Waiwhare Wire 1991 04

WAIWHARE WIRE

DECEMBER 1991

The festive season is upon us once more and as happens every year, right in the middle of the big panic of getting everything done before Christmas; shearing, crutching, spraying, and then having to worry about what to get the wife for Christmas a few hours before the shops shut. So I guess this is a really stupid time to put out another Wire, because you won’t have time to read it!
However we have some really exciting news this time. You see we have finally done it!! After much pressure from the ladies in the district we have at last got someone to do a centre spread for us. So before you quickly sneak off somewhere and thumb your way apprehensively to the middle of this fine, upstanding family magazine, just remember that we had to pay dearly for this person to pose. So DON’T YOU DARE THROW IT OUT !!!…. well not until you’ve read through it anyway.
Tony

Our final Wire for 1991!! Thank you for all your positive feedback (keep it up) thank you also for all the original contributions we have received (without having to be persuaded) – keep this up also! We have received contributions from children, in particular for this issue. How about a few more of you ‘grown ups’ sending us some material in future.

CONGRATULATIONS! Chris and Roger Dunn on the birth of their little one. WELCOME HANNAH GRACE   How considerate of you, Chris, to wait until the cows had all finished calving! But how on earth are you going to manage all your babies now?

Congratulations go to Simon Robinson. Runner up Golf Champion, headed off only by a young Tony Boon at Crownthorpe Golf Club. Good on you, Simon.

Congratulations also to Tony Simons and Marion Croad who have both passed their Computers in Education papers – well done.

DEPARTURES
We said goodbye to the Prescott family last month (Jess has stayed on at school though – till we finish). We look forward to their return to the district in the not too distant future.
The Oster Family leave the district this week. We wish them luck for the future.

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE WAIWHARE WIRE TEAM.

People are rather fascinating to study. I’m sure we have all at one time or another stood back, watched and assessed personalities by the way they act, the way they wear their hair or the way they dress.
People also show their personalities by the way they ride their four wheelers. Throughout this issue you will see my studies of some men in the area riding their mean machines. I would like to thank Peter Ward for the illustrations and useful comments

Tony

SCHOOL NEWS
We have received a reply from the secretary to the Minister of Education in regard to the Board’s letter concerning the down grading of our school. The secretary wrote to inform us that they will be reassessing the situation and a letter from the minister will follow shortly.
The school camp to Rotorua was a great success. I don’t think I have enjoyed a camp as much. I was very impressed with the people we met on our outings. They all seemed to go out of their way to make us feel that extra bit welcome. We were able to visit places other groups were not allowed to see and spend a little extra time at some place, drive a launch, get a free drink. The Huffs’ went out of their way to make us feel welcome and the mothers added a touch of joy to the atmosphere of the camp. My highlight of the trip back was the trek up Mt. Tarawera, not because of the view, but because the climb was very strenuous and demanding. I was a little concerned about it. The children (and mothers) did really well reaching the top; we all gained a great sense of achievement getting there. I felt very proud of the children, I thank all of you for supporting our fundraising efforts for the camp. The trip was well worthwhile and your generous support was very welcome. We still have a few bags of manure that we would like to get rid of. If you would like a bag/bags or know someone who would, please let us know. Price $3.00 a bag.
On behalf of the children and staff of the school I would like to wish you all a merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Tony Simons.

We would like to congratulate : Peter Ward for gaining 4th form prize for Technical Subjects at St. Pats, Silverstream and also gaining a bronze medal in The Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Daniel Herron for gaining 4th form prize in Maths and Computer Studies at Napier Boys’ High School.
Andy Gunson who won 1st prize for Science at Taradale Intermediate.
Craig Ayres, a form 11 pupil at Waiwhare last year, for topping the third form at Napier Boys’ High School in the Science exam and for being moved on up to the top class for next year.
Mark Barnett who received a bronze in the Duke of Edinburgh Award and Matthew [Mathew] Croad who made Table Tennis Champion for his age group.
Lucy Arthur and Philippa Kay who both received silver medals in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
A great effort all of you!!

JOHN WEIR
Rolling the Cricket Wicket
Nickname: Untouchableous
Thought: I haven’t dinged or rolled my 4 wheeler

LUCKY US
Because our school participated in Melanoma week some time back we were lucky enough to be one of a few schools given a $200.00 BOOK VOUCHER by the CANCER SOCIETY.

WAIWHARE WALLY OF THE WEEK
Situation: A roof, in the process of being painted
Cast: Painter and Wally
Location: Not telling
Our Wally climbed up on the roof to have a chat to the poor guy painting it. It was a long way up and exhausted Wally sat down for a while to rest his/her weary limbs. As the minutes passed it got hotter and hotter. After Wally had finished chatting to the painter and had worked out who had the smartest roof in the district, he/she decided it was time to get down.
Help! The roof was hot and Wally had nothing on his/her feet. Being the persuasive person that he/she is, Wally conned the poor painter out of his jandals, promising to send them back up to him once he/she had got down. Unfortunately for the painter our Wally is not the world’s best jandal thrower. He/she rewarded his generosity by throwing the jandals right out of the poor guy’s reach – one in one direction and the other in the opposite direction, with the consequence that he had to run the risk of getting his own feet burnt to retrieve his footwear.

