Blueskin Bay FM 88.2

25 May 2011

WAITATI SCHOOL

by Antony Deaker

2006 must have been a busy year for midwives in Waitati: the school roll has continued to grow at an exciting rate, certainly beyond our expectations at the start of this year.

The final report from the recent Education Review Office (ERO) visit was received last month. Most pleasing was a return to the three-year cycle for future reviews indicating that the school is back to a 'regular' position. You can see the full report on our website.

We also received our financial audit for the last financial year, which confirmed a small surplus in the operating budget and noted the high standard of financial control and documentation maintained by our secretary Helen Shaw.

The last element of work for the refurbishment of the classroom interiors has been completed with the ordering of snazzy, new, ergonomically-sound chairs for all the classrooms. This was made possible by the generous support of our PTA.

The senior class will be starting art projects under the guidance of Janet de Wagt this month. The children will be continuing our community's predilection for teapots with new art works that express their findings about 'What Makes Waitati Wicked'.

The schools enviro-Fridays have focused on lantern-making in preparation for an event to celebrate Matariki on 2 June. A pot luck meal featuring food harvested from the school garden will be followed by a lantern procession and some storytelling. Later in the month we will mark Arbor Day with further planting around Ko-te-awa-wi (Dons Creek), the stream at school. Heidi has started working with Jenny Neilson, Regional Co-ordinator for Enviro-schools, to review and plan the work the school is doing towards a silver award.

Our Year 7 and 8 children recently completed a walk over Mt Cargill with a group from Macandrew Intermediate. This was a fun outing on a cold day that built some new networks with kids from over the hill.

We have three soccer teams playing every weekend through the winter. The teams are special because they include kids who used to be at Waitati and have moved to other schools but want to stay engaged with their old friends. They include children from Warrington School and it's great to build closer relations with our friends across the bay; we never stop working hard for each other. The 9^thgrade team has had only one loss this year and is playing some great soccer. Big thanks to Phil, Brad, Kerri and Frances for their commitment to coaching.

23 May 2011

Stone carving at Te Whare Arohanui

Photo by Moira Crossman

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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".

Stone Carving photo

Photo by Moira Crossaman

(goes with stone carving wokshop)

Waitati Energy Project

By Scott Willis

Wind Testing
Under the guidance of technical expert Matt Buchan on behalf of Our
Wind Limited, a group of us raised the 10 metre tower (with testing
equipment on it) on a brisk day recently (Friday the 13th! May). OWL,
in supplying the tower and analysis, is enabling the crucial technical
aspects of the wind cluster project. And I was impressed to see Basil
Ireland, Laurence Hay and Gerry Thompson, all grandfathers, wielding
the sledgehammer and rammer more competently than men half their ages.
Along with Xavier and myself, it took us all three hours to prepare
and raise the tower, ensure monitoring had begun, and animal-proofing
the site on the Robertson's family farm above Warrington.
As soon as it was up, and systems tested, Matt was able to tell us
that the wind, at 10 metres above the ground was blowing at a very
healthy eight metres per second. However the wind at ground level did
not seem very strong at all and I was excited that now we can begin to
get some very precise wind data at a very promising site. Testing will
take time, and our knowledge will grow week by week, barring any
incidents. Fortunately, we have a wealth of knowledge already and this
information will enhance what we are now gathering on-site. I'll be
giving regular updates on wind results in these columns and more often
in email updates. Meanwhile, thanks to an EECA contract in process
we're now able to enlist some planning assistance and, Ross Johnston
(BRCT trustee) and I are working on getting all the energy action and
investigations done of the past few years into a presentable public
format.

Solar Saver model
Thank you to all who put in submissions to the DCC's Draft Annual Plan
(DAP) on Solar Saver. This council is much more responsive to its
communities than we've experienced in the past and for those keeping
an eye on DAP outcomes in the ODT, did you see 'Briefs' on Thursday
May 12? There it was reported that DCC staff are now working to get
the Solar Saver model (a targeted rates bill to allow solar hot water
installations) broadened and used to invest in options for making all
households more sustainable, not only through solar hot water, but
also insulation, solar PV, rainwater tanks, etc. This is a great
outcome for all Dunedin.

