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VALLEY VOICE NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE ARO VALLEY PAENGA
WHA WHA
T E R E O H A P O R I O WA I M A P I H I APRIL-
The demolition of the old bakehouse at the bottom of Devon
Street by its developer owners has placed the value of the City
Councils Heritage Area designation into question. The Aro Valley
Community Council led a challenge to the development last month,
seeking a Court injunction preventing demolition subject to review
of the Wellington City Councils decision-making processes.The
application to demolish was made
last year by Aro Holdings Ltd. c/- David Gibson for Spencer
Holmes Ltd and approved in a decision in September, when Council
granted non-notified resource consent, meaning that the public had
no opportunity to object. The AVCC challenged the ruling but,
in
the words of Co-chair Roland Sapsford, we hit a very
unsympathetic judge.The building was demolished in its
entirety at the end of last month.Architect and
Conservator-for-hire, Ian
Bowman, (who provided heritage reports on many of the buildings
removed or demolished for the bypass), provided the official
assessment of heritage effects for the developers application,
concluding that thebakehouse building contributes little to the
heritage values of the Heritage Area. Bowman said that the Aro
Street
Shopping Centre Heritage Area was listed in the District Plan
for its attributes as a: highly authentic, largely homogenous, late
19th century shopping area, which contains buildings representative
of the styles, scales, details and materials of the eraand
contended that: The bakehouse contributes little to these values as
it is not similar to the other commercial buildings being single
storey, of a different design and of little authenticity.In other
words, it was unique. Dating
from an era when fire services were scarce and bakeries had
separate baking areas so that fires did not destroy the main
building, the Devon Street shed was likely the last of these
bakehouses in the Wellington region.In approving demolition, the
City
Aro Valleys history - blink and youll miss it!
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Council ignored its own requirement to look for reuse (eg by
incorporating the building into a new development) before
demolition. The bakehouse will be replaced by two townhouses. There
is no evidence the developer ever looked at whether some element of
the bakehouse could be retained.The developer has proposed to
install a
signage display or plaque on the Devon Street wall of 96 Aro
Street, related to the Aro Valley Shopping Centre Heritage Area
itself, or associated buildings and/or activities undertaken
(currently or historically) within this area The Councils Heritage
Advisor, Trevor
Keppel endorsed this approach: Based on the advice of Mr Keppel
and given the intended content of the proposed sign display or
plaque, the associated effects on historic heritage are considered
to be less than minor, the report said.Built more than 100 years
ago, the
unusual historic structure would have baked buns for the boys
who went off to war from the Aro Valley in 1914. May we all
remember it.
(No plaque please!!! - Editor)
Aro Street 4 Square to closeThe proprietors of the 4 Square
superette at 103 Aro Street have lost their lease, and are due to
close their business on 2 July.The dairys leaseholder, Manjula
Patel, who has operated the business and held the lease since 2000,
says that when the lease came up for review in March, the buildings
owner told her that they would not renew it, and the shop would
have to close.The buildings owner, Has Patel, owns
several other commercial properties on the same side of Aro
street. Future plans for the site are unknown.Majula Patel regrets
the closure, and
says that she is keen to re-establish the superette elsewhere,
but is having difficulty finding a suitable location in the area. I
love to serve the Aro community
as a business person, as I have had lots of support from this
community in last fifteen years. Its been a great privilege, she
said.She had approached Has Patel more
than once to try to re-lease the property but had been turned
down.Members of the community have
expressed concern for the loss of this important local amenity.
You can contact Manjula on: [email protected] Not a strong
contributor to the streetscape of
Devon Street - Wellington City Council
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2 NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY APRIL 2015
CorrectionRe the article on cats in Marchs issue, we would like
to apologise to Angela Campbell for printing her name as Angela
Nash. We sincerely regret the error.
