Latest news with #WOF
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
SPWinds' Vienna gold win showcases Malaysian talent, says minister
SEPANG: Sekolah Seri Puteri's Symphonic Winds Orchestra (SPWinds) has made Malaysia proud by securing a Gold Award at the 11th World Orchestra Festival (WOF) in Vienna. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek praised the achievement as proof of the students' hard work and the strong support system behind them. Fadhlina highlighted the role of family, school, and the Ministry of Education (MoE) in nurturing the team's success. 'SSP has delivered an excellent performance, especially in the orchestra field. This win is a solid victory. The training, support from families, the school, and MOE for this team has been very strong,' she said during the team's welcome ceremony at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA). The minister confirmed that the MoE is considering appropriate rewards for SPWinds. 'They deserve to be rewarded. We will look into suitable forms of recognition, but for now, let us first celebrate their outstanding success on the world stage,' she added. The 66-member team, aged 13 to 17, impressed judges with performances of Hiroaki Kataoka's 'Amana' and local composer Yeo Chow Shern's 'Rai dan Tari.' Conductor Raja Muzafar Shah was also honored as Best Conductor. Organized by Austria's Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture, the WOF featured over 20 orchestras from 10 countries, with performances held at prestigious venues. - Bernama
Barnama
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Barnama
SPWinds' Vienna Victory A Testament To Malaysian Talent, Says Education Minister
SEPANG, July 30 (Bernama) -- Sekolah Seri Puteri's Symphonic Winds Orchestra (SPWinds) Gold Award at the 11th World Orchestra Festival (WOF) in Vienna was a remarkable achievement that has brought pride to Malaysia on the international stage. Education Minister Fadhlina Sidek said the success was the result of the students' dedication, strong family and school support, as well as continuous guidance from the Ministry of Education (MoE). 'SSP has delivered an excellent performance, especially in the orchestra field. This win is a solid victory. The training, support from families, the school, and MOE for this team has been very strong. 'So this is truly a victory for Malaysian children on the world stage, and it is one we must celebrate,' she said after welcoming the team's return at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) yesterday. Fadhlina said SPWinds deserves proper recognition, and the MOE is currently exploring appropriate forms of reward for the orchestra team. 'They deserve to be rewarded. We will look into suitable forms of recognition, but for now, let us first celebrate their outstanding success on the world stage,' she said. A total of 66 students aged between 13 and 17 participated in the festival. They performed 'Amana' by Hiroaki Kataoka as well as 'Rai dan Tari' by local composer Yeo Chow Shern under the direction of conductor Raja Muzafar Shah, who was also named Best Conductor. The WOF, organised by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture and the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, brought together more than 20 orchestras from 10 countries, with performances held at several iconic venues.
Barnama
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Barnama
SPWinds Wins Gold At World Orchestra Fest In Austria
GENERAL KUALA LUMPUR, 28 July (Bernama) -- The Sekolah Seri Puteri (SSP) orchestra, Seri Puteri Symphonic Winds Orchestra (SPWinds), has once again brought honour to the country on the international stage by winning the Gold Award at the 11th World Orchestra Festival (WOF) held in Vienna, Austria from July 23 to 26. SPWinds, Malaysia's sole representative at the prestigious festival, comprises 66 students, aged 13 to 17, from SSP, Cyberjaya. The orchestra participated in the Youth category for Wind and Brass Orchestra, performing two challenging pieces: Amana by Hiroaki Kataoka, and Rai and Tari, a local musical composition by Yeo Chow Shern. Its performance was judged on technical excellence, artistic finesse of the music, and overall impact, earning SPWinds the highest recognition. Even more impressive, SPWinds conductor Raja Muzafar Shah, was also named Best Conductor for his outstanding leadership and direction throughout the competition. SSP principal Julaila Yahya said the victory was not only a success in the field of music, but also reflected the students' perseverance, discipline and spirit. "Seeing our students perform on a world-class stage and bring honour to Malaysia is a very meaningful moment that we will cherish forever," she said in a statement today. This success adds another chapter to SPWinds' legacy as a nationally and internationally recognised school orchestra, uniting musical excellence with Malaysia's cultural identity. SPWinds also performed traditional Malay songs such as Cindai, Wau Bulan, and Umpan Jinak Di Air Tenang in four concerts held. Participation in this festival is made through an official application and strict evaluation by the festival committee, involving technical preparation as well as high commitment and cooperation from the entire team.
