News from the Valley

It takes a certain kind of delirium to come up with an event in which participants get to run up and down Mt Cargill every two hours over and over again on the shortest day of the year. Add to that a level of cruelty to start the event at 8pm on the night before, and you wouldn’t expect people to bother turning up. However, turn up they did! Last month 26 runners lined up at 8pm to start the Crush the Cargill Longest Shortest Day event at Bethunes Gully. As the very long, cold night dragged on the …

This past year has been a year of consolidation for the Valley Project, in which we successfully completed our transition as an organisation from long-time uncertainty to long-term sustainability. We have consolidated our staffing structure, finances, activities, relationships and governance, so we can confidently back the North East Valley community to develop and deepen for many years to come. Finding our right size Three years ago, when the government funding as one of four nationwide community-led development pilot programmes finished, we cut our cloth radically to reduce spending, halving our staffing and trying …

The Transition Valley 473 initiating group meets monthly to discuss how we can make our community more resilient in the face of climate change, environmental and economic threats. We welcome new people to these meetings or to any of our activities. Contact Philippa on 473 9293 or see us on Facebook at ‘Transition Valley 473’. community orchard Our community orchard consists of fruit and nut trees and berry bushes planted on six different sites in Pine Hill and North East Valley. Come and join a winter working bee to prune and mulch our trees! Phone Philippa 473 9293 or …

New rental regulations start next month. If you are a renter or landlord it's a good idea to check if your house is up to standard. Here are the basics of what you need to know. From 1 July this year ceiling and underfloor insulation in rental properties is required where reasonably possible. Exceptions may include where there is not enough space under the floor or in the ceiling. It is the landlord’s responsibility to meet the regulations. Insulation requirements for ceiling and underfloor If the ceiling insulation was installed before July 2016 then it should be at least …

After three years on the beat Mary Waymouth is passing the newsletter bundle to a new generation of Valley Voice deliverers. Mary delivered the Valley Voice to over 450 homes in North East Valley at the start of every month. Mary says she will miss doing the deliveries as she always enjoyed it, but life has been busy for her lately. She passed on a little advice to the new crew and says she met many lovely people and animals on her long walks around the neighbourhood. Taking on her round are Iris Gallagher (12) and Marian McMullan (7) …

Do you find that all too often socialising is more about trying to fit in, say the right thing, or hustle for approval? Imagine coming together with other women feeling safe to be yourself, warts and all, with the sole purpose of sharing in and being witness to each other’s struggles, strength and wisdom. Women Heart-Sharing Circle Welcome to the Women Heart-Sharing-Circle where you are invited to step out of the head and into the heart as we celebrate our common humanity and unique selves. The sharing circles follow the tradition of indigenous ‘talking object’ circles. Whoever feels like …

Should the Valley Project apply for funding that comes from pokie machines and other gambling? It’s a debate that has polarized the Valley Project executive board with some members saying definitely not while others believe without this source of funding the future of the project could be in jeopardy. Community input invited With the project’s annual general meeting coming up later this month the board invites community input on the issue and will facilitate a discussion at the meeting on 19 June. The Valley Project is a community-led development project which aims to improve life for people and whānau …

MEET VALLEY PROJECT BOARD MEMBER NATASHA MURACHVER, A COMMUNICATION DESIGNER FROM OPOHO What do you love about your local community? We're diverse and welcoming to that diversity. What's the best thing about living here? Everything's in walking distance, and the hills, views and green make for lovely walking. What do you love to do in your spare time? Pretty boring stuff when I'm not at work. Favourite book? The answer is almost always whatever I'm currently reading (False River by Paula Morris). What prompted you to join the Valley Project executive board? I'd been a reader and follower of …

A Women's Art Group starting up in the valley will bring women who are new to Dunedin to learn and share art and craft skills while making connections with other women in the community. Group facilitator Chloe Mackenzie says art is a wonderful way to express stories. “The visual nature of craft can transcend the barriers of verbal language, providing an excellent focal point to bring people together.” After becoming involved with refugee resettlement last year through the Red Cross she began to think about additional ways she could help new Kiwis feel welcome in our community and had …

Nominations for the Valley Project’s executive board are now open! Make a difference in your community and become part of the team who set the direction of the Valley Project. There are up to 12 positions on the board which is made up of community members. The board is responsible for the governance of the Valley Project and meets monthly. This year the board is also in need of a new treasurer as well. Board member Ian Telfer says it has been a great experience being on the board for the past two years. “There’s a strong core of …

Homemade sushi, chickpea curry, sticky cinnamon rolls? What is your favourite dish that you could bring to a community multicultural potluck dinner? Get cooking and join us this Sunday! Try lots of different foods and enjoy cultural performances and kids activities. Try new kai and meet new people - homemade sushi, chickpea curry and sticky cinnamon rolls are just a few of the items already on the multicultural potluck menu. This month the Dunedin Refugee Centre and the Valley Project are hosting a multicultural community potluck complete with cultural performances, kids activities and of course food! Dunedin Refugee Centre …

Hundreds more homes in North East Valley are now eligible for FREE ceiling and underfloor insulation from the government! HUNDREDS MORE homes in North East Valley have become eligible for installation of free ceiling and underfloor insulation and a vapour barrier as the government extends the ‘warm-up zones’ to include more areas. The Warmer Kiwi Homes insulation subsidies are available to home owner-occupiers who live in a designated warm-up zone. Home owner-occupiers who have a community services card or a Gold Card with community services card endorsements are eligible regardless of where they live. Warm-up zones extended Previously parts …