Cycling for charity

John Taylor and Toby Sutherland made it to Mossburn  ( 17 March) after cycling from Walter Peak as the second to last leg of their trip from Cape Reinga to Bluff.

Friends from the North IsIand and many tourists were in on the excitement as John Taylor and Toby Sutherland cycled up to  Bluff’s Stirling Point signpost  at the end of 27 days of cycling from Cape Reinga to Bluff as a way of supporting two significant charities.

 Anyone can do it, they just have to want to, Taylor and  Sutherland agreed as they lifted their bikes in the air as part of the expected tradition when people arrive at Bluff after completing the trail.

As fellow Martinborough Lions Club members they were inspired to take up the challenge of their  ride, they publicised as Toby and John’s Tour Aotearoa 2017,  by their love of the countryside, love of cycling, meeting people and also meaning they could raise  over $15000 for their favourite charities of Life Flight and Catwalk Trust.

" I am fortunate I have the time and financial resources to do this as I come up to 60 this year," Taylor said. " It was not a race but the epitome of a journey, not the destination, with us biking between 100 to 120 kilometres most days, averaging 15 Km an hour, with no rest days," Taylor said. " In many places we were hosted by fellow Lions who contributed awesome hospitality as well as funds and we appreciated Mossburn’s $500 donation."

The concept of the Cape Reinga to Bluff cycle trail was initiated largely by Jonathan Kennett, assisted by his brothers Paul and Simon.

It covers 3000 km of cycle trails with some road sections, whereas  a car journey would only take 1800 km.

"Jonathan designed the course to take in the wonderful cycle ways that NZ now has, with it mostly following the west coasts of both Islands," he said. " We came through Auckland city without going on a road which was a thrill and an easy ride after some steep hills on the Northland sections of the journey which tested our fresh legs ."

Catwalk Trust was set up by Katrina Williams, a NZ Olympic Equestrian who suffered spinal injuries and she created this charity for spinal research. Never say Never is their motto.

Life Flight provides emergency air travel in life threatening circumstances, usually in remote areas, with their motto of Saves Time, Saves lives.

Craig and Hannah Drummond from Five Rivers used the services of Life Flight when their baby son Luke needed an emergency heart operation recently.

"They were awesome and without their service, getting Luke from Invercargill airport to Auckland’s Starship  Hospital, he would not be alive," Craig said. " He is now seven months old and going back for more surgery soon."

People followed their journey and progress on Facebook and Give a Little. Individuals, groups  and schools contributed and Fern Ridge School in Masterton had a mufti day for them as well as followed their trip on a daily basis with the pupils learning a huge amount from that  personal involvement, such as about geography, distances and what volunteering means.

Both men appreciated special sponsors , Bruce and Caroline Robertson of Duncraigen Farm, Wyndham.

Sutherland, who is going to be 50 this year, said he did a bit of training beforehand, making sure he could handle 100 km and he found the advice he got from a sports nutritionist about drinking, food to eat and especially snacks, was great value.

"The weather was amazing with no rain in the North Island and just a little bit on the West Coast, as we came down through Haast, but it wasn’t cold," he said." We were self- sufficient, carrying everything we needed on our bikes, staying in camping grounds or backpackers as well as with Lions."

" We interacted with other bikers and tourists constantly along the way as we stopped at cafes for good food and self-care, as we looked after ourselves and our bikes for preservation," he said." The bikes went well overall, with a special service at Masterton where we had bought the bikes and we only had one flat tyre  which was John on the day coming to Mossburn."

" We had a lot of fun, although most of the stories need to stay on tour, we met many iconic Kiwis, we are still good friends  and we made it to Bluff together which was an amazing adventure," they agreed.

Penguin plight

Concern is held for the well -being of the endangered yellow-eyed penguin at Southland Forest and Bird's ( F&B) Te Rere Private Scientific Reserve in the Catlins, with this nesting year predicted to be a bad one for penguin productivity based on the nest search information. This follows a poor season last year and an indication that there have also been adult penguins dying, Southland Forest and Bird yellow- eyed penguin advisory group member, Brian Rance said.

A small group of committed F&B members undertook the annual count early in December as they have been doing for about 25 years there. The first team of four set off from Invercargill at 8.30am, arriving at the isolated site on the rocky east coast about 10.00am and were met by a large sea lion which was inquisitive about the interlopers to its territory.

They were based at  the two regular sites in order to  count the penguins making a return to their  nest in the undergrowth, bringing back food for the chicks which they had gathered at sea. The adult birds swap duties with the other one of the pair then take a turn to go out to sea for food. Males and females share the duties. They are very secretive birds so the native vegetation planted there over the past 25 years  provides excellent habitat.

"It was raining all day and cool, however conditions improved for the second group which picked up the count from 4pm to 10pm," Rance said.

The number of adult birds coming in during the count day are taken as the best estimate of the adult numbers at the site.

"From the results of our December count day this year we could estimate 49 adults present," he said. "This figure has varied from 46 to 66 over the last 6 years, down from the highs of over 70 adults which had shown recovery after the disastrous 1995 fire."

This does support the fears of a moderate decline in adult numbers at Te Rere. Only 12 nests had been found but the searchers believe there are possibly 14 in the reserve. There were  still many more birds present than indicated by the nests with several non-nesting birds found scattered through the reserve.

"The adult birds observed during the nest search generally appeared in good condition and the chicks appeared healthy, " he said. "One of the concerns was that there were no juvenile birds observed coming in from the sea meaning there may not be young birds joining the breeding population there although they could be elsewhere on the coast."

"The hopeful aspect was that about half of the nests seemed to have two healthy chicks, with no chick mortality to date, " Rance said. " We checked all the predator traps, finding a hedgehog and a young male stoat but no rats."

"The annual monitoring will continue, along with regular pest control and more planting, in the hope that conditions at sea will improve and the endangered yellow – eyed penguin numbers will rise to ensure the on- going life in this special breeding  colony, " Rance said. "Fortunately Te Rere is one of the breeding sites in Otago Southland area with an increase over last year's low with no sign of avian diphtheria which is encouraging."

Jenny's Uganda newsletter 1&2

Kia ora e hoa. Well warm temps continue and we are in a great house with basic facilities but perfect for us- cold shower but fine in these temps!

I cooked up one of my omelettes for each of us last night with yummy local veg- tomatoes, onion, local cheese, green peppers.... yum.

Yesterday we went to a preschool with about 25 children- learning their local language and english- using slate boards and chalk. In a hut with mud floors, basic wooden desks and no resources. From things people gave us to bring we were about to give each child a dress, skirt  or shirt. Also knickers, pencils, balls to kick, skipping ropes, sunhats..... They had a ball in the playground kicking balls, skipping, running and chasing...

