No. 66 – 7 September 2007

When a Child or Family Needs Help – How can you tell?

Child abuse is happening right under our noses and adults are not taking enough action to stop it. Children rely on adults to take action, but do you know what to do?

Copies of a new book called “How Can I Tell?” are available free for RWNZ groups or individuals from CPS, a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to making NZ society a safe and nurturing place for children. This book will help people recognize when a child or family needs help.

It’s not about telling tales or being a nosy neighbour. One child dies every five weeks at the hands of someone who should have been caring for them and more than 180 children receive hospital treatment each week for preventable injuries. This booklet aims to turn those statistics around.

As a society we feel the effects of the trauma of child abuse through increased health and mental health costs, increased educational costs, increased policing costs and loss of future productivity in the workplace.

“How can I tell?” provides basic information on how to recognize situations where children may be living with violence and abuse. This book also tells you how to take action including offering help, getting professional support and reporting concerns.

If you would like a copy of the book, email hayley@cps.org.nz. You will need to supply a stamped self addressed envelope (A4 or A5 size), and donations to CPS are appreciated. The book has been made possible through local sponsorship by two Hamilton businesses. It is hoped to provide free copies to every school, ECE centre, sports club and health centre around the country.

CPS is also the leading provider of NZQA accredited training in child protection education, particularly geared to professionals who work with children.

Leptospirosis campaign funds boost
Our fundraising campaign to help tackle the most common notified workplace disease in this country is continuing to build, with donations from other organizations also much appreciated. Last month we received funds from Central Livestock Limited from the sale of a beast that was kindly donated by the McLachlan Family of Taupo, and purchased at well over market value. Central Livestock Limited conducted the sale of the beast for no cost at the Taupo Cattle Sale. Central Livestock also ran a sweepstake to guess the weight of the beast.

Access Homehealth seminars
Access Homehealth CEO Graeme Titcombe and Board member Margaret Millard will be hosting “Working Together” seminars, and all RWNZ members are invited to attend, especially those involved with liaison groups, or anyone with an interest in home healthcare. The one day events will include morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea. Venues/dates:
Stratford – Tuesday 18 September – email rondale@xtra.co.nz
Nelson – Monday 24 September – email dlusby@tasman.net
Rotorua – Friday 16 November – email rusty_wendy@xtra.co.nz

Hear about the state of the home healthcare industry now and going forward, RWNZ’s role and the path to the future.

Secondary School Boarding Bursaries
Applications close on 30 September. For further information go to the Rural Women NZ website www.ruralwomen.org. This is open to non-members as well as members.

Consultation on potential options for electricity supply to remote rural
Section 62 of the Electricity Act 1992 is being reviewed. Section 62 provides that electricity lines companies must maintain services to connections established as at 1 April 1993. The section expires on 31 March 2013 and from this date, is deemed to be repealed. Lines built after April 1993 are not affected by the clause.
The objective of the review is to consider what new arrangements, if any, should be put in place to ensure that affected communities continue to have access to electricity supply after 2013 that is efficient, fair, reliable and delivered in an environmentally sustainable manner.
The review is being led by the Electricity Group, Energy and Communications Branch, Ministry of Economic Development.
If you wish to view a copy of the Discussion Document or Terms of Reference go to http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/ContentTopicSummary____25527.aspx.
RWNZ will be making a submission. If you wish to comment, please contact Noeline.holt@ruralwomen.org.nz. Submissions close on Friday 28 September.

Review of Telecommunications Service Obligations (TSO)
The Government is reviewing the TSO, including the Kiwishare obligations that provide for free local calling.
The discussion document canvasses the following main issues:
• what aspects of TSO local telephone service need updating to take into account new technology, user expectations and market changes;
• in the light of experience, the case for changing the way that the Local Service TSO Provider is compensated, including whether to introduce contestability for determining who can access TSO subsidy funding for supplying service;
• how should price changes be applied and who should be eligible for TSO local service;
• what emergency call service requirements should apply going forward and the case for placing these into a separate TSO;
• assessing the merits of introducing a broadband TSO to address shortfalls in the availability of broadband services in rural areas.
Submissions are due to the Ministry of Economic Development no later than 5.00pm 28 September 2007. For further information go to http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/StandardSummary____296.aspx .
RWNZ will be making a submission. If you wish to comment contact Noeline.holt@ruralwomen.org.nz

Meat and Wool NZ Reports and Publications
New reports and publications available from Meat & Wool include:
Land & Environmental Planning Resource Pack
R & D Brief 129 – Accelerated Lambing system (73 days rotation)
Hawke’s Bay High Performance Farming Systems Annual Conference (proceedings)
Bovine Viral Diarrhoea Resources
Meat and Wool Monitor Farm Resource Kit (hard copy only)
Poukawa Calf Rearing Manual
Lamb Rearing Information

Farmer initiated technology transfer projects (FITT):
Clove root weevil parasitoid release in Nelson
Total water management on farm – Tararua Monitor Farm
The use of electronic identification as a tool in beef breeding cow herds Gisborne-Wairoa Beef Council
Profitability of summer forage crops – South Canterbury Under 40s discussion group

For all the above publications/reports contact liz.russell@meatandwoolnz.com.

