Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer

 
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Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
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    Issue 862 - 11 September 2019                                                     Phone 07 866 2090                                    (07) 867 15               Circulation 7,200
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Vintage telescope to feature in
museum’s new exhibition
By Gillian O’Neill
Mercury Bay Museum has recently acquired
two very special items for their new display
focusing on the 12 days the explorer James
Cook spent in Mercury Bay in 1769.
   A vintage telescope, along with a sextant,
has recently been loaned to the museum by
local resident, Amanda Roche, whose father
brought the telescope from England to New
Zealand several years ago. Amanda has
been living in Whitianga with her husband,
Greg, and children, Isobel (11) and Barnaby
(9), since 2006. Her parents, Ken and Anne
Shelvey, gifted her the telescope and sextant,
but together they made the decision to loan it
to the museum.
   “I bought the telescope in the early nineties
at Sotheby’s in London. It cost me £400 at
the time. I saw it in the brochure and I just
decided to buy it,” says Ken, who now
lives in Pauanui with Anne. Ken has had
a passion for all things nautical for most of
his life and in particular the ingenuity of the
early navigators. He was a member of the
1805 Club, a registered charity of England
and Wales, which was founded in 1990 to
preserve and care for the memorials and
graves of those associated with the seafarers
of the Georgian era (1714 - 1837).
   “Those seafarers were essentially able to
draw the first maps of New Zealand with an
incredible level of accuracy and all by just
using the position of the sun. It’s extraordinary               Ken and Anne Shelvey with Mercury Bay Museum manager, Rebecca Cox (in the centre), and the telescope and sextant
really,” says Ken.                                                                Ken and Anne, and their daughter Amanda Roche, have loaned to the museum.
   Anne says they were both delighted that          Mercury Bay Museum manager, Rebecca               know a huge amount about it, but we            opened a small optical business. The business
the museum will be using the telescope
                                                    Cox, says they were extremely grateful to         will certainly be doing some research,         was sufficiently successful that, two years
and sextant for their Twelve Days - 1769
                                                    have two such impressive items to include         it’s a fascinating piece and in amazing        later, John Dollond, Peter’s father, gave up
display in conjunction with the local Tuia
250 - Encounters commemoration activities.          in the display. Twelve Days - 1769 looks at       condition. We will be getting some special     silk weaving and went into partnership with
“The fact that the Tuia 250 - Encounters            events as noted by Cook and botanist Joseph       plinths made for the two items and they        his son. In 1761 John Dollond was appointed
commemoration have put such a focus on              Banks in their journals and the oral history      will be an awesome addition to the display,”   optician to King George III and the Duke
the achievements of the early navigators            of Ngāti Hei. The events will be reflected        says Rebecca.                                  of York. The business eventually evolved
is wonderful. Ken really wants kids to be           through 12 objects - one for each of the twelve      The telescope bears the name of the         into one of the UK’s oldest chains of retail
able to learn about this, he thinks that is so      days Cook spent in Mercury Bay.                   manufacturer, “Dollond London.” Dollond        opticians, but the name disappeared after the
important, so it was such a pleasure to be able       “The telescope, supported by the sextant,       and Company was established in Hatton          company was absorbed into the Boots chain
to contribute,” she says.                           will be one of those objects. We still don’t      Garden, London in 1750, when Peter Dolland     in 2009.

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Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
Students stage a musical farewell for
retiring principal
By Gillian O’Neill

An extravaganza of student talent along             great to say the least. Anna didn’t exactly take       themselves and the pride in their school. We see   if it wasn’t for our school. It changes lives and
with some wonderful tributes combined at            the helm of a well-oiled machine. She had to           it when they go out and compete on the sports-     I’ve seen people making lifelong friendships
Te Rerenga school on Tuesday last week as           do the work and the study required of a first-         field and frequently punch way above their         through the school. People want to get involved
the community gathered to farewell retiring         time principal, but she stepped up and made            weight,” he said.                                  again and our newly formed PTA has been a
principal, Anna Yates.                              a difference. She has worked tirelessly and,              Richard said school was about more than just    huge success,” he said.
  The head teacher made the difficult decision      while student achievement has always been at           dropping kids off at the gate.                        Speaking on behalf of the teachers and
to step down recently due to health reasons.        the forefront, it’s not just about that. Anna has         “So much of what is positive in a community     principals of the Coromandel Community of
Despite the emotion of the of the occasion,         created a culture here. We see the confidence          comes back to what happens at school. There are    Learning, lead principal, Brendan Finn, said
Anna was upbeat in addressing the large crowd       within our kids, the belief they have in               people who maybe would not have moved here         Anna’s understanding of education was second
in the school hall.                                                                                                                                           to none. “When you come into Te Rerenga
  “There are a lot of feelings today, but more                                                                                                                school, if you don’t hear singing, it’s not a
than anything else I’m very grateful. During my                                                                                                               normal day. The talent is simply amazing, the
time here at Te Rerenga school I’ve always felt                                                                                                               school is so bright and there is such a positive
extremely grateful to be working with such an                                                                                                                 feeling and that’s a reflection of how Anna
amazing and hard-working group of teachers                                                                                                                    operates. In terms of our Kāhui Ako, I couldn’t
and students,” she said.                                                                                                                                      have asked for a better role model to work
  Reflecting on her time at the school,                                                                                                                       beside. You’ve achieved so much Anna and you
where she first worked as a relief teacher, Anna                                                                                                              have done it with calmness and grace,” he said.
said it had been a time of enormous learning.                                                                                                                    For their part, the students of Te Rerenga
“I never had aspirations to be a principal,                                                                                                                   used song and some highly entertaining
but what a privilege it has been to work with                                                                                                                 movie-making skills to express their thanks to
our staff and students. I think they’ve taught me                                                                                                             their principal. From Room 1’s “You are My
more than I ever taught them.                                                                                                                                 Sunshine” to Room 4’s passionate rendition
  “I’ve loved it all, from putting plasters on                                                                                                                of “Happy” the heartfelt tributes left Anna
sore knees to sticking dirty stickers on a chart,                                                                                                             beaming with pride. The performance of Katy
the chats, remembering what it was like to be a                                                                                                               Perry’s “Roar” on drums and vocals by Anna’s
child myself,” she said.                                                                                                                                      daughter, Sophia, was a special stand-out.
  Anna thanked the Te Rerenga Board of                                                                                                                           Anna was presented with a number of gifts,
Trustees, staff and parents for allowing her to                                                                                                               including a specially engraved school bell.
continue to remain in her role as principal for                                                                                                               “I leave school knowing that our children are all
as long as possible. “It has been a difficult 18                                                                                                              so lucky to be taught by such amazing teachers
months for all of us, but coming here made me                                                                                                                 in such a special, happy place. I will continue to
happy and made me strong, so thank you all for                                                                                                                be a familiar face at school as a parent and also
your patience,” she said.                                                                                                                                     to work with the children on a few remaining
  Board of Trustees chair, Richard White,                                                                                                                     projects,” she said
described Anna as a progressive leader, always                                                                                                                   Acting principal, Mary Kedzlie, will remain
doing more than just what was necessary.                     From the left, retiring principal of Te Rerenga School, Anna Yates, with her daughter,           at the helm at the school and the Board of
  “Our school has blossomed with Anna at the                   Caitlyn Yates, teacher, Helen Rhind, and Year 4 student, Angelina Rore-Stephen,                Trustees will advertise the position of principal
helm. Seven or eight years ago, things weren’t                          who presented Anna with a farewell gift on Tuesday last week.                         in the coming weeks.

