Blenheim student gets Hobbit call-up

Mel Bass never thought she would be tall enough to be an elf.

But the 19-year-old, who grew up in Blenheim, has been given the nod from casting directors to be an extra in the Hobbit films which are already being shot around New Zealand.

Mel, a second-year student studying biomedical science in Wellington, got a message on her phone saying she had got the part as she flew into Blenheim this week for part of the university holidays.

"I'm really excited to be part of the production process."

At 168 centimetres tall, she did not think she was the right height for an elf who, in the JRR Tolkien series The Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings Trilogy, are about 1.82 metres tall(six foot), slender and graceful.

She saw the unusual job posting on auction site Trade Me last week calling for female extras between 165 and 178cm and sent in photos of herself.

She was invited to a casting call with about 130 others in Wellington where more photos and measurements were taken.

"They asked if we had any special skills like extreme horseriding, but unfortunately I didn't."

She will have a costume fitting on Monday to prepare for a full day of filming on Friday in Miramar, where filming is based.

Her friend and flatmate Alice Burden, 19, and also from Blenheim, also applied for the paid role but did not make the cut.

However, she already has a claim to fame as a model on a hair salon billboard on Wellington's Lambton Quay.

Mel, also a Rugby World Cup volunteer, was not sure what to expect from filming day but hoped to meet some of the actors such as Stephen Fry and Liv Tyler and director Sir Peter Jackson, as well as the other extras.

She was not sure how long it would take to get ready for the part which would most likely include prosthetic pointed ears typical of the mystical elven race.

Mum Lynn Goodenough was proud of her daughter who she said she was embracing all opportunities while iving in Wellington.

"I'm a big Lord of the Rings fan anyway and hopefully we'll catch her in there [the Hobbit]."

The two Hobbit movies are the prequel to the Lord of the Rings trilogy both written by author JRR Tolkien.

The first film, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is due to be released in 2012.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 01/09/2011

Middle-Earth bound: Mel Bass has been cast as an elf extra in the Peter Jackson-directed film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Takeaway bar burglars sentenced

Two Blenheim men and a youth have been sentenced to community work and supervision for burgling businesses.

Sean William McElwain, 18, and Michael Scott Stanley, 25, a food industry worker, both of Blenheim, admitted burglary of Mr Frys in Alana Place, Witherlea, on July 17.

The pair, along with McElwain's brother Nathan Ronald McElwain, 17, unemployed of Blenheim, also admitted burgling Asian food store, Mr Asia, in High St later that morning.

Sean McElwain also admitted burglary of Mr Frys on April 3.

Sean McElwain was sentenced to 12 months' supervision and ordered to pay $1200 reparation when they appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday. On each of the three burglary charges and one charge of possessing gloves, pillowcases used as a disguise and a crowbar, he was sentenced to 100 hours' community work.

Nathan McElwain was sentenced to nine months' supervision and must pay $200 reparation.

He was given 60 hours' community work for each of a burglary charge and another for possessing gloves, pillowcases and a crowbar.

Stanley was sentenced to 12 months' supervision, ordered to pay $800 reparation and must do 100 hours' community work for each of two burglary charges.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graham Single said Sean McElwain, Stanley and two other associates were in a car outside the takeaway store about 1.30am on July 17.

They put pillowcases over their faces and went to the back of the store but could not get in so went to the front of the store and used a small crowbar to smash the window.

Chocolate, potato chips and Panadol were among the items put into a backpack as they moved around the store.

Sean McElwain and Stanley got back into the car and went to a nearby property to eat the food.

About 3am the same morning, the McElwain brothers and Stanley went to the Mr Asia store. While wearing the pillowcases, they broke in but did not take anything.

The men were seen by police, who found the pillowcases, crowbar and pairs of gloves.

Sean McElwain and Stanley's defence lawyers John Holdaway and Rob Harrison, respectively, said both defendants had begun reparation payments.

Nathan McElwain's lawyer Bryony Millar said that her client was no longer in contact with his brother.

Judge Peter Hobbs said Nathan McElwain had a limited history.

Sean McElwain and Stanley both had alcohol issues that needed to be addressed, he said.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:00 30/08/2011

Man burgled auto-parts shop 'to raise money'

A man who stole four catalytic converters from a Blenheim auto spares shop "couldn't help himself", a judge said yesterday.

Bradley McGregor King, 19, of Blenheim, will be sentenced for the offence, and another of breaching community work, when he appears in the Blenheim District Court on October 10.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graeme Single said in court yesterday that King scaled a 3.5-metre fence to get in to Trott's Auto Spares on Main St about 10am on August 10. He took the motor parts but was seen by a police officer, who chased him.

King had said he wanted to sell the catalytic converters to raise money, Mr Single said.

Judge Peter Hobbs said King had two previous conviction for similar offending.

He released King until his next court appearance but warned he would be sent to jail if he did any more burglaries while on bail.

Breached conditions

A 19-year-old man who breached his home detention conditions has been sentenced to 20 months jail for his original crimes.

Rangi Tiari Adrian Wallace-Tapine, unemployed from Riversdale, had been sentenced on July 25 to 10 months home detention for assault with a knife, assaulting a female, attempted burglary and breaching community work.

The assaults were committed in November last year and the attempted burglary was in Christchurch in March.

Judge Hobbs said yesterday that the substitution of the sentence was done with Wallace-Tapine's consent. Wallace-Tapine's address was not suitable for home detention, but as soon as an address became available Wallace-Tapine would be able to apply for home detention again, Judge Hobbs said.

Everything had been done to try to keep Wallace-Tapine out of prison, he said.

Disqualified driving

An unemployed Blenheim man who has already spent time in prison for driving while disqualified will be sentenced for the same offence on October 10.

Shaun Anthony Sutton, 28, admitted committing the offence on Scott St on August 4.

He had been disqualified for 18 months on March 15, 2010.

Punched partner

A man who punched his partner in the leg when she said the relationship was over has been ordered to appear in court again if called within six months.

Chad Pelvin, 23, admitted assaulting the woman on August 8 at their Spring Creek home.

Defence lawyer Nikki Utting said Pelvin accepted the relationship was over and wanted to move on. He had a new job in Nelson and would be moving there. Judge Hobbs said although it was not the most serious assault, any domestic assault was serious in itself.

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Damaged seat

A man who damaged the seat of a community probation van while doing community work has admitted wilful damage.

Ben Tangen, 23, a fisherman from Picton, was ordered to pay $200 reparation and court costs.

Defence lawyer Laurie Murdock said Tangen had not started the damage but had ripped it further.

Cannabis

A man caught with a small amount of cannabis has been ordered to appear in court again if called within six months.

Danny Skipper, 50, from Picton, was stopped by police while driving on August 23. Officers smelled cannabis and Skipper admitted having enough of the drug for two joints. Defence lawyer Laurie Murdock said Skipper was making "good progress" with issues relating to drug offences.

