Latest news with #ArrowtownAutumnFestival
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Celebrating A'town's ‘Unsung Hero'
Arrowtown Preschool head teacher Jane Foster, surrounded by some of her charges, who was last week named Arrowtown Autumn Festival's 2025 Unsung Hero. PHOTO: SUPPLIED Long-serving Arrowtown Community Preschool manager Jane Foster thought she was going for a quiet dinner at the New Orleans last week. Instead, a group of costumed Arrowtown Autumn Festival committee members pounced, and promptly presented her with this year's 'Unsung Hero' award. Foster, who'll retire this year after 36 years with the preschool, says it's "lovely" to be acknowledged, "but it's not why I do it". "It's been a labour of love, and a big part of our lives, really, but when I got home and read all the lovely comments [in support of her nomination] I did get a bit teary." She joined what was Arrowtown Playcentre, established in 1970, in '88, working alongside the likes of Marion Borrell and Susie Walker, stepping into the leadership role when they retired. The committee later decided to break away and form the preschool — initially with 17 young charges — because the playcentre model "wasn't really serving the needs of the community". Foster has overseen the expansion of the preschool to two sites, on Cotter Ave and Durham St, catering to 80 children, and has been a tireless fundraiser, handywoman, lawnmower, leader, and friend. "We're so lucky here, the community are really focused on the quality, and the quality is in your staff and your teachers. They're the best resource the preschool will ever have." Foster feels privileged to belong to a community which takes responsibility for children's learning, and "looking after the preschool". But it's clear the community feels the same about her. As one testimony says, her hard work and dedication keeping the preschool as a "true community hub" — a non-profit organisation where any surplus is reinvested into learning opportunities — is no small feat. And as one of her tiny charges, aged 4, says: "Jane is the best because she loves me and she's kind. "She's mostly doing work, but she's also kind."
Otago Daily Times
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Local creatives impress judges
Hazel Alviola's winning photo of Macetown's Needhams Cottage. PHOTO: HAZEL ALVIOLA The winner of the biennial Arrowtown Photography Competition, held as part of this year's Arrowtown Autumn Festival, only started properly snapping last year. Hazel Alviola took out the overall first place with her striking black and white image, 'Needhams Cottage', in Macetown, which impressed judges Todd Weeks and Leigh Jeffery. Alviola says she's in "absolute disbelief". Entering the comp was a way to share her work with the public, "but more importantly, to prove to myself that I could do it". "[Last Friday], standing there among so many talented artists, I felt so proud." Organised by the Arrowtown Promotion and Business Association, black and white was a new category this year, along with wildlife. Due to the strength of submissions and exceptional standard, judges introduced the 'highly commended' award — that went to Martin Barwood for his stunning wildlife photo, 'White Faced Heron'. Meantime, in the Bayleys Arrowtown Autumn Fest Art Exhibition, local Jane Burdon won the $3500 premier painting award, while Jade Barclay won the $750 best local painting award, sponsored by Print Central. The Berry & Co premier applied art award went to Lynne Fellows — Angus Milne and Jenny Hill received merit awards — and Lynn Brochere Millar won the innovative use of materials in any medium award, sponsored by Millbrook Resort. The Autumn Festival Committee young artist award was won by Olivia Pickney; Arrowtown Gallery merit awards went to Tracey Morrow and Jos Browning; and the Lakes District Museum ceramics award was won by Diana Turnbull Anderson. The photos and entries in the exhibition are on display until May 18, at which time the APT Design Public Choice voting will also close.
Otago Daily Times
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Autumnal celebration draws thousands
These stilt walkers captivated the crowds during the Arrowtown Autumn Festival street parade. PHOTO: GUY WILLIAMS A glorious autumn day brought thousands of people into Arrowtown on Saturday for the high point of the township's annual autumn festival. The street parade is the signature event of the four-day festival, now in its 39th year, which started on Thursday. Festival co-ordinator Vanessa Williams said "magical" weather on all four days meant the schedule of over 40 events went without a hitch. She estimated 15,000 people packed into the township for Saturday's parade and other events, including the market day on Ramshaw Lane, providing a roaring trade for the arts, crafts and food stalls, and local cafes and restaurants. "It was a great day for the stallholders, great for local businesses and community groups raising money," Ms Williams said. Following a vintage car display on Buckingham St, free street performances kept crowds entertained for several hours, including Mullet Man and Mim and an aerial cabaret show on Library Green. The crowd came to a standstill before 2pm to watch as the street parade made its way from Wilcox Green and along Centennial Ave, Buckingham St and Ramshaw Lane. About 40 community organisations and businesses took part in the parade, including the Southern Lakes Highland Pipe Band, Lakes District Museum, Arrowtown junior rugby players riding in a Sunrise Balloons basket — which intermittently let off flames — and the cast of Showbiz Queenstown's upcoming season of Into the Woods. Adding to the cacophony of sound and colour were stilt walkers, fairies and Latin dancers, ice hockey players on rollerblades, a unicyclist, and a traction engine belching smoke and steam. The Arrowtown kea, cub and scout group won the prize for best community float, with Bush Creek Ice getting second prize. The day was capped off by a comedy show at the Athenaeum Hall.