  What’s happening in the night sky?                                                                                                                                      Night sky information
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  Week of Wednesday 11 September to Wednesday 18 September - We will have a lovely full Moon on 14 September which to most of us
  looks huge when low on the horizon or over the sea. However, this is just an illusion, the “Moon Illusion,” but a very convincing one at that as it
  is actually slightly smaller when we see it low on the horizon! When it is low or near surface features or hills, houses, etc it looks to be a big part
  of the landscape. Conversely when it is high overhead it looks very small compared to a huge empty sky. We may also be able to catch sight
  of the International Space Station (ISS) in the evenings early in the week, with its crew of six from the USA, Russia and Italy moving at 8km per
  second around the Earth. Wednesday 11 September - The ISS may be visible extremely low in the western sky from about 7:33pm for about                                          Astronomy Tours and B&B
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Page 2                                                                        The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz                                                Issue 862 - 11 September 2019
Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
Mercury Bay Boars say thank
you to kit sponsors

The Mercury Bay Boars Rugby League & Sports Club’s jersey presentation evening on Thursday
last week at Salt Restaurant and Bar in Whitianga wasn’t only a way for the club to thank their
sponsors for contributing to a new kit (jerseys, shirts and jackets) for their men’s players,
but also a celebration of the growth of senior rugby league in Mercury Bay and the wider
Hauraki/Coromandel area.
“Four years ago, we fielded a nine-a-side team in the men’s Hauraki rugby league competition,”
Nickie Tane, the Boars president, said on Thursday evening. “For the past few year’s we’ve had
a full, 13 player team participating in the competition. On Saturday, 14 September we’re hosting
a Hauraki tournament at the Mercury Bay Multisport Park in Whitianga where, in addition to our
men’s team, we’ll have ladies nine-a-side team in action. We actually have 16 ladies playing
rugby league this year.”
The club raised money for a new men’s kit by requesting local businesses and rugby league
fans to sponsor individual jerseys. All the sponsors were presented with a replica of the jersey
they sponsored on Thursday evening.
The following businesses and individuals sponsored jerseys - Concrete Worx (x2), the Reid
family, Merv George Plumbing (x2), The Bess Handz Embroidery, Te Hiwa Brown (who sponsored
a jersey in the name of “Greeny,” his boss), Wioke Biddle, the Hinds family, Guy Shirley Real
Estate, the Waterhouse family (x2), Noah Auriom, the Tane family, The Informer (x3), VHM
Whitianga, Edify, the Phillips family (x2), Richardsons Real Estate Matarangi (x2), The Whitianga
Hotel and Salt Restaurant & Bar, Buffalo Beach Takeaways and The Stunned Mullet.
Pictured is Mikaira Waterhouse (left), the Mercury Bay Boars men’s team coach, with Merv
George of Merv George Plumbing on Thursday evening.

      858 - 11
Issue 862    14September
               August 2016
                         2019                                            The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz   Page 3
Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
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Page 4                                          The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz                                 Issue 862 - 11 September 2019
Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
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Success for local dog groomers at debut competition
Four very proud not to mention fabulously turned out pooches have recently returned to
Whitianga triumphant after doing very well at the Central Grooming Championship in
Palmerston North.
  Groomers, Andrea Towgood and Ruby Wales from Paradise Pets (pictured),
were competing in their first ever competition on Saturday, 31 August and Sunday,
1 September, taking on some of the best in New Zealand. Ruby participated with
schnauzer, Zara, in the terrier/gundog class and shih tsu cross, Bindi, in the salon
freestyle class and got two second places in her level, an incredible achievement given
she has only been grooming for a short time.
  “She absolutely blew the judges away and won against people much more experienced
than her,” said Andrea.
  Competing at a higher level, Andrea also entered two dogs, airedale, Daisy,
in the terrier/gundog class and pomeranian cross, Toby, in the salon freestyle class.
To her own amazement, she came first in both classes and crowned it all off by taking
out “Best in Group” as well as runner-up in “Best in Show” in which she was up against
all contestants, including master groomers and even members of the New Zealand
groom team.
  Bringing home a handful of ribbons and medals, Andrea said she had no idea they
would have such success.
  “Needless to say we are very proud. It was the first grooming competition either of us
have attended. We are absolutely stoked with our results but are definitely planning on
doing more competing,” she said.