Community work

Tau Kaa, 53, of Blenheim, admitted breaching a community work order on July 30. He was ordered to appear in court again if called within three months.

Assault and damage

Tukia Fotu, 21, a vineyard worker from Redwoodtown, admitted two charges of assaulting a female and damaging three bedroom doors and a wardrobe on August 27.

He will enter a plea for a fourth charge of entering the Redwoodtown dairy with intent when he appears in court on September 12.

Stole headphones

Mikhail Jones, 21, a labourer from Blenheim, admitted stealing headphones worth $25 from the Warehouse on July 5. He will appear in court again on September 26.

Fine `futile'Keenan Awarangi Te Hore, 17, unemployed of Redwoodtown, admitted driving while under the influence of cannabis. Te Hore was disqualified from driving for six months. Judge Hobbs said fining Te Hore would be "a futile exercise" because Te Hore already owed about $14,000 in fines.

Driving while suspended

Troy Colin Adams, 21, from Witherlea, admitted driving on Hospital Rd on July 26 when he was suspended. He was disqualified for six months.

Mr Single said Adams had an "extensive record" of breaching road rules. Defence lawyer John Holdaway said Adams had taken the motocross bike he was fixing to the end of the road to test it.

Drink-driving

A man caught driving while more than double the drink-drive limit has been warned by a judge that he will kill someone if he does not change his behaviour.

Matthew Ryan Dickson, 20, a greenkeeper from Witherlea, was disqualified for six months for driving while disqualified and for nine months for driving with excess blood alcohol of 188 milligrams (legal limit 80mg). He must also complete 40 hours of community work. Dickson drove on Grove Rd on July 30.

Three charges

Richard Alexander McGill, 18, a pest control worker from Picton, admitted receiving a stolen mountainbike, trespassing at Marlborough District Libraries and breaching community work.

He was sentenced to 40 hours community work and nine months supervision for receiving stolen property between May 27 and June 24. He was convicted and discharged on the other two matters.

Defence lawyer Gary Sawyer said McGill had been given the bike, worth $2000, in place of a $30 debt. He had sold it for $200.

Breaches

Michael Andrew Mason, 18, a painter from Blenheim, admitted breaching his bail conditions on Saturday. He was granted bail on the same terms and will appear again on September 12.

Shane Shirley-McKay, 17, from Blenheim, admitted breaching a community work order on May 9. He was convicted and discharged.

Stole makeup

An 18-year-old woman was visiting her mother in Blenheim when she stole makeup worth $36.49. Terry-Lee Dawn Shirley, unemployed from Bulls, was in Farmers on August 20 when she put the makeup in her handbag. She was ordered to appear in court again if called within six months.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 12:59 30/08/2011

Brent Thornton and Rosie Waddell.

Last updated 10:27 29/08/2011

Chris Williams and Kristine Paran

Young Professionals Masquerade Ball

Last updated 10:27 29/08/2011

Phil Yuen, Yas Gee, Byron Taylor and Georgina Walton

The annual Young Professionals masquerade ball was held at Wither Hills winery on Saturday night and Rob Macinstosh was there to photograph some of the glammed-up guests.

- The Marlborough Express

Students will soon be connecting

Marlborough Girls' College students won't now be able to use pets eating homework projects as an excuse for not doing their assignments.

The college is trialling a wireless internet network which allows students to access the internet from their laptops and mobile phones from almost anywhere in the school.

A group of about 30 students is testing the network to find any glitches before it is opened next year.

Each student will get a user name and password, which will stop anyone outside the school connecting for free and using the school internet.

The network will be turned off at weekends and after about 4pm on school days. Social networking site Facebook will be blocked unless necessary.

Year 13 students Alana Parsons and Brooke Swete are among the group testing the network. They said they had not run into any problems connecting to the internet.

Using their laptops made it easier to take notes in class, they said.

"Your notes don't get crumpled in the bottom of your bag," Alana said, laughing.

It was also useful being able to use the internet during study periods for assignments, they said.

Brooke said she was told off by teachers at the start of the trial last term for having her laptop out in class, and was "still getting used to to the fact that you can bring it out and use it".

Deputy principal and information and communication technology head Sandy Wyber said the college board invested in the wireless network after the Education Ministry upgraded data and electrical cabling.


- The Marlborough Express
SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 26/08/2011

A tale of two Steves

A case of mistaken identity has left a Picton man with his boat clamped and stickered by the Justice Ministry after it carried out a seizure order on the wrong man.

A court bailiff went to Steven James Frew's home in Picton on Thursday morning looking for Stephen Graham/Graeme Frew, who owes $7100 in a civil dispute.

Their first names are spelt differently and their second names are completely different.

Mr Frew's wife, Diane, of Picton, was at home that morning but did not hear anyone knock.

She spotted big yellow stickers on the couple's $75,000 boat when she checked the letterbox about midday.

She saw a notice in the letterbox and ripped the seizure stickers off the boat immediately. Mr Frew saw the lighter side and said it was lucky he was not planning on using the boat over the weekend.

"There's a little humour to it all, but there could be serious implications," he said.

It would have been different if the bailiff had seized their cars parked in the garage and Mrs Frew needed to get to the hospital in an emergency, he said.

He called the ministry, who told him Stephen Frew owed $7100 in a civil dispute from Invercargill.

The ministry offered to go back to the property and remove the clamp but it was still attached early this morning.

Mrs Frew said bailiffs should make sure they had the right people before seizing or clamping any property.

"We could have sold the house and moved out and there could have been someone else living there."

The incident was embarrassing and inconvenient, she said.

A neighbour who saw the bailiff had offered to help pay their bills thinking they were having financial trouble.

Justice Ministry collections general manager Bryre Patchell apologised to Mr Frew and said the mistake was "human error".

"The court is careful to ensure that it has the correct address and person before taking the enforcement action.

"However, in this case human error resulted in the civil debt being incorrectly associated with Mr Frew."

Staff always tried to speak to the person involved. Mr Frew's boat was clamped because the bailiff was not able to talk to anyone at the house, he said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 29/08/2011

DEREK FLYNN

MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Picton man Steven Frew had his boat wrongly clamped by the Justice Ministry after it failed to check it had the right man.

Renwick Hall

I am a fourth generation Renwick person who, with my parents Ken and Jean Hanson and my brother Dennis, was heavily involved with the fundraising, painting, furnishing etc of the Renwick Community Hall.

I do not for one moment wish to criticise the sterling work that the old hall committee has done over the past 29 years, with Betty Boyce, Helen Miller, Jim Cresswell, Murray Newman and many others giving hundreds of voluntary hours to "the cause".

