The odd shower did not dampen the spirits of more than 200 golfers who took part in the annual charity golf classic in Alexandra over the weekend. Alexandra Golf Club spokesperson Fraser Reid said a “substantial amount” was raised for the Salvation Army by those involved in the tournament. The final amount will not be finalised until next week, however about $400 was passed on to the charity from barbecue food sales. First prize went to father and son Graham and Zach Johnson with a combined score of 200. Jeffrey Toomey and partner Don Redfern placed second with 202 and then another father and son team, Dennis and Jake Mullaly came in third with 205. Winners of the 2022 father and son trophy, John and Nelson Gaw, came in fourth this year, with 207, and were the third father and son pair. Eighteen holes were played on each day, Saturday was a four ball best ball (4BBB nett), and Sunday an individual medal. View the final results here.Saturday saw temperatures of 19C and Sunday’s high was just below 13C with southerly breezes and showers plaguing golfers on both days.  The tournament, which is into its 51st year, had a full field of golfers with 108 pairs. This coming weekend will be another busy one for local golfers as the 44th Alexandra Ladies Sunshine Classic is on November 10-11, with about 70 pairs setting off with an 11am start on Friday. For more information about the club see its website.

Road resurfacing is set to begin in parts of Alexandra over the coming weeks.Centennial Ave, parts of SH8 and Alexandra’s main street, will get a significant facelift as part of the works.Aspiring Highways, the highway maintenance team for Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency in Central Otago, will renew the asphalt surface over three weeks from Monday, November 13.The re-surfacing will run between the two roundabouts at Clutha St and Dunorling St.Waka Kotahi maintenance contract manager in Central Otago Peter Standring said the surface condition of Centennial Ave has shown signs of distress for some time with obvious cracking in places. “Test pits were carried out along its length last July to help determine the depth and breadth of the pavement strengthening needed before the resurfacing. This is to help ensure the best approach and solution for the new surface. “Sections of Centennial Ave will be closed while work is underway and traffic will be detoured onto local roads,” he said. This work will be completed weekdays 7am to 6pm, and parts of it are dependent on the weather. Mr Standring said local residents are being warned that the work can be noisy and create some dust and vibrations given the need to use heavy machinery.“We will endeavour to complete the noisiest works after 8am,” he said, to minimise the disruption to residents. 

Residents are invited to participate in an unveiling event for the new mural at the Alpha St Pavilion in Cromwell.The mural adorns the building used by the Cromwell Football Club and has been painted by renowned street artist Ling, who is Dunedin-born, but based in Melbourne. The artwork is 8.4m by 2.4m and features a variety of faces from Central Otago's community to highlight cultural diversity, while acknowledging the way sport brings people together.Street artist Ling at work with a spray can. PHOTO: Central Otago District Arts TrustThe faces of the mural, Alice, Robin, Tina, Diego, Ollie and Hunter represent those who have been welcomed, and those who welcome others into our community. Red and blue are the Cromwell sporting colours and the brushstroke background of the work acknowledge this.Representative from Central’s Pasifika community Kusitina, artist Matt (Ling) and representative from Ni-van community Robin, back in May when the work on the mural started. PHOTO: CODCThe official celebration of the mural coincides with the beginning of Bislama Language Week 2023 on Sunday, November 12.Bislama is the language of Vanuatu, where many of Central Otago's recognised seasonal employees (RSE) come from. From October throughout November there are about 390 Ni-vans (people from Vanuatu) arriving in Central Otago for the following seven months' of work in horticulture and viticulture.Everyone is welcome at the celebration, which will feature a few formalities, followed by light refreshments, music, and games of football and volleyball, from 2pm to 4pm. The mural was commissioned by Central Otago District Arts Trust (CODAT), in partnership with Central Otago District Council’s Welcoming Communities.Another view of the mural and explanatory panel. PHOTO: suppliedThe Central App will bring you more information about Bislama Language week in a few days time. 

