Issue 243 - Wednesday 25th March 2026

COUNTRY IN THE COUNTRY

The Ellesmere A&P Showgrounds in Leeston were transformed into a vibrant country music haven this past Saturday,March14,asCountry in the Country returned for its highlyanticipatedsecondyear. Buildingonitsdebut,the2026 editiondrewawelcomecrowd, firmly establishing the festival as a premier fixture on the local event calendar. Under clear, sunny skies, fans of all ages gathered to enjoy a day that perfectly blended worldclass entertainment with a relaxed, grassroots community spirit.

The atmosphere was electric from the moment gates opened at 11:00am. Families took full advantage of the "picnic welcome" policy, spreading blankets across the greens while enjoying a wide arrayoffoodcartsandcarnival attractions. The musical lineup delivered non-stop talent, beginning with soulful sets from Zayde Blair and Ste any Beck. As the afternoon progressed, Adam McGrath & The Eastern brought their signature high-energy folkrock to the stage, followed by a powerful performance from Sisterhood. The day reached its peak with a headline set by global country sensation Kaylee Bell, whose performance left the capacity crowd buzzing until the event concludedat6:00pm.

Changeover time was filled with line dancing from

“Buckles and Boots” Rolleston leadingthethrong. True to its family-first mission, the festival o ered free entry for those 17 and under, ensuring the grounds were alive with activity, from face painting to all-ages entertainment. Injusttwoshortyears,Country intheCountryhascarvedouta uniquespaceforitself,proving that the Ellesmere A&P Showgrounds is a top-tier venue for large-scale communitycelebrations.Itwas a spectacular dayofmusic and memories that Leeston won't soonforget.

Troubleshooting Printer Problems

Printers have a reputation for being one of the most frustrating pieces of technology in the home or o ice. One minute, they work perfectly, and the next, they refuse to print, claim to be “o line”, or start producing faded pages. The good news is that many common printer problems have simple fixes you can try before replacing anything.

If your printer suddenly stops cooperating, start with a few basic checks:

• Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi

• Restart your printer and computer to refresh the connection

• Check for paper jams or misaligned paper in the tray

• Reseat or replace ink cartridges if prints are faded or streaky

• Run the printer’s cleaning or maintenance cycle These quick steps can solve many everyday printing issues. However, if the problem continues, trying to force a fix can sometimes make things worse.

If your printer is still giving you trouble, call the friendly team at Geeks on Wheels on 0800 424 335 and let a Geek get you printing again!

EVERYTHING IS ON THE MENU

The Christchurch Food Show returns to Wolfbrook Arena from 27–29 March 2026, bringing three days of tasting, sipping and discovering the very best of New Zealand food anddrink.

With more than 120 exhibitors under one roof, it’s a flavourpacked celebration for curious eaters,homecooksandserious foodloversalike.

The Cooking Theatre takes centre stage with an all-star lineup of Kiwi culinary talent including Chelsea Winter, Nadia Lim and Annabelle White. Expect incredible recipes, pro-level tips, and plenty of inspiration to transform your own kitchen creations

Across the show floor, curated

feature destinations invite deeper discovery. The Artisan Village celebrates small-batch producers and handcrafted goods, o ering a chance to meet the makers and uncover unique productsyou won’t find onsupermarketshelves.

The Deli Collective is a mustvisit for cheese lovers and platter perfectionists, show-

casing premium cheeses, cured meats and gourmet accompaniments made for entertaining. Lock it in the diary, grab some friends, buy your tickets and prepare to upskill your own cookingrepertoire.

For more For more information visit information visit information information thefoodshow.co.nz. thefoodshow.co.nz. thefoodshow.co.nz. thefoodshow.co.nz.

There are plenty of opportunities to meet the makers, try new tastes and buy delicious food and drink at the Christchurch Food Show.

BIG TURNOUT AT SELWYN HARVEST FESTIVAL

Selwyn’s rich rural roots and booming food scene were on full display at the Selwyn Harvest Festival on Saturday 14 March, with more than 12,000 people flocking to Rolleston Town Centre’s greenspace behind Te Ara Ātea.

