Molyneux Stadium in Alexandra was being transformed into a giant woolshed yesterday, ready for 1250 wethers to be relieved of their fleeces during the national merino shearing championship.
Tradition ruled at the 53rd Alexandra Blossom Festival on Saturday, with the sun shining and a return to the "village green" atmosphere.
The stage is set, the blossom is out and even the weather gods are expected to smile kindly as Alexandra gears up for the annual blossom festival's main attraction today - the grand procession.
Another proposal has been added to the debate about the future of the Nevis valley.
A production originally billed as the biggest home-grown musical in New Zealand's history - Rush! - was performed on the Ophir Hall stage this week, with all 35 Poolburn School pupils making up the cast.
Some form of protection for Old Dunstan Rd - "one of the most important heritage trails in the country" - is long overdue, artist Grahame Sydney says.
Filming on conservation land is becoming so difficult that some parts of The Lord of Rings movies would not be able to be filmed if they were being made today, Film New Zealand chairman Julian Grimmond says.
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust has moved to register Old Dunstan Rd - one of the country's oldest routes- as a category one historic place.
Cromwell police were happy with the behaviour of residents during the weekend and have also praised the number of sober drivers around the town this month.
Follow your dreams no matter how crazy they seem - that was the message world champion cyclist Alison Shanks had for talented young athletes from country schools all around Otago yesterday.
The response from the newly crowned Senior Blossom Festival Queen Jennifer Bowie was typical of a volunteer who prefers to be behind the scenes.
The Otago Conservation Board is "adamantly opposed" to any mining in national parks and other areas with high conservation values.
Waipiata resident Amie Pont (31) says she is "stoked" to be appointed the Maniototo's first community development co-ordinator.
Get involved... Inland Otago Conservation Award finalists Roger and Wendy Browne have always had a keen interest in the environment, so it was not a huge step to protecting the special plants on their land.
People in the areas affected by the proposed dams on the Clutha river should soon be able to "fly over" the various options and get a bird's-eye view of the dams and lakes.
Time is running out for those wanting to help celebrate a century of bowling in Alexandra.
Local government is one possible stream of funding for a Central Otago youth programme that could be used as a model throughout the country, Central Otago Mayor Malcolm Macpherson says.
A programme which uses adventure-based activities and long-term mentoring to keep youth at risk from going off the rails could be under way in Alexandra, Clyde and Omakau next year.
The Central Otago District Council plans to set up an audit and finance committee in response to its rap over the knuckles from Audit New Zealand.
Cromwell police say they will take a hard line on the policing of liquor licensing laws, prompted by concerns about the number of highly intoxicated people seen around the town at the weekend.
