Mangere Bridge Community News
September 2010
Onehunga Community House - NEW (25-08-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Forthcoming events :
· Tuesday 14th Sep 10.30am – Friends and past pupils of the Onehunga Community House reunion. Guest speaker Bridget Graham
· Saturday 18th Sep 1.30pm – Historic Walk from Onehunga Club and finishing at the Onehunga Community Centre followed by afternoon tea
· Art by Rick Julian and Photo Display by Fred Mans and Pamela Moresby from Saturday 18th Sep until Saturday 25th Sep at the community house museum
· Saturday 25th September – Silent Movie night beginning at 7pm
Workforce Auckland is branching out with a Garden - NEW (25-08-2010) - Posted by: Shane
For more than 40 years, the Mangere Bridge based social enterprise, Workforce Auckland, has been supporting Aucklanders with disabilities to work in the career of their choice.
Early in 2009 Workforce Auckland established a Garden division for their employees, and in a joint venture with MIT and Agribusiness, a group of 15 employees with disabilities have subsequently undergone an 18 weeks course to gain the NZQA Horticulture diploma level 2. This has been a fantastic opportunity for the team to not only learn about Horticulture but also to achieve a qualification - for the first time for most of the participants.
The Garden team at the Mangere site grows a wide range of BioGro certified Organic Vegetable Seedlings and Herbs, which can be purchased on site at 8 Kirkbride Road. A further 1.5 acres have been turned into a vegetable garden to grow certified organic vegetable produce for their Workforce’s own kitchen and to promote and support healthy eating for the 180 employees.
Organics, recycling and sustainability is a big aspect of the future and Workforce Auckland is doing their bit to support this. Rainwater is collected from a roof on site and held in a purpose build 300,000lt tank for watering the Gardens. Bufferzones and companion plants have been planted to protect the crops and to attract beneficiary insects, which control pests naturally. A worm farm and composting bins have also been built to recycle food scraps and garden waste.
The Garden team also offers a Garden maintenance service, where local residents can get the support for tidying and maintaining their gardens.
For any inquiries or to book a visit and meet the team please contact Imke Blackett, Manager Gardens, 021 30 22 28, imkeb@workforceauckland.co.nz.
Silver Sneakers - NEW (23-08-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Put the spring back in your step. Join this lively bunch for a carefully planned and thorough workout designed for those wanting gentle but effective exercises.
The company’s great, we have some fun and Kimi’s endless variety of exercises are purposefully chosen to stretch, strengthen, balance, energise, distress, and focus on you.
Come along, slap on a smile, sing-a-long, and recharge your batteries.
Silver Sneakers Group Fitness
Tues & Thurs 9.30-10.30am
Senior Citizen’s Hall – 3 Pearce St Onehunga
Ph Kimi 6300629, kimiw.nz@xtra.co.nz
First Class FREE, thereafter $4/class
Mangere Plunket - NEW (23-08-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Mangere Plunket is very active in your community offering a great service to families with your children. These services are available thanks to our hard working volunteers and staff.
Taylor Road Clinic, Mangere Bridge
Playgroup offers an opportunity to meet up with other mothers and caregivers in the community. We have lots of toys and activities for the children.
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday: 9.30 – 11.30am
Toy Library – Annual membership fee applies.
Wednesday from 9.30 to 10.30am
Saturday from 9.30 to 10.30am
Plunket Nurse – Well Child checks – information, support and developmental assessments of your child at varying stages between birth and 5 years. Appointment Only.
Infant & Child Car Seat Rental Scheme – Plunket’s Car Seat Rental Scheme offers a variety of affordable infant and child restraints available for short or long term hire. Our Car Rental Scheme representatives are Safe2Go trained which means they can provide the best advice on the safe use of child restraints.
Wednesday 9.30 to 12 noon
PEPE Parenting Education – Plunket have a range of free courses available to parents and caregivers aimed at supporting their role through the different stages of their child’s early development. These are delivered through facilitated group discussions and cover most of the “basics” while allowing for input and direction from the course participants. Three parenting groups are offered. Your New Baby – Your Growing Baby – Your Active Toddler
Jordan Road, Mangere
Family Centre Services – provides help and support on parenting, breastfeeding, child behavior and parenting/family needs.
Please call for an appointment 09 2604032 or drop in on Wednesdays
PEPE Parenting Education – Phone PEPE Coordinator Laura on 576 5399 for information
Mangere Historical Society - NEW (23-08-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Mangere Historical Society was fascinated listening to Sgt Dene Duffy telling of his work as co-ordinator of the NZ Police Search and Rescue organization. His area of immediate responsibility covers from Wellsford to Mercer and everywhere in between. He spoke of the training that they undergo along with the many other organizations who are also involved in this work. St Johns, amateur radio emergency corp, coastguard, military, police and dog handlers, and volunteers. This includes bush skills, river crossings, navigation, first aid and a reasonable level of fitness and an ability to be called out at any hour.
