Stormy weather did not deter the thousands of people who paid their respects across Central on Anzac Day.People of all ages attended the many services held across the district, from Alexandra to Cromwell, and Roxburgh to Ranfurly - and everywhere between.Alexandra-Clyde Returned and Services Association (RSA) president Kevin Harding said while the weather Gods were not kind, the number of people who braved the conditions was impressive.The sun came out for Cromwell’s Anzac Day parade. PHOTO: SuppliedHe said a dawn service at the Clyde Dam was met with gale force winds, which made standing up difficult.Another service that followed in Clyde was greeted with a rainbow, which added an “amazing” element to the occasion, he said.By the time the Alexandra service started, the sun came out, making for much better conditions.He said the amount of people who attended the various services was “amazing”.An estimated 150 people gathered in Omakau for a 10am Anzac Day service. PHOTO: The Central App“I think [the weather] would have put a lot of people off . . . but there were still a lot of people at each one, especially the dawn service [at the Clyde Dam].“That’s the biggest crowd we’ve had up there. There were cars up to the top of the hill.”He estimated the dawn service was attended by more than 1000 people.A 10am service in Omakau was also well attended, with an estimated 150 people.Penny Sinnamon watches on while children lay wreaths in Omakau. PHOTO: The Central AppPenny Sinnamon, who led the proceedings, said while the attendance was good, the weather had possibly kept some people away.If you have a photo from one of the Anzac Day parades you would like to share with our readers, email [email protected] more: Another Anzac Day ready to dawnRead more: Poppy Day support continues in Central

Outspoken Otago Regional Councillor Gary Kelliher never expected to stay onboard more than for three terms, but he’s thinking he may need to consider one more.From one long standing chief executive to then two subsequent Otago Regional Council (ORC) bosses who’ve come from outside the region, and now a third from within the council, he’s seen a lot of change around the table in recent years.He said the ORC’s new direction meant it had in the last 10 years “moved away from being a council that understands its regions, and with staff out interacting with what was happening out there,” to a council that became very Dunedin-centric and very much working to impose central Government direction.An engineer by trade, as well as a farmer, a quarry owner and also involved with the Manuherekia Irrigation Company scheme management, he brings many ‘hats’ to the table, and questions where that understanding is around the table about all of the region’s issues.To him it’s a governance role, but it was very much a career to some regional councillors, particularly those who have served for more than 20 years, he said.“What I see around the table is a very determined ideological perspective brought to the table to influence direction that’s not relative to what’s happening on the ground,” he said.Gary said the proposed Land and Water Regional Plan that has been worked on for years now, no longer aligned with the recently released Regional Policy Statement, “and it doesn’t fit the direction the new Government’s signalling, so while the Government’s scrambling to change its direction, we’re set on bulldozing ahead to try and beat it.”For a more in-depth analysis on the issues facing the ORC from Gary’s perspective, tune in to this week’s The Outlet podcast.

Six young swimmers from Alexandra Swimming Club (ASC) represented the district at recent national swimming competitions in the Hawke’s Bay.Breast stroke specialist Caleb Ludlow and backstroke specialist Liam Rees raced in the New Zealand Open Championships, swimming with New Zealand’s elite swimmers at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Aquatic Centre, from April 9 to 13.Following that meet, four other ASC swimmers joined them for the New Zealand National Age Groups Swimming Championships, known as NAGS, from April 15 to 19, at the same venue.Liam, Ashleigh and Caleb. PHOTO: Supplied ASC head coach Ashleigh Rankin said the trip away was good in general with swimmers making a few personal bests and the team producing strong swim times in the relay.“I think we made a final every night, except for one, across both the competitions.”She said for a relatively small club with much fewer resources than the large city clubs, ASC should be proud.She was away with young son Luca (dressed in a ‘mini coach’ uniform) for two weeks, supporting swimmers at the meets.“It was a long time away from home and a bit exhausting. Luca was quite the flirt and got a lot of attention too.“In some races, some swimmers felt really good, but times didn’t quite match how they felt.”Both Liam and Caleb moved up an age grade to the 17 and 18 year olds at NAGS, which Ashleigh said meant “more tough competition”.She said one of the highlights was seeing the small team support each other if results weren’t as they hoped, then have a good laugh and move on to focus on future races.Liam’s mother Bronwyn Rees was away for the duration and assisted Swimming New Zealand as an inspector of turns. PHOTO: SuppliedAshleigh thanked the supporters from Central for their messages.“A group of Cromwell girls sent a snapchat to me, of them all together having a big sleepover to support the Alex club swimmers and watch the livestream. That was so cool.”Young swimmers from Cromwell unite to watch the livestream of the swimming. PHOTO: Supplied Ashleigh, who coaches Cromwell Swimming Club swimmers too, said it was nice to show the older more experienced swimmers how they were inspiring the next generation to make it to national level.“Near the end of our trip, there was a feeling of [our group] being ready to go back to short course swimming, where we really shine.”For more about ASC see their club listing.Listen to a previous episode of The Outlet where Ashleigh talks about her coaching journey so far.