When our prime minister Rob Muldoon opened the hall he made the following statement in the Wellington Evening Post on April 17, 1982:

"I find it remarkable that a township of just over a thousand people, plus 7000 or so in the surrounding area, should raise about $140,000 [about $370,000 today] or an average of $80 per head, in five years or so since fundraising was set up."

Mr Muldoon went on to say that he was in favour of growth, and hoped Renwick would grow, but gently, and that "nothing which you value as a community is lost in growing".

This is exactly why it is called a community hall.

I believe that if the hall committee had been able to access the funding that Renwick School were contractually obligated to provide for the ongoing maintenance of the hall, then this whole debacle could have been avoided.

LLOYD HANSON, Blenheim

Renwick hall transfer still on hold

The proposed transfer of the Renwick Community Memorial Hall to the Education Ministry is at a standstill until committee members against the idea present their case to the rest of the committee next month.

A group of committee members is against any transfer because they say they will lose control to the ministry.

Committee chairman James Cresswell said those against the proposal would report back at a committee meeting on September 12.

Mr Cresswell called a public meeting at the hall, co-owned by the ministry, Marlborough District Council and Renwick RSA, on August 9 to have a discussion about the proposal.

A show of hands indicated support of 42-19 for the move, which was a fair reflection of the Renwick community's sentiment, he said.

He was a reluctant supporter of the transfer, but said it was a financial decision. "At the moment I'm for transfer, but if they [committee members] come up with a way [the hall] will pay its own way, it's good for it to stay in community."

The committee decided in 2008 it would be "for the good of the hall" to transfer ownership because it could not afford improvements as bookings were down, he said.

Committee member Rata Harper said the hall should remain in community hands rather than being handed over to Renwick School.

"They don't have to own it; then it becomes political. It's got to stay in the community."

The committee was in a better financial position to take care of the hall, she said.

Ms Harper – who was on the original committee when it formed in 1979 – said the deed to the hall signed by the Marlborough County Council, the Education Board, and the Marlborough RSA, stated the school had to maintain the hall in exchange for free use between 9am and 3pm.

The committee takes care of improvements and bookings.

If the ministry wanted to spend more money maintaining the hall it did not need to own it because the school was already responsible for upkeep, she said.

Renwick School principal Simon Heath said the school, under a previous principal, agreed to take over responsibility for the hall if there was community support.

A caretaker looked after the hall grounds, carpark, and gardens about five hours a week, Mr Heath said.

Owning the hall would be a "considerable amount of work" for the school because it needed to be cleaned, maintained, and developed.

The ministry would provide some funding under the school's 10-year property plan if it owned the building.

Marlborough District councillor Francis Maher said the council would be involved in any decision, but not until the emotion dies down.

The council needed to deal with the facts of a possible transfer.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG Last updated 13:00 26/08/2011

Cemetery to re-open for burials

Interments at the historic Omaka Cemetery in Blenheim could start again this year, 35 years since the last person was buried there.

Marlborough District Council reserves and amenities officer Nic Crous said some more work needed to be completed, but initially there would be space for about 100 plots.

In some cases, people would be able to use existing family plots, he said.

Investigations needed to be completed before more space could be opened up, because records for part of the cemetery had been lost or destroyed, he said. Unused open space could also be used, and the council is considering creating walkway access through to the Taylor River banks to the west.

The council decided earlier this year to investigate the possibility of making more use of the old cemetery and the decision to re-open it was formally announced last week.

The council is also drafting a development plan for the cemetery, recognising its historical dimension. It will be important to preserve the character and nature of the cemetery, Mr Crous said.

The family mausoleums and wrought ironwork within Omaka date back to the settlement of Blenheim and some notable figures from Marlborough's past are buried there.

The cemetery is divided into various sections including a paupers' section, a separate Catholic burial area, an RSA section and a children's burial area.

Burial fees have not been finalised.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:14 26/08/2011

Solutions for everyday problems

How do you get a kayak to water without using a car?

The answer, according to two Marlborough Boys' College students, is by using a trailer attached to a bike.

Year 10 students Robbie Columbus and Angus Pauley, both 14, came up with their school science and technology fair project after talking to people about their everyday problems.

"We made a concept of carrying it on your bike and transporting it down to the river and in the theme of not using the car and being environmentally friendly we wanted to make it out of re-useable materials," Robbie said.

The pair are working with the year 11 students taking construction and mechanical technology, which is the first time the college has run the achievement standard.

Robbie said the trailer would be built mainly from plastic piping used in vineyards, which the college had managed to get for the pair.

They had only a scale model of the trailer and had done research and designs in their own time. More testing had to be done on how much effort was needed by the rider once the load was attached to make it as comfortable as possible.

Robbie said he enjoyed finding new solutions to problems.

"I quite like making the product and then testing it.

"It's a bit better than just plain old testing something that's already been made."

Year 11 student Tom Morgan, 15, was working on a security camera to catch taggers at night. The digital camera he bought over the internet had a motion sensor and used infrared lights to capture images of vandals.

He had created several prototypes for different parts of the camera, but most of the work he had done was research and planning.

Teacher Camilla McLean said the subject was a "thinking man's woodwork and metalwork".

"We give them a problem and they have to design something. The science bit comes in because they need to select the right materials."

Entering the science and technology fair was a great opportunity to win prizes and get scholarships, she said.

High-scoring projects at the fair will be entered into the Marlborough Science and Technology Fair in September.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 26/08/2011

SCOTT HAMMOND/The Marlborough Express

Works in progress : Marlborough Boys' College students who have designing and building entries for the Science and Technology Fair next month include, from left, Huw Ludemann 15, with a steam-powered boat; Tom Morgan, 15, with electronics for his security camera; Kerry Clapham, 14, with a trebuchet; Will Hart, 16, with a rocket; Robbie Columbus, 14, with a model of his kayak trailer; and Jared Silcock, 16, with softball pitching machine.

Teen admits 'bullying his brother's bully'

A Picton teenager has ended up in court for giving his younger brother's bully a black eye, the Blenheim District Court heard yesterday.

Rawiri Kero Leask, 19, admitted assaulting the male teenager and was sentenced to 100 hours' community work when he appeared in Blenheim District Court yesterday.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Steve Frost said Leask approached the 16-year-old Queen Charlotte College student outside the school gym during the lunch hour on May 30.

Leask asked if he had been bullying his brother and asked him to give a reason why he should not hit him.

He punched the victim once on the left-hand side of the head with enough force to knock him to the ground and then left the campus.

The teenager was also left with minor cuts above his eye and was treated at a medical centre.

Leask was later found by police and told them he did not like it when his brother was picked on.

Defence counsel Nikki Utting said Leask's brother had come home with a black eye and had been bullied for some time by the student.

He knew what he did was wrong and needed to find other ways to deal with the situation.

