Plenty of people who care
Whanganui is brimming with people who care.
They care about their fellow citizens, their city and its future.
This paper documents many of those people in every issue, whether they are volunteers or just people who want better things for Whanganui and those who live here.
Take Tuesday’s Whanganui Chronicle and two examples from its pages.
There’s John Hay who wants to develop the old Railways / Chronicle building in Taupo¯ Quay into stylish riverside apartments.
His hope is to create a market for inner city living in Whanganui and create a working future for heritage buildings.
Then there’s the Blairholme Trust — Sue Cooke and husband Bryce Smith — who have bought the heritage Thain’s building at the gateway to Victoria Avenue and want to preserve it.
As Bryce says in the story, “If all heritage buildings in Whanganui were knocked down, Whanganui would be a shadow of its former self.”
We have seen the results of greedy developers rushing in and demolishing beautiful old buildings in this town. They substitute venerable quality with cheap and nasty concrete and glass, confusing progress with ugliness.
A good example is the former Postie building where DIC used to be.
The steel and glass edifice is now empty and likely to stay that way, cluttering Victoria Ave with all the grace and style of an aircraft hangar.
That disaster is the result of a deluded developer trying to “drag Whanganui into the 21st century”.
It’s not all about saving old buildings, but preventing Whanganui from becoming just another boring, featureless desert of rubbish architecture and temporary retail sheds.
Fortunately all is not lost and there is still much beauty to be preserved in the town’s old buildings.
People who care should be applauded for all they do — from the hard-working volunteers like Jim Puki (on page 4) to those who see Whanganui with a future worth the investment of expertise, time and money.
People often fall victim to fraud through telephone or internet scams.
While this may be widespread it is easy to avoid provided you are careful and follow a few simple rules.
SeniorNet Whanganui is hosting a Fraud Awareness Workshop in their rooms on Moutua Quay this Friday, November 16 at 1.30pm. The hour-long workshop is run by Westpac Banking and will help you identify the various ways you may be scammed into parting with your money, and give you tools to prevent it.
The workshop is free and open to all, particularly those who did not grow up in the age of internet banking. Afternoon tea is provided.
Come and learn how to recognise a scam and how to deal with it. Just a few simple precautions will help you to become more confident in the way you use the internet and manage your money securely.
You can register at seniornet-fraud-awarenessworkshops.lilregie.com/ booking/attendees/new
or call Terry at SeniorNet on 0273516104 who will register for you.
The Whanganui book is now available.
The long-awaited coffee table book From the Sea to the Mountain has at last arrived in town — more than six tonnes in all.
Readers of the Whanganui Midweek who pre-ordered at the discounted pre-publication rate of $19.95 may collect their copies at Heritage House, 136 St Hill Street (next to the Grand Hotel) on Friday, November 16 between 10am3pm or on Monday, November 19 during the same hours.
If for any reason you are unable to collect during these times then publisher Henry Newrick has asked that you call him on 027 471 2242 so that suitable arrangements can be made.
Readers who pre-ordered but did not pay may also collect their copy or copies at the same times as above and pay on collection.
Unpaid pre-publication orders must be collected and paid for no later than Friday, November 23. After that date any unpaid pre-publication orders will be cancelled with the books available at bookshops or online at www.smallcitybooks.com.
If any reader is unable to collect and would like their order posted or delivered, this can be done for an additional charge. Call for details.
Publisher Henry Newrick reports that the book is selling well and he anticipates that the initial print run will be sold out by March, if not sooner.
From the Sea to the Mountain may be purchased at all good bookshops, the i-Site, The Whanganui Regional Museum and also a small number of leading charity shops.