Issue #9

11 August 2020

Inspiring stories, real news and the hard questions

It has been a great experience this week to sit and talk with neurosurgeon Sarah Olson who was home for a short stay visiting her parents.

Sarah was born in Hokitika and in this issue of Coaster’s Weekly we take great pride in celebrating the amazing achievements of another special Coaster.

The Coaster’s Club is of course the vehicle by which we can all stay connected so I would encourage you to join up. I know we can’t always agree on all things, but we can agree that we all want the best for the Coast and the people whose lives and history are intrinsically tied to this wonderful place.

Here’s how you can be part of the Coaster’s Club:

Follow us on Facebook: The Coaster’s Club
Follow us on Twitter: The_Coasters_Club
Subscribe to our You Tube channel and see dozens of videos that don’t get published anywhere else.
Go to our website and purchase a Coaster’s Pass for a real good deal on a Coast experience – www.thecoastersclub.co.nz
Receive our newsletter, The Coaster’s Weekly like 33,500 others do and keep connected! Go to www.thecoastersclub.co.nz and enter your email address in the panel on the home page. It’s as easy as that.

Have a listen here as I outline a little more about this week’s happenings.

This week our Coaster’s Pass takes you to Punakaki. For this week you book with any of the accommodation providers in the town to get a Coaster’s Pass deal.

If you are not already a subscriber to Coaster’s Weekly, you can become one here: www.thecoastersclub.co.nz

Thanks again for your on-going support. If you have story you think should be told in Coaster’s Weekly, or you know of a couple of characters we really ought to talk to, please let us know.

Bruce Smith

Inspiring stories, real news and the hard questions

The story of the new Taramakau bridge

Iconic West Coast road/rail bridge gets a makeover

The iconic Taramakau road/rail bridge was replaced in 2018 with a new road bridge, leaving the refurbished original structure to rail traffic alone.

In this video montage we tell the story of the planning, building and opening of the new bridge. Planning for the project was begun in 2014.

Here’s how the original bridge looked in a flyover shot by Alvin Olson in 2016.

The new Taramakau Bridge has made a big difference to travel on the Coast, both for locals and visitors.

Building progress, 8 August, 2017:

Building progress, 3 October, 2017:

Building progress, 7 January, 2018:

Building progress, 21 January, 2018:

The story of the new Taramakau bridge

Turning over the first sod

Simon Bridges, as then Minister of Transport, turned over the first sod to begin construction of the new Taramakau Bridge. He visits the Bridge in 2018:

The opening of the new bridge allowed Coasters to voice their opposition to Labour’s colition Government’s proposal to stop all mining on Conservation land. Conservation land makes up approximately 86% of the Coast’s total area and the local mining industry staged one of the largest protests ever seen on the Coast at the Taramakau Bridge opening:

Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

What’s the climate cost of Greens’ solar fetish?

Minerals West Coast manager Patrick Phelps presents mining matters #4 in which he discusses the very limited role solar panels play in reducing the electricity sector’s CO2 emissions.

Listen to him here:

Mining: the life blood of the West Coast’s economy

Chris Birchfield talks mining on the West Coast

We catch up with Chris Birchfield of Birchfield Mining, on site at the Taramakau terraces mine:

A little bit of the history of Birchfield Mining with Chris Birchfield

Chris Birchfield talks us through one of the company’s gold mining operations by the Taramakau River:

Come to Punakaki

This week’s Coaster’s Pass takes you to the coastal village of Punakaki.

Famous for the pancake rocks, Punakaiki is the base from which to explore the natural wonders of the Paparoa National Park – from sandy beaches and rocky coastlines, through lush subtropical rainforest overhanging magical moody rivers, to spectacular alpine tops there is something here for everyone to discover.

For your Coaster’s Pass deal this week, phone the accommodation provider of your choice, say you are a Coaster’s Club member and see what the deal is on offer!

Making the most of Punakaki

Stay a while and make Punakaiki your destination for a couple of days and enjoy the friendly hospitality the West Coast is famous for.

There are taverns, cafés and restaurants, walks and activities to keep you busy, and a great range of accommodation to suit any budget. Check out the accommodation options in the video clip below and make your booking direct.

Visit the Paparoa National Park Visitor Centre and find out much more about a special spot that has so many local secrets – including the Pancake rocks and blowholes:

Coast Property

Okarito: A place to get away from it all

Pauline Cox of Property Brokers in Hokitika gives us a run down on the property market on the Coast, paying particular attention to Okarito.

Coast Business

The Coast captured in the Wilderness Gallery

With the reduced visitor numbers on the Coast at the moment, our local businesses would certainly appreciate some local support.

We pay a visit to the West Coast Wilderness Gallery and the Craft Gallery in Hokitika and get to chat with co-owner, Monika Schacke about life during lockdown and how business is going in the aftermath of that event.

Aratuna Freighter’s Update

Partnerships in business

– our weekly truckers catch up

This issue we talk with Monique Havill as she explains the important role the company, Main Freight, plays in Aratuna Freighter’s business.

Coast Characters

Meet Sarah Olson, Neurosurgeon and a Coaster

You can be the judge but I am overwhelmed at the achievements of this Coaster.

Dr Sarah Olson, 36, grew up in Hokitika, studied medicine at Otago Medical School and is currently serving as a senior neurosurgeon at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane.

In 2014 Dr Olson was nominated for a Pride of Australia Medal.

Neurosurgeon and Coaster, Sarah Olson

The Pride of Australia Medal nomination recognises outstanding Australians in their fields.

The Brisbane Courier Mail reported that in nominating Dr Olson, Brisbane health provider Metro Health South commended the 42-year-old’s work in brain tumor research and helping to find a cure by establishing a brain tumor bank.

