Issue 69: Changing Seasons at Altitude and a Dark Sky Vision

Dear Naseby friends and supporters

Winter has been a mixture of busy and super quiet. Some days the streets are empty, the next there’s standing room only at the café, a queue at the store, and vehicles everywhere. For permanent residents its life as usual, but with more focus on dry firewood, keeping warm and staying safe in the colder weather.

How we look forward to spring and warmer days. The fringe of willows along the Hogburn is slowly turning bright green and splashes of pink and white blossom are appearing. However, just when we think spring is here, we get another southerly blast and serious minus temperatures, just to remind us we are fortunate enough to live at altitude and well inland. A harsh reminder last week was minus 7 after a run of mild weather. The drinking fountain became a casualty after being carefully turned off and winterized back in May. It was reconnected again last week only to be damaged by an unanticipated frost. A minor inconvenience while new ‘innards’ are ordered and fitted. The drinking fountain was constructed by Naseby Vision members and remains ‘our’ property, not a council asset, therefore ‘our’ responsibility to maintain this important asset for Naseby.

Naseby Vision continues to work away at various projects. Some are shorter term smaller items but most have a longer timeframe. Most notable is the long awaited Dark Sky Community accreditation, a project with a very long gestation period indeed. How simple we thought it would be when first discussed at a Naseby Vision meeting some 10 years ago! “what harm could it do?” “there is no downside I can think of” and, “it should be straightforward enough” were words I clearly recall. Well people have come and gone in the interim, but thankfully a dedicated team have pushed on and are making things happen. Watch for more on this very shortly and remember to be in Naseby for the Dark Sky Celebration on 27 September.

Some members have asked us about the sculpture, so here is a little more information. The Sculptor was Jakob Stadler from Marlborough. He has produced some other public sculptures around New Zealand. The generous people of Naseby and surrounds donated $8,000 towards this work. What a great effort and a big thank you again to all who contributed. Some of you keen eye observers may have noticed that there is a piece of timber in the centre of a different colour, this was due to some rot that we cut out and replaced with some Macrocarpa. Naseby Vision will continue to maintain this over time.

Speaking of being keen-eyed, you may have noticed our new SH85 sign on the road from Wedderburn. This again is another complete project. This is similar to the Naseby welcome and farewell signs. Again, thank you for your kind donations of time and money to make this project a success. Slowly ticking over are projects to arrange installation of an EV charger, a basketball hoop, a large-scale street map, and a watching brief on developments at the cemetery. If you are aware of a project you would like to support and be part of, the committee names are listed at the end of this newsletter. Feel free to reach out to any member if you have questions.

Naseby Vision continues to advocate re all things Naseby-related on behalf of 346 members, 118 are financial. Your membership is vital to keep things moving along. If you have new neighbours please let them know about us. Updates to the Naseby Vision website are occuring (thank you Nathan and Beth) so everything you need to know can be found easily.

It has been a busy few months in the Naseby Forest with three events being held recently, these are all great for the community as the organisers and competitors utilise local businesses.

• Southern Regions Sled Dog Club – Origin 1 and 2 races.
• Distance Mushing NZ- Southern Sled Dog Challenge.
• Naseby Development Charitable Trust – Great Naseby Water Race.

And earlier in the year was the Mountain Biking Otago – 3 and 6 hour Challenge.

The Official Fire Season starts 1st October but we will be monitoring the Fire weather from now on with drying warm NW winds at this time of the year. Please follow the Naseby Forest Recreation Area Page on Facebook for updates and closures or check the Fire Danger signs on the town boards and business windows. For more on Naseby Community Fire Awareness please also follow and Like Firesmart Naseby’s Facebook Page and/or you can pick up their latest Newsletter from the Naseby General Store, Black Forest Cafe and Royal Hotel.

Fire awareness is crucial to Naseby residents and Ernslaw One Ltd. Naseby Forest fully supports the Firesmart Naseby initiative, working closely alongside FENZ and EM Otago and the group. Being Firesmart also starts at home with education and awareness and having a Get Ready Plan in case of Wildfire or any other Community emergency.