Seeing their faces was a treat! Such gorgeous smiles, sang us  heaps of songs, clapped heaps...  and joined in with us singing 'This is the day' and in maori  'Tenei te ra.' Very humbling.

Today we went to 3 homes with children with special needs- blind, deaf and cerebral palsy caused by malaria. These and other children get support  through the Foundation eg meds to help with preventing epilepsy, hearing aids, physio to help with building muscular strength, special chair to give physical support....

One young deaf man now 17 was given a goat 4 years ago and now he has bred them up & has 13. Next step is to sell them and buy a cow- better outcomes  as can get calves to sell, milk and meat. Can mean a better house with this better income... Foundation supported him with a new bed, mattress and blanket.

I am  a bit distracted as we are setting the budget for next year with guidance from a guy from UK who is a volunteer adviser- accountant! He is a gem- been here for 3 weeks- all at his own expense.

Progress is being made!

The work being done by Rwenzori special Needs Foundation is incredible! I am soooo impressed. One local  guy and his mother have got all this going and it a real credit to them. My friend Dot in Inver is backing them- so looks like lots more cheese roll making coming up!

Having a great time  learning so much! Of course I know how blessed I am - but this confirms it for me even more!

More adventures ahead for the next fortnight.

We are all on fire for Rwenzori-= so watch out Dot and Lois say!

Go well and feel free to pass on this email to nayone who might be interested.

rangimarie, Jenny







Rwenzori newsletter 2/ 14 July 2016

Kia ora e hoa ma, Well it is still a pleasant 26 degrees. We are settled in to a house together – basic but comfy beds, toilets- in fact 2 and 2 cold showers – but fine as it is so warm.
We have had very full on days, going around seeing the offices, families, schools, gardens, pig farms etc.
What a huge amount of work the Rwenzori Special Needs Foundation (RSNT)  are doing with a  minimum of staff. Project Manager Daniel and his mother ( who is a school principal & is actually doing the equivalent of ERO visits this week!), set up this wonderful scheme in conjunction/ with support of Dot Muir from Invercargill.
On the smell of an oily rag they are doing amazing things. They have employed a Social Worker and two people who train teenagers on vocational courses eg tailoring, hairdressing.
Over the last 2 days :- we went to see several families who had a child with a special need. These  included being deaf, blind and having cerebral palsy all resulting from malaria when they were tiny children. Also a 9 year old with epilepsy who can attend school now RSNT is supporting with medication.

Brian who is deaf is now 17 was given a goat at age 13 by RSNT and he now has 13 beautiful  animals. Thinking of selling them for a cow! He is a full time farmer. So proud as is his mother.

The others are getting support in their homes and parents being guided with options, physiotherapy, exercises and basic needs like assistance with school uniforms. RSNT social worker is a young woman with a heart for these children and  has a degree from  Kampala University which qualifies her to assess, refer on etc. She seems to be the link in connecting them with services the families may not know about, and getting them to appointments, supporting them at Drs and helping with explanations. She is on a minute salary but worked here as a volunteer for about 3 years as she is so committed- she saw her niece with hydrocephalus   and how a social worker could have helped so much.
We went to a pre-school as well- 3 classes from 4-6 years. Classrooms tiny with 4year olds on a mat on the dirt floor and older ones with basic desks. Very limited resources eg 2 posters. Learning English and their own language – using a slate board and chalk. Some of the children had awful coughs. Their lovely shiny faces, winning smiles, and flashing bright eyes totally won our hearts! We gave them the dresses, hats and shirts which Myra from Invercargill had given us. Just tried them over their school uniform and they kept them on!  So proud. Then we had the footballs, soccer balls, wee bats and balls, pencils, skipping ropes, - they had a fab time playing, laughing, kicking and of course we joined in. They sang us some of their songs and we sang ours- especially ‘This is the day- Tenei te ra.’’They joined in too.
We met the volunteer UK consultant accountant who has been here for 3 weeks finding out about RSNT and making recommendations about how to be accountable. Keep accurate records and making very dollar spin as far as possible for RSNT. He was a real trick and kept us all on our toes. We helped with a budget for the next year and made some commitments to support them some more from NZ- so watch out cheese rolls brigade! He went home today feeling very pleased with the results of his time here and how he had met all the commitments he had made to help RSNT. He will keep in touch by email and support over the year as needed for advice.
He gave me the left over time on his modem stick so I am very spoilt.
Today we had a day off and went to local caves   with stalactites and stalagmites along with a lovely waterfall and our guide told us of the stories and myths associated with them and their history. They are trying to develop Fort Portal in to a tourist area around some of these natural features. We then walked for about 2 ½  hours  up hills and down dales( across farmland – banana plantations, cows, veg gardens ….. ) and around old volcano craters and lakes as well as up a very steeeep hill to get good views. About 26 degrees! A secondary school had its students out for the day too so we talked with them- apparently they all speak English as well as one of four local dialects.

We visited Daniel’s home tonight- one small room with a bed, cot for his 18 month old daughter, a table, and cooking facility was a charcoal burner with one pot. Everything else was communal eg toilet, shower, washing facilities…. Dot went in there and found it very emotional seeing the way he lives. This one room is behind their wee clothes ‘shop’ run by his wife, all rented.  Humbling.
Just keeping you all posted! Please circulate to others who might be interested.
Thoughts and prayers,
Rangimarie, Jenny, Lois, Dot, Alison and Margot



On Tuesday, 12 July 2016 3:27 PM, Gillian Swift wrote:


hi Jenny, wish it that warm here! another good frost last night.  Packing all finished, Jamie & family in Wellington.  I think they have a house to rent in lower Hutt.  Gosh I will miss them.  Enjoy yourself and take care, blessings Gillian

From: Jenny Campbell
Sent: Monday, July 11, 2016 5:53 PM
To: Corwin Newall ; Steve and Mandy Newall ; Adrianne Stewart ; Sandra Romero ; Fiona Newall ; David and Chris Henderson ; Gillian Swift ; Bruce & Sonya ; Sr Judith ; Marie Lockie ; Carmen Campbell ; Stephen Price
Subject: Re: On my way from Sydney!

Yes now in Kampala & 26 degrees. Stayed in hotel overnight with huge canopy to keep mossies out- I heard one! Huge dinner- I could not eat it all- fish rice and veg. We had ahd lots of meals on planes of course. Saw several movies- well parts of them- between nodding off!

Very tired after 27 hours of travel- but have done it before so know I will be fine by tomorrow! I love sitting at airport watching people. All full of shops with 'stuff' though! No recycling in Dubai airport!