I wrote last week reflecting on our time recently in Vietnam. I promise not to become one of those people who talk about nothing but their travels, but I’ve got to tell you about one of our absolute highlights. This was a visit to the Precious Heritage By Réhahn Gallery in Hoi An. We had seen photographs by this French chap at the Women’s Museum on Hà Nội and they were great, but visiting his home base offered so much more.As part of his incredible photography of the people of Vietnam, he has spent years travelling to record each distinct cultural group (of which there were 54) and photograph them in their traditional costume. Some of these costumes were displayed in the museum alongside the relevant photographs. I’m sure this guy isn’t eating scraps as the results of his endeavours, but he did make sure we knew of the money going back to some of his subjects so good on him. He has done the people and history of his adopted homeland a huge service.The most moving bit for me though was the written record, which told how some of these cultures are down to a few hundred people, with the young ones not interested in continuing the traditions. These unique cultures are literally dying before our eyes.When I read of this, heard how some of the unique languages have already died out and viewed the last remaining pieces of traditional clothing; I found myself getting emotional. Imagine being amongst the last of these people as those few remaining that you can speak to in your native tongue pass on ahead of you. Think what it would be like to hear the language of your parents, grandparents and all those others that came before you only in your dreams. I also found myself a bit emotional on Wednesday afternoon this week. I had the privilege of being the link man at a showcase of local, mostly primary school talent. I was thinking back to the experience in Hoi An as I watched with joy so many of these tamariki singing in Te Reo as they performed Kapa Haka. But, they weren’t just singing it; they were living it. Māori kids, pakeha kids and many others with different backgrounds were in deep. They didn’t seem to be performing but expressing, expressing a big part of what it means to be a kid in Aotearoa New Zealand whether they were Māori or not.I then attended the DHS Senior Prize-giving. Haka was given by fellow pupils to those who had achieved special distinction, especially but not exclusively Māori who had done so.These haka were powerful, genuine, deeply moving and utterly, uniquely New Zealand.When I was in Hoi An and looked at the remnants of dying cultures, I did think of our country today. There are those who presently seek to wind back the clock, remove the Treaty and get rid of all these confusing street signs. Those two situations ran through me as I left the Réhahn Gallery and gave me a sense of unease.Wednesday dispelled my concerns.After watching these Central Otago tamariki and rangatahi fully embracing our unique indigenous culture, I realised those trying to stop this part of the progress of our nation will fail in the long-run.The generation of Aotearoans we share this time with will ensure that, and I am sure will look back one day in years to come and wonder what all the fuss was about.

Have you ever heard “we’re paying market rate for this position” and wondered what is meant by ‘market rate’?Market rate is the remuneration that is typically paid for a particular job in a specific location.But what if you’re the only rocket engineer in Miller’s Flat? What is the ‘market rate’ then?Competitive pay is essential for attracting and retaining talent and in rural areas there is no set market rate for many jobs. With the cost of living rising all the time, it can be tough to strike a balance between paying your employees fairly and keeping your business afloat. Central Otago is one of the more expensive areas of the country to live, so wages need to enable people to pay their bills and stay here. You can go down a few rabbit holes trying to work out a pay bracket for a certain job in a certain sector, but how do you really know you’re pitching it right or if it’s being pitched well to you? For up-to-date information on payrates, you can look at job boards like Seek and Trade Me Jobs or check government sites (MBIE, Statistics NZ) for official wage data. There’s also free access to annual salary reports issued by recruitment organisations across more common sectors such as medical, legal, education, and trades. Savvy employees use ‘market rates’ to make informed career choices. If you're thinking about starting your career, switching jobs, or relocating, it's important to research the market rates for your desired role and location. This will give you a good idea of what salary to expect.If you are an employer, ask yourself what the cost is right now per week/month/year you don’t have that key person in the team. Crunching numbers often ends with the realisation that it could be high! Consider the added stress on yourself and potentially other employees of being understaffed. (Well-being in the workplace is something we’ve previously covered here.)Through this exercise you can start working out a salary range/hourly rate that your business can afford and the growth and increased revenue trajectory you would be looking at based on clearly communicated expectations. Work out what investment you can give and what you can offer to make the role attractive to get the right person for the job!As an employer negotiating salaries, be sure to consider the skills, experience, and contributions that person will bring to the company. You may also factor in other benefits such as flexible work arrangements, healthcare, professional development opportunities or whatever else might be on the table to sweeten that ‘market rate.’ Is there a clear path to career advancement through growth in the business? This can be a good option for a higher salary in the long term.Increasingly, individuals are opting for lower-paying positions in companies that prioritise work-life balance and uphold values aligned with environmental or community impact, reflecting a genuine commitment to making positive contributions and meaningful change. This direction of focus is encouraging, and hopefully this trend continues to guide our collective efforts in the long run.That being said, bills still need to be paid so balancing fair compensation with a positive work environment, career advancement opportunities, meaningful work, and a healthy work-life dynamic can be a win-win situation for all! At EASI NZ we have a wealth of local knowledge and insights into different industry roles and are always happy to offer support in this area.