      858 - 11
Issue 862    14September
               August 2016
                         2019                                                  The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz                                                                               Page 5
Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
Letters to the Editor
    See page 8 for our requirements with regard to letters and contributions

Dear Editor - Possible competitive advantage to Smart Environmental                                  This business case was broadly based on the Waiuku Medical Centre which has a similar
I applaud the Informer for its courage to run last week’s story about Thames-Coromandel              number of enrolled patients as the two local medical practices. The Otorohanga Medical
District Council and Smart Environmental. The story raises serious questions that need to be         Centre, again a similar population base, has also provided support and valuable advice to
answered honestly and answered now.                                                                  the Trust.
  In the six months or more since the issue of a possible commercial waste competitive                 The Mercury Bay Medical Facility Trust is a charitable trust registered under the Charitable
advantage to Smart Environmental surfaced, all responses have been from TCDC staff.                  Trusts Act. Once the point is reached where funding is being sought, tax exemption status
But it is the councillors, and particularly the mayor, who have been elected to take the ultimate    will be obtained from the Charities Commission. However, until we have a commitment to
responsibility who should be fronting up and telling us what is happening.                           proceed, we cannot, in good faith, go to the public and raise funds. The Waikato District Health
  Sandra Goudie is standing for re-election. She should be asking The Informer to interview          Board has been approached and to date we have been told there is absolutely no funding -
her now so that her answers can be published and judged by the public before they vote.              look at their deficit!
Ben Grubb                                                                                              The purpose of the trust is to provide the bricks and mortar to set up a new facility for doctors,
Tairua                                                                                                                                              x-ray, ultrasound, district nurses, specialist
                                                                                                                                                    rooms, a pharmacy and a space that can be used
Editor’s Note - As the local body elections are
                                                                                                                                                    for the wellbeing of the community. Other service
approaching, we have forwarded Ben Grubb’s
                                                                                                                                                    providers could well wish to be accommodated as
letter to all current TCDC councillors for comment.
                                                                                                                                                    well. The levels of medical service provided will
We will publish their replies as soon as they come
                                                                                                                                                    be determined by the medical profession.
to hand.
                                                                                                                                                       Questions have been asked as to why there
Dear Editor - A new medical facility in Whitianga                                                                                                   has not been wider public consultation. It must
We wish to reply to recent correspondence                                                                                                           be recognised that we are dealing with private
in The Informer about a new medical facility                                                                                                        businesses which is quite different to an open
in Whitianga.                                                                                                                                       public negotiation. The trust has engaged
  The need for a new long term, purpose-built                                                                                                       independent professional advice to assist and that
medical facility in Whitianga has long been                                                                                                         person is now dealing with all negotiations as
recognised. It was Joan Gaskell who set up the original group to establish such a facility,          well as working on progressing the MOU. Each stage of the process has taken time and has
but without success. The current Mercury Bay Medical Facility Trust was formed to take a new         limited what could be disclosed to the public. The stage will be reached where wider public
look at this idea and investigate the feasibility of developing a medical facility in Whitianga.     engagement will happen and will be very welcome.
  Mercury Bay Medical Centre has indicated it would like to engage in this process and has             Finally, we are five people giving our time freely without remuneration to get this project
signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the trust. While we acknowledge that                 over the line. All of us have donated our time and travel expenses, not only to attend meetings,
the MOU has no legal standing, once it was signed, it allowed for a broader exchange of              but also to travel to inspect facilities that could inform our vision of providing a healthcare
information between the parties.                                                                     facility that will provide for the needs of this community for decades to come.
  Although seed-funding of $250,000 was provided to the trust by Thames-Coromandel                     We would welcome those people with the necessary skills to help to get in touch with any
District Council as their support for the proposal, the trust is an entity entirely independent of   of us.
the council. Approximately $30,000 of the seed funding has been spent to develop a business          Murray McLean (chair - email mmcl@xtra.co.nz), Merv George, Bill Stead, Kevin Pringle
case identifying options for size, cost and structure, who pays for the fit-out, what provision is   and Alison Henry
made for other services and the rentals generated.                                                   Trustees of the Mercury Bay Health Facility Trust

Page 6                                                                   The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz                                               Issue 862 - 11 September 2019
Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
Dr Lance O’Sullivan addresses
Coromandel educators

Around 120 educators from across the Coromandel Peninsula gathered in Tairua last Friday to hear
New Zealander of the Year, Dr Lance O’Sullivan, discuss health, education and the impact of culture on a
child’s wellbeing.
Dr O’Sullivan was invited by the Coromandel Community of Learning and hosted in Tairua by
long-time friend, Brett Rhind and his wife, Neisha.
“One of the key goals for our Kāhui Ako (Community of Learning) is around cultural connectivity and the
importance of that for learners and their families. Through his work and his own personal experience,
Lance has a real understanding of this and so it was fantastic to have him come to speak to our teachers
and principals,” said Brendan Finn of Tairua School, lead principal for the Community of Learning.
Dr O’Sullivan described how moving to a Māori medium school when he was around 15, enabled him to
understand his culture for the first time and how that had a lifechanging impact on him. He also shared
memories of time spent at his grandparent’s home in Kirikiri near Kopu.
The doctor who is based in Kaitaia is well known for his work with poorer Northland communities
where access to healthcare is a major issue. His latest project aims to put 200 mobile medical clinics in
supermarket carparks over the next two years. “When something is failing at this level, I don’t think we
can just tweak it and do it in a different way. In order to address deprivation we need to disrupt the status
quo,” he said of the current health system.
Describing education and health as “the two most important factors in the development of a society,”
Dr O’Sullivan said he believed schools were facing similar challenges as well as opportunities in terms
of technology which could breakdown isolation barriers experienced by areas like Northland and
the Coromandel.
Pictured on Friday are (from the left) Neisha Rhind, Dr Lance O’Sullivan, Joe Davis of Ngāti Hei, Brett Rhind
and lead principal for the Coromandel Community of Learning, Brendan Finn.