The free community event transformed the area into a bustling farmers’ market, with produce brought straight from over 30 of Selwyn’s top growers, producers and wineries. Families and food lovers sampled local flavours, watched tastings and demonstrations, and learned moreaboutthedistrict’sstrong paddock-to-plateculture.

For Selwyn-based sponsor The Good Oil, the day was a chance to reconnect with the community close to home,

marketing and brand manager AndyO’Malley-Morasays.

“It’s the perfect fit. Many people don’t know we’re just acrossthetraintracksiniZone; they tend to get excited when they hear that,” he says.

“Harvest time is an exciting time for us. A lot of our sunflowers are blooming so that’sfreshinpeople’sminds.”

Council Executive Director Community Services and Facilities, Denise Kidd, says the festival highlighted both Selwyn’s producers and its strongcommunityspirit.

“Ourproducersareattheheart of what makes Selwyn unique,

and harvest is a key time for them,” she says. “With the growing interest in paddock to plate eating, it’s a great opportunity to support them and boost our economy. It’s fantastic tohave sponsorswho recognise the value of supportingSelwynbusinesses.”

Crowds also enjoyed live music, community garden displays, farmyard animals, pony rides, an epic inflatable zone, amusement rides, a hay bale maze and the festival’s first scarecrow competition, adding colour and creativity to a lively autumn day out in Selwyn.

ART HISTORY COMES ALIVE AT TE ARA ĀTEA

On 5 March 2026, Te Ara Ātea was abuzz with the o cial opening of Rita Angus: He Haereka ki Cass | A Trip to Cass. This exhibition celebrates a landmark journey taken 90 years ago by three intrepid artists: Rita Angus, Louise Henderson, and Julia Scarvell.Amidsttheepicalpine Selwyn landscape, these women spent ten days walking, sketching, and painting. Their e orts resulted insomeofNewZealand’smost iconic works, including Angus’s famousCass.

Beyond the canvas, the exhibition explores the multifaceted identity of the Cass area—as a mahinga kai, a vital railway hub, and a site for environmental research. This rich showcase was made possible through the incredible collaboration of partners including the University of Canterbury, KiwiRail, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū,

andmanyothers.

Recently, a young Rolleston artist named Nic, who usually draws superheroes, found new inspiration at the gallery. He spent the afternoon sketching his own "awesome" impression of the large-scale Cass

reproduction. Whether you are a seasoned art lover or a budding creator like Nic, we invite you to experience this journey. Rita Angus: He Haereka ki Cass is open now on Level 1 and runs until April 30,2026.

SELWYN RESIDENTS URGED TO JOIN REPAIR MOVEMENT

Selwyn residents are being encouraged to rediscover the value of repairing everyday items as part of a global movementtoreducewasteand revive practical skills. To celebrate this culture, the WD40RepairChallenge2026runs from March 1 to April 18, inviting "fixers" to showcase projects that keep well-loved itemsincirculation.

The challenge has partnered withMen’sShedsNewZealand (MSNZ),whichnowboastsover 135 sheds and 5,700 members nationwide. These sheds have become vital community hubs for sharing knowledge and buildingsocialconnections.

In Selwyn, the Rolleston Men’s Shed is playing a leading role inthismovement.ChairMurray Bradley notes that repair work has increased over the past yearandremainsacorepartof their workshop activity. The group handles a diverse range of repairs, from traditional welding and fixing dining chairs to modern technical solutions like installing Linux on over 60 laptops and using 3D printers to create replacement parts. They also o er 2D laser cutting and woodturning on lathes. While they also create new items for schools and the council, their repair services are provided to

thepublicbydonation.

The Rolleston Men’s Shed is located at 54 Dynes Road and is open 9am–12pm on Monday,Wednesday,Thursday, and Saturday. With 84 members and no paid sta , they always welcome new facestojointheirmission.

Entries for the Repair Challenge can include any project, including those completedat alocalShed.The overall winner receives $5,000, plus an additional $5,000 donation for a communityrepairinitiative. Formoreinformationon howtoenter,visit repairchallenge.wd40.com.au/.

ROLLESTON MUM WALKS 85KM TO SUPPORT STARSHIP

During March, Jess Petersen from Rolleston embarked on an epic 85km fitnesschallenge with a deeply personal motivation: to keep the Starship National Air Ambulance flying for families justlikehers.