Central youngsters’ music, dance and drama acts received thunderous applause at the Dunstan Kāhui Ako performing arts event in Alexandra on Wednesday. Central Otago District Mayor Tim Cadogan was the master of ceremonies for the two hour long showcase. Mayor Tim said the performances were of such quality that it could be thought the students were of high school age, not primary school.   After years of event cancellations, postponed performances and missed community gatherings due to Covid-19 restrictions, large numbers of whānau and friends gathered in the The Terrace School hall to support primary school students during the event. Many stayed for their school's 10 minute performance and then left to allow other school communities to take a seat.    Watch a highlight video of some of the acts (seven minutes). VIDEO: The Central AppSixteen items were included in the event, and they were a wide range of styles. There was a localised version of the Six60 song Pepeha, including sign language by Alexandra Primary School, a clarinet duo from The Terrace School, and popular dance from those newest to school.Almost the entire roll of Millers Flat school, 29 children (two students were absent) were on stage. Omakau School’s theatrical performance ‘No Girls Allowed’.Local schools’ kapa haka groups were a key part of the event. Dunstan High School, Millers Flat, The Terrace School, Poolburn School, Clyde School, St Gerard's School and the Ngā Kura o Haehaeata kapa haka (combined schools) all performed waiata and haka.The performances were described by parents in the audience as polished, impressive and spine tingling. Many of the groups have honed their skills at public events this year such as the New Zealand Principals Federation Conference, Blossom Festival, the NZ Merino Shears, Central Lakes and Murihiku (Southland) Polyfest. The Terrace School senior boys during a haka.Dunstan Kāhui Ako (community of learning) is made up of nine local schools - Alexandra Primary, The Terrace School, St Gerard’s, Clyde, Omakau, Poolburn, St John’s Ranfurly, Millers Flat and Dunstan High School.Clyde School did a ukulele and choir performance, along with kapa haka.Alexandra Primary School (APS) juniors item was ‘Get ready for a dance off’.Poolburn School kapa haka group, who due to their size and remoteness learn kapa haka through an online platform.The Terrace School dancers were energetic during ‘Timber’.Read more: Mana and learning from kapa haka group Read more: Alexandra school to perform at Polyfest Read more: Dunstan High School preparing for Murihiku PolyfestPHOTOS/VIDEO: The Central App.  

A new bike and scooter track is almost ready for action at Omakau School.The home and school committee has been working on the project, which is expected to be covered in asphalt in the coming days.Principal Adelle Banks said a long list of people and businesses had helped develop the track. “We are appreciative of all our local community [and] we are really lucky to have such a supportive group of parents.”A working-bee to get the track developed in preparation for asphalting, took place over the school holidays.Board of Trustees member Kyle Hinton acknowledged the home and school committee for coming up with the idea, persevering and getting the support of local people and businesses to help complete the project.“It couldn’t have worked out much better, really.”