Judge Tony Zohrab said he understood Leask's actions, and asked if he could see the irony in the incident.

"You went along and bullied the bully."

Stole from winery

It will take about nine years for a Blenheim man to pay back the $14,000 he stole from a Blenheim winery.

Heath Damian Moa, 28, offered to pay the reparation at $30 per week for stealing the money from the Montana Brancott Estate on January 20.

Judge Zohrab said while the victims were keen to have the money back, they should not "hold their breath" to be paid.

Moa was also sentenced to 375 hours' community work, 12 months' intensive supervision and six months community detention for the theft, two charges of breaching community work and breaching intensive supervision when appeared in court yesterday.

Judge Zohrab asked whether Moa could offer more money, but defence counsel Bryony Millar said he could not.

Moa was with an associate who worked as a cleaner at the winery and had no permission to be there, he said.

He turned a handle of a floor safe which was left ajar and found just over $14,000 which was from an earlier fundraising event held by the company.

Police identified Moa by fingerprints left at the scene, he said.

Mrs Millar said the theft was a one-off and out of character and Moa had no previous convictions for dishonesty.

"The opportunity presented itself and he was unable to avoid that opportunity."

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School burgled

Three men appeared yesterday on charges of burglary at Blenheim School last week.

Jessie Thomas Robin, 22, a labourer and Massey Hoani Rogers, 17, both of Blenheim, were granted bail and will reappear on September 5 and September 12 respectively.

David John Wooltorton, 27, a fisherman of Blenheim, was denied bail and will reappear on September 12. None entered pleas to the charge, alleged to have happened between August 3 and 4.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:00 23/08/2011

Clubbing of seals denied

The second man charged over the death of seals near Kaikoura denied a charge of wilfully mistreating seals by clubbing them to death, when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court this morning.

Jamaal Peter Roy Large, 36, a driver, of Wairau Valley, entered no plea to a second charge of possession of an offensive weapon (a metal pole) in a public place. He was bailed to reappear on September 21.

Co-accused Jason Trevor Godsiff, 19, of Renwick, admitted the same charges in Blenheim District Court on July 18.

The fur seals – some only a few days old – were beaten to death last year at Ohau Point, near Kaikoura, last November. Live seals in the area had injuries that suggested they had also been hit. The Department of Conservation called the attack "callous and cowardly".

Last updated 14:48 22/08/2011

No longer feeling like a 'caged bird'

The Barnes family have a new-found sense of freedom after finally getting a specially modified van to replace the one they lost the use of a year ago.

Blenheim family Sean and Linda Barnes and son James were left without their main form of transport when the warrant on their 1993 Nissan Atlas van expired.

Mrs Barnes, who has cauda equina syndrome and uses a wheelchair, is the only one in the family who can drive because Mr Barnes has epilepsy.

Cauda equina syndrome is a neurological condition which affects the spinal cord.

The family took out a second mortgage, applied for funding and grants and fundraised to get the maroon 2008 Mercedes Benz Sprinter, which cost about $109,000. Mrs Barnes said it was "exactly what we wanted".

During the past year the family has been limited by their transport options.

"It's quite a big relief," Mrs Barnes said.

"We've got a new-found sense of freedom now – I can get out in the car and just go."

A friend saw the fully modified van for sale through a car dealer on Trade Me and told Mrs Barnes about it. The van has all the necessary modifications to allow her to drive, but it needs to go to Christchurch to have it tailored to suit her.

The family planned to take a road trip to Mrs Barnes' home town of Whangarei for Christmas because she had not seen her family or friends since moving to Blenheim two years ago.

Mrs Barnes said she had felt like a caged bird, and enjoyed being on the open road. "There's nothing like being out on the road. I can just drive and drive and drive."

She thanked those who helped them raise money some of whom may not know how much their contribution meant.

As for the colour, she said it was "passable".

"I can't be fussy on colour.

"I would've liked a nice blue, but at least it's not black."

- The Marlborough ExpressSIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 22/08/2011

Sophie's Elliott's story hits home

The mother of Sophie Elliott believes that the book she has written with a friend and former policeman about the family's experience and abusive relationships has already saved lives.

Lesley Elliott said men had emailed her saying they had been in tears after reading Sophie's Legacy, released in June, and women had ended relationships because they recognised signs of abusive relationships that her daughter had experienced.

"I said if we save one life, it'll be worth it, but I feel like we've saved a lot of lives."

Sophie Elliot was brutally murdered by her former boyfriend in 2008.

Mrs Elliott will be bringing Sophie's story to Marlborough Girls' College on September 15, in the hope that teenage girls will recognise the signs of relationship abuse that she and her daughter missed.

She said the presentation would tell girls that if their boyfriends did not make them feel good about themselves, then they needed to question whether they should be in the relationship.

People should talk with someone they trusted if they think they were having relationship problems, she said.

Even if some girls had never been in a relationship, she hoped they would remember Sophie's story.

Sharing her daughter's experiences was difficult, but for the greater good, she said. "I would prefer not to be doing it at all, but Sophie's story has hit a spot with people."

The book recounts the day 22-year-old Sophie was murdered by her former boyfriend, 32-year-old Clayton Weatherston, in her Dunedin bedroom in 2008 and the family's journey through grief and the justice system.

Weatherston is serving a minimum 18-year prison sentence for the murder. He is appealing his conviction in the Supreme Court.

Mrs Elliott said the book took some persuasion from co-author William O'Brien, who approached the family about writing a book because he believed Sophie's name had been "dragged through the mud" during the trial.

"I didn't think there was a book in it, to be honest. It's just a tragic story," she said.

But when she began writing, the words just flowed.

"Once it got going, there was plenty to say. It offered the opportunity to tell the whole story. There were plenty of tears shed, and sometimes I felt it was all too hard and I wanted to bail out, but then I thought about Sophie."

The Sophie Elliott Foundation was set up last year and aims to make relationship and dating programmes compulsory in schools. All proceeds from the book will go to the foundation.

Tickets to the talk in Blenheim, which starts at 7pm at the girls' college hall, are $5 for adults, $2 for students and $10 for families. Tickets can be bought at the hall from 6pm on the day.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 22/08/2011

Schools: Barring kids not answer

Schools in Marlborough are taking a restorative approach to dealing with disruptive pupils and problem behaviour in the schoolyard to reduce the number stood down and suspended.

Figures released by the Education Ministry show the number of pupils stood down and suspended in Marlborough has dropped between 2006 and last year.

Marlborough Boys' College principal Wayne Hegarty said the school had stood down or suspended 23 students this year, compared with the 60 who were stood down and 27 suspended last year.

His emphasis since he began at the college last year had been on changing behaviour and the culture at the school, and it was paying off, he said.

Standing down a student or removing them from the school was the last resort.

"They're all young men and they'll make mistakes. Our preference is not to stand down – we'd prefer to do anything else we can, including the use of restorative practices."