Had a walk around local suburb last night ( Sun) -  very noisy, lots of stalls trading and quite a rough area- big drains to catch water when it pours obviously- heaps of big vehicles, motorbikes and few bikes, Chldren loved Hi 5 to us!

No dogs or cats that I noticed.Very green here.

Feel free to send around other who might want an update. Not sure how well connected to email we will be at next place- where we are at the Rwenzori special needs project- hopefully doing some 'work'!

Heaps of interesting people in queues doing great  things around the world.

Sandra- baby???

Off by van to our  'work site' to day- about 5 hours away- Fort Portal. The van is one Dot organised by raising money in Southland. it goes well. Driver picked us up at airport and negotiated traffic with ease= plenty of practice I figure.

Hope to keep you posted as I go. Of course was still writing articles for newspaper from Sydney- even managed to send with help of foreign currency young woman! What a gem.

Go well and safely as we are! Hope frosts not tooooo bad at home. Fab seeing family at CHCH airport too- thanks for coming!

Rangimarie, blessings hope and joy to you all,

Jenny

Jenny's Uganda newsletter no3

 Newsletter 3 from Uganda-    bit long sorry but last one before I hit home on Thurs!


Hi family and friends. Not sure where the last 2 weeks have gone but  it is count -down to home now! Leave Fort Portal on Mon to Kampala overnight and plane Tues to Dubai. Home Thurs night in time for Enviro Southland Awards! Thought we were home Fri- so that’s a bonus!
3 of group going on a safari from Sun. We have had one day off going to the falls, caves and walking over- up and down- volcano craters but since then it has been all go!
3 days visiting families in their villages with a child with special needs and looking at goats, pigs and cow raising projects alongside veg gardens- with young people who are making progress and been in the scheme for a few years now ( Rwenzori Special Needs Foundation =RSNF-started in 2011 by Dot Muir of Invercargill). They so proud of what they are doing supported by their families- often mother, aunty or grandmother taking care in a 2-3 roomed brick hut with a mud floor- clean but basic. Cooking and washing done outside and water carted daily in plastic containers – often by the children. No grumping- just part of what they do!
We had two full days with the open air assessments with 3 Doctors from Kampala. General practitioner, Ambrose, eye specialist Nelson ( keen to come and see our Nelson!) and Steve, orthopaedic. Also had OT from a Child Development Centre, Patrick or David, helping with future therapy needs. We sat on the grass on mats under the trees  or tarpaulins – one day in a public park next to a school with over 400 primary pupils and were able to use one classroom for eye specialist, and next day outside at a country medical centre with one room for eye specialist.

People lined up, sat on the grass and waited for hours with their children. So patient. The Drs were so respectful, engaged, compassionate but straight with the parents/ gran/ aunty in telling them what was needed. Saw about 500 children over the two days- some just needed referral for physio, others glasses, some just diet help, and others urgent needs eg cancer of the eye, glaucoma and cataracts so losing their sight in their one good eye, hydrocephalus and needing drains, along with others with less urgent needs eg club foot needing callipers and special shoe, hunch back needing physio and others needing help with walking because of joint and muscular dystrophy. Parents were so appreciative of being able to be seen by a doctor and to have some hope that their children will be given the appropriate treatment they need very soon.
Now the real work starts with follow ups of about 50 children, 10 urgent cases to be seen by middle of Aug  but with our limited finances we probably can’t help them all. The operations once they get to hospitals are mostly free (except for some big orthopaedic operations on  legs, club foot, …) but the costs which they don’t have the resources to provide for themselves and their child are getting to the hospital, food while they are at hospital along with food for their child, and accommodation costs as well as the costs of the support person eg a social worker while at hospital- who helps with all the forms, language barriers and arranging follow up….  These are the costs RSNF covers so the children can get the operations they need.
We are now working on our priority list and how many of them we can actually support now. Many difficult decisions to be made.
Since then we have spent quite a bit of time on the budget, trying to stretch it even further.
WE bought some material so the vocational sewing/ tailoring students could make some aprons for us to bring home. They made 13 and the straight line sewing and finished products all gave them a real buzz. Photos aplenty of course!  Hairdressing students did Margot’s hair- soooo different from their very curly hair with the tight plaiting which they attach and form buns, top knots or add beads. Mind you they do look gorgeous.

We have been taking our food scraps- mostly fruit and veg peelings – to their centre where they have the garden dug but waiting for wet season to plant. We have been trenching and putting in the scraps to build up the compost and help retain the moisture. There seem to have been short sharp thunderstorms quite regularly at night and a few during the daytime. Luckily we have been inside.
We had one Fri night out- going to a local cultural event- the equivalent of Miss NZ show- about 30 years ago in NZ! It was hilarious and soooo late! 3am home! Granny not up to it! Traditional dances, singing, drums etc. They crowned Miss Tooro –a regional winner for promoting tourism in the area. They are hoping to increase tourism in the Fort Portal area with guided tours to national parks, the falls, volcano craters, hot pools…..
We went to a primary school yesterday which is mainstreamed-about 50 students with special needs eg deaf, blind, in wheelchairs, club foot, or slow learners, were all in regular classes but sometimes they get together in their special classroom for their individual tuition/ needs eg signing for deaf, braille for blind.  The children sang us an action song very enthusiastically and we responded. They all got some pencils ( coloured and lead) which many of you had donated and the children were very appreciative – thank you. Alison had some fire brigade balloons which she blew up and a few children were lucky enough to get one!
It was their lunchtime so we went to the boarding school section for the special needs children- about 22 living there for the term- then go home for holidays. A woman had been cooking the lunch over a charcoal fire- huge cauldron of maize ‘heavy bread’, beans in red sauce. They had a huge bowl of these goodies each and then it was topped off with   huge avocado from their own trees. We have since bought 10 at 10c each! Sumptuous! The children let me have a swing – even gate crashing the queue- I love swinging. In the playground I had them all joining in ’If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands…’etc. They cottoned on really quickly and I had a huge crowd all grinning, laughing and thinking I was ….??? Others did fun things with them too. Principal rang the bell otherwise we would have been there all day! Fun. So enthusiastic and delighted we visited and took an interest. It is next to a teachers’ college so is used for training as well.
Followed up with a drive in to the mountains on a windy road towards the Congo. Mountain streams, terraced gardens with a great variety of crops all hand tilled – real patchwork scenes on steep hillsides. We walked down a steep slope and marvelled at seeing their efforts to eke out a living- many were refugees apparently who had settled a long time ago and are now naturalised.
We visited relatives of the project manager to say our farewells today as the 3 other women went off on their safari and Margot and I wandered around Fort Portal seeing the people relaxing on a Sunday, took in another church service at the Cathedral in their local language. They recognised us of course even though we sneaked in late at  the back – mind you- how could you miss two older very white women in a sea of black faces, in casual clothes with back packs and they were in their Sunday best! They thanked us again for the Mossburn church chalice and paten and did a show and tell and we got another round of applause! – all the way from New Zealand!