For Jess, the Starship National Air Ambulance isn’t just a service; it was a lifeline during her family’s darkest hours. Her daughter, Roxie, was born healthy in September 2025, but at just 11 days old, she was rushed to Christchurch Hospital with sepsis caused by a Staphylococcus Aureus infection. What followed was a harrowing medical journey involving a retropharyngeal abscess, spinal cord surgery, and a terrifying relapse in November.

"Everything was a blur," Jess recallsofthe night Roxie went downhill. "Doctors warned us she might not survive being intubated.ButRoxiedefiedthe odds." Within 24 hours of that critical moment, the Starship

National Air Ambulance—New Zealand’sonlyflyingPaediatric IntensiveCareUnit—wasinthe air,transportingRoxieandJess toAucklandforspecialistcare. Roxie was diagnosed with OsteomyelitisofherC1andC2 vertebrae, a serious bone infection that led to a spinal cord injury. She spent six weeks at Starship Hospital, stabilizedina"papoose"brace, before finally returning home just a week before Christmas. While Roxie has a long road ahead—including potential future spinal fusion surgery— her progress has been nothing shortofmiraculous.

Now, Jess is giving back. By walking 85km this month, she

aimstoraisevitalfundsforthe 24/7 service that connects seriously ill children with the life-savingcaretheyneed.

"I’m giving it my all to help take my fundraising tally skyhigh," says Jess. "This is often the only way a seriously ill child can get to Starship. They count onoursupporttostayin theair."

To support Jess’s challenge andhelp save the lives ofKiwi kids, please donate to her fundraising page today. Every dollarhelpskeepthisessential service flying for all of Aotearoa.

www.kilometresforkids.org.nz/ fundraisers/jesspetersen/ kilometers-for-kids

INTERIM PASTORS

At the beginning of December 2025 Gordon and Johanna Rosewall stepped into the role of Interim Lead Pastors of the Selwyn Life Churches, Darfield, LeestonandRolleston.

Gordan and Jo both come from a background of high school teaching, and together have served as youth pastors, planted churches, and assisted and advised churches while living in the Netherlands for fiveyears.

On their return to New Zealand,theybecametheLead PastorsatLifeChurchTimaru.

Gordon has a strong community focus which led to serving on the Safer Community Council of the Timaru District Council, chairing the governance team forthelocalRestorativeJustice initiative known as Project Turnaround, and being part of the advocacy group of Alcohol

ActionNewZealand.

Jo’s love of language led to many years of teaching international students English, at Mountainview High School and then at Craighead Diocesan School, before retiringattheendof2021.

After leading Life Church Timaru for 25 years, Gordon and Jo handed over the church leadership in 2022. Since then, they have continued to be involved in marriage counselling, mentoring young leaders and pastors, and speakingaroundNewZealand.

Staying the Course with KiwiSaver

Recent headlines about rising fuel prices and conflict in the Middle East have understandably made some investors nervous. Events like this can push oil prices higher and create short-term volatility in financial markets. However, it’s important to remember that this type of uncertainty is not unusual. Markets have experienced wars, political tensions, financial crises, and global shocks many times before, yet over the long term they have consistently recovered and continued to grow.

For KiwiSaver investors, the most important thing to understand is that KiwiSaver is designed for long-term investing – often over decades. Short-term market movements are a normal part of that journey. Because of this, reacting to headlines or temporary market dips by switching funds or pulling money out can often do more harm than good. Many investors who move to conservative options during uncertain times risk locking in losses and missing the eventual recovery.

If your goals and timeframe haven’t changed, the best approach is usually to stick with the plan you already have in place. Your KiwiSaver investment strategy should already reflect your long-term goals and risk tolerance. If you are still feeling unsure, speak with a financial adviser and they’ll help give you clarity that your KiwiSaver is set up in a way that aligns with your goals. Periods of uncertainty can feel uncomfortable, but they are also a normal part of investing. In most cases, the best thing KiwiSaver investors can do is stay patient.

Ben Kahu is a KiwiSaver Advisor based in the area who can help you with all your KiwiSaver questions.