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
After 40 years, Miner's Band play last hurrah
The Arrow Miners Band (from left) Joe Guise, Lyn Jefcoate, Peter Doyle, Barbara Kerr, Cheryl Collie and Colin Macnicol delivered their final performance at the Super Seniors High Tea, part of the Arrowtown Autumn TRACEY ROXBURGH The Arrow Miners Band have officially disbanded. Formed 40 years ago, ahead of the first Arrowtown Autumn Festival, the band chose to play their final fling at yesterday's sold-out Super Seniors High Tea, part of the entertainment of this year's festival's opening day. Festival committee member Nicola Bentley said father time had caught up with the band, and noted it was with "a massive lump in my heart and a tear in my eye", she gave them their final intro. More than 35 members had played a part in the band over the years, on instruments ranging from the piano, violin, guitar, banjo, saxophone, accordion, drums, Barry Bain's 1890 sousaphone and Les Rogerson's lagerphone — a stick with bottle tops on it. While synonymous with the autumn festival, often accompanied by the Buckingham Belles, the band had also performed at the Hokitika Wild Foods Festival, on board the TSS Earnslaw, at The Hills golf course during the New Zealand Open, and had played for the late Queen Elizabeth II. Ms Bentley said members had also rallied around Arrowtown's community and helped raise money for various initiatives, including the seismic strengthening and restoration of the Lakes District Museum, painting the Arrowtown Post Office, to cover the costs of the Buckingham Belles junior troupe, the Mini Belles, new uniforms and to restore a 1948 Austin truck, dubbed "Old Red", given to them by the late Alma and Jack Stevenson, which had now been donated to the festival. "That means that Old Red will continue to carry the memory of the Miners Band, and we can think about them for many years to come," Ms Bentley said. "We thank you so much — to you and all of your band members who have brought your memorable music to our ears over the past 40 years. "You've forged your place in the history of Arrowtown and our festival. "We will miss you dearly." An emotional Peter Doyle, a member of the band for about 35 years, paid tribute to his fellow band members, including the last remaining original player Joe Guise. "We've got some new people that have come and, unfortunately gone — we said farewell to our dear friend Archie [Flint] last week. "It's been an absolute dream playing this gig. We've loved every minute of it. "Thank you, Arrowtown, goodbye." Following the miners band's performance, other entertainment at the high tea included a special performance by the Remarkable Men's Ballet, choreographed by Claire Hazledine, fittingly, to Vivaldi's Autumn. The festival continues until Sunday.
Otago Daily Times
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Festival head-turners
Members of the Remarkable Men's Ballet, from left, Irik Anderson, Steve Kay, Jim Curry, Uan Spijkerbosch and Jake Neaves, surrounded by Arrowtown's Buckingham Belles, from left, Amanda MacPherson, Diana Cowie, Marion Vulliermet, Jacqui Elson and Heather Beard. PHOTO: TRACEY ROXBURGH It's an Arrowtown Autumn Festival first. Now in its 39th year, this year's festival — which starts today — will feature six highly-skilled (according to them) local dancers who are hell-bent on bringing the entertainment value. The Remarkable Men's Ballet troupe, traditionally only trotted out at the annual Queenstown Christmas Show, have this year been invited to perform — in their much-loved tutus — at today's Super Seniors High Tea, in the Athenaeum Hall, and as part of the lunchtime entertainment on the Buckingham Green tomorrow, between 1 and 3pm. Additionally, they'll take part in Saturday's street parade, which starts at 2pm. Autumn festival co-ordinator Vanessa Williams says she "cannot wait" to see the burly ballet boys in full flight, performing a routine, fittingly set to Vivaldi's Autumn, choreographed by Claire Hazledine. Balletman Uan Spijkerbosch is full of confidence ahead of their special performances. "We think we've got it. It's solid, it's dynamic, and we've nailed it." Williams says the weather forecast for the duration of the festival's looking great, and the leaves have turned at the perfect time. She's particularly looking forward to the Saturday events, which run from 8am till 4pm — drawcards include the market day, street parade, this year featuring about 40 entries, street entertainers and a vintage car display. Williams says she's also curious about two new events on Sunday. First up is the 'Pub Choir', at which punters can pop into the Athenaeum Hall at 3.30pm, and enjoy a pint while learning a couple of songs under the guidance of Natasha Wilson (In Harmony) and Rozy Winstone (SkyTop Children's Theatre), and then belt them out as a community chorus. Following that is the R18 'Casino Royale', at the New Orleans Hotel, at which ticket-holders can enjoy a night of gambling, food and drinks to bring the festival to a close. Williams, who's organising the festival for the first time this year, says she's "so excited" about what's to come. "I think everything's coming together swimmingly ... the only questionable factor is how many pumpkins we get in [for tomorrow's Pumpkin Comp]."
