Community

Grandchildren can be bad for your health, as I just discovered - don’t mention it to any of the safety morons of our country or they might ban contact with grandchildren or insist on us wearing hard hats and steelcapped boots and hiring orange vested security people to keep us SAFE ( I do hate that word these days). I did a bit of poor handling with our delicious two year old, and ended up having to go to the acupuncturist to get prickled back into a painless...

Miranda Spary is a tired, old, has been columnist that we feel sorry for. She used to write a weekly book column in the old Queenstown Times which was read more for the local gossip in it than the book part. She is quite lazy and very grateful if readers send in ideas about what’s been happening locally on miranda@queenstown.co.nz

Good Bitches Baking Queenstown & Central Otago is a group of individuals who are keen to share a bit of kindness with the Central Otago community. Part of a national organisation, our chapter consists of 31 people who donate their time and baking prowess, and their own pantry of ingredients, to make treats for people who may need a touch of kindness.

People living in Arrowtown, Arthurs Point, Crown Terrace, Dalefield, Gibbston, Lake Hayes and Shotover Country can now have their say on who represents them around the council table as voting begins in the Arrowtown-Kawarau Ward by-election.

With a huge variety of cultural, sporting and community events firmly back on the calendar, Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is inviting organisers to apply for grants to help them deliver successful and sustainable entertainment.

We invite active seniors to Te Atamira arts and culture centre for an immersive art programme and morning tea on Saturday mornings this autumn. Te Atamira Senior Arts Social will be a rotation of concerts, art workshops, dance/movement class and artist talks. To secure your spot for each session please call 027 1800 2868 or email hello@teatamira.nz

Miranda Spary is a tired, old, has been columnist that we feel sorry for. She used to write a weekly book column in the old Queenstown Times which was read more for the local gossip in it than the book part. She is quite lazy and very grateful if readers send in ideas about what’s been happening locally on miranda@queenstown.co.nz

I was having dinner at the bar in Little Aosta this week, and noticed the young woman working like a demon in the kitchen. She was bubbly and bright and SO efficient, whipping pizzas and steak in and out of the woodfired oven, cheerily calling “SERVICE” to the waiters when dishes were ready, quick with a “YES, CHEF” when he gave her an order.

A prominent member of Queenstown’s Maori community will stage a play in the resort this winter which he wrote 40 years ago to heal in the aftermath of losing someone dear to suicide.

The second annual Gibbston Valley Bridge Gathering will take place over the Easter Weekend. The social non-profit event will host enthusiasts from around Aotearoa for four days of highlining, camping, challenges and AcroYoga in front of a breath-taking backdrop.

The Whakatipu Reforestation Trust invites the Queenstown community to join their volunteer native tree planting days throughout April. Planting native trees is a great way to actively participate in restoring our native biodiversity while helping to mitigate climate change.

Miranda Spary is a tired, old, has been columnist that we feel sorry for. She used to write a weekly book column in the old Queenstown Times which was read more for the local gossip in it than the book part. She is quite lazy and very grateful if readers send in ideas about what’s been happening locally on miranda@queenstown.co.nz

Wakatipu High School is becoming a sporting force to be reckoned with on land, water and ice with some of its summer sporting greats clocking up some very impressive successes, nationally and at South Island and regional meets last week and throughout the season.

T I K K I Studio is a sewing studio based in Lower Shotover that runs workshops and sewing lessons with sustainability at its heart. It has recently expanded into a co-working space for anyone needing to hot desk.

They may have been dubbed “little old ladies in tennis shoes”, but without them and their band of environmentalist supporters Queenstown would not have its beautiful downtown Gardens reserve preserved as it is today.

Students of Wakatipu High School have been out making a difference in their community, as 26 students from the school chose to volunteer on their recent teacher only day.

The Wānaka Trail Ride offers a unique and stunning, all-abilities trail bike ride over Deep Creek, Long Gully & Lindis Peak Stations for spectacular trail riding. Trails cover all levels of riding, from beginners to experts. Riders have the rare opportunity to explore private high country farmland, whilst helping to raise funds for Wānaka Primary School and Montessori Children’s House.

The countdown is on to the start of the tenth Wānaka Festival of Colour which gets underway on Sunday 26th March with an official opening at 3pm at the iconic Dinosaur Park.

They’re the hearts with arms and legs of the Wakatipu community. Baskets of Blessing’s contribution has been so great that should its army of some 40 willing volunteers cease to operate that would leave a massive void.

Here’s why your dad’s 30 year old jacket is actually the best. If you’re still sporting your father’s tweed blazer, elbow patches and all, or wearing mum’s netball uniform to practice - we want to know!