Last week the COVID-19 Royal Commission Inquiry was released, offering a detailed account of New Zealand’s response and its lasting consequences – it is damning for the previousGovernment.

I saw directly how the response to COVID-19 impacted our district. Businesses that had weathered decades of economic ups and downs were suddenly on the brink. Our local economystalledunderthe weight ofextended restrictions. And perhaps most poignantly, our schoolstudentsfaceddisruptionsthathaveleft lingeringgapsinlearningandwellbeing. This is sadly a common shared experience for many families living in our community. I want to acknowledge the many residents who came to my office after I was elected in 2020 who felt the prolonged strain ofthe lockdowns and thecontinuedimpactoftheresponse.

One of the first key findings from the Royal Commission was that around half of Labour’s $60 billion COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fundhadnothingtodowiththepandemicand Labour’s ‘shovel-ready projects’ failed Treasury’stestofbeingtimelyandtemporary. Secondly, highly stimulatory fiscal and monetary policies pushed house prices far

above comparable countries and fuelled inflation – causing the cost-of-living crisis that our Governmentinherited.

It also found that public debt has left New Zealand exposed, and that the debt accumulated duringthepandemicleavingthecountrywithless flexibility to respond to future economic shocks, andthatprudentfiscalmanagementisrequiredto rebuild those economic buffers. This is especially relevant as we deal with uncertainty and disruptiontoglobalsupplychainstoday.

Our families, businesses, and communities across Selwyn are still paying the price of the decisions made by Labour during the COVID-19 response.

National has had to spend the last two years making the tough calls to repair Labour’s damage.

It is a timely reminder that the last thing New Zealand can afford is a Labour-Greens-Te Pāti Māoricoalitionwithnofreshideasandnolessons learnedfromitsownfailures.

The Government is reviewing the Commission's findingsandexpectstooutlineitsresponsetothe recommendationsbyJuly.

As always, my office is open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 4pm. Feel free to drop by anytime ifyouneedassistanceorhaveanyquestions.

SELWYN WATER STRATEGY: WHAT IT MEANS FOR HOUSEHOLDS

Selwyn Water Limited has given Selwyn District Council a draft 10‑year plan for drinking water and wastewater, along with draft prices for 2026/27.

The key message for consumers is that the likely increase in water charges next year is now lower than first forecast,andfuturebillswillbe clearer about what you’re payingfor.

Selwyn Water says improved information about the district’s water assets has helped it refine its first-year pricing while still planning for upgrades needed in a fastgrowing district. Mayor Lydia Gliddon says the Council has heard community concerns about affordability and a focus oncoreservices.

from $178 to $135. The projected total annual bill would be about $879 (down from $922).

Overall, the forecast increase has reduced from 24% to 18%. Selwyn Water stresses the 18% is still a draft and may change after consultation.

Big change from 1 July Big from July 2026 20262026 2026

What this means for your bill

What this means for your bill this means your this means your (draft figures) (draftfigures) figures)

• Average urban household with drinking water + wastewater (based on 257m³ a year):

The expected annual increase has dropped from $372 to $280 — $92 less than previously indicated. The projected total bill for 2026/27 would be about $1,831, and could be lower if you use less water.

• Households with drinking water only: The expected annual increase has dropped

From 1 July 2026, water and wastewater charges will no longer be part of Council rates.Instead,householdswill receive direct, itemised bills from Selwyn Water, showing whatchargescover.

What happensnext What Whathappensnext happensnext What happensnext Councilfeedbackisunderway, with public engagement expected to open in May 2026. Selwyn Water will also seek feedback on its draft Significance and Engagement Policyfrom23March.

More information More Moreinformation information More information Selwyn Water’s website and communication channels are expected to go live in early April. For updates, residents can visit and sign up at selwyn.govt.nz/selwynwater.

TAKE YOUR HAND OFF THE PANIC BUTTON

By Ginny Nelson, By Ginny Nelson, Ginny Nelson, Ginny Nelson, GMI Mortgage & Insurance GMI Mortgage & Insurance GMI Mortgage Insurance GMI Mortgage Insurance Advisor. Advisor.

