Trustpower Community Award for Kurow

The Waitaki Valley Community Society was the regional runner up in the category "Heritage and Environment" at the Trustpower Community Awards held in Oamaru 22nd June 2017.

The award speaks to the dedication of those who work as volunteers under the umbrella of the Waitaki Valley Community Society; a fact commented on when the award was accepted. The wonderful people at Kurow Trails, Kurow Island and Kurow Museum make a noticeable difference to the community.

The work done by the Society, the Ahuriri Board and the Waitaki District Council in upgrading the Main Street of Kurow was also commented on by the Presenter

Richie McCaw Statue Update

Following much research by the Chairman, Bob Watherston, and members of the statue committee we have finalized important details. The cost of the Richie McCaw statue will be $155,000 + GST. However, there will also be other related costs: eg. legal fees, marketing, plaques etc. Committee member Peter Ellis has put together a very comprehensive proposal to be sent to potential sponsors. Many thanks to Peter.

 Proposed date for completion of the statue is February 2018.

Sculptor, Mark Whyte, has described his goal as: “This statue of Ritchie is going to be the hardest, heaviest most accurate portrayal of an All Black in NZ!”

 A promotional sign being made by Brackens will appear beside the cardboard cutout of Richie within the next few days. Gaynor Lines and John Sturgeon are working hard to complete a funding barometer with staff at Haka Motors building a strong donation box to sit beside the barometer. Many thanks to Richard Nehoff for the trips he has made to study donation boxes and for his support and interest.

 The All Blacks signed jersey donated by the New Zealand Rugby Union is framed and on display at the Kurow Museum. The jersey is from the 2014 Steinlager Series All Black squad. Head Coach: Steve Hansen; Assistant Coach: Ian Foster; Manager: Darren Shand. The size of the frame is: 900mm x 810mm. The jersey can be viewed at Kurow Museum. This jersey is a fund raiser for the statue. Offers can be emailed to: kurowmuseum@gmail.com

Silver Fern Rally visiting Kurow 28th November from 2pm

NZ Silver Fern Rally is coming to town soon!

 The Silver Fern Rally is New Zealand’s greatest gravel rally event, winding through some of the best roads in New Zealand. This biennial event attracts competitors from around the world and is considered a 'must do' event for the many NZ & international competitors.

 This year we have 50 cars entered, these classic gravel rally cars pre 1982 that are extremely rare and collectable. Think of Ford Escorts, Mazda RX 7 & Porsche 911 to mention a few

 On Monday 28th November between from 2:00pm the service crews should arrive with the main competition cars arriving shortly after

 The cars will use The SH 83 near the Four Square.

 We invite you to come along to meet the teams, see the cars and their support crews. If there are any community groups looking to raise funds with tea, coffee or refreshments please let us know

 Should you require more information please visit our website www.silverfernrally.co.nz

 Or call the organising team on 0800 827 427

Satellite phone for Kurow Ambulance

The St John team in Kurow have recently installed a satellite phone in the ambulance to assist them to help you when you need it and all thanks to local fundraising initiatives.

Over the past year the Waitaki St John Area Committee, who is the overseeing committee for the Kurow Ambulance Station, has been delighted to be the lucky benefactor of local fundraisers. Significant donations were made to Kurow St John by the Otematata District Club who ran an ‘It’s in the bag’ night, Tracy Keith and the team at Kurow Estate Limited who held a ‘Mothers Day Fashion Show’ fundraiser and Libby Johnston and John Currie who organised the Kurow Muster Reunion.

Some of the funds donated from these events have been put towards the purchase of a satellite phone for the ambulance. Kurow St John provide emergency ambulance services to the Waitaki Valley area from Duntroon and Dansey's Pass, the Hakataramea Valley up to Cattle Creek and Ikawai, Kurow, Otematata and Omarama. A significant area of the Waitaki has no radio or cell phone coverage and communication is a vital part of being able to provide an effective and efficient emergency ambulance service. Having a satellite phone ensures the ambulance crew have the ability to call for assistance (for example helicopter assistance) should they attend an emergency an area of no radio or cell phone coverage.

 Donations and support from the community means a great deal to our organisation. We are a charity, and we are committed to our community and caring for people 24 hours a day. The Waitaki Area Committee is grateful for all donations received and for continued support from those who are members of the St John Supporter Scheme. Your generosity helps us to continue to provide the Waitaki District with an effective ambulance service.

For more information about becoming a St John supporter visit www.stjohn.org.nz and go to the support us section of the website, pick up a Supporter Scheme brochure at the Kurow Medical Centre or Kurow Information Centre or email:

waitakiareacommittee@gmail.com  If you are currently a St John Supporter Scheme Member and have a question/query feel free to email our committee or call in and speak to Trish at the Kurow Hotel.

New Vehicle for Waitaki Community

Thanks to monies from ECAN rates the Waitaki Valley Vehicle Trust has purchased a SUZUKI sedan to allow the older vehicle to be placed in Otematata.

This will allow Otematata residents to travel to Timaru, Oamaru or Dunedin at a reduced cost.

Signwriting has been donated and carried out by "All About Signs", a Timaru company. We value their support and skilled work.