MALCOLM ROBERTSON
Feeding out
Nickname: Doggoneous
Thought: I like my dogs so much that I let them sit on the hay. If the hay falls off, bad luck doggies!

FARMERS BEWARE!
Aren’t capless packs wonderful? The Accident and Emergency Department at Hastings Hospital thinks so too as it is doing a roaring trade lately, stitching up the arms of farmers/pressers who haven’t bought the correct gadget for fastening the tops of the packs. If you haven’t got one, make sure you hold your wool hook away from your arm!

ROYDIE & THE PARTY BOYZ
About three months ago Bill Roydhouse got together with his brother and formed a band, calling themselves “Roydie and the Party Boyz”. The band members are:
Ian Roydhouse – lead singer/rhythm guitar
Gary Craddock – bass/backing vocals
Peter Nicholls – drums
and Bill – lead guitar, backing vocals, song chooser and motivator.
The band’s material lies mostly in the rock mode from the mid-sixties and early seventies, as well as one or two modern songs that the younger generation can identify with – songs by the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and the Kinks are particularly popular.
The band has played three or four gigs at the “Cri” hotel in Napier and Bill says the pub is pretty full whenever they play. The band’s next gig is at the “Cri” on Xmas Eve. To quote Bill, when asked how he enjoys band life =”@#*@ great!”
We wish Bill, Ian and the Party Boyz all the best in their future endeavours.

This exchange took place recently during a class session –
Teacher: Mozart started composing at the age of four.
Pupil: What happened after he died?
Teacher: I don’t know
Pupil: I do – he started decomposing.

PROCEDURES IN CASE OF A FIRE
RING 111 – They will then ring one member of our local fire party.
A line will only be jammed if there isn’t sufficient information.

MARTIN JONES
Turning a corner
nickname: swerveous
Thought: If I lean so far in the direction of the turn required the motorbike should make it faster and altogether make life easier.

WAIWHARE BUS CO. INCORPORATED – WHAT IS IT?

There has been a little confusion as to what the Waiwhare Bus Co. Incorporated is set up to do for the district. So I am endeavouring to answer as many questions as possible in a simple form.

The Waiwhare Bus Co. Incorporated was founded and registered under the Incorporated Societies Act on the 26th of May, 1989, mainly as a district body to run the local school buses. Being a registered incorporated society, we are under the umbrella of a “Charitable Trust” format, which simply means we are able to make a business profit for our members. We do not pay any tax on our profits provided we do not distribute any of these funds to any individuals or groups of individuals. We can, however – like any business – pay people to work for us (ie. the bus drivers) from our funds.

An important benefit of this incorporated society in this format is that the members receive the protection of limited liability in the same way as they would under the company structure. In other words, should the Society go broke, no member will become liable for the society’s debts.

Another ruling of the Society is that we are required to have never less than 15 members. At the moment we have 25 members and our Articles of Association do not require us to set an annual subscription. The only criteria for membership of the Society is that you be nominated and seconded by existing members and then the nomination must be approved by the elected committee, who have the power to refuse membership.

The Society’s objectives are set up in such a way that we can take part in any form of activity that its members may wish to be involved in. At the moment our main activity is, of course, running the Waiwhare School buses but that is not to say that it might not get involved with other activities such as forestry reserves, parks, halls or countless district projects, or as illustrated a few weeks ago, the submission to the Hastings District Council.

In brief, we are the district “body” (all our 25 members are residents or have been residents of the area) who are running your school buses. Once you are a member you have got a right to object to or approve of anything the society is doing. We, as the directors, are trying to set a high standard of service and give the district something to be proud of.

Pony club news

In November and December six riders gained ‘D’ certificates. Congratulations go to : Serena Goulding, Nicholas Webster, Amanda Robinson, Daniel Ward, Emmily Bryant and Bradley Wallace.
There will be no Pony Club meeting before the end of the school term so it was decided to have the following results placed in the last Waiwhare Wire for 1991. The end of year results for Otamauri Pony Club are:
1st place   2nd place
Most Diligent   Bridget De Barre   Lauren Harper
Most Improved (All Ages)   Nicholas Webster   Amanda Robinson
Most Improved Kindergarten   Caroline Robinson   Bridget De Barre
Most Improved Novice   Serena Goulding   Nicholas Webster
Most Improved Junior    Amanda McCaslin   Simon Wallace
Most Improved Senior   Sarah Collins   Elissa Chalmers
Most Improved Adv. Senior   Michael Harper   Debbie Sherwood
Most Improved Jumper (Male)   Craig Ayres   Neil Fountaine
Most Improved Jumper (Female)   Elissa Chalmers   Louise Bryant
Congratulations to all these riders and the rest of you keep on practising for next years prize list. I have been very impressed with the improvement in all riders during the year so keep it up. Thank you to those instructors who have willingly taken up the roll of teaching during the year.
During the school holidays Sonya Neill, Craig Ayres, Elissa Chalmers, Sarah Collins and Michael Harper will be practising for their ‘C’ certificates. An instructor from Hastings will come up to assess the[m] before they sit the exam.
HAVE A WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL SEE SOME OF YOU ON THE TREK. BEST WISHES – Christine.

