestock watering for 24 hours after application. Water should not be used for overhead irrigation for 10 days after treatment.

Nominations are being sought for the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame. The purpose of the Hall of Fame is to recognise sporting achievements by athletes and coaches who have made a significant impact on Wanganui's sporting heritage.

The current inductees into the Wanganui Sports Hall of Fame are:

Gary Anderson (cycling), Philippa Baker-Hogan (rowing), Ernest (Moke) Belliss (rugby), Peter Belliss (lawn bowls), Harry Cave (cricket), Ron Cheatley (cycling coach), Trevor Coker (rowing), Coleman Family - Percy, Rod and Bob (motorcycling), Arthur Holder (athletics), Alan McIntyre (hockey), Bill Osborne (rugby), Arthur Porritt (athletics), Billy Webb (rowing), Les Wilson (hockey).

To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, nominees must be from the Wanganui District, by birth or adoption, have been retired at least five years from top competition, represented New Zealand at 'senior' level and/or contributed positively to, and brought credit to, sport in the District.

Nomination forms are available at the Customer Services Counter, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui and on this page.

Nominations close on 8 January 2010.

Wanganui District Council's Municipal Building in Guyton Street and Infrastructure offices in St Hill Street will be closed from 3pm on Thursday, December 24, until 8am on Tuesday, 5 January 2010.

For urgent matters, you can still contact us at any time by phoning 349 0001 during this period.

Payments to the Council can be made at the i-SITE Visitor Centre in Guyton Street while the main office is closed.

A full list of opening hours for Council and Queens Park services over the holiday period is available here (PDF, 11KB).