Buzz in the Bay - News from Waipu and Bream Bay

 

Barn taking shape

As the Waipu Celtic Barn comes closer to reality, the project has been aided by a further grant of $250,000 from the ASB Community Trust. This takes funding now to within $130,000 of the almost $2m cost. Though progress has been a little slower than expected the construction is expected to be completed to shell stage and in use for the New Year Highland Games.

Service rewarded
Fifty years of dedicated community service by Waipu’s Trevor McKenzie was rewarded last week with the presentation of a Local Hero medal. Trevor has served as local representative on the Whangarei County Council, Whangarei County Judicial Committee, Whangarei

Pest Destruction
Board,Whangarei Civil Defence Committee, the Committee that formed the Waipu Fire Brigade, past President of Marsden Combined St Johns, Waipu Rugby Club and a Justice of the Peace. Faithful service not gone unnoticed.

Emer in the big time
Eight-year-old Emer Lea from Waipu is one of the chosen few to perform at this year’s Whangarei Christmas

Festival on Saturday
December 13 at Toll Stadium. It’s free entry, so bring all your family and supporters to cheer for her loudly! Gates open at 4.30pm and John and Flash from More FM will be on stage from 5.30pm.

Rockers on a roll In case you haven't heard yet, metallers Alien Weaponry got into the national finals of the Battle of the Bands. Some serious opposition but they’ll be hammering it out in the finals at King’s Arms Auckland, December 19, before their first North Island tour.

Taking care of business
Waipu Business Association is looking for new members who are interested in things ‘Waipu’ and have new and innovative ideas on how the town and it’s people can grow and prosper. The more people, the more ideas to throw into the mix. Old residents, new residents, come along, meet the team and throw your ideas into the mix. Standing still is going backwards. Contact Sarah Archer on 021 858 086.

Open evening…
… at Waipu Natural Health. Meet the therapists in the beautifully refurbished clinic. Please join Jan and the girls to celebrate their official opening with a glass or two, Wednesday December 10, 5.30 - 7.30pm, 3 Cove Rd, Waipu (opposite Pizza Barn), phone 09 432 1325.

Waipu Winner
Many believe Waipu Cove is the best place to build. The judges agreed in awarding Auckland-based PSL Construction the Supreme Award at the Registered Master Builders 2014 House of the Year. Attention to detail and workmanship also won them the Craftsmanship Award for homes in the over $2m category.

Top Students
Congratulations to Tessa Paton and Olive Grant, Dux and Proxime Accessit respectively at Bream Bay College. Both girls head south next year, Tessa to Elam School of Fine Arts, and Olive to Otago in pursuit of a Bachelor of Science degree. The school’s highest honour, the McBirney Award, that of citizenship, was bestowed upon Rebecca Lucas who also heads to Auckland to study for a Bachelor of Science majoring in nutrition.

Build a Bridge
Bream Bay Bridge Club would like to invite anyone interested in playing or learning bridge to join a friendly club. We play every Thursday 1-4 pm at Coronation Hall, Waipu. If you are new to bridge they offer ten free lessons, come along and join in. They also play competition bridge every Tuesday night 7-10pm. For more information phone Judy Grey 09 432 1211.

Hey all you photographers
Project Crimson are looking for your favourite Pohutukawa or Rata photo for their ‘See a tree then shoot it’ competition. Running until February 28, go to projectcrimson.org.nz to enter. Great prizes!

Dates to remember:
- Ruakaka Surf Beach market, Saturday Dec 13. Music, food and lots of interesting stalls.
Midday-4pm. - Waipu Boutique market, Sunday Dec 14, 9am – 1pm Coronation Hall, Waipu.
- Ruakaka Christmas
Parade, Saturday Dec 20, from 10.30am. - Marsden Cove Market in the marquee, Sunday Dec 21, 8.30am – 1pm.

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