Southem Ruapehu news review, 1990

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 370, 22 January 1991, Page 3

Southem Ruapehu news review, 1990

People often ask us where we find news to put in the Bulletin (they're usually from out of town), but as you can see from this 1990 news review, there's plenty going on around here. In fact this review leaves out many of the happenings of the year.

We've tried to include as many "people achievements" as possible, but if there are any that you know of from last year that deserve mentioning please drop us a line and we'll include them in a follow-up review. January The Queens baton relay provided an opportunity for people to take part in 1990 and Commonwealth Games celebrations. Warrant Officer Class One Eru Brown of Waiouru was awarded the British Empire Medal (MBE). Trampers were advised not to go too close to the Crater Lake of Mt. Ruapehu after a series of phreatic eruptions. Blue ducks on the Manganuioteao river were fitted with transmitters to allow Department of Conserva- ! tion researchers to map their night-time movements, (rest, feeding and « f lying). Ohakune's Lisa Nor- || ling danced in- ihe §Sr

Commonwealth Games opening ceremony; Sergeant Ray Issacs of the Welfare Section ATG, Waiouru participated in the opening and closing ceremonies at the Commonwealth Games as a bandsman in the Army Band; Raetihi florist Jocelyn Lilburn along with other florists made posies and bowls for the Commonwealth Games competitors in

Auckland; and Glyn Hubbard, Turoa Tumblers coach, was among the Commonwealth Games officials as a line judge and equipment officer. February A very successful Waimarino Community Day was held to celebrate 1990. Whanganui National Park John Coull Hut was to be relocated after it was found to be on an old Maori burial site. Waimarino hospital became the Waimarino Community Health Care Centre. Turnpage 10

Southern Ruapehu news review, 1990

From page 3 A float parade was a feature of the 79th Waimarino A & P show. Trust Bank Raetihi was to remain as a Ruapehu District Council run agency. Ohakune scoutmaster Grant Hays was the recipient of the Scout's Wood Badge, a prestigious award earned only after five training stages were completed. March Desert Fair was a success in spite of rain. $10,000 was raised for pre school and primary school aged children in the area. There was massive flooding on the Wanganui river in March,

causing much damage to the Park, including ruining a hut downstream from Pipiriki after it was almost completely submerged in flood waters. Cowboys thrilled the crowd at the 40th Annual Waimarino rodeo at Raetihi. Raetihi BNZ celebrates 85 years. The Arcadian Singers, based in Taihape and including some local voices, performed for the television programme "Praise Be". Ohakune skier Patrick Cooper competed in the World Disabled Skiing Champs at Colorado, USA, where he was placed fifth, sixth -and

seventh in three disciplines. April Wayne Te Huia and Kelly Arahunga returned from the New Zealand diving champs with 19 medals between them. Ruapehu college pupils who were taking part in the Himalaya clean-up were reported safe in Kathmandu while rioting took place in the city. A Bride of the Decade competition was organised by the Raetihi - Ohakune Plunket. Deena Porter was winner. 250 past and present members of HMNZS Irirangi got together for a reunion. Whakapapa decided to

raise money for snowmaking. Mrs Biddy Mareikura attended a GROOTS (Grassroots Women's Organisation Together in Sisterhood) conference in India. Beating the litter problem was a top priority for the Waiouru Community Board. Merrilyn George's book Ohakune- The Opening to a New World is launched. Brave Kiwis were remembered at Anzac Day services in the Waimarino. The historic Carter Homestead, having been moved from its original site to the Ohakune Junction, was transformed into a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. May Waiouru residents were without a GP. Ohakune scouts group was boosted by the enrollment of girls. Waimarino lost its bus link with Wanganui. Turoa Skifields reduced their lift ticket prices Ohakune Volunteer fireman John Nation acknowledged for 43 years service. Former Ohakune mayor and school principal Bill Taylor had two of his books turned into a television series. Ski FM left Ohakune

to be based in Turangi. Ohakune artisan Alison Shannon had her art work on show at the Great New Zealand Craft Show. Three Waimarino teenagers were accepted to study for a year overseas. They were Serena Taylor, Erin Workman and Jenny Frew. June Waiouru community was congratulated for their efforts in raising $6893 to buy Apnoea (baby) monitors and sensors. Waiouru had a new doctor. Government slashed roading funds. Ruapehu District's allowance was down by 13%. on 1989 figures. Ohakune Queens Birthday Carnival was a success. New Zealand Railways took possession of the Ohakune Junction Railway Station. Angus Grimwade was appointed Turoa's new management chairman and financial controller. The New Zealand Employment Service Job Shop opened in Ohakune Skiing started! (early June). Carys Hubbard of Ohakune was selected for the New Zealand Gymnastics team to travel to Australia. Waimarino shooter Alan Foster returned from the 10th World Skeet Shooting championships in California. He finished a creditable 66th out of 258 shooters. He was