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Otago Daily Times
Call to sort out unwarranted vehicles
Scores of potentially unsafe cars have been lining Oamaru roads on a daily basis and one resident says it was time action was taken over the number of clearly unwarranted and unlicensed vehicles parked around the town. "It is not uncommon to see upwards of 12 such vehicles parked along both sides of Regina Lane," he told the Oamaru Mail. "Some registrations are months out of date, but others have expired for over three years. In many cases, the WOF [warrant of fitness] stickers are so faded they're unreadable. "My main concern is the serious safety risk these neglected vehicles pose, especially around this busy end of town with lots of school children wandering to school. It is highly likely that some of these cars have not received even basic maintenance, such as brake checks or servicing for years. These vehicles are effectively unmonitored hazards being driven around our town. "Vehicles that are legally registered have valid WOFs, often at considerable personal expense, and are properly maintained. This is essential to ensure our vehicles are safe for public roads and do not pose a risk to other drivers or pedestrians. "I have contacted NZTA regarding this matter, but they have advised me that as this is a council-maintained road, enforcement falls under the responsibility of the local council." However, he discovered the issue has been further complicated by a past decision of the Waitaki District Council to not apply for the necessary delegated powers to issue stationary vehicle offence notices for expired WOF or expired vehicle registrations. "Some councils choose to apply to central government for this delegation and carry out enforcement for these offences," the man's official correspondence from WDC states. "The WDC elected members some time ago decided against this option. "The New Zealand Police have the authority to issue stationary vehicle offence notices. However it is my understanding that they choose not to and will only do so if it is part of a mobile stop. "I would suggest perhaps that you contact the local Oamaru police community constable. They may be able to provide some advice. However, it is my experience that they will refer you back to council." WDC regulatory manager Andrew Bardsley said the issue had not been revisited by elected members since the original delegation decision was made six years ago. "Registration of vehicles is a central government licensing and taxation requirement; WOF is a vehicle safety issue which is outside the enforcement capability of council. "Council has a bylaw that allows it to enforce 'parking' related issues, not vehicle safety or licensing non-compliance. Applying for this delegation would make us the enforcement, and revenue collection agency, for central government — but would require resourcing from the council. "Waitaki District Council is responsible for the safety of council roads, and enforcement of parking related issues. NZ Police are responsible for the safety and licensing of vehicles using the roads." Responding to the Oamaru Mail, southern police Waitaki response manager Senior Sergeant Jason McCoy said police dealt with unregistered and unwarranted vehicles when those offences were encountered as part of an officer's normal duties. "Police will deal with parking issues if available, depending on other deployment priorities. "Parking issues in general are referred to parking services in the first instance and if they cannot respond police will respond, depending on deployment priorities at the time. "Police and council regularly meet to discuss issues. Police have not been made aware of issues with unregistered and unwarranted vehicles." However, the resident who raised the issue fears the problem could be much bigger than just Regina Lane and suspects it is being put in "the too-hard basket". "Owners of these vehicles must be held accountable before someone is seriously injured or killed. "This is not exaggeration, but a genuine public safety concern. I urge the council to implement routine inspections and enforcement to target unregistered and unwarranted vehicles, not only on Regina Lane but across Oamaru and the wider district. "To see a high-profile warden or some sort of enforcement officer, visibly patrolling council-managed streets, would surely focus some minds and increase legally compliant vehicles on our roads. "Honest people pay, others get away with it for free and I'd say a good chance of never getting caught. How is that fair?" Nationwide data supplied by NZTA shows as of May, 429,386 light passenger vehicles (car or van) have a current registration but no warrant of fitness, 157,341 vehicles have a current warrant but no registration and another 169,559 vehicles have neither.