Better, cleaner, cheaper buses submission guideRegional
Councillors Paul Bruce and Sue KedgleyWe encourage you to send in
submissions to Greater Wellington Regional Council (GWRC) during
the Annual and long term plan (LTP) consultation period through to
20th April requesting a better, cleaner, cheaper bus plan be
brought forward from 2017 to now.The Wellington bus review
consulted on over the last 5 years, will not come about until after
the completion of the new bus tender round in 2017, and perhaps not
even then, due to the difficulty of adopting a Bus Rapid Transit
system with bendy and/or double decker hybrid buses. The scrapping
of our trolley bus services are likely to add to the delays. We do
not think this is satisfactory. We are calling for a better buses
5
point plan ahead of the implementation of the new tenders:
Zero fare Saturday buses in Welling- ton cityFree bus transfers
within Wellington cityHalf price student fares Cleaning up the bus
fleet Safer school buses
Go to:
www.paulbruce.co.nz/better-wellington-buses-submission-guide/
Aro Valleys fruitful historyDo you know the history of any of
the fruit trees in the valley? Sarah Adams from the Wellington City
Council is on the hunt for old trees with a known history around
the Aro Valley.Heritage fruit trees are an important part of our
settler history: they are often lesser known varieties and are
examples of trees which grow well in the Welling-ton climate. Trees
collected through this programme will have cuttings taken from them
and will be grown to be planted in sites around the city. We know
there are a number of heritage
tree around the valley, for example the Holloway Road damson
plum. But wed like to know more. Who planted it? When was it
planted? Or take the apple tree in Holloway Rd playground what
variety is it? When was it planted? Are there other heritage trees
whose history you know? If you have any
information about the history of any of the older fruit trees in
the area, or you know someone who does, please contact Sarah Adams
at [email protected].
Community Co-ordinator leaves on high noteAro Valley Community
Co-ordinator, Kelvin Aris has resigned from the role, to pursue
other interests. This follows a second successful fair, and two
productive years spent in the role. Its been great getting to know
every-one in the Valley, and I wont be too far away. You havent
seen the last of me, says Aris, who now lives in Newtown.The AVCC
Committee has made a
decision to divide the Community Co-ordinators role into two
part-time positions of an Administrator and a Developer, for 20
hours a week each These are currently being advertised
(Applications close 21 April. see Notice below). Josephine Brien
and Lynsey Ferrari are
temporarily filling the Community Co-ordinator role until the
new appointments are made by the Management Committee of the AVCC -
comprising Roland Sapsford, Lisa Thompson and Rachel
Griffiths._________________________________
Work for Aro Valley!Two new roles at the Community
Centre
Community DeveloperCommunity Administrator
Both 15-20 hrs per weekApplications close 21 April 2015
For full details see the ads on www.dogoodjobs.co.nz
oremailtheCommunityCentreOffice:
[email protected]_________________________________
Polhill pines to goThe Wellington City Council will soon be
removing several pine trees from Polhill Reserve that are
overhanging or within fall distance of a private property. The
council says the structure of these trees, combined with their
location, makes them a potential hazard to the surrounding area,
which is on the ridge south of Holloway Road.The work will be
carried out by the councils contractors. This is expected to start
on Monday 13 April and to take 2-3 weeks, weather permitting.To
minimise impact on the surrounding
vegetation, the trees will be removed by sectional felling, with
wood and foliage left onsite clear of the paths. The area will be
left to naturally regenerate, taking advantage of the native seed
sources within the reserve.For safety reasons, public access to
the work site will be restricted for the duration of the
project. Tracks will be closed at junctions, and alternative routes
put in place.
Above: Artists impression of the two townhouses destined for the
site of the old bakehouse on lower Devon Street (see cover story:
Aro Valleys history)
COMING SOON....
