The end of the year is a time for reflection and celebration.

In the festive season spirit here are some musings on 2024 from The Central App’s reporters’ notebooks…

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Two Olympic medallists for Central. Two selfies for the virtual scrapbook.

Gold medal winner and kayak cross guru Finn Butcher, he took the mana wave international. Signed my seven year old son’s rashshirt. #greatbloke

Silver medal winner and track cyclist Nicole Shields. Not afraid to talk about her health battles including chronic fatigue and long-Covid on our podcast. #wahinetoa

Zero, the number of times I got sick with Covid-19. Awesome. Health stories were everywhere, we covered the health news that matters including Whooping Cough, the Flu, gastro bugs, maternity services, Dunedin hospital updates, new health services in Alexandra, mental health services and support, dentist shortages and more.  

Twice I spoke to phenomenal bikers, who live and contribute to Central’s biking culture - and their adventures resonated. Shout out to Ken Scott  and Mike Sangster 

Biking has become my wheel house (see what I did there), outside of work I rode my bike on the wild West Coast Paparoa Track, at mid Canterbury’s epic Mt White Station and at Matangi Station MTB. I started to bike to reporting jobs around town . . . I’m yet to figure out how to cycle with a coffee in hand safely.

Stories like Central’s Community of Bike Ambassadors, grass roots mountain bike and multi-sport events, the future of our bike trails, the district’s up and coming talent on two wheels (Eddie Adams and Cooper Millwood). Boundless biking banter. 

Upcycles Trust co-founder Chris Foggin with children in the Alexandra Primary School playground undertaking bike ambassador training. PHOTO: The Central App 

I covered community and school events - speeches, sports, drama, kapa haka, music and the arts. It’s a privilege to document the successes of Central’s tamariki, rangitahi, meet whānau and those who quietly work behind the scenes on opportunities for young people.

Four. Seasons, every year they make the news. Close to 3K readers clicked on articles about winter predictions and snow days. 

October 5, no snow in Alexandra although Old Man Range had a decent dusting. PHOTO: The Central App

When you get a chance to put your feet up (hopefully with a thirst quenching beverage), enjoy these words, thanks to newly minted citizen Thomas Willem.

“There’s comfort in the landscape, the people, and the rhythms of daily life. I’ve spent countless hours wandering the hills, biking along trails that wind through forests and past lakes, or simply sitting by the water, watching the sunset paint the sky in hues of orange and purple.

“The quiet of the evenings, the friendly waves from locals, and the freedom to hike in the mountains or swim in a lake at a moment’s notice—this is a [Central Otago] way of life.”

All the best for Christmas and the holidays. 

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