Other : AgResearch staff are also looking for several sheep flocks for a lamb survival genetics study out of Invermae. Contact Julie.everett-hincks@agresearch.co.nz.

Safety Vests
Mary of Otewa Branch has information about a supply of safety vests for schools. If any branch is interested in safety vests as a project contact Mary on bizykiwi@xtra.co.nz

Growing Old Gracefully
The best way to grow old will be studied as part of a pilot project coordinated by the University of Auckland. Maori over 75 and non-Maori over 85 is the fastest growing age group and set to double over the next five years. Funded by the Health Research Council the study will look at what factors can be used to predict successful advanced aging. The scientists are looking for one hundred older people from diverse living situations to complete a detailed questionnaire asking about health, social, medical, functional, economic and psychological factors and to undertaken a range of physical performance tests. Enrolment in the study begins this month through primary health care providers. If you are interested in participating, contact Karen Hayman (09) 373 7599 extension 86574.

Positive Ageing Expo – Pukekohe
Over 1,000 people attended this event last year, so another is planned for 5 October 2007. RWNZ is taking a stall, so if you happen to be in Pukekohe go along and wave the flag.

Environmentally friendly searching on the web
It is said that a black screen on our computers would save large amounts of energy, compared with searching via a white screen. Check out www.blackle.com or www.blackle.co.nz.

Occupational Health in Agriculture – Injury and Health
Researchers in the Injury Prevention Research Unit at University of Otago are commencing a national telephone survey of farmers, farm workers and their families to identify what currently puts farmers at risk of injury and to generate a comprehensive understanding of current occupational health issues in agriculture. Farms will be randomly selected and will receive a letter inviting participation in the phone survey. To find out more contact Kirsten.lovellock@otago.ac.nz.

Plunket Annual Appeal
‘Everyone deserves to be a Plunket baby’ is the theme for this year’s annual appeal from 13-21 October. Donations can be made at ANZ branches or for details of text or phone donations go to the Plunket website www.plunket.org.nz.

No Complaints Covenants
What happens if you subdivide some of your farmland and then your new neighbours object to an existing activity that happens on your farm? This is known as “reverse sensitivity” and can lead to expensive and unhappy disputes.
One commonly used way of protecting yourself against a complaint being made is by the use of a ‘no complaints covenant’ also known as ‘rural emanations easement’. This can be registered on your certificate of title and the title for the small holding if you obtain resource consent to subdivide. The covenant is in favour of one property (ie your farm) and as well as protecting you from complaints can also be a useful way of putting potential buyers of the small holding on notice of the types of activities undertaken on your farm.

RERG
Congratulations to Jacky Stafford, our national finance chair, who was recently re-elected for an unprecedented fifth time as chair of the Rural Education Reference Group, a high level group that brings together representatives of all rural education sectors from pre-school to tertiary. The group meets in Wellington several times a year and meets with the Minister of Education and his officials from time to time to air and share concerns about education policy impacts on rural.

Women’s Affairs
The Minister of Women’s Affairs will be hosting two forums this month to discuss issues for women and report on progress on the Action Plan for New Zealand Women. You are most welcome to attend. Please RSVP to Pat Duncan on (04) 916 5812 or email pat@mwa.govt.nz with numbers for catering/seating purposes
Venues:
Wellington : Copthorne Hotel Plimmer Towers 4 to 5.30pm Monday 17 September
Waitakere City: Lincoln Green Hotel, Henderson Monday 3 to 4.30pm 24 September.

NZ Book Month
September is NZ Book Month. Out of this comes The Six Pack Two an annual anthology of six pieces of new writing published to celebrate NZ Book Month. Three complimentary copies have been donated to every secondary school and public library in the country. There are 150 book related events happening all over the country from 3-30 September celebrating NZ books and writers. Visit www.nzbookmonth.co.nz.

Rapid Response Teams
Do you have expertise or opinions to share on our main portfolio areas of Land issues, Social issues, Health issues and Education issues? RWNZ makes submissions on a range of topics in these areas where they affect rural communities. The response time for submissions is often short, therefore we use Rapid Response Teams to provide feedback and input for our submissions. If you would like to join any (or all) of the four rapid response teams, please contact Noeline.holt@ruralwomen.org.nz.

Valuable Volunteers
Statistics New Zealand has published a report “The Non-Profit Institutions Satellite Account Report” that puts an economic value on the contribution of non-profit institutions and unpaid volunteers.
The result may come as no surprise to many of our members, who put in so much voluntary work on behalf of rural communities, but it’s good to see volunteer contributions recognized.
The report shows that non-profit institutions account for a similar percent of GDP as the Tourism sector (4.8%) and unpaid volunteers contribute at least $3 billion to the economy, or the equivalent of 133,799 unpaid full time positions.