There have been a few instances of rubbish, ash and green waste dumping in the forest again and unauthorised vehicles like motorbikes and unauthorised trail work being done in the forest. Education and getting the word out is key to keeping our forest safe and user friendly for all.

Please respect all conditions of access to the Naseby Forest Recreation Area

• The Forest is a No Camping area and this includes campervans of all types, yes even the self-contained ones.
• Do not spray chemicals, trim/cut trees or alter waterways, trails or other land/structures within the forest without permission from Ernslaw One Ltd.
• Do not alter, damage or move anything within the historic sites.
• Do not light fires and stay out of the forest during EXTREME Fire danger and other closures for your and the towns safety.
• Do not dump rubbish, green waste or ash in the forest, including in dams and waterways, use the bins provided for your normal rubbish or dog faeces.
• Motorbikes, scooters, 4wd bikes, side by sides and any other vehicles are prohibited within the forest without permission from Ernslaw One (except for normal visitor access up to the Coalpit and Hoffmans Dam carparks).
• Please stay within the Recreation Area Boundary DO NOT enter the Working part of Forest without permission.

Thanks for your cooperation. We hope you all have an enjoyable spring, enjoy the warmer weather and changing colours in the Forest and trails.

Paul Hart – Naseby Forest Manager/SI Health & Safety Co-ordinator – Ernslaw One Ltd.

The Jock Scott Family outdoor ice rink has been put back to bed after a busy season. It’s always a busy time for the small team who are employed and the many volunteers who step in as needed. Somehow they always make it work and the facility is greatly enjoyed by skaters, curlers, lugers and hockey players of all ages. Curling indoors carries on all year round. Friday night learners curling sessions have been popular again, open to anyone wanting to learn the sport. Contact the rink for more information. Many of our representative curlers started their careers having fun group lessons on Friday evenings. The Gold Rush Luge continues to delight its users. Bookings are essential for this.

No progress on beautification yet but watch this space. A spring ‘tidy up’ will be organised soon. Should your family have a headstone they would like cared for, check out this amazing service available. Contact Gemma Fairbairn on 027 891 5279 or email info.foreverlovedgravecare@gmail.com.

Kirsty reports the café maintenance has been completed and the café is open again. Staff took a well-earned break while parts of the café building received some TLC.

• Chairperson – Dave Brady – 021 458 140
• Vice Chairperson – Adair Craik
• Minute Secretary – Julie Ashton
• Treasurer – Elly Campbell – 021 293 1379
• Membership Secretary – Keri Ballantyne – 027 642 1934
• Committee Members – Beth Connell, Marilyn Swinbourn, Brian Templeton, Julie Ashton, Michele Driscoll, Hilary Allison, and Catherine Day.

Do you have new neighbours? Do they know about Naseby Vision? Please share the word, and this newsletter maybe? It’s a great way to stay in the ‘information loop’, the cost is not huge, a suggested donation of $20 per individual or $30 per household goes a long way to keeping our precious organization going. Please note it is a donation and is tax deductible. Just ask. Every contribution helps.

• Burn Radio – 729AM
• Positively Māniatoto – pick up a copy from Naseby General Store or Four Square in Ranfurly – published monthly on the 1st
• Community notice boards at the athenaeum and outside the store.

• Naseby General Store: – Open daily from 8am to 5pm (6pm close Labour Weekend onwards)
• Royal Hotel: – Open from noon daily in summer
• Black Forest Café: – Open 8.30am daily
• Maniototo Early Settlers Museum – Opening for season in December
• Naseby Craft & Information – Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday 11 – 2pm
• Naseby Athenaeum – Library open Tuesdays and Saturdays 10:30-11:30.

• Naseby NZ
• Naseby Happenings
• Naseby Golf Club
• Maniototo’s Burn (local radio and best place for updates)
• Naseby Forest Recreation Area (fire status updates)
• Maniototo Buy Sell Swap (local only)
• Naseby Holiday Park
• Stardust Gallery
• Naseby General Store
• Maniototo Adventure Park
• Black Forest Café