Whanganui news in brief: Diwali Cultural Night, Violent universe lecture

Diwali Photo / Stuart Munro

Diwali Cultural Night
This year's Diwali Cultural Night is on November 3, at the Whanganui Girls' College Hall. It starts at 5.30pm with a range of food to buy and try, followed by a cultural programme from 6.30-9.30pm. The programme will include acts from new migrants, Rangitīkei-Whanganui Multicultural Council president Vijeshwar Prasad says. There is no admission charge.

Violent universe lecture
Black holes, neutron stars and the violent universe will be the subject of a public lecture by Dutch astronomy professor Dr Paul Groot in Whanganui on Sunday. It starts at 7pm in the Whanganui Hospital Lecture Theatre, and costs $5 per person. The lecture is provided by the Wanganui Astronomical Society.

Carbon submissions in
Submissions to the Government's Zero Carbon Bill were released on Thursday. There were 15,009 in total. Of the submitters, 91 per cent want a goal of zero for all greenhouse gases by 2050, and they want it set in legislation. The bill is likely to be introduced into Parliament early in 2019.

Art Fix celebrates women
The next free Art Fix session at Whanganui's Sarjeant on the Quay is at 2pm on October 11. Curators Greg Donson and Jennifer Taylor Moore will lead a discussion about the current exhibition, 125: Celebrating Women from the Collection. Participants will be encouraged to contribute. All welcome.

Simmonds guest speaker
Businessman and new Mainstreet Whanganui chairman Mark Simmonds is guest speaker at the Whanganui Chamber of Commerce Breakfast of Champions at 7am on Tuesday, October 9. The breakfast - at The Yellow House Café - costs $25 for chamber members and $35 for non-members. RSVP to ce@whanganuichamber.net.nz

Business awards entries
Entries for the Whanganui Regional Business Awards 2018 close on Monday, October 15. The award categories are digital, environmental sustainability, hospitality, tourism, emerging business, manufacturing and logistics, trade services and supplies, small business, professional services, retail, rural and not for profit. The application form is online at www.whanganuichamber.net.nz. The awards will be presented on November 24.

Tax information session
Whanganui Chamber of Commerce is organising a tax information session for business owners. The free session will provide detailed information about the scope and timing of Inland Revenue's next round of changes. It will be held from noon to 2pm on Wednesday, October 17.

Case continues
The case between Whanganui's Mark and Nichola Goodier, the Earthquake Commission and insurer IAG continues on Monday in the Wellington High Court. It is being heard by Justice Helen Cull and is set down for a week.

Kaumātua Olympics
Whanganui region kaumātua have their annual fun day on October 18, at Whanganui's Jubilee Stadium. Called Taipāhake or Kaumātua Olympics, the fun day out offers an opportunity for 60-plus people to get together, compete in games, eat and dance. The day starts at 9.30am, with a pōwhiri, and concludes with a prizegiving.

Correction
Whanganui Mayor Hamish McDouall has pointed out that the sewage overflow into the Mowhanau Stream happened in January 2017. The wrong year was given in the Whanganui Chronicle on October 5. He adds that without a sewage spill the total of 12 per cent swimmability for last summer looks even worse.