The college would also prefer in-house stand downs so the student would still be learning rather than out of school, but the idea was limited by funds.

Redwoodtown School principal Gary Hildyard said many of his pupils suspended or stood down had arrived from other schools and were pushing the boundaries.

The school had the most stand downs and suspensions of all other primary schools in the region during the past five years. Last year it stood down 10 pupils, but did not suspend any.

Taking that action usually meant a "pretty gross breach of the rules" such as smoking or bringing alcohol, but most would be for verbal or physical abuse.

The school worked with the pupils and parents to find the best solution to the problem, he said.

"Restorative practice is about what happened, who was affected and what could you do next time. You look at how [the pupil] will put it right."

Figures for Marlborough Girls' College showed it was standing down fewer students but suspending slightly more. Principal Karen Stewart said the trend reflected plans put in place over the years and developing a positive school culture.

During the past few years the college had started projects such as youth workers in the school and staff and student mentoring programmes.

Queen Charlotte College principal Tom Parsons said the school's expectations of students had risen over the year and it used stand downs and suspensions to indicate what was acceptable behaviour.

Most of the stand downs last year were for improper use of electronic media, he said.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 22/08/2011

Reporter to run for Christchurch

Marlborough Express sports reporter John Alexander is running to Christchurch - and is looking for support.

He and a group of fellow runners are doing a relay from Blenheim to Christchurch to raise money for the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal and are looking for help from Kaikoura people, and runners to join them.

They will do the Red and Black and Red All Over charity fundraiser during Marlborough Anniversary weekend in October and will raise money through the run and an auction of sporting memorabilia.

Mr Alexander, a born Cantabrian, has family living in Christchurch and wants to keep the spotlight on the region still struggling after almost a year of earthquakes.

"[The problems in Christchurch are] sort of fading out of the limelight. People tend to forget about it and it's probably the worst time for people down there.

"The grants run out and reality sets in," he said.

Following the deadly earthquake of February 22, he spent a few days helping his brother dig out liquefaction silt on his property and said the devastation awakened a lot of emotions.

"It's my home town. I just wanted to do something."

A group of eight or 10 runners from the region, who are yet to be confirmed, will run a relay from Blenheim to Christchurch, and memorabilia, including a Red Devils jersey signed by players who have played more than 100 games for the team, will be auctioned on Trade Me.

Details of the event were still being finalised, but he hoped businesses would donate services or items to be auctioned.

A bank account has been set up for donations from the public and all funds raised would go to the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.

The runners and support team were also looking for free accommodation in Kaikoura and Christchurch and hoped to have celebrities running the first and last few kilometres of the run.

Anyone able to help is welcome to email johna@marlexpress.co.nz

DONATIONS CAN BE MADE TO JOHN'S CHRISTCHURCH EARTHQUAKE APPEAL

SBS Bank, Blenheim 03-1355-0689593-00

- Kaikoura Star

SIMON WONG

Last updated 14:34 17/08/2011

Marlborough Express sports reporter John Alexander is running to Christchurch - and is looking for support.

Student-crafted grand designs

Queen Charlotte College pupil Chloe Cameron had to learn how to weld to create her entry for the college's Wearable Designz show which takes place later this week.

Chloe, 13, said to make the music-inspired entry, her dad, a mechanic, taught her how to weld the old fencing wire together to form the basis of the costume.

Many nights during the school holidays were spent welding under the supervision of her dad, and cardboard music notes were then glued to the frame.

"Once I get the hang of it I could do it quite easily," the year 8 pupil said.

"I could still do it, but I would make a messy job."

Two other pupils also picked up new skills while making their costumes.

Bevan Gibson and Billie Coleman-Borwick, both 13 and in year 8, learned how to sew for their entries.

Billie's grandmother, who lives in Christchurch, taught her how to sew and both made trips to visit each other to make the Michael-Jackson inspired creation.

Bevan's mum taught him how to sew his country and Scottish-themed outfit, which was inspired by his parents, who used to be country singers, and his mum, who also plays the bagpipes.

Students were given time during the school term to work on their designs.

The competition, Wearable Designz – Inspired by Music, is compulsory for year 7 and 8 students and also open to primary schools.

Co-ordinator Jann Hook said the competition had 118 entries this year, including entries from Linkwater School, Picton School, Koromiko School and the Picton Early Learning Centre.

Last year's winning designs have been on display at Mariner's Mall in the lead-up to the event from Thursday to Saturday.

This year's winning entries will also be on display at the mall for about two weeks afterwards.

Tickets to the event, held at the college hall, can be bought from the Queen Charlotte College office or from Ken Ham's Music Store in Blenheim.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:42 16/08/2011

Creative creations: Queen Charlotte College pupils, from left, Bevan Gibson, Billie Coleman-Borwick and Chloe Cameron, all 13, picked up some new skills while making their entries for the school's Wearable Designz competition this week

Child's earliest stages critical - Judy Bailey

Building a better society starts in the womb, according to veteran broadcaster and Brainwave Trust trustee Judy Bailey.

Mrs Bailey was in Blenheim last night speaking at the Marlborough Convention Centre to an audience of more than 100 about the importance of the first three years of a child's life.

The time between conception and three years of age were critical for brain development and laid a template for relationships and behaviour, she said.

A child's first experience with their primary caregiver was key to their development and learning, consequences and self-esteem.

She joined the trust when it began in 1998 because years of bringing "a catalogue of disaster" into living rooms as a presenter on One News highlighted that many criminal offenders had abusive and chaotic upbringings.

"Their brains have been literally wired to fail them. You can nurture these people instead of spending billions on the justice system," she said.

"Spending so much more in the early years saves you big time down the track."

The Brainwave Trust brings scientific research about child development to parents, families and organisations so they can put it to practical use.

"For so long this information has been reserved and resided in the minds of scientists and academics," Mrs Bailey said.

"We're the first generation to have this information available to us and to ignore it will be at our peril."

The most important thing a parent or caregiver can do to help their child's development may seem simple and natural, but it does not come easily for some.

"Cuddle them, talk to them, play, sing and have fun with them – it's not rocket science."

Everyone's parenting skills were coloured by their own upbringing, she said.

Mrs Bailey was brought to Blenheim by the Marlborough branch of Educarents, which provides education and support services for parents. Branch manager Miranda McFarlane said the two charity organisations shared the same values.

The branch, which was set up about eight months ago, works with about 50 parents and children.

The Educarents charity was founded in Christchurch.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 18/08/2011

Film kids prove school is cool

Room 10 at Renwick School has created another award winning movie earning the Marlborough school top accolades in a national art competition.

The class came first overall in the School is Cool online art competition run by the Education Aotearoa magazine which this year drew more than 2500 entries from around the country.

