WAIOURU COMMUNITY NEWS

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 3, 21 June 1983, Page 1

WAIOURU COMMUNITY NEWS

Last Monday's monthly meeting of the Waiouru Community Advisory Committee was held in the Community Health Centre. Normally held on the first Monday of every month this meeting of the committee had been held over because the previous Monday coincided with Queens Birthday weekend. The meeting was attended by Col. Bruce Meldrum (chairman), Peter Bright (secretary) and six members of the committee and public. The following matters were discussed: W.C.A.C. Meetings Those present felt that these monthly meetings were not being adequately publicised or reported with the result that few people in the community even knew

about them. The chairman pointed out that the committee could not operate as effectively as it might without community participation. To give the committee a broader view of what the community is thinking it was essential to get community in-put. It was resolved that the dates of these meetings be published in advance and that copies of the minutes be sent to the Army Training Group's own newspaper the 'Empty Page'. * * * School Bus Shelters Mrs J. Pawley pointed out that there were 87 families in Waiouru camp with children at College and that the present school bus shelter facilities were inade-

quate. Concern was expressed at the lack of protection afforded children during the winter months whilst waiting for school buses." There were bus shelters in Bullot Street and Thornton Terrace for college students but they were not big enough for the number of children wanting to use them. It was pointed out that there was a bus-shelter in Ruapehu Road that was not being used and it was decided to investigate the feasibility of uplifting this shelter and re-siting it in another location. The Education Board and the Defence Dept were to be approached to see whose responsibility it was. * * * continued on page 2

continued from page 1 Dogs Concern was expressed about the number of dogs which were loose and apparently free to roam about the camp at all hours of the day. The nuisance created by their barking and droppings was discussed as well as their 'playful' behaviour which tended to intimidate young children . . the local primary school had already expressed concern in their newsletter. It was pointed out that since Waiouru was classified as a rural area in terms of the Hydatids Act, dogs had to be dosed every 6 weeks so that a complete record of all dogs was kept with the dog ranger. However the feasibility of keeping records at the ATG would be looked into. (Note: the week previously, five sheep belonging to Waiouru Constable Brian Foote were savaged by dogs from the residential area. And had to be destroyed and on the very night that the Committee was meeting — last Monday — the local GP had to stitch up a young girl's lip following a dog bite). * * * Information booklet A Waiouru community information booklet entitled 'Welcome to Waiouru' was produced for inspection at the meeting and was well received. It gave a comprehensive list of activities and clubs available in Waiouru and it was felt that if such a booklet was distributed to all households and servicemen in the camp, the in-

formation would be most valuable. The committee felt that many of the present . residents of Waiouru didn't know about what activities were available to them. It was decided to ascertain the cost of producing sufficient copies of this booklet to distribute an updated edition to every household. * * * Telethon The chairman pointed out that the Army was only permitted to participate in Telethon to a limited extent — largely in a catering and supportive role. But because of the great interest shown in Telethon locally and the success of the last one it was decided to encourage as much activity as possible in the area. A novelty soccer match between typists and NCOs has already been arranged. It was also proposed that the local marae should be approached to perform and other suggestions were ii^^ vited. As part of the weekenu Telethon activities it was announced that a television team would be visiting Waiouru on Sunday 26 June — weather permitting — to make a film about the various activities in the area. This film would be screened from Palmerston North before Telethon ends at 8.00pm that night. The TV team would be flying in and filming both in Waiouru and Taihape before returning to Palmerston North. * * *