Ever since our humble beginnings in downtown Nelson in 1945 the Bowater Motor Group has been very focused on community involvement. We believe that you are only ever as successful as the support that you can give back. It is with this philosophy that we continue to be as involved as we can be in the wider Nelson / Tasman community.
This section of the website houses stories, links and content from a collective of organisations and events that we are involved with or support through sponsorship or partnerships.
The menu to the right has got comprehensive articles from those events, organisations and charities that we regularly involved with, click on the menu items to read more, or scroll down this page to keep up with events as they unfold.
If you think you have an event, organisation or group that would benefit from our community interest feel free to contact us.
Win $2500 of prizes in the Brook Sanctuary Wildlife Quest
Brook Waimarama Sanctuary critters are popping up all over the place!
As the school holidays kick off on Monday 7 July, the Brook Sanctuary will launch its “Wildlife Quest”, an activity based competition for kids of all ages that will run until 31 July.
Entrants can use either the street address or GPS coordinates to go on a quest to find out which amazing Dean Raybold art panel (see below) is lurking at which Brook Sanctuary supporter business!
Winners will be drawn at the Sanctuary’s Celebration Event which will be held at Founder’s Park Energy Centre on Saturday 2 August from 1-4pm and you must be present to win.
Five lucky winners will claim $2,500+ in family prize packages!
Includes “Giant - Sedona” women’s bicycle, 3 x Samsung Galaxy Tab 3s, “Buller’s Birds of New Zealand” book and loads of vouchers!
May's BMG Good Sort - Milo and the Sea Cadets
This month we are excited and pleased to present a hard working local with another round of the BMG Good Sorts award.
Milo Coldren volunteers hours of his time to help the youth of Nelson.
He runs the TS Talisman Sea Cadet Unit. This takes him away from his wife and 2 small children, sometimes 2 evenings a week and weekends.
The youths learn to sail, shoot and attain a great sense of self-discipline.
He judges the kids well and knows how to encourage, when to stand back and let them learn, and when to bring in outside help. He is helping create all-round contributing citizens.
The Unit started small with 6 cadets and in debt (after fire almost ended the unit). They are now close to 40 cadets, and are doing well, winning last year’s national regatta.
Over the coming weeks we will track down Milo for a chat about his work with the Sea Cadets, and present him with his $200 restaurant voucher.
Bowater Toyota presents the Jezebel of Jazz
Anita O'Day in Song and Story
Anita O’Day’s hard living has earnt her the title ‘The Keith Richards of jazz canaries’. Born in 1919 she left her unhappy home to join the walk-athons and