Room 10, with the guidance of their teacher Michelle Moran, took several weeks to make the short film about why school is cool.

For winning the competition the school will receive five iPads and an iPod Touch.

Last year Room 5, with the help of Miss Moran, were placed in the top 20 of a national sustainability film competition with their film Malice in Wonderland.

Sitting down to talk about the project, the class said writing the script for the voice-overs was difficult, but coming up with ideas to illustrate the words was easy.

The video entry shows images and clips of pupils learning with a rhyming rap in the background. It is narrated by Garry the Rock and Ula the Ruler.

As a condition of winning, the school had to film the pupils' reaction to their success which was kept a secret until a special assembly on Monday.

The class was called up on stage and told it was because of their bad behaviour on a field trip to Brayshaw Park. But when they found out the real reason the pupils hugged and hi-fived each other.

Deputy principal Robyn Lyall said she was proud of what the class had achieved and Miss Moran was skilled at involving the children at every step of the creative process. She did not know yet how the school would incorporate the iPads into the school.

Watch the Room 10 winning entry below.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/5474353/Film-kids-prove-school-is-cool

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 19/08/2011

Drunk tips bucket of paint over car

A Blenheim teenager was caught white-handed after pouring paint on a car while he was drunk, according to police.

Christiann Wilkinson William Bailey, 17, a labourer, was ordered to pay his victim $100 in emotional harm after admitting causing intentional damage when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court yesterday.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Graham Single said Bailey was drunk when he picked up a 10-litre bucket of white paint at a party about 2.45am on August 14.

He emptied the paint over a car parked across the street. The paint splattered across the engine bay, doors and windows while the rest ended up down the storm drain and on the road.

The victim was able to wash the paint off, but it took a long time, he said.

Defence counsel Kent Arnott said Bailey did not remember much from the night and was just a "random incident".

Children unsupervised

A Blenheim mother was given a six-month suspended sentence for leaving her four children at home without supervision.

Vera Naumainoamai Naera, 36, a housewife, admitted leaving a child under 14 years old without supervision.

Mr Single said Naera was at her Blenheim home with her four children, all under 14, on April 4 but left without leaving someone to supervise. A truancy officer visited the house because none of the children had been at school.

Naera told police she had organised supervision, but could not tell them who.

Jail a shock

A stint in custody was an eye-opener for a Blenheim teenager who was waiting to be sentenced for robbery, his lawyer said.

Brok Keith Grimmer, 19, was spared more time in prison when he was sentenced yesterday after admitting the robbery, failing to answer bail and a breach of community work.

Judge Bruce Davidson instead sentenced him to 220 hours' community work and nine months' supervision.

Judge Davidson said Grimmer and an associate demanded a backpack from a 14-year-old boy at Richmond on September 25. The boy suffered minor injuries.

Defence counsel Gary Sawyer said while the offending was serious, Grimmer had a limited criminal history.

The co-offended was "a friend of a friend" who initiated the robbery, he said. Grimmer had spend six weeks in custody since his last appearance and "saw people he didn't want to be like".

Found in building

Police found a Blenheim man asleep on a couch after he broke into a house early in the morning, according to police.

Luke Rou Scott, 19, a boner of Blenheim, admitted unlawfully being in a building and was fined $400.

Mr Single said Scott was drunk when he walked down a long driveway on Eltham Rd about 5am on August 14. He tried to enter one of the houses on the drive and woke the occupant and said he was looking for someone. He then forced a sliding door on another house, went into the lounge and fell asleep. The occupant woke up, found Scott and called police.

Defence counsel Kent Arnott said Scott was on his way home from a party and was going to his aunt's house nearby. His actions "caused untold stress and anxiety" to the victims, he said.

Dishonesty charges

A Blenheim man sentenced on a spate of dishonesty offences says he needs to work on one of his weaknesses which includes respect for others and their property, according to his lawyer.

Benjamin Tawhiri Walker, 25, a vineyard worker, was sentenced yesterday to six months' prison for 15 charges including theft, causing loss by deception, dangerous driving and drink-driving.

Defence counsel Nikki Utting said Walker was willing to talk to a psychologist about why he ends up in court. One of his weaknesses was being with criminal associates and not realising he is committing offences.

He had been "full and frank with the report writer and knows what he needs to work on".

Judge Davidson said the offending between December 2007 and March 2011 included taking food, petrol, clothing and licence plates. Walker was an intelligent man, but "unfortunately your intelligence has been directed in the wrong direction," he said.

Stole at party

A Blenheim teenager stole three wallets from a party that he invited himself to, police say.

Tane Aaron Rixon, 17, was sentenced yesterday to 100 hours' community work after admitting three charges of theft and an unrelated assault, intentional damage and breaching community work.

He was also ordered to pay $220 reparation.

Mr Single said Rixon was walking along Scott St about 10pm on July 8 and came across a party held by foreign vineyard workers and asked to join them.

He was one of the last two people at the party and while the other person went to the bathroom, he took three wallets. He also went into the kitchen and took a laptop before leaving.

Defence counsel Gary Sawyer said all items had been recovered and Rixon was co-operative with police.

Six charges

DNA evidence led police to a Waikawa man who broke into six cars and stole items, his lawyer said.

James Thornton Lines, 20, unemployed, yesterday admitted six charges of interfering with a motor vehicle and one charge of theft.

He was given 50 hours' community work and pay $1488.51 reparation.

Mr Single said Lines was at a carpark close to the Picton foreshore early on March 19, 2008 and began smashing windows.

He took items from one of the cars and moved to another carpark.

He told police he did not remember the incident.

Defence counsel Rob Harrison said Lines had just finished a community detention sentence and was still completing a supervision sentence. He was a different person from when the offending took place, he said.

Other charges

Joshua David Foster, 18, a shop assistant of Onamalutu, admitted sustained loss of traction and was disqualified for six months.

Kelly Edwin Peck, 46, of Blenheim, admitted shoplifting and was fined $100.

Rebecca Rose Foster, 22, unemployed of Blenheim, admitted two charges of possessing cannabis, possessing methamphetamine, possession of utensils and resisting police and was sentenced to nine months' supervision.

Teimana Paewai, 18, a labourer of Blenheim, admitted possessing cannabis and was fined $100.

Levi Mano, 18, a vineyard worker of Blenheim, admitted possessing cannabis and was fined $100.

Richard James Hayden, 43, unemployed of Blenheim, admitted unlawfully being in an enclosed yard and was given a nine-month suspended sentence.

Petaia Samasoni, 20, a vineyard worker of Blenheim, admitted unlawfully being in a building and was sentenced to three months' home detention at a residential rehabilitation centre.

Carlin John Anthony Martin, 21, a pest control worker of Blenheim, admitted driving while suspended and was disqualified for six months.

