COMMUNITY LEADERS COMMENT

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 15, 3 September 1985, Page 1

COMMUNITY LEADERS COMMENT

I seem to recall my last column of comments was largel^on the subject of not commenting! Well then perhaps this time well restrict ourselves to matters frorn the diary since that time. In this neck of the woods we've seen a few falls of snow, more visitors than I can recall in any earlier six week period, three video teams with quite disparate purposes, and an increase in numbers under training. The snow was welcomed by all skiers and all children, although for those of the latter over 20 years of age, the novelty didn't last more than a few hours! Our visitors over past weeks have included the Supreme Commander of the Thai Armed Forces (General Arthit Kamalang-Ek), one Australian General, one Australian Cabinet Minister (Mr Barry Cohen, Minister for the Arts, Heritage and Environment who also took in Tongariro National Park), the new Wanganui District Police Commander, the Rangitikei County Council, and a host of others. Our first video visitors were a team from the Close Up programme, who turned out a piece with the intriguing title 'Mud, Blood and Balls'. (Those who viewed it will be aware that the programme included the team's attendance at the annual Winter Ball in the Officer's Mess!) Another team from the Bank of NZ took some footage for internal use, as part of a series of clips on branches of the Bank in isolated or unusual locations. The third team was another from the BCN Z, preparing a

historical documentary on the life of Lord Freyberg. This latter piece — as in their 'Gallipoli - The NZ Story'shown last year — will again utilise the services of Lt Gen Sir Leonard Thornton as narrator. We'll have to wait some time to see this one though — it's not scheduled for transmission until early 1987. Also among our visitors this month, although this time for something rather more extensive than just a one or two night stopover, are twelve serving officers and soldiers from the British Army who will be with us on the annual British exchange exercise until December. Twelve of our own residents have similarly gone to UK and Europe to serve with the British Army in those areas over a similar period. On the local scene, our residents had their say at the August meeting of the Community Advisory Committee on the matter of local body amalgamations. The question was obviously one of greater significance to the more permanent residents of the area than it was to we peripatetic military, but both groups seemed to favour staying with the Rangitikei County. And then at a Waiouru Lions Club function on 19 August, we distributed the proceeds of the 1985 Desert Fair to the Lions Clubs of Taihape, Turangi, Ruapehu and Waiouru. A very pleasant evening was marred only by yours truly having neglected to take the cheques to the meeting, but put things right by mail the following day. Bruce Meldrum Colonel Commander

A.T.G.

Waiouru