Latest news with #Oamaru
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Steampunk Festival gets $10k boost to support growth
PHOTO: ODT FILES Promotion of Oamaru's Steampunk Festival has been given a $10,000 boost to bring in more people. Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment manager of investment management performance David Talbot said to receive funding, the funding was assessed against the likelihood of the event being able to attract more out-of-region visitors and additional multi-day visitors, as well as it being able to deliver economic impact for visitors in the host region. "The Steampunk Festival is going from strength to strength each year, bringing hundreds of visitors from outside the district for the long weekend," Tourism Waitaki general manager Philippa Agnew said. "Events such as the Steampunk Festival give the industry a boost during the quiet season." Funding, awarded to Tourism Waitaki, comes from the government's Regional Event Fund. "Investing in these events has a direct impact, with visitors spending money in local cafes, businesses and accommodation providers, driving economic activity in our communities," Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said in a statement. "By growing regional tourism, our remote and rural communities can benefit from the economic opportunities it brings. "Events are excellent drawcards to get more visitors into our regions, particularly in quieter parts of the year for the tourism and hospitality sector. "New Zealand is open for business, and we encourage both Kiwis and international visitors alike to explore and enjoy what New Zealand has to offer." This year's festival, held over King's Birthday weekend sold a record 1723 tickets to paid events and attracted hundreds more who came to watch free community events.
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Innovative approach to projects recognised
Oamaru's own railway man, Harry Andrew, received the Paul Dillicar Award for Innovation at the recent Federation of Rail Organisations of New Zealand (FRONZ) awards night. Oamaru Steam and Rail general manager Harry Andrew was humbled by his win. "I was surprised, I never expected it," Mr Andrew said. "It's significant to be recognised but it's about the club really, not just me." About 120 people attended the awards night at Rydges Hotel in Christchurch's city centre. FRONZ president Jeff Tollan said 11 awards were presented on the night to celebrate the excellent work by members and volunteers. Mr Tollan said the award was in recognition of Mr Andrew's innovative thinking and leadership behind his locomotive projects. New Zealand Railway and Locomotive Society member Dave Turner presented Mr Andrew with the award on the night. He said Mr Andrew had shown a "great deal of innovation" over an eight-year period (2000-08) to get a B10 model back into service, but also for his approach to a new project. "He had the innovative idea of turning this DM unit [pre-1946 railcar], that he sourced from The National Railway Museum of New Zealand in Ferrymead, into a rail car in lieu of RM57 [a Vulcan railcar], by electrifying it, and having a diesel engine inside the luggage compartment, he could run it as an electric railcar. "In the case of Oamaru, it's particularly important that they have a way of hosting visitors when they are really small numbers. You don't really want to have to get out an engine and guards, and have a whole lotta folk involved," Mr Turner said. Oamaru Steam and Rail Society said they were "proud and grateful" for Mr Andrew's work at the club. The society has about 100 members and 20 shift-workers. Every weekend the society services three diesel locomotives, carriages and 2km of track. Mr Andrew was happy to receive $2000 towards his project to convert the DM unit [Phoenix] into a railcar. He said he has spent $13,000 to transport the DM unit from Christchurch to Oamaru, and so far has spent $43,000 of his own money to achieve the project. In January the 36-tonne rail passenger vehicle, officially numbered DM16 in its New Zealand Railways days, arrived in Oamaru atop a truck trailer after a four-hour trip from Christchurch. It once plied the rails of the capital where, for about 60 years, it ferried commuters up and down Wellington's electrified rail system. When the rail car is finished, five people will be able to run it, Mr Andrew said. "I'm going to put a diesel generator and an 800-volt generator in there that will be driven by a diesel motor, and that's going to drive it up and down the rails here," he said. He hopes that once the railcar is finished the Oamaru Steam and Rail Society will buy it. Mr Andrew said the idea had been on his mind for a "long time'. He was further surprised by receiving the memorial trophy because not everyone believed his vision was possible. "Because everyone's been giving me such a hard time and saying it can't be done. "I can have some of these silly ideas, but if it wasn't for the club and the members I wouldn't get it done," he said. Mr Andrew said he hoped to complete the project in six months but it would "more likely take a year".