Central Otago District Council’s (CODC) Annual Plan goes out for consultation from today and the community is encouraged to have its say.The draft 2024-2025 Annual Plan draft budgets, consultation document, and supporting information were adopted at the Central Otago District Council meeting in Alexandra this week.   It will be followed by a month-long public consultation. Speaking to her report presented to council, Vibhuti Chopra who is leading the development of the draft Annual Plan budgets, spoke about the draft budgets and their preparation under conditions of high inflationary pressure in the economy, substantial regulatory change and increasing sustainability and resilience needs in CODC’s operating environment. Councillors discussed these pressures and the ever-changing Three Waters landscape and expressed their concern knowing the cost-of-living pressures facing our community. They also acknowledged that there was apparently no way around the level of increase as the majority of it was in relation to core council services. The rates increase of an average of 21.4 per cent was obviously far higher than what was anticipated in the 2021-2031 Long-term Plan for a variety of reasons, but primarily because of increased costs to deliver water supply and wastewater systems, roads and bridges and waste management.At the meeting Mrs Chopra was asked to share her views on the development of this Annual Plan from her experience working with other councils. “I genuinely believe that the council is in a very good place with strong governance and that the council has genuinely put in a lot of effort to determine what is viable [in the savings in drawing up this year’s Annual Plan]. So, I want to say that the ratepayers of Central Otago can be confident of the rigour their council puts into developing options for the community.”A range of drop-in sessions will be available for the community to attend on the following dates. IMAGE: SuppliedMayor Tim Cadogan thanked councillors and council staff for the mahi in finding $10 million in savings to pull the rates rise back as much as they could realistically, without compromising the level of service provided. He further stressed the importance of understanding that the proposed 21.4 per cent increase is an average. “Regrettably, residential property owners are likely to pay more than those who live in rural areas as significant parts of the costs we can’t avoid relate to urban services such as three waters and waste.” He encouraged ratepayers to make use of the online rates calculator, which would allow them to enter their address to see what the estimated rates increase will be specific to their property. The rates calculator, along with the consultation document and supporting information, and how to provide feedback can be found at the CODC’s consultation platform Let’s Talk: Let’s Talk Central Otago, when the consultation officially opens on Friday, April 26. The council will be holding drop-in sessions to give people the opportunity to talk to elected members. These drop-in sessions will include an online event, which will be recorded and available to view. 

Power outages are affecting hundreds of residents across parts of Omakau and Letts Gully this morning.Aurora Energy has noted on its website there were 15 customers affected in Omakau from about 7.15am, including those on Huddleston, Lauder, McNulty, Racecourse and Stafford roads.It was not known what the cause was, but crews were investigating. It was not known when power was likely to return.Power also went out at about 8am across parts of Letts Gully, which affected 1188 customers, across dozens of streets and roads, including Springvale, Brassknocker, Ferris, Galloway and Golden roads, along with Ngapara, Pollock and Success streets, and many others.Crews are also still investigating the cause and according to the Aurora Energy website, less than five customers were still without power across the Letts Gully area.Central was under a strong wind watch this morning, from 9am to 11am, with some areas also receiving heavy showers at times.Showers are expected to return tonight, while strong northwesterlies will ease this evening.You can keep up to date on Power outages and Weather reports on the Central App.

