Issue No. 567 - 19 April 2012
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Issue No. 567 - 19 April 2012 |
Diary on display to commemorate Anzac Day 2012
The diary, which is part of the Lovegrove Papers archive collection at the Wanganui District Library, includes a detailed description of the Wellington Infantry Battalion’s arrival at Gallipoli and a day-by-day account of the Gallipoli campaign, with notes on the numbers of dead, wounded and missing. The diary will be open at the entry for 25 April 1915. Each of the four infantry battalions of the Wellington Military District that covered the lower half of the North Island (including 7th Wellington West Coast, 9th Hawke’s Bay, 11th Taranaki and 17th Ruahine Battalions) supplied a company of 227 men to make up the Wellington Infantry Battalion in the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Many men who served in the 7th Wellington West Coast Company were from the Wanganui district. The handwritten diary covers the period from 8 August 1914 to 23 September 1916. While there is no stated author, a comparison of the writing in the diary with another manuscript in the collection suggests that Major William Henry Cunningham of Wanganui may have written the diary. Major Cunningham was given command of the 7th Wellington West Coast Company in August 1914. Cunningham had been a solicitor with the firm Corry and Cunningham. He had served in the Wanganui Highland Rifles and with the Wanganui Rifles. He was elected as their captain in 1909 and promoted to field rank in 1914. Cunningham’s service at Gallipoli saw him take command of the Battalion when Lieutenant Colonel W.G. Malone was killed at Chunuk Bair in August 1915, only to be wounded himself several hours later. When the New Zealand Division formed in 1916 to leave for France, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and commanding officer of 2nd Battalion Wellington Regiment. He served with the Battalion to October 1918, commanding every action but one on the Western Front. The War Memorial Centre will be open on Anzac Day until 2.00pm to view the diary. Although almost a century has passed since the diary was written it is still in very good condition. In order to preserve the diary for the future, no flash photography of the diary is allowed. However, a transcript of the Anzac Day entry will be available for people to take home. If you would like to find out more about the diary or read further entries from war diaries in the Lovegrove Papers collection visit Wanganui District Library’s website. It is hoped to add further archival information and diaries in the future. In addition to the World War One blog the Library website has links to information about the Krupp Gun restoration project and a heritage tour of Queens Park. The archive collection at the Alexander Heritage and Research Library is available to view by request. Appointments can be made via the website or by phoning 349 1000. Anzac Day memorial services Mayor Annette Main will officiate at the Dawn Parade Anzac Service at the Cenotaph and Memorial Hall. She will be accompanied by Wanganui District Council Chief Executive Kevin Ross. The service is at 5.30am. The Maxwell Anzac Day service will be held at the Maxwell Memorial at 9.30am. If wet, the service will be held in the Maxwell Hall. An invitation to attend the service is extended to residents and the public. The Maori Commemoration Service will be held at Pakaitore Moutoa Gardens at 11.00am. |
Mountains to Sea hikoi
The Mountains to Sea section was officially opened in July 2010 at Ohakune Old Coach Road and is a regional initiative involving Wanganui District Council, Ruapehu District Council, iwi, community groups and Department of Conservation (DoC). The ride traverses two iconic national parks with outstanding scenery and a rich cultural, historic and natural heritage, and also brings visitors to the urban area of Wanganui. More information is available here. As only parts of the Mountains to Sea have been officially opened, the hikoi will allow the cycle trail partners, iwi and the local communities to showcase their sections of track and the benefits to local businesses and the local and regional economy. The third and final day of the hikoi starts at Pipiriki and finishes at the North Mole, Castlecliff, with a closing ceremony. How you can be involved The public are invited to join sections of, or the full hikoi and be part of this historic journey. For more information about the route and details of where to join the hikoi visit the events section click here. If you would like to take part in the Whanganui River section of the hikoi (from Pipiriki to Wanganui) click here. You can find out about accommodation, bike hire and transport options. A special overnight package is available. On Saturday, April 28 the hikoi will arrive in town and will make its way to North Mole, the official end point of the cycle trail. Local people can meet up with the hikoi at the following places: End of Whanganui River Road/State Highway 4 junction The hikoi is expected to arrive at North Mole at 3.00pm where a ceremony will take place. This will be attended by Mayor Annette Main, who is cycling the hikoi, councillors and Iwi representatives as well as representatives from the Department of Conservation. Three taonga from the upper, middle and lower reaches of the Whanganui River will be placed in the sea to mark the historic journey. The North Mole will be cordoned off during the ceremony. |