Contact WEP at 03 482 2048 or email: waitatienergy@gmail.com

Waitati Edible Gardeners

By Derek Onley

Potato Harvest Year Three
The last day of April; the sky was bluer than a dunnock's egg. Seven
gardeners harvested 170 kilos of potatoes; the slugs got the rest. A
wet summer and autumn definitely favoured the slugs but we have one
advantage – there's plenty of spoilt hay about. Our next task will be
to cover the beds with as much of it as we can gather, along with
seaweed and manure. We are up to year three of our garden cycle and so
the potatoes will be going back into their original patch this year.
What this year's potatoes lacked in quantity they gained in
personality, even celebrity status, as you can see by the photo.
The garlic harvest was a great success for the second year in a row,
but this year's pumpkins did not do as well as last year, mainly
because of that unexpected frost back in December. The garlic patch is
now planted in broad beans and we have leeks fattening up well on top
of a vast quantity of beautiful Purakanui manure. We have also been
surprised at the wonderful artichokes that just seem to keep coming.
They make an excellent "slow food" lunch out in the late autumn
sunshine, accompanied by locally made Parisettes dressing and a cheeky
little chardonnay.
Anyone is welcome to join us in our community gardening, gathering and
harvesting. Ring Derek on 482 2831 or email derekonley@yahoo.com

Farewell to the Godwits

By Rosemary Penwarden

It hasn't been a good summer for identifying godwits; however, this
autumn was one I will never forget. It was the 4th of March and we
were, as usual, watching the godwits from the road at Evansdale. By
March all the birds are in top shape; the males looking especially
gorgeous with their rusty chests in full breeding plumage. I love
watching them; they often behave as a single unit, all sleeping with
their bottoms turned away from the wind, wobbling like little weather
vanes. There were 580 of them, half the number we had seen two months
earlier, and they were noisy; trilling and strutting up and down the
ranks as they shifted position, lifting up and circling, then landing
again. Then a small group of 38 lifted into the air and circled. They
continued circling and calling until they were much higher than I had
seen before, and then flew north until all we could see was a tiny
dotted line of birds high above Seacliff. We were witnessing the first
couple of kilometres of their 9,000 km journey to the Yellow Sea.
The next day, there were no godwits at Evansdale, but at the end of
Warrington spit we saw a second bunch of 24 taking off to the north.
This time a group of four broke off from the group and landed; they
must have decided to stay longer… maybe they lost their nerve. I know
I would have second thoughts attempting such a journey. All I could do
was silently wish them well. With a tail wind and probably quite a bit
of luck most of those we saw leave will have made it to Alaska as this
Blueskin News goes to print, after spending April and most of May
refuelling near the Yellow Sea, between China and South Korea, for the
next leg to the Alaskan breeding grounds. They will be joining the
6,000 godwits who were seen passing the Portland observatory in
southern England on April 28, going north from Africa to the same
Alaskan breeding grounds.
There are still 100 or so godwits roosting at Evansdale or at the end
of the spit at high tide. These are the youngsters, barely a year old,
waiting out their first winter and plumping up for next year when they
will be strong enough to make the Alaskan trip next March.
Occasionally among them is an adult that didn't get strong enough or
for some reason decided not to make the journey this year. Keep your
dogs on a lead down that end of the spit so as not to disturb them.
Safe journey my pretties!

WAITATI VOLUNTEER FIRE BRIGADE

By Deanne Burrell

The last few months have been reasonably quiet for the brigade so well
done to Blueskin Bay residents for keeping your community safe.
We would like to congratulate some members who have recently
successfully completed the following practical training courses.
Qualified Fire Fighter: Sharon Brogan, Bill Berends and Seraya
Figgins. Senior Fire Fighter: Charles Abraham.

Winter Fire Safety Tips
Daylight saving has ended and it's time to get your winter coat,
electric blanket and heater out of the cupboard. Here are a few safety
tips to take into consideration this winter.
After kitchen fires, fires involving heating and drying are one of the
most common reasons the Fire Service is called out.
· Always keep furniture, curtains, clothes and children at least
one metre away from heaters and fireplaces.
· Don't store objects on top of your heater.
· Never cover heaters.
· Don't overload clothes dryers and clean the lint filter after
each load.