The area that this search and rescue group covers if the largest as it covers not only all of NZ but the Pacific Islands and down to Antarctica. He explained what is covered by the various classes of emergency and the groups involved. The need for helicopters to assist in steep Cliffside rescues or from rivers. They use night-vision and heat recognition abilities which help enormously but are very costly. These are required for retrieving bodies after fatal falls.
The price for these rescues are very high and few of those rescued ever feel the need to acknowledge the work done for them and make any contribution to the costs. He spoke of the way they can now trace those who suffer from senile dementia and wander away – by using pendants that give off a signal that can be traced. Everyone learnt from this power point talk.
Next meeting to be held is September 21st at 1.30pm, St James Hall, Church Road, and will be the AGM followed by Bruce Ringer presenting “Footprints” photos of the Mangere area in years gone by.
ALL WELCOME
Mangere Mountain Education Centre - NEW (23-08-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Walk the Present – Discover the Past!
Book in for a tour of our sacred mountain and you will walk away with a deeper understanding and connection with many treasures here in Mangere.
Toitu Te Whenua Community Gardens! FREE We are now accepting registrations for the ‘summer’ gardening intake. We provide everything (land, tools, seeds, knowledge) at no cost, all we require of you is your time and energy. What ever you grow is yours.
For more info please contact centre staff on : 09 634 7305 email: mangeremountain@xtra.co.nz or visit us at 100 Coronation Road, Mangere Bridge.
Down at the farm! - NEW (23-08-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Down on the Farm – Ambury Farm that is, you will see lambs in nearly every
paddock! Mums and newborns need plenty of space so please be
considerate whilst walking around the farm. We have orphan lambs which
are fed at 8am and 4pm weekdays and at 8am, 12noon and 4pm on the
Weekends. By mid September we will start to wean them.
Our regular farm volunteers make a huge effort at this time of year looking
after all the hand reared animals we have on the farm. A big hit with
children and parents is cow milking at 10.30am each day, our friendly calves
are always around to be patted as well.
Further up the farm we have beef cows and their calves too. Remember to give
cows with calves lots of space as they can be very protective! Charlotte the sow
is swelling, she is due to have her batch of piglets late September. Our horse Bella
is eager to see people too, so come and check her out.
Our biggest day of the year, Ambury Farm Day, is Sunday October 10th. Ambury Farm
Day had its small beginning 23 years ago, now each year we draw huge crowds who
come to join in the farm fun. Remember to keep Sunday 10th free and come on down
and enjoy the atmosphere, the activities, the animals, right here on your back door step.
If you are interested in volunteering on the day, please contact Janine 636 6118.
Remember, we are a rubbish free park so help us to keep the park clean and tidy by
taking any rubbish you create home with you. Ambury Farm Park is open from 8.00am
till 6.00pm during winter hours.
August 2010
Toy Library Awareness Week - NEW (09-08-2010) - Posted by: Shane
For the occasion we’re having an OPEN DAY!
SATURDAY 14TH AUGUST
9.30-1.00PM
Bouncy castle, face painting, sausage sizzle, baking, clown and balloon animals!
BRING YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY OR YOUR NEIGHBOUR AND JOIN IN THE FUN!!!
Plunket Rooms @ 5 Taylor Street, Mangere Bridge
COME CHECK OUT OUR NEW TOYS!!!
July 2010
Temporary closure of Mangere Bridge Library (16-06-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Builders move into Mangere Bridge Library next month to carry out significant refurbishments.
The library will close from Monday, 19 July for six weeks to allow for the fitting of a new ceiling as well as the redesign of the internal layout, reorganisation of shelving, painting and laying of new carpet.
Although having to close the library for several weeks will cause disruption for customers and library staff, Group Manager of Manukau Libraries Mirla Edmundson is excited about the makeover.
“I’m sure our customers will enjoy the redecoration of the library. While structural works are being done we are taking the opportunity to re-organise and modernise the layout of the library which was opened in 1979. We can’t wait to share the new, brighter library with them.”
Manukau Libraries recognise for the inconvenience the closure may cause to customers and have made some interim arrangements during this time.
The mobile library will visit
Customers are encouraged to use nearby Mangere Town Centre, Mangere East, Papatoetoe or Manukau City Centre libraries while the work is carried out.
The new-look, more user-friendly
April 2010
Award Winning House (25-03-2010) - Posted by: Shane
A home built late 2009 in Mangere Bridge has received three national awards for architectural design, and is currently nominated for the prestigious award of the Gold medal of NZ Architecture. In May of this year it will be published in the biggest home magazine in the world, being Dwell out of San Fransico.
The home was designed by Michael O;Sullivan of Bull and O’Sullivan
Architecture Ltd of Auckland City. Completed on a small budget and set on a small site, the home is filled with delightful detail:
Banks of glass windows, rich cedar shutters, warm kauri plywood walls and beautiful marble in the kitchen and bathroom.
If you are looking to build or renovate then please contact
Michael O’Sullivan 09 3581237 or www.bosarchitecture.co.nz
Mangere Bridge Walking Group (25-03-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Now that the cooler temperatures are here, those folk who have had good intentions ever since Christmas can put on their walking shoes and meet up with the ever growing number of people who gather in the Village Square. This is near the Noticeboard at the Bridge, at 8.50am. We leave at 9.00am and take ever changing routes through the bridge Streets, over the old bridge and along the boardwalk on the Onehunga side, up the mountain and along the esplanade.
