Blueskin Bay FM 88.2

22 January 2011

WAITATI FILM SOCIETY

by Leonie Rousselot

We start the year again with fortnightly screenings, the first being held on Tuesday, 22 February at 8pm. Come along to the Waitati Film Society at the corner of Orokonui and Mt Cargill Roads. Membership for one year is $60 and covers 27 nights of entertainment. We offer drama, comedy, history or just plain entertainment in a warm, pleasant environment with convivial company. For more info ring Brigitte 482-2829 or Leonie 482-2508.

Tuesday, 22 February
THE TOPP TWINS: THE UNTOUCHABLE GIRLS            NZ 2008
Released to celebrate the 50th birthday of our very own iconic NZ comedians, this feature-length documentary has them in all their guises: country music singers, dancers, yodellers, camp mothers and all. But the thread is their personal story, including their 'coming out' as lesbians, and Jools recent brush with breast cancer. 84min.

Tuesday, 8 March
TSOTSI            S Africa/UK 2005
'Tsotsi' means thug, an appropriate name for the film's protagonist with his violent lifestyle in the ghettos of Johannesburg. Based on a novel by Athol Fugard, the story follows Tsotsi for six days during which he crashes a BMW he had carjacked, then under some unknown compulsion runs away with the driver's baby. Knowing nothing about childcare he tries to force a young mother at gunpoint to care for 'his' baby. The film, directed by Gavin Hood, has thus far won Audience Choice awards at five of the six international festivals it has entered.   96min.

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From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media: voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff, Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand. All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

21 January 2011

BLUESKIN RESILIENT COMMUNITIES TRUST

by Scott Willis

Transition
We have moved! The new BRCT office is now located in the old dental
clinic at Waitati School. Our new office is comfortable and well
suited to BRCT activities, and it's exciting to be more closely aligned
with Waitati's most dynamic hub institution – the school. There are
still piles of paper to be sorted, books to be restacked, and general
order to be made, but then all around us classrooms are changing: paint is going on, other offices are being moved -- it's a busy dynamic
place. As always, visitors are welcome, preferably after 3pm. Many
thanks to Mark and Rayna Dickson for their support of BRCT over so
long and this move is a change in location, not focus.

Funraiser
We're holding a family funraiser on Monday, 7 March, in Waitati
Hall (any profits will help cover the costs of our office transition).
We've been lucky enough to get Dana Lyons, freshly arrived from the US
of A on his world tour, to headline Blueskin Bay's inaugural Grass
Roots Gig. Have you heard his No.1 'Cows with Guns'? Dana is
promising topical songs, love songs, comedy and inspiration. He's
played with Neil Young and Willie Nelson among others. Described as 'an
out-of-control Johnny Cash', Dana promises to shake Blueskin Bay. The
question is, will we be inundated by country rock fans from all over
Otago? Check out http://www.cowswithguns.com/cgi-bin/home.cgi for some
music samples.

Community Directory
Finally in 2011 the long awaited community directory will appear.
Anyone who's lived in Blueskin Bay a decade or more will recall what a
fantastic, essential resource the community directory is and how
copies of the 2000 edition have become treasures in their own right – artifacts that document
the community changes through time. Laurence Hay is co-ordinating the
directory, working closely with Waitati School PTA and with Geraldine
Tait. I am looking forward to getting my copy because my old one
fell apart some years ago and now I have to struggle through the Otago
book for local numbers.

Current Focus
Trustees are supporting the Community Environment Fund bid to develop
energy initiatives and have been busy assisting with business plans,
strategic guidance and developing partnerships. There has also been
important 'behind the scenes' work going on ensuring transparent and
efficient systems to make certain that BRCT remains a dynamic, action-enabling
charitable trust. The trust now has one employee (myself) and will
soon host an international intern, and is supported by a number of
dynamic and greatly appreciated volunteers.

Scott Willis
Project Manager
Waitati Energy Project (Blueskin Power)
www.transitiontowns.org.nz/waitati
03 4822048
0274888314

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From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media: voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff, Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand. All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

WAITATI ENERGY PROJECT

by Scott Willis

Ten degrees daytime temperature in summer? Well, it is January (as I
write), typically a rotten weather month, and with four (mostly) large
people in our house we do sometimes need to light the fire to ensure a
supply of hot water, even when the summer sun shines. The problem
isn't our inefficient solar tubes – in fact they're very efficient –
it's the small size of our hot-water cylinder, which I should have
replaced when we put in our solar hot-water system in 2004. The sun only
heats water during the sunlight hours after all, but we use it at all
times of the day, particularly mornings and evenings.

