Tararua REAP, Peter Barton(left). Photo / Tamara Eastwood.
A $240,000 grant to help deal with challenges faced by communities throughout the Tararua is a great opportunity, Peter Barton of Tararua REAP says.
Tararua REAP is the fund-holder for the $240,000 community development scheme grant from the Government, part of a $2.8 million package nationally.
"The Tararua has received this grant before and in the past it has gone to Rangitane and Tararua Youth Services," Mr Barton said. "This time we put together a joint application and as part of the application we put in place a three-year plan, which includes a scoping exercise to see what social and volunteer service support is needed in our community.
"This is a really positive initiative and a great opportunity for our district."
Mr Barton said the last community review took place in 2006 and with the fund spread over three years, someone will be employed to scope what the communities throughout the Tararua need now.
"In 2006, family violence, educational under-achievement, drug and alcohol abuse and a lack of parenting skills were some of the issues identified," he said. Programmes were put in place to tackle those problems. Mr Barton said it was important to develop a new local services map.
"We want the community involved," he said. "We also want to get out to small, isolated communities such as Pongaroa and Makuri and let people have a say about what their community should look like.
"This will be quite a unique programme and we want to really find out the needs in our communities."
The group will receive $80,000 a year, for the next three years, as part of the Government's Community Development scheme which allows communities to generate their own solutions and work towards becoming more self-reliant and resilient, Alastair Scott, the National Party candidate for the Wairarapa electorate said.
"The communities between Norsewood and Eketahuna have the challenges of rural isolation and poor public transport networks," he said.
"The project aims to ensure people living in this area have awareness and access to well-resourced and connected community services.
"By focusing on skill-sharing and the exchange of knowledge in the community, the scheme provides wins for everyone involved. Most importantly, this scheme supports groups who work hard to ensure our communities are vibrant, positive places to live."
However, Mr Barton acknowledged $80,000 a year didn't go far.
"Other organisations and businesses are all welcome to be part of this and I'd like people to contact me," Mr Barton said.
Despite a freezing winter's blast chilling shoppers to the bone on Friday, there were wide smiles as they walked past a bright, spring window publicising the Cancer Society's Daffodil Day.
Designer Gabrielle Schmidt and her helper, Shirley Walker, the Tararua field officer for the Cancer Society, had a host of golden daffodils, cute bears and bright yellow balloons, to decorate the High St window in John Hayes office.
"I'm here to do the donkey work," Mrs Walker said. "You've got to have a vision for this sort of thing, so I'm just the worker."
Mrs Schmidt said she had the design in her head before she arrived at the office.
"You don't need a lot and you've got to remember less is best," she said. "This is to publicise a good cause and it seems cancer touches everyone's lives."
But it's not just the blooms, it's the mechanics of how to display them in the narrow window space, Mrs Schmidt says. "I've got to think up new ideas every year."
This is the eighth year Mrs Walker has been involved with Daffodil Day as part of her role as field officer for the Cancer Society and she says there will be plenty of willing helpers on Friday, August 29.
This year, as well as the daffodils, there will be raffles and the cutest little bears for sale - named George.
And you can also enter a team in the Daffodil Day quiz evening at the Dannevirke Services and Citizen's Club on August 26 from 6-8pm. Entry for teams of four to six is $60. Contact Sarah Martin to register at 06 374 4176 or by e-mail at sarah.martin@anz.com.