OTAMAURI PONY CLUB FUN DAY
DATE: Wednesday 29th January 1992
TIME: 10.30 a.m
ADMISSION: $5.00 per family
10.30   FANCY DRESS – all ages.
11.00   Country Horse/Pony competition – all ages.
Part 1   Presentation
Part 2   Obedience
12.30   LUNCH
1.30   OPEN TO ALL
(includes adults)
Barrel race
Water race
Balloon race
Keyhole race
3.30   JUMPING – All ages
(INCLUDES adults)
Cross country
Dual jump
4.30   Sausage sizzle. Lolly scramble and pony rest time. Please bring along meat and salad etc. for BBQ.
Have a lovely day and lots of fun.

OTAMAURI PONY CLUB TREK
DATE: 28th and 29th December 1991
VENUE: Omahaki Station, Glenross Road.
DETAILS: Leaving the McRaes’ woolshed at 10a.m. with a packed lunch on Sat 28th. Returning to this point on Sunday at around 5.00pm.
GEAR NEEDED: Stretcher, sleeping bag, pillow, blanket, cover for mattress.
Raincoat, jersey, riding hat, sun cream and sun hat.
Togs and two towels.
Plates, cup and knife, fork and spoon.
Usual clothing requirements.
Toilet gear and pyjamas.
A torch. 2 sachets Raro.
Two ice cream containers of biscuits per family (1 container if only one rider)
Could all these things please be named.
MEALS: Dinner Saturday night, breakfast and lunch Sunday are being catered for so to cover the cost of the food, a charge per head has been calculated.
This will be collected at a roll call on Saturday. Charge $12.00 per head.
The Otamauri Pony Club would like to wish you all a happy and safe ride and hope you enjoy what we have planned for you over the two days.
Chris Goulding
P.S. ANY 4WD VEHICLES WOULD BE MUCH APPRECIATED.

Dear Editor
FREE RANGE FARMING
I had heard of free range chooks but up until recently, never free range pigs. It seems our neighbour is a pioneer of this method of farming.
At first this quite annoyed us, after the “free ranger” got into our garden and twice into our pig scraps (not for this pig!) kept in our shed.
We now realise this method of pig farming can be a benefit for all the neighbours especially as Christmas draws near and we look forward with salivating anticipation to the true Xmas spirit of sharing.
One more good feed in our garden and the free ranger will be hitting the fire!  Take heed.

JOHN REDMAN
Deer Hunting
Nickname: Red Injunous
Thought: We injuns love our 4 wheelers (or 6 wheelers) cause when they get stuck in the river we use their engines for smoke signals.

MARTIN IS AVAILABLE FOR LADIES NIGHTS, STRIP-O-GRAMS, ETC. DON’T MISS OUT. BOOK IN ADVANCE TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT!

TONY SIMONS
Nickname: Weenous machinous
Thought: Oh dear, I’m going to be late for fire practice. Jill should have known to check the oil in my nifty fifty.

MARTIN JONES
Turning a corner
nickname: swerveous
Thought: If I lean so far in the direction of the turn required the motorbike should make it faster and altogether make life easier.

ROTORUA SCHOOL TRIP 1991

DATE: 24th – 29th November 1991
ADULTS: Tony Simons, Liz Kay, Adrienne McCaslin, Linda Ward, Carolyn Clarke and Christine Goulding.
PUPILS: Jock and Ben Nicholls, Sheena Oster, Duncan Kay, Callum (Mullac) McRae, Sophie Lawrence, Michael and Suzanne Ward, Neil Fountaine, Tina and Andrew Clarke, Louise Bryant, Amanda McCaslin, Jason Goulding and Jarreau Purcell.

A BUS DRIVER’S DIARY

SUNDAY 24th: Left Waiwhare 9.00am. Arrived at A.C. Baths 12.20. Absolutely beautiful and really relaxing. Collected bread, rolls and milk then to Huka Falls at 2.00. On to Wairakei at 2.30 where we saw videos on thermal power and then drove up to lookout point.
Arrived Rotorua 4.45. Fuel gauge in bus still reading FULL. Had tank checked at garage with a rake handle. Still over 3/4 full. Stopped for ice cream then to Tikitere by 5.05.
Unloaded bus – got tents up. Had hamburgers. We all took a walk down to Lake Rotoiti. Janet Huff took Tony and Linda for a drive around another way (heard Janet had Tony more than a little worried going around the lake track – rather sharp corner!).
When we got back Tony got the team together for a talk then to bed at 9.30. Tony, Adrienne and Carolyn played cards and drank the night away (only kidding). Liz got lunch organised then cross stitched. Linda did some knitting. Bed at 11.30 – some kids still awake.