Greentech
In December, during a workshop, a series of meetings,
and a symposium, in Wellington and Whanganui, I had an opportunity to meet a whole range of people
interested in energy issues. What was surprising to me
was learning of so many people looking to Blueskin Bay and our energy
initiatives to show a way forward for their own energy ambitions. It
is rather daunting to realise that people have their hopes pinned on
us. With adequate resourcing, however, I am sure we will have the goods
to deliver. In January and early February I am working on an important
Community Environment Fund bid to support the development of an
integrated energy community encompassing the zone identified in
Blueskin Power investigations: Purakaunui, Long Beach, Osborne,
Waitati, Evansdale and Warrington (the end point of the local grid
that radiates out from the Waitati substation). The idea is to meet
the desire expressed in Waitati Energy Project public meetings to work
on full energy options, i.e. the community turbine AND other green
technology to generate electricity, while also increasing household
energy efficiency and reducing energy demand. I'm hoping we can secure
an exciting range of energy technologies to offer within the Blueskin
zone, ideally subsidised or available for trial. Watch this space, as
we're developing some great partnerships that promise some results on
the ground even if the CEF bid is ultimately unsuccessful.

International intern
Xavier, a 20-year-old student at the International Business Academy (bachelor programme), will be joining me in our new office in mid-February for two and a half months. Xavier is going to work with me on
developing the business answers to enable the establishment of a
community turbine or small wind cluster. Please look out for Xavier
and say hello if you bump into him.

Community input
Many of you received a flyer (Energy and
Blueskin Bay) in your letterbox last year giving some general information about the energy
investigations to date and offering an opportunity to get involved. It
is still hoped that we can tie this event in with EECA-supported
research, but I can't say yet if that will be possible. In parallel,
Seth Gorrie of the Otago University Energy Cultures team has been
interviewing residents in Blueskin Bay over summer about energy issues, and I've heard that his preliminary findings reveal a strong interest in
the energy initiatives from residents in all our coastal communities
and a desire to be further involved. I've also heard that many people
have some very intelligent questions, which bodes well for future
productive public discussion and decisions.

Powerhouse Wind in Blueskin
The December WEP subscriber email update included an offer from
Powerhouse Wind, offering two different deals for their soon to be
commercialised Thinair turbine. You may also have seen articles in the ODT of
5 January on both Blueskin and Powerhouse Wind (see:
http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/143207/waitati-eyed-energy-trial-zone
and http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/143210/future-wind-cash-needed).
If you're not on the WEP list and want to follow this up, contact PHW
on 470 1071 or email contact@powerhousewind.co.nz .
More regular updates are sent out via the WEP email update – contact
me at waitatienergy@gmail.com to register.

Mainly Music

by Jenny O'Neill

Happy New Year everyone; we hope you had relaxing and refreshing Christmas and New Year holidays. It is hard to believe it has been nearly two months since our Christmas break-up party. We are looking forward to seeing how all the little angels, fairies, elves, shepherds, frogs and bees that were there have all grown over the summer break.

It was sad to say goodbye to some of the wonderful ladies who helped to get us up and running last year. We thank them for all their time and effort given to run such fun and fantastic music sessions. However, we have a great array of instruments and props we hand made, such as shakers, drums, rainbow streamers, ducks and frogs to add to the fun for the children and caregivers in the 30-minute session. This is a great opportunity for parents/caregivers to enjoy time together with their young children while they develop gross and fine motor skills, imagination, language, maths and pre-reading skills. Following the music session there is a tasty morning tea provided for the children and caregivers -- a chance to socialise with others and develop friendships.

So if you are keen to enjoy some music, movement, rhyme, rhythm, and more, Blueskin Mainly Music is starting up again at Waitati Hall on Tuesday 15 February at 10am, and every Tuesday after that during the school term. The cost is $2 for one child and $3 for a family. We look forward to seeing you and your littlies there.

Any queries please contact Jenny on 027-378 7258.

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From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media: voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff, Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand. All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

French Dancing and Beyond: Surviving and Thriving

by Kate Grace

French Dancing and Beyond is the perfect class for those who want to explore the Old World through music, culture and dance. Some of the dances taught in this class are very old and their origins can be traced back to medieval times. These dances have survived the test of time; they still thrive today in France and the rest of Europe. Come and explore the way we relate to each other through mazurkas, gavottes, asymmetrical waltzes, polkas, bourrées, branles or rondeaux -- a place to experience the powerful harmony of circles, the exhilarating fluidity of chains and the mellow complicity of partner dances.