The blue shirts are a familiar sight to many residents. The excuse of not being able to keep up is not acceptable, as there are the energetic and fast walkers, medium paced (walkers and talkers) and those who walk within their own capabilities (natterers and chatterers).
A welcome cup of coffee is enjoyed after the walk and everyone goes home feeling better for the chance to get out of their homes, get some fresh air and exercise and also some social chat.
We hope to see you join us soon!
Entertainment Books (25-03-2010) - Posted by: Shane
We now have Entertainment books avaliable, they are $65 each and have over $15,000 of savings for everything around auckland, for every book sold M.B.C.I.S gets 20% which helps keep the website and newsletter running and getting better
Icon Security (25-03-2010) - Posted by: Shane
It is disappointing to note this month that there has been a spate of break-ins
on fast food premises. The offenders are targeting cash floats left in the tills
and are safe in the knowledge that the business concerned has no alarms and
minimal security measures.
As we have mentioned in previous reports, we strongly recommend that all
businesses invest in an alarm system and have it monitored. Basic alarm
packages start at around $500 and together with prominent security signage
and a nominated response company provide a very good deterrent. We would
also recomment that all cash is removed offsite or at least to a safe and that tills
are left open after house.
On a more positive note, the ICON Group Security patrols were recently involved
in the successful apprehension of local taggers and ICON Group will be providing
security at the forthcoming Autumn Festival.
If you would like assistance with your security needs please contact,
Anton Welsh 09 4149629 or awelsh@icongroup.co.nz
Lions (25-03-2010) - Posted by: Shane
By the time this article is circulated the Mangere Bridge Lions would have completed their first project organizing the RNZFB red puppy appeal from
26-28March with collections in the shopping centre on Friday 27, Saturday 28
March.
At the last meeting District Govenor Colin Twynan was present to meet new
members Alan Bray and Ian Ellice and other interested residents plus the
Papatoetoe Lions Club – the sponsoring club.
A decision was made on the painting of the Guide Hall roof after a recommendation
to accept Clive Mitchell, of Auckland Professional Painters Ltd Mangere Bridge,
offer to provide labour and paint. Also to provide paint at cost to do the outside
walls and doors.
Funding for the second part of the project is to be raised. Next fundraising will be
held at the Mangere Bridge Yacht Club Sunday 11 April with a BBQ. More details
to be advised at the next meeting.
Next Meeting: Thursday 8 April , 7.15pm @ Church Hall, Church Street, MBridge
Contact: David Fox 2709343 Graham 2682245 Reg 2783715
Silver Sneakers (25-03-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Serious Exercise for Seniors. Good News! You can become fit and flexible at any age.
Silver Sneakers group exercise is a fun way of shrugging off life’s challenges, at any age. Sore back, weak arms, trouble standing/sitting/
bending. Getting shorter, lack of balance, two left feet, aching joints, poor memory, short of
breath, cannot concentrate, restless sleep,depressed…our best step back to health, and to
maintaining health is through movement. The secret is to exercise smarter, not harder.
Kimi’s carefully selected exercises are purposefully chosen to stretch, strengthen, address
imbalances, energise, distress and focus on you. Come along, slap on a smile, sing-a-long and
dance away your worries. Keep your mind and body fresh with an extensive variety of
movements.
Silver Sneakers Group Fitness
Tues & Thurs 9.30-10.30am
Senior Citizens’ Hall, 3 Pearce Street, Onehunga
Kimi Ph: 6300629 kimiw.nz@xtra.co.nz
First Class FREE, thereafter $4 class
March 2010
0800 Stop 4 Red campaign begins (17-03-2010) - Posted by: Shane
Drivers back in the red
The 0800 Stop 4 Red campaign targeted at catching drivers running red lights is back for 2010.
The popular campaign starting in March encourages the public to ring the free 0800 number and report drivers running red lights. Last year it ran for one month, this time it will run for an extra month, finishing end of April.
Manukau City Council Road Safety Team Leader Cat Marvin expects more people to call the council because of the longer timeframe.
“Last year in one month the council received more than 600 calls.
“We expect this number to double for two reasons; increased public awareness of the campaign but regrettably the leading reason is simply that people continue to run red lights.
“This year we’re asking pedestrians to keep an eye out for red light runners. When you’re waiting at the lights to cross safely you don’t want a car to come through on a red light.
“Pedestrians are in a good spot to report drivers so we’re asking them to become more involved,’ says Ms Marvin.
The free number to call is 0800 STOP 4 Red (0800 786 747).
Registered owners of cars reported will be issued with a warning letter explaining the background of the campaign and urging them to respect other road-users.
Callers will need the details of the car, time and location. People can also report runners here
Reports carried out by Land and Transport indicated that between 2003 and 2007 there were 238 crashes involving a vehicle that did not stop at a red light or a red arrow in Manukau.
0800 STOP 4 RED is supported by the Counties Manukau Police and ACC.
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