MONDAY 25th: Up 5.30. Some boys already awake. Tony and I took the team for a 3km run up and down hills before breakfast. Liz had a great breakfast ready. Linda and Carolyn walked another way and saw a spiker.
Left for Whakarewarewa. Great walk around – lovely guide to show us around and answer questions.
Headed for Fairy Springs at 1.00. Pupils really loved this. Had a fantastic guide. Mullac (Callum) had his finger bitten by a trout then again by the Kea. Jock decided Mrs. Kay would love a trout to cook for tea so he caught one and put it on the bank …. Second thoughts, too many people watching. Looked around gift shop – rather expensive! Leather and sheepskin products and lovely opal jewellery. Lovely piece for you Jill but Tony wouldn’t fork out $22,000 for it! Back to Tikitere for lunch – Tony drove from Supermarket to home – very quiet bus ride – we all sacked him. Left for Hongi’s Track after lunch, arriving 3.00. I stayed with the bus and drove around to the trail’s end at ‘The Wishing Tree’. Met group 4.30. Drove to natural ‘Soda Springs’. Had lovely soak in really warm water, was so very peaceful. Duncan’s birthday today – had sponge with jam, kiwi fruit and cream. Did a night drive around Rotorua with Janet and Joanne coming for the ride. Had a look at an early Maori Settlement and church. Drove past Orchid Gardens and Polynesian Pools. Back home 9.30. All to bed – a lot quieter tonight and all asleep within an hour. Bed at 11.00.

TUESDAY 26th: Left at 7.45 with Richard Huff and Adrienne in the Toyota in front. Visited Te Teko Forest Nursery – really interesting. Then to Bay of Plenty Forestry H.Q. at 10.00. Two videos on Forestry and talk from Brian Reader. He took us along a logging route to a logging site to watch crane, skidder and loader at work. Had lunch by Tarawera River – really pleasant spot.
1.00 arrived at Kawerau Mill. Had a little trouble in the carpark! Couldn’t go back as it had stop bars. Some exits are not large enough for 36 seaters to squeeze out. After driving back into bushes, the only way out was up and over a foot high curb. A rather strange noise followed us over the road to the Mill entrance. The exhaust was on a rather awkward angle with parts disconnected. The mill mechanic wired it up so we could get to the workshop. Drove the bus over the pit and left it in the hands of four mechanics. We went on our tour

with guide, around the mill. We went around, over, under and through all sorts of machinery – absolutely fantastic place. After the two hour tour we checked on the bus. All fixed. No charge! Fantastic people here ! They asked us to cheer the Kawerau Team in the 3 Peaks Marathon next August (have to hire the bus again and go to Havelock to support them). Headed for home at 3.00 after being given a can of drink each at the cafeteria. Wonderful group of people.
Liz stayed at the quarters with Janet while the rest of us took the team to the Polynesian Pools for 2 hours. Filled bus with $94.00 (168.34 lt) of diesel.
Done around 800km. Back to Tikitere at 8.00. Milo and biscuits before bed. Adults read and played some music. Bed 11.30.

WEDNESDAY  27th: Off to Tarawera at 8.00 to meet launch at 8.30. Beaut launch and a super ride over to the Mount. We all went for a gently 2½ hour stroll up a rather rugged mountain face. Once we got to the top the view was absolutely fabulous – breathtaking actually. The team were really fantastic and Tony was lost for words – for a change. (You mean Christine and Adrienne were lost for words for a change, don’t you? – Linda and Carolyn). It had been a rather steep and rocky climb around half way up. Mrs Mc. saw the light and turned religious quarter of the way up after seeing an angel with a box with her name on it. Jock reverted to his ancestors – swinging and climbing trees. Mullac shot a few birds with his semi-auto just to keep us on our toes. Had lunch and took family photos at the top, then returned. Only an hour to get back down. Lay in the sun on the jett[y] waiting for the launch. While here, we were entertained by some teenagers in canoes from Murupara with language which is commonly used by many a farmer in this district. Tony would never use any of this….. he’d never heard some of it before. Jock took control of the launch all the way back – even put her into the dock. From here we went to the Buried Village at 4.30. Fantastic waterfall. Home at 6.00 for sausages, coleslaw and Waiwhare Rot. Ice cream and jelly for pud.
Kids were still restless after the long climb so Adrienne, Carolyn and I took them down to the lake for a cold swim in the dark and a game of touch rugby with a shoe. On the way back hundreds of glow worm[s] put on a wonderful display for us. Home, biscuits and milo then bed at 10.30.
We had a sing song or two and talked about the day, getting to bed around 2.00.