Businesses that have a more diversified profile of domestic and international visitors have performed more strongly over the summer, according to a report by Tourism Central Otago.Central Otago District Council head of destination Anthony Longman noted in his report that some tourism operations reported declines in numbers as domestic travel demand had softened.This was due to high interest rates, inflation and political uncertainty, but those with a focus on attracting higher spending markets like the United States, did much better.The Gate manager in Cromwell Glen Christiansen also spoke to the council yesterday about the challenges they were starting to face, despite a strong summer period.Having just completed a $2million investment into a new restaurant and reception area, occupancy rates and revenue was up 10 per cent this summer, but only now just back to pre-Covid levels.Their biggest “battle” currently was in food and beverage which he described as a very tough industry - particularly with the cost of living crisis where people were tightening their belts.The price of butter was “through the roof” and it was no longer affordable to put blue cod on the menu.   This year was also the first time he’d had to constantly look at changing the menu regularly rather than seasonally.Employing 100 staff, he said it was increasingly difficult to find appropriate and experienced staff, and was reliant on transient workers, and then put them through training.But, having to pay immigrant workers $31.66 as a starting rate was also no longer affordable and he recently had the difficult task of laying off four staff, “because our business just can’t manage that.”“That’s been the worst part of my career, having to deliver that news.”Finding accommodation was another battle, and most local businesses were not in a position to be able to afford buying property to house staff.The Gate was fortunate in that it recently purchased a six-bedroom house for staff, which would make a huge difference, he said.Over the past eight weeks there had been an increase in the number of organisations wanting sponsorship from The Gate, such as free conference facilities, but that also wasn’t sustainable for the business.“We take our corporate responsibilities very seriously, so unfortunately we’re having to say no quite a bit.”

The owner of Hawkeswood Mining Ltd Simon Johnstone is not deterred by planners' reports recommending his proposed gold mining operation at Millers Flat be declined.A hearing is set down for May 14 in the Millers Flat Hall over three days, where the company will call on 14 expert witnesses in support of the application.“We’re still very positive about our situation and we’re confident to make a start on August 1,” he said.Planners for both the Central Otago District Council and the Otago Regional Council said the gold mining operation would cause irreversible damage to sacred Kai Tahu sites, and the company had not taken into consideration iwi’s relationship with the cultural landscape - including the Clutha Mata-au river.Simon said it had been difficult trying to engage with iwi, with numerous emails sent over several months ignored, and he had been struggling to find out what the specific issues were.However, last week iwi representatives finally came onsite for a look around and he had started to make some progress with them.A recent public meeting to answer questions about the gold mining operation in the community had also been successful, attracting over 100 people.Simon said the proposal would inject between $5million and $7million into the local economy, and the dredge had been reconditioned and was now ready for a new name.He accepted the reports from both councils, but was surprised more by the regional council, "but they have to do their job and look into all the effects.”

Central people battling Parkinson’s disease can get involved in a weekly gym class in Alexandra with a focus on fun, friendship and camaraderie. This is where Teresa Noble, manager, and personal trainer at NRG gym in Alexandra, has offered her expertise and support. ‘Perky Parkies’ is a group movement class that started in January 2023, after the current class was unable to continue. Teresa felt it was important to help support those in our community who have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. The fun motivating class which takes place once a week, on Wednesday at 1-2pm. “Each week we complete a group warm up with stretches and group exercise games. Then the members work their way around a circuit”, Teresa said. Pictured are (from left) Stu Watson and Paulette Watson during a class. PHOTO: Supplied The circuit involves functional pattern exercises strength, balance, and neuroplasticity challenges, to help support mental and physical strength.The class isn’t just for those with Parkinson’s, their partners often come and join in too as it doubles up as a supportive environment and wonderful community for those who are directly and indirectly affected. Each month Teresa and the group head out for a well-deserved tea and cake catch up.  “Our goal [for the class at NRG] is for members to challenge themselves and gain confidence to help with their day to day lives,” Teresa said.Getting her cardio in; Marion May on the rowing machine. PHOTO: Supplied In New Zealand, thousands of people are physically and mentally affected by Parkinson’s, a progressive neurological condition.According to Parkinson New Zealand, about 1 in 500 people have the condition. It becomes more common with older age groups, and it is believed 1 per cent of people above the age of 60 have Parkinson’s. The average age at diagnosis is 59.While the condition cannot be cured, symptoms can be managed through different methods, including physical therapy.To find out more about the class contact [email protected] 