Issue 862
      858 - 11
             14September
               August 2016
                         2019                                                     The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz   Page 7
Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
Community celebration to mark
Māori Language Week
By Gillian O’Neill
A Whitianga playgroup is inviting the
community to come together to celebrate
Māori Language Week and at the same time
help raise funds for much-needed resources.
   Te Puna Reo o Whitianga will this
week host a celebration of Māori culture
showcasing music, crafts, food and sharing
more about their organisation with the wider
community. The playgroup, which aims
to grow understanding and appreciation
of te reo and tikanga Māori, is holding the
event in partnership with community group,
Huiarau i Te Reo.
   Co-ordinator, Alicia Grubb, says it’s an
exciting opportunity for Te Puna Reo.
   “Our children will be performing some
waiata, we’ll have some poi, we’ll also
have some traditional costumes that people
will be able to try on and have their photo
taken. There will also be some traditional
weaving products, plants, other crafts and a
selection of kai, including seafood chowder,                                  Children and whanau from Te Puna Reo o Whitianga preparing for the community celebration in the
fried bread and baked goods,” she says.                                                     Whitianga Town Hall this Thursday and Friday, 12 and 13 September.
   Treasurer, Maddie Johnson, says the
                                                     running within the Ministry of Education            with our children. Eventually our kids will be                  moved to the area, Kiwis and non-Kiwis.
playgroup has received a lot of help from the
                                                     which provides a small amount of funding.           attending the school so we’re starting to build                 It’s an open, welcoming, warm space for
community in putting on the event while local                                                            that relationship already,” says Alicia.                        tamariki and whanau to come along and learn
businesses have donated prizes for the raffles.      The playgroup currently runs once a week on
                                                     a Monday and has a roll of 19.                        Both Alicia and Maddie emphasise the                          alongside each other,” adds Maddie.
“The funds raised will go towards purchasing                                                             open nature of the group.                                          The community event celebrating Māori
new te reo resources for our children.                 “We’re based in the activities room at
                                                     Mercury Bay Area School. The school                   “Everyone is welcome. You don’t need to                       Language Week starts at 10:00am this
Since we started just over a year ago, we’ve                                                             be fluent in te reo, it doesn’t matter what your                Thursday and Friday, 12 and 13 September,
relied on a lot of donated items which we’re         has been an amazing support to us.
                                                                                                         current level of ability is, it’s about coming                  in the Whitianga Town Hall and entry
so grateful for, but we’d like to be able to         One of the Māori principles we try to promote       along and giving it a go,” says Alicia.                         is by koha. Te Wiki o te Reo Māori -
purchase some other things we genuinely              is tuakana-teina, which means a brother,              “We don’t just want to promote te reo, we also                Māori Language Week - started on Monday,
need for our kids and whanau to enjoy,”              cousin or more experienced person sharing           have a strong emphasis on whanaungatanga,                       9 September and will continue until Sunday,
she says.                                            knowledge and helping a younger one.                which is all about relationships and bringing                   15 September. The theme for 2019 is “Kia
   Te Puna Reo o Whitianga is a certified            Some of the students who are taking Māori           people together. We have people from many                       Kaha te Reo Māori” - Let’s make the Maori
playgroup for children up to five years old,         classes at the school come along and work           different cultures, people who have recently                    language strong.

                                                                                                               WHITIANGA PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC
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                                                                                                            Dr Adam’s and Hemmes’s Surgery - Ph (07) 868 9579

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  Readers’ contributions of articles and letters are welcome. Publication of contributions are             Emergency (Ambulance, Fire, Police) 24 hours .....................................................111
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Page 8                                                                        The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz                                                               Issue 862 - 11 September 2019
Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
Issue 862
      858 - 11
             14September
               August 2016
                         2019   The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz   Page 9
Vintage telescope to feature in museum's new exhibition - Mercury Bay Informer
The St John Siren
                                       Sponsored by Mercury Bay Pharmacy - Tel 866 4532

                                   St John Whitianga has had a total of 74           for some time and is now in the process
                                   calls for the month of August, made up of         of dying.
                                   62 medical responses and 12 trauma-related           This is something that can be resolved almost
                                   responses. We have utilised an air ambulance      completely for most people - if it is caught in
                                   on four occasions. To the end of August,          time. If you or a family member displays these
                                   the ambulance service in Whitianga has            symptoms, please do not wait to see if it goes
                                   responded to 799 calls, an increase of 12 over    away. Call an ambulance for treatment as soon
                                   the same period last year.                        as possible. There is a four-hour window of
                                      These figures do not account for ambulances    opportunity from when you first start feeling
                                   from outside the area that are utilised for       these symptoms to re-oxygenate the injured
                                   calls, while the local Whitianga paramedics       tissue and we want to help you get started on
                                   are busy on another call at the time.             the path to recovery as soon as possible.
                                   These ambulances usually come from either            We have a couple of new recruits on the
                                   Tairua or Coromandel Town, but recently they      pathway to volunteering on our ambulance
                                   have come from as far afield as Thames and        in Whitianga, increasing us to 19 volunteer
                                   Paeroa. As you can imagine, with a vehicle        ambulance officers and four paid full-
                                   responding from such a long distance away,        time paramedics, supported by a full-time
                                   the time it takes to get to you is dramatically   paramedic covering staff leave.
                                   increased. We ask for patience at this time          We are always looking for people from
                                   as we are getting to you as quickly as we         the community who are able to volunteer
                                   possibly can.                                     their time to become volunteer ambulance
                                      Recently we have been called to help           officers. If you have been thinking about
                                   people who were “not feeling quite right”         doing something for your community,
                                   and have been feeling this way for between        maybe now is the right time to give us a call
                                   12 to 24 hours. These symptoms could be           and we can sit down and have chat about
                                   strange sensations in the neck, shoulders         what is involved. Call the Whitianga St John
                                   and chest area that is described as a general     Ambulance Station on (07) 866 4747 and
                                   discomfort or ache, heaviness in one or           leave your name and telephone number if you
                                   both arms - sometimes with numbness or            are interested or even better, pop in for a cuppa
                                   tingling, dizziness, feeling faint, finding       and chat with our friendly team when they are
                                   it hard to catch their breath, nausea, cold       on station.
                                   sweats and, according to family members,             As always, if you need assistance, dial 111
                                   looking horrible. Many of these incidents have    and ask for Ambulance 24/7.
                                   had a diagnosis of a myocardial infarction        From your friendly team
                                   (heart attack), which means part of the heart     at the Whitianga St John
                                   muscle has not received oxygen and nutrients      Ambulance Station