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:00 16/08/2011

Whitebaiter set for new season

Patience truly is a virtue when it comes to whitebaiting, according to Cappy Macdonald.

"You might go down all day and get nothing," Mr Macdonald said yesterday as he prepared for the season to open on Monday.

"If there's none that's too bad. You just go back the next day."

At 84, he's been whitebaiting for about 75 years.

His property on Wairau Bar Rd near Blenheim backs on to the Wairau River and he's been getting his whitebait stand ready as usual. The tidal flow and river currents wash away the platform every year.

Mr Macdonald catches only enough to feed the family.

He predicted this season would be better than last, because he had spotted plenty of whitebait during the past few days.

But he doubted the haul would be as good as previous years.

"It took about 20 minutes to fill a four-gallon drum ... back in the 1950s.

"You can't do that today; there's not as many there."

The whitebaiting season was always a highlight for him and the family, who enjoy whitebait as it is meant to be eaten – as fritters.

The whitebait fishing season runs from August 15 to November 30 over most of New Zealand. The season on the South Island's West Coast is from September 1 to November 14.

Restrictions on fishing include one net to be used per person, and for whitebaiters to remain within 10 metres of their net.

- The Marlborough Express SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 12/08/2011

DEREK FLYNN/The Marlborough Express

ALL READY: Cappy MacDonald checks his nets at his pozzie beside the Wairau river in preparation for the Whitebait season which opens on Monday.

Relay to help quake victims

Marlborough Express sports reporter John Alexander is taking training for his first marathon to the extreme.

He and a group of fellow runners are doing a relay from Blenheim to Christchurch to raise money for the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.

They will do the Red and Black and Red All Over charity fundraiser during Marlborough Anniversary weekend in October and will raise money through the run and an auction of sporting memorabilia.

Mr Alexander, a born Cantabrian, has family living in Christchurch and wants to keep the spotlight on the region still struggling after almost a year of earthquakes.

"[The problems in Christchurch are] sort of fading out of the limelight. People tend to forget about it and it's probably the worst time for people down there.

"The grants run out and reality sets in," he said.

Following the deadly earthquake of February 22, he spent a few days helping his brother dig out liquefaction silt on his property and said the devastation awakened a lot of emotions.

"It's my home town. I just wanted to do something."

He is training for his first marathon, the Marlborough Marathon in December.

A group of eight or 10 runners from the region, who are yet to be confirmed, will run a relay from Blenheim to Christchurch, and memorabilia, including a Red Devils jersey signed by players who have played more than 100 games for the team, will be auctioned on Trade Me.

Details of the event were still being finalised, but he hoped businesses would donate services or items to be auctioned.

A bank account would be set up for donations from the public and all funds raised would go to the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal.

The runners and support team were also looking for free accommodation in Kaikoura and Christchurch and hoped to have celebrities running the first and last few kilometres of the run.

Anyone able to help is welcome to email johna@marlexpress.co.nz

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:03 12/08/2011

Ready, set: Marlborough Express sports reporter John Alexander and a group of friends will be running from Blenheim to Christchurch to raise money for his home town of Christchurch.

Londoners scared to go outside, says Express journo

A former Marlborough Express journalist in London has described deserted streets and says people are worried about leaving their homes as mobs take over areas of the British capital.

Tony Skinner lives close to Brixton, Streatham and Clapham – all of which have seen looting and rioting.

"Last night the police chopper was flying overhead and sirens were frequent but the streets were weirdly quiet – no cars or people on the street, which is really unusual.

"[The unrest] feels pretty close to home," he said.

"I used to go through Croydon every day when I worked south of London, so the massive fires down there were a shock as well."

People in London were talking about what would happen next and were worried about whether it would be safe to go out, he said.

Longer-term effects, such as planned police cuts and the Olympics, were also being talked about, he said.

The spree of arson, looting and violence moved into a third night yesterday, spreading to new suburbs, including Hackney, Croydon, Peckham, Lewisham, Clapham and Ealing. There has also been rioting in other cities.

Blenheim woman Jessica Yarrall lives in Tottenham where she works as a social worker.

She has been sent home from work before 4pm each day since the riots for her safety.

The only sound she could hear across the city when she spoke to the Express this morning was sirens, she said.

"Usually there's lots of noise like traffic and people, but everything's really silent – it's really eerie," she said.

"People are most concerned about the fires."

A strong police presence was clearly visible as the metropolitan police boosted numbers from about 6000 to 16,000, she said.

"But I saw one guy walking down the street the other day with a huge TV on his back – people are just openly (looting) because they know the police can't be everywhere."

The violence was not orchestrated and was being randomly carried out by children as young as 12, she said.

Patrick O'Regan from Murchison, who lives in Parsons Green, said his workplace in the city was empty by 3pm as people headed home early yesterday. Trains did not stop at all Underground stations, to avoid those where there might be trouble. Some pubs had signs out saying there was no liquor inside, and stores were closed even in areas where there had been no trouble. "I think most people are keeping inside."

Mr O'Regan said he had not expected the violence to continue after the initial riot at Tottenham, but in retrospect he could see how it could happen.

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"They're just young kids. You look at them and it's a tinderbox because youth unemployment is so high."

New Zealanders he knew were not talking about coming home or leaving London, he said.

A woman from Richmond, near Nelson, who travelled from her Hertfordshire home into London yesterday said parts of the city were unrecognisable and looked "like a war zone".

Dianne Sutherland, an IT analyst who has lived in Britain for 23 years, said that as she travelled into London on the train, "for miles around you could see heavy black smoke billowing from the buildings that were still being tackled by the fire service".

She said the mood in the city was sombre, with fewer people around and office and shop workers heading home by 3pm across Britain.

Are you a Marlburian in London? We would like to hear from you mailbox@marlexpress.co.nz or leave your comments below.

- The Marlborough Express Last updated 13:00 10/08/2011

Views on merits of Australia

Not all Marlburians who cross the Tasman looking for a better life sing in joyful strains about the experience.

The Express reported on Monday that 385 people left Marlborough during the year to June 30, heading for Australia with the intention of staying long term, more than any year since the regional statistics begin in 1992.

The story has attracted 70 comments on marlexpress.co.nz, and a large number of emails to the Express office.

Many former Marlborough people who now live in Australia and read the newspaper online were among those submitting their thoughts.

They vary from those who say life has never been better for them to those who are packing their bags and coming home.

Derek Armes' comment struck the middle ground. He has seen a fair number of Kiwis come to the Gold Coast and leave again after not being able to find work, or simply missing their mates. His family is now settled, but he warns anyone thinking of moving to Australia to do their research.

A person called Nick, who said he had worked for an an international relocation company, said: "You would not believe the amount of families from Nelson-Marlborough who moved to Australia, then returned within 18 months. Average cost to them for their troubles? Approximately $16,000! The grass is not always greener."