Central’s Anzac Day dawn services are likely to be met with unsettled weather, including wind and rain.MetService meteorologist Ngaire Wotherspoon said while the district’s many services could be held under damp skies, the biggest concern was for wind.A strong wind watch has been issued for some parts of the South Island, including Central Otago from 6pm Wednesday until 8am on Anzac Day.She said wind speeds could approach severe gale in exposed places.A strong northwesterly flow over the South Island is expected to bring rain to mainly the West Coast ahead of a series of fronts passing on Anzac Day, with the potential to spill over into Central on Anzac morning and again in the evening.However, accumulations in Central were not expected to be anywhere near the amounts predicted on the West Coast.“I'd recommend anyone heading out for [a] dawn/morning service to stay up to date with the latest forecasts and wear a raincoat for protection against the wind, even if there isn't much rain.”The heaviest falls are expected in the morning and again in the evening as fronts pass over the island, which have prompted heavy rain watches for Fiordland and Westland from late Wednesday night to early Friday morning.To keep up to date with weather forecasts click on The Central App's Weather & Reports button.For a list of Anzac Day services across the district click on our What's On button.

The finalists have been named in the Central Otago Sports Awards, which features locals who have displayed determined sporting talent in many different codes.Many of the nominees have featured on The Central App in the last year, as national champions, world champions and record breakers. Sport Central Sport and Recreation Advisor Jo Knight said it was pleasing to see nominations from a range of sports such as sailing, equestrian games, ice hockey, multi-sport, para-athletics and rowing.Junior sportswoman, junior sportsman and para-athlete of the year categories feature students from Dunstan High School (DHS) and Cromwell College.Junior sportswomen candidate DHS’s Sky Sanders had success at the National Barrel Horse Association (NBHA) Youth and Teen World Barrel Racing Championships in the United States (USA) last July. PHOTO: Rodeo Bum USAOther nominees include Eddie Adams for mountain biking and road cycling, Mac Denniston for athletics and Cromwell College’s Grace Tiko for netball.Former DHS students the Henderson siblings, Caitlyn and Jake are both nominated in respective categories for their success in mounted equestrian games; sportswoman of the year, and junior sportsman of the year. Caitlyn and Jake Henderson. PHOTO: SuppliedDunstan Arm Rowing Club (DARC) rower Jack Pearson, (19), who was selected for the New Zealand team to compete in Canada in August, is in contention for the sportsman of the year, against some other huge names from Central Lakes including Cromwell’s Hayden Paddon, Alexandra’s Finn Butcher and Wānaka’s Nico Porteous. In the team of the year award, five different rowing crews are nominated including the DARC men's senior quad and DHS students and Maadi cup gold medalists Bella Breen and Ruby Smith. New Zealand junior men's curling team and sailors Mabel North and Madison Smith complete the nominees in this category.Bella Breen and Ruby Smith. PHOTO: Supplied DARC and DHS rowing coach Simon Smith is in the running for coach of the year, against Michael Beable from Aspiring Athletics and Snow Sports NZ’s Brad Prosser for freeski park and pipe disciplines.  The Forsyth Barr Central Otago Sports Awards are on Friday May 10 at the Lake Wānaka Centre. The Central Otago Sports Awards region includes all the area within the Sport Central catchment and includes: Ranfurly, Maniototo, Alexandra, Roxburgh, Clyde, Cromwell, Wānaka, Tarras, Makarora, Hawea, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Glenorchy, Kingston, and any other location in the Central Otago or Queenstown Lakes districts. The nomination period is for the 2023- 2024 sporting years from April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024.Check out some of The Central App’s stories on nominees below:Read more: Four DARC members selected for NZ team Read more: DHS rowers fire at Maadi Cup Read more: Henderson siblings have Italy in their sights Read more: DHS student nabs three medals, two records at athletic nationalsRead more: National MTB title for Alexandra’s Eddie AdamsRead more: DHS cowgirl rides in USA Read more: Cromwell student makes national netball team

