The month that was: June 22
Aimee Wilson
02 July 2022, 5:41 PM
What’s hot …
The Maniototo has reverted back to its original name Maniatoto to be historically accurate and reflective of mana whenua values.
The Central Otago District Council has officially adopted the Maniatoto spelling of the name but will leave it to iwi to make an official change.
Maniatoto means plains of blood - refer to the `flowing' red tussocks that once covered the land.
For early Māori, the major valley systems that led into the interior known now as Central Otago were natural pathways enabling exploration and discovery.
What’s also hot …
The mystery of the corrugated iron flags around Alexandra and Clyde in support of Ukraine.
The first flag was spotted near the road between the two towns, a second one popped up in Cromwell and a third south of Alexandra.
All three have four red dots painted on top of blue and yellow, symbolising support for the nation under attack.
What’s not ...
Stolen vehicles reported around Alexandra in recent weeks. Most have been found abandoned and or crashed just out of town.
The Cromwell business community has made it harder to get away with anything, thanks to new security cameras installed in the town centre. And with number plate recognition cameras at the town entrances, there’s no chance of skipping town in somebody else’s car unnoticed.
Catching Cromwell crims on camera
It has been a great month for …
Sam Inder from Danseys Pass was awarded the Queen’s Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Platinum and Jubilee Honours List for services to the community.
Local curling veteran awarded Queen’s Service Medal
Karla Sanders of Alexandra was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to bullying prevention in the Queen’s Birthday Platinum and Jubilee Honours List.
Sticks ‘n’ Stones founder appointed a Member of New Zealand Order of Merit
Player of the day and Cromwell College teacher Karen Gallagher who was recognised last week for her dedication to touch rugby in Central Otago.
The former rugby player has been named Bunnings Home Ground Hero, in a new initiative involving Touch NZ, recognising central figures in the touch rugby community.
One of five inaugural winners selected out of 120 nominees from throughout the country.
Central Cinemas celebration of 15 years with a new look including extra comfy chairs in the foyer.
A foyer makeover brings local support
It Hasn’t Been a Great Month For….
The Alexandra Ice Skating Club, after hold ups with immigration delayed the arrival of its professional ice skating coach from Slovakia, who couldn’t get here until June 12 - three weeks after the season was already underway.
Coaches from Dunedin kindly offered their time to come and teach the figure skaters who are competing this season until she could get here.
And then the ice kept melting… in early June, with temperatures some afternoons reaching up to 20degC, which meant the rink had several centimetres of water on top, leading to the cancellation of Kiwiskate lessons and ice hockey training sessions.
But the show must go on, and yesterday the AISC club hosted its annual championship, with skaters attending from around Otago and Southland.
You said it …
“People have sprained ankles…one rabbit can dig a lot of holes in a night,” Roxburgh Golf Course member Neville Hazlett regarding the pest problem at the club.