All animals can suffer on Guy Fawkes night and for some it can have long term affects, a Central Otago veterinarian warns.Dr Philippa Lowe of VetEnt Alexandra said fireworks can have devastating consequences for horse owners, in particular, if owners are not warned about them in advance.Horses can bolt through fences and cause damage to themselves that continues to affect their psychological health after the event.Rabbits and guinea pigs also get particularly worried about loud noises, and Dr Lowe said it wasn’t uncommon for some animal owners to request medication for their pets after having a scare, “to take the edge off.”Pheromones can also relieve their stress, but there are other things owners can do to help their pets relax, such as shutting the curtains and playing calm music to block out the noise.“It’s those random acts that often catches people out.”Every year, veterinary clinics see animals injured and traumatised by fireworks, including pets, wildlife and stock. Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa said some injuries are horrific.Fireworks can also cause severe anxiety and stress in animals.Veterinarians for Animal Welfare Aotearoa spokesperson Helen Beattie encourages people to avoid buying and letting off fireworks."Fewer fireworks reduce the negative impact on affected animals."She said supporting a ban on the private sale of fireworks would improve the welfare of animals who find fireworks stressful."We are disappointed the Government recently decided not to ban the private sale of fireworks. "We will continue to advocate that the Government do so. We also encourage people to continue to speak up on this issue - and speak loudly for the animals, since they can’t speak for themselves."We understand some people enjoy having private fireworks displays, but it is the role of veterinarians to advocate for what is in the best interests of animals."The issue was not just limited to Matariki or Guy Fawkes night. “People buy and store fireworks for use at other times. This means the impact fireworks have on animals is year-round, and sporadic - making it more difficult for people to manage and protect easily stressed and anxious animals.”Alexandra woman Mikayla Hills knows what it’s like after arriving home following the Blossom Festival fireworks, to discover her dog Sasha had disappeared.The one-year-old rottweiler-cross, escaped from her Fastnet St property, when the event was rescheduled from the Friday to the Saturday night, and Mikayla had briefly left town not realising it was on that night.Sasha was finally found about 24 hours later on Gilligans Gully Rd, thanks to social media.Mikayla said she would be much more aware following her recent experience."It's hard because I really love fireworks, but people who constantly let them off all night is just too much."If you lose an animal, or save one you see on the street that should be in a safe place please let us know and we will place it in our Pets Lost | Found | Adoption.Click here to Contact Us

Alexandra's popular community Christmas lunch is back on the menu, ensuring the festive season can be enjoyed by everyone.Alexandra, Clyde, Lauder Union Parish will host the annual community Christmas Day lunch again this year and preparations will soon gear up.Reverend Andrew Howley said it would be a similar set up to previous years, making use of the village green space between Alexandra Community House and St Enoch’s Church. He said registrations would open at the end of November to attend the barbecue. The organisers will be seeking volunteers, donations, support and entertainers to help with the event. “Christmas is for everyone. “We don’t care why you come. Everyone is welcome,” he said.Previous lunches have attracted a range of people. Some are locals without family nearby; others are overseas workers on holiday visas spending Christmas a long way from home.In previous years about 100 people have attended.For contact details see the Alexandra, Clyde, Lauder Union Parish website. 

While important changes to the Building Act Regulations relating to dam safety are due for implementation in May 2024, those who own dams say they are already well aware of their responsibilities. In addition, the Otago Regional Council (ORC) is updating its policy on how it deals with dangerous, earthquake-prone, or flood-prone dams in Otago, and how it reviews the policy at regular intervals. These changes will be available for public consultation.The policy, which the council is required to have under the Building Act 2004, is being updated to ensure it is fit for purpose and in line with the nationwide Building (Dam Safety) regulations. Contact Energy civil dam safety engineer Joe Wheeler said the dam safety regulations apply to all dams greater than 4m high that store more than 20,000m3, which includes the Hawea, Clyde and Roxburgh dams.The company already has an established comprehensive dam safety programme in place with a dedicated dam safety team.For Contact, compliance with the new regulations from May 2024 will largely be a matter of preparing existing information in the format required for the regulations, and having this certified by a recognised engineer before submitting it to the ORC.He said none of Contact’s dams are flood-prone, earthquake-prone or dangerous. ORC team leader consents Rebecca Jackson is leading this work and said the purpose of the policy is to help prevent the catastrophic failure of a potentially dangerous dam, and to ensure issues in an earthquake-prone or flood-prone dam are addressed.These new regulations largely relate to dam owner responsibilities, including a requirement for owners to regularly assess and report on the condition of their dam, and to tell potentially affected people if there are any safety risks.Consultant engineer Peter Mulvihill said while a lot of the region’s older infrastructure such as bridges and dams were built to different standards than exist today, the large majority have performed well.As part of a risk management process, large dams - especially ones with a Medium of High Potential Impact Classification, are subject to regular checks and performance reviews, he said.In addition the new regulations will require up to date consequence assessment and ongoing reporting to regional councils, Peter said.The Omakau Area Irrigation Company owns the 90-year-old Falls Dam and engineers are regularly checking and reporting on its performance.Director Murray Heckler said monthly reporting of the dam and also after small earthquakes has shown no problems. The safety management procedures have been around for some time, “and we are carrying on doing what we have to do to pass those tests, and being responsible.”Submissions will be open to the public on November 13 and feedback is welcomed on the proposed policy.In December, the ORC will decide how many hearings are required and their locations and then will consider changes and adopt the new policy.

