Latest news with #CraigheadDiocesanSchool
Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Recognition thought to be a hoax
Timaru Mayor Nigel Bowen (left) and businessman Gary Rooney officially open Fraser Park. PHOTO: CONNOR HALEY Waimate's Gary Rooney was so surprised to be included in the King's Birthday Honours List he thought it was all a hoax. The well-known businessman was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (for services to business and philanthropy). "I thought it was a joke, a hoax email," he said. "I feel extremely privileged, I certainly did not expect this at all. We just work quietly behind the scenes to better the communities we are present in." Mr Rooney started his earthmoving business in 1976 with a single bulldozer. "I wanted to be a farmer and buy a farm and the only way to do that was by being a contractor. "We bought a farm, then had to continue to be a contractor to pay the interest and it's been a lifetime of hard work to be where we are today." The Rooney Group now employs more than 300 people across multiple divisions including earthmoving, pipe and cable laying, transportation and farming. His work in irrigation scheme construction has made a significant impact, including the Rangitata South scheme which irrigates 13,000ha on the South Canterbury plains. He encourages natural fauna regeneration and has pioneered the development of a rock fish screen, designed to prevent salmon smolt from entering irrigation schemes. He has been a driving force behind numerous transformative community projects in the region, including the $8million redevelopment of Timaru's Fraser Park and the revitalisation of Waimate, including investment in a medical centre and the restoration of Quinn's Arcade. He has supported the local foodbank with three months of funding and has set up several scholarships for young athletes. After the Christchurch earthquakes, his support was integral in the design and build of the new gymnasium and other facilities at Timaru's Craighead Diocesan School. "What motivates me is watching people and communities grow, it's important to give back to the community. "I'm very grateful to a number of people and staff," he said.
Otago Daily Times
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Craighead to give 'em Elle
Natalie Holland (centre), 16, will be taking on the role of Elle Woods in the musical Legally Blonde. PHOTOS: CONNOR HALEY Harvard's beloved blonde is set to take Craighead's Turley Auditorium by glittery pink storm. Craighead Diocesan School students will share the fabulously funny story of Elle Woods in staging Legally Blonde The Musical JR next week. Director Lucy Bradley said she selected Legally Blonde as the musical as she wanted something upbeat and that would keep the girls engaged. "I think for a lot of these girls, they haven't necessarily had that upbringing in musical theatre, especially not the classics. "Doing something that was maybe a bit more relevant to them, and with Y2K being such a prominent fashion accessory at the moment to them, I thought it would be a really fun one that would get as many girls involved as possible. "We've got a cast of 50 students from year 8 to 13." She said a lot of the students were not aware of the musical or the film. "A lot of them had not heard of it — [though] I think for the drama girls, in inverted commas, it was quite a well-known one. Quite a few said they thought they had seen it on TikTok. Performing a choreographed number are Delta Nu members (from left) Katelyn Valentine, 14, Maddy Smith, 15, Mea Still, 15, Olivia McLachlan, 14, Elsie Evans, 15, and Emily Jones, 13. "In terms of them understanding it, I think it's a really important one to do at a girls' school. Elle Woods is such an underestimated character due to her looks, due to her gender and the perceived notions of who she is. "How she is able to break through that barrier and that stereotype is quite an important message to put out to our girls as well as the audience." Mrs Bradley said the audience could expect a lot of energy and a lot of pink. "There will be excellent vocals, excellent choreography and a very engaging storyline. Hopefully they'll leave with the morals, values and lessons the musical promotes." Student Mea Still said she had enjoyed being a part of the production. "It's been really fun getting to know lots of girls from other year groups, doing some really cool things and learning about what it's like to work as a team. "I was never really into drama as such but I came to Craighead and did the last production and now I'm taking drama as a subject." Student Emily Jones said there had been a lot of laughs and good times working on the show. "I was so quick to put my hand up to audition because I knew it would be such a blast and ever since then I've absolutely loved it. Every time I saw a rehearsal on the schedule I'd be like, 'yay'. "I've just loved working with teachers and people. It is going to be an amazing show to watch." Performances will take place at 7pm on May 14, 15 and 16 — doors will open at 6.30pm. Tickets can be purchased from the iticket website and are $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, students with ID and children 12 and under. Door sales will be available.