So many reports regarding falling house prices and high interest rates – if you read themyouwilllosesleep!

The property market has seen itsshareoffallsinvalue,butit always comes back. A house wasnevermeanttobealiquid

asset – one that you can sell quickly to reap a profit. It has longbeenrecognisedasalong term gain proposition in spite oftherecentgoodrun. If you hang on to those nonliquid assets for long enough, you are usually rewarded with profit. Lookafteryourhomeas best as you can a ord, and makeyourbudgetcutstomeet

RATES RELIEF FOR BUSINESSES AFFECTED IN LINCOLN TOWN CENTRE

Selwyn District Council has approved targeted rates relief for businesses facing financial hardship due to Stage One of the Lincoln Town Centre redevelopment. While the project aims to create a safer, more vibrant village centre, current construction on Gerald Street has caused short-term disruptions, including reduced foot tra c and restricted customeraccess.

Tim Mason, Executive Director of Infrastructure and Property, acknowledged the challenges faced by local operators. "We know the construction period has been tough, and we want to acknowledge that impact," he said. "This is one way we can stand alongside our business community as the upgraded town centre takes shape."

To qualify for relief, a business must be located within the projectareaanddemonstratea turnover decline of more than 25% compared to the same period last year, specifically linked to the redevelopment works.

Thelevelofremissionisscaled basedontheimpact:

• 25 2525 25––50% 50% 50% decline in decline declinein in in turnover: turnover: turnover: Eligiblefor a50%rates remission.

• Greater than 50% decline in turnover: decline in turnover: in turnover: in turnover: Eligibleforafull ratesremission.

Applications must be submitted by property owners.

themortgagepayments.

Get creative and make it a family project to cut the costs, keep the roof over your head andthewolffromthedoor.

Good times will come again so take your hand o the panic buttonandhanginthere.

In cases where a business is a tenant, the owner may apply on their behalf, provided they provide a written undertaking that the full financial benefit will be passed directly to the business.

Detailedcriteriaandtheonline application form are available on the Lincoln Town Centre projectpageFAQs.

The Council also expressed gratitude tothe communityfor their ongoing loyalty to local shops during this period.

"Lincoln Town Centre is open for business, and we encourage everyone to continue supporting their local traders,"Mr.Mason added.The Council and its contractors remain committed to minimizing further disruptions and keeping the community informed as the project progresses.

NEW $32 MILLION TRANSPOWER WAREHOUSE OPENS IN ROLLESTON

Transpower o cially opened a new $32 million warehouse in Rolleston on March 11, marking a significant step in scaling up investment for the South Island’s electricity grid. The 8,000-square-metre facility, situated on 30,000 square metres of land, doubles the storage capacity of the previous Addington site and introduces temperaturecontrolled storage for critical equipment.

Transpower Chief Executive James Kilty noted that the facility is essential for supporting the "increasing electrification of how Kiwis live and work." With electricity demand expected to rise materially by 2050, the warehouse provides the supply chain resilience needed to connectnewrenewableenergy projects and maintain the nationalgrid.

The project was a major boost for the local economy. Transpower partnered with

Calder Stewart to deliver the purpose-built site, which employed 49 people and utilized local subcontractors for nearly all aspects of construction. Materials were sourced from within the South Island, including precast concretefromChristchurchand structuralsteelfromMilton.

A key feature of the new building is its "IL4" rating, the highest standard for

structural resilience. This ensures the warehouse can remain fully operational immediately following a major natural disaster, such as a severeearthquakeorflood.

"As a critical infrastructure provider, resilience is in our DNA," Mr. Kilty said. "This warehouse enablesustoboost storage of critical spares to more quickly restore supply if our network is impacted anywhereacrosstheisland."

The Rolleston site was chosen for its strategic access to rail hubs and motorway links. It will be home to a full-time team of five, adding to Transpower’s growing presence in the region, which now includes 160 sta at its nearby Gilberthorpes Road o ce and control room. This investment ispartofabroader$4.7billion nationwide grid upgrade plannedthrough2030.

Rolleston continues to grow, and with that comes both opportunityandpressure.More people, more homes, andmore demand on the services and infrastructureweallrelyon.

