Birthday boy
There will be a party in the Pettit household for the second weekend running when new mayor Mike celebrates his 58th birthday on Saturday.
New entrance opens
Long-time Te Awa Lifecare residents Barbara Edgecombe (left) and Gayle MacMillan cut the ribbon to officially open the retirement village’s new entrance on Arikura Lane last week.
The Te Awa Lifecare entrance project has been more than two years in the making and was dependent on Waipā District Council completing a roundabout, which includes two new underpasses for pedestrians, cyclists, and mobility scooter users providing direct access to the village midway between Cambridge and the Velodrome.
The newly named road into the village – honouring a significant Ngāti Koroki Kahukura and Ngāti Hauā pā site located on the nearby banks of the Waikato River and at the southernmost terrace of the property – now leads from the roundabout into the retirement facility and its 200 residents.
The old entrance on Cambridge Road is now closed with the land behind it being put back into grass for the retirement village’s sheep.
The last users of the old entrance and the first users of the new exit were attendees at the monthly UA3 meeting in the village’s Woolshed facility. Guest speaker was Simon Keable-Elliott who spoke about his grandfather, World War 1 chaplain Robert Keable and his scandalous novel.
Students selected
Evelyn Winter, left, and Aspen Gooch
Aspen Gooch and Evelyn Winter, both 17 and in Year 12 at Cambridge High School, are among 24 students selected nationwide by the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand to join its Young Shakespeare Company, which travels to the United Kingdom in July next year.
- More next week.
Art Alive
The Cambridge Art Society will open its three day exhibition tomorrow (Friday) at the Town Hall. The society has doubled its membership in the last couple of years, so the exhibition is an opportunity for newer members to hang their work up for the public.
Let’s dance …
A touch of Spain was evident in Cambridge on Saturday in the form of dance and music in front of the Town Hall. The six-hour party included a “flamenco flash mob” servings of paella, a guitar making demonstration and craft work. Photo: Michael Jeans.
New principal
Bridget Watkins
Cambridge Middle School deputy principal Bridget Watkins has been appointed Te Awamutu Intermediate School principal. She will take up the role next year.
- More next week.
Two on board
Former Fieldays chief Peter Nation of Tamahere and Dick Breukink of Cambridge are joining the Waikato Chamber of Commerce Board.
What a kerfuffle
Bicycle Revolution Cambridge’s popular Kerfuffle challenge around Lake Te Koo Utu with an obstacle packed course testing bike and adventure skills for young bike riders has been confirmed for next month. Toddlers on training wheels will find it a bit hard but all other cyclists would embrace the challenge, organisers say.
Flying high
Hamilton Airport operations co-ordinator Karen Wilson was named Emerging Leader of the Year at the 2025 New Zealand Airport Awards. Hamilton Airport also won the Medium Airport Infrastructure Project of the Year for the refurbishment of its international terminal.
Power play
Waipā Networks and The Lines Company staff will be competing at the three-day Annual Connection 2025 event in Christchurch starting next Tuesday. The event, organised by training provider Connexis, involves a series of skills-based challenges for line mechanic crews and cable jointers from the country’s electricity supply companies.
Little libraries
The Waikato Literacy Association celebrated International Literacy Day earlier this month with two new Little Libraries built by the Cambridge MenzShed. Two association member schools will receive the Little Libraries which will be installed on their school grounds as a free book swap space for students.
Highest honour
Sir Anand Satyanand at his Honoray Doctorate ceremony. Photo: Mike Walen / Barker Photography.
Former Waikato University chancellor Sir Anand Satyanand was awarded an Honorary Doctorate on Tuesday for his significant contributions to the university and to the people of New Zealand. Sir Anand was chancellor from 2019 to June this year and helped set the university’s direction with strong leadership, commitment and courage.
Rugby rivals rally for brigade
Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade senior station officer Richie Gerrand, centre, with Kylie Mitchell and Jackson Neels from Leamington Rugby Club which raised $31,100 for the brigade.
Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade has received $31,100 from Leamington Rugby Club following a fundraiser.
The fundraiser was a rugby match between the Leamington senior rugby team and Eastern Suburbs whose team included All Black Lima Sopoaga. “Although Leamington came second on the day, it was a fantastic event filled with fun and community spirit, all for a great cause,” said Leamington Rugby Sports club chair Dave Peters.
Jonny Schick of Shaws Wire Ropes donated personalised rugby jerseys for the Leamington team – each proudly displaying the Cambridge Volunteer Fire Brigade logo – which were auctioned off in aid of the brigade. The club also ran a barbecue and refreshments throughout the afternoon. The money raised will go towards several upcoming brigade projects currently in the pipeline.
Rock winners
Te Awamutu Intermediate band Thursday’s Cancelled has picked up the top prize at the Rockshop Bandquest. More than 300 bands took part in the 24 regional events and the final was staged online with regional winners submitting video performances. The line up of Maraeroa Te Kanawa, Zita Harpur, Ronan Hinchliffe, Frances Bowmar and Ryan Tonks won a $2000 credit with NZ Rockshop.
