WAIKAWA BEACH RATEPAYERS ASSOCIATION
JANUARY 2014 NEWSLETTER
Happy New Year everybody
I hope you all enjoyed your holiday despite the changeable weather. I felt very sorry for the people staying in tents with all the wind and rain, but then we were better off than the holidaymakers up north whose campsites were flooded.
The AGM
The AGM was held on Friday 27 December at 3pm. Luckily it was a lovely sunny afternoon and was attended by approximately 65 people.
Councillor Christine Mitchell addressed the meeting. As a new member to the council she was concerned that small communities on the periphery of the district were often neglected. She was elected two months ago.
The Coastal Innundation Report was discussed as was obtaining LIM reports. There was also discussion on speed limits both at the intersection of Waikawa Beach Road and SH1, at Waikawa Beach and on the beach. Councillor Mitchell said that if more people contacted the various agencies with feedback and suggestions their opinions would be considered by those making the rules and decisions.
The incoming committee
The incoming committee is: John Hewitson (chairman), Elaine White (treasurer), John Brown (secretary), Liz Duncan, Lesley Anne Walker, Frank Avares, Brent Hayden, Warwick Bainbridge, Julie Stichbury and we welcome new members Komal Chhiba & Brian Madge
John Hewitson was made a Life Member at the meeting. In speaking to the motion Erica Wyatt told us of John’s service of over 10 years as Chairman of the WBRA and of the many odd jobs that he has carried out for the community.
The meeting closed at 4.15 and was followed by refreshments
LAWN BOWLS
2013 was the first year we had lawn bowls as a fun day activity and hopefully not the last. This was a very popular activity with over 40 people attending — bowling , playing pool or just watching the fun. Manakau Bowling Club had the bar open for us and the sun shone for the first hour or so. It was wonderful to see so many people there and the competition was fierce. Unfortunately the rain started but some keen players kept going until they were soaked. The BBQ was enjoyed by all of us. All in all it was a very successful afternoon and we hope MBC will allow us to use their green again next year.
18 HOLE GOLF
We had 23 starters on a very nice day. Ngaire Hunter was the winner of the Ladies section with Helen Hewitson and Eve Hayden tying for second.
In the men’s division the winner was Jacques Cohen with 40 stableford points which also won the Main trophy. John Hewitson was second, and Max Flowers third.
The Ladies longest drive went to Eve Hayden and the men’s to Dave Blair.
Nearest the pin for the ladies went to Ngaire Hunter and for the men Graham Wilkins.
Prize giving was held at 4 Cathryn Street in very pleasant conditions.
AMBROSE GOLF
27 players, including 5 women, played the in the annual ambrose family golf day held at Levin Golf Course on Friday 3rd January 2014. Our youngest players were Ryan Blair & Seth Loghren, both 11. The weather held for the golf with partly cloudy/overcast skies. On completion the wind got up & by the time people returned to the beach for food and prize giving the heaven’s opened & the rain set in. Plans for outdoors quickly moved to indoors. We got the sausages & onions cooked inside and then the power went off for about an hour & a half. So we were very lucky.
Winners were: Eve Hayden, Peter Clarke, Graeme Wilkins & Matt Wilkins with a gross score of 33.
Runners Up: Alex Moore, Ken Archer, Reagan Belsham and John Hewitson with 36. The winning four have all been great supporters of the tournament over the years, but it was a first-time win for Peter, Graeme & Matt. It was nice to see their names engraved on the trophy.
Ladies Longest Drive: Eve Hayden
Ladies Tee Shot Closest the Pin: Cecily Archer
Men’s Longest Drive: Brent Hayden
Men’s Closest the Pin: Glenn Bond
Longest successful Putt: Brent Hayden
SPORTS DAY
The afternoon started off well with the flat races and 3 legged races but then the heavens opened up as the youngsters were getting into their Ravensdown sacks for the first sack race. We sold a few sausages and drinks but the rain set in and everyone ran home for cover. It is the first time in years the event has had to finish early. WBRA thanks Ravensdown for their generous donation of sacks for our sack races. We are hoping for more settled weather next summer
BOAT DAY
There was a small mix up in the times advertised for the Boat Day but in the end it went very well.
Competitors in the boat races were faced with a king high tide and in some instances had to dodge debris carried by the very strong current.
It was great to see the younger children swimming across the river and there were some very good swimmers amongst them. The swimming events finished off with an all-comers race and they were all very competitive.
Racing finished with a novelty race where they were required to complete the race going backwards.
The catering was done in a very efficient manner and all the sausages were sold.
Because of the exceptionally high tide the area normally used for the sand dig was flooded so this event was cancelled.
The weather was fine for the whole event and many stayed on to enjoy the conditions after racing finished.
SAND SCULPTURE DAY
We had 44 entries — 16 individuals and 28 family entries. Wow, what a great turnout! As usual the judges had a really hard time choosing winners.
Glen Colquhoun won Most Original with My Heart Beat
Family prizes
1st — Mike the Monster by the Penfolds
2nd — Seascape by the Rodgers
3rd equal — Condor by the Baulds, Stadium by the Crebes, Dune End by the Shepherds
Individual prize — 1st — Dino Nest by James
Thank you to the Shepherds for their generous donation of prizes for this event
Please check the Website www.waikawabeach.org.nz for other photos from the fun days.
Christmas lights
Peter and Wendy’s Christmas lights were very popular. Every night I saw groups of walkers and car loads of people enjoying the view. The Walker’s tree in Manga Pirau was gorgeous too, the colourful lights could be seen from the north end of the river at night.
Recycling truck
The recycling truck was a success again this year but some holiday makers continue to put their bottles out in bags. HDC contractors are only permitted to collect recycling in official recycling bins. Please, if you do not have an official bin, contact HDC and they will deliver one to your property.
Basketball hoop
I walk my dog every evening and it’s great to see the basketball hoop in the reserve being used most nights.
Rural Postie
After 12 years of service our Rural Postie, Paul Kerslake, is planning to retire due to health reasons. He is currently in negotiations with a prospective new owner driver and hopes the changeover will happen on February 1st 2014. Paul says we will continue to have service 6 days a week until mid 2015. We wish Paul all the best in his retirement.
WBRA subscriptions
WBRA subscriptions are now overdue. Payments can be made by posting a cheque to: E White PO Box 30309 LOWER HUTT 5040 or you can pay over the internet to our account: 03 0667 0268929 000 at Westpac Levin. Please remember to put your name and or address so we know who has paid.
If you received this newsletter by post, and you have access to email, please forward your email contact edress to: wbra.committee@gmail.com
As always, a huge thank you to all the people who provided photos and reports for this newsletter
Julie Stichbury