New bites

On track for fun in Franklin

MR Motorcycles 2012 motocross series gets into gear on April 29 (Mercer) and May 13 (Mangatawhiri).

The quick-fire races will consist of four to five laps, with at least four races per class, and will be held on rolling and flat crop paddock tracks. No competition
licence is required.

Suitable for the entire family, the series offers serious fun for mini, junior and senior riders and spectators alike. Proceeds from the series will go to Pukekawa and Mangatawhiri schools.

Visit www.mrmotorcycles.co.nz for details.

Healthy opportunity

Health professionals with an interest in the rural sector are invited to apply for the Rural Women NZ & Access Homehealth 2012 scholarship.

National president Liz Evans says the $3000 scholarship is aimed at helping the successful applicant further his or her studies. “Given our rural focus, we are particularly keen to support someone who has an interest in providing health or disability services in rural communities,” Ms Evans says.

Preference will be given to applicants who are studying at post-graduate level. Last year the scholarship went to an intensive care paramedic and emergency helicopter crew member from Gisborne and was used to assist her in becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

Applications close on July 1, 2012. For more information visit: www.ruralwomen.org.nz or www.access.org.nz.

In step with rural women worldwide

Next week rural women around the country will leave their ‘gummies’ by the backdoor, pull on their walking shoes and set out to walk the length of New Zealand, albeit in short stages.

Their aim is to raise funds for projects which will help rural women in developing countries step beyond the poverty line.

Rural Women New Zealand national president, Liz Evans, says RWNZ has embraced the challenge to walk the length of New Zealand as part of the “Women Walk the World” event which starts local time at 10am, Saturday, April 29.

“It’s all part of a global challenge initiated by the international organisation, Associated Country Women of the World,” says Ms Liz Evans.

“RWNZ members have organised a variety of exciting walks, and will tally their total distances towards a goal of walking 1600 kilometres – the approximate length of New Zealand.”

In some areas walkers are being sponsored, while other groups are charging a small entry fee to raise funds.

To help keep track of distances walked, the New Zealand Walking Access Commission has sponsored a number of pedometers for each group and members of the public are welcome.

Organised walks in the local area and just beyond include: Onewhero, Franklin; Kainui Lake Walk, Waikato; Hamilton street walk, Waikato; ‘The Hobbit’ area walk, Waikato; Te Awamutu Walk of Fame and Pioneer Walk; Te Awamutu 10km street walk.

For further information about the walking events listed above, and local contact people, email jackie.edkins@ruralwomen.org.nz, call (04) 473 5524, or visit: www.ruralwomen.org.nz.

Local garden centre blooms bright

A local garden centre has been named a finalist in the nationwide 2012 Yates NZ Garden Retail Competition.

Mitre 10 Mega Pukekohe secured a spot in the home improvement store garden department section of the competition.

Organised by Gardening NZ – the Nursery & Garden Industry Association, the awards celebrate excellence and innovation in garden retailing.

Winners will be announced at the July Gardening NZ industry conference.

The prize for the overall winners includes a trip to next April’s Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show.

Sister Publication