The sessions will give you an impression of the diversity of French and European dance. You will learn dances from the centre of France, from Brittany in the west, and dances from Alsace and the Balkans in the east, dances from the Basque region in the south and dances from Sweden in the north. Discover the fine dance repertoire of French popular bals in an easy-to-learn style.

No partner, no experience and no wooden clogs needed.

Balkan dances: Monday 6:30pm, venue yet to be confirmed (contact Kate)

French dances: Thursday 6:30pm, Nga Maara Hall, North East Valley – koha

Kate Grace is French. She arrived in New Zealand in 1995 with kiwi husband David. After 15 years of teaching West African folk dance with live music from songbong drums, she decided it was time to share the knowledge she has of music and dance traditions from France, her native country. Les Belles Vilaines are a bunch of enthusiasts who explore the French and European music and dance repertoire and stage regular dances. Info at www.frenchdancing.co.nz

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Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media: voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff, Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand. All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

20 January 2011

WAIKOUAITI COAST COMMUNITY BOARD

by Gerard Collings

Happy New Year.

You will no doubt have heard that the Dunedin City Council is in the process of preparing its Draft Annual Plan. Public consultation on the draft plan is scheduled to commence in March; we urge you to take the time to participate in the consultation and submission process.

We have organised two evenings when the community are invited to come and meet the board on an informal basis:

16 February at 7pm, Waitati Hall, and

23 February at 7pm, East Otago Events Centre Waikouaiti.

The intention of the evenings is to provide an informal setting where members of our community can sit down with a cuppa and a snack and have a chat about issues that affect our community. Some suggestions for items to be discussed are:

What is your expectation of the board?
How can we maximise the benefits of the Rugby World Cup for our community?
Coastal scenic route -- what are your thoughts?
How can we make our community a better place to live?
Council's proposed Council Controlled Organisation for water and waste -- what does it mean to you?
Our environment -- what are your concerns?

We look forward to seeing you all there.

The board is to meet 5.30pm, 26 January, at the East Otago Events Centre, Waikouaiti. Our next scheduled meeting is 2 March at Warrington Surf Club social rooms.

Members of the public wishing to speak at the public forum need to advise Jane Hinkley our Governance Support Officer (Phone 474 3374) before 12 noon on the day prior to the meeting. In addition to the public forum, board members will be available to meet informally with members of the public between 4.30 and 5.30pm at the venue on the day of the meeting.

Remember, you can view the board's meeting agendas, reports and minutes at the Blueskin Library or through the DCC's website at http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/your-council/council-minutes

Members of the board are only too happy to hear (by phone or email) from members of the community about any issues within our area.

Board Contacts Home Work Mobile Email

Gerard Collings (Chairperson) 4657604 4707494 0274848800 gerard.collings@xtra.co.nz

Alasdair Morrison (Deputy) 4822505 4822505 0274354384 info@calmarine.co.nz

Andy Barratt 021890048 021890048 asbarratt@farmside.co.nz

Andrew Noone 4657157 0274301727 anoone@dcc.govt.nz

Geraldine Tait 4822517 0212175492 gstait@clear.net.nz

Les Pullar 4658138 0274358020 lesgwen.pullar@xtra.co.nz

Mark Brown 4822833 blueskin@xtra.co.nz

Gerard Collings

Chairperson

Waikouaiti Coast Community Board

Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū

From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media: voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff, Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand. All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished. If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

19 January 2011

Waitati's 'Free Stuff' shelter in trouble.

by Helen Beamish

The 'Free Stuff' shelter in Waitati has a problem! Some people are
interpreting the sign to mean they can be free to dump their own
rubbish -- and pass it on to those who look after the shelter.

Recently when I drove into Waitati, the shelter looked like an
uninviting hovel. The entrance to our charming village was desecrated
with broken appliances (if the oscillating fan is broken off its stand
at your place, it won't fix itself for the next person), furniture (no
one else wants your broken desk either), clothing spilling out onto
the path (if it's too stained or ripped for your kids to wear, no one
else will wear it), and single shoes waiting to trip people up (27
shoes had no partners at last count).

I like what a 'Free Stuff' pile says about our ethic of sharing
resources, and have taken home many 'that's just what I needed' items,
but if it's not also part of a reduce-reuse-recycle ethic, then it is
just accumulating junk in the main street -- I'm sure some people are
actually using it as the place to leave their weekend rubbish, judging
by some of the bags I picked up.

Mandy has done a sterling job starting and maintaining the shelter
(Thanks, Mandy, you're a brick) but I'd suggest that it's time more of
us took a turn -- and more of us took responsibility for how we share
our resources.

