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Wednesday 12 February 2025
Reeling in the big ones
Dance to make Page 6 a difference
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Tākaka dominate firefighter challenge SARA HOLLYMAN The region’s fire fighters pitted themselves against each other in a race of determination and strength on Saturday for the
Nelson Marlborough Provincial Firefighter Challenge. However, it was Tākaka Brigade’s 39ers that emerged victorious. The challenge involved a course of physicality which included
running up four-storeys of stairs wearing a full firefighters kit and breathing apparatus, hoisting a 20kg hose pack up the same tower, running a slalom course, running out a charged hose and
busting through doors to hit a target with the water beam, before dragging an 80kg dummy 30 metres backwards. Competitors could enter as a team, individual or tandem.
Previous Open Men’s winner, Tākaka volunteer fire Sam Goffriller, says he enjoys the physical and social side of the event.
SEE PAGE 2
Rival orchard workers take to volleyball courts STEPHEN STUART More than 20 teams of RSE workers battled it out in the second annual Kono-Whakatu Volleyball Tournament at Saxtons Stadium earlier this month. Orchards were limited to a maximum of two teams, and some competitors had already worked in the morning before arriving to compete in the round robin event. The players are from Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu, and are in the region working as part of the Recognised Seasonal Employer scheme. “There was a really good vibe, and it was a good chance to get to know each other better before the season gets busy,” says Josh Kutu, who looks after pacific workers’ mental health and makes sure they feel safe and happy while here. Birdhurst and Golden Bay Fruit’s RSE coordinator/pastoral care, Tito Elisara, says as a company they are big advocates for workers getting involved in things outside of work. “We have been involved every year and had two teams enter this year,” he says.
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LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED
Ofiso Paulo was in smashing form as his Cederman Brothers A side took out the Kono-Whakatū RSE Volleyball Tournament at Saxton Court. Photo: Barry Whitnall/Shuttersport.
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