Cromwell Lions Club member Andy Andrews received an International President’s Certificate of Appreciation last week, in recognition of his 18 years' work stopping tonnes of recyclable material going to landfill.District governor Allan Fleury said Lions awards are given out every year, but for somebody to receive this award they had to go “above and beyond,” and Andy’s work had been unrecognised for 18 years.The award is the fourth highest that can be given to a Lion.It all started with collecting bottle tops from clubs all over the Southern district, raising thousands of dollars for Kidney Kids, and then moved onto sending eye glasses and personal protective equipment (PPE) gear to third world countries. “It has been such an honour to get an award like this and for every pair of glasses that I put in a bag, I knew it assisted someone less fortunate than myself,” he said.Spec Savers sends Andy 300 pairs of glasses a week, and two Cromwell wine bottling plants send him their bottle tops.  A team of volunteers then arrive at his home every week to start sorting them.In October they sent 1500 pairs of glasses to Tonga and 900 pairs went to Cambodia.   Now he’s involved in the club’s battery recycling project as well.Cromwell Lions Club members Neville Hucklebridge and Bill Thornbury were also both recognised for their 50 years of service to the organisation.Neville joined the club in October 1973, has been president twice, and received the Lloyd Morgan Life award in 2009, which was followed by the Melvin Jones award in 2021.Bill transferred to the Cromwell club from East Invercargill in 1997, where he also started his Lions journey in 1973, receiving the Lloyd Morgan Life award in 2003 and Melvin Jones award in 2007.Tony Cox received the Cockburn Quiet Achiever award, recognising someone who goes about their business behind the scenes without seeking the limelight.

The sun shone on locals for the first trial of the five kilometer parkrun course held in Alexandra on Saturday.Runners and walkers of all ages participated in the free event, a practice for the first official parkrun, coming up on May 11.Volunteers came from the Queenstown and Invercargill parkruns to support the team of locals behind the Alexandra event. Event director Sally Booth gave a briefing to attendees about the course, including the requirement to collect a finish tag and then have it scanned at the finish line if they wanted their result to be recorded. There is one more trial parkrun on Sunday April 28 at 1pm. Sally said everyone was welcome to come along and give it a go, including walkers, dogs on a lead and babies, or youngsters in prams too.  “There’s never anyone in last place as there is a tail walker and there is no time limit.”The volunteer tail walker at the first weekly community fun run. PHOTO: Supplied People can take part by volunteering as marshals, and the group of organisers plan a social coffee and a chat afterwards.Feedback from runners and walkers was that the event had a welcoming fun atmosphere and they would be back again. To register and find out more about the weekly run see the Otago Central Rail Trail parkrun webpage. Read more: Alexandra rail trail parkrun launching next month

After two years of planning, including submissions and deliberation, a decision on what some Central Otago residents can do with their land in Cromwell, Clyde and Alexandra has finally been made.The Central Otago District Council will move to notify Plan Change 19 this week during its monthly meeting, but the public will be excluded from the discussion.Plan Change 19 was first publicly notified in July 2022 and attracted 170 submissions. Hearings then began on April 26, 2023, and a decision was made by the panel at the end of March this year.Plan Change 19 has been driven by the direction set out in the Vincent and Cromwell Spatial Plans. The spatial plans were prepared by council to respond to demand for residential land and housing affordability concerns in the district, and to plan for the anticipated growth over the next 30 years.It sets out the way the district’s residential areas are zoned and managed, and involves rezoning new land for residential use, identifying some areas for future growth, aligning existing residential zoning with the proposed new zones, and includes new provisions for managing land use and subdivisions within the residential zones.The plan change aligns changes around density and allows for smaller sections in some areas and therefore more houses, and also new residential areas in the Cromwell and Vincent wards, around Alexandra, Clyde and Cromwell.According to the legislation, Plan Change 19 must be completed by July 2024, but appeals will be likely.