That’s why this year’s Draft Annual Plan has been approached di erently. We’ve gone through the budget, prioritising core services, thingslikeroads,infrastructure and essential facilities, and challenging anything that sits outsidethat.

We heard clearly during the election that a ordability matters.Ourfocushasbeenon getting back to basics, finding savings where we can, and making sure every dollar delivers real value for our

community. We can’t keep adding more without being clearaboutwhatitcosts,that’s the balance we’re working through.

For many in Rolleston, that shows up in everyday ways, tra c on busy roads, pressure onlocalfacilities,andtheneed to keep up with growth without getting ahead of ourselvesfinancially.

We’re also making some changes to how we work as a council. That includes introducing councillor portfolios and exploring more local forums, so we can stay better connected to our communities and the issues that matter most. It’s about improving how we listen, how

we prioritise, and how we makedecisions.

We said we would listen, and thisiswherethatmatters.This is a chance to tell us more specifically what’s important, and that feedback directly shapes the final decisions we make. It helps us weigh the trade-o s and get those decisionsright.

The Draft Annual Plan is now open for consultation, and I encourage you to take a look andhaveyoursay.

I’ll be out and about in the community over the coming weeks and look forward to hearingyourviews.

Find out more at ‘Have Your Say’onourSDCwebsite.

NEW AWARD HONOURS NEW AWARD HONOURS NEW AWARD NEW AWARD RURAL WOMEN RURAL RURALWOMEN WOMEN

Nominations are now open for the inaugural Rural Woman of the Year award, launched by Federated Farmers, Rural Women New Zealand, and Brightstar to honour the achievements of rural women nationwide. The winner will be announced at the Primary Industries New Zealand Awards at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland on June 23. Any woman connected to ruralcommunities iseligibletoapply;nominations closeApril1,2026.

NEW BESTSTART WEST NEW BESTSTART WEST NEW WEST NEW WEST

VILLAGE TO OPEN VILLAGE TO OPEN VILLAGE TO OPEN VILLAGE TO OPEN

The Rolleston community is set to welcome a new early childhood education facility with the upcoming opening of BestStart West Village. Located at 131 Northmoor Boulevard, the centre will be officially opened by MP Hon Nicola Grigg during a ceremony scheduled for 9 April 2026 at 10:30am.

Operating under the "Heart of Learning" philosophy, the West Village locationaims toprovide a modernenvironmentforlocal

children to grow and develop.

The official opening marks a significantadditiontothearea's educational infrastructure, with the event featuring a formal ribbon-cutting followed by light refreshments for those in attendance.

SELWYN AQUATIC CENTRE SELWYN AQUATIC CENTRE CLOSINGFOR MAINTENANCE CLOSINGFOR MAINTENANCE CLOSINGFOR MAINTENANCE CLOSINGFOR MAINTENANCE

The Selwyn Aquatic Centre will close from April 4-19, during school holidays, for essential maintenance and upgrades.

Contractors will work throughout the facility, including pool repairs, servicing mechanical systems, specialist maintenance, and improving amenities like changing rooms and lockers. Additional tasks include ventilation upgrades, cleaning, and removing outdated equipment. Memberships will be paused duringtheclosure.

FREEWEEKLYLAWN MOW FREEWEEKLYLAWN

FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY

To celebrate the official launch of H&G Property Services, the local business is giving away oneFREElawnmoweveryweek to a deserving member of the community.

Residents are encouraged to nominate someone who could use a helping hand—whether it is a busy family, an elderly neighbor, or a local resident who has had a particularly tough week. Follow the H&G Property Services Facebook page. One winner will be selected each week to have their lawn professionally servicedatnocost.

ROLLESTON FLORAL ART

By Carol Rains. By Carol Rains.

The Rolleston Floral Art Interest Group moved to Broadfield Hall as our new venue in March. It was a wonderful morning, with the sun shining and a large collection of colourful flowers to use. Everyone went home with at least one large vase of flowerstoenjoy.

We will meet again in May to design flowers for Mother’s Day. Our June meeting will then be a workshop featuring various crafts for members to choosebetween.

Anyone interested in coming along, please contact Carol Rains on 027 224 1033 or email ctrains1871@gmail.com.

