Club representative John Rummery said the main task of the day was to prepare all windows for wood frame repair and a complete re-glazing. It's about a year since the club took on the Lions Centennial Project, he said.
The time since has been spent determining the needs of the church in terms of integrity maintenance, what has been changed since it was built in 1928 and raising money.
The local community has donated around $11,000, Lions Club $12,000, the Church committee $20,000 and a Pub Charity contribution of $47,000 bringing the total to about $90,000; the goal is $100k. "Not a bad effort," he said. The working bee starts from 8.30am and runs all day. Call Mr Rummery on 021 238 7818 for information on what tools to bring.
Region ducks bad weather
Northland is making a lucky escape of serious weather this weekend.
Heavy rains and winds have been forecast for the country, but Northland can be considered safe for the time being, excluded from the severe weather warnings. Just a few showers is all Northland is in for and perhaps a slight pickup of northwesterly winds on Sunday.
Public access champions sought
The Walking Access Commission is calling for nominations of Northland people and groups who are champions of public access to the outdoors. Nominations are open until November 17, and the winners will be decided by the Commission's Board.
The Outdoor Access Champion Awards, which have been running since 2013, recognise those who have made significant and lasting contributions to public access to the outdoors in New Zealand, including through building new tracks and trails, securing new legal access, and championing public rights of access.
Nominations can be made via the Commission's website -
walkingaccess.govt.nz/our-work/walking-access-awards/ before 5pm on November 17.
Northland spending at the low end
Northlanders' spending on eating out, groceries, health and entertainment is some of the lowest in the country, according to data gleaned from Westpac NZ.
However, Northlanders in the 56-75 age group spend the second highest amount on health, at around $379 on average per month - only Aucklanders in that age group spend more at $429. Westpac looked into the data of more than 96,000 of its CashNav app users and found that those in Northland generally spend less when compared with other New Zealand regions.
Their spending came in at tenth out of 13 in the entertainment, groceries and eating out categories, and ninth when it came to spending on health. Northlanders spend around $574 on average per month on groceries.
When broken down into age groups, those aged 36-55 in Northland spend $777, the 56-75s spend $590 and millennials (18-35s) spend $449. Northlander also spend less on eating out at around $310 on average per month, beaten only by Manawatu-Wanganui and Southland residents, who spend less
People vote for favourite cafe
Voting for the People's Choice award in the 2018 Meadow Fresh New Zealand Café of the Year competition has begun. One winner in each of 34 regions will be named in December, with the highest-polling establishment in the country to be announced in February. Voting (at www.nzcafeoftheyear.co.nz/vote/) closes on October 27.