A person named Spardon said the major reason for not moving to Australia was environmental.

"Oz has problems with water already. When the gas dries up, and it will, moving around in Oz will be hard, plus extreme weather is also becoming a factor – floods, heatwaves – so I'm happy to stay in little old New Zealand.

"We have got plenty of water and it's small enough to travel around, and we can sustain ourselves because of our smaller population."

However, others maintained that life was better in Australia.

Tris said: "The wages are higher and the cost of living is lower on this side of the ditch compared with New Zealand, especially Blenheim, where wages seem lower than the national average."

Gone4good said: "As an ex-New Zealand skilled worker living overseas, I can command two to three times the income I would be paid in New Zealand, with far greater opportunities than I could ever have dreamed of."

Rob said: "In Australia, I have found that more opportunity leads to more ambition. The lifestyle is better because at the end of the day, `lifestyle' comes down to disposable income (and warmer weather).

"And finally, I feel the energy of people here is better. People seem more active in everything from socialising to community involvement and just generally more positive about life in general."

- The Marlborough Express

Last updated 13:00 04/08/2011

Kiwis happy to be heading back home

Weather and medical costs are some of the reasons Marlborough families living in Australia have decided to leave "the lucky country" and return home.

Kalita Cresswell, her husband, Greg, and three children have lived in Brisbane for 7 1/2 years. Now they have sold their family home and will be returning to Marlborough for a better lifestyle.

They have more family in Blenheim, but did enjoy the winter and the anonymity of living in a city, Mrs Cresswell said.

Scorching summers, storms and some wildlife were some of the drawbacks in Brisbane.

Her husband, a builder, was working as a project manager and earning more than he would in Blenheim and they had help from the government with the first homeowner's grant, family tax benefits and the baby bonus for each child.

"We look forward to the long days of summer in Blenheim and being able to lie on the grass without being bitten by a green ant or walking in a paddock with long grass and not worrying about snakes."

The couple's eldest child started at a new school that has about 300 pupils, but is set to eventually have 1200 pupils.

"We want our children to attend schools with not so many students, so they don't become just a number," she said.

"Blenheim will feel very small to us for a while but I think we will be providing our children with the best childhood by taking them back to where we were brought up." Stacey Gerritsen returned to Seddon last year with her husband and five-year-old daughter after living in Sydney for nine years.

While the couple were earning good money, they needed it to pay for the high price of living.

"We were earning triple what we do here and still lived week to week with insurance, electricity, housing, and day-to-day living prices through the roof."

Their daughter, who was born in Sydney in 2006, was diagnosed with a rare disorder and the couple found it difficult to get assistance from the government.

"We assumed we would have some support, but we were ineligible for any medication concessions or Centrelink support because we were from New Zealand."

Back in Seddon her daughter had a fulltime teacher aide and the school and curriculum were being modified to suit her needs, she said.

"She is part of the community and included in everything. We would not have had that in Sydney."

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:51 04/08/2011

Coming back: The Cresswell family, Kalita and Greg with their children, from left, Cooper, 5, Makai, 3, and Mali, 12 weeks, are returning to Blenheim from Australia.

Better money and opportunities

A former Blenheim couple living in Western Australia say seeing people in Marlborough struggling is affirmation they made the right move.

Jacque and John "JT" Taylor and four of their eight children left Marlborough five years ago, when John was headhunted for a rugby coaching job.

Mrs Taylor, who works for the WA Local Government Association, said the family moved to get ahead, and her husband's job offer "could not be passed up".

One daughter and son-in-law worked in the mining industry, another son-in-law worked in engineering, and her 18-year-old son was earning $29 an hour in a warehouse.

Their youngest child attends a private school, which Mrs Taylor said the family would never be able to afford in New Zealand.

Mrs Taylor has also signed a recording deal with Universal Music for her original music.

"We both have very good jobs, and our respective careers in rugby and music have flourished.

"We still love Blenheim and we love visiting, but whenever we come home we see how people are struggling. I don't know how people are surviving there."

Another Marlborough family who moved to Western Australia two years ago say they are less constrained financially than when they were living in Blenheim. Angelea Clarke said she, her partner and their two children, aged 10 and four, moved for financial reasons.

In Blenheim, the single-income family were struggling to make ends meet with their mortgage and increasing food and utility bills, she said.

"The money just wasn't stretching far enough."

Going out for dinner or on family trips was planned and saved for in advance, and holidays were "out of the question".

The family moved to Australia after Ms Clarke's partner was offered the same job, but for twice as much money.

She said the move was stressful, and she constantly worried if it was the right decision, but now believed it was.

They can now dine out once a week and spend weekends away, and have just returned from a two-week holiday in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 12:51 04/08/2011

No regrets: Blenheim couple Jacque and John "JT'' Taylor and their children moved to Western Australia, where they say they have many more opportunities than in Marlborough

Nine Christchurch bands arrive

The road to the secondary-school jazz festival in Marlborough this week has been rocky for some of the Christchurch schools competing in it.

Nine of the 15 bands in the four-day Southern Jam Youth Jazz Festival have travelled from Christchurch, despite some of their preparations being disrupted by earthquakes and aftershocks.

Christchurch Boys' High School music teacher Michael Fairhurst said he had considered not entering the six-piece senior band.

The festival began yesterday and includes an inter-school competition, free public performances around Marlborough and a gala concert on Saturday.

Mr Fairhurst said the band had not been together long, was not up to competition standard and had missed weeks of practice because the school had been damaged in the Canterbury earthquakes.

"It was only the boys who twisted my arm."

He had decided in March not to enter, but the students were really keen, he said.

"They said, `We've got to do it. We'll put the extra hours in', but it's not just them putting in extra hours – it's the teachers too."

The band practised during the school holidays and had performed in a competition in Christchurch.

The band lost all its members from last year, when some finished school and others decided not to carry on.

Many of this year's band had not played in a group, and one could hardly read music, Mr Fairhurst said.

"To bring them up to standard has been a real challenge. We're pretty well prepared, and for the time we've had, we've done extremely well."

Christ's College music teacher Claire Oliver said the school closed for about a month after the February 22 earthquake and many of the students transferred to other schools around New Zealand during that time.

The school has entered a big band and a combo this year. The distance between band members during the closure meant they missed eight rehearsals, but began to hold extra sessions during term 2 to compensate. The students were also under pressure to catch up on school work, Ms Oliver said.

The festival was usually held in the third week of term 3, but term dates had been changed to fit around the Rugby World Cup, so it was in the first week this year. That meant the school lost two weeks of extra practice.

Despite the setbacks, there was no mention of pulling out.

"I wouldn't have a bar of that."

See page 17 for a list of Southern Jam performances.

- The Marlborough Express

SIMON WONG

Last updated 13:00 04/08/2011