Anyone wanting to take a closer look at the Lake Dunstan Water Supply Scheme will soon get an opportunity.An open day, planned for November 25 at 5 Clyde Lookout Rd, will showcase the inner workings of the scheme, the biggest infrastructure project Central Otago has seen for a generation.Central Otago District Council (CODC) will host the public open day at the treatment plant that supplies Clyde and Alexandra with an improved lime scale-free water supply. Officially blessed in a special ceremony on a chilly day back in June, CODC promised the public a chance to tour the $16.1 million plant when the weather warmed up, and capital projects programme manager Patrick Keenan was pleased to be able to announce that day would be November 25 at Clyde. “We’re looking forward to celebrating what has been a challenging, and ultimately rewarding feat that has future-proofed the drinking water supply and meets national standards for the Clyde and Alexandra communities.” All are welcome to attend the event on Saturday, November 25, from 10 am to 12pm, for a brief tour of the plant. Everyone must wear closed toe shoes. “This will be a fantastic opportunity to share information with the community around how the treatment plant works to supply reliable and safe water,” Patrick said. Children are also welcomed and must be supervised by an adult.People interested in attending the event can register here.

The Central App celebrates its seventh anniversary this week, prompting owner Vicki McLean to look to the future, not just the past.Vicki, who has 30 years experience in the media industry, bought the business three years ago.She was keen to move on from the corporate scene, so when the opportunity to buy The Central App presented itself, she embraced the opportunity and, ultimately, swapped the bright lights of Sydney for Central Otago.“To now own my own media business, be it small, means we can feel and hear what the people need and adapt quickly- and having an app to provide honest and reliable information for the community was a no brainer.”She enjoys the autonomy of working with the people she wants to work with - “like-minded business people and our dedicated team - it just makes it fun for all involved”.Vicki believes the opportunity to own The Central App came at “the right time”.“Before Covid, digital and QR codes had slowed down and for most it was not understood. So it's not a surprise to see we have grown over 100% in readership in the last three years. We also have our readers staying longer, and checking The Central App more regularly,” she said.Last month's stats showed The Central App is downloaded on 50,043 mobile phones.Between the app and website there are more than half a million page views a month, and is viewed by more than 14,000 people. “It's really outstanding and we are truly grateful for the locals' support. “Let’s not forget the foresight of people like Tony O'Regan who started iappnetwork and is the founder of Wanaka App with his wife Pippa. “Also, Marielle Craighead, whose blood,sweat and tears went into The Central App’s first four years to reach a foundation safe enough to build upon.”Vicki said, now, with a strong team of seven locals working as one, we should all take the credit for putting up the stories that resonate with locals, and providing a service that keeps everyone in the know, and safe in Central Otago.She said there was still a lot to look forward to and exciting developments on the agenda. “We have grown so quickly, that now it's time to take stock of what we have, and make it even better. With our talented team members we are poised for reaching our vision of being the first choice for local news and information in Central Otago.” There is a new website upgrade on the way, and as technology improves, so too will our service to you, she said. One of the questions Vicki is asked a lot is “how do we fund The Central App”?  She said 98% of the funding is from those who advertise with us. All local small businesses.“We ask you to support them, as they are the ones who give us the opportunity to provide your trustworthy news and information to you for free.   “There is no question it costs a lot of money and energy to deliver a platform like The Central App. “We all have days where we ask ourselves 'Does anyone really care what we are doing'? Then out of nowhere an email will arrive to thank us for helping an event attract record numbers, or to say a dog was found thanks to our story, or for allowing someone to have a voice.”Vicki says they are just some of the reasons we do what we do - and love what we do.Remember, you can contact us with any news tips or feedback. We’d love to hear from you!