THURSDAY 28th: Weather a little cloudy. Had fun on video machine at Leisure World while the water in the slides cooled down a little. We were the only people there and we all had a ball on the Hydroslide for 2 hours. Left at 12.1 and had lunch at a park near the hospital. Had dropped Liz with Andrew and Michael at the hospital earlier to have and ankle and swollen knee checked out. Both of them were not allowed to swim for a while.
Arrived at the Gondolas after lunch, had a great ride up except for Jock swinging Mrs. Mc and I whenever it went up with a sudden climb. We had three turns on the Luge – fantastic fun ; some very big children amongst this lot. Saw a neat Duke [Juke] Box in the restaurant. Back to the bus where the boys changed in the back compartment and we got changed inside the bus ready to go to dinner at Cobb & Co. We walked around to the Orchid Garden Souvenir Shop and divided the team into two groups to go shopping. I had a wee spend up and Adrienne spent heaps. We met at Cobb & Co at 5.30 on the dot. Adrienne was escorted to the dinner table by a police detective called Mike Keefe (cannot take her anywhere!) Lovely meal. Left 7.30 – back to camp. Had a feed of Liz’s large pancakes and the kids did some terrific skits. We

LADIES sang ‘Timothy’ (lovely voices). Once all children were in bed we played a bit more music and cards, Tony couldn’t hack the pace so went to bed. Bed at midnight. Adrienne and Carolyn were up till 2.00 playing cards and keeping watch.

FRIDAY 29th: All up and packing by 7.00. Cleaned up and loaded bus. All ready to go at 9.00. Said our goodbyes and promised to come back again. Travelled to The Craters of the Moon at 10.00. Then on to Taupo and A.C. Baths. An hour’s swim then lunch at the park in the main street. Kids stocked up on lollies and drink, then away we went at 1.30. Tony had decided not to stop at Opepe but after Andrew’s drink refused to stay down, he changed his mind and took the kids off for a walk. Travelled on over the Taupo Rd in really miserable weather – drizzling and very windy. Dropped Jock and Ben at Te Pohue Pub (only kidding – just past there) where a friend was waiting for them. Got back to Waiwhare with Sophie’s grin getting bigger and bigger with every corner. Pulled in at 4.32. Unpacked bus, had thankyous, hugs and kisses from the children and drove the Intercity into Koromiko at 5.15.
On Saturday morning I returned the bus to Deakins with a rather empty feeling. She was a great bus to take away on a school trip – must do it again and soon.
Thanks to the children for making this such an enjoyable trip and the adults for all their help. One thing stands out on this trip and that is how fantastic the people in Rotorua and Kawerau were to us and how great we all got along with each other.
Christine Goulding.

[Original work]

Christmas B.B.Q. PARTY
AT Playcentre
starts 3pm December 21

C.W.I. Christmas party is on at Playcentre this Saturday, December 21st. All are cordially invited. Please bring a salad to share, your own meat and a reminder that gifts are to be limited to under $10. We are running a Xmas gift basket for a raffle. We would appreciate donations on the day. Hope to see you there.
P.S. The next meeting will be Feb 13th at the home of Pat Tolley.

DAVID WARD
Sports Day Clean Up
Nickname: Biggest Trailus
Thought: I may be small but who’s got the biggest trailer of them all?

ROGER DUNN
‘Cruising’
Nickname: Rollus overous
Thought: Gee, those safety frames really do work !

PLAYCENTRE NEWS

A very successful Flower Show was held on the 2nd November with lots of hard, but rewarding work done behind the scenes in preparation for this show. A craft display seemed to be quite and attraction with some delightful work being shown.

RESULTS OF THE FLOWER SHOW:
Winner of section   1   Floral   Jane Fountaine
2   Cooking and Produce   Jane Fountaine
3   Sewing and Knitting   Jillian O’Sullivan
4   Photography   David Chalmers
5   Children’s Photography   Elissa Chalmers
6   Children’s section   Suzanne Ward
7   Champion Exhibit   Carol Ayres
8   Overall Points   3rd Jill Simons
Runner Up Keren Wallace
Cup Winner Jane Fountaine

The three and four year old’s visited the Hastings Library on Thursday 28th November where they were read a story and given a related activity to do. This was then followed by lunch in the park and a good romp afterwards, before boarding the train from Hastings to Napier. This was clearly the highlight of the day, and even though the 35 minute wait was tiresome for some of the children, it was obviously made worthwhile when 11 excited children mounted and found their seats on the ‘adults’ train (not just the Fantasyland train as some had expected).

Another exciting day on the Playcentre calendar was the Xmas Party on Tuesday 10th December. Father Xmas arrived on the local fire engine amid mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety and differing reactions from the children.

Activities for the day included face painting, lucky dip, playing with a large parachute canopy and pushing, rolling and dodging a huge 6 foot tall canvas earth ball around the playground and over a line of horizontal bodies lying on the ground. These activities were followed by the typical Xmas party lunch. A very memorable end to a very busy year for the children (and their Mums!)

