Sally Rae

Preserving history is important to North Otago stonemason and sculptor Allan Ward.

All Grace Astle wanted for her sixth birthday was fish and chips for tea. But takeaways were off the menu on February 22 - the day of the Christchurch earthquake - as what started off as a normal day for the Astle family turned into anything but.

Creating a plaster bust of himself felt a little like doing his own headstone, Marcus Wainwright admits.

When Joy Gibson decided to brighten up her back yard in Oamaru, she did it in style.

"Not every small rural town has their own giant robot," steampunk enthusiast Iain Clark mused as he admired Oamaru's latest acquisition.

Joan Dick knows all about living through earthquakes. The former Oamaru resident, who has spent the past 21 years in Christchurch, has decided to move back to Oamaru permanently.

The Teschemakers chapel altar row looks likely to head back to the Environment Court.

For Sharon Reeves, being involved with the fire brigade has been a family affair.

Children at Ardgowan School have an exciting place to play after their new playground fort was officially opened by Waitaki Mayor Alex Familton last night.

Sven Thelning has always wanted to be a pilot.

Keith Roberts just wants to give his old grey mare a rest.

Young Farmers clubs have been challenged to organise stock sale fundraisers after North Otago Young Farmers raised $68,500 for the Christchurch earthquake recovery.

Every day is special for Greg Garvan. Mr Garvan (56) has made what doctors describe as a miraculous recovery from a very rare medical condition called Poems syndrome, a disease a medical professional once told him made rocking-horse manure look commonplace.

The Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust's annual cavalcade hits Oamaru today for the finale at the racecourse. Sally Rae caught up with the Tussock Creek light wagon trail earlier this week and met some of its characters.

Triumph or Harley-Davidson? There will be a fair bit of good-natured banter and rivalry over the various marques at the annual March Hare rally in Waimate this weekend.

The marquee is up and the horse paddocks ready as Oamaru prepares to welcome the Otago Goldfields Heritage Trust's cavalcade today.

Derek Beveridge is desperately seeking scout leaders.