What's On Mid Canterbury

  • If you are clearing out your wardrobe consider donating to St John Op Shop, Tancred St Ashburton (opposite Westpac Bank). They would appreciate any clean clothing that you may not need or want anymore. Also manchester and small furniture coffee tables, chairs, dressers, mirrors and artwork. Help them help you by raising money for Ambulances & Medical Support Staff. Collection can be arranged of larger items give them a call 307 4221.

 

  • Downsizing or Moving? Whether downsizing, moving into care or clearing out a loved one's home, the task can be daunting. Mid Canterbury Hospice can pick up and collect all unwanted items such as furniture, bedding, clothing & shoes, homeware & small appliances. All donated goods are sold with proceeds used to provide support and services to locals with a life-limiting illness. Keeping it local, the Hospice Shop on Tancred Street. Contact Janis or Nicole 3078387. 

  

  • Ashburton Vintage Car Club has their Museum and Parts Shed open every SAT 10am-12pm. You can find them at 86 Maronan Road, Tinwald. Approx 30 veteran vintage and classic cars and motorcycles from 1906 to 1970s. Plus much more motoring memorabilia on display. Parts available from the parts shed. Museum open at other times on request. Phone Les Bennett 308 4705 or 027 612 1160. 

 

  • Mid Canterbury Anglican Advocacy wants to let you know about free legal advice. The advice can be accessed via Zoom calls with lawyers from the CHCH based Community Law Canterbury. Advice topics include consumer, traffic offences, employment or tenancy disputes and more. Each session is 55mins. The appointments are held at Community House on Cass Street. Book an appointment by contacting co-ordinator Warren James at Community House, or visit the Community Law Canterbury website.  

  

  • Need to get into Ashburton from around the district? Have no transport or don't drive anymore? The Mid Canterbury Connector, run by Mid Canterbury Community Vehicle Trust, is a service that runs on demand 5 days a week for passengers who may be going to appointments in town or just wanting to get out of home for a while. The cost for passengers is low. For example, a return trip from Methven to Ashburton is just $15. Door to door service with friendly, volunteer drivers. For more and to book call 03 928 8164. You can also find Mid Canterbury Connector on Facebook.  The connector is also looking for more volunteer drivers for hours that suit them between 9am-4:30pm Monday to Friday. Training is provided. If you can help call Lesley 027 5866 556. 

 

  • Litter Free Ashburton holds its group litter collection on the second THURS of each month, meeting 1:30pm on the corner of SH1 and Havelock Street near the former library. It is looking for more members. If you can help, please inquire via the Litter Free Ashburton FB page or simply turn up at the meeting. Resources supplied. 

 

  • Winter Euchre is on at Waireka Croquet Clubrooms in The Domain (off Phillip Street) each WED. Play starts 1:30pm, $4 entry fee. Afternoon tea provided. Come and enjoy a pleasant afternoon in warm surroundings with like minded people. For more call Raylene 027 348 8788. 

 

  • Tappin in Tinwald! Come along for tap dancing classes every SAT at St Andrew's Hall from 11:30am, just $7. Come on down even just to see if it's something you might like to do. Any age and stage. Fun guaranteed. 

 

  • If drumming in a pipe band interests you, now is a great chance to take it up. The Ashburton Pipe Band is currently looking for new members. The band practices MON nights, 7pm at the band’s hall on Creek Rd, opposite Ashburton College. It's a great hobby for all ages, male and female.

 

  • Ashburton MSA Pétanque Club invites you to join on a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday 1pm at 115 Racecourse Road. Equipment and tuition available.

 

  • Safer Mid Canterbury has launched a campaign to help raise money to buy winter jackets and firewood to help former refugees in Mid Canterbury stay warm this winter. A Givealittle page has been set up, with the goal of raising $6500. A link to the page can be found on the Safer Mid Canterbury Facebook page. 

