Teenage sensations Abstract Fish Lungs have gone one better at this year’s Rockquest making it through to the National Top 30 after falling at that hurdle last year.
As one of the top two bands from the Waikato Finals they used their experience from last year to film a powerful performance to persuade the judges to put them in the top 30.
Starting with almost 900 acts from the regional live events and then over 100 acts submitting videos for the Top 30 selection, Rockquest said that the talent throughout has been overwhelming, and that it spoke volumes about the vibrant music scene in Aotearoa.
Abstract Fish Lungs will find out later today if they have made it to the top ten who will be invited to play at the finals on September 21st at SkyCity in Auckland.
Waikato District Mayor Jacqui Church has criticised the government for its handling of the 3-waters issue. She has joined a chorus of mayors throughout the country who are saying the rating system is not adequate for funding our tap water, stormwater and sewerage systems to the standards expected in the modern era.
She was also critical of the approach taken where council’s have to work together to create business orgnisations to run the 3-waters, with no guidance from central government., She has asked the Minister Simeon Brown to intervene on this issue but isn’t expecting to get much help.
Community Energy Whaingaroa are looking for a couple of homes who want a free home performance assessment so they can complete the training of their home performance advisors.
The purpose of the project is to help reduce energy poverty and increase home health in our community so if you think you can help out by providing a home, or two, for this please get in touch with tania@cewh.org or Denise at the Raglan Community House.
Xtreme Zero Waste has organised a drivers license training course in Whaingaroa running from August 12-14th at the Old School Centre.
Thanks to help from the Western Community Centre in Hamilton they have been able to bring the course over the divvy for only $50 per person. The course runs from 9am till 4pm each day and you can contact nenya@xtremezerowaste.org.nz to enrol.
In local sport, Billy Stairmand was knocked out of the second round of surfing at the Paris Olympics. Although his 14 point score meant he had the highest score of any of the competitors who got knocked out, and more than some of the winners, in that round he was up against two-time world champion Felipe Toledo who ended with 17 points after Billy put him under pressure by scoring 8.17 for a backhand barrel.
The Whaingaroa Whai Wahine rugby league team are playing in Te Awamutu this Sunday at 1pm. They’re taking on Taniwharau who are just above them on the Championship points table.
Meantime The Roosters are looking to defend their hold on the number one spot on the Waikato Football Sunday League. With only a two-point advantage they need to keep notching up the wins and will have a good chance this weekend taking on 2nd from the bottom Gorkahli FC, 1pm at Dominion Park in Hamilton.