NEW YEAR’S DAY RAFT RACE
Everyone is welcome to come and join the regulars on what is turning out to be an annual event – our New Year’s Day Raft Race on the Tutaekuri River, starting at the bottom of Dampney Rd at 1pm, and finishing at Barnett’s. The trip takes 2-2½ hours and it can get cold if you are constantly in the water.
Barbeque tea follows.
Tubes, lilos and rafts of all shapes and sizes have appeared in past years. If you haven’t got one, make one (Rick Ayres is offering free consultations).
Flour bombs acceptable but rotten eggs not welcome.

DAVID HILL
Fencing
Nickname: Upsidedowneous
Thought: It takes great skill to end up well down, like this.

TENNIS
For those of you who are brave enough to battle the winds, tennis has started. We are alternating between three tennis courts at the moment. We started at Jane Fountaine’s. The weather was perfect, which was just as well for some of us were a bit rusty. The following week was at Natalie Lawrence’s and the other court is Debbie Robinson’s, but unfortunately Debbie has had a slight disagreement with a lawn mower which has put her out of action for a few weeks. Anyone is most welcome to attend these tennis mornings which are held every Monday from 10 am to lunch time and will be starting up again in the new year when school returns.
Any inquiries phone: Jane Fountaine 8742448   Natalie Lawrence 8761006   Debbie Robinson 8742886

RURAL FIRE MANAGEMENT – WAIWHARE FIRE PARTY

Recently there have been many changes in the rural fire-fighting scene. The disappearance of State Forestry and its rural fire assets through Corporatisation and Privatisation left large gaps in manpower and equipment throughout the country.

To remedy this situation, ammendments to the Fire Service and Forest and Rural Fires Acts and the introduction of The Rural Fire Management Codes of Practice, have made local body authorities more accountable and responsible for rural fire management in their districts.

In our area, the Hastings District Council has fifteen fire units. These control and extinguish uncontrolled fires and provide assistance when other fire-fighting resources are in attendance.

The fire units play a very important role with early response to all types of fires within their immediate area. The assistance and information provided with their local knowledge of the area regarding location of water points, terrain, access, equipment availability etc., is so important and very much appreciated.

The New Zealand Fire Service will still respond to all types of fires within our district, however they will now charge for assistance beyond the first hour. This hour starts at the fire station door, not at the scene of the fire. This charge will be to the relevant local body and so will be funded by your rates. We will therefore need to stand down the Fire Service as soon as possible and use council owned resources and volunteers where we can.

The Hastings District Council are presently relocating and upgrading fire equipment to give adequate coverage of the district, but have to work within budget constraints. The bigger, more enthusiastic fire parties will obviously have more priority for the better equipment. We presently have based at the forest H.Q., a County four-wheel drive International fire tanker equipped with two pumps, to replace the old pump and trailer. However a steady decline in numbers of the Waiwhare Fire Party may see this unit re-allocated to other stronger fire parties in the district.

To help us become more efficient at extinguishing property fires we would ask you to fill out the attached form. Unlike town fire-brigades, we have no hydrants for water supplies. We rely on the water present at the scene of the fire. To save time, the information in these forms would be invaluable. Information on hazardous substances stored in your buildings is for the safety of the people extinguishing the fire.

Please draw a sketch of your property, indicating location of buildings and water supplies (tanks, dams etc.), position of dangerous substances, access to nearest county road and the position in relation to north. The forms will be kept confidential in an alphabetically indexed book and will not be on public view. The completed forms should be returned to Waiwhare School. (Please see back page)

We look forward to your continues participation and encourage you to support your community, to the benefit of us all.

Thank you for your support and cooperation

Steve Smith

JOHN WEIR
Rolling the Cricket Wicket
Nickname: Untouchableous
Thought: I have never been close to dinging or rolling my 4 wheeler.

[Recipes]

XMAS TREES
FOR SALE
$6.00
delivered $9.00
phone 8742.448
Neil & Vanessa Fountaine

WANTED
Concrete surrounds for a copper.
Please phone Graeme Fountaine
8742.448

FOR SALE
Boy’s SIDEWINDER
SUIT 3RD FORMER.
$110.00   ph. 8743.765

Clucky Chooks wanted.
please phone Margaret Webster. 8761003

1 battery operated Jeep & 1 battery operated 3 wheeler.
Rechargeable batteries.
“POWER WHEELS” brand suit 3-8 year old.
$250.00 each ($650. new)
Phone 8743 719

DOG TRAINING : To be held at Tuna Nui behind the Sherenden Hall. Jan 11th. 10.30a.m.
contact Anne Herries 8743.866

Standing Meadow Hay. Approximately 100 square bales.
Phone 8742 892

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT
Friday 20th December 1991
8.00 P.M.
Behind Sherenden Hall.
Supper to follow

BE QUICK
ONLY 2 XMAS KITTENS LEFT.
1 Black male.
1 tabby female.
Phone Christine 8742 871.

MARTIN JONES
Turning a Corner
Nickname: Swerveous
Thought: *@?!#!

NEXT WIRE
MARCH 1992

COMMUNITY COMMENT

Shona Goulding

On August 16 1984 I left for Western Australia. I got a job on a sheep and cattle station and to get there I travelled approximately 900k north of Perth to the local town Carnarvon, and then another 130k inland to Mardathuna Station.

