Ashburton Courier: November 10, 2022

THURSDAY, 10NOVEMBER, 2022 |THE GERALDINE NEWS |PAGE 13
FROM OUR MP
JamesTaylorsinks hisputtunder the close eyeofhis fellowGrandads Team members. PHOTO: Supplied
Woodbury golf tournament
fundraiser asuccess
Thesun was shining,and the skies were
clear for the Woodbury School Ambrose
Golf Tournament Fundraiser held on
Sunday,23October,atGeraldines Grand
Vue golf courseand organised by Woodbury
School Support Group.
Due to unease around Covid restrictions
earlier this year, the decision was made
to hold off on the Woodbury HillCountry
Challenge for 2022, meaningthe support
group werelooking for something to fill
the gap.
Year 2-3 teacherBronwyn Patrick put
her hand up to take charge of the event,
along with adedicated team of parents.
WoodburySchoolPrincipal MikedeJoux
says, Weare incredibly fortunatetohave
acommitted staff membersuchasBronwyn
to put an event like this together, spending
alarge amount of her own time organising
donations, arranging foodand alsolining
up parentstohelp out on theday. As with
all our events, we had alarge number of
parents turnout to support the school,
primarily inthe kitchen, making sure
everyone waswell fed.
Bronwyn says she was happywithhow
the day ran. There was agreat turnout
on the day with 14 teams of five players
taking part. Teams included amix of
school whānau, local golfers and those
visiting for the day. It was great to see
people getting in the spirit by dressing
up and enjoying golf in thesun.
Wewere overwhelmed by thesupport
from both the school and the local
community. In particular, Fresh Choice,
who gave us their monthly community
grant towards catering, Barkers of
Geraldine, and Geraldine Butchery,who
continually supports Woodbury School
-inthisinstance, providing sausagesfor
the barbecue and meat packs for prizes
and raffles.
Woodbury School students were also
on hand to help with the running of the
event; from decorating prize bags to
helping on the barbecue topresenting
prizes to winners at the end of the day.
Mike calledthe day asuccess,saying, All
money raised will go towards further
equipment resources for the children,
whichotherwise we wouldnot be able to
provide. BECKY TALBOT
JACQUI DEAN
Arts in the spotlight
The arts hold aspecial place inmyheart. In my
younger years, Idid some acting and television work;
in fact, my first professional acting gig was with a
touringchildrens theatrecompanywherewevisited
schools in remotecommunities. Im afirm believer
in the value of music and theatre toall.
Readersmay be familiar with therecentcontroversy
surroundingCreativeNew Zealandsdecision to cut
funding to the annual Sheilah Winn Shakespeare
Festival. While that move made headlines around
the world, theres another funding stoush that Id
like to address.
Many local people will be familiar with Arts on
Tour NewZealand (AoTNZ) and may be awarethat
their funding arrangement with Creative New
Zealand -aCrown entity-has changed, putting its
future atrisk. Ive received messages from people
in Geraldine and further afieldfor whom this change
has come as ashock and massive disappointment.
The Geraldine Community Arts Councilhas done
afantastic job in bringing dozens ofAoTNZ acts
here over the years, and Iknow this change has
caused alot of upset. Ive askedthe prime ministers
office to lookintothe situation surrounding Creative
New Zealand and await areply.
Of course, AoTNZ is not the only option available
to small towns. Geraldine isblessed with agood
number of talentedlocal peoplewho love to perform
for their fellow community members. Whether it's
musical performances or plays, Geraldine has put
on some classicsoverthe years.Itsnot easyputting
together ashoworevent in regional NewZealand,
itsincredibly time-consuming, and the cost canbe
prohibitive. Its different to big cities where people
havesomanyoptions available to them, and event
organisers have afar larger number ofpeople to
appeal to.
Ihopeasolution canbefound that allowsAoTNZ
to continue with greater certainty and with the
ability to bring acts toGeraldine for many years
to come.