I found a ‘Science Centre’ with lots of bird books, books on Uganda and bits of skeletons of various animals eg birds, frogs, elephants, snakes. Students come for projects from local primary and secondary schools- a very meagre library compared with any in NZ but obviously well used! We had an ice cream and watched the locals  - fascinating- as they obviously find us as well – especially children. We have been doing lots of ‘Hi 5s’!
We have a wee bonus now as change of plans getting to Entebbe airport could mean being able to stand astride the equator!
Time to stop- this is my last opportunity to use internet before we get to CHCH on Thurs afternoon.
Please send this missive around anyone who might be interested. Am certainly getting my education extended and so grateful I live in Aotearoa. I am holding the hope for these gorgeous welcoming people. Their hearts yearn for another way and opportunities for themselves and their young people-  but their faith in a God of love is humbling to see.
Rangimarie, blessings, hope and joy.
Jenny

Wilding tree working bee 2016

Members of the Wilding pine working bee moved across the tops at Cattle Flat station, pulling out seedlings.

On Saturday ( 19 March) 13 people spent the day admiring some of the best views in Southland while they cleared 10 hectares of wilding trees, organiser of the event, Environment Southland Senior Biosecurity officer Randall Milne said.

"The Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust, in conjunction with Environment Southland held the wilding tree work day on Cattle Flat Station this time," he said. " Cameron Young from Cattle Flat Station was there and spoke about life on the station and the importance of controlling wilding trees."

The group worked along the ridge of the Matuara Range which is a significant take off area for the seeds of any wilding trees which get to a seeding age. He said that every plant which is pulled out, especially before it produces seeds, helps prevent wilding trees becoming spread further.

 Over the previous weekend students from the Environmental Management degree course worked on the Keen property of Tomogalak, north of Balfour . Over that weekend they removed 3,100 pines from an area that had been cleared twice before over the past nine years.

Twelve people including their tutor Ross Ramsay not only worked hard but also all had a great time. "The wilding pines have grown from seeds released from trees planted on Mid Dome for preventing erosion there," Milne said. " This working bee by the students added to the efforts of the day's work organised by ES last Saturday."

 Both working bees helped the Mid Dome Wilding Trees Charitable Trust achieve its aims of eradicating the wilding pines which are causing so much havoc, especially to the west of Mid Dome.

The Mid Dome Trust holds two wilding tree work days each year and anyone interested in helping can contact Randall Milne at Environment Southland (Phone 03 2115115, or Email Randall.Milne@es.govt.nz)

Film Reel Life remembers Real Life

Nga Taonga , Jane Paul, Wallace Drummond, Craig Drummond, Pouhere Taonga , Jonathan Howard and Hannah Drummond at thefilm screenings held at Drummond's historic woolshed at Five Rivers  17 February.

The rain pattering on the roof along with the odd leak, the smell of damp wool, the dimly lit woolshed  and about 80 mainly rural people in farming attire, all created a real life atmosphere for a film series of excerpts from historic footage as part of the Travelling Film Show at Drummond's woolshed last Wednesday night.

Nga Taonga Sound and Vision along with Heritage  New Zealand, Pouhere Taonga brought the programme to four venues in the South Island, including Five Rivers' woolshed. Wallace Drummond explained that the Five Rivers run was taken up in 1857 with the woolshed built soon after and restored by him about three years ago.

Heritage New Zealand, Pouhere Taonga Otago/ Southland Area Manager, Jonathan Howard said with the best turn out to date, the fantastic significant historic agricultural venue and  the partnership with the Drummond family, it meant people would remember the event, the venue and hospitality for years to come.

"People can see the effort the Drummonds have gone to, to preserve and maintain the woolshed and homestead," he said. " Nga Taonga and Heritage NZ both want to tell stories, honour heritage and use some of Nga Taonga's large collection of about 7000 titles to do this."

Memories were evoked by excerpts covering old methods of sheep dipping, blade shearing, mustering, sheep dog trials, wool and its uses, fruit growing in Central Otago and various methods of trying to eradicate rabbits with 1300 the largest number killed in one rabbit drive. The audience had a good chuckle at Footrot Flats and Fred Dagg musing over daylight saving. Southland featured with Invercargill A & P Show, packing and exporting frozen rabbit meat from Bluff alongside  Peter and Elsie Lyons from Alexandra explaining how they ran 21 shearing gangs.

Garston farmer Jenny Tayler said she found the atmosphere really built up to what was coming through being in an historic place related to agricultural production.

" It was all very nostalgic for me, covering aspects of farming I remembered from my childhood as well as from stories my father and grandfather told me ," she said." The supportive crowd appreciated the professional presentation, on a large screen with perfect sound, the fact they had brought it around to the country people and I hope they do it again."

Entrepreneurs at Glengarry bike day

 Heilala Pita , 8, listens to  her sister Onevai Pita, 10, about how her ideas will raise the money they need for their secret project

The Glengarry community and bike enthusiasts from across the city showed their support for the  initiative of Rebecca Amundsen who organised a fun day last Sunday ( 14 Feb) which took many people back to the days when Glengarry had its own cycling club.

Old and young alike took part in the various criterium grade races interspersed with opportunities for fun events for both children and adults to enter in to the spirit of the day.  With perfect weather conditions speed was a factor and spectators were treated to some keen competition.

Valentine’s day was celebrated with two member teams passing floral bouquets in a relay style two- lap race and setting a cracker pace as they covered the Glengarry circuit.

Veteran cyclist Ray Robinson was there for the memories of riding competitively in Invercargill and everywhere beyond as well from 1966 to 1971 and then started again in 1992. He joined in the races for run after doing a 70km training ride that morning.

Marshall for the day, Ann Grieve said she loved it all and especially the criterium races which were so professional.

" I could see young riders looking very skilled and being the budding competitive cyclists of the future," she said. " It was well organised by Becs with great support from many helpers and I think it should become an annual event."

With about 300 attending over the organised  cycling time followed by the musical event, Southern Sound, people took the opportunity to raise funds as well with food and other stalls.

Young entrepreneurs, sisters Heilala Pita, 8, and Onevai Pita, 10,  used a cat theme to draw 'caricatures' which resembled the person’s facial features, all for a dollar.