I started off as a cook/home help. There was the family of 6, then the crew (normally 4) and more were recruited for mustering. You learn to cook on a large scale as you never know who is going to arrive and it is a 7-days-a-week job. A cook’s day entails:

At mustering she rises any time from 3am, usually ½ an hour before everyone else, makes a hearty breakfast then rings the bell for everyone to rise. Breakfast over, it is time to start the generator for power and make cribs (cut lunches) for the crew. The boss takes these out to the plane, where the crew is waiting at daybreak. The kids then get up for their breakfast before school (by correspondence – once a year the children and teachers go off on a camp to put names to faces).

The sprinklers are put on early so that they have finished before it gets too hot – they have to be shifted every 20 minutes. If there is a mutton hanging up it is the cook’s job to cut it down and bag it up. Everything that you need power for (eg washing, vacuuming, ironing etc) is usually done before 10am as that is when the generator gets switched off and it doesn’t get started again until 6pm. Fridges, freezers and the stove are run by gas. Two donkey boilers have to be lit in the afternoon to get hot water for showers and dishes. The beer fridge is restocked every morning, verandahs swept every day, the pool cleaned once a week, the lawns are mown and the cooking has to be fitted in between.

The basic diet was – roasts every second night, chops, stews etc on the other nights. Once a year a beast would be killed and we would get spoilt with steak. At 6pm it’s time to crank the engine up, feed animals, shower and clean up in time to dish up tea at 7.30pm. If the lawns didn’t get watered in the morning it had to be done at night – so annoying as you just sit down for tea and 20 minutes later, torch in had, out you go to move the sprinklers. Each member of the crew helped dry the dishes every night.

There was no actual tv – people from Perth sent video tapes up so you could be watching news that was a month old. It wasn’t until 1987 that we got a satellite dish put in and could get tv. But it didn’t really worry us – we used to sit around, play cards or tell yarns and jokes, and have drinks. The generator was turned off by 9.30pm – everyone was pretty knackered by then anyway.

We had a huge RFDS (Royal Flying Doctor Service) medical chest. If anyone was sick you’d call in, give the symptoms and they’d tell you which item (they were all numbered) to get out of the chest. The RFDS wouldn’t land at the station because the airstrips weren’t the required length. Luckily no-one had any serious accidents while I was there.

In summer it was very hot and there was no air-conditioning. The hottest temperature we recorded was 55°C. The heat was a shock at first but you get used to it. It’s a very dry heat. The average daytime temperature was probably about 45°C, dropping to 32°C at night. If you didn’t mind the mozzies you’d sleep in the coolhouse. This is a big room with a concrete floor. The sides consisted of two lots of mesh with spinifex grass packed in between. Running along the top is a trickle of water which wets the grass and when you get a breeze it’s nice and cool. In the winter the day-time temperature is in the mid-twenties and drops to about 16°C at night. The cyclone season is from November to April. Twice we had to bolt everything down and turn the windmills off, but nothing eventuated.

One year I entered in a motorbike enduro. It was a 3 day event. Twenty-five of us (only 3 females) set off at 6am one morning on the first stage of a 5 stage race over 1200k. It was over all sorts of terrain and the destination was Mt Augustus, which is the largest rock in Australia, even bigger than Ayers Rock. I cruised in 12th on the first day, 12 hours after the start. The next day consisted of a bit of sightseeing and bike maintenance. I was quite tired as I didn’t realise how much concentration was required. Heading back, I must have fallen asleep as I missed an arrow. Some time later I “woke up” and noticed there weren’t any other bike tracks. Oops a daisy! I turned my bike off, listened, nothing.”xxxxx!” It was about 8pm when I finally pulled in, absolutely buggered. I was the only female to finish – one had broken her collar bone, the other an ankle. Only 12 riders actually finished. I got a trophy that I’m really proud of for my effort.

Snakes weren’t too much of a problem – you just had to be wary all the time. I saw more down south than up north. You always used a stick to lift anything off the ground. A couple of dogs were killed by bites. The dugite was the main one you had to look out for – 20 minutes was all you had with this one. To kill one you just have to break their skin and they go away and die. I used to make sure, however, and chop them up into pieces. You still had to watch out for the head as it could still be poisonous up to 7 hours later. Scorpions, centipedes and red-back spiders were just a few of the other creatures to watch out for. One night when we were out camping we were invaded by scorpions, attracted to the fire. You manage to cope with these things.

Kangaroos bred like flies and shooters went out most weekends to cull them. We’d shoot them only for dog tucker. Emus would have to be the most stupid creature on two legs. They were, along with goats, the worst thing for fences. When you see them with chickens at foot you run in the opposite direction – they will chase you and if you aren’t fast enough one swipe of their claws can disembowel you.