ROLLESTON CENTRAL PROBUS

By Jill Webb. By Jill Webb. Jill Jill

March is nearly over and we have our AGM to get through. Our group is getting bigger all the time, so we are looking for some new folk to step up as committeemembers.

The past month provided us with a fantastic speaker in Ian Gibson.Hetrainedasateacher and went to the Sudan at the age of 50 to teach in a private high school in Khartoum. The students were mainly Muslim with energy to burn and great stories to tell; we simply could not get enough of his tales. Our speaker for March is Dianna Malcolm, an editor and publisher.

Our outings have also been of great interest and enjoyment. We took a trip to Resource Recovery to learn about recycling and the community garden established there, with a trip to the Rugby Union

Academyupnext.Our"Outand About" group visited the Cathedralin the Square on one of its open days. What a great effort is being made to restore that heritage building! The unearthed treasures from the area were very informative. Next, we travel to the Styx River conservation area, and of course, lunch is always the highlightafterwards. Sunday dinner was held at Pocket of Spice and was once again well supported. We have recently welcomed and inducted several new members and have had others come to "check us out." We welcome them all and hope they will be back.

If you are in need of new company, outings, and interesting speakers, we are the place for you. Please call Herb at 321 7466 or Denise at 0275570515forinformation.

ROLLESTON AND DISTRICTS LIONS CLUB

By Val Knowles. Val Knowles.

Several members of our Club recently attended the Electric Avenue event, where 90,000 people over two days sang, danced, and generally enjoyed themselves. Our members were there to help keep the crowd under control as much as possible—a big job indeed!

The guest speaker for our last meeting was Dr. Phil Rolston, who spoke on "The Silk Road" connecting Europe to Asia. Dr. Rolston is a grasslands scientist who worked for

AgResearch (formerly DSIR) for 42 years. He served as a consultantinChinaandCentral Asia, specializing in growing better grass, producing appropriate winter feed, and caring for animals in often freezing conditions. It was a mostinterestingtalk.

Our Past District Governor (PDG) Richard also held an orientation day for newer members and others to learn moreabout,orbrushupon,the inner workings of our Lions Club.

ROLLESTON PROBUS CLUB

By Ann Barber.

Our Annual General Meeting took place in early March, with threenewcommitteemembers and a new President being elected, ensuring the Club startstheyearingoodheart. Our main speakers were the Public Relations and Visitor Services Managers from Orana Park. They gave a very comprehensive review of the Park, from its opening in 1976 throughtothepresentday.Did you know that the Park covers 80 hectares of land? There are over 1,000 animals across 90 species that call Orana Park home. It is also the only place in New Zealand that houses gorillas. Furthermore, the Park runsaninitiativetocollectand

recycle old cellphones. This reduces the need for mining coltan - a mineral found in gorilla habitats in the Democratic Republic of Congo - so now you know where you can take your old phones for recycling!

Our next outing is to "At Violinos" on the Winchmore Highway, which features an outstanding collection of musical instruments to play, as well as a museum and outdoor games. Lunch on-site will serve as a fundraiser for Age Concern.

Our Probus meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at the Rolleston Community Centre from 9:45am until 12noon, February

through November. We always welcome new members. Our Club also has two Walking/ Co ee Groups that meet on Mondays, a monthly Sunday Lunch Group, and a Craft/Mahjong Group that meets on the first and third Wednesdays of themonthfortwohours.These are all very popular ways for members to get to know each otherinadi erentsetting. You are welcome to come along as a visitor up to three times with no pressure to join. Please contact our Membership O cer, Ritchie Smith, on 027 944 4416 if you are interested in attending a meeting.Youwillbemorethan welcome!

ROLLESTON GARDEN CLUB

By Jill Webb. Jill

Autumn has started: certainly the mornings and evenings have been cooler at times, though the days remain mostly warm.Gardeningisstillagreat source of enjoyment as we see and use the fruits of our summerlabour. There are a fewthingsyou can doatthistimeofyear.Inareas where you have had your leafy greens, plant a combination of lupin,mustard,andbarley.This is excellent for airing the soil and adding nutrients when you dig it in before winter, helping to produce great crops in the spring. Asian greens also do well now, and it is a good time to try new plants. Your flowers are likely dwindling in colour, so now is the time to trim them up and

divide the ones that have died down to be ready for spring andsummer.Don'tforgetthere is a wide variety of bulbs to plant now, too. A tip I recently heard: if there is a plant you really like but don’t want takingoverthegardenbecause it is invasive, simply put it in a pot!