"We have  home- made toffee apples and other  lollies for sale and with our family’s help we are hoping to add to our secret fundraising  project and we have made $51 so far," Onevai said.

Amundsen said she was very grateful to all the people who helped as it was a team event.

"I appreciated Venture Southland and Cycling Southland people who did a lot of the organising, along with local residents who might have been put out by the road closure  and any businesses who were inconvenienced by that," she said. "It was lovely seeing some residents sitting on their street frontages under the trees, having a picnic and enjoying the action and lots of children enjoyed the playground."

Lumsden Community Garden

Keen holiday garden helpers, ( left) James Bayer, 11, Isabelle Bayer, 8 and Adam Bayer, 10,  enjoying harvesting some of the bountiful produce.

The emphasis is on nutritious, spray free fruit and vegetables, produced along organic principles, at the Lumsden Community garden organised under garden co-ordinator, Adele Woodford through Northern Southland Community Resource Centre Charitable Trust ( NSCRCCT).

"The garden is about supporting families in the community by giving them the opportunity to learn how to garden, how to meet family budgets and a place for new people to gather and get to know others," Woodford said. " The tunnel house provides more opportunities for new vegetables to be trialled."

It has a mixture of vegetables including courgettes, tomatoes and cucumber, with the first crop of lettuces already harvested.

"We even have a water melon plant in there and I wonder if I am dreaming wanting it to produce water melons down here, but we are hopeful," she said. " The strawberry plot is very popular with the children who have been watering for us over the holidays."

"We meet regularly on Tuesday afternoons from 1 to 3pm for working bees, to weed and plant," she said. "The raised garden beds have a mixture of plants and are very productive with us leaving the plants to seed so we have continuous cropping."

This year saw a good crop of rhubarb off two rows but even more could have been planted to meet the big demand as it was very popular. A lot of potatoes were planted last spring with them being a good staple crop for families.

"We do companion planting and vary and mix up the crops to confuse the bugs as well as leave plants to flower so they attract beneficial insects, before going to seed," she said. "The bug free vegetables are amazing."

"All our helpers are against sprays as we recognise their negative effect on bees and other beneficial insects, " Woodford said. "As we harvest, the regular helpers take some vegetables home and the rest are given to people who live alone, some families or Lumsden Senior citizens who appreciate the fresh produce."

The big compost bin is being used constantly but there never seems to be enough to keep the soil fertility replenished. There are four people who are regular helpers as they do not have a garden at home and more people seem to come in the winter to help when they are not so busy.

"We plant continuously, putting in new plants as spaces come available," Woodford said. " People are very generous with donating seeds and plants which we appreciate."

Penguin plight

Adult yellow- eyed penguin with 2 chicks at Te Rere Private Scientific Reserve in the Catlins.

Concern is held for the well -being of the endangered yellow-eyed penguin at Southland Forest and Bird’s ( F&B) Te Rere Private Scientific Reserve in the Catlins, with this nesting year predicted to be a bad one for penguin productivity based on the nest search information. This follows a poor season last year and an indication that there have also been adult penguins dying, Southland Forest and Bird yellow- eyed penguin advisory group member, Brian Rance said.

A small group of committed F&B members undertook the annual count early in December as they have been doing for about 25 years there. The first team of four set off from Invercargill at 8.30am, arriving at the isolated site on the rocky east coast about 10.00am and were met by a large sea lion which was inquisitive about the interlopers to its territory.

They were based at  the two regular sites in order to  count the penguins making a return to their  nest in the undergrowth, bringing back food for the chicks which they had gathered at sea. The adult birds swap duties with the other one of the pair then take a turn to go out to sea for food. Males and females share the duties. They are very secretive birds so the native vegetation planted there over the past 25 years  provides excellent habitat.

"It was raining all day and cool, however conditions improved for the second group which picked up the count from 4pm to 10pm," Rance said.

The number of adult birds coming in during the count day are taken as the best estimate of the adult numbers at the site.

"From the results of our December count day this year we could estimate 49 adults present," he said. "This figure has varied from 46 to 66 over the last 6 years, down from the highs of over 70 adults which had shown recovery after the disastrous 1995 fire."

This does support the fears of a moderate decline in adult numbers at Te Rere. Only 12 nests had been found but the searchers believe there are possibly 14 in the reserve. There were  still many more birds present than indicated by the nests with several non-nesting birds found scattered through the reserve.

"The adult birds observed during the nest search generally appeared in good condition and the chicks appeared healthy, " he said. "One of the concerns was that there were no juvenile birds observed coming in from the sea meaning there may not be young birds joining the breeding population there although they could be elsewhere on the coast."

"The hopeful aspect was that about half of the nests seemed to have two healthy chicks, with no chick mortality to date, "Rance said." We checked all the predator traps, finding a hedgehog and a young male stoat but no rats."

"The annual monitoring will continue, along with regular pest control and more planting, in the hope that conditions at sea will improve and the endangered yellow – eyed penguin numbers will rise to ensure the on- going life in this special breeding  colony, " Rance said. "Fortunately Te Rere is one of the breeding sites in Otago Southland area with an increase over last year’s low with no sign of avian diphtheria which is encouraging."

Gore seat unveiling

From left : Peggy Snoep, Vic Herring, Norman Dickie, Trish Conradsen(nee Lamont), and Arne Clelland with the memorial seat.

A memorial seat in honour of Margaret and Don Lamont was unveiled at Gore on Saturday   with ( left) Southland Forest and Bird representative Peggy Snoep, Gore and Districts  Amenities Charitable Trust chair, Vic Herring, Norman Dickie, Trish Conradsen(nee Lamont) and  Gore Re- afforestation project organiser, Arne Clelland all involved.

It was a day of memories and reflection as a group of about 35 gathered at the previous Gore landfill site to unveil a memorial seat acknowledging the vision of Margaret and Don Lamont. They wanted  to turn the area in to forest habitat, close to Gore township, for people to use for recreation, to relax and listen to the birds.

The plaque on the seat, unveiled by their daughter Trish Conradsen and long- time friend and Forest and Bird Southland member Peggy Snoep, states 'Margaret and Don Lamont- They had the vision of a forest restored'.

Gore Re- afforestation project organiser, Arne Clelland, said people attending including family, friends, Forest and Bird Southland members, Gore River Valley Lions club, well- wishers and people who use the area, coming to help, including children.

"After the unveiling we planted  a totara close by the seat area for each of Margaret and Don as well as for their long- time friend Norman Dickie who is in his 100th year and was present to lend a hand," he said. "After some short speeches we gave a few instructions about planting methods before everyone got involved in putting in 204 plants, as well as surrounding them with protectors."

