Portobello Market Day 2016

FreddoWe’re a hardy bunch on the Otago Peninsula and Sunday’s market was a good test of that resolve. The blustery weather and squally showers were a reminder that we are well into winter. Despite the weather the market was very successful and well attended by around 600 people. Once again Jonathon Usher and Pippity Pop proved very popular with children and adults alike and there were plenty of bargains to be had. The support we receive from Cadbury’s really helps the market day, and has become a popular event in Portobello. We look forward to hosting it again next year.

Portobello School Beach Clean Up

Scouting for trash

It was a beautiful day in Portobello on the 25th of September and this was Portobello School’s chance to do their bit for Clean Up NZ week. Although just out of the official week our local weather has meant the school have been delayed in getting started. The Year Six children from room five with teacher Sarah Luke did a great job cleaning up the beach area around Latham Bay in Portobello. They also went and fossicked out that hard to get rubbish in the bush behind the local playground. Well done Portobello School, and many thanks for your hard work in keeping our area tidy.

Good job guys

Portobello Jetty Pontoon Repairs

Moving out of the Bay

The Portobello pontoon has been towed by tug back to the Birch Street wharf for repairs. Over recent months the pontoon has developed a list and the City Council will have the pontoon inspected for leaks. Staff from Action Engineering pumped the pontoon out and released the collar so that it could be towed. Portobello local, Trevor Restiaux was in charge of the tug Kapu taking the pontoon back to the city. With the current tide and depth of water the tug only had a narrow window of two hours to complete the removal. The Portobello jetty and pontoon have become an important facility for the township and a significant amount of fundraising was undertaken by Portobello Community Inc to see the project to completion. It’s not known what the cause of the leaks are, but it is hoped that the pontoon will be returned to Portobello by October.

International Biodiversity Day

Biodiversity Day

Island biodiversity to be celebrated at Dunedin talk

Opportunities and challenges that islands offer as sites to protect our natural heritage will be discussed at an event to celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity, which has the theme of island biodiversity.

The public are invited by the Department of Conservation (DOC) to hear local speakers at a panel discussion at the Coronation Hall this Saturday, May 24th.

Young children will be entertained with conservation activities by Tiff Stewart, Dunedin co-ordinator of the Kiwi Conservation Club. After a provided light lunch there will be a boat trip to Quarantine Island to plant trees and celebrate the scenery and biodiversity of Dunedin’s closest island. Anyone wanting to attend can RSVP Karen Connor at kconnor@doc.govt.nz

Date: Saturday 24 May 2014

Time: 10am-3pm

Location: Coronation Hall

Cost: $10.00 per person or $20 per family

 

Rowing for Rubbish

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.”