Varroa Update
MAF Biosecurity surveillance completed in July has confirmed that varroa has not spread outside of the controlled area at the top of the South Island. MAFBNZ is continuing to run free workshops in the South Island to help beekeepers recognize and manage varroa. Movement control conditions and the location of control points within the controlled area are currently being reviewed and beekeepers will be advised of any changes.

Let there be Light
NZ Daylight Saving is to commence on Sunday 30 September and will end on 6 April.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS
11th September North Waikato Fed Farmers are hosting a Meet the Candidates meeting. Trinity Church, Huntly. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
14 September – Kaipara Provincial Raly Day at the Waitoki Hall. 10.30am with guest speakers. All welcome. Email lynda.wright@clear.net.nz
17 September – Wanganui Women in Farming Dog Training Day 10.30am at 524 Long Acre Road, Wanganui. Eric Forsyth will be tutoring. Eric has spent his life amongst sheepdogs initially on large stations on the East Coast and more recently out of Wanganui. Demonstrations, advice. Bring your dog if you wish, and something for a shared lunch
18 September – Central Taranaki Provincial hosting a Meet the Candidates of the District Health Board at the Memorial Hall, Stratford. 7.30pm.
18th September - Matamata District Fed Farmers are hosting a Meet the Candidates meeting. Tainui Room, Matamata Memorial Hall. 7.30 p.m.
18 September – Disease Awareness Evening – Canterbury Provincial at West Melton Hall (Leptospirosis, Campylobactor, Brucellosis). Presentations from vets and scientists. Tel: Bev Blanche (03) 325 6262 email blanchy@xtra.co.nz
19 September – Stratford District Council – meet the candidates two sessions 1pm and 7.30pm.
21 September – Nelson Provincial “have a go” fun day. At Brightwater Public Hall from 9.30am. Workshops on gift wrapping, card making, table decorations, downsizing your garden, writing for newspapers and newsletters, recording special occasions, floral art demo, speakers on nutrition and fashion. Members of the public welcome. Registrations required by 7 September to Bev Oakly (03) 5444 731 or email Diane Higgins randdhiggins@ts.co.nz. Entry fee $4 and a small fee for materials for some workshops.
27 September – Central Otago Women in Agribusiness – Agricultural Chemicals and Sprays with speakers from Agribusiness, Otago Regional Council, ACC and HortResearch. Email: Margaret Pittaway: lochlea@xtra.co.nz
15 October – World Rural Women’s Day – Maheno Hall, North Otago, 9.30am – Speakers: Lorraine Martin from Victoria, Australia, internationally recognized for teaching of swimming to preschoolers; Christine Fernyhough, philanthropist and owner of Castle Hill Station; Ele Ludemann, Freelance journalist, Spanish teacher, farm owner. Visit to Joan Elder's garden and entertainment by Tokarahi Choir. Stalls and raffle. Tel: J McIlraith (03) 436 0694.
15 October – World Rural Women’s Day – Waikato Provincial celebration in Hamilton. More details to follow.
16 October – Forest Reserve Branch Beef & Lamb Demo with Ambassador Chef Breton Low from Whangarei. 1pm, at home of Geraldine Taylor, Tomarata Farms, Cemetery Road, nr Wellsford. Tickets $30 for RWNZ members, $35 non members. This includes wine and nibbles. All welcome. Contact Geraldine (09) 431 4909 or email ric.alpe@xtra.co.nz
16 October – West Melton celebrating 70 years with lunch at West Melton Hall. Past members welcome. Tel: Bev Blanche (03) 325 6262 or email blanchy@xtra.co.nz
19 October – Taranaki World Rural Women’s Day event. Guest speaker Annabelle White. Dinner. $25 members, $30 non members. 6.30pm. Tel: Margaret Vickers (06) 762 8845. Email r.m.vickers@xtra.co.nz
16 October – World Rural Women’s Day – Theme “The right to food: rural women produce and provide”
16 October – Northland Beef and Lamb Demo with Brenton Low at Geraldine Taylor’s, Cemetery Road, Tomarata. Tel: Judith Williams (09) 422 0181 or email bohemia@infogen.co.nz.
19 October – Stratford Taranaki . World Rural Women’s Day after dinner speaker, renowned cook author and food editor, Annabelle White. Fingerfood dinner at 7pm. Entertainment at 8pm. Contact Rachael Dean: gwwservices@inspire.net.nz
23 October – Kaipara Provincial Fashion Parade at Ballantynes . 6.30pm. Tel: Lynda Wright (09) 422 5892 or email lynda.wright@clear.net.nz.
26 October – Wanganui Provincial Fashion Parade – Leptospirosis fundraiser. 6.30pm, Venue vet club rooms on Somme Parade Wanganui. $15 includes supper.
12 November – Waipa King Country Viva La Vista garden party. Te Taunga Farm, Pukeatua. 11am to 2.30pm Guest speaker, entertainment. Raffles, tickets $15 (includes lunch). Bring a chair and liquid refreshments. Silver coin trail for Lepto fundraising.
12-13 March 2008 – Region 6 Regional Conference, Otarahanga, Waipa King Country. Theme “Conquering the Challenge”.

ends

© Scoop Media