Seasonal workers from Pacific nations appreciate the work from Central Otago’s Welcoming Communities, in helping them settle into life in the district.Welcoming Communities officer Heather Harries told the Central Otago District Council last week that the partnership with Seasonal Solutions had worked well.Now in its second year of rolling out the welcome mat to newcomers, the organisation has produced a six-monthly report for the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.Welcoming Communities strives to make newcomers feel a sense of belonging on the basis that a thriving community enables a flourishing economy. Welcoming Communities - Te Waharoa ki ngā Hapori, is a settlement programme that supports councils and their communities to create welcoming and inclusive environments for newcomers – recent migrants, former refugees and international students. It involves local residents in developing, delivering and participating in welcoming activities. Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is leading the programme’s implementation with the Office of Ethnic Communities and the Human Rights Commission.Some of the highlights this year have included a multicultural mural on the Cromwell Football Club building on Alpha St, a Business South Scholarship award, Pasifika dance workshop, and a series of cultural capability workshops attended by 80 people, and focusing on developing understanding around cultural nuances.  Heather said Welcoming Communities strived for self-sustainable initiatives, led by the community itself.“The Alexandra Newcomers Network, the Cromwell Newcomers Network and Seasonal Staff Manaaki are cohesive support groups that are gathering momentum. Recently, a wide range of community stakeholders have been meeting regularly at Central Otago REAP to support new migrant families, developing inter-connection between workplaces, education facilities, social services and ESOL tuition.”Further initiatives happening this year include an international pot luck dinner on November 10, to coincide with Diwali and the official opening of the Cromwell Multicultural Mural Celebration on November 12.   

Very similar themes have come out of a series of community meetings throughout Central Otago on the Otago Regional Council’s (ORC) Land and Water Regional Plan.ORC councillor Gary Kelliher said he had attended most of the meetings in the district and believed there was a huge amount of concern with the stance that the regional council was taking.Areas of interest to the public have so far included proposed changes around setbacks from waterbodies for various farming activities, and more specifically for dairy operations, the suggested limits on the number of cows per hectare, and the suggested restrictions on the amount of nitrogen fertiliser used per hectare.Cr Kelliher voted against the plan and said councillor's options were to either become “very environmental or more with where we fit with where we are at now.”He said there were some very upset farmers at the meetings and forestry companies had also told the ORC the new changes were going to the extreme, and would cripple their industry.“It’s a big deviation from the current rules,” he said.ORC chair Gretchen Robertson said she was really pleased with the turn out to the in-person meetings all around Otago to date, and also the large number of people who attended the on-line forums.“The engagement has been really great and staff have been busy collating peoples’ feedback around the issues which really matter to them.”She said the eventual Land and Water Regional Plan will be a cornerstone document for future environmental protection across all Otago.Once all the feedback has been collated, ORC will use these to inform development of the final plan.  The draft plan will be shared with councillors in December and is scheduled to be publicly notified in June 2024, which will include public submissions.Those affected still have until Friday November 6 to provide feedback on the draft plan.

Central Otago is growing faster than the New Zealand average according to provisional population estimates released by Stats NZ on October 25.Central Otago’s population grew at 2.6% in the year ended June 2023.  Nationally, the population grew by 2.1% (105,900 people) in the year ended June 2023, a significant increase from the growth of 0.1% in the previous year (5800 people).Stats NZ estimates and projections manager Michael MacAskill said Otago’s high growth rate (2.7 per cent) was driven by population growth in Queenstown-Lakes district, New Zealand’s fastest-growing territorial authority area over the year.The Queenstown Lakes district 8% increase was driven by a net international migration gain of 2500 people according to Stats NZ.In Central Otago there was a net international migration gain of 190 people, and an internal migration gain of 430 people. This was more than half of Central Otago's population growth (65%) from net internal migration. Estimated population change for 10 areas with highest annual growth rates year ended June 2023. Yellow is net internal migration. PHOTO: Stats NZ Along with Central Otago, other territorial authority areas growing faster than the New Zealand average include Selwyn district (5.2%), Mackenzie district (3.6%), Hamilton city (3.4%), Auckland and Western Bay of Plenty district (both 2.8%), Waikato district (2.6%), Tauranga city (2.5%), and Waimakariri district (2.2%).The population grew in all 16 regions of New Zealand in the year ended June 2023, according to provisional estimates released by Stats NZ, this follows two years of lower growth when several regions decreased in population.