Willow trees will be the topic of conversation when the Manuherekia Catchment Group hosts a public workshop in Omakau on Wednesday.The drop-in session, taking place at the Omakau Rugby Clubrooms from 11am to 3pm, is open to everyone, whether they have a favourite willow they want to protect, or those they believe are problematic.Manuherekia Catchment Group general manager Clare Hadley said no matter what someone’s view was, it was one the group wanted to hear.Clare said a willow in the right place was a great thing, but a willow in the wrong place could be problematic.If you have a favourite willow tree, or one you think needs to go, the Manuherekia Catchment Group wants to hear from you during its workshop on Wednesday. PHOTO: SuppliedThe session, funded by the Ministry for the Environment, allows everyone to be part of the conversation on willow management, while also helping the group prioritise sites for action.“We want people to give us guidance on where willows should be removed or enhanced.”Examples include someone’s favourite swimming spot, made perfect by the surrounding willows that provide shelter, while problematic willows could include those that consume a lot of water, or provide cover for trout, which can create a negative environment for Galaxias anomalus.Participants do not need to bring anything with them, other than their enthusiasm and insights, Clare said.Maps will be on hand to showcase where willows are located in the Manuherekia Catchment.

Legal Aid, provided by the Ministry of Justice, offers government funded legal representation to those who meet the applicable financial thresholds and circumstances. Despite common misconceptions, Legal Aid is not free, rather it is considered a loan; those in receipt of Legal Aid may need to repay some or all of the fees under their grant of Legal Aid. In some situations, if you own a home, you may have to authorise a charge over your home as security for your Legal Aid, any debt owing under your grant of Legal Aid would likely need to be repaid upon the sale of that home.Legal Aid is available for an array of areas of law, including but not limited to, Civil Law, Criminal Law, Employment Law, and Family Law. Firms who offer Legal Aid may do so in one or more of these areas of law. Usually with Criminal Law, where you are facing a charge or charges carrying a maximum penalty of less than 10 years imprisonment, you would be assigned a lawyer upon the approval of your Application for Criminal Legal Aid, whereas with Family Law, you can approach a lawyer who provides Family Law Legal Aid and ask for them to be assigned on your matter(s).Legal Aid is a great resource that allows you to get the legal advice and representation you may require, whilst taking into account your financial and personal circumstances. At Checketts McKay Law we offer Legal Aid for Criminal and Family Law, so it always pays to ask whether you would qualify for Legal Aid, so we can best assist you. 

Central residents will have options for health services, six days a week soon, once HealthCentral is operating from their new building in Alexandra.The new health facility on the corner of Tarbert and Fox Sts is on track to be completed by the end of May, and primary tenant HealthCentral, will be providing services from the premises from July 8.  In a March newsletter HealthCentral said there would be open days coming up soon where the community could come and check out the new building before the first day.A ground floor, urgent care clinic will be able to accept “walk in” patients from 8am to 6pm daily. HealthCentral is aiming to remove barriers and improve access to urgent care in Central through this initiative.In addition to the general practice, a number of other tenants, including physiotherapy, mental health and wellbeing support, a pharmacy, dentist and a café are anticipated. Rooms for visiting specialists, consultants, counsellors and other health service providers are included in the building’s design.Local company Breen Construction is contracted to deliver the project for Queenstown investment group Mackersy Property. Breen site manager Jeff Golden said current activities on site this week and next were exterior paving, asphalting, landscaping, planting and washing down the building and moving all the fencing in off the street frontages. “Internal items happening are the completion of painting, completion of second fix electrical and plumbing . . . with the carpet tiles being laid at present [too].”Jeff said the job has gone really well.“It’s a big hats off to all our employees and the contractors that have been involved in the project along with the neighbouring properties that have had to put up with us over the last 18 odd months.”The new two-storey building, viewed from Tarbert St. PHOTO: The Central AppFor local health information, including the weekend on-call roster, check out The Central Apps’ Health button. Read more: New health building taking shape Read more: HealthCentral building reaches full height Read more: Foundation poured for new HealthCentral building