Community information at your fingertips
How well do you know the Wanganui district? What is our population? Is our population aging or are we getting younger? Are we more or less multi-cultural than the NZ average? Do we use cars to get to work or do we rely on public transport? These and many more questions can be answered using Council’s new community profile tool, which has been developed by specialist demographics company .id – (Informed Decisions) to develop a comprehensive demographic profile of the Wanganui district. The community profile presents data from the 1996, 2001 and 2006 NZ Census in simple, clear tables and charts with concise factual commentary. It provides easy to use information about the community and enables individuals, community groups and organisations to better understand the community and tackle activities such as research, planning, and advocacy. “This tool will enable Council to make more informed decisions about the delivery of services and facilities,” says Cr Philippa Baker-Hogan, Chair of the Community and Environment Committee. “Not only will it be of benefit to Council it is a fantastic community asset. Community organisations who have seen a demonstration of the ‘community profile’ tool have been really impressed and will be able to use the data to help support funding applications and planning for their own organisation’s services too. It also gives a clear picture of our community and its various neighbourhoods which will be further enhanced by next year’s census.”
To view the community profile click here. |
Ultrafast Fibre cable drums opportunity for not-for-profit organisations
The drums are generally about 2.1m high although there will be smaller ones to give away. Ultrafast Fibre Ltd is looking to the community for innovative and sustainable ways to recycle or dispose of the drums. The drums are available to groups for free but interested organisation’s have to make arrangements to pick them up from the contractor’s yard in Wanganui each month, The cable drums are made of untreated wood, so they can be dismantled and used as safe firewood. Ultrafast Fibre Ltd will give preference to not-for-profit organisations wanting the cable drums on a long-term basis, but will also accept enquiries from individuals. To register your interest in acquiring the cable drums email.
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Quay Gallery exhibition Have you visited the Quay Gallery upstairs in the i-Site Visitor Centre on Taupo Quay recently? The current exhibition is sourced from the collection of Wanganui resident Helen Slater, who started acquiring ceramic pieces with her late husband Basil more than 30 years ago. It includes the best of New Zealand ceramics with Titian Studios, Studio Potters such as Briar Gardner and Jovan Rancich, and iconic Crown Lynn ware being represented. Undoubtedly one of the most impressive privately-owned ceramic collections in the country, the exhibition is a unique opportunity to view some of the finest examples of New Zealand potting and ceramic design. For further information, phone the Gallery on 349 0506. |
School holiday activities
Slinky Malinky Tales storytime Splash Centre Parks and reserves |
Municipal Service - Anzac DayWednesday, 25 April 2012The following holiday arrangements will be observed by the Wanganui District Council on Anzac Day. For urgent matters you can contact us at any time on (06) 349 0001. Municipal Office Building i-SITE Visitor Information Centre Sarjeant Gallery Whanganui Regional Museum Royal Wanganui Opera House Wanganui District Library Services Gonville Café Library Recycling After hours services are listed in the telephone directory under ‘Wanganui District Council’. |
Meetings
We welcome members of the public to attend our meetings. Hearings and Regulatory – April 20 (10.00am, Council Chamber)
Council – April 30 (2.00pm, Council Chamber)
Wanganui District Councils’ Forestry Joint Committee – May 7 (3.00pm, 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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A World War One diary with special significance to Wanganui will be on display for the first time at the War Memorial Conference and Convention Centre on Anzac Day, April 25. 
A three-day cycle journey travelling the entire length of the Mountains to Sea section of the National Cycle Trail will take place on April 26-28.
Ultrafast Fibre Ltd will install a 340km network of ultrafast fibre to schools, hospitals, businesses and homes in Wanganui over the next four years. The fibre is delivered on large, wooden cable drums, which the company wants to give away. 
There’s still a few days of the school holidays left so check out some of these fun things to do before school starts again.