NEIL WALSH ANNOUNCER RETIRES

Neil Walsh has been a Volunteer with Village Radio for more than 18 years and he has now decided it's time to resign and relax.    He worked with the NZBS in Gisborne as a technical trainee.  He then spent three years at Gisborne and another two in Wellington. When he qualified he took a job in Hamilton as a radio serviceman and later started with TISCO for seven years. In 1970 he went to NZ Forest Products Ltd at the Kinleith Mills.   On his 65th Birthday he was offered redundancy when the maintenance systems were contracted out and saw him retire to Papamoa Paradise. After a short rest he was accepted by Village Radio as an Announcer/Panel Operator. He will be missed by both his fellow Volunteers and listeners. Photo:- Neil with fellow Volunteer Peter Donnelly in Studio One.

BON VOYAGE KATIE HENDERSON

Earlier in the week we  farewelled our energiser Katie with  chocolates and  coffee cake.  Katie visited our studios in February and before  long said she was keen to become an announcer.  It was perfect timing as  Penny another announcer ( made the delicious coffee cake) was heading oversees to visit family in Ireland. So Katie  jumped into the vacancy and through herself into putting together fabulous  programs playing pure nostalgia.  Katie will be dearly  missed by our volunteers and listeners.  Thank you Katie, enjoy your trip to the Northern Hemisphere and you can leave with the knowledge there always  be a position for you if you return to Tauranga.

GREG McMANUS - DIRECTOR OF THE TAURANGA MUSEUM

George Stewart’s studio guest on Monday was the recently appointed Director of Tauranga’s future Museum, Greg McManus. He told George that he is presently leading the development of a World Class, “state of the art” Museum, that will be part of the $303 million dollar city project, Te Manawataki O Te Papa. At present he is working with the Centre architect, to design the 3 level building. When the Museum opens, in four years time, visitors will be able to see how Tauranga developed, from the arrival of one of the first migratory canoes, where the very first settlers lived, including the battles staged at Pukehinahina (Gate Pa) and Te Ranga, between the Colonial Forces, and the Waikato tribes. At present much of Tauranga’s historical evidence is in storage in a warehouse, in Mount Maunganui.  

ROCHELLE LOCKLEY - PORT OF TAURANGA

George Stewart’s Studio Guest this week was the Port of Tauranga’s General Manager of Communications, Rochelle Lockley. Rochelle has been part of the executive team for the past 4 years but was previously operating her own consultancy, advising clients of all sizes, from not - for - profit organisations, through to listed companies, around the world.  She explained to our listeners that the port company has now run out of space to store any more shipping containers, and that is why it is vital that their application to the Environment Court succeeds, to extend its operations on both sides of the harbour. The first stage has just been approved.   Rochelle also revealed that a large multi level building in Golf Road, in Mount Maunganui,which carries a sign “Port Rescue Centre” will serve as a hub for Surf Life Saving operations in the Eastern region of the North Island, as well as a co-ordination point for any major surf rescues. Rochelle is also the commentator of the bus tours that take shareholders and other invited groups around the port.

LOYAL LISTENER TURNS 100

Colleen an avid listener of many years celebrated her 100th birthday on the 14th May.  Colleen spent her early life in Morrinsville and Auckland's Half Moon Bay. She was a Singer and Dancer and loves a wide range of music.     She moved to Omokoroa Country Estate some 19 years ago. It was while searching on her radio for something to listen to that she heard one of her favourite tunes, it was on Village Radio and she has been listening ever since.  Our Station has helped fill a big gap in Colleen's life and she likes listening to our announcers giving brief profiles of the artists they are playing. She says she has learnt alot from listening to them.       The photo is Colleen with the card she received from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

NEW MUSIC DIRECTOR, WILLIAM McELWEE

George Stewart's Studio Guest this week was, William McElwee who was appointed the new Music Director of Bay of Plenty Symphonia in 2023. He comes to the Bay of Plenty Symphonia with a wealth of directing and performing experience in New Zealand and the UK.  He currently resides in Wellington, where he is Director of Music at St Mary of the Angels Church, Conductor of Gallery Orchestra, and Associate MD of Wellington Young Voices Children’s Choir. While in Tauranga he directs Youth Philharmonic Tauranga, and in 2024 will conduct the orchestra for Tauranga Music Theatre’s season of Les Miserables.  He has performed widely as a baritone soloist including with NZ Opera, and his instrumental playing  experience includes being a founding member of Straynge Discorde – The New Zealand Lute Quartet.  William holds a PGDip in Performance Voice, a BSc in Mathematics and a BA in English and Latin with Honours in English Language.  Wiiliam is replacing former Music Director, Justus Rozemond.  He is thrilled to be working with BOPS and continuing their tradition of brave programming and brilliant playing.