Fireplaces and Chimneys
There's nothing like sitting in front of the fireplace on a cold
winter's night but here's a list of things to be mindful of:
· Clean chimneys and flues before your first fire of the season
· Always use a fireguard or spark-guard with open fires.
· Ashes can take up to five days to cool - always empty
fireplace or wood burner ashes and ashtrays into a metal bin with a
lid. Water can be poured over them before disposal.

Electric blankets
Climbing into bed on a cold night is much easier if you've had an
electric blanket on but there are things you should do to keep fire
safe.
· If your electric blanket or cord is showing any signs of wear,
have it checked by a competent service person or have it replaced.
Don't take risks.
· Always make sure that your electric blanket is switched off
before getting into bed.
· Never use pins or sharp objects to secure the electric blanket
to the bed and never tuck it in under the bed.
· If the blanket becomes soiled, sponge it lightly and allow to
dry naturally on a flat surface.

Portable LPG Gas Heaters
When using gas heaters take a few moments to consider the following
safety precautions - they may save a life.
· Make sure the ceramic heater element is not broken or chipped
and that the element guard is in place.
· Check to see that the hose is in good condition and doesn't
show any signs of damage or wear.
· If the heater does not light straight away, turn it off and
then try again. Don't let the gas build up before trying to relight
it.
· Always have fresh air coming into the room where a gas heater is in use.

Keep warm and safe this winter.

BLUESKIN MAINLY MUSIC

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Jenny O'Neill <harleyoneill@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, 23 May 2011 13:09:31 +1200
Subject: Article for Blueskin News
By Jenny O'Neill

We continue to have a wonderful group of regulars coming to enjoy a
special time of music, movement, rhyme and play.
It is really neat when you see the little ones grow in confidence and
participation as they learn the songs and actions while getting to use
the various handmade instruments and props we have.
We are currently doing songs that include various 'shapes'; that means
the old favourites of "The wheels on the bus", "Jack in the box" and
of course "Twinkle, twinkle, little star".
With the winter chills and ills approaching all too fast we are going
to have a winter theme at the start of June. We would love you to join
us so if you would like to get out, get moving and warm up while
having special and fun time with your littlies. Pease come along any
Tuesday during school term time.
Each music session is followed by a free hot cuppa and a yummy morning
tea for both the children and caregivers.
All are welcome and you can just turn up on Tuesdays 10am at the
Waitati Hall. The cost is $2 per child or $3 for a family. Any queries
please just hone or text Jenny on 027 378 7258.

NOTICE: Matariki celebration at Orokonui Ecosanctuary

Orokonui Ecosanctuary will celebrate Matariki at the visitor centre on 5-6 June

5 June, 1pm: story telling, activities, kapa haka performances

4.30pm: live performance

6 June, 1pm: Manu aute (traditional kitemaking) workshop with Lucy
Smith, kapa haka performances

4pm: Native food cooking demonstration with Charles Royal ($60 ticket,
bookings essential, ph 482 1755)

All other events entry by gold coin donation. This celebration is
ratepayer funded through the Dunedin City Council. Photo by NASA/ESA

EVENT REVIEW: Stone carving workshop

EVENT REVIEW

Stone carving workshop, 7 May, Te Whare Arohanui, Waitati

By Karen Jacquard

On a damp Saturday morning a group of 14 people gathered for a warm
welcome to Te Whare Arohanui to begin a weekend workshop of Oamaru
stone carving run by renowned local sculptor, Moira Crossman.
Assisting with advice, encouragement and technical support were four
other experienced sculptors, Alex Whittaker, John K, Des Wanoa Khufu
and Marcus Wainwright.

For most participants this was our first experience of working with
Oamaru stone, and Moira very quickly had us working on a small block
in order to learn how to use the basic tools and get an impression of
what carving stone feels like.

We then started working on a larger piece for the remaining day and a
half, as did the five sculptors each working on their own piece, which
was fascinating to watch.

I found working with the stone to be absolutely absorbing, and I heard
many others comment about it's addictiveness! At the end we all looked
around in wonder at what we had all achieved – each of us has a
wonderful garden sculpture to be proud of.

I'm sure we all have great memories of wonderful shared food, and
happy cameraderie whilst sawing, chipping, sanding, drilling, and
sanding some more. The workshop, which was partly funded by the DCC,
was incredibly good value and loads of fun.

The sculptures were exhibited in the courtyard at Gallery on Blueskin
during May.