September 2016
Editors Mike Gray and Jo Todd
Spring is Sprung
I’m giddy with the speed it’s got here, and giddy with all the new possibilities, and
new life, that is starting to unfurl. It’s a lovely time of year and sunshine is life, without it we couldn’t, and
never would have, existed. Take the Digger out into the sun and catch a few rays while you read it.
Volunteers from around the Waitaki district were recognised for their extensive work in the community at
the Waitaki Citizens’ Awards in August. Hearty Congratulations to Mike Gray who received an award, just
for him this time, for being a fantastic volunteer in the promotion of Duntroon.
No one can deny the effort that
Mike consistently puts in on our
patch. He is thoroughly
organised, a great leader,
inspires others, knows how to
do stuff to make things happen,
and who to approach to get it
going. I personally think he
should be regarded as the
Mayor of Duntroon. Maybe
some of the trainees at the
Smithie could make a suitable
yoke of office for him, but don’t
weigh him down too much or
he’ll have trouble rushing off to
the next thing on his list.
We salute you Mike, and many of us are proud of Duntroon because of you and your efforts.
The Digger will be printed a little later in October to outline all the exciting things going on at Labour
weekend on our Main Street. And likewise the November Digger will also be later in November and will be
the last one for the year. Please get your advertising in early for these, there is lots happening as the
season ramps up.
Tourism As we begin to host tourists on our corner of the world for this summer we need to be watchful,
hospitable, and ready to help keep them and us safe and make their visit great for everyone. Many
travellers don’t know our culture or our rules, and we need to be as mindful of our own safety and of theirs
at all times.
Some important happenings for your calendar:
Next DDDA Committee Meeting will be held at 6pm at Vanished World on Thursday
September 8th.
CONSERVATION WEEK 10-18 September 2016
DOC and the wider Waitaki Community are holding a Revegetation Day
On Wednesday 14th September 2016, at Wai O Toura (Gards Road, Duntroon)
Inaugural planting & Programme for the Day
08.15 hrs - Assemble Oamaru DOC Office Yard, 8 Regina Lane (hopefully armed with some sort of digging
implement) DOC has a few tools but we encourage you to bring your own.
08.30 hrs - Depart via Richie’s 53 seat bus (or private vehicle if you wish) for Wai O Toura
09.30 hrs - Arrive/Morning Tea, DOC Health & Safety briefing, Planting & protector Demo (drinks
throughout the day will be kindly provided by One Smart Coffee)
10.00 - 12.15 hrs - Session 1 planting (Divide into teams under supervision of a group leader).
12.15 - 12.45 hrs – Lunch (a sausage sizzle lunch will be provided & kindly sponsored by Southern Wide
Real Estate, Oamaru)
12.45 - 1500 hrs - Session 2 planting
15.00 - 15.15 hrs - Afternoon tea
15.15 - 15.30 hrs - Clear & pack up site
15.30 hrs - Depart Wai O Toura for Oamaru
16.30 hrs - Arrive Oamaru DOC Office
Registration:
So if you would like to have a day in the fresh air,
bring a friend, meet like minded people and help
our local environment please register your name
at any of the following numbers or email address
(this is to enable us to establish accurate figures
for Health & Safety, a seat on the bus and food from the sausage sizzle ) Geraldine District Office 03 693
1010, [email protected] or Andy on 0272178912
Important Notes:
A portaloo will be on site for the day (all items provided).
Wear warm and plenty of clothing - sturdy gloves - Hat, sun glasses & sunscreen (VITAL)
Wet weather gear - sturdy/suitable footwear (it is a hilly environment)
Water bottles or other drinks as required – A drinking cup - Snacks if required (Lunch and tea provided)
If possible a digging implement
Duntroon Hall Working Bee:
Calling members of our community to come and help clean up the area behind the hall.
Date: Saturday 17th September
Afternoon tea provided.
Time: 1pm
See you there!
Bring : Gloves
Andy Pickles (Duntroon Hall Committee)
Next DUNTROON Wetland Working Bee will be 10am on Saturday October 1st.1. A tidy up for the Wetland Entrance Event on the following Saturday.
2. More plantings and plant care also required.
Bring: Gloves, spade, grubber, bucket, gum boots, perhaps a wheel barrow.
DDDA AGM will be held at 7 pm on October 6th at Vanished World.
Are you interested in joining a “Dynamic Team of Volunteers” that are proud of what they achieve
for the community?
To become a member of DDDA Association, simply send your name and address + email + phone
number to Mike Gray at [email protected] You will then be kept informed of what is going on.
To serve on the DDDA Committee, you simply need to indicate that you are willing to join a
dedicated team and help us achieve our goals. You are elected for a term of two years – it is not a
“life sentence” .
Wetland Entrance – Carved Maori Panels.
The dedication of the “Carved Entrance
Panels” will take place at
11am on Saturday 8th October
at the Duntroon Wetlands, Harris Street
entrance.
All past and present DDDA members and
invited guests will then gather at the
Duntroon Domain for a “get together” and
barbeque lunch.
PHOTO:
Duntroon School pupils oil the carvings >
Little Purple Car
many of you will probably have noticed the small purple car sitting down at Andy’s
Duntroon Garage. It’s a 1964 restyled Cortina, so is unlike any other around, and has been the companion
of choice for Barry Todd for the last 18 months. It even pushed the fancy other car down to the open
garage so it could become resident right by the workshop to have a major makeover.
All through the winter of 2015 Barry worked away patiently, removing everything that could be removed
labelling, and storing all the pieces until the car was just a shell. The first things removed were as basic as
piles of opened plum pips and rat droppings from the rats nest that was set up inside the cab, far from the
winters’ chill of several years. Gradually the body became cleaner and brighter and then painted purple in
honour of the lavender fields, then garnished with chrome and the wheels put back on and it was time to
test the engine. A labour of love you might say and it has had its moments of heartbreak, as all good
romances do, from filling up the radiator and finding the water went straight through to the concrete
below, to spending hours trying to bolt in seat belts that were never there in the first place.
Currently, as you see, it is waiting patiently to be taken home to our place from the garage for the next
stages which are WOF and VIN or is it the other way round. Just the sound of the engine is enough to
transport me back to first boyfriends’ cars and I just can’t wait to have a turn at driving that little purple
car, having watched, and discussed, and opinioned and even polished, I think I’m owed that honour.
tth