While they were working people enjoyed hearing the birds, especially tui, singing in the eucalyptus trees nearby.

Gore’s Ian Withers made the seat out of macrocarpa and his woodworking skills were appreciated. Kevin Marshall from Gore created the brass plaque.

Forest and Bird member Gay Munro said the first native plantings along the Waikaka Stream, done in 2008, now stand over three metres high. 

"The view from the memorial seat looking up the Waikaka Stream is stunning," she said. "I noticed a threatened species, Olearia fragrantisima, is well established and flowering which is promising."

Several Gore groups have made a commitment to helping plant up the area over the past few years, especially Gore Rotary and Gore River Valley Lions club. Gore Rotary put in 600 plants recently, over three nights, having been involved from the beginning. Gore River Valley Lions club has become involved as part of their Centennial Project to look after our environment.

"The previous plantings are coming along well which is very encouraging," Clelland said. "On- going maintenance is essential and appreciated and people who want to help can contact me at Pukerau Nursery for instructions and dates of  working bees so we can continue to make the Lamont's vision a reality."

Exploring heritage and nature at Waipapa Point

Holly Cunliffe, 9, and Spencer Cunliffe, 11, from Invercargill  enjoyed planting the native sand binder plants, pingao, as part of the working bee near  Waipapa Point

The combined Southland Forest and Bird and Heritage South trip to Waipapa Point on the south coast on 8 March  saw about 60 people climb to the top of the historic lighthouse, with some helping plant pingao or watching the  four sea lions lazing on the beach. After lunch a smaller group explored the remains of the historic gold dredge behind the sand dunes further along the beach in calm, mild conditions.

Department of Conservation staff explained the history of the  Waipapa Point Lighthouse, built in 1884 after New Zealand's worst maritime disaster when the passenger steamer Tararua hit the reef there and sank in 1881, with 131 lives lost.

The first lighthouse keeper was Arthur Ericson, whose family later farmed in the area for several generations. The bequest made to Southland Forest and Bird by the Ericson family when they left the area has enabled the re- establishment of some native pingao.

Trip leader and botanist, Brian Rance said there were probably only three original plants left there but more have been put in over three working bees with 23 now quite well established and 20 more put in on Sunday.

"The issue is controlling the introduced marram so the pingao can extend naturally," he said. "The sea lions sometimes roll on them and the rabbits find them palatable so they struggle."

People, including many tourists  were interested in seeing the old system in contrast with the modern equipment. It has been automated from about 1977, using solar panels backed up by batteries, all controlled from Wellington  with a flash every 5 seconds, based on a light sensitive system.

Ivan and Bev Harvey of Invercargill were especially delighted to have the chance to climb to the top of the lighthouse and get their family photo taken as they were holding a family get together, including a son from Adelaide. They had a strong connection to the light house as Ivan Harvey's grandfather, Henry Harvey, was the keeper there in the 1920s.

"Henry, born in 1889 and died in 1941, came home from the Boer War and this lighthouse keeping was his first job, going on to be a keeper for over 25 years, including in the Hauraki Gulf, Cape Brett, Taiaora Heads, Dog Island, Waipapa Point and Centre Island," I Harvey said. "Over this time they had seven children, including my father also named Henry, with the family going back to the family farm at Slope Point after their time at Centre island." 

"It was a real privilege to be able to see such a remote location and imagine what the wives had to put up with," B Harvey said. "We are so lucky to have the opportunity to get inside today when we were having our gathering."

Riverton Harvest Festival 2015

Matt Coffey advises Margaret Newton about choosing native plants to attract pigeons and tui as well as trees for bees to ensure pollination occurs.

The Riverton Harvest Festival was attended by people from all over Southland and beyond both during the day as people interacted with the many stall holders or attended workshops or enjoyed the Saturday night harvest dinner social occasion.

Coordinator Robyn Guyton said that the Harvest Festival event is going from strength to strength with over 100 registering for the various workshop options on offer and between 1500 and 2000  people coming to experience the atmosphere and learn from others.

"A full weekend of workshops, led by local experts as well as visiting specialists, alongside the  sales tables, displays, sumptuous food stall options and fabulous choices from the cafe  made this an event which was way beyond the expectations of us at the South Coast Environment Centre as the organisers,"  she said. "The enthusiasm, energy, knowledge and good will of people who contributed in so many ways, augurs well for next year."

Oreti Nursery owner Matt Coffey from Mossburn attended for the first time with his native plants and with appropriate species especially for riparian plantings and shrubs and trees to attract  bees.

"It was very positive from my perspective as it gave my business exposure to a new group of people, raised awareness of the need for riparian plantings and included income from sales which made the travel and time spent there worthwhile," he said. "I had a steady stream of people coming to talk, made connections and realised the potential is huge."

He met a core group of people who intend to continue planting natives on their lifestyle block or are keen to get started so they were pleased to get ideas and advice from Coffey, including how to attract native birds such as tui and bellbirds.

"People had been talking to the hobbyist bee keepers there who highlighted the need for plants for bees for ensuring pollination," he said. "People are realising the significance from the loss of honey bees, hoverflies, native bees and other insects needed for pollination  and are wanting to do something about it."

Co-organiser Robert Guyton said this has been the biggest and brightest Harvest Festival so far with the group members already thinking about next year and how they can build on the interest shown this year.

" We need to cope with the raised number of stall holders who have indicated they want to participate again next year," he said. "I noticed that people who came this year were very keen on the practical aspects of gardening, growing their own food and preserving the produce they have in abundance as a result of the bountiful harvest."

Templeton Flax mill museum open day

Vaughan Templeton shows the crowd some freshly scutched flax
at the Templeton Flax Mill Heritage Museum open day at Riverton  29 March 2015.

Trust members  and supporters of the Templeton Flax Mill Heritage Charitable Trust opened their working Museum for the public to be able to experience how the process of preparing the flax to be made in to twine happened over the years when the mill operating.

The open day was held in conjunction with the Riverton Harvest festival and was part of Southland Heritage Month programme organised by Heritage South.

The live flax fibre processing demonstration was repeated several times over the afternoon to enable a steady stream of visitors, about 350, to take advantage of the display.

Members of the Templeton family explained  the process using a video which involved their father, the late  Des Templeton outlining each step in the process of harvesting, stripping, washing, bleaching and drying, scutching and baling.

Supporters and Trust members were on hand to work the machinery which transformed the cut flax in to the raw fibre after the stripping and scutching done by the very noisy machines, with the explanation done by Vaughan Templeton.