Page 10   The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz                                           Issue 862 - 11 September 2019
Road conditions putting students at risk
By Gillian O’Neill
Safety improvements on a stretch of state          “As the Rangihau Road and SH25 are all             congested area at certain times of the day.         McLean, who undertook to raise the issue
highway near Coroglen School have been             within the 100km/h zones and there are               “This intersection is also the bus stop for the   with council.
ruled out despite a plea from the principal who    no footpaths, or in most places grassed            Mercury Bay Area School bus. In the morning            Allan Tiplady, TCDC’s Area Manager North
says the potential for tragedy is very real.       verges, the potential for a fatal or serious       approximately 12 students gather here to get        told The Informer, “A letter was presented to
  Principal, Jean Saunders, has written to         accident involving a pedestrian is of concern...   the bus at around 8:00am. There is nowhere          the Mercury Bay Community Board at its last
several individuals and agencies describing        When driving around the country, I have yet        for the bus to pull over and so it must stop on     meeting. As per standing orders, the Board
the hazards on two roads in the vicinity of        to encounter another small community such          the road, blocking the intersection completely.     could not formally discuss this on the day,
the school and calling for immediate action to     as ours that does not have a speed restriction,    I have at times had to wait behind the bus,         but have instructed council staff to follow up.
prevent death or serious injury.                   usually 70km/h, but sometimes 50km/h,”             also stopped on the road in a 100km/h area,         We are now making contact with the principal
  The detailed letter describes how recently       the letter says.                                   with my three grandsons in my car, before           and others in the community to get a full
one student was hit by a car after getting off a     Coroglen School is located on Rangihau           being able to turn into the school road,”           understanding of the issues and how they can
bus, while the principal herself experienced       Road, which is the responsibility of Thames-       Mrs Saunders has stated in the letter,              be addressed.”
two separate incidents where injury was            Coromandel District Council. However,              which has been sent to the New Zealand                In relation to SH25, the New Zealand
narrowly avoided.                                  the junction of the road with SH25 is a highly     Transport Agency (NZTA), the Mercury Bay            Transport Agency said there are currently no
                                                                                                      Community Board, Thames-Coromandel                  planned safety improvements along the section
                                                                                                      District Council Mayor Sandra Goudie and            of SH25 identified by Mrs Saunders.
                                                                                                      Coromandel MP Scott Simpson.                          “We are currently reviewing speeds
                                                                                                        The principal says fears over road safety were
                                                                                                                                                          on state highways around the country
                                                                                                      also affecting the school’s ability to access the
                                                                                                                                                          where communities are calling for change and
                                                                                                      local community. “We frequently want to take
                                                                                                                                                          where our research shows that current speeds
                                                                                                      our children to places within walking distance
                                                                                                                                                          are not safe and appropriate for the road.
                                                                                                      of the school, in particular the Gumtown Hall
                                                                                                      and the river. While we, of course, ensure          We have had to prioritise those roads in
                                                                                                      a high adult to child ratio to minimise risk,       terms of where action is most needed
                                                                                                      these short journeys are stressful for staff and    and at this point SH25 at Coroglen is not being
                                                                                                      some children. Also, our tsunami evacuation         reviewed. However, this does not rule out us
                                                                                                      plan requires the school to walk up the             reviewing speeds on this road in the future,”
                                                                                                      Rangihau Road, which is unsealed and has            said Ross I’Anson, the NZTA Acting Director
                                                                                                      virtually no verge,” she says.                      of Regional Relationships.
                                                                                                        Mrs Saunders says a speed restriction in the        “We do continually monitor the performance
                                                                                                      area would be a first step towards reducing         of the state highway network to make sure it is
                                                                                                      the risk. Ultimately, however, she would like       meeting the needs of our communities in a safe
                                                                                                      to see pedestrian pathways installed to protect     and efficient manner. This project has been
                                                                                                      students and any other pedestrians using            added to our safety improvements database for
                                                                                                      the area.                                           consideration in the future,” he said.
                                                                                                        Despite sending the letter over a month             Mrs Saunders says she is frustrated by
         The junction of SH25 and Rangihau Road at Coroglen is an area of concern for                 ago, the principal says the only meaningful         such a response which ignores the clear
               Coroglen School principal, Jean Saunders, who is asking for road                       response the school has received to date            evidence that has been sent to the NZTA by
                     safety measures to be introduced to protect students.                            was from Mercury Bay councillor, Murray             Coroglen School.