Otago Daily Times
7 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
First entry wins praise
The inaugural Waitaki combined kapa haka group Te Matahiapo finished third at the Te Hautoka kapa haka competition in Dunedin. PHOTO: SARA PLUNKETT The first North Otago group to enter the Te Hautoka kapa haka contest finished third at the biennial Otago and Southland kapa haka competition held at the Edgar Centre in Dunedin this week. The event drew 14 groups from secondary schools across the South. The inaugural performance of the first Oamaru competitive secondary schools kapa haka group, Te Matahiapo, earned it third place. Kapa haka leader Ana Fa'au said she was extremely proud. "I'm really, really proud of all the effort and hard work, and the dedication the kids have put in over the last six weeks or so. "It's pretty cool for our kids, also for our whanau of Moeraki, because of course, Oamaru is part of the geographical takiwa of Te Runanga o Moeraki," she said. The Waitaki combined kapa haka group, Te Matahiapo, consisted of students from Waitaki Girls' and Waitaki Boys' High Schools, St Kevin's College and year 7 and 8 pupils from Hampden School and St Joseph's School, and students from East Otago High School and Otago Girls' High School. Mrs Fa'au said kapa haka leaders Jamie Carroll, Tuhi Tipene, Kauwhai Te Moananui Gamble and Aroha Wooldridge helped to prepare the Waitaki combined group for the event. Thirty-one students took to the stage, ranging in age from 12 to 17, and performed well, despite their experience level, she said. "They've just worked really well together as a team, and most of the performers have no experience in competitive kapa haka." Waitaki Girls' deputy principal Charmaine Nelson said the placing was a grand accomplishment. "It was an enormous achievement to be placed as the group only had seven weeks to prepare for this ... it's such a fantastic story of Waitaki, North Otago regional success," Mrs Nelson said. Invercargill group Te Wharekura o Arowhenua placed first and He Waka Kotuia, which includes students from King's and Queen's High Schools in Dunedin, finished second. The two groups will go on to the national finals in Tauranga later this year. The Oamaru group was named Te Matahiapo by Dr Hana O'Regan, an academic, te reo advocate and thought leader from Moeraki, Mrs Fa'au said. She said they were also grateful for the oversight and support of their kaumātua from Moeraki, whaea Nola Tipa and matua Patrick Tipa.
Otago Daily Times
18-06-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Med school project launched
Medical students look on as Sir James Parr, minister of education, lays a foundation stone for the new University of Otago medical school building in Great King St (then simply "King St"), in Dunedin. — Otago Witness, 23.6.1925 One of the most up-to-date The ceremony of the laying of the foundation stones of the new Otago Medical School in King street took place yesterday afternoon. The buildings, with which substantial progress already been made, were beflagged for the occasion, and in view of the threat of rain a large platform had been covered with canvas. Members of the University Council and of the teaching staff accompanied in procession to the platform by Sir James Parr, Minister of Education. A large number of students took up their stand close by in King street, and occasionally enlivened the proceedings with comments and untimely applause. Sir James Parr, on rising to lay the first foundation stone, was greeted with some cries of "Sit down" and cheers from the students. He thanked the chancellor, and the students particularly, for the very cordial reception of the Minister of Education that afternoon. (Laughter.) As a memento of the occasion Sir James was presented with a suitably inscribed greenstone and gold trowel from the contractor, Mr McLellan. Sir James then placed one of the two foundation stones in position and said "Ladies and gentlemen, as Minister of Education, I declare this stone well and truly laid." (Cheers.) Sir Lindo Ferguson then proceeded to lay the other foundation stone. The proceedings closed with the singing of the National Anthem, and the students joined in a stirring haka. The building is of brick and Oamaru stone, the dimensions being 230 feet x 100ft — three storeys and basement on the street frontage and four storeys and basement over a section in the rear. The King street frontage is of striking appearance, and is designed in Renaissance style. The new building will accommodate the anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology etc. The special features in the anatomy department are the dissecting room, measuring 69ft x 49ft, museum 105ft x 51ft, and two lecture rooms, tho larger of which is 49ft x 35ft, the seats being arranged in amphitheatre type. The new histology department has a very modern classroom measuring 45ft x 40ft, with the necessary preparation room and laboratories all having direct communication. Physiology has a very fine lecture room measuring 37ft x 36ft, being on the amphitheatre principle; adjoining are preparation, diagram, and apparatus room. The larger of the chemistry rooms in this department measures 61ft x 49ft, and is to be fitted up on the most approved lines. The numerous laboratories, research, and experimental rooms are spacious, well lighted and airy. The main room in the pharmacology department measures 52ft x 21ft, and has operating and preparation rooms adjoining. Throughout the building are spacious rooms for professors, students, cloak rooms and laboratories. Large common rooms for both men and women students, the former measures 50ft x 23ft 6in, the latter 31ft x 25ft 6in. The main staircase is of concrete, and occupies a very central position just beyond the spacious entrance hall. This new structure, when completed, will be one of the most up-to-date medical schools of the present day. — ODT, 19.6.1925 Compiled by Peter Dowden
Otago Daily Times
14-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Passion for industry, leadership recognised
Georgia Campbell with the Women in Contracting award. PHOTO: ANDREW ASHTON Oamaru's Georgia Campbell has continued her rise in the ranks of the male-dominated contracting industry. Miss Campbell won the Women in Contracting award at the annual Civil Contractors New Zealand Otago Branch Hynds Construction Awards in Queenstown. Just seven years into her career at Whitestone Contracting, she is now a site foreman. The judges noted her passion for the industry, leadership ability and willingness to listen, learn and take on new ideas but Miss Campbell told the Oamaru Mail it was just "cool to be nominated". "You know, for the women in contracting and to show that females can be in this industry and do well." She said Whitestone Contracting has been very supportive of her career. "I've done quite a lot of study as well, so for them to help support me through that and as well as being a foreman, was very supportive. The guys that I work with every day are really good as well. "I was just a truck driver labourer for ... Whitestone when I first started and then I've moved up. Last year I did my first foreman's job which was Kakanui water main renewal." Miss Campbell said the project took about a year to complete. "I love the foreman role. If you've got a great crew, it makes the days go quick and [there is a] bit of pressure but it's good to keep the mind going, instead of just sitting in the machine all day."
