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West Australian
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Whilst it's no Lonely Mountain, Manjimup's local dragon now has a den of its own
While Manjimup is no Lonely Mountain, its local dragon now has a den of its own. A Lotterywest grant has given Blackwood D&D Winterfest's 2m-long dragon mascot Geoffrey a new home — a sea container organisers were able to purchase with the funds to house the medieval beast. Along with storing Geoffrey, organisers now have a secure place to keep their props and decorations for their Dungeons and Dragons adventures hosted each year. Winterfest president Glenn Turner said the project had been two years in the making to aid the event, which was established in 2018 and brings hundreds of Dungeons & Dragons players to Bridgetown. Last year more than 500 tickets for the two-day event were sold, amassing over more than 300 hours of game play. This year the event is taking place over July 19 and 20 at the Bridgetown Agricultural Showgrounds, with the main game sessions in Centenary Hall and Rowan Hall. The event is inviting players to contribute to regular sessions as well as short-45 minute one-shot games giving those new to the game an opportunity to dip their toes into the event. Mr Turner said the grant would also fund heating for Centenary Hall, as well as contributing to expenses for the more than 70 volunteers who make the event happen. 'We're a not-for-profit organisation and their generosity means we can make the event even bigger and better for everyone,' he said. 'We're always thankful for the Agricultural Society's enthusiastic support of Winterfest. 'They have generously offered space to store our sea container, nice and close to the venue. We can't thank them and Lotterywest enough for their support.' D&D Winterfest's founder Emily Smith said the games weren't only limited to the Winterfest event, with monthly D&D games played for locals at Rowan Hall. 'Having regular game sessions like this is a perfect chance for curious locals to come and try their hand,' she said. 'Dungeons & Dragons is a great social activity which fosters co-operation and problem-solving. 'Players all control how the story of each game session plays out — there are no winners and losers, and it's also a lot of fun.' For more information or to book tickets, visit .
NZ Herald
26-04-2025
- General
- NZ Herald
Pastures Past: Hawke's Bay ploughing matches under fire in 1881
Ploughing Matches Hawke's Bay Herald, September 6, 1881 By a majority of one the committee of the Agricultural Society has resolved not to hold any ploughing matches in future, giving, instead, grants of money to local Ploughing Match Societies. The annual ploughing matches have hitherto almost been the only connecting link between the Society and agricultural pursuits, and the suggestion of a member at a recent meeting, that the word 'agricultural' should be erased from the title of the Society might now well be adopted. We trace the abolition of the ploughing matches to the jealousy of local ploughing associations. Taradale did not like the Society's matches to be held in Hastings, so Mr Bennett proposed to get rid of them altogether. We are far from undervaluing the work done by the local Waipawa and Taradale Ploughing Match Societies. They have been well supported and energetically conducted, but, after all, they are purely local affairs. The A. and P. Society's matches, on the other hand, were an attraction to ploughmen from all parts of the provincial district; the champion there could fairly claim to be the champion of Hawke's Bay. It was in this direction that the Society's matches had a special value, and it is for this reason that we regret to see their abolition. Electric ploughing New Zealand Herald, March 2, 1925 An English paper says:— Electric ploughing, even for small fields, has now reached a stage at which it can be safely offered to farmers as a method which will give good ploughing service. The care of the simple electric motor is easy, and the consumption of electricity for ploughing is relatively small. For furrows 6in. deep it is 14 units per acre; 9in. furrows require 20 units, and 12in. furrows 40 units per acre. Electric ploughing is usually done by rope haulage, and hard pans are avoided. Ploughing match Patangata gathering on July 8, Entries close on Saturday Hawke's Bay Herald Tribune, July 1, 1930 The Patangata and Elsthorpe branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union will hold its fifth annual ploughing matches, dog trials and horse events on Messrs August and Sons' property, Patanagata Road, about two miles from Otane, on Wednesday, July 9. Dogs to be on the ground at 8.30 a.m. and teams at 9 a.m. Horse ploughing to commence at 9.30 a.m. and tractor ploughing at 10.30 a.m. The club will pay the train fares one way of all plough teams coming to the matches. There are two events each for horse ploughing and tractor ploughing, a class for amateur judging of ploughing, two classes in the dog trials, heading and yarding, open, and maiden events, three horse events, maiden ladies' and open leaping competitions, and a gate making competition. The programme is a very attractive one, and one which should prove of great interest to visitors as well as competitors, for it is seldom that such a varied programme is presented at one gathering. Liberal prize money and a fine lot of trophies and specials, including several challenge cups, go to make up a programme which should attract a very large number of entries in all sections. A social will be held in the Patanagata Hall in the evening.
