Spotlight – Timaru Courier

Defibrillator installed at Gunns Bush Camp

Shelley Inon — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:32:16 +0000

Two months after holding a fundraiser, Gunns Bush now has a newly-purchased automated external defibrillator (AED) on site. In late May the 140ha camp, located 11km north of Waimate, held a car boot sale in an effort to raise funds to buy a portable AED. The nearest one available was located in the Waimate township, meaning it would be a 22km round trip if one was needed at the camp.

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Blokes in drag raise $35k for trail

Shelley Inon — Thu, 17 Jul 2025 04:25:35 +0000

Stilettos and hairspray have raised more than just eyebrows. The recent Miss Waimate beauty pageant has raised over $35,000 for the Waimate Trail. The 67km loop trail would ultimately link existing track networks between Studholme, Kelcey’s and Gunn’s Bush via Mt Studholme at the top of the Hunters Hills and through the old Waimate branch railway to Waihao Forks.

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Portraiture healing for photographer

Josie Steenhart — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 00:15:48 +0000

Having her first solo show at Timaru’s recently restored Aiganthighe Art Gallery added extra layers of meaning to local photographer Maania Tealei’s already powerful portrait exhibition. Josie Steenhart talks to her about her work. Maania, how did you first get into photography, and when/ how did it become a career? I first discovered photography at Temuka High School during art class.

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Team project helps keep kids sun smart

Connor Haley — Wed, 02 Jul 2025 23:45:50 +0000

Fairlie’s Village Green playground is getting a makeover in order to make it safer for summer. Located on the corner of Main Rd and Talbot St, the playground has had a new safety fence put in place and will have much-needed shade sails installed before the end of the year. While the safety fence was a Mackenzie District Council-led initiative, the shade sail project was made possible by…

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Tree planted to honour Cleaver’s life

APL — Wed, 25 Jun 2025 23:52:06 +0000

A memorial was unveiled for Geraldine local Gillian Cleaver in a public ceremony last Wednesday. To honour her life and the charity she had shown, there was a memorial and tree planting at the Memorial Walk on Wednesday morning, recognising the large sum of money bequeathed to charities in Geraldine after her death in November 2023. Mrs Cleaver (nee Dence) was born February 9…

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Global volunteer effort renovates kingdom hall

APL — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 23:06:25 +0000

More than 150 volunteers came from as far as the United States to carry out renovations to Waimate’s Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall recently. The $276,000 project took 13 weeks to complete. It included a new roof and a fresh coat of paint to both the exterior and interior. Inside, new air conditioning and sound systems were installed and more seating was added to bring the…

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Contest a success despite weather

APL — Wed, 18 Jun 2025 22:55:35 +0000

Not even the wet winter weather could stop the discs from flying in Waimate for this year’s Knottingley Giants tournament. Held on June 6-8, the tournament served as the opening round of the 2025-26 New Zealand Disc Golf Tour. There were 135 competitors, including 30 professional players, who played 54 holes (plus four extra holes for the leaders) over the course of the weekend.

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Push to revitalise main street

Shelley Inon — Wed, 11 Jun 2025 23:52:36 +0000

Growing concerns about Temuka’s main street dying are bringing great minds together. A think-tank will be held tomorrow afternoon for local business owners to come together to brainstorm what improvements could be made. It is hoped the meeting willproduce ideas to revitalise the town centre and encourage locals and those travelling through to visit and shop in the main street.

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Stalwart stargazers’ service honoured

Shelley Inon — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 00:08:22 +0000

A Lake Tekapo couple are among the seven people across South Canterbury named in this year’s King’s Birthday honours. Stargazers Alan Gilmore and Pamela Kilmartin have both been made Members of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). The couple have both received honours for services to astronomy. Mr Gilmore and Ms Kilmartin were recognised for their contributions to furthering…

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Banding together to help save a life from cancer

Shelley Inon — Thu, 22 May 2025 00:31:19 +0000

Geraldine musicians are joining forces to help raise money for essential medication for a bandmate’s daughter. Local musician Craig Workman’s daughter Kim was diagnosed with stage four metastatic melanoma in March. The most effective treatment for the type of cancer she had was four cycles of Ipilimumab and Nivolumab, but it is not funded in New Zealand. The cost was $60,000…

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