All past and present pupils of Russell School, like these Primer Fours from 1954, are invited to the 175th anniversary reunion later this year. PHOTO / SUPPLIED
All past and present pupils of Russell School, like these Primer Fours from 1954, are invited to the 175th anniversary reunion later this year. PHOTO / SUPPLIED
A weekly round-up of news snippets, events and oddities from the Bay of Islands and around the Mid North
Russell School marks 175 years
Do you have the nation's longest-running link to Russell School?
The 85-pupil, Year 1-8 school is celebrating 175 years of education in Russell later this year and, as part of the build-up to the reunion, is looking for ex-pupils with family connections going back generations.
The school's quest is complicated by the absence of records relating to the school's earliest years. The oldest known record is a register from 1883 in which the surnames Williams and Baker feature prominently.
Both families have had at least six generations of children at Russell School, but can anyone claim an even longer link?
All former pupils are invited to enrol for the reunion on November 20-22, via the Facebook page Russell School Reunion, by emailing russellschoolreunion@gmail.com, or by picking up a form from the school office.
The reunion will start with kai and korero/nibbles and natter on the Friday while Saturday will feature decade photos, Russell's famous wharf swimming sports competition, and an evening hangi and social at the town hall with music by ex-pupils Tony Taylor and Deon Baker. Sunday will be reserved for formalities including speeches and cake-cutting.
Russell has had a school since 1839. The current school site goes back to 1892.
As well as blooms, Kerikeri's spring flower show features kids' vegetable animals and shell arrangements, like these winning entries made by siblings Ayla and Devon Buxton. PHOTO / PETER DE GRAAF
Kerikeri Garden Club is calling for entries in its Spring Flower Show later this month.
Putting in an entry is free to the public and club members alike. Competition classes range from spring blooms and fruit to the ever-popular vegetable animals for the younger entrants.
Local schools will also contribute artworks to decorate the walls. This year's theme is 'seasonal changes'.
Last year's winner Pat Waters of Kerikeri with the show champion, a Leucospermum.
The doors at the Turner Centre will open at 1.30pm on Friday, September 25, and and 9am on Saturday, September 26. Show schedules are available from Kerikeri Library; for more information phone Ann on (09) 402 6653 or Doreen on (09) 407 8968.
The show has been running for more than 50 years. The club currently has more than 100 active members.
Spring comes to Kings Creative
To celebrate the arrival of spring, Kings Creative - in the historic movie theatre in Kawakawa - is holding its first solo show with works by renowned Northland artist Theresa Reihana.
Called He Puna Roimata (Spring of Water, Spring of Tears), the environmentally themed exhibition will run until September 27. It is inspired by the separation of Ranginui and Papatuanuku and the tears of rain that create the cycle of life.
Parawhenuamea (acrylic on canvas, detail only) by Theresa Reihana features in a new exhibition at Kings Creative In Kawakawa.
Ms Reihana intends to release the He Puna Roimata series and the story of the rain in a limited-edition children's book.
Later this month, from 1-6pm on September 25, the gallery's koanga (spring) programme continues with a sustainable planning workshop with Jasmax architects and the Northland premiere of Ever the Land, a movie about the building of Te Kura Whare Tuhoe, dubbed New Zealand's first living building.
Bazaar this Sunday
Riverview School is holding its world-famous-in-Kerikeri bazaar from 11am-3pm this Sunday, September 13.
Attractions will include a food hall, silent auction, Devonshire teas and coffees, raffles, live music, a dunking machine, and stalls selling second-hand clothes, books, furniture, collectibles and toys.
Children's rides and activities will include water walkers, pony rides, vertical bungee and bouncy castles.
The school's kapa haka group will get festivities going at 10.45am.
The bazaar is Riverview School's biggest fundraiser and made roughly $30,000 last year. This year's proceeds are earmarked for outdoor seating and other improvements around the school grounds.
Bird corridor volunteers wanted
Focus Paihia needs volunteers for its latest town improvement project, a bird corridor linking Opua Forest and the Paihia waterfront.
Stage one is due to get underway at 9am this Saturday, weather permitting, when the loop track from Williams House will be linked up with the existing path alongside School Rd.
An existing retaining wall will be converted into seating, the stream through Paihia's Village Green will be cleared of rubbish, and weeds under the pohutukawa replaced with native plants.
Contact Craig Salmon on 021 412 741 if you can lend a hand. Bring tree spades, rakes, rubbish sacks, a pick axe and paint brushes if you have them.
An exhibition exploring the use of print by Maori artists is opening in Russell this Sunday. Called Te Atinga Whakaata/The Art of Print, it will feature works by prominent Russell artists Clive Arlidge, Cliff Whiting and Pauline Yearbury. It is coordinated by printmaker Gabrielle Belz with support from Toi Maori.
Russell Museum is the main host with Pompallier Mission's Clendon Cottage a satellite venue. The show runs until November 30.
Entries open for traverse
Entries are now open for the Okaihau-Kaikohe Traverse, a fun run/walk along part of the Twin Coast Cycle Trail/Pou Herenga Tai later this month.
Options in the September 27 non-competitive event are 21km, 14km or 9km for the runners while walkers can try 14km or 9km. The gradients are easy and suitable for people of most ages and abilities.
Buses take participants to the starting points from Kaikohe's Pioneer Village, which will offer food, entertainment and kids' activities afterwards.
Proceeds from the Kaikohe Rotary Club event, now in its fifth year, help pay for community projects. Go to www.kaikoherotary.org/t to register.
Do you have news or an upcoming event you'd like to see in this column? Send it to us, including your full contact details, to baynews@northernadvocate.co.nz.