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2 NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY APRIL 2015 NEWS AND
VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY PAENGA WHA WHA 2015 3- -
Aro Valleys bid to host the 2078 Summer Olympic Games is one
step closer. History was made in the Valley on Friday the 20 March
2015 with the opening ceremony of the Arolympics. The Olympic torch
was run through the valley, igniting the Olympic spirit as it
went.Starting from the top of Holloway
Rd carried by Moses Buda, down Aro St and up Epuni carried on by
Miles Buckingham and then eventually into the Olympic stadium
carried by Hayden Thomson of Aro Street .Proud Aro Valley streets
marched
into the stadium in all their glory with homemade banners
unfurled. Holloway Rd, Epuni St, Levina Ave, The Durham Cres Ducks,
Aro St, Boston Tce were all there.There were emotional scenes as
each
street was announced and strodejubilantly in, followed by a
French
translation scarcely heard over the ecstatic on-lookers. Once
the teams were assembled a hush descended over the crowd and the
electric atmosphere was filled with the Olympic theme song Jump by
Van Halen.Then, like a bolt of goldy glitter
lightning Sergio Velcro the head of the Aro Valley Olympic
Committee and his entourage of Solid Gold Dancers ran confidently
into the deafening roar of Stadium Aro. Holding the torch high he
delivered a speech to the crowd and then John Martin and Nigel
Collins sang a stirring rendition of Gold by Spandau Ballet
accompanied by the amazing Solid Gold dancers and their specially
choreographed dance for the games.On the day of the games the
crowd
gathered in anticipation at 12 noon to witness the first glamour
event : the Limbo, taken out by the tiny high altitude
street-nation of Levina Ave. Action was intense and excitement
built through each event such as water balloon toss, the sack
race and the hugely popular tug-of-war won by a strong Holloway Rd
team. This however was all leading to the Glamour event, the
champagne sporting event of the games - the Aro Valley
Pentathlon.
Competitors had to rummage through the Vinnies Op shop box,
empty a
dehumidifier, order chips from Aro chips after answering a
question from the replica Aro chip shop, a gruelling sampling of
all the garage project taps, then finally returning an overdue VHS
to the Aro street video drop box replica built in the park.The
medals and the results were tallied,
and Aro Street was triumphant.The sporting spirit of the Valley
was
the real winner on the day and the people revelled in the
friendly funny rivalry and the glory of Olympic victory, Olympic
medals and the winners podium. The games closed with the torch
being
symbolically handed to St Werberghs, Bristol, care of Treefrog,
a former resident of the neighborhood, which is Aro Valleys twin in
the UK.May the games live on and Aros
Olympic bid to host the Games in 2078 come to fruition. Yes we
can do it.
Arolympicstriumphant
Arolympics 2015 Medal Tally
Aro street- 2 Gold- 2 Silver-1 BronzeEpuni Street- 1 Gold- 1
Silver- 1 BronzePalmer Street- 1 Gold- 1 BronzeLevina Avenue- 1
Gold-1 Bronze
Grant ROBERTSONYour MP i Wellingto
P 04 801 8079E
[email protected]/GrantRobertsonLabour
@grantrobertson1220 Willis St, Wellington
Authorised by Grant Robertson, 220 Willis Street
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4 NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY APRIL 2015
WANTED: new editors for
Valley VoiceTim Bollinger and Max Rashbrooke, who have edited
this monthly newspaper for the last three years, are now looking to
step down so as to have time for other projects. We would love to
hear from a person or persons keen to take over the job, which
consists of gathering Aro news from various sources, attending
local meetings, writing some of the articles, and laying out all
the content. Around 10 issues are published each year. The work
isnt paid, but is great fun and means you get to know pretty much
everything thats going on in the Valley. Its also providing an
important service to the community. Anyone who is interested should
drop the editors a line on [email protected] or 022 694 0871.
Save the Basin and the Mt Victoria Historical Society, are
holding a dinner to raise funds for the legal
appealtofighttheBasinReserveflyover.NZTA are appealing the
Environmental Protection Agencys decision to reject the flyover,
and we need funds to fight it.Come and celebrate an evening of
costume, melodrama, conviviality and style.This fancy dress
fundraising event will feature:
An historic setting at the Basin Reserve; A sumptuous buffet
dinner; Musical entertainment; A silent auction of Victorian
treasures; Prizes for those in the best Victorian costumes.
