Graham Brown (second from left) issues newly acquired Coastguard qualifications to Bobby Smith (left), Walter Smith and Allan Crabb (right). Photo / Supplied
Graham Brown (second from left) issues newly acquired Coastguard qualifications to Bobby Smith (left), Walter Smith and Allan Crabb (right). Photo / Supplied
Community effort behind rescue base opening Tinopai Volunteer Emergency Services has celebrated the culmination of two years of fundraising to establish a rescue base.
The organisation utilised generous donations from the local community, significant discounts from local suppliers and contractors plus hundreds of volunteer hours and a large lottery grant to build the complex which now houses the North Kaipara Coastguard's boat, rural fire truck, first response vehicle and equipment for first aid.
It means a central location for emergency services within the rural community. Prior to this, vehicles were parked on volunteers' sections.
Two local men have recently completed Coastguard skipper training and three others have completed necessary courses to boat operational level to ensure there are sufficient crew members ready for the summer season.
The Tinopai Rescue Base is now operational thanks to substantial support from the local community. Photo / Supplied
An open day last month allowed the Tinopai community to see inside the new rescue base they had contributed to. Around 120 people attended and enjoyed a sausage sizzle and much thanks from the management committee.
Fancy a cruise on the Kaipara Harbour? Abalone Cruises (previously Kaipara Harbour Cruises) was founded by Captain Terry Somers more than 20 years ago, in 1987, in Dargaville.
A fisherman tries his luck from the pier at Shelly Beach on the Kaipara Harbour, one of the locations taken in by Abalone Cruises during its harbour tour. Photo / File
Somers explains how he had been involved in the marine industry since childhood and could always see a potential for tourism on the harbour. His words proved right and the business has evolved to running five vessels on two harbours between Dargaville and Auckland.
As part of the tourism venture, Abalone Cruises bought the 17m boat Kewpie Too in 1990 which was previously used in the Bay of Islands on the Hole in the Rock cruise.
It now enables patrons to enjoy a two-day exploration of the Kaipara Harbour which retraces journeys by steamers and sailing ships in days gone by.
According to Somers, this is their most popular cruise attracting people from all over New Zealand who come to enjoy the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere.
Participants are collected in Helensville, north of Auckland, and travel past Shelly Beach, Tinopai and Pahi to an overnight stay at one of the historical hotels on the Dargaville riverside. On the second day, patrons further explore the natural beauty of the Wairoa River before returning home.
The next two-day adventure with Abalone Cruises will be on November 17 and 18. More information on their website or call 09 420 8466.
Local sports achievements recognised Silver Fern Farms and Sport Northland will be hosting their Kaipara sports awards tonight at the town hall where they celebrate the local achievements of sports people in the Kaipara region. Awards and honours will be issued by Evan Wright, Fern Stevens, Stella Clyde and a representative from Sport Northland.
More than 80 nominations were received from schools and clubs throughout the district for the coveted titles. Categories include Junior Sportsman of the Year, Kauri Coast Swimming Pool Coach of the Year, Silver Fern Farms Sportswoman of the Year and Dargaville Veterinary Centre Team of the Year Award.
Special guest this year is Gaz Whiter who competes on the drifting circuit. He will be displaying his car that he recently used to win a world drifting competition and will talk about his success and how he became a four-time New Zealand champion.
Tickets can be bought from Sport Northland .
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