Sunday 21 November 2010

Whanganui is So Special

However you spell us we are a special community. There were a couple of milestones last week which made me realise just how lucky I am to live and work here.
Monday was the opening blessing for the Jerusalem mini library. It turned out to be much more than just a library opening as it was a chance for local whanau to welcome our new Mayor, Annette Main and share her celebration of taking up her role. She is no stranger to Jerusalem of course as she has lived just down the road for over 20 years, but this was her first visit as our leading citizen and everyone took the chance to show how popular her appointment is with them.
It was neat to catch up with some of our CiH whanau from Whanganui Awa School too. There is a strong connection with the school and Jerusalem already so having a library there will ensure it stays strong.
I hope the Whanganui River communities will be one of the first to benefit from the NZ Government’s Rural Broadband Initiative when it rolls out. They are surely one of our neediest and we all have so much to gain from connecting them properly.

Friday was the signing ceremony for Wanganui’s designation status as a International Safe Community. Once again, it was heartening to see our community leaders gathered to acknowledge all the hard work that has gone into the designation over the past 6 years. It is clear there is a huge commitment right across the board here to make us a great place.
Perhaps the most exiting aspect of these events is that they are the fruits of the extensive collaboration and networking which goes on here.
The Wanganui District Council is a big catalyst for this and is to be applauded for their openness, accessibly and commitment to making us a better place to live in.