Brought to you by the Mt Victoria Historical Society, all
profits will go to the Save the Basin Campaign (raising money for
the cost of taking part in the High Court appeal).Contact Sue by
email at [email protected] or phone 04 384 8208 to secure your
ticket. The details of the event are here:
http://mtvictoria.history.org.nz/event/victorian-dinner/
Mary Rose Dimock: Yoga Sundays from 10.30 to 12pm at Aro Hall,
$15 or $10 for students/unwagedMary has a great passion for helping
people to create positive change in their lives, and believes that
she can accomplish this through her service as a Yoga Teacher.Mary
has recently completed her Level 1, Level 2 and Certificate 4 in
Purna Yoga with Byron Yoga Centre in Byron Bay, Australia. Purna
Yoga means whole or complete and is an integrative style of yoga
that incorporates Asana, Pranaya-ma, Meditation and
Philosophy.Marys yoga classes incorporate Hatha
styles of yoga and flow sequences with philosophy, pranayama and
meditation.Mary also enjoys teaching Yin Yoga
and she completed a Yin teacher training while she was living in
Hawaii at the Kalani, Oceanside Retreat and Training Centre on the
Big Island.She has a degree in Psychology
and Education and has worked in the education sector for the
past four years. Mary has also worked for five years as a volunteer
youth counsellor.
***********
A Victorian Gaiety 2 May, 7:00 pm - 10:00 pm, $95
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4 NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY APRIL 2015 NEWS AND
VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY PAENGA WHA WHA 2015 5- -
Tommys Aro ValleySpeciallist
zoe smithis in the Valley this week if you wold like to request
an updated current market appraisal, please either call or email on
[email protected] to make an appointment.
Call free on 04 212 4377 or 021 856 887
zoesmith.co.nz
More bike racks and other Big IdeasNicola Young, Lambton ward
councillor
Wellingtons economic growth is lag-ging behind the rest of New
Zealand, so Council has decided to invest for growth through our 10
Year Plan rather than the business as usual approach of just
maintaining essential services.The Mayor is proposing a 3.9%
average rates increase over the next 10 years, of which 0.8% is
earmarked for her Big Ideas (the airport extension, a film museum,
convention centre, a tech hub). I believe the Big Ideas money
should be ring-fenced, so that it can be returned to ratepayers if
not required. Rates cost about $5.69 per person, per
day; few people like paying bills, so its important to remember
rates cover many services that are free of additional charges and
subsidise other things we take for granted. Council subsidies mean
an adults ticket at Freyberg pool costs $5.90 (instead of $15.50)
and $21 to visit the zoo (instead of $43). Plus the infrastructure
that makes Wellington tick: our parks, festivals and cultural
institutions; and those unseen things like
Big Bang budget Iona Pannett, Lambton Ward Councillor
The Aro Fair was a fantastic event as always and the AroOlympics
an inspired idea. Thanks to Kelvin, the Community Council and all
the volunteers for making it happen.We have been consulting on our
big bang budget for the next 10 years. There are some good ideas in
there, some which will require some debate and discussion and some
which are untenable in a world that needs to deal with climate
change. $45m is devoted to improving the citys
cycle ways; a trial will be held to show how cheaper bus fares
can increase patronage; money has also been allocated for new bus
lanes; the proposed landfill for the city will be scaled back (a
win on environmental and economic grounds); there will be more
money and rates relief for owners of listed heritage buildings; and
over $1m is devoted to an expanded Aro Valley hall. Some of the big
ideas up for debate
are a runway extension, a new concert venue and new museums
given over to conflict and film. The citys obsession with
1960s-style motorway programmes continues unabated with a
commitment to improving vehicle access. The issue of character
protection for
the Valley is a continuing conversation between the community
and Council. The community rightly wants the rules
upheld; there is some will in parts of Council to allow for a
limited amount of concentrated development. I will keep you posted.
