Ashburton Courier: April 30, 2020

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Page 18, Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday April 30, 2020 Local news at www.starnews.co.nz ART ATHOME The Ashburton ArtGallery teamare bringing art to youwhile our buildingistemporarily closed. This piece may befamiliar to you, as this is a study for what would become the Trusttum Window,the stained-glass windowabove the main entranceinthe Ashburton Art Gallery and HeritageCentre. The windowisone of only twopieces ofthe AAGcollection that is visible for youtosee during your neighbourhood walks. Twenty years ago, the Ashburton Art Gallery Committee commissionedCanterbury-based Philip Trusttumtocreate awindowdesign for the building on Baring Squarewherethe Gallery usedtolive. In response, Trusttum createdthis fifteen-panel design with stylised lettering which reads ASHBURTON est 1876 -can you see it? If you'relooking for ideas and activitiestokeep busy throughout this time,visit us on Facebook orour website: www.ashburtonartgallery.org.nz Image: Philip Trusttum, Canvas Study II, acrylic on canvas, 2001, 1800mm (w) x2560mm (h). Collection of Ashburton Art Gallery.
Local news at www.starnews.co.nz Ashburton's The Courier, Thursday April 30, 2020, Page 19 New clothing exchange District newcomer JoAlta Myburgh was in the process of launching a clothing exchange programme in Ashburton before the lockdown kickedin. The South Africanborn mother of two already has a big assortment of clothes aimed at newborns through to sixyearolds and wants to spread the word about the initiative. ‘‘I had actually managed to pass on some items to one person before lockdown and Ican’t wait for things to get back to normal, so more people can get involved with the clothing exchange.’’ Mrs Myburgh said a big stash of clothing had been donated by amother of five and she also had abassinet, toys and books that people could take. ‘‘It is afree exchange. The idea is that people make an appointment and we have a chat and they take what they need. As their children grow, they can come back and exchange previous items for new items.’’ Mrs Myburgh will run the exchange from her home and is supported in the initiative by Tinwald’s New Life Church and friends made through the church. ‘‘My family has been made to feel welcome in Ashburton since we first arrived here. We didn’t have too much with us to start with, and people were generous with supporting us while our things were shipped over. Jo-Alta Myburgh with children Adriaan, almost 3, and Emily, 18 months, in front of some of the storage bins for the new clothing exchange. ‘‘I’ve already made some good friends and thought the clothing exchange was a good way for me to give back and to do something for my new community.’’ Mrs Myburgh said the clothing exchange idea had happened quite quickly and she was still developing it, while at the same time looking after her two children, who were both under three. A Facebook page called Baby Go Round was being developed and she had also spoken to single parent support group Birthright about the clothing exchange and wanted more groups to know about it. Mrs Myburgh came to New Zealand in August 2019 with husband Wouter, who is an agronomist and works for Wholesale Seeds in Tinwald. She can be contacted on 027 309 1241. Youth service in fifth year By Mick Jensen Ashburton’s 247Youth Work programme is now in its fifth year and continues to offersupport to students through amentoring approach. The programme has been running at Ashburton Intermediate since 2016,at Ashburton College since 2017 and it started at Ashburton Christian School in term three last year. It is apresencebased mentoring initiative that uses youthworkerstoconnect with studentsfor aset number of hoursofsupport each week. Five mentors, who are fully trained and are not seen as parents, teachers or peers, but as role models, work with students,said local team leader Lisa Anderson. She said the mentorswere looked up to and related well to students. ‘‘Right now, and in the midst of lockdown,the youthbrokers are busy connecting with one another and discussing ways to stay presentinthe lives of students when we are confined to our homes and schoolsare closed. ‘‘Most have contact with some students,but it can be challenging to connect with younger students who either don’thave cellphones or aren’t on social media.’’ Mrs Anderson said it was a ‘‘privilege’’towork with youth in the communityand in the school environment. Ashburton 24-7 youth brokers Brad Raukawa, Ruby Bowman, team leader Lisa Anderson and Cornelius Grobler. (Photo supplied) ‘‘We do feel the weight of not beingable to connect with students and staff as easily and as freelyaswedid before lockdown.’’ Mrs Anderson said the programme was grateful for the support of the community, whichhas provided financially to the success of 247. The programme was funded by churches (25 per cent), schools (25 per cent) and the community(50 per cent). The 247YouthWork programme originated in Christchurchover 20 years ago and is based on arelationship builtupbetween alocal school and church. YouthworkerRuby Bowman, who worksatboth AshburtonIntermediateand AshburtonCollege,says her role is very rewarding. ‘‘I just love it. I’ve being doingitfor five years now and although at times it can be challenging, so many positive outcomes emerge.’’ She said through relationship building students would open up on issuesthey had to deal with at home and were affecting theirlives. Support was offered by the youthbrokersand also through inhouse counsellors at college, and by senior staff at intermediate. Mrs Bowman saidshe was keeping in touch with someof her students throughsocial mediaduring lockdownand couldn’t wait to get back to work. Anyone wanting to find out more or able to support the 247 Youth Workprogramme financially can contact Lisa Anderson at admin@mcyouth. org.nz. Keep connected Digital editions available on your screen 24/7 www.starmedia.kiwi/digital-editions
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Ashburton Courier: April 30, 2020

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