An eight year old girl in Colorado started saving ten per cent of her pocket money for a grand piano, and 29 years later in Alexandra her biggest wish was realised.Music teacher Liz Conway (40) said she’s always had a deep love and connection to music, and this led her to begin piano lessons at five, despite neither of her parents playing instruments.“I begged my parents for a grand piano, and said I’d even sleep under it.”Although her parents were supportive she said they were “more practical” as a grand piano is a big part of any family space. A trip to Auckland in 2020 to test out pianos led her to the Schimmel, which she had played previously in the United States and she “knew it was the one”.The German-made Schimmel grand piano has pride of place in its own music room at Liz’s house, along with a special temperature and humidity control and a twice weekly cleaning procedure. Liz said that three years in the piano is “humming and has settled in” sounding better than ever. Hear Liz play a portion of her original song ‘Secrets of the River’ on the Schimmel. VIDEO: The Central App “It’s such a massive thing, there has never been any doubt about the decision.”She uses it for her teaching as well, allowing students to “immerse themselves” in the immense sound of the grand piano.Liz said she feels a responsibility to share the beautiful things she is creating and it is an “absolute honour” to be able to do so. She said loves how music can help to heal or give people a sense of calm. She retells a moment when a student who was having a hard time, heard a piano song she had written for the first time and said to her “finally some peace.”“Giving moments of peace in all the chaos, that’s why I do it.”Liz is releasing an album of her original songs, many of them a result of the “huge lift” from the piano’s arrival. “Recording the piano songs, there is a realness to them, nothing that replaces a real person and a real instrument, it can’t be edited out.”She said the album contains love songs and life songs, written in the context of being a mum, friend and wife in this community. They are piano or guitar based with a vocal accompaniment, and some recorded together with husband Jono. “I record, mix and do everything myself… a lot of my songwriting happens in the evening, sitting and taking creative time. [It’s] hard to shift into [that] discipline to get [a song] to a form of completion.”Liz is playing an evening of acoustic guitar, piano and vocal music next week at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery.Find out more here: Jono & Liz Conway Live in Concert. 

The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Service continues to have increased demand, with more than 2000 missions over the past year.A recent presentation to major funders last week, including the Otago Regional Council, which provides $350,000 annually, shared the latest statistics through its annual report.The Otago Southland Rescue Helicopter Trust has responded to a request to provide increased annual community funding for the service in its role as co-funders with the Crown (Te Whatu Ora and ACC).Total donations from more than 200 community groups and individuals totalled $1.265 million annually, and trustee Stephen Woodhead said they are hugely grateful for the sponsorships and donations.“That support is vital in enabling us to support the teams to bring vital life-saving care to patients every day and night of the year,” he said.The service responded with critical care for 1866 patients over the last year - an increase of 16% on the previous year.Accidents increased from 477 missions to 629 (32%), medical emergencies from 344 to 436 (27%), hospital transfers  767 to 935 (22%), and search and rescues from 61 to 109 (79%).The total number of missions increased from 1666 to 2121 (up 27%), and the trust continues to be the busiest area in the country.The report says the uplift reflects changing demographics, new clinical pathways, the increase in activity levels following Covid-19, and enhanced technology that enables more responses in adverse weather conditions.Two new ventilators were recently purchased, and further Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) routes were added - including from Wanaka to Queenstown in August 2023.  All pilots underwent specialised training.