Issue 862
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             14September
               August 2016
                         2019                                             The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz                                                                      Page 11
Shining bright in Whitianga
By Jack Biddle
If you’re a regular user of The Esplanade         original primary school which was located
end of the waterfront footpath in Whitianga,      on School Road, not far from Buffalo Beach.
you may have noticed Dave Clark sitting on        From there, it was a spell at Wesley College
the front porch or at the dining room table of    in Pukekohe. Returning home, aged 17,
his house enjoying the spectacular views of       he joined up with local man, Roly Smith, and
Mercury Bay.                                      then Ben Bendal to go cray fishing full-time.
  Dave, 85 years young, is easily recognised        A move across the ditch followed, where
by his distinctive white beard, a hint to his     Dave found work on a ship carting coal from
past life and experiences at sea. If there was    the busy coal mining town of Newcastle.
a perfect fit for the term “salty old seadog,”    Wanting to discover more of the world,
then it would be Dave.                            he spent 97 days at sea onboard a boat laden
  Not many know that when they wave               with wheat bound for Dublin.
at Dave, they are connecting with a man             Soon after, Dave joined the English
whose family played a major role in bringing      Merchant Navy. Over the next two years,
Whitianga out of the dark way back in the         he visited many faraway places and
mid-1940s.                                        waterways, including the Mediterranean,
  Dave’s parents, Howard and Bertha Clark,
                                                  Suez Canal, Cape Town, USA, Caribbean,
established and ran the very first stand-
                                                  Persian Gulf, Buenos Aires, England, France,
alone 230-volt power station in Whitianga,
                                                  Canada and Belgium before arriving back in
which transformed the then small town of not
                                                  New Zealand.
many full-timers from candles and oil lamps
to electricity.                                     Life had turned almost full circle when Dave
  “There was an almost instant demand for all     settled back in Whitianga and found work
the modern-day appliances at the time, such       onboard a cray fishing boat called Ronamor
as washing machines, fridges and eventually       with his old mate, Burt Chaney.
televisions, which resulted in the business         After meeting Margaret Crawford who came
Clark Electrical being formed,” says Dave.        from a well-known Coroglen family, marriage
“As a fully qualified electrician, Dad was also   soon followed. In 1957, Dave and Margaret
able to carry out repairs on these appliances.    moved to Taupo where Dave tried his hand
So, from generating the power itself, his         at trout fishing and boat building, eventually
business interests in town grew considerably.”    constructing his own 37-foot fishing boat
  While younger brother, Peter, joined the        named Le Vega. “The boat was launched on
family business, Dave had other ambitions.        the same day as the President of the United
His mind was firmly set on a life at sea.         States, John F Kennedy, was assassinated,
  Born in April 1934, Dave was initially          so it’s a hard date to forget,” says Dave.
schooled at Epsom Normal in Auckland before         During their seven years in Taupo, Dave
becoming pupil number 30 at Whitianga’s           and Margaret had three children - Shirley          Dave Clark sitting at the dining room table of his house on The Esplanade in Whitianga.

Page 12                                                                 The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz                                         Issue 862 - 11 September 2019
Shining bright
(deceased), Linda and Gary - before returning     This continued until the quota system came
home to Whitianga in 1964. A short time           into play in around 1988. “There simply
later, the couple purchased their house on The    wasn’t enough quota, we caught our limit in
Esplanade previously owned by Dr Liggins,         just 10 days,” says Dave. “We appealed the
the local doctor at the time. As it turned out,   quota limit, but after three years of frustrations,
it was Dr Liggins who delivered Margaret          along with the two boats devaluing rapidly,
into the world in May 1936 at the Mercury         we decided to end our operation. Challenger
Bay Hospital.                                     was sold to a company in Tasmania.”
   “Le Vega was put to work as a commercial          Not wanting to sit on their hands for too
fishing vessel, longlining for snapper at         long, Dave and Margaret pulled up anchor
sixpence a pound and then as a charter            in 1989 and pointed Defender towards Fiji.
fishing boat earning around 10 pounds a day,”     The boat became home for 20 years,
says Dave.                                        travelling between American Samoa and New
   Next on the agenda was a tin shed              Guinea with the occasional spell in Australia.
which would house a new project -                 “It was a wonderful life, we traded fish for
a 44-foot commercial fishing boat built from      fruit and other essentials with the locals from
kauri sourced from the construction of the        the islands we visited and learned that life can
new Kopu/Hikuai Road which opened in              be enjoyed living on the barest of essentials,”
March 1967.                                       says Dave.
   “Back then there was a row of tin sheds           When it was time to head home in 2009,
on the land where the OPC/Moana seafood           Defender was sold with Dave and Margaret set
processing factories are these days,” says        on seeing out their days together sitting on the
Dave. “The area was known by locals as ‘Tin       front porch of their home on The Esplanade
Town.’ It took two and half years to build        overlooking the Bay. Sadly, Margaret,
Challenger, the name we gave to the vessel        a diabetic, suffered ill health and passed away
we built in the shed. We launched the boat in     in hospital only a few months after their return
1971. Margaret and I did the majority of the      to Whitianga.
build ourselves. It was a true team effort.”         If you wonder what’s going through Dave’s
   Challenger was in service for seven years      mind as he sits on the front porch or at the
when one of the banks operating in New            dining room table of his house, the view of
Zealand at the time offered to finance Dave       Mercury Bay holds a lifetime of memories
and Margaret into another new boat. The exact     of a life at sea. It’s also a fitting spot to think
replica of Challenger, christened Defender,       about and remember Margaret, his soulmate.
was completed in six months and launched on          After his family provided Whitianga
25 January 1978.                                  with its first power station many years ago,
   One of the bank’s conditions was that          today Dave Clark continues to shine bright in
the two vessels work together as a pair.          the town he happily calls home.