 

  • Got a new TV and don't know what to do with your old one? The Refugee Settlement Service are taking donations of TVs for our newest families. Preferably TVs that can sit on a table and take a Chromecast. Please txt / call Wendy on 027 244 7127 or email [email protected].

 

  • Canterbury West Coast Air Rescue Trust is calling on Mid Canterbury artisans, passionate gardeners, or a small business owner with unique products to book a stall for the Rakaia Garden Fete. To be held at 282 Awaroa School Rd, Dorie. The fete is on November 21. Contact airrescue.co.nz/rakaia-garden-fete/

 

  • Groups, organisations or schools making a difference in communities, cultural and societal causes are encouraged to apply for the 2024 Canon Oceania Grants programme. It is open to support groups, schools, clubs across education, community, environment and cultural categories. More information visit canon.co. nz/about-canon/community/grants 

 

  • Ashburton College is after more adult driving mentors to help students gain their drivers licence. The Youth Driver Mentor Programme matches fully licenced mentors with students who have their learner licences. The mentors coach and teach safe driving practice to help the students pass their restricted. Students go out twice a week for an hour with the mentor to learn skills and self confidence. Across 12 weeks. They have use of the programme's automatic car and fuel as well as full training. Studies show 70% of jobs require a licence. Anyone interested can email Anne Sheehan at [email protected] or Abbey Bruce [email protected]. 

 

  • We’re being asked to walk, run, ride or ski in August in support of the Westpac Rescue Chopper. The first ever Back to Base Challenge is asking us to get active and cover a suggested distance the helicopters cover regularly. From a 9km challenge, which is the distance from Christchurch Hospital helipad back to base at the Christchurch Airport, up to 155km, the distance from Timaru Hospital to Christchurch Hospital and back to base. One spokesperson Rick Knight said skiers may want to do 97km, which is the distance from Mt Hutt to Christchurch Hospital and back to base. In essence the distance isn’t the important part it’s the fundraising as every dollar counts for this vital service. The heli costs on average $5000 per call out. I spot the challenge already has local farmers Bruce Kell, David Keeley, Willy Leferink and Warren Harris on board. No strangers to supporting this cause. Two years ago they called themselves the Rescue Warriors and cycled the length of the country raising more than $100,000. Sheesh talk about setting the bar high! This year is also doubling as training for their Tour Aotearoa 2026. You can find more and sign up for the Back to Base Challenge at http://airrescue.co.nz/back-to-base 

 

  • The Mid Canterbury Rural Support Trust is looking for a new trustee. This to replace Allan Baird, one of the trust’s founding member who stepped down at the AGM in May. They could also do with some more  ‘friends of the Rural Support Trust’ - these being people who can help with fencing, evacuating stock and more in a crisis. To find out more about becoming a trustee or ‘friend’, Jo Cook the one to chat with jo.cook @ruralsupport.org.nz. 

 

  • Farm Source have teamed up with Hospice Mid Canterbury to run a rural based fundraiser to support Hospice’s work with Mid Cantabrians who have a life limiting illness. They are looking for donations of calves. To find out more or register interest contact Nicole at Hospice on 0276 090 674, [email protected] or hospicemc.nz/news-andresources/. 

 

  • Signs Past exhibition on now until September at the Ashburton Museum. Includes a selection of signage collected by the Ashburton Museum & Historical Society since the late 1950s, highlighting changing use of skills and methods over the past 70 years. Free entry. 

 

  • Ashburton Art Gallery Committee has fundraising notebooks for sale, featuring pieces from the gallery's collection. A great gift idea unique to our area. Notebooks can be purchased through the Gallery Shop for $30, or $25 by contacting Denise on 027 408 2372. 

 

  • Ashburton Society of Arts annual exhibition on now at the Ashburton Art Gallery until FRI 26 JULY. Works from Mid Canterbury and further afield in a variety of media, all available to purchase. Guest artists include Brian Baxter, David Lloyd, Galina Kim, Lynda Scott, Sara Beal, Silversmiths Guild and Stewart Nimmo. Free entry. 

