The Manapouri Art Group (MAG) has grown from strength to strength in the last few years and decided it was time to show their appreciation for the local community support. 

“Since we moved down from the Manapouri Hotel to the Manapouri Community Hall three years ago our exhibitions have become more and more successful. A lot of this is due to the classic car show held at the time of the exhibition. We’ve had a lot of support from the Manapouri – Te Anau community and wanted to give something back,” the MAG secretary Ann Whatley said.

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A decision was made to purchase a defibrillator unit (AED) at the cost of about $2300, and place it in the car of local St John paramedic, Katrina Andrew, who attends all call outs in the area, on duty or not. Katrina lives in Manapouri and is employed fulltime at the Te Anau ambulance station.

She has an app on her phone that is supported by St John and will alert her to any cardiac arrest within a kilometre of her phone, giving the location of the incident. Having the AED on hand will increase the chances for any patient survival in the event of an out of hospital arrest. 

There is another AED unit outside Real Journeys, 64 Waiau St, Pearl Harbour, Manapouri. This unit is available 24/7. However the art group felt placing the unit with Katrina would give the quickest response for a vast majority of the time. 

Manapouri Art Group President Sally Shaw presenting the AED to paramedic Katrina Andrew. PHOTO: Ann Whatley

Another community project that MAG is currently involved in is helping with a mural being painted on a 30 metres long wall of a storage shed built by The Fiordland Vintage Machinery Museum in 2017. This year the Museum commissioned Gordon Duston from Invercargill to paint a mural on that wall. This is becoming an attraction in its own right.

Mr Duston is a water colour artist who has been painting over 20 years. He is a member of the Southland Arts Society. 

The Manapouri Art Group agreed to help with the project. A number of members have been involved and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. 

 “Gordon designed the mural and did all the sketching and we helped him paint it. Last week a group of 8 to 10 of us was helping to pain the mural and fill in the details. Next weekend we are going to help him again,” Mrs Whatley said.

The Museum is open every day from 10am till 4.30pm. Entry by donation.