So....
• What if some of us – seven to be precise – each chose a day per week
to keep an eye on the accumulating stuff and make the decision to
chuck some when it's our day on? I've put a list on the wall and you
could put your name to it if you think this is a good idea.
• What if people took only washed and useable stuff to the shelter?
We could commit to this, and challenge others who are treating the
place like their personal dump station when we saw it happening.
• What if those with wheelie bins let me, Mandy or a person on the
list know if they would be willing to let any spare space in their bin
be used sometimes for those items being culled from the shelter?
• What if, before donating items, we each asked the basic question:
'Does it have any useful life left in it, without needing mended
first?'
• What if NO LARGE ITEMS were left by the shelter, but were added to a
list in the shelter with the phone number to ring if interested in
looking at it? Earlier in the month, someone put up a sign on the
wall for some large items of furniture they had available in
Warrington – great idea. They did not litter the pavement... or get
main operating parts ripped off them and then get left useless beside
the road. Does anyone have an old whiteboard which could work for
this?

I'm sure others have more ideas or similar disquiet over the
impression we are making for each other and our village. Maybe
someone even wants to write an 'Alternative Use' column giving ideas
for common items we need to dispose of. Maybe I'm just sick of
dealing to the junk left behind by students in the North End of town,
and want our place to be more peaceful and pleasant when I return home
from work. Maybe I'm just a crabby old villager!

Hobbyhorse Helen
482 1440
hbeamish@kinect.co.nz

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Ā ā Ē ē Ī ī Ō ō Ū ū
From blueskin.co.nz and 'Blueskin News' published by Blueskin Media:
voluntary/non-profit community publishers in Blueskin Bay (Seacliff,
Warrington, Evansdale, Waitati, Doctors Point), Dunedin, New Zealand.
All material sent to or published by us is "copyleft" in the public
domain and may be freely shared, archived, re-edited and republished.
If you want to credit the source it's "blueskin.co.nz".

18 January 2011

Coast Road Market

Coast Road Market is held on the first Sunday of every month from
11am-2pm, rain or shine,
in the grounds of Coast Road Retreat, alongside the Art Shed, at 728
Coast Road, Seacliff.
Experience a unique blend of food, coffee, art, craft,
clothes, local produce, plants, preserves, bric a brac, books, toys and more!!
It's a free market so if you would like to have a stall, come along
before 11am to set up. Or you can phone first on 465 7990 with any
queries.

Liz Abbott and Rudie Verhoef
Coast Road Retreat
+64 3 465 7990 or +64 27 7811799
728 Coast Road, Seacliff, RD 1 Waikouaiti, Dunedin 9471
www.coastroadretreat.co.nz

Palmerston Farmers Market

A new market is being planned in downtown Palmerston on Saturday
mornings starting mid-February.

We are looking for stall holders to participate by selling all kinds of produce.

Please contact 021 186 5227 for details

14 January 2011

OPINION: How hard can it be?

by Peter Dowden

The Southern Scenic Route is a tourist highway linking Te Anau and
Dunedin via Fiordland, Invercargill and The Catlins.

In June 2007 the Otago Natural History Trust, in announcing
the site for the Orokonui Ecosanctuary Visitor Centre, chose Blueskin
Rd, because (as Ralph Allen from the Trust told Blueskin News at the
time) it was "... on a road that is likely to become part of the
Southern Scenic Route, with relatively slow-moving traffic that will
be able to see the Visitor Centre and stop to investigate."

In November 2007, Don Hill, then transportation planning manager for
the Dunedin City Council, told Blueskin News, "We are planning to talk
to Waitaki District about extending the Southern Scenic route from
Dunedin to Oamaru. It is envisaged Blueskin Road would be part of this
route."

Extending the Southern Scenic Route along back roads north of Dunedin
would have so many benefits that it is simply astounding the
Dunedin City Council has made so little progress in the ensuing three
years. Port Chalmers would gain more visitors to its burgeoning
antiques and craft shops; newly opened accommodation businesses along
Coast Rd could benefit; the future of Karitane's shop could be
ensured. Places presently without retail services, such as Warrington,
could open cafes or gift shops.

Promoters of the original Southern Scenic Route became so frustrated
by the slow progress from their local government that in the end they went
out and put up signs themselves. We shouldn't need to go that far: we
are fortunate here on the Coast that for the past several years our
local councillor, Andrew Noone, has also chaired the council's
infrastructure committee. This places him right in the driver's seat
of this issue. If Andrew really wants this route extension to happen,
it will happen. How hard can it be, Andrew?