 

  • United Netball Club is hosting its 50th celebration on FRI 26 JULY, 7pm at Kelly's Bar. $20 a ticket for entry, BYO drinks. Come along, reminisce and celebrate. Anyone with any affiliation to the club is more than welcome. 

 

  • Mid Canterbury Club Rugby Finals Day SAT 27 JULY at the Showgrounds. Starts 11am with the Womens Final Celtic Sea Snakes vs Rakaia/Methven, then Senior B Methven v Southern 12:45pm, and of course the Watters Cup on the line for Methven or Southern as they meet 2:45pm. $10 on the gate from midday, under 17s free. Bring some cash for the food trucks and make a day of it!  

 

  • After 6 years, Allenton Rugby Club is back with another 'Night at the Races' on SAT 27 JUL. There's 8 new pre-recorded races to bet your $1000 'funny money' on, followed by a range of auctions to bet your pooled winnings together with your friends. Throughout the night there's also a great range of auctions to excite all. The clubrooms doors open at 7pm, and the first race screens on the big screen at 7.30pm. $40 tickets are available at the bar or through a players family. All the funds raised will be directed towards the bathrooms upgrade inside the clubhouse. The $80,000 project has been kindly supported by the Lion Foundation with a grant of $25,000 and the Ashburton District Council granting $5,000 but were needing a super night to help us get closer to the target. Last time was a blast and we know this one will be too!! Find more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/s/a-night-at-the-races/7281883785244816/

 

  • Ashburton Model Aero Club is hosting a Have a Go Fly Day on SUN 28 JUL at Harris Scenic Reserve - 409 Lovetts Road (off Maronan Road). 10am-Noon. Dual control radio planes, flight simulator and instructors on offer. Gold coin donation. Find more and register via the Clubs Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2071539316253674. 

 

  • Men's Netball returns to EA Networks Centre SUN 28 JUL at 1pm. Mid Canterbury Netball have organised two sessions, the second on SUN 4 AUG. All abilities welcome, no cost. 

 

  • Make your pawsome pal an SPCA calendar star.  Pets of the Year is an annual fundraising calendar featuring our pet cats and dogs. Aside from showing off your furry friends to the world, your entries raise vital funds to help the SPCA rescue, rehabilitate and rehome thousands of animals each year. Entries that raise $150 or more are guaranteed a spot in the calendar. Entries close SUN 28 JULY. To enter go to https://petsoftheyear.spca.nz/ 

 

  • Cardiac Kids Club Mid Canterbury is hosting a community Mental Health and Wellbeing Workshop on SAT 3 AUG, 8am to 3.30pm. West End Hall, Timaru. It's free! Speakers will cover a diverse range of topics to support the mental wellness of babies, children, teens, and their families. Including Lisa Tamati - Wellness Coach and Motivational Speaker, Leigh Lawless - Counsellor and Child Centred Play Therapist, Marie Froud - Brainwave Aoraki, Pam Allan - Physiotherapist, Kathy Campbell - Mental Health at Arowhenua Marae Services, Penny and Pam Halvorsen - Locally born Heart Adult and her mother. This workshop isn't just about gaining knowledge; it's about fostering a supportive community where everyone feels empowered to prioritise their mental wellbeing. Registration is required. Find more on Cardiac Kids Club Mid and South Canterbury Facebook Page. Can also contact [email protected] or Nicky on 027 426 6209.

 

  • Parkrun is starting in Ashburton SAT 3 AUG, 8am on Walnut Ave through our stunning Domain. They are looking for volunteers to help run this community event. They need people in a variety of roles including: photographers, first timer welcome, time keepers, pre event course check, course marshals, tail walkers, report writers, barcode scanners, finisher tokens, warm up leaders, course setup and close down. If you are interested or would like to find out more send Brendon Adam a PM on Facebook, or email [email protected]. Run, walk, volunteer!!