[email protected] / 384-3382 i
underground pipes. Council officers are working on a
citywide cycling network master plan to take advantage of the
Governments 2:1 funding deal. Retrofitting cycle ways into
Wellingtons narrow streets wont be easy, and its likely some car
parking will be lost, but evidence from abroad shows replacing car
parks with cycle ways actually boosts retail sales.We also need
more cycling locking
points (a particular bugbear of mine), as theres a real shortage
around the city. Im proud to have scored eight bike stands for the
Aro Valley community centre, and have asked officers for locking
points outside the Aro Street cafs; as theres not enough space for
the classic Sheffield stands, cyclehoops will be used converting
lamp-posts into kerbside bike racks.Legal highs are back on the
Councils
agenda. Unless we designate specific areas for their sale, the
Government has decreed they can be sold citywide. Its likely
Council will reluctantly agree to sales in the central city,
although sensitive areas like central Cuba Street will be
surrounded by a cordon sanitaire. Finally, the weather was glorious
for
this years Aro Valley fair. I returned home with several jars of
chutney, and honey from CBD hives. Its interesting bees do so well
in cities; thanks to our gardeners and their love of flowers.
[email protected] / 021 654 844
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6 NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY APRIL 2015
The Valley recently held the very successful annual Aro Fair.
One of the goals this year was to decrease the amount of waste
going to landfill.
Passionate volunteers (thank you all!) set up waste stations,
kindly lent to us by the Porirua City Council, which provided bins
for compostable waste, recycling and landfill. To help make the
decision on what was compostable or not, items (plates, utensils,
etc) that were com-postable were stuck to the waste stations. We
also made sure all packaging supplied by food sellers was
compostable.It was nice to see that we managed to
add five wheelie bins (1,000+ litres) of compostable waste to
the Epuni Street and Community Centre compost bins. But it is also
unfortunate that
Kai o Te Aro many people do not take the time to consider where
their waste goes, and that volunteers end up sorting through bins
to ensure waste streams arent contaminated. Worms cant do much with
plastic. While it is up to individuals to make
decisions about how they deal with their waste, it would be
helpful if government (both local and central) took a stand and
developed some standards around packaging. There are many packaging
options available to suppliers, some of which (polystyrene and
plastics) could be levied or outright banned. Other options (such
as bioplastics and plastic lined paper) are of questionable
benefit, and research into lifecycle costs could help in decision
making and education.That said, suppliers also need to play
their part. There are plenty of packaging options available, and
a little thought, a little research and a little education
can lead to less waste and happier customers. The stallholders
at the fair all had environmentally friendly options that were
awesome to see.The classic example is take-away
coffee cups. Many places provide plastic (recyclable) lids on
compostable cups. Customers often dont have the
compostable/recycling bin options available and therefore put lid
and cup in the same bin. This decision means someone else will have
to correct the mistake at the recycling plant. There are now
compostable coffee lids to go on compostable cups, or
alternatively, plastic cups to go with the plastic lids so lets go
either all compostable or all recyclable.Heres a thought: maybe for
the next
fair we get rid of packaging entirely and use the tried and
tested ceramic plates, glasses and cutlery along with a couple of
cleaning stations and more volunteers!Jamie, Kai-O-Te AroThe next
working bees is: Saturday 24 April - at the Orchard (next to 225
Aro St). Anyone growing or have spare autumn/winter seedlings at
home is welcome to share the love with the gardens - be in touch
:)[email protected]
The Aro Valley Community Centre offers regular language lessons
tothosewhoarentconfidentinspoken English. There are no other
programmes in the city that offer the same kind of service for
free, making the Aro Valley programme unique.The classes provide a
safe, social experi-ence for people to increase their con-fidence
in spoken English, while also forming friendships with other
students which often continue beyond class.Wendy, with the help of
a couple of
volunteers, teaches a 20 week course (usually at three levels),
and is at the Community Centre three days a week. Students are able
to join at any time during the course. The classes are practical
and topic-
based, with grammar structures and vocabulary being taught along
with pronunciation. With such interested and diligent
learners - its such a real buzz.Wendy loves teaching the
classes.Its an incredibly satisfying thing
for me to teach something that I love particularly to older
students. For me, its been the most wonderful experience.
