Support for young athlete
The board granted $500 to Taieri College student Courtney Smith towards the costs of competing at the Sport Aerobics and Fitness World Championships, to be held in Prague next month. In her application, Courtney said she had been training four or five days a week for the past year, balancing those sessions with study and mentoring younger students.
Christmas grant
The board provided $1000 to the Taieri Network to help with costs for A Very Taieri Christmas 2025.
Community connector Teresa Christie said in her submission that expenses included installing a Christmas tree and lights. Events the Taieri Network was organising included a heritage bus tour of Christmas light displays, a late-night shopping event with live music and entertainment and a retailers’ shop-window decorating competition.
Outward bound feedback
Grant recipient Johannah Horrell reported back on her Outward Bound Mind, Body, Soul leadership course in the Marlborough Sounds, outlining what she learned and how it would inform her local contributions.
The board previously granted $1000 towards course costs to Amana Christian School for a 17-year-old student to attend.
Response to regional plan
The Otago Regional Council provided a response to the board’s submission on the draft annual plan 2025–26.
Board chairman Andrew Simms said members were pleased that physical works to restore Silver Stream flood capacity had begun.
Unused budgeted funds from other flood-protection work on the Taieri were reallocated, allowing work to be completed in one sequence up to the Gordon Rd bridge.
Acknowledgement of members
In his last chairman’s report for the triennium, Mr Simms acknowledged departing members and paid tribute to former long-serving member Brian Miller, who died in 2023.
"Brian was a dogged and fearless representative for the community and for what he believed in."
Mr Simms acknowledged deputy chairman Dean McAlwee, who is not standing again, praising his "just get stuff done" no-nonsense approach.
He thanked Kathryn Anderson and Regan Horrell, who are stepping down after one term each.
"Both Kathryn and Regan have been effective advocates for the community and the board has benefited from their common sense approach throughout."
Much had been achieved by the board during the last three years, Mr Simms said.
This included the board highlighting the need to solve heavy-traffic issues on Gordon Rd.
"As a direct result of the board’s advocacy which included a packed public meeting at Coronation Hall, the DCC are now undertaking a comprehensive transport study to determine what is required to deal with the traffic issues around Mosgiel."