 

  • Ashburton Silver Band Winter Warm Up Concert is on SUN 4 AUG at Ashburton Event Centre, 2pm start. Featuring the Ashburton Silver Band together with Dance Worx, Allenton School Choir, Ashburton Intermediate Kapa Haka Group, Ashburton Pipe Band, Variety Theatre and Chloe Graham. Tickets just $20 (plus booking fee). Find more and book through the venue or call 027 260 5387. 

 

  • The South Island Half Marathon (and 1/6 marathon) is back SUN 4 AUG at Lake Hood. Enjoy amazing water views alongside some of the most amazing home and garden settings and reserves in the South Island. South Island Half Marathon will cater for all runners; whether you’re a beginner or an elite. This fast-flat course will give you the opportunity to do one of the fastest half’s you’ve ever done. There will be a walking section in both the ½ and 1/6 marathon, plus the Hybrid in the 1/2 marathon - "This allows you to run a bit and walk a bit". With the Kidz Dash being a 1.5km run, this giving them a flavour of the experience of running at the lake and subdivision. The Minimum age for the Half Marathon is 13-years of age on Race Day and the 7km is 10-years of age on Race Day. Half Marathon - Run, Walk or Hybrid, 7km - Run or Walk and 1500m - Kidz Dash. Enter now at www.southislandhalfmarathon.co.nz. When you enter you can Donate/Fundraise for the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Make a difference today. All Finishers in the Half Marathon are automatically in the Draw to WIN the Mystery Time Draw of $5,000. Finish in the same time as drawn before the start.   

 

  • Mid Canterbury rugby clubs can apply for support with club upgrades through Bunnings Rugby Assist. The annual programme helps maintain facilities vital to operation. It has supported 40 clubs with a share of $900,000 of products and labour since launching in 2021. Ten clubs will be selected to each receive $30,000 worth of support to improve their club. There has been one winner in Mid Canterbury in the past, Ashburton Celtic Rugby Club, which received $30,000 in the Inaugural year of Bunnings Rugby Assist in 2021, to upgrade their facilities. Applications, via provincial.rugby/ bunnings-rugby-assist, close SUN 4 AUG. 

 

  • Te Wairua O Maata Waka Hangi Fundraiser is on SAT 10 AUG. Hangi meal $20, steam pudding and custard $5 and fry bread $5. This is fundraising for AshColls Kapahaka Group "Te Wairua o Maata Waka" to attend the Flava Festival in Timaru in September. They won it last year and hoping to do the same again this year. Limited to 200 orders. Place yours with Nikki 021 373 741 or email [email protected]. Orders to be collected from Hampstead All Sports Grounds on Bridge Street 2pm.  

 

  • Unlock a world of career opportunities! The Mid Canterbury Career Fest is on SAT 24 AUG, 10am-2pm at Hampstead Sports Grounds. The whole family is invited to explore a range of career paths. This event promises to connect the community with local businesses and new career prospects, a little different from the Youth and Careers Exchange in 2021. It’s hoped the expo will be highly interactive, with a range of live demonstrations, workshops and 'hands-on' activities. Exhibitors will include small and large machinery firms, plumbers, builders, electricians, mechanics, journalists, musicians, broadcasters, contractors, emergency services, and various agri services such as drone flying, GPS providers and Dairy NZ. A range of family activities are also planned, including crazy bikes for younger kids, interactive 'hands-on' job exhibits, a DJ booth, and a barbecue. Entry is FREE! Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to unlock your potential and get inspired about your future. Exhibitors - We still have some spots - Showcase your businesses - To find out more go to https://mailchi.mp/.../mid-canterbury-career-fest... 

 

  • Ashburton Playcentre invites all past, present, and new families to join their 50th jubilee celebrations on SAT 28 SEPT. Since 1941, they've been play experts, creating memories for generations. Join the fun at Ashburton Playcentre from 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Morning Tea Provided. RSVP to [email protected] or contact Amanda at 027 9078820. Families are welcome! Let’s celebrate together and continue the legacy of good clean fun. 

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