Speak English at Aro Hall
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6 NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY APRIL 2015 NEWS AND
VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY PAENGA WHA WHA 2015 7- -
VALLEY VOICEEditors: Max Rashbrooke & Tim
BollingerDistribution: Jo Brien
All contributions and feedback to: [email protected]
or 022 694 0871Valley Voice is published on behalf
ofAro Valley Community Council
48 Aro StWellington
Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers
and not of
the Aro Valley Community Council (AVCC) unless adopted at a
general
meeting.AVCC co-chairs 2014-15:
Roland Sapsford Charles Barrie (in absentia)Secretary: Sarah
Jane PartonTreasurer: Rachel Griffiths
Committee members: Luke Allen, Jay Buzenberg, Cindy Jemmett,
Jadwyn Lowe, Madeleine
Rashbrooke, Julia Stace, Bridget Stocker, Lisa Thompson,
Mattie
Timmer, Rochelle WalkerAro Valley Community Centre
Coordinators (acting):Jo Brien & Lynsey Ferrari
[email protected](04) 384-8499
R
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Printed byDatastream Instant Print
384 [email protected]
Pam rememberedLong-standing local resident Neil Patel wrote to
Valley Voice with this tribute to Pam Whittington, whose obituary
appeared in the last issue: Pam was great to small businesses and
always supported the local business community. I recall, Pam would
help needy people but she knew to help small businesses was vital
and she went out of her way to help.Being a JP she helped Nalini to
get the
documents signed for her NZ passport, and her mother Lalitaben
Maganlal
Day Time Activity & Cost Contact
Monday 7.15am 8.15am Tai Chi Class(Koha)Yi Ching Mao 384
3588
6.00pm 8.00pmCapoeira($10 casual /$40 - 8 classes)
Bobby Semau027 [email protected]
Tuesday 9.30pm 11.30pm
ESOL English Language Class(Koha)
Wendy Vink: teacherContact AVCC 384
[email protected]
12.00pm 12.45pm Sit and Be Fit ($3 per class)
Kathy McConvilleContact AVCC 384
[email protected]
7.00pm 8.00pm Pilates with EricaCasual $15, Unwaged $1310 class
concessions
Erica292 7909 or 022 646 [email protected]
Wednesday 7.15am 8.15am Tai Chi Class(Koha)Lynsey384 5520
9.30pm 11.30pm
ESOL English Language Class(Koha)
Wendy Vink: teacherContact AVCC 384
[email protected]
6.30pm 8.00pm Starjam [email protected] 4971 021 782
866Thursday
CSA Organic food pick up
9.30pm 11.30pm
ESOL English Language Class(Koha)
Wendy Vink: teacherContact AVCC 384
[email protected]
2.45pm 4.15pm Kids Jazz Dance Classes$12 per class / $100 per
term Debbie: [email protected]
6.00pm 7.00pmSamba from BrazilHillary Mitchell & Fabiola
Stevenson
Hillary [email protected] 021 230 8732
7.30pm 9.00pmYoshukai Karate ($10 a week pay what you can
afford. Includes 2nd weekly class Northland Community Centre)
Colin Berry027 249 5342 475 9985
Friday
CSA Organic food pick up
7.15am 8.15am Tai Chi Class(Koha)Lynsey384 5520
10.30pm -12.00 noon
Sing For Your Life - community singing. Come along any time to
have a great sing and a cuppa - $5 a time
Julian Raphael 802 5398 [email protected]
Saturday 9.00am 10.00am Yoga with Maggie$5 per classMaggie
[email protected]
10.30pm -12.00 noon
Yoga with Mary$15 per class / $10 unwaged
Mary [email protected]
1.00 3.00pm(last Saturday of the month)
Capoeira Free
Bobby Semau027 696 [email protected]
Sunday 2.00pm 3.00pmSmall Voices - Munting TinigChildrens Choir
and Filipino culture - All Welcome
Miriam Vilalba 0221 757 243
With such interested and diligent learners its such a real buzz.