Issue 862
      858 - 11
             14September
               August 2016
                         2019                                             The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz   Page 13
Page 14   The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz   Issue 862 - 11 September 2019
Issue 862
      858 - 11
             14September
               August 2016
                         2019   The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz   Page 15
What the candidates say
In order to better inform our readers on whom to          (eg do you believe in anthropogenic climate               I grew up in here and I chose to move home and           being realised. I am one half of the organising
vote for in the upcoming local body elections,            change)? In your view, should Thames-Coromandel           raise my family. I have attended a couple of dune        team for the Whitianga Charity Ball which
we have asked all the candidates Mercury Bay              have signed the Local Government Leaders’ Climate         planting days. Yes, I support the new skatepark in       fundraises for not-for-profit community groups.
voters will be able to vote for a series of questions     Change Declaration?                                       Whitianga. It is great to see something that was         To date we have raised some $25,000 for various
(and to provide us with a photo).                         Q4 - How should TCDC address the coastal erosion          needed/spoken about when I was a teenager                community groups.
We publish herewith our questions to and answers          issues in Mercury Bay? Where, in your view,
received from the candidates running for a seat           are the coastal erosion “hotspots” in the area?           Answers received from Bill McLean
on the Mercury Bay Community Board. We have               What have you done to get a better understanding                                              Q1 - I live in Whitianga.
requested the candidates to limit their answers to        of the issue (eg have you attended any of the                                                 Q2 - I am not and never have been affiliated to any political party. At next
approximately 400 words.                                  Shoreline Management Plan meetings that were                                                  year’s general election, my vote will go to the party that I believe closely
We have randomly drawn the candidates’                                                                                                                  represents my views on a variety of issues.
                                                          recently held across the Coromandel Peninsula)?
names to determine the order in which we publish                                                                                                        Q3 - Climate change is inevitable. But it is also a polarising issue for
                                                          Q5 - In your view, what are the three most important
their answers.                                                                                                                                          many. Unfortunately, the government’s views and possible action/s have
In next week’s Informer, we will publish our              infrastructure/community       facilities    projects
                                                          TCDC has provided for in their Long Term Plan                                                 not been made clear. My personal view is that TCDC’s stance, by not
questions to and answers received from the                                                                                                              signing the Local Government Leaders’ Climate Change Declaration,
candidates vying to represent the Mercury Bay             2018 - 2028? Outside of these three projects, what
                                                                                                                                                        is appropriate. Until more information and possible recommendations are
Ward on Thames-Coromandel District Council,               spending do you think TCDC should prioritise?
                                                                                                                                                        offered for consideration, how can anyone make a proper assessment
the candidates running for the office of TCDC             Q6 - Do you think the current solid waste contract                                            and commitment?
mayor and the candidates contesting the Thames-           between TCDC and Smart Environmental is                                                       Q4 - Since 2012, after a long period of inaction, we are dealing with
Coromandel seat on Waikato Regional Council.              adequately meeting the needs of all the communities                                           current erosion issues in the Mercury Bay Ward with the assistance of
Our questions to the Mercury Bay Community                in Mercury Bay?                                           district funding. The future is being assessed as announced at the recent Shoreline Management Plan
Board candidates -                                        Q7 - What are your thoughts on the proposed               meetings that I have attended, understood and fully support. Current actions and future actions should not
Q1 - Where do you live?                                   Mercury Bay medical facility in Whitianga?                be confused.
Q2 - Are you at the moment a member of any                Q8 - What have you been doing recently to practically     Q5 - By their very nature, Long term Plans are “living documents” and are regularly reviewed at council level.
political party, have you been a member of any            support the Mercury Bay community (eg volunteer           Consequently, over time, some items are committed, some may be modified, some may even fall out of the
political party in the past five years and, if you are    member of an emergency service or community               mix and new ones may be introduced.
not at the moment a member of any political party,        group, participation in dune planting activities,         Key areas for me include upgrading of boat launching facilities within the ward, town centre upgrades in
which party do you associate the closest with?            financial support for the proposed skatepark in           Whitianga, self-funding infrastructure improvements like the new Hot Water Beach toilets, etc.
Q3 - What is your position on climate change              Whitianga, etc)?                                          Personally, I would like to see the elimination of septic tanks at or near areas that have a sewage treatment
                                                                                                                    plant and more stringent control of forestry/farming margins to reduce/eliminate contamination of harbours,
Answers received from Gilbert Bannan                                                                                rivers and foreshores.
                                   Q1 - I live in Hahei, permanently since 2010 and a property owner                Q6 - The Smart Environmental solid waste contract is a council issue. My visits to the Whitianga transfer
                                    since 1993.                                                                     station have always been handled well.
                                   Q2 - I am not currently a member of any political party, nor have been.          Q7 - The proposed medical facility in Whitianga is somewhat hampered by the lack of a published
                                   I am a centrist who leans a little to the right.                                 feasibility study. The Memorandum of Understanding between the Mercury Bay Medical Facility Trust and
                                   Q3 - Climate change is caused by human activity. We need a measured              a local doctors’ practice is a start, but it needs a viable, professionally-based action plan before it can be
                                   response through thorough planning and consultation. Central government          properly considered.
                                   must assist with cost, as many local authorities do not have the financial       Q8 - I help the Community in a variety of ways. Ten years (and still going) with reading support at Mercury
                                   capability to implement necessary outcomes.                                      Bay Area School, eight years’ service and currently chair of the Mercury Bay Community Patrol, six years as
                                   I am not convinced council should sign the Local Government Leaders’             president of the Mercury Bay Golf Club, two years lobbying to achieve action with coastal erosion (resulting
                                                                                                                    in action) and currently completing six years on the Mercury Bay Community Board - and I am standing for
                                   Climate Change Declaration, as some of the commitments are vague.
                                                                                                                    a third term.
                                   There are avenues for council to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
                                   particularly in areas where there is increasing tourist traffic. The Shoreline   Answers received from David Harvey
Management Plans should offer solutions to the physical impacts of climate change.                                                                     Q1 - I have been      consistent actions agreed and funded, and if we
Q4 - Coastal erosion issues need to be managed in conjunction with the local community as often long-term                                              coming to the         vote to counter mother nature, all work must be
residents can provide more accurate information on what has occurred over many years. The Shoreline                                                    Coromandel            completed headland to headland in one go.
Management Plans are an excellent start to focus on erosion issues. “Hotspots” are Flaxmill Bay and Cooks                                              since I was a         Q5 - The three TCDC functional areas that I view as
