Support our Local Charity
Open letter to Porirua City Councillors
It is with disbelief I write this.
How can councilors who are elected by the people, to work for what is best for them and their city, deny what is one of our city’s most beneficial groups in recent years? I refer of course to the Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust led by Liz Sneyd and Craig Utting with their wonderful support group.
This charity has for many years offered free of charge to many of our, decile 1 and 2 schools, Tamariki and their Whanau the opportunity to learn a variety of musical instruments through After School Programmes, Holiday Programmes, evening practices and private lessons.
Virtuoso Strings have provided instruments to over 200 Tamariki and paid for any repairs to the instruments when required.
When the Tamariki become more proficient, they are offered the opportunity to sit Trinity College Music Exams paid for by Virtuoso Strings and with an almost perfect pass rate. These Tamariki also offer peer support to the younger learners. It is in this way that our Tamariki are learning Reliability, Commitment and Perseverance.
Over the past two years the Tamariki through Virtuoso Strings has achieved so much. Including but not limited to Concerts with world renowned Jonathon Lemalu and Black Grace (Neil Ieremia).
Through various fundraising activities the senior members have travelled throughout the North Island giving free concerts at various retirement villages and other venues. This teaches our Tamariki the value of working for what they want, giving to others and about New Zealand’s geography.
The most recent achievements for Virtuoso Strings was the award given to Liz Sneyd for the Inaugural NZ Music teacher of the year. And to the Virtuoso Strings Octet who won the Gold Award and Peoples Choice award at the recent Chamber Music Competition Finals.
Virtuoso Strings senior members also, at times with very short notice, provide music for businesses / conferences etc. in the Wellington area.
I am sure I have missed many things in the above outline, sufficient to say that Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust provides a lot in the way of the wider community involvement through the Tamariki and their Whanau.
How is it then they can be denied the funding previously provided by the council due to the parting of the ways from Ole’ Academy. Surely commonsense should prevail.
Virtuoso Strings Charitable Trust is worth every cent the Council can provide them.
Come on Porirua City Council. Take a second look, change your mind and do the right thing!
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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66.1% Yes
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31.5% No
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2.4% Other - I'll share below
Riddle Me That: Ready to Test Your Wits?
If the prisoner tells a lie, he'll be hanged;
if he tells the truth, he'll be beheaded.
What can he say to save himself?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
Floor show
Spruce up your outdoor area for spring soirées in the sun with a simple but stylish rug you can personalise with your own design using your favourite Resene colours.
Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
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