Support our Local Charity
Open letter to Porirua City Councillors
It is with disbelief I write this.
How can councilors who are elected by the people, to work for what is best for them and their city, deny what is one of our city’s most beneficial groups in recent years? I refer of course to the Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust led by Liz Sneyd and Craig Utting with their wonderful support group.
This charity has for many years offered free of charge to many of our, decile 1 and 2 schools, Tamariki and their Whanau the opportunity to learn a variety of musical instruments through After School Programmes, Holiday Programmes, evening practices and private lessons.
Virtuoso Strings have provided instruments to over 200 Tamariki and paid for any repairs to the instruments when required.
When the Tamariki become more proficient, they are offered the opportunity to sit Trinity College Music Exams paid for by Virtuoso Strings and with an almost perfect pass rate. These Tamariki also offer peer support to the younger learners. It is in this way that our Tamariki are learning Reliability, Commitment and Perseverance.
Over the past two years the Tamariki through Virtuoso Strings has achieved so much. Including but not limited to Concerts with world renowned Jonathon Lemalu and Black Grace (Neil Ieremia).
Through various fundraising activities the senior members have travelled throughout the North Island giving free concerts at various retirement villages and other venues. This teaches our Tamariki the value of working for what they want, giving to others and about New Zealand’s geography.
The most recent achievements for Virtuoso Strings was the award given to Liz Sneyd for the Inaugural NZ Music teacher of the year. And to the Virtuoso Strings Octet who won the Gold Award and Peoples Choice award at the recent Chamber Music Competition Finals.
Virtuoso Strings senior members also, at times with very short notice, provide music for businesses / conferences etc. in the Wellington area.
I am sure I have missed many things in the above outline, sufficient to say that Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust provides a lot in the way of the wider community involvement through the Tamariki and their Whanau.
How is it then they can be denied the funding previously provided by the council due to the parting of the ways from Ole’ Academy. Surely commonsense should prevail.
Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust is worth every cent the Council can provide them.
Come on Porirua City Council. Take a second look, change your mind and do the right thing!
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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76.4% Yes
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22.3% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Art and Craft Market at Kai Tahi - 10 till 3 EVERY SUNDAY!
Hi neighbours
The new Porirua Community Art and Craft market at Kai Tahi in Porirua is now running EVERY Sunday. It's all indoors, and there's over 30 stalls each week.
Opens at 10am and closes 3pm, so you can also grab lunch at the many international food court options. Bring the kids, and your dog on a lead is welcome too!
Parking at the back (on harbour edge) is free - just stay clear of the Staff Only parks.
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