Come along. The classes began at the
end of February, but people can join anytime throughout the
course. Classes cater for everyone, from migrants, refugees,
grandparents, young mums and dads, to partners of PHD sponsored
students (from places like India, Sri Lanka Indonesia and South
America) who are in New Zealand for just a couple of years.The
lessons are free, however
participants are able to make a gold-coin koha to help with
administration costs and photocopying. If anyone is unable to
donate, they are still more than welcome to join in.
[email protected]
Patels medical certificates, and all she needed.Pam was the
heart of the Valley and
Wellington and New Zealand. She is always remembered by
Nalini,
and myself and our customers. That little lady was a big lady
and she is in our hearts!!!!! Om Shanti Shanti Shanti (O Peace
prevail!!!) Cheers, Naginbhai Neil Patel
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8 NEWS AND VIEWS FROM AROUND THE VALLEY APRIL 2015
5733406A
A
Goldsmith artist Dorthe Kristensen ofVilders Gallery inAro
street, makes contemporary jewellery with individuality and
flair.
Vilders also recycles gold jewellery inspired by making it
sustainable.
Bring in your old gold andVilders will work with you togive it
new life.
104 Aro Street,WellingtonPh: 04 384 7989 |
www.vildersgallery.co.nz
New website, now buy online.Free shipping within
NZ.www.vildersgallery.co.nz
Billboards have started to appear in the Aro Valley with a large
photo of Colonel William Malone in front of a sandbag bunker at
Gallipoli. Colonel Malone deserves to be
remembered as one of the first iconic New Zealanders and has
been chosen to be the image of the weekend event My Country Right
or Wrong? an Aro Valley contribution to the WW100 commemorations,
social historian Tony Simpson said. Colonel Malone risked
battlefield
execution by refusing to lead his men forward on the same
suicidal mission that had just seen 300 of the Auckland Brigade
killed, advancing 100 metres. The 100 or so survivors of that
assault were pinned down in a shallow trench by Turkish artillery
and other fire, Tony Simpson said. Malone took his men up the
steep
slope under cover of darkness without loss and captured the
commanding height
from which his men could see the glitter of the Dardanelles, the
ultimate objective, and the furthest into Gallipoli of any advance.
Unfortunately
his men, despite a superhuman fight, which lasted more than a
day, were driven off the hill and at 10.30pm what
was left of the Wellington Battalion came down - only 70
unwounded or slightly wounded, out of 760 men. Malone was in the
thick of the fighting in the centre of the ridge all day and was
described as the bravest man I ever saw...who was doing the jobs
from Lance Corporal to Brigadier-General... by Sergeant Kenneth
Stevens, wounded in action that day.At 5pm that evening
Malones luck ran out and he was killed either by a misplaced
salvo from an Allied destroyer or a howitzer attempting to shell
the Turks. Tragically Malones heroism had all been in vain and for
decades it was the official British view that Malone had lost the
battle. More recent revisions have shown that by putting
Colonel Malone on Aro Valley billboards for WW1 seminar
his men first he not only saved their lives but also created a
brilliant opportunity.It took Jim Anderton MP 16 years to
get recognition for Colonel Malone in Parliament where there is
now a plaque in the main foyer. Mr Anderton said at the time that
it was one of the most difficult of all his achievements as an MP.
Funded by the Wellington City Council
for local World War One projects, the My Country Right or Wrong?
event includes a series of short presentations by prominent
Wellington writers, historians, teachers, and journalists, followed
by discussion. Topics include why New Zealand went to war, the
anti-war movement, the Maori response, the involvement of Aro
Valley - and the art of war. My Country Right or Wrong? Saturday
and Sunday 9-10 May, 10amAro Valley Community Hall, 48 Aro St
Bookings are essential. For a programme or to register, email:
[email protected], go to www.arovalley.org.nz, or ph: 384
8499