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A tribute to the late Ron Francis from his son. Richard Francis.
Ron Francis 1931-2020
Ron Francis was a citizen of Lower Hutt for 60 years and was one of the most engaged and positive people in our community, mixing a strong sense of service and unshakeable faith with big ideas and a focus on … View moreA tribute to the late Ron Francis from his son. Richard Francis.
Ron Francis 1931-2020
Ron Francis was a citizen of Lower Hutt for 60 years and was one of the most engaged and positive people in our community, mixing a strong sense of service and unshakeable faith with big ideas and a focus on “getting stuff done”.
Having survived multiple heart attacks, Ron passed away on October 25, at Hutt Hospital, aged 89.
Ron was the inspiration and administrative heft behind multiple Shapeshifter International Festival of the Arts fundraising events (raising over $300,000 for local Hutt charities) and a powerhouse for the Agape Budgeting Service (supporting over 3,000 local families to budget and access low interest loans for 30+ years), which he served for 13 years. In recent years Ron was a trustee and treasurer of the Hutt Valley Heart Trust for 15 years (raising funds in support of the Coronary Care Unit team and facilities at Hutt Hospital, as well as for cardiac event survivors in the Hutt).
His community efforts were recognised by the Mayor with a Civic Contribution Award in 2017. As a Paul Harris Fellow of the Rotary Club of Hutt, and foundation and life member of the Waterloo Probus Club, Ron’s many decades of service were also recognised by his peers.
Ron was an active member of the Lower Hutt Baptist Church for 60 years, which he attended with his wife Noeline.
Ron’s career encompassed 50 years as a Chartered Accountant that saw him found his own firm, Partner at a large firm and then act for many years as General Manager at Aroha Care Centre and Hospital, where he was presented with a Business Innovation Award by then Prime Minister, Jim Bolger.
There was a range of beautiful flowers and plants on display at the Walter Nash Centre, Taita last weekend. The show was hosted by the Hutt Valley Horticultural Society, Hutt Valley Rose Society and Wellington and Hutt Valley Branch of the Cactus and Succulent Society. I've provided some … View moreThere was a range of beautiful flowers and plants on display at the Walter Nash Centre, Taita last weekend. The show was hosted by the Hutt Valley Horticultural Society, Hutt Valley Rose Society and Wellington and Hutt Valley Branch of the Cactus and Succulent Society. I've provided some photos for people to enjoy.
Reducing overflows to our local streams and rivers will protect our precious wai. 💧
We want to know how you enjoy your local streams and rivers, and your views and experiences on the impacts of wastewater overflows.
Have your say today, it's quick and easy 👇
You can still get your favourite ice- cream, paneer, handmade cheese or organic milk at Zany Zeus.
Known for its organic milk products, like ice cream and cheese, the Moera business was put into receivership last year with money owed to creditors after putting millions into a new factory in … View moreYou can still get your favourite ice- cream, paneer, handmade cheese or organic milk at Zany Zeus.
Known for its organic milk products, like ice cream and cheese, the Moera business was put into receivership last year with money owed to creditors after putting millions into a new factory in Seaview.
While the original company has been wound up, the Lower Hutt business and assets were bought in April by Zany Zeus2020 Ltd and the business continues to operate.
The tradition of forgetful Lower Hutt residents scrambling to get their bins out at the sound of a chugging diesel engine might soon be history.
Half the city’s rubbish truck fleet will be electric from July next year, with the last of the combustion-powered fleet to be phased out by 2024.
The … View moreThe tradition of forgetful Lower Hutt residents scrambling to get their bins out at the sound of a chugging diesel engine might soon be history.
Half the city’s rubbish truck fleet will be electric from July next year, with the last of the combustion-powered fleet to be phased out by 2024.
The move is part of the Hutt City Council’s new rates-funded rubbish and recycling service.
Mayor Campbell Barry campaigned on introducing a modern waste management system during the local body elections and he is delighted with the electric trucks.
“By modernising our rubbish collection services alongside our recycling changes and new green waste service, we have created incentives for people to produce less waste.”
