Kia Ora – welcome to Radio Southland’s Community News! Updated 18/04/24
Hey, have you heard about the latest exhibition at Whare Taupua? They're showcasing The Southland Art Society's 2024 members' exhibition SQUARE! It's pretty cool – they've got around 50 pieces from 31 talented artists, mostly from down South. The theme? Square! So you can expect to see all sorts of interpretations and styles. You can swing by any time between Tuesday and Friday, from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, or on Saturday until 3 PM. It's those same days and times every week until April 27th. Oh, and it's all happening at Whare Taupua, over on Forth Street in Waihōpai. And the best part? It's free!
Don’t missthe big Record Store Day event at Three & Sevens, 134 Dee Street in Invercargill? It starts at 10 am and goes for six hours. There'll be live music, tasty food and drinks, vintage clothes from Smoking Toad, and a ticketed evening show featuring Filth Wizard, HOODAKI, and Sweep The Leg – tickets are $20 ($10 for students). Don't miss the in-store specials either. Come join the fun and celebrate International Record Store Day!
On May 2nd at 10 am, a peaceful protest is scheduled to take place outside the Electoral Office of Penny Simmonds, Minister for disability issues, located at 22 Kelvin Street. The protest aims to advocate for the reversal of the changes made to the funding of all disabled individuals on March 18th.
Experience the vibrant local arts scene of Murihiku Southland at Night of the Arts on May 17th. It's a celebration perfectly timed for a wonderfully weird and inspiring wander around Invercargill’s CBD. So, throw on a beanie and embark on a voyage of artistic discovery! For more information, visit artsmurihiku.co.nz.
Join music enthusiasts and artists worldwide at Bayleys Tussock Country – New Zealand's Country Music Festival. Running from May 24th to June 2nd, this 9-day celebration features the NZ Country Music Awards, MLT Songwriting Awards, Ute Muster, and various concerts & busking competitions throughout Gore. Immerse yourself in the country music atmosphere and experience true Southern Hospitality. For more details, visit tussockcountry.nz
Indulge in the unique flavours of Southland at the Bluff Oyster & Food Festival, hosted by the salty seaside township of Bluff on May 25th. Alongside sumptuous Bluff Oysters, savour a variety of seafood paired with great southern ale or fine New Zealand wines. Bundle up and join us for a taste of Bluff, with local fare to tempt any palate and live music to match. Ticket sales have begun and will continue to be sold in stages, available through the official Trade Me account: oysterfestival (all lower case). For more information, visit the event website at bluffoysterfest.co.nz
Get ready for Guitar Legends at the Southland Musicians Club on May 8th and 9th! Doors open at 6:30 PM, and the show kicks off at 7 PM. Prepare to be blown away by local guitarists paying homage to their heroes, with everything from jazz to country to progressive metal on display. Featuring classic tracks from legends like Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, and Foo Fighters, plus many more! Tickets are just $25 plus booking fee, available at www.eventfinda.co.nz. Don't miss this incredible showcase of musical talent!
Prepare to be swept off your feet at the Civic Theatre with 'Ballroom Blitz', a breathtaking dance extravaganza choreographed by three-time Dancing with the Stars Australia champion Aric Yegudkin. This captivating fusion of elegance and energy will unfold on June 12th at 7:30pm, promising a mesmerizing display of skill and passion on the dance floor. Grab your tickets in person at the Civic Theatre Invercargill, or online at ticketek.co.nz
Age Concern are on the lookout for some amazing individuals like you! They need volunteer visitors to spread a little joy to our older friends who might be feeling a bit isolated. Imagine a cozy home visit, a stroll together, maybe sharing a cuppa or just chatting. If you've got a spare hour each week, you could make a world of difference to someone in need of a bit of company. So, if you're up for lending an ear and some good company, Age Concern would love to hear from you! Reach out to Chris at Age Concern by dialling 2186351.
On weekdays in Bluff, there are Te Rourou sessions from 8.30 to 5 pm where everyone’s welcome to come along and relax with a cuppa and enjoy a safe, secure environment for your little ones. For more information, please call 212 8866.
Every second Thursday of the month, the Art Attic Gallery hosts a Poetry Night that kicks off at 7 pm. And the best part? It's completely free to enter, plus they'll even throw in some tasty nibbles and drinks. You can find The Art Attic Gallery at 43 Tay Street in Invercargill.
Get ready for a fantastic monthly music night hosted by the Lower Mataura Valley. It all goes down on the second Wednesday of each month, kicking off at 7:30 pm sharp, right at the Mataura RSA. For just $5, you're in for a night of great tunes and even better company. And here's a little extra encouragement: feel free to bring along a plate of your favourite snacks to share with fellow music lovers!
If you've got a bit of free time and a fantastic reading voice, the telephone information service for the blind is looking for folks who can help with daily or weekly readings from the newspaper, and you can do it right from the comfort of your own home! Interested? Get in touch with the Blind Foundation at 218-3927.
