NATIONAL PARK NEWS

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 4, Issue 28, 16 December 1986, Page 10

NATIONAL PARK NEWS

The National Park Country Music Club commemorates one of the club's founding members, Mrs Lorraine Forbes, who died on 4 December 1985. Mrs Forbes was described by a current member as "the heart and soul of the club".

Since she was a young girl, she had a yearning to sing country music but only ever sang over the kitchen sink because the Park was without the facilities to form a club at that time. The club originated four and a half years ago from Tahu and Grace Clayton who once lived in the now

named Mountain Heights Ski Lodge just south of National Park township. A group of about 12 met on a regular basis at the lodge and sometimes at the Waikune Prison social club rooms and sang songs accompanied by Tahu on his guitar. Fundraising began soon after to raise money for other instruments and amplifiers and a club committee was formed. Mrs Forbes was an accomplished singer and yodeller. She used to bring her daughter Lynette, who eventually became a member, along to practices. Lorraine Forbes was made a life member two years ago. It was uncanny that at the time Lorraine Forbes was striken with cancer, a number of other members left the club for various reasons. It was also soon after that the community was notified of the Government's intention to close the neighbouring prison and by doing so would deprive the club of several members. In a short time, the club's numbers had been reduced to nine singing members including the members of the band. Last Sunday. remaining members held a pot-luck tea for the most recent departures from the club resulting from the prison closure. The group remaining is immensely enthusiastic and still meet once weekly. There are only a few of the originals left but those involved are part of a 'sharing and caring' group.

The club has been busy lately with entertaining groups around the area and have a busy schedule right up until Christmas. They recently entertained at a 'Footrot Flats evening', run by the Park's Home and School Association. The $ 1 1 00 raised from the evening was added to the school's activities account. Locals enjoyed a .hangi supper and some dressed in appropriate attire suited to the evening — gumboots and black singlets. Relieving Teachers National Park Primary School has two relieving teachers on its staff at present — one of whom would be well known to Waiouru residents. Miss Judith Glennie, who taught Std's 3 and 4 at Waiouru Primary School earlier this year, transferred to National Park to fill in for teacher Liz Argue who left recently to have a baby. Miss Glennie observed that National Park is altogether a completely different community to Waiouru. The school has a total of about 72 pupils whereas Waiouru Primary School has about 1 200 pupils and a very mobile population which sees children come and go progressively throughout the year. Miss Glennie is relieving at the school until the end of the year and then intends notifying the Education Board that she is available for further long-term relieving positions elsewhere. Hilary Clifton is a relieving teacher's aide and a special needs teacher who has been with the National Park School since the beginning of the third term. Since her arrival the whole school has taken part in morning jazzercise sessions as Hilary has been a jazzercise instructor for the past four years. She is also the school's sports instructor. She has lived in National Park for the last year and is "tentatively booked in" to teach at the school next year.

Casino Evening A casino evening run by the National Park school community pool committee last month was a fantastic success according to an official. Co-ordinator Alex Holes organised tables where 'gamblers' could try their hand at roulette, black-jack and crown and anchor. Paul Wheston, an employee of THC Chateau Tongariro, who had been involved with similar evenings run at the Chateau showed croupiers how to operate the tables. The night concluded in a mystery auction, with players wagering their stock of gambling chips for a variety of prizes. All auctioned items were donated by retailers in Taumarunui and locals of National Park. Donations were received from: Carren's Supermarket (large tin of biscuits); Taumarunui Sports Centre (pocket knife); Radio House (watch); John Hanesworth Jewellers (earring and pendant set); Leiana's Florist and Nan James' Florist (potted chrysanthemum); W.D. Kydd (large microwave browning dish).

Other miscellaneous items were donated by: National Park Store; National Park Hotel; Cosmopolitan Club; Williams' family; Eiven's Ski Hire; THC Chateau; Sang's Fruiterer; Harry's Fruiterer; Pauline Mills. Disco Rage Taumarunui Policeran a Blue Light Rage Disco in National Park last month which was described as 'incredibly successful.' The disco was the first of its kind ever to be held in the township although such discos are held once a month in neighbouring Taumarunui. Taumarunui Police Sergeant Mike Keaney coordinated the evening and arranged a busload of some 40 teenagers and helpers to organise door saies and the sale of refreshments. National Park residents were reported to be extremely impressed by the support from visiting and local police. Children from the age of pre-schoolers through to teens turned out in force and were suitably awed by the flashing lights and non-stop music. Another disco is planned for this month, but this time the residents of National Park intend to run it themselves with support from the local police force. The Taumarunui Police have indicated that they are keen to take part again, but this time only for the enjoyment.