Beach, with ongoing work at Tararu and Thornton and Ngarimu Bays following the January 2018 storm.                                                     child,      owned     being important for the people of the district and our
I attended two Shoreline Management Plan meetings recently in Kuaotunu and Whitianga and the public                                                    a section here        visitors are the provision of safe water and waste
meeting in Cooks Beach regarding the Flaxmill Bay and Cooks Beach erosion projects.                                                                    since 1983 and        facilities, the provision of sea, air and land corridors
Q5 - The Coastal Management Strategy, water treatment plant upgrades to ensure all water schemes meet                                                  lived in Whitianga    to cater for commercial and domestic movement,
New Zealand drinking water standards and the Whitianga skatepark that will provide a community facility                                                since 2002.           and designated emergency safety zones, and the
for our younger people.                                                                                                                                Q2 - I am not         provision of accessible community green and open
Priorities include those outlined in the Three Waters Review recently announced by the government,                                                     a member of a         spaces for all to enjoy.
developing the Shoreline Management Plans, tourism management and freshwater management.                                                               political     party   The three TCDC functional areas that I view as
Community Plan consultations will no doubt highlight additional priorities.                                                                            and in serving        requiring an increased priority are the strategic
Q6 - There was some initial concern with the non-collection of rubbish bags in cages, but it appears most           New Zealand and its people I remain apolitical.          management of our growing tourism industry,
residents have adapted. Prior to any new contract being awarded, there should be community and business             I do not believe that one person or group has all the    open accessibility to the TCDC information data
input to ensure community concerns are considered.                                                                  answers and prefer diverse teams working together        libraries and open review of regulations/bylaws with
                                                                                                                    for the benefit of all Kiwis.                            a view to providing agile services and partnering.
Q7 - The concept is sound as residents in Mercury Bay often have to travel to Thames or Hamilton for
                                                                                                                    Q3 - I believe that human endeavours have changed        Q6 - Based on my experience, I am satisfied with
medical events. However there needs to be a robust business case developed to determine support from
                                                                                                                    our environment over a period of time and that our       the TCDC kerbside collection service provided
local medical professionals to ensure viability and ongoing service.                                                traditional “four seasons” patterns have adjusted.       through Smart Environmental. I see my recycling
Q8 - I am currently a Trustee of the Kotare Reserve Memorial Garden and a Committee member of the                   As part of ensuring a sustainable future, we must        and household waste being collected, and the
Grange Road Water Association. I have recently participated in the dune planting at Buffalo Beach, financially      all acknowledge that we need to adjust how we live,      Whitianga transfer station being open sufficiently to
supported the proposed skatepark in Whitianga and assisted with Daffodil Day in Hahei.                              in a measured way.                                       meet my needs.
Answers received from Rekha Giri-Percival                                                                           My understanding is that through a democratic vote       Q7 - I support the provision of health and wellness
                                                                                                                    our council acknowledged climate issues and are          facilities within the area. I recognize the considerable
                                   Q1 - Whitianga.        solutions there and at Flaxmill Bay. Earlier this         working toward addressing these. I see this as a         work that the trustees of the Mercury Bay Health
                                   Q2 - I am not          year I met on site with these communities to look         step in the right direction.                             Facility Trust have done and the many national,
                                   a member of a          at and discuss the issues. The areas mentioned            Q4 - I recently attended the Shoreline Management        regional and community stakeholders that they are
                                   political party.       above as well as Buffalo Beach and Brophy’s               Plan meeting in Whitianga. While I acknowledge           required to satisfy as part of producing a workable
                                   Q3 - The climate       Beach are the hotspots in our ward.                       the central policy drivers for the ongoing use           and affordable plan. I am very happy to see that one
                                   is changing. This      Q5 - Within our ward and in no specific order -           of consultants, I am keen to see the three-year          of the major issues has been satisfied with a group
                                   is a complex           Flaxmill Bay and Cooks Beach coastal erosion,             programme of work shortened and greater                  of local doctors participating in the process.
                                   issue. One I           the Whitianga transfer station - one that allows          recognition taken of past studies and local              Q8 - Currently I provide Justice of the Peace and
                                   would like to see      for better recycling, and Dalmeny's Corner bridge         knowledge, including younger Kiwi thoughts.              celebrant services, I organise the Emergency
                                   greater direction      improvement investigation. Not forgetting the             I can see four different counter measures                Services Summer Festival and I support veterans.
                                                                                                                    along Buffalo Beach and this has created gaps,           Previously I have been involved with the MBAS
                                   on from central        completion of the new Whitianga skatepark.
                                                                                                                    which erosion exploits. If we extrapolate this across    Parents and Teachers Association and Board of
                                   government.            Spending priority should be given to core                 the Coromandel, I am sure we will find many erosion      Trustees, St John and Kuaotunu Land Search
Signing the Local Government Leaders’ Climate             services - we need to get the basics right.               “hotspots,” all of which must be taken into account,     and Rescue.
Change Declaration does not solve the problem.            And where we can, go for Tourism Infrastructure
It is time for action. We have examples in our            Fund funding for visitor facilities.                Answers received from Leanne Petersen
district, eg the electric car charging network and        Q6 - I do not believe it does. Before the contract                             Q1 - Whitianga.
locally, the Mercury Bay Cycling Strategy which           comes up for renewal, we need to start talking                                 Q2 - No, no and none.
has been developed and approved. Also, across             about what would meet our needs, eg removing                                   Q3 - Best science shows that, yes, anthropogenic climate change is a real
the district we have the development of Shoreline         the single use blue plastic bags and the                                       thing and we need to have discussions now on how we can minimise our
Management plans.                                         composting of food waste. While we are talking                                 impact as a community.
Q4 - We cannot think in terms of a single option          about rubbish, a recycling centre (like the Seagull                            Yes, after reading the Local Government Leaders’ Climate Change
for all, ie hard or soft options only. Each site has      Centre in Thames) attached to the Whitianga                                    Declaration, I think we should have signed it.
its own specific issues which must be considered          transfer station is a must!                                                    Q4 - Coastal erosion is a massive issue in Mercury Bay with areas like
when looking at a solution. I attended the                Q7 - I am all for our community having access                                  Purangi, Flaxmill Bay, Brophy’s Beach and Buffalo Beach some of the
Whitianga Town Hall Shoreline Management Plan             to greater medical resources, but only if the                                  more serious hotspots. We need to use the best peer-reviewed science
meeting. A day earlier, I attended a community            economics of it stack up.                                                      to look at each area individually as there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
meeting at Cooks Beach covering the issues/               Q8 - I am a huge supporter of this community.                                  My limited research has shown me that a combination of soft (ie plantings)
Page 16                                                                             The Mercury Bay Informer - www.theinformer.co.nz                                             Issue 862 - 11 September 2019
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