Alexandra Newcomers Network (ANN) and Welcoming Communities organised a curling session for people new to the district to meet others, enjoy refreshments and nibbles, and give the sport a go.

More than 35 people of all ages attended the session at Alexandra’s IceInline on Saturday June 17. 

Central Otago District Council (CODC) Welcoming Communities officer Heather Harries is working with ANN to help people to find their feet in the community, make friends and connections, and settle in.

Heather, who has lived in Central for the past four years, said she hadn’t realised how significant the cultural gap would be both for her and her children.

The ANN is likely to run another curling event due to the popularity of this one.

Children also gave sweeping a try at the newcomers event

Curling first came to New Zealand with Scottish immigrants in the 1860s and it spread to Central and was a popular winter activity for the gold miners during the winter.

In September 2022 a group of people new to Alexandra restarted the newcomers group to bring increased opportunities for social connections. 

Read about their reasons for reinvigorating ANN here.

Other ANN activities are coming up, including a winter wine tasting at the Central Stories cinema lounge on Friday July 21. The wine tasting costs $10; to RSVP or find out more email: [email protected].