Issue No. 546 - 24 November 2011
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Issue No. 546 - 24 November 2011 |
White Ribbon Day
Last year more than 400,000 New Zealanders pinned on a white ribbon and over 100 communities held events to raise awareness. "This annual event is a significant and powerful way for our men and boys to show publicly they do not condone violence towards women," says Mayor Annette Main."Wanganui, like everywhere in New Zealand, has incidences of family violence and this is something we simply should not and cannot tolerate. "Wanganui District Council and Safer Wanganui support and work with agencies who offer advice and help to everyone in our district who experiences or is affected in any way by family violence. "We all want to live in a safe and healthy community and raising awareness of family violence is a way in which we can start to break down barriers and encourage people to get the help and advice they need to make changes in their situations. "I am looking forward to a really good turnout at the march and would like as many women as possible to join me in Majestic Square to support this great event." For information on agencies and organisations who work with people experiencing family violence contact the Whanganui Family Violence Intervention Network Co-ordinator on 345 6681 or click here. |
Picnic in the Park
The fun runs from 11.00am until 2.00pm with something for everyone to enjoy. Bring your picnic, your family and your friends and enjoy music, entertainment, face-painting, bouncy castle, sausage sizzle and more. "Picnic in the Park is a major event which the Youth Committee organises for young people and their families," says Cr Jack Bullock, Chair of the Youth Committee. "Our Youth Councillors put in a lot of hard work to make the event a success and this year it's going to be bigger than ever. Kowhai Park is a great place to hold the event. It's a really fun way to start the busy festive season and give families time to relax and enjoy some time together." The event is free but gold coin donations are welcome. Funds raised will be given to 'For our Kids', an initiative of the Community Taskforce for Youth Wellbeing, which encourages volunteers to help and support young people in the community in a variety of ways. |
'Mountain to Sea' sculpture dedication Mayor Annette Main, councillors and invited guests attended a dedication ceremony at the weekend, to mark the generous gift of Jim Gordon, who has purchased the 'From Mountain to the Sea' sculpture for the people of Wanganui. 'From Mountain to the Sea' was a finalist in the inaugural Sculpture Wanganui competition and since then funds have been sought to purchase the piece of public art. When Jim Gordon, a Wanganui man who has recently returned to the district from Australia, heard that funding was needed he contacted the Mayor's Office and made the offer to purchase the sculpture to ensure it would remain in Wanganui. "Mr Gordon's generous gift means that this sculpture has been secured as part of our growing collection of public art," says Mayor Annette Main. "Works of public art enhance our physical environment and we are lucky to have people in our community who are willing to fund these types of works and improve the landscape for us all. "Mr Gordon has asked that the sculpture be dedicated to Mr William Hikitangaarangi Smith and to the work of the Maori Wardens. This is a wonderful and very fitting way to celebrate the work of the Maori Wardens and the important role they play in our community." |
e-books have landed at your library Wanganui District Library is part of ePukapuka, a consortium of 15 libraries around the lower North Island, who have got together to deliver the Overdrive digital library service to you for free. All you need to access the e-books service is your library card and a computer connected to the internet and you are set up to be able to download e-books and audio books without leaving home. To access e-books visit the ePukapuka website at www.epukapuka.org, select 'sign in' at the top of the screen, select Wanganui District Library and enter your membership number, shown on the back of your library card. You can browse the collection, create a wish list of books and download items. Issue periods are for one week. You can take a guided tour to help learn about the e-books website and how it works. For further information about e-books call the library, phone 349 1000. |
Sarjeant Gallery exhibition In the Garden 10 - 27 November This exhibition features artwork produced by students from fifteen Wanganui Schools. Each class visited the gallery to participate in a practical workshop with the Sarjeant Gallery education officers. Looking at the theme of In the Garden, each of the workshops invovled the students viewing works depicting the garden and/or bugs from the Gallery's collection. Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is to be held at the Sarjeant Gallery at 7.30pm on Tuesday, 6 December 2011. The Members are a support group to the Gallery. They provide volunteer support to openings, functions and other Gallery operations; have assisted with the upgrade of Tylee Cottage, the home of the Artist in Residence scheme; provide an award at the Whanganui Arts Review and, in the case of Patron Members, donate to the permanent collection. This year consideration is being given to assisting with funding for conservation work on selected items from the Gallery's permanent collection. At the AGM the Annual Report and Accounts will be presented and Executive members elected. In addition there will be a presentation by Greg Anderson, Senior Curator at the Sarjeant Gallery and Pete Gray, Deputy Community and Culture Manager on the proposed extension to the Sarjeant Gallery. Members and visitors are welcome. |
Cooks Gardens temporary closure Cooks Gardens will be closed to the public from 6.00am on Saturday, 3 December 2011, and will reopen at 6.00am on Sunday, 4 December, 2011 for a private event. If you have any queries contact the Wanganui Events Trust, Cooks Gardens Office, phone 349 1815 or email cooks@eventswanganui.com. |
Recycle your unwanted paint and help wipe out graffiti
Friday, November 25 The Wanganui District Council is working with the Wanganui Resene PaintWise Programme. Wanganui residents can return unwanted paint (no solvents accepted) and paint packaging to the Resene Colour Shop. It is then mixed into varying shades of grey paint. Resene donates the resulting good quality waterborne Resene paint to community groups in Wanganui. Residents can return up to 10 packs of any brand of paint free of charge. Where: Resene Colour Shop, 17 Wilson Street, Wanganui; phone 348 0048 You can also help by reporting graffiti as and when it happens. Telephone the Graffiti Hotline 349 0500 for removal of graffiti in highly visible areas of Wanganui. |
Have Your Say The draft Shared Pathways Strategy has been approved by council for public consultation. The draft Shared Pathways Strategy envisions: 'A family-friendly district with pathways that are safe, convenient, interconnected, accessible, attractive and expressive to encourage multiple uses by multiple users – a district with active pathways for active people.' Shared pathways are defined as multi-purpose pathways that cater for diverse users – with pedestrians and cyclists sharing the same space. Development of this strategy serves an important role. It communicates the significance of an active transport network to Wanganui's health, vitality, connectivity, sustainability and wellbeing and establishes a coordinated and integrated approach to infrastructure development and future funding opportunities. To find out more about the draft strategy, including how to make a submission click here. Submissions close at 5.00pm on Friday, 20 January 2012. |
Vacancies The Wanganui District Council has the following vacancies: Governance Office Assistant Records Office Assistant Applications for both roles close on Friday, 3 December 2011. Click here for details |
Council meetings
We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings. Infrastructure and Property – November 29 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)
Community and Environment – December 1 (2.00pm, Council Chamber) Wanganui District Councils’ Forestry Joint – December 5 (2.00pm, Committee Room 2) Strategy and Finance – December 6 (2.00pm, Council Chamber) Hearings and Regulatory – December 8 (9.00am-5.00pm, Committee Room 2)
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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November 25 is White Ribbon Day, the day that encourages us all - and particularly men - to wear a white ribbon to show they do not commit, condone or tolerate violence against anyone - specifically against women and children.
White Ribbon Day is also used to celebrate the many men willing to show leadership and commitment to promoting safe, healthy relationships within families.
Join the Wanganui District Council Youth Committee for a fantastic free, fun, family event at the Picnic in the Park on Saturday, December 3, at Kowhai Park.