It has been a tough year for the Te Omamga Hospice. Fundraising manager Leanna Bruce says Covid has had a major impact financially.
It costs more than $7 million annually to run the hospice and her job is to raise $3 million every year. A number of events have been cancelled due to Covid and their … View moreIt has been a tough year for the Te Omamga Hospice. Fundraising manager Leanna Bruce says Covid has had a major impact financially.
It costs more than $7 million annually to run the hospice and her job is to raise $3 million every year. A number of events have been cancelled due to Covid and their shops closed during the lockdown.
The next major fund-raiser is an exhibition organised by Hutt artist Alice Huang. Her father, Ruosong, died in the hospice and she is very grateful for the care he received.
- Art from the Heart, Saturday 21 November, Dowse Art Museum, 4pm.
Drop off your household hazardous waste and we'll dispose of it correctly for free.
Drop off things like:
• petrol and oils,
• garden, cleaning and pool chemicals,
• thinners and degreasers,
• batteries (except single-use button and alkaline)
… View moreDrop off your household hazardous waste and we'll dispose of it correctly for free.
Drop off things like:
• petrol and oils,
• garden, cleaning and pool chemicals,
• thinners and degreasers,
• batteries (except single-use button and alkaline)
Not accepting:
• Paint
• Commercial waste
• Electronics
• Fluorescent light tubes and LED lights
• Medical waste
• Gas bottles and cylinders
• Asbestos
• Ammunition or explosives
Wellington Opera is thrilled to be taking audiences on a journey of musical and theatrical discovery, launching with Mozart’s masterpiece Don Giovanni at the Wellington Opera House, April 2021.
Wellington audiences are in for a real treat, with a dynamic New Zealand cast featuring many … View moreWellington Opera is thrilled to be taking audiences on a journey of musical and theatrical discovery, launching with Mozart’s masterpiece Don Giovanni at the Wellington Opera House, April 2021.
Wellington audiences are in for a real treat, with a dynamic New Zealand cast featuring many principals back in New Zealand on pause from their careers around the world.
The production of Don Giovanni is directed by Sara Brodie, with designer Meg Rollandi, and Matthew Ross as Music Director, with the Wellington Opera Chorus and Orchestra Wellington.
This is a bold yet timeless production offering food for thought for our times whilst embracing the theatricality of old.
Don’t miss it… with only four shows in April 2021, buy your tickets now!
It's a new week, we have classes at Dyer Street School Hall, Epuni on Mondays @ 6:30pm and Saturdays @ 9pm. Tuesdays we are at Avalon Public Hall, 14 Mabey Road, Avalon @ 6pm. Give Zumba a go, it's our mission to make fitness the most fun time of the week. Your first class is always … View moreIt's a new week, we have classes at Dyer Street School Hall, Epuni on Mondays @ 6:30pm and Saturdays @ 9pm. Tuesdays we are at Avalon Public Hall, 14 Mabey Road, Avalon @ 6pm. Give Zumba a go, it's our mission to make fitness the most fun time of the week. Your first class is always FREE, what have you got to lose. Class details on our website www.stateofmotion.co.nz....
At the moment we are at watering restriction level 1: routine odds/evens garden watering restrictions. This means we have enough water for residents based on current demand, BUT we need to look after the storage reserves we have, so there is enough water to last all summer.
With increased demand,… View moreAt the moment we are at watering restriction level 1: routine odds/evens garden watering restrictions. This means we have enough water for residents based on current demand, BUT we need to look after the storage reserves we have, so there is enough water to last all summer.
With increased demand, and hot, dry weather- things could quickly change.
Garden watering restrictions help smooth out peak demands on the network during daylight savings.
So, what can I do to help limit demand? ?
- use mulch in the garden to help lock in water ✅
- use a trigger hose to water plants ?
- soak don't sprinkle - a good soaking twice a week will encourage feeder roots to grow down ?
Know the garden watering restrictions in your area ???
This Fraud Awareness Week we are encouraging Kiwis to take a moment to stop and think ‘is this for real?’ when contacted unexpectedly and asked for personal info.
New Zealand Police's Financial Intelligence Unit estimates New Zealanders lose $20-30 million annually to scams.