Scoop
22-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
West Coast Regional Council Chief Executive Calls For More Staff As Goldmine Delays Bite
Article – Lois Williams – Local Democracy Reporter The West Coast Regional Council has conceded it needs to take on more staff, after a raft of complaints about the time it takes to process resource consents, including some from its own councillors. The council's former chair – and alluvial goldminer – Allan Birchfield released letters last week from a company distressed that its fledgling goldmine had been shut down, and its seven workers and capital put at risk, after waiting 17 months for a consent. Council resource management committee chair Brett Cummings – also a veteran goldminer – has set out his concerns in a letter to West Coast Regional Council (WCRC) chief executive Darryl Lew, with a long list of questions about how consents are being dealt with. Both councillors have criticised the council's practice of hiring North Island consultancy firms to process goldmine consents, alleging the planners involved are unfamiliar with the industry, ask for irrelevant information and delay the process by asking what Cummings has called 'stupid ' questions. In his case, the wait has been seven months for what should have been a straightforward consent on Ngai Tahu forestry land, which the iwi had approved, Cummings said. In reply to the councillor's questions, Lew said the council had received 56 resource consent applications this year, and half of them had been outsourced to consultants in Buller, Greymouth and New Plymouth. Of those 28, two had been approved, 11 were sent back to the applicants because they were 'incomplete' and the rest were still being processed, Lew said. 'Similar to the WOF process for a car, when deficient applications are returned, applicants are informed of areas that are required to be enhanced and they can then resubmit the applications for processing.' Of the remaining 28 being dealt with by council staff, 10 had been approved, one had been sent back for more information within the statutory time limit and 12 had been returned to sender as 'incomplete'. The rest were still being processed, Lew said. The council's use of consultants has increased, compared to the same period last year, the figures show. Between January and April 2024 , the council received 57 resource consent applications – one was publicly notified, 51 were processed in house and only six outsourced to a consultant. There was little difference in the fees charged to applicants – council staff were charged out at $185 an hour and consultants' hourly rates ranged from $140-192 – all plus GST. There had been only two council consents staff employed in January this year, joined by a trainee in February, and their availability had been reduced by sick leave, annual leave and training time, Lew said. Last year, there had been three officers on the job. 'To date, I haven't increased the consents team, however I do believe now is the time. More consents are requiring technical input and we are having more going to hearings, so this is impacting on resourcing, not to mention future demands like the fast track projects.' The council would prefer to use its own staff who had local knowledge, Lew said. But it would be impossible to do away entirely with consultants because the volume of consent applications and workload was unpredictable. Consents for alluvial goldmining were much more complex than they were in the early days of the RMA in the 1990s, the chief executive noted. They now had to be assessed against a lengthy list of national policy statements and environmental standards, including Freshwater Management, Indigenous Biodiversity, drinking water, air quality, greenhouse gases, and management of contaminants in soil to protect human health. 'We await the government changes to these national instruments and the replacement RMA to see if this becomes simpler … I agree it would be ideal to have consents and application forms as simple as possible. It is a challenge to have them reflect the law and remain simple.' In the meantime, the WCRC consents team was working on new application templates and more guidance for alluvial goldminers, and would bring a paper on this to Council on July or August, Lew said. The council had complicated the process by trying to impose static conditions intended for subdivisions and septic tanks on alluvial mines, Cummings said. 'An alluvial site evolves as you work your way through it, so you'll start off with your pumps and your pond, and even your access tracks in one place, and as you move along, you move them along as well, but they're demanding maps and trying to include these all things as fixed conditions on the consent. ' Until about a year ago, those details were set out for the council in a separate mine work-programme, which was updated, as the site progressed, Cummings said. 'The compliance staff would have that and refer to it, when they did their inspection visits. They didn't try to cram everything into the consent itself – that makes no sense, when you're dealing with a dynamic system. 'If you move your pond, you're technically in breach.' Hiring more consents staff could help the situation, as long as basic issues were addressed, Cummings said.
