Category: Otago Peninsula

Anzac Day in Portobello

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc2 Comments

 Raising of the flagDespite the rain the Anzac Day service at Portobello Museum was well attended by young an old on Friday 25th April. The service was a fitting tribute for all of those who served throughout the last 100 years, but 2014 is particularly poignant being the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One.

Anzac Day is a unique part of New Zealand life. We commemorate and we mourn together in every city and every small town across the country. As a nation and in our communities we reach out spiritually and physically to those who served but were lost to us forever. We stand beside or remember those who served and were returned to us.

Anzac day is the time when we gather together and remember those men and women who as ordinary people did extraordinary things in extraordinary times, in events and places that shaped the world’s history. Anzac Day is a time when we reflect on the peace that we have enjoyed created by the sacrifice and service of those willing to serve their communities, their country and their comrades. Perhaps, in this time of peace on Anzac Day we should reflect and show stronger resolve on how we can best serve our families, our community and our country today. In 100 years New Zealand and all of its servicemen and women have shown the world that the real and lasting victories are those of peace and not of war.

At the conclusion of the service a commemorative tree was planted with a plaque to honour the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War One. There was also a welcome cup of tea at the end of the service and a chance to reminisce with friends and loved ones. Many thanks to the Portobello Museum volunteers and Portobello Community incorporated for your work in organising the event.

Lest we forget.

Children planting commemorative tree
Another young “digger”
Plaque at the Domain
Laying of a wreath
Local family members lay their wreathes
Audience at the service

The Fire Brigade’s Golden Jubilee

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

The Hereweka Street Fire Station in PortobelloThe Portobello Volunteer Fire Brigade is celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year. It’s an enviable record of 50 years of service to the Peninsula region and its community. The Brigade held an open day on Saturday 12th of April at the Hereweka Street Station to give the public an opportunity to see what they do and learn more about the organisation. With a range of displays on the history of the Fire Service, fire safety and the historic vehicles the open day was a popular event in Portobello. One of the most popular for the many children who were there was a ride in the vintage fire truck which was kept busy making a rowdy circuit around Portobello.

Cutting into the side
More cutting
The victims are rescued
Lifting the lid!

SONY DSCThe Portobello Brigade have also produced a great Golden Jubilee book detailing the beginnings of the Brigade, its membership and the many events it has undertaken during its 50 years of service. Open day visitors were also able to see some of the  newspaper articles and photographs taken over the years, which sparked many memories for visitors.

Fat fire on the stove
It took a while to get the fire started!
Using a pot lid
Using a wet t towel
Don’t put water on a fat fire!

With a demonstration of car cutting equipment and techniques for putting out a fat fire the open day had something of interest for the many visitors who attended. The Otago Peninsula is very fortunate to have the men and women of the Volunteer Fire Brigade provide such invaluable service to our community. With responses to medical emergencies, fire, road crashes and search and rescue our community can be heartened to know that help and reassurance is close at hand in often difficult circumstances. So congratulations to the Portobello Volunteer Fire Brigade and all of its volunteers on 5o years of service to our community, well done. (Click on the photographs to see in a full size viewer.)

Old fashioned water pump
Ready for action
Don’t try this at home
Many memories
The vintage engine
Historical equipment
Historic uniform
Historic uniform
Fire service mascots

Rowing for Rubbish

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

Peter with his paddle board and some of the rubbish he collected in Latham BayLiving besides the Otago Harbour is one of the great pleasures of our lifestyle in Portobello. So boats and floating devices play a major role in our local lifestyle. So two intrepid Portobello Community Inc. members decided to enjoy a harbour paddle combined with a beach clean up in Latham Bay recently.

Peter in Latham BayPeter Dulgar and Davinia Thornley took their stand up paddle craft around two of  pocket beaches in the bay. Another yacht owner Paul Jennings whose boat is moored in the Bay also contributed by cleaning up a 3rd.

Its great to see people being innovative in the way in which they care for our harbour and community. Combining something you do for fun makes it even better, and what a great way to spend the day. Because as the Water Rat declared in the Wind in the Willows “there is nothing — absolutely nothing — half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

The Rubbish Revolution

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc, Public Notices1 Comment

Join the rubbish revolution and change the place you live in

March 30th 2014 is a watershed day for all residents in the Portobello/Harwood/Otakou area with the beginning of the “Rubbish Revolution.” Give just one hour of your time to pick up the rubbish from around your streets, playgrounds, beaches or public roads and reward yourself with a pat on the back and an hour’s exercise to boot! Do as much as you can in any area that you want to go, provided its safe and not stepping on anyone’s toes!

Portobello Community Incorporated have bags, gloves and hi-viz jackets available to anyone who wants to help make their area a cleaner place to live and play in. Perhaps you’d like to “Adopt a Spot” and care for an area regularly by keeping it clear of rubbish and waste. If you do then contact Darlene from Keep Dunedin Beautiful at the Dunedin City Council offices.

If you feel like a good walk and want to feel good about something you’ve done, meet us at the Portobello Store on Sunday March 3oth at 9:30 am to grab a rubbish bag and become part of the rubbish revolution. Success is always guaranteed.

 

Annual Plan Meeting at Portobello

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc, Public NoticesLeave a comment

Don't be a bird brain - have your say in the Annual Plan

Got a burning issue? Feel that there’s something the Council should be doing or improving in your region? The Annual Plan is the opportunity for citizens to have their say in what the Council’s spending priorities should be.

So don’t be a bird brain get down to the Coronation Hall on March 31st and find out what’s going on in your city.

City Council Annual Plan and Submission Webpage

Beautification Projects Recognised

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community IncLeave a comment

Portobello Community Incorporated won the Taylor Community Pride Shield in first place at the Keep Dunedin Beautiful awards on Monday 3rd March. The award was presented to Paul Pope and Geoff Sheridan representing the group at the awards ceremony yesterday.  Portobello Inc. have put in the hard yards over the last year around Portobello and the recognition by Keep Dunedin Beautiful is well deserved. With recognition for the garden projects beside the hotel and public toilets along with its regular clean ups and the Hawk and Hurl the group can be justifiably proud of its efforts. It also raises the bar for future projects and the community is welcome to provide more ideas and initiatives. Well done Portobello Inc. keep up the good work!

A highlight of some of last years projects below.

Turnbull’s Bay Road Repair

On By Portobello EditorIn Dunedin, New Zealand, Otago, Otago Peninsula, Peninsula, Portobello, Portobello Community Inc, Public NoticesLeave a comment

Turnbulls Bay

The Dunedin City Council are investigating the design and repair of the slumped section of Portobello Road, Turnbull’s Bay where the present traffic lights have been placed.

 Turnbulls Bay Wall

The objective is the reinstatement of the existing road plus the provision of a new 3m wide shared path. The work would see the construction of a new 180 metre wall which would range in 2-4 metres high. The wall would have a vertical face with a rough ‘rock like’ texture finish.

Turnbulls Bay Wall 1

The proposed time frame of the works is:

  • Community Feedback – by 20 February 2014
  • Detail Design – Feb/Mar/Apr 2014
  • Construction – Between July and December 2014

The Council are seeking community feedback on the design of this work by February 20th 2014 and submissions can be made in writing to the:

Dunedin City Council PO Box 5045, Moray Place, Dunedin 9058, New Zealand

Or by email to: roading.submissions@dcc.govt.nz