News bits from around Marlborough
Mayor Nadine Taylor, left, and Marlborough Zonta President Christine Law honour Sophie Oswald, winner ofthe 2026 Zonta Young Women in Leadership award. Photo: Zonta Club Marlborough.
Next-gen leader
With Mayor Nadine Taylor on hand, the Zonta Club of Marlborough honoured Sophie Oswald with the group’s Young Women in Leadership award for 2026.
“After reading her application, it was clear to me that she is a very worthy recipient,” the mayor noted after the 6 February presentation. Sophie has distinguished herself at Marlborough Girls’ College in academics and extracurriculars, she said, and served on the Marlborough Youth Council for four years.
“Sophie is a self-motivated and talented young woman with a drive and passion that makes her an ideal recipient,” the mayor concluded.
Blenheim to Brixen
Sienna Wheeler has another feather in her theatrical cap.
Theatre New Zealand selected her to represent New Zealand at the International Meeting of Youth Theatre in Brixen, Italy, from 6–10 May. She will be the lone Kiwi on the organising committee.
A mainstay in local productions the past 10 years, 18-year-old Sienna is studying this year at the National Academy of Singing and Performing Arts (NASDA) in Christchurch.
Theatre NZ is fundraising on givealittle.co.nz to defray Sienna’s travel expenses.
Retreat casts net
Women who have been affected by breast cancer still have time to apply for a free fly-fishing retreat in Murchison designed to support recovery and connection.
Casting for Recovery is randomly selecting 10 to attend the Top of the South retreat on 24-26 April at Eleven Owen River Lodge. The group has organised this activity since 1993.
Visit facebook.com/castingforrecoverynzsouthisland for details. The application period runs through the end February.
Waste schedule shifts
Marlborough District Council plans to close waste facilities except for remote transfer stations on New Year’s Day and Anzac Day moving forward – with no kerbside collection on New Year’s Day.
The list of closures those holidays includes staffed transfer stations in Blenheim, Picton, Havelock, Rai Valley, Seddon and Wairau Valley, the Recycling Centre, Hazardous Waste Centre, Dump Shop and Bluegums Landfill.
Councillors must approve the plan, which Solid Waste Manager Mark Lucas said would “result in improved staff well-being and cost savings of $11,429 per year through reduced penal rates.”