Latest news with #Southland-wide
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Southland Football going pink
Southland Football is encouraging all players and supporters to think pink and bring the energy this Saturday, as it dedicates a special round to support breast cancer awareness. Each year, Southland Football hosts at least one charity round to support important causes in the community. In the past, charities have included the likes of Hawthorndale Care Village, Koha Kai, the Heart Foundation, and others. This Saturday, it's all about the Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand, and Southland Football is encouraging all players, coaches and supporters to get in behind the cause. Southland Football development officer Leigh Matthews said the intention behind the initiative was simple but powerful: to raise awareness and vital funds for a cause that affects thousands of women and families across Aotearoa and the world. "We want to play our part, not only in supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation NZ, but in showing what our football community can do when we rally together," he said. "The inspiration came from my time working with Football South Australia, where each season included a charity round that brought the football community together in a powerful way. I saw firsthand how impactful it was, and I felt it was something special we could bring here to Southland." So far the response from clubs Southland-wide, as well as referees, had been that of real enthusiasm and they were getting set to embrace the special round. "It's also a chance to celebrate women in sport, spotlighting healthy, active role models for our younger generations and helping promote the growth of women's football across the region, Matthews said. "I'm genuinely hopeful that we'll see plenty of pink socks, shirts, beanies and smiles around the grounds this weekend and that this is just the beginning of an annual tradition that gets bigger and more meaningful every year." Pink-themed socks and laces will be for sale on Saturday, alongside a fundraising barbecue, and there is also a raffle and a Givealittle page. Money raised will go towards breast cancer awareness and research. For Football Southland development and operations manager Iain Walker, the cause is particularly close to home, after he lost his wife Fiona to breast cancer earlier this year. "This type of cancer can be the most treatable but sadly often it's not," he said. "I won't be alone in having lost someone near and dear to me. It touches a large number of New Zealanders, as do several other forms of this disease, and therefore we need to keep pushing forward with the endless research that continues to help others. "I'd really encourage everyone to get out enjoy the day, and give what you can afford for a great cause. We have a great football community who support each other in times of need — I know that from experience, and not just my own — so this a great opportunity to keep that momentum going." Anyone who wished to could find Southland Football's fundraising page at — APL
Otago Daily Times
28-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Three Waters services to be kept in-house
The Invercargill City Council has accepted a recommendation from one of its committees to establish a council-operated enhanced service for Three Waters delivery. Infrastructure and projects committee chairman Cr Grant Dermody said the recommendation represented an important step in addressing the future needs of Invercargill. ''How we deliver Three Waters services is a once-in-a-generation decision, and its impacts will span our entire community for many years to come,'' he said in a statement. The provision of Three Waters services was one of the key issues outlined in tandem with the council's draft annual plan 2025-26. A council-operated enhanced service was the council's preferred option. It also consulted on two other options: establishing an Invercargill council-controlled organisation, and a Southland-wide council-controlled organisation. Of the 495 submissions the council received on the draft plan, 188 were about Three Waters. Three-quarters of them agreed with the preferred option. Consultation was required under central government's Local Water Done Well legislation, introduced to ensure water services nationally are finanically sustainable and effectively managed. While Invercargill was in a better position than many other local authorities, having regularly maintained its Three Waters network and invested in associated infrastructure, maintaining the status quo was no longer viable, Mr Dermody said. ''Council must draw a line in the sand, to make sure that the future of Three Waters delivery within our community is practical and fit-for-purpose for future generations,'' he said. ''As a council, we believe the most important outcome is to provide an efficient, effective service that is the most practical for our community in the long term. We also strongly believe in local decision-making.'' The council-operated enhanced service represented the second-least costly option for water services delivery for ratepayers to 2034, and in the long term was the lowest-cost option considered, Mr Dermody said. With this option, the average annual water services rate increase between 2027 and 2034 would be 6.26%, or $150 per household. All councils are required to submit their water services delivery plan to the Department of Internal Affairs by September. — APL