Anyone interested in joining the Foveaux Pearls Leisure Marching group please contact Dianne Blair on 216 4962.
And now a run-down of regular events and services in our province:
Activities:
Invercargill Parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5km event held every Saturday from 9am at Queens Park. Meet at the cricket pavilion carpark and walk, jog, run or volunteer - everyone is welcome. Head to their Facebook page for all of the details!
On Sundays from 9.30-1.30 the Southern Farmers Market is open at the old Railway Station - look for the market sign. Enjoy food, arts, crafts and produce in this popular market setting – it’s great to sit down and have lunch with the family!
Agencies:
The Loss & Grief Centre’s Invercargill drop-in centre is open Mondays to Friday 10am-4pm. You can also call or text 027 443 87 88, email lossandgriefcentre@gmail.com, or send them a message. The Centre also provides services in Winton, Gore, Mataura & Te Anau. Visit their website – www.lossandgriefcentre.com for more information.
Do you binge eat? Purge, starve, or compulsively exercise? Wherever you are, whatever your problem with food, Addictive Eaters Anonymous can help. Visit www.aeainfo.org to find out more about Addictive Eaters Anonymous.
Learning Differences Aotearoa are available to help if you or your child has a learning difference and needs some support – call or text Chris on 027 201 69 51, or email support@learningdifferences.org.nz.
Hearing Southland & their associated clinics in Leet St are open and taking bookings by phone - 214 91 54.
If you are elderly and need social support, access to help with meals or care services, support is available from Age Concern. Meals are available to pick up, and exercise classes are on. You are welcome to make an appointment to talk to someone, please wear a mask when you come in. They can also come to visit you. You can call them on 218 63 51, or visit ageconcern.org.nz.
If you have concerns about a senior’s safety, call the Elder Abuse Helpline for advice on 0800 326 68 65.
Jubilee Budgeting Services are available online or by phone – call 0800 Jubilee, or text 027 Jubilee. Go to their Facebook page for more information on what help they can provide. Appointments are able to be made to get advice over the phone, or to come to the office and meet in person.
The Southland Community Law Centre in the Cue on Don building in Don St are available to help - phone ahead to make an appointment – 0800 55 0800. Their hours are from 9-4 Mon-Thurs and 9-12.30 on Fridays. They also offer outreach services to Gore and Fiordland.
Council services, museums & galleries:
The Invercargill Public Library is open from 9-6 weekdays, and 10-4 on weekends. The Bluff Library is open Monday-Friday from 9am-5pm, and Saturdays from 10-1. The Archives in Invercargill are open – but please call ahead to book in on 03 211 15 73. Please return all books through the slots. MyBookBag is still available for free contactless book delivery – go to www.ilibrary.co.nz/mybookbag
Southland District Council area offices and libraries are open. Travelling library options are also available with the mobile bookbus, and have you checked their digital library options? To find out more go to southlanddc.govt.nz and click on ‘Libraries’ – or call them on 0800 732 542!
Te Hikoi Museum in Riverton is open every day from 10-4 – call them for more information on 03-234 8260 or visit their Facebook page!
The Thornbury Vintage Tractor Club focuses on Southland’s rural heritage and local history. With an extensive collection of vintage farm machinery, this is a great Sunday drive visit. It’s at 61 Foster Rd Thornbury, and its open Sundays from 1.30-4.30pm. Entry is $5. You can also call Fraser on 021 03 85 196 to arrange a time to visit!
The Otautau Gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10-5. They’re at 110 Main St, Otautau, have a stunning collection of arts and crafts and they’re part of the Western Southland Arts Trail. Check out their Facebook page or phone 225-86-38 for more information. Entry is free!
The Southland Fire Museum is open Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays from 11-4, and can also open for group bookings – call Les on 027 254 6464. It’s on the corner of Jed and Spey Streets, and entry is a gold coin donation!
He Waka Tuia on the corner of Don & Kelvin Streets is open from 10-5 Monday-Friday and 11-2.30 on weekends. This combined art and museum space is proud to celebrate everything Murihiku. Have a visit and explore their immersive exhibitions with the kids – entry is free!
The Awarua Communications Museum is open on Sundays from 1-4pm. Take a step into a unique part of our history, view their collection of local & national communications memorabilia and enjoy their interactive exhibitions. Entry is cash only – it’s $6 for adults and $3 for children.
The Bluff Maritime Museum is open from Monday-Friday from 10-4.30, and 12.30-4.30 on weekends. They have lots of fascinating history to view, including fishing & sealing memorabilia, tours of an oyster boat, and info about this earliest European settled community, including shipwrecks in the challenging southern waters. Admission for adults is $5, and its $1 for children.
The Eastern Southland Gallery is open from 10-4.30 on weekdays, and 1-4pm on weekends! For more information on the gallery and current exhibitions, visit www.esgallery.co.nz.
If you’re a community organisation or are hosting an event – do get in touch - give us a call on 03 2189891, email admin@radiosouthland.org.nz, or go to the contact us form on our website!