HOW TO AVOID… View moreThis Fraud Awareness Week we are encouraging Kiwis to take a moment to stop and think ‘is this for real?’ when contacted unexpectedly and asked for personal info.
New Zealand Police's Financial Intelligence Unit estimates New Zealanders lose $20-30 million annually to scams.
HOW TO AVOID A SCAM:
+ A genuine bank or organisation will never contact you to ask for your PIN, password or to move money to another account.
+ Never click on a link in an unexpected email or text – you could be giving access to your personal and financial details.
+ Always question uninvited approaches in case it is a scam. Instead, contact the company directly using a known email or phone number.
+ Don’t assume an email or phone call is authentic – just because someone knows your basic details (name and address, or mother’s maiden name) it doesn’t mean they are genuine.
+ Don’t be rushed into making a decision or financial transaction on the spot – a genuine bank or trusted organisation would never do this.
+ Listen to your instincts – if something feels wrong then it generally is.
If you believe you are the victim of a scam you can contact Police and report the matter via 105.
For more info on how you can prevent yourself, family and friends from being scammed, visit:
Lower Hutt is about to launch a modern kerbside and rubbish and recycling service.
Waste Management have been awarded the contract to run the service until 2029.
Half their fleet of trucks will be electric and with the contract centralised to one company, there will be a lot less trucks on the … View moreLower Hutt is about to launch a modern kerbside and rubbish and recycling service.
Waste Management have been awarded the contract to run the service until 2029.
Half their fleet of trucks will be electric and with the contract centralised to one company, there will be a lot less trucks on the road.
Residents have until January 31 to selects what bin size they want.
Mary Fisher is one of our most successful international swimmers.
A world class athlete, she is an advocate for the blind and has never let her disability stop her.
Living in Upper Hutt, she took up competitive swimming at nine, first representing New Zealand in Australia in 2007.
At the 2009 World… View moreMary Fisher is one of our most successful international swimmers.
A world class athlete, she is an advocate for the blind and has never let her disability stop her.
Living in Upper Hutt, she took up competitive swimming at nine, first representing New Zealand in Australia in 2007.
At the 2009 World Short Course Championships she featured prominently before setting a world record in the women’s 200m individual medley S11 at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Mary always took her sport seriously, training daily with a determination to see how fast she could go.
At the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships in Montreal, she won five gold medals.
At the 2015 IPC Swimming World Championships in Glasgow, Mary secured a further five medals including three gold, and at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games she again broke a world record in winning gold.
Mary retired from Para swimming in November 2018.
Mary, 26, is well-known for her work as an advocate around disability and environmental issues and for her support developing Para swimmers and mentoring youth with vision impairment and their families.
In 2019, she was appointed to the board of Paralympics New Zealand.
Remember Bailey Ross, the first time buyer who missed out on the property she'd been saving since she was 16 to own because of a sunset clause? Well, great news! She's secured a home in Lower Hutt.
I caught up with Bailey for an episode of First Rung, our podcast for first time buyers. … View moreRemember Bailey Ross, the first time buyer who missed out on the property she'd been saving since she was 16 to own because of a sunset clause? Well, great news! She's secured a home in Lower Hutt.
I caught up with Bailey for an episode of First Rung, our podcast for first time buyers. She ended up giving me a bit of a masterclass in tenacity and not giving up on your home owning dreams.
Find out how Bailey found her first home, and what it means to her after such a big let down.
♻️This morning we were visited by the first (of many to come) new electric rubbish and recycling trucks♻️
11 of these trucks will be on our roads next year and will save us 957 tonnes of carbon emissions annually = to 473 cars.
We also announced who our new contractor for kerbside rubbish… View more♻️This morning we were visited by the first (of many to come) new electric rubbish and recycling trucks♻️
11 of these trucks will be on our roads next year and will save us 957 tonnes of carbon emissions annually = to 473 cars.
We also announced who our new contractor for kerbside rubbish and recycling will be - Waste Management New Zealand.
We're one of the first councils in New Zealand to have an entire electric rubbish and recycling truck fleet.
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