“I realised that every time a brain tumor goes in the bin, it should be going to people who should be making a difference,” Dr Olson told the paper.” We managed to get all neurosurgeons on board in Queensland, we found a place and we secured ongoing funding.”

Sarah said she reached a point in her career when she realised that no matter how good she was at her job, she wouldn’t be able to save all of her patients. She knew research was needed, to stop people from developing brain tumors and ending up on her operating table.

“The only people who can cure brain tumors are the researchers,” she said. “Even if I am the world’s most brilliant neurosurgeon I can’t cure it – so I need to help the research team.

“Breast and prostate cancer have had incredible improvements in survival because of research, but brain tumors have received the least in funding for research — despite being the biggest killer in people under 40.’’

The mother-of-three said while her job was extremely rewarding, it could also be emotionally challenging, with the five-year survival rates for glioblastoma brain tumors only 10 per cent.

“Some things are really emotionally hard going, I have been on the floor with my head in my hands wondering if this patient is going to be alright,’’ she said. “Brain tumors are particularly horrible; I hate what they do to people and their families.”

Dr Sarah Olson also played a key role in saving the lives of East Timorese President Jose Ramos Horta and a guard from his home. The two men were shot in a failed coup attempt and Dr Olson was flown by Queensland Government jet to Darwin within hours of the attempted assassination to provide expert assistance to the two men, in particular the guard.

Dr Olson is a daughter of well-known Hokitika couple Rayleine and Jon Olson. Mr Olson was the former Westland District Council general manager and previously headed the Westland County Council for many years.

Catch Dr Olson’s interview with Bruce Smith here:

Coast Characters

Jennifer Ross – a Coaster

Jennifer comes from a West Coast pioneering family and has a valuable treasure trove of history to tell us about.

Williams Hotels Group Update

Ashley Hotel in Greymouth

Beautiful place to stay

This week, in our Williams Hotels update, we show you around the beautiful Ashley Hotel in Greymouth.

We think you will want to book a room and experience this top class hospitality for yourself.

Of words, pictures and the arts

Sculptor Ian Phillips

Copper Grand Master

Tania Gibson, Grey District Mayor, takes a wander around Hokitika to meet some of the artists on the Coast who add such a lot of ambience and value to our Coast way of life.

She meets Ian Philips, at the Wilderness Gallery in Hokitika where some of his work can be purchased. Ian is a Copper Grand Master and a true craftsman. He is a sculptor working in copper and uses controlled heat patina to brings out rainbow colours in the metal by heating and cooling it to different temperatures. There are 15,000 pieces of his art at large in the world ranging in price from $5,000 to $85, “something for everyone”. Tania was impressed.

Tania Gibson Grey District Mayor takes a wander around Hokitika

When another Mayor visits Westland we try to show them around.Tania Gibson Grey District Mayor takes a wander around Hokitika and calls in to see Ian Phillips the cooper magician.Ian is a true craftsman, making sculpture by bending, beating and burning copper. He uses controlled heat patina that brings out rainbow colours in the metal by heating and cooling it to different temperatures. There are 15,000 pieces of his art at large in the world ranging in price from $5000 to $85, "something for everyone".Tania was impressed on her first visit to see Ian.

Posted by The Coasters Club on Wednesday, August 5, 2020

Of words, pictures and the arts

Delivering the Thursday Poem

with Mark Raffills

Onekaka – hill & iron

Onekaka, Golden Bay. Old wharf, iron ore, the hall and vege stalls; artists, Mussel Inn, hills and mist, estuary, sun and gorgeous people. Sometimes you are born lucky! Sometimes the places and people who nurture us need us to nurture them too. Video by Dr Jeff Obadiah Simmonds.

The Thursday Poem6 August 2020ONEKAKA – HILL & IRONOnekaka, Golden Bay. Old wharf, iron ore, the hall and vege stalls; artists, Mussel Inn, hills and mist, estuary, sun and gorgeous people. Sometimes you are born lucky! Sometimes the places and people who nurture us, need us to nurture them too. Video by Dr Jeff Obadiah Simmonds. Words below.Onekaka – hill & ironWill this place be mine,this Onekaka of hill and ironwhere the shrill quail callsand the dead leaves fall,a carpet for the forest floor,bare feet, and that is all, walkingon this road of clay and tarthat gently turns and makes it wayup to the scar upon the hillthat shows a face that only those who dare to climb will ever find this trace of Onekaka? What is known of this placethat stretches from the mountainto the sea, where the old wharf once used to be, where a woman paints iron crosses of crucifixion, as many as you need, while Onekaka rusts and bleeds,and we, in the dawn’s beacon fire,gather to quench our stories with black and golden beerand sing to the morepork’s cry until it is broken and silent there?Mark Raffills

Posted by Mark Raffills on Thursday, August 6, 2020

Chat around the fire

The Coast – Hive of activity

In this issue of Chat Around The Fire, we talk with Tania Gibson, Grey District Mayor, and get her take on the various development and funding projects taking place on the Coast.

What’s happening on the Coast

WAI presents From Scratch
Wednesday 9 September 2020
Click here for all information and registrations.

Greymouth Motorcycle Street Race
Sunday 25 October 2020
Click here for all information and registrations.

Agfest 2020
Friday 13 November 2020
Click here for all information and registrations.

Ride the Wilderness
Saturday 14 November 2020
Click here for all information and registrations.

Buller Marathon, Half Marathon and Walk
Saturday 13 February 2021
Click here for all information and registrations.

Hokitika Wild Foods Festival
Saturday 13 March 2021
Click here for all information and tickets

For inclusion on these pages please submit your information here: https://coastersweekly.buzzit.co.nz/