Central Otago has been named in the top 50 best in travel destinations by Lonely Planet. Lonely Planet announced the regions that encompass the towns of Cromwell, Clyde, Queenstown, Wānaka in the best value, Best in Travel 2024 top 50 destinations list.The endorsement from global travel authority Lonely Planet confirms Central Otago delivers experiences that are truly world class and valued. When making the announcement on October 26, Lonely Planet identified the Southern Lakes’ and Central Otago’s strength in cycle and mountain biking opportunities as a key factor in making the list. Tourism Central Otago (TCO)  head of destination Anthony Longman was stoked that the two southern regions made it into the best value category.“This is a global acknowledgement celebrating the effort our local community and businesses put into delivering outstanding experiences that not only benefit visitors, but also our communities and environment. “We are excited that Lonely Planet identified that value is not [only] about dollars, but in the visitor sense it is the combination of value for money, depth of the experience, engagement with people and place, and so much more.” The diversity and choice of trails across Otago provide many reasons for visitors to stay longer, explore further and return. Central Otago Rail Trail is an achievable ride for families. PHOTO: Supplied Central Otago and the Southern Lakes offer a full range of trails from easy to expert and parts of six of New Zealand’s Ngā Haerenga Great Rides, which came about following the success of the Otago Central Rail Trail, which opened in 2000.There are multiple bike parks in Queenstown, Wānaka and Alexandra, plus ongoing trail extensions, infrastructure development and trail related events. An increasing number of visitors and new residents are choosing the region for its biking experiences and facilities. “The growth in cycling world-wide is considered by some to be ‘the new golf’. Like golf, cycling and mountain biking opportunities are most often found in stunning scenic locations, immerse people into the lifestyle of local communities, and are best enjoyed with friends. “Biking is one of the best low cost, low impact ways to explore and experience our regions’ incredible scenery and attractions,” Anthony said.Bannockburn’s Carrick Winery winemaker Rosie Menzies said inclusion on the list was wonderful exposure for the region.“It’s amazing to be recognised by such a prestigious publication. It goes to show Central Otago is putting its best foot forward with experiences for people to enjoy [such as] . . . trails, walks and wineries.”She said Carrick Winery was getting a good number of people through the doors to enjoy wine and food and soak up the views from the terrace now that warmer spring weather was here.Carrick’s Eat Taste Central (ETC) specific empanadas and terrine have been well received by visitors Rosie said. See: Wild Cairnmuir Rabbit Terrine An image from Carrick Winery past delectable offerings as a part of Eat Taste Central. PHOTO: James Jubb/TCO    The month-long celebration of Central’s food and drink, Eat Taste Central runs until November 12 and is another reason drawing people to the region’s specialist hospitality experiences.Find out more about Eat Taste Central.

Local primary school students' creativity is centre stage for another week in Alexandra as a two week long festival of the arts continues.The Dunstan Kāhui Ako Art Exhibition is on at the Central Stories Museum until Friday, November 3, from 10am - 4pm daily with a gold coin entry.Ranfurly’s 125th anniversary is one of the subjects covered in the exhibition. PHOTO: SuppliedA live performance is on Wednesday, November 1, including kapa haka, choir, dance and musical items from local schools. The performance will take place in The Terrace School hall on Marslin St and runs from 4.15 - 6.30pm.The combined kapa haka group Ngā Kura o Haehaeata, which recently performed at Blossom Festival, NZ Merino Shearing Championships and the NZ Principals Federation Conference, is due to conclude the evening at about 6.10pm.Read more: Mana and Learning from kapa haka group.During the festival students have been participating in art workshops run by artists in the Central Otago community, including pottery, cake decorating, woodwork, harakeke weaving, patchwork, printmaking and more. Dunstan Kāhui Ako (community of learning) is made up of nine local schools - Alexandra Primary, The Terrace School, St Gerard’s, Clyde, Omakau, Poolburn, St John’s Ranfurly, Millers Flat and Dunstan High - who collaborated to create the exhibition.Millers Flat students creativity on show at Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery. PHOTO: SuppliedThe student art is varied, colourful and modern; techniques such as applique, collage, paper mache sculpting, mixed media, installation, photography and digital art are all on display.The museum has also collated an exhibition in The Heaphy Gallery for visitors to view, which includes a range of local artists specialising in a variety of mediums.See What’s On: Festival of the arts by Dunstan Kāhui Ako.