People across Central were digging deep on Friday for the 102nd annual Poppy Day street appeal.Poppy Day is the Returned and Services Association’s (RSA) main fundraising activity of the year, which welcomes a gold coin donation in return for a poppy ahead of Anzac Day.The campaign runs throughout April.Cromwell RSA president Denis Ryan and welfare officer Gordon Gates were among those who braved a chilly start to the day, to welcome donations at one of four street appeal stations in the town centre.They said despite tough economic times, people were still being very generous.“There’s been a few $20 notes,” Denis said.Gordon said it was “amazing” what denominations of money had gone into the collection bucket.Donations from Poppy Day helps the RSA improve the health and wellbeing outcomes for New Zealand’s veterans, of all ages.The RSA was established in 1916.Its aim was to take care of New Zealand’s veterans and their families when soldiers returned from Gallipoli.While today’s soldiers face different challenges, the support towards them and their families remain.Money from the street appeal goes towards assisting ex service personnel or their widows.While it won’t be known for another couple of weeks how much was raised from this year’s poppy appeal, the first event in 1922 netted £13,166, with poppies sold for one shilling each.On average, close to one million poppies are now sold throughout the appeal.To hear about upcoming Anzac Day activities from Alexandra-Clyde RSA president Kevin Harding listen to our latest edition of The Outlet podcast.For a full list of Anzac Day services visit The Central App’s What's On button.

Have I ever mentioned to you that my wife Linda is absolutely brilliant? If I have, I still won’t have mentioned it enough. She is the yin to my yang, the red dot to my purple dot, the order to my chaos. One of the many things at which she is brilliant is running the household accounts. I was a solo dad for eight years so can and did do this stuff, but never with the diligence, conscience, even pleasure with which she attends to what I see as a task. I remember coming home one winter’s afternoon to find she had gone through all our accounts on-line, changed power, internet and electricity supplier, saved us a truckload of money and got us Sky TV for free. I, on the other hand, couldn’t tell her what power, internet and insurance company we had been with before the purge.  If she dies before me, I’m screwed. Except I won’t be, because I guarantee there will be a carefully compiled and regularly updated list somewhere with all the stuff I need to know. All her diligence paid off this week. “Old man” she called as I was doing the dishes (see, I am of some use), “did you spend $260 on our Visa on medicinal cannabis oil?” Well no, I hadn’t. My marvellous wife had been scanning our Visa card record on-line, which she does every few days, and found a bunch of pending payments that we had nothing to do with. Someone somewhere had somehow got our card details and was racking up a high old time of it, with pending transactions of almost a thousand dollars to prove it.  How they got our details goodness only knows, but due to Linda’s diligence, a quick phone call to the bank put a stop to their party. I’m not sure what would have happened had she not been so alert, but I was even more grateful than usual that she keeps her eye on such things. It is really scary what can happen to your money, but there are ways you can help keep yourself safe. Netsafe have some really good advice and your bank will also have a page on-line with helpful tips. It’s a good idea to have a look at these before you need to, because unfortunately you just never know when that day will come.

The Government is giving owners of earthquake prone buildings four extra years to do any required strengthening work.That extension, along with a review into the regulations, was announced earlier this week, which has been welcomed by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ).Among those who support the move is Central Otago Mayor Tim Cadogan, who is on the LGNZ Zone 6 committee.“I think the most important part is the pause to allow a full review,” he said.“Many of our community halls are used very infrequently and I wonder if the answer lies not in spending huge amounts of money on strengthening such buildings, the reality of which may be unaffordability causing demolition, but in individual responsibility.”He said if a building was clearly shown to be earthquake prone, people could potentially make their own assessment as to whether they chose to hire it or enter it, something he described as a “more practical and mature approach”, instead of putting our heritage at risk.LGNZ advocated for the decision the Government came to this week as part of a remit led by Manawatū District Council.Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk made the announcement on Thursday, including the fact work on the review would start immediately.“Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that gets in the way of doing business and getting things done.”He said without change, a significant number of buildings could sit empty, which would have a devastating impact on the economy in cities such as Wellington and provincial towns across New Zealand.“While there is already a review scheduled for 2027, the Government has decided to bring this forward to provide greater certainty and this work will begin immediately.”He said terms of reference will be agreed on next month.“The review will be extensive and consider the appropriate risk settings to protect safety while ensuring the rules are workable to support businesses, increase economic activity and create jobs.”The review will also look at the way overseas jurisdictions manage earthquake risk.