Bream Bay news: Tauraroa Area School students use woodwork skills to help Ruakaka Dog Rescue

Tauraroa School students and the kennel they built for Ruakaka Dog Rescue (from left): school caretaker Greg Walker holding Turbo, Jayden Thomas with Pixie on a lead, Duncan Sneddon holding Halo and Kim Metcalf from Ruakaka Dog Rescue. Turbo and Halo are looking for homes. Photo/Supplied

Students build kennel for Ruakaka dogs
Students from Tauraroa Area School have used their woodwork skills to help the community.

When Ruakaka Dog Rescue asked for community help to provide better shelters for dogs under their care, Tauraroa student Josh Marker approached organisers to see if his school could help.

Other Tauraroa students – Jayden Thomas, Dwayne Stevenson, Duncan Sneddon, Landon Potter and Brady Ballard - took the project on and built the kennel with help from school caretaker Greg Walker.

"Being a rural school, we have lots of kids interested in animal rights and looking after animals," said Tauraroa staff member Andrea Cameron.

"I also believe it's important that young people get the opportunity to do helpful things for society and be part of the community."

Cameron is pleased the students took the project on.

"Josh Marker was the catalyst, and I wanted to make it happen for him. He's the one with the passion."

Kim Metcalf, who fosters dogs for Ruakaka Dog Rescue, said she was really impressed with all the community support the group received after their call for new kennels to replace existing old and cold structures.

Businesses and community groups, along with Tauraroa School, have built 10 kennels which Ruakaka Dog Rescue will distribute in the community this weekend.

Bream Bay College music night
Steel Panda, one of the acts performing tonight at Bream Bay College's music night are well-prepared after playing two shows last weekend at the Paihia Jazz and Blues Festival.

Steel Panda perform at the Duke of Marlborough Hotel during last weekend's Paihia Jazz and Blues Festival (from left): Jacinta Brocas, Michael Ryland, Cohen Morgan-Webb, Mirabella Uphof, Gemma Hindley, Evan Nops, Anna Brady, Neve McEvoy. Photo/Julie Paton

The steel pan band's earlier show, at the Duke of Marlborough Tavern, drew a small audience but word of their performance spread, drawing an almost capacity crowd to the Duke of Marlborough Hotel for their second show.

The group of Year 9 and 10 students will play, along with other school bands, from 6pm-9pm at Bream Bay College auditorium.

Tickets are $2 for students, $5 for adults or $10 for a family pass, with gold seats available at $8 and under-11s free.

The music night is the highlight of the college music department's calendar and showcases the school's musicians. Refreshments will be available.

Waipu rugby prizegiving
Waipu Rugby Squash Club held a prizegiving with a fiesta theme last Saturday night to celebrate their players' achievements over the past season.

Waipu Rugby Club's trophy winners in a festive mood (back, from left):Truman McCarthy, Scott Welsh, Tavite Gadeisuva, Ben Mathers, Jack McClure (front, from left) Lucas Albornoz, Dalton Barriball, Kory McShane, Sam McNamara, Livai Toofohe. Photo/Supplied

Three players made the Northland Mitre 10 Taniwha team: Ropate Rinakama, Temo Mayanavanua and Sam McNamara; and two made the Northland under-19s team: Popoai Finau and Jack McClure.

Trophy winners were:
Most improved – Jake McClure (Senior Reserves) and Lucas Albornoz (Premiers)
Most tries – Popoai Finau (SR), Tavite Gadeisuva (P)
Most points – Dalton Barriball (SR), Ben Mathers (P)
Best back – Demetrius Moala (SR), Tavite Gadeisuva (P)
Best forward – Scott Welsh (SR), Livai Toofohe (P)
Most outstanding – Popoai Finau (SR), Sam McNamara (P)
Outstanding contribution to senior reserves – Scott Welsh
Best club trainer – Sam McNamara
Best senior player – Kory McShane
Fairest senior player – Alex Smith
Kerry Watts Memorial Trophy for greatest contribution by a player – Mark McClure
Club person of the year - Truman McCarthy

Wiping out weeds
An enthusiastic group of people in Waipu and Mangawhai are keen to get weeding and keep invasive weeds from spreading from gardens and roadsides into Brynderwyn Hills reserves and native bush.

A hands-on weed workshop is happening this Sunday 10am-2pm at 566 Cove Rd, Waipu.

Jo Barr, Whangarei Heads Weed Action Group co-ordinator, will help with weed identification and methods to deal with each weed.

The goal is to establish a Weed Action group for Waipu and Mangawhai.

"We've got an ideal weedy patch to begin with on Cove Rd," said organiser Ann Neill.

"Ginger, tobacco weed, arum lily, banana passionfruit, lantana and mignonette vine and more.

"We'll be safely off road with plenty of parking and able to enjoy a cuppa and lunch refreshments," Neill said.

Bring a friend, water bottle, garden gloves, hat, secateurs and a pruning saw. If you are interested in being part of the group, email Ann at aneill.nz@gmail.com

Car boot sale
If you're thinking about having an early spring clean out or if you're keen for a bargain – Ruakaka Recreation Centre has the perfect event for you.

Their Car Boot Sale is on August 25 at 9 Takutai Place, Ruakaka from 10am-2pm. It costs $10 for a stall – to book call 432 7962. There will be sausage sizzles and hot drinks in the upstairs lounge.

■ Email Julie Paton at moojoy@xtra.co.nz if you've got Bream Bay news to share with Northern Advocate readers.