At teatime the Aborigines got one bottle of beer only and this had to be opened as they store them up to have a good party and then you can’t get any work out of them. They are very good stockmen and trackers. They like their kangaroo, emu and porcupine meat. The emu, though, is very oily. The oil comes out of their skin and they stink – not good when you are stuck in a vehicle with them. As well as having their beer rationed their trips to town are also restricted as it could be a month before you see them again. Police used to make station visits just to see what Aborigines you had on the place, so if there was any trouble in town the police knew who to ring. They were good to listen to when out camping as they enjoyed sitting round the fire, telling yarns.

They also enjoyed bulgu. This is a drug which they get from burning a particular type of wood (snakewood). It’s the ash that they roll and chew with their tobacco. Their teeth have a tinge of red and they have white goo around their mouth – definitely away with the fairies! They sit in their quarters and see how far they can spit it up the walls. Phylis, a gin (this is what female aborigines are called), was high on it one day and she kept coming over to the homestead complaining of all sorts of pains. I kept sending her away with disprin then eventually asked if she would like a bullet. “Yeah”, she said. Anyway, the bulgu got to her and 2 days later she died. Tim, her partner, lost no time in finding another gin.

After 7 months of knowing how to run the homestead I moved out into another field – a jillaroo. They’d never had one before and after me they will probably never have one again. I was still called upon as cook occasionally as in 9 months we went through 7 cooks. Some didn’t know how to make a cup of tea, there were vegetarians who fainted at the sight of meat, we got food poisoning at one time and some couldn’t cope with the heat.

It took me about 3 months to get to know the station. It was 600,000 acres and had 52 windmills which pumped water in to tanks, then in to troughs. We all had a set mill run to do each week – we had to check that the mills were pumping all right, clean troughs and check pipe lines for leaks. The largest paddock was 40,000 acres and it took 2 days to muster it.

The annual rainfall is 8 inches. When it rains we stop work. The station has it’s own crane for putting up the windmills, a grader, 2 4WD vehicles – one for fixing the mills – about 7 motorbikes and one plane. Whenever anyone left the homestead they’d have to tell someone or leave a note saying where they’d gone, what time they left and what they had gone to do. You always had to carry water with you. It was very easy to drink over 14 litres a day – but if you drank too much too fast you ended up with water belly – one hell of a guts ache.

I had 5 years on this station, learnt a lot and enjoyed the experience as it was just so different. Cattle mustering would be the highlight for me – it really gets your adrenaline going. One year a helicopter was called in to get the pikers (the ones we had no chance of getting). The skids would be resting on their rumps and if they didn’t tow the line out would come the gun. I had only one ride in this helicopter. The pilot took a lot of risks. Unfortunately, he is now dead, so he eventually took one risk too many.

If you couldn’t get the cattle to the yards you had to catch them. How do you catch these scrubber bulls? Well, you have a bull wagon with 2 people on the back. One lassoes the bull, ties it quickly to the wagon, the other person dives off and grabs the tail to flick it over. When you get the tail to a certain point the bull loses its balance. Then it’s a mad scramble for everyone to sit on it while someone hobbles it. Things didn’t always go according to plan and there were a few fun moments – you could see the black fellows turn white. Finally the bull was loaded onto a horse float and carted back to the yards. At the end the bull wagon had seen better days – it had no windows left, untold punctures, it was at one time stuck on top of a beast, but the stake that came up through the floor boards, right between Jack’s legs took the cake. Well, it nearly took something else, which would have made Jack’s eyes water!

A guide to what’s done month by month:
January – Goat mustering. Put rams out.
Feb/March – Goat mustering. Windmill runs.
April – Start mustering for shearing.
May – Start shearing, wethers only. About 10,000 merinos in 10 days. As this is the only time they’re in they are drenched and dipped (my job as rest of crew is bringing in more mobs). After all the musters we get the stragglers by trapping them. Bayonets are set up at gateways so the sheep can walk in but can’t walk back out. Troughs are usually set in these traps. If there were troughs outside the traps they would have to be emptied. A fortnight later a couple of shearers would return to do the stragglers.
June/July – Making troughs, fencing. Started to put in new laneways, lay new pipe lines, put in new tanks. Races started about now through to October. We had the odd weekend off – we spent our money on horsed and any wins would be lost at night playing 2-up, a gambling game played with 2 dice. Usually it was a good weekend.
August – Mulzing (lamb marking). Strips of skin are actually taken off up their legs and around their rear end. No wool grows so flystrike is not a problem. Not a pretty sight.
September – Gascoyne Races – 4 days of races, dances, two-up, gymkhana for the kids. We we return to the station it’s cattle mustering, calf marking – usually takes six weeks. Anything between 800-1000 head of cattle are trucked off.
October – Mustering for shearing, this time ewes and lambs for a change.
November – Shearing starts – approximately 20,000. Weaning, drenching, dipping and mulesing any ones missed.

Before we know it, it’s Xmas. Everyone is in need of a well-deserved break.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the lovely gifts John and I received on our engagement and for attending our party.
We wish everyone a very Merry Xmas and a prosperous New Year.
Shona