also selected for the New Zealand Pistol -shooting I team. National Park ratepayers formed an association to keep tabs on their rates. The Karioi hydro dam idea was resurrected. Constable Greg Phillips became a policeman on skis to try II and curb the selfish individuals who will steal other people's property. S.P.C.A. officials were concerned about the chronic numbers of stray cats in Waiouru. Ratepayers were warned that valuation changes would affect rates. July The QE II Army I I Memorial Museum ap- I pointed a new director, I I Major Garry Clayton. The first junior coun- I I cil for Raetihi .Ohakune I I and Waiouru was formed. I Building permits for houses in the Waimarino were up on 1989 figures. Ohakune New World turned 10. Ruapehu District Council were offered the Ohakune Junction rail- I I way station. Sir Paul And Lady I Reeves visited Raetihi and Pipiriki, and Turoa. I Whakapapa hosted the North Island college I skiers. Turoa Tumblers Shaun I McLean and Warwick ! Hays were invited to I | tour the west coast of j | the United States by the j I Sports for Understand- i ing organisation. Turn page 12 \ \

1 990 news review

Frompage 10 A Ruatiti Domain Management committee wa s formed. August College pupils began Ohakune Railway station clean up. A storm lashed Waimarino causing damage to properties including ripping rooves of houses, sheds and workshops. Ruapehu District ratepayers were urged to attend meetings the council organised to discuss the rates problem. Many people contributed to Telethon 1990, the proceeds going to the elderly. Ruapehu College cultural group recorded songs with South Pacific Recordings Ltd. Climber George Iwama found alive and well after six days in a blizzard on Mount Ruapehu. Sadly though, six soldiers lost their lives in the same storm. Ohakune art awards entries were judged by Shona McFarlane. The council decided to spread the Waimarino rural rates increase over two years. A group of Raetihi business people approached the Ruapehu District Council to request help in upgrading the town's commercial area. September Raetihi rugby player, Thomas Waara was selected to play in a New Zealand team travelling to Germany and Wales. Waiouru was yet again without a doctor. New Zealand Fire brigade ski championships were held at Turoa. Waimarino's Spring flower show was held at Raetihi. October Library charges were

introduced by the council, causing dismay. The Ruapehu District Council planed to offer discounts to ratepayers who paid in full on their first instalment demand. Sing Aotearoa - The Ohakune Odyssey has Sir Edmund Hillary and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa as patrons. Three hundred choral singers from throughout New Zealand spent their Labour Weekend fine tuning their singing techniques. Jim Bolger, National Party leader and this area's member of parliament, became Prime Minister. November New barracks were opened at Waiouru. Sir Paul Reeves presented regimental colours to the Officer Cadet School of New Zealand. Winstone Pulp International bought Karioi State Forest. The Waimarino Pony Club's new water jump was opened as an official 1990 event. Ngamatea school children moved into their new classroom. Pipiriki was soon to have a licensed restaurant, motel and shop complex on the site of the old Pipiriki House. Raetihi's skeet shooter Phil Garland was selected for the New Zealand skeet shooting team to compete in the Oceania games to be held in Adelaide in 1991. Rangataua became the hiding place for three 'terrorists', who then had to be flushed out by 28 infantry soldiers as part of a Regular Force Section Commanders course exercise. Ohakune women's bowls team beat fourteen teams from the Wanganui area to win

the prestigious Westaway Cup. Ohakune lions celebrate 25 years' service. Local ski instructor Warren Scott was to represent New Zealand at the 1991 Interski Congress in St Anton, Austria in December. Army Training Group Waiouru made history at the Army softball champs by winning both the men's and women's titles. Three Waiouru student army chefs won student team of the year at the 8th National Culinary Arts Festival in Hamilton. December A call for Waimarino to de-amalgamate was made at the inaugural Waimarino Ratepayers Association meeting, which had a claimed record attendance of ratepayers. Snowmaking was planned for Whakapapa in 1991. Ultra Violet treatment of Ohakune's water was still the choice of the Waimarino Community Board when put to the test yet again. New Zealand Winter games organisers sought local support for the event which is planned for Ohakune and Mt Ruapehu during the 1991 ski season. Mount Ruapehu's two commercial ski field operators took the initiative and organised a meeting to discuss the marketing of the Central Volcanic Plateau during winter months. Ngamatea school celebrated 75 years. 1990 was a year in which many Waimarino people performed achievements for which they deserve much commendation. Let's hope that in 1991 there will be many more peacetime achievements to report - Editor.