You're invited to attend the dedication ceremony for Wanganui's Handspan Peace Sculpture.

Her Excellency The Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright will dedicate the Handspan Peace Sculpture at Queens Park at 4.30pm on Saturday, September 21 (International Day of Peace).

The sculpture is the result of a competition organised by Operation Peace Through Unity. It was designed and sculpted by Ross Mitchell-Anyon, and built by Jamie O'Leary, with many people giving their time and donations to the project.

The ceremony will include the handing over of the sculpture to the Wanganui community through Mayor Chas Poynter.

You are invited to come along to Queens Park to be part of the unveiling ceremony for Wanganui's exciting new sculpture.

The following information is extracted from the Council's Social Indicators Report 2002. The report, which measures the social wellbeing of Wanganui, was established in 1997 and trends are now emerging. More summary information from the report will be published in Community Link.

Education

• The number of preschoolers in childcare is rising and is now higher than the number attending kindergarten.
• Somewhat similar is the increase in numbers in after school care services (OSCAR).
• The number of enrolled secondary school students continues to slowly decrease.
• The number of full time equivalent students at the Polytechnic increased each year from 1994 to 2000, but dropped in 2001.
• The number of courses provided by CES (Community Education Services) has risen from 1997.

Crime

• Crime statistics have continued to show a steady decrease over the last six years.

Health

• The number on waiting lists for Good Health Wanganui services has dropped over the last five years.
• Use of Good Health Wanganui services for emergency, out patients, and day patients show a general increase since 1996.

Copies of the report are available from Rosemary Hovey at the Council.

September 21: "Precious Metals" Exhibition, Marton
Venue: Arts & Crafts Centre, Grey Street, Marton. 10am-4pm. Public welcome.

September 21: Rivercity Markets
Venue: Wanganui Racecourse car park. 8am-1pm.

September 21: Eastside Market
9am-2pm.

September 21: "Think Before You Buy Under 18s Drink" Launch
Venue: Majestic Square. 11am-noon.

September 21: Wanganui Caledonian Society Social Dance
Contact Elizabeth, phone 342 1849.

September 21: Highland Dancing, Wanganui Competitions Society
Venue: St Andrew's Hall, Bell Street. Start 9.30am.

September 21: "Something Different", Wanganui Community Choir Concert
Venue: Collegiate Auditorium. 7.30pm. With guests Westmere School Choir, Nahandove, the Highlanders.

September 21: Volleyball Tournament
Venue: Springvale Stadium.

September 21: Skating
Venue: Jubilee Stadium.

More information about things to do in the Wanganui District is available from the Visitor Information Centre, 101 Guyton Street.

Vacancies

Intermediate Creditors Clerk/Customer Services Officer, Wanganui Water Services
Applications close: 27 September 2002

Resource Management Planner (Development Control), Environmental Services
Applications close: 25 September 2002

Nominations for the Wanganui Community Awards are now being sought.

The Awards will be made to persons who have carried out meritorious voluntary service in Wanganui.

Applicants will require to be nominated by two citizens of Wanganui, or a bona fide organisation.

Please note:
Previous nominations will not be considered for selection. Only those persons nominated this year will be considered, as nominations do not "roll over" annually.

Nomination forms and Conditions of Nomination are available from the Customer Services Desk, Ground Floor, Municipal Office Building, 101 Guyton Street, Wanganui.

The closing date for nominations is Friday, 1 November 2002.

The District Council has recently let a new contract to Waste Management Ltd to provide and clear refuse bins in the rural area. The new contract commences on 1 September 2002, with the collection schedule as follows:

Waste Management Ltd will be tidying up and refurbishing the bins over the first two months of the contract. No separate provision for recycling will be provided.

Residents are reminded that the bins are provided for disposal of domestic refuse only. Hazardous wastes such as car batteries, chemicals or noxious waste, such as dead animals, should not be disposed of in the bins.

Council - Ordinary (Council Chamber)
Monday, September 23

Hearings
Wednesday, September 25

Strategy
Thursday, September 26

Hearings
Wednesday, October 9

Wanganui Rural Community Board
Thursday, October 10

Economic Development
Tuesday, October 15

Community Development
Wednesday, October 16

Environment
Thursday, October 17

Unless otherwise notified, the meetings will commence at 2.00pm in Committee Room 2, 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.

The Council welcomes members of the public to attend its meetings.

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