In March, a small group of us took a trip to North Canterbury to visit the Ohoka Market. There wasa wonderfularrayof stalls, from strawberries and vegetable starts to shrubs and herbal mixtures. We enjoyed plenty of food, including cakes and "bread butties" for lunch with bacon or whitebait, all washed down with great co ee. Afterward, we headed to the Behind the Hedge Nursery and its huge garden. It

was a wonder to see the varietyofshrubs,alpineplants, chickens,fruitingtrees,andthe lily pond.We enjoyed lunch on the balcony and a fascinating talk from the sisters who run thepropertyaboutitshistory. April will bring a trip to the Herbarium at Lincoln University, which is very interesting for those who have not been before, covering the history and preservation of plants. In May, flax weaving willbeattempted!

If you are interested in gardening, or even if you aren't yet, come along and enjoy the company of our small,friendlyclub.

For more information, please contact Julie at 347 1311 or Anneat3478817.

SELWYN CENTRAL COMMUNITY

By Margaret Holding, Holding, Publicity O cer. Publicity O cer.

It is hard to believe we are already nearing the end of March. Time certainly flies whenyouarehavingfun! Firstly, I want to say how fantastic "The Giving Garden Festival" was. The weather played ball and the crowds came out in force. We could not have achieved this without David generously allowing us to utilize his amazing garden,

"Broadfields," at no cost to us, nor could we have done it without our many sponsors. Thank you all for your incrediblegenerosity.

As I write this, we have just helda BBQ outside Mitre 10 to raise further funds. Now, moving into April, let us hope the weather cooperates for the autumn.Asoneweatherexpert noted, "This summer the weather was a roller coaster," soweareallhopingforamore

settledautumnseason. We have many van drives arranged for our clients throughout April. These trips, whether for lunch, a day away, orevenlonger,arealwaysvery popular.Ourclientsreport that they truly enjoy the company and the variety of places they visit.

If you would like to join us on a drive, please contact Ross at 0275218382.

CARRS CARRS CARRS Chimney Cleaning. Servicing the Selwyn district. $90 per chimney. Please ph Rodney on 03 324 2999 and leave a message.

CHIM CHIMCHIM CHIM Chim. We'll sweep your log-burners flue, check the firebricks, baffles, air-tubes and controls. We're experts on coal-ranges, also sweeping any sized open fire. We quote and undertake repairs, flue extensions and install bird netting. 021 939 113MembersNZHHA.

ROOF & house maintenance. All aspects covered including spouting, mortar, tiles, re-roofing, roof painting, moss, mould & silicone sealing. General repairs. Please phone 03 347 6702 or 0210302835.

AMMUNITION

& reloading equipment. Powder projec les, presses etc.Any calibre. Anything hun ng related.

mechanics, engineering, wood working etc. Garage, shed, barn clearances, deceased estates etc. Cash buyer. Ph Rob 03

block.HeatGlarecontrol. Privacy. Safety/Security.Frosted films. Freeonlinequotes. Email: info@tintawindow.co.nz www.tintawindow.co.nz Phone 0800 368 468.

KNIFE KNIFE and Tool Sharpening. Contact Pete at Sharp As for prompt service on 021 121 8601.

25th March

Rolleston News next issue: Wed 22 April

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DEADLINE: Wed 15 April

An aged farmer and his wife were leaning against the edge of their pig-pen when the old woman wistfully recalled that the next week would mark their golden wedding anniversary.

"Let's have a party, Homer," she suggested. "Let's kill a pig."

The farmer scratched his grizzled head. "Gee, Ethel," he finally answered, "I don't see why the pig should take the blame for something that happened fifty years ago!”

When a teacher asked my six-year-old nephew why his handwriting wasn’t as neat as usual, he responded, “I’m trying a new font.”

0800 486 532