" The fibre produced at this mill was sent to Donaghy's in Christchurch to be made in to twine," he said. " In its working life it needed twelve and a half ton of flax a day, producing one and a quarter tons of fibre a day."

The mill was started in 1911 at Waimatuku river mouth, shifting to its present site at Otaitai Bush after a fire in 1943, with the machinery still able to be used but necessitating rebuilding the mill. It was originally powered by steam until 1933 when it changed to electricity, closing down in 1972.

"This farm had 1000 acres of flax which produced about half the mill's requirements," he said." A top worker could cut 3 ton a day."

A group of women, led by harakeke ( flax) weaving tutor Winnie Solomon, were on hand to demonstrate  some of the ways it can be turned in to various useful and decorative items such as kits and flowers.

"It was a very busy day for our Trust members and volunteers but people seemed to enjoy seeing the mill operating and asked lots of questions showing a keen interest," Templeton said.

Sherwood Forest growth impresses

From left, Brian Rance, Gay Munro, Gordon Duston, Sally Duston, Chris Rance and Ron Munro are impressed with the growth of these native trees, planted in what was a grassy paddock.

A small group of Forest and Bird members were astounded to see the recent growth in plantings at Derek's patch at Sherwood Forest, Tussock Creek at their working bee last Saturday.

Co-organiser Gay Munro said that restoration began under the Pat and the late Derek Turnbull in 2003 with the support of their family, Department of Conservation ( DoC), Environment Southland and various trust funds such as Queen Elizabeth II ( Q E 11) and Biodiversity Condition Fund.

"Much of the work has been done by volunteers giving generously of their time, following the initial work done by the Turnbulls, "she said. "Sally Duston who was at the working bee on Saturday was one of those who helped with planting maintenance in the early days and was delighted with the results now."

Co-organiser Brian Rance said there are at least ten threatened plants growing naturally there so some of the rare plants have been added in the plantings to complement these natural populations.

"Sherwood Forest is one of the larger stands of flood plain and riparian lowland podocarp forest in Southland, he said. "We noticed the growth in the height of the trees which have been planted there with some even starting to flower now, so it wont be long before the trees form a canopy and the grass will be suppressed."

The Biodiversity Condition fund enabled some paid workers to undertake weed control, especially elderberry, and plant over 3000 natives in the corridor between Sherwood Bush and the nearby DoC reserve, Marshall Bush, taking about seven years to complete this programme.

Friends of Sherwood Bush group was established in 2010 and as volunteers they continued planting, maintenance and weeding monthly through the summer until 2012.

"Pat encouraged Hedgehope and Sacred Heart schools to be involved in the restoration of Sherwood Bush," Munro said. "Both schools have adopted areas which they are planting out." 

New owner, Rod Sinclair, said he would like to recognise the good work done in the past and will keep it going. He is hoping to host overseas Willing Workers on Organic Farms ( WOOFers) to keep up the maintenance.

"We were given a grant through Environment Southland from the Southland Environment Enhancement fund  which we will use for pest animal and plant control, including hawthorn, elderberry, aluminium plant and ivy," he said. "We are keeping the track open through the reserve and enjoying the birds it brings and I can recognise four different calls from morepork near the house which is very special."

The Gingerbread Horse Project

  Ella Wylie from Myross Bush, aged 11,
 making gingerbread horses for the good cause of
 Southland Riding for the Disabled (RDA). 

"Ella who is the  daughter of one of our volunteers, Stuart Wylie,  has been doing a project to raise funds for Southland Riding for the Disabled ( RDA)  making gingerbread horses," RDA president Dot Muir says." All our 85 riders who come along weekly, along with the volunteers and of course the horses, say thank you to Ella for her initiative."

" I thought it would be cool to start making the horses and I have been doing it for two years now," Ella says. " I sold them at school or to friends  for $1 last year and $2 this year."

They set up a routine this year with Ella’s mother helping with the mixture and baking on Saturday mornings and Ella decorating them in the afternoon. RDA provides special bags and stickers with information so buyers have their awareness raised about RDA .

Finished gingerbread horses

"Ella put a lot of time and effort in to her project and got a lot out of it herself, with it being a great fundraiser, " Ella’s father Stuart Wylie says." Last year she made over $200 and this year $216."

" Teachers and others who bought them said they were very nice and the best gingerbread horses they have ever tasted," Ella says. "The money raised was used for gear for the students who attend RDA and I hope I have inspired others to get creative next year."

"The Wylie family have also donated two fabulous horses to our program, "Muir says." Many people in our community help as volunteers and fundraising as Ella has done and we are thrilled with their support ".

Inspiring movie maker

Co-producer of the movie 2 Degrees, Ange Palmer from Nelson, contemplates climate change as ' The elephant in the room' at the showing of her film in Invercargill  (10 Aug)

The documentary movie 2 Degrees took six years of Ange Palmer's life to make with co- producer, Australian resident, Jeff Canin, as they travelled and filmed in 15 countries, covering the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen  in 2009 alongside community and individuals' responses to this threat to the planet.

The film stresses the changes to the oceans with acidification and the need to move away from fossil fuels, coal and gas, to renewables.

"Our emphasis is on climate justice with the wealthy  world having an historical debt to pay," she says. "We captured the stories of how people who contribute the least to climate change, are being affected the most."

The struggle of the community of Port Augusta in South Australia to change from coal to solar thermal, driven by passionate local activist, Joy Baluch, was very telling. Her energy and passion around moving their community, using people power,  towards renewables, and her death in 2013 while fighting for this change, inspired Palmer.

"While making the movie I was totally immersed in climate change and with the whole process of the logistical and financial challenges, " she says. "In the Congo I was extremely distressed by the level of poverty and I can get dragged in to the doom and gloom of climate change."

"I found I need positivity and joy  in the message  and I need to acknowledge that we all have a part to play," Palmer says. "People are realising that we can all do the best we can in our personal and work lives  without trying to  change others , but it will rub off on other people when they see our joy in what we are doing."

Palmer is touring with the documentary nationally at present, with a launch in Sydney in two weeks before it goes out to global audiences.

"Go with your passions and act on them," she says." Remember there is not one solution to climate change and we are all part of the solution."

Te Rere planting day July 2014

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SIT year two student Sean McKenna and
volunteer Melissa Wilson planting at Te Rere  

Planting over 500 native trees was the main aim for the day at Te Rere  as a large group of enthusiastic students from Environmental Management courses at Otago University and Southern Institute of Technology joined others to complete the task. Staff from Department of Conservation, Forest and Bird members and volunteers were keen to improve the environment for the endangered yellow eyed penguins. Total group numbers of over 50 made short work of the task in mild, calm conditions with some sun encouraging everyone.

Part-time caretaker Fergus Sutherland talked about the history of the reserve and how the adjacent farmer supported the establishment of a reserve once they realised the vulnerable state of this penguin species. Southland Forest and Bird began planting the grass covered paddocks, adjacent to the sea coast, with natives so the penguins had access to nesting sites as they are very private birds and don't appreciate neighbours. This re-vegetation has continued with annual plantings for about 27 years with a disastrous fire in 1995 which destroyed much of the well-established cover and even burning birds which were nesting at the time. However the vegetation recovered remarkably well and about 50 penguin pairs are continuing to use this 70 hectare reserve, out of about 500 breeding pairs on the south eastern coast of the South Island.

"This is an ambitious revegetation project for not only protecting the yellow eyed penguin but it also provides habitat for other native species such as fernbirds, falcons, tui, bellbirds and fantails," Sutherland said. "Now a larger area of native plantings provide a safe place for animals, the little blue penguin, sea lions and seals have taken up residence along with about 12 titi or muttonbirds using the reserve site  for landing and even nesting, meaning hopefully later they will breed here which is exciting."

Forest and Bird's  Brian Rance coordinated the working bee with plants sourced from Pukerau Nursery, with delivery by owner Arne Cleland. They shared their expertise about how to dig, plant and protect the young trees with  a  felt blanket to keep down the competing weeds along with plastic sleeves supported by bamboo which ensures hares and deer have less chance to browse.

With the work completed in the early afternoon and lunch devoured, the remaining afternoon time was spent looking around the reserve and helping check traps for stoats, rats and possums which continue to impact the penguins and in particular the juveniles. There was agreement that it had been a very satisfying day, making a difference for an endangered bird.

Upcycled fashion parade uplifting

Kassandra Rose Rattrie,

 winner of the Invercargill Environment Centre's

 Upcycled fashion show

It was an evening of anticipation and excitement at Invercargill Environment Centre's second annual Upcycled fashion show held at the Workingmen's Club on 20 June. 2014

Over 200 people joined in the fun and  banter led by inimitable compere Gerry Forde while the judges, Busting Waste columnist Carolyn Dean,  Environment Southland Councillor Marion Miller and Venture Southland's Steve Canny were challenged to make decisions about possible prize winners from  the high standard of Upcycled entries.

As well as the competition Upcycled section which encouraged people to take ready- made garments and turn them in to high fashion statements, there was the opportunity for second hand clothing shops to parade a variety of restyled garments straight from their racks. This went down a treat with the audience who were obviously on the lookout for bargains as they expressed delight at the possibility of purchasing from stalls which were selling the fashion garments, many featuring sought after labels.

The restyled section was followed by a delicious supper with raffle sales helping boost the fundraising effort, thanks to generous sponsorship from a variety of Invercargill businesses.

 "We had a very difficult task deciding the winners because the standard of the garments was so high this year," judge Dean says. "Attention to detail, very interesting accessories and trims, intriguing colour combinations  and the variety of materials used from old suitcases to ties, blankets, crochet table cloths, mosquito nets and a world map, all made for interesting questions and answers as we interviewed   the designers prior to the show and then finalised judging as models displayed outfits on the cat walk."

"My winning design involves  two suitcases which I had had for two years but as I realised I couldn't afford to travel, I cut them up for the event," Southern Institute Of Technology second year Fashion Design course student Kassandra Rose Rattrie says. "I used everything I could from the suitcases as trims on the pants, jacket, bodice and hat including the locks, handle, labels and zips, having fun on the way."

The Environment Centre coordinator and main organiser of the event , Clair Leith, was delighted with the result after all her hard work in the lead up to the second Upcycled fundraising night with profits going to help with the continuing work of the centre in Glengarry Crescent. Staff and volunteers on the night agreed that the atmosphere created by the stall holders, Restyled and Upcycled entrants along with the enthusiastic audience means that a third one is definitely a strong possibility.

Results

Overall Upcycled Winner Kassandra Rose Rattrie

Runner Up Sharleen Kiff

Best use of recycled materials Kay Mortimer

Daywear Brenda Gill

Best Collection Sharleen Kiff

Best construction Kassandra Rose Rattrie

Vintage Vanessa Atkinson

Best accessory Rachael Goldsmith

Mossburn garden tidy up

(Left back)- Lily Antonievic, 10, Michael Debney and Matthew Essex from near Oxford, United Kingdom, Kane Middlemiss, 11, ( front left) Olivia McMillan, 10, Bernice Cullen, 9, Rachael Turner, 10, Beth Coghlan, 10, Grace Astle, 9,

An enthusiastic group of students from Mossburn school gathered to have a midwinter  tidy up of the community no- dig, organic garden  they have established in their school grounds. They were surprised to find silver beet, many large potatoes, cabbages and rhubarb all still  surviving the cold.
 Bags of produce were taken home to share with families. Weeds and the remains of vegetables were put in the compost bin. They were  assisted by two Willing Workers On Organic Farms ( WWOOFers), Michael Debney and  Matthew Essex who happened to be staying in the Mossburn township. They will help the students plant donated native trees in the school grounds, as well as shift the heritage fruit trees to a better site.

"It is great to see the students involved in learning about growing vegetables,"Debney said. "They were delighted with what was still available from their previous plantings, had fun finding things and were keen  to tell us about what they had learned through their on- going garden project."

Produce Galore

Photo (Left back) Olivia McMillan, 9, Esther Currie, 9, Rachael Turner, 9, Frances Bote, 10, Brooklyn Neumann, 9, ( front left) Bethany Coghlan, 9, and Alex Pardoe- Burnett show off some of the vegetables they have harvested from the community garden at Mossburn School.

Young keen gardeners at Mossburn School have been rewarded for their efforts  put in during the last term of 2012, by having their crops produce way beyond their expectations. Their garden based on permaculture and no-dig principles is flourishing with radishes, huge heads of broccoli and lettuces maturing over the holidays. They harvested some last week and had a lot of pleasure giving them to their teachers as a thank you for being such great teachers and helpers.

The teachers are keen to learn the technique from the students so they can have a productive vegetable garden as well. The students have appreciated the advice, interest  and helpfulness of several grandparents who have come to help over the season.

The pupils agreed that with the rain over the holidays and some watering, the vegetables have grown very fast, with carrots, peas, beans, potatoes, pumpkins, strawberries and rhubarb all coming ready soon. The no- dig method means there are very few weeds and the compost, animal manures and pea straw topping have ensured a rich soil and moist environment to bring them their success.   
‘’It is so green and it is good we have grown more food to give to others,’’ young gardener Alex Pardoe- Burnett said.