Capitalising on artistic talents

An offender on community work who is a talented artist and tattooist is creating a meaningful mural for the town of Greymouth.

Following discussions with the Mayor, it has been agreed that the mural will have a mining theme, but without a direct link to the Pike River disaster. 

In a prime spot, opposite the Greymouth Railway Station and Tranz Alpine depot, the entire concrete wall will be transformed by Christmas.

Senior Community Work Supervisor Troy Carson says the offender really wanted to do something special for the town. “What he is creating is mindblowingly beautiful.” Having completed 15 drafts, the offender has now firmed-up his plan, showing miners in action, their machinery and equipment.

Kindling keeps partnership warm
A couple of classes of Grey Main Primary School children are off to the Marlborough Sounds for a week’s school camp in the new year, thanks to their fundraising efforts and a partnership with Corrections.

Offenders on community work sentences in Greymouth chopped and boxed kindling over a three-month period; the wood having been kindly donated by local firm Aratuna Freighters.

The year seven and eight school children then went door-knocking to sell the boxes of kindling for $5 each. They sold 750 boxes, the proceeds of which will go to fund their school camp. Many of the children would have missed out were it not for the fundraiser.

Greymouth CPS Service Manager Kelly Hill says other fundraising initiatives have not been as successful. “When the children sold chocolate to raise funds for camp, they would eat it, lose it or sell it to friends cheap and in some cases it cost the parents more money!”

The Corrections/school partnership has been going for a couple of years and not only do the children benefit, but so do locals desperate to kick-start their fires. 

Kelly says the offenders appreciate the chance to help. “All of them know at least one child who goes to the school, as ours is quite a small community – so they’re very keen to pitch in and help.”