Northland's secondary school surfing representatives (from left) Tai Erceg-Gray, Billy Gilbert, Tom Robinson, Tom Norton, Jacob Buckle, Max Brunker, Tama Kauwhata, Ely Backhouse. Photo/Ella Buckle.
Northland's secondary school surfing representatives (from left) Tai Erceg-Gray, Billy Gilbert, Tom Robinson, Tom Norton, Jacob Buckle, Max Brunker, Tama Kauwhata, Ely Backhouse. Photo/Ella Buckle.
Razza quiz raises surfing funds Northland's secondary school representative surfers received a funding boost of more than $2000 thanks to a quiz night at the Waipu Razza.
Parent Ella Buckle said it was a full house at the Razza, with three teams sharing the lead at the end of the quiz rounds.
"So they had to do some extra challenges to determine the winner," she said. The Amigos team emerged on top, with Cove Masters second and the Surfers third. Best-dressed winners were the Waipu Op Shop Cross Dressers.
Buckle said the money will be a huge help for the surfers heading to the National Scholastic Surfing Championships in Gisborne this October. The competition, which runs for five days, is held at a different location every year, and surfers must qualify to compete in their regional teams. The event crowns an individual winner plus winners in each age group.
Swimmers make a splash in the Bay Last weekend 25 Bream Bay swimmers headed north to Kawakawa to compete in the Bay of Islands spring championships.
Meet records fell to Hunter Dobson, 13, and Rebecca Reade, 15, in the 100m individual medley, while Paul Linton, 17, took the meet records in 100m IM and 50m and 100m backstroke. His time of 28.04 seconds in 50m backstroke was faster than the current Northland age group short course record of 28.24 set in 2008 by Aaron Millar.
Bream Bay swimmers in the Bay of Islands (from left): Hunter Dobson, Rebecca Reade and Samantha Dutton. Photo/Julie Paton
Medals and personal best times also abounded, with Dobson taking home nine gold medals; while Linton, Reade, Kiera Carroll, 13, and Fidel Poulson, 12, each won six golds. Lily Matenga, 13, won five golds and Mahko Linton, 9, took home four. One gold medal each went to Ryan Andrews, 14, Sam Dutton, 14, Nina Matenga, 16, and Stevie-Ray Rawaho-Ball, 10.
Wiping out Waipu's weeds Waipu's first weed action workshop drew 20 locals to Dave and Debbie Brown's Cove Rd property to learn how to deal with pesky plants.
Jo Barr from Weed Action, Whangarei Heads, demonstrated the best ways to knock some of the main weeds dead.
Jo Barr gives the Waipu Weed Action group tips on how to tackle tobacco weed. Photo/Ann Neill
"What was also helpful was a discussion about tactics to deal with weeds," said Waipu organiser Ann Neill. "Deal to the outliers or top targets first and have a backup plan for the ones that come back."
The group was then let loose to tackle mignonette, ginger, tobacco weed and banana passion fruit vine.
"Car trips will never be the same now I've got to identify a whole lot of plants as invasive pests," said Neill.
The group plans to establish a management group for weed action in the Brynderwyn/ Bream Tail area.
"To deliver weed action projects well in our community we need some dedicated people working with a co-ordinator and Northland Regional Council," said Neill.
"They will make decisions on which weeds are our local dirty dozen, which weeds to focus on first to get some quick wins and building community buy-in."
The group is looking for a part-time (10 hours per week) paid co-ordinator to set up storage for resources, chemicals and other equipment, and would love to hear from anyone who is interested in the role. If you are keen, call Ann Neill on 0274321833.
The group plans to run another working bee in a publicly visible area to attract more community interest in their battle against weeds and will hold their next weed workshop in Mangawhai.
Music group needs members The Bream Bay Music Group is looking for new people to boost its membership. The group meets monthly at the Ruakaka Recreation Centre with a free mike evening, with people taking turns to perform.
Poets, singers and players of a variety of musical instruments have all performed, with dancers also welcome, and some evenings are themed. Sessions start at 7pm and cost $2, with supper at 8.30pm. People are welcome to come along to watch and listen. For more information, call Ruth Brown 4327533 or 0212585531.
College music night More than 400 people turned out last week for Bream Bay College's popular annual music night. The evening showcased 30 performances by 70 students.
Neve McEvoy performs at Bream Bay College's Music Night. Photo/Morgan Sears
The college's next musical event is Te Tuinga, featuring both musical and dance performances, starting at 6pm on September 25 at the Bream Bay College auditorium.
Daffodil Day at the Races The forecast looks bright for this Saturday's Harcourts Daffodil Race Day in Ruakaka, a fundraiser for the Cancer Society.
Celebrity sporting ambassador for the day is Black Stick Anita McLaren – join her at the Harcourts Daffodil Race Day high tea and enjoy high tea and refreshments throughout the day, a spring fashion preview, spot prizes and giveaways. Tickets to the high tea are $60 with $10 going to the Cancer Society – phone Ruakaka Racing at 4327249 for more information.
Princess Ball Lifepoint's Princess Ball for women and girls is next Friday at Lifepoint Church, 300 One Tree Point Rd. This year's theme is "Under the Sea" and tickets are $5 before September 1, $10 after that, and can be bought from Sandra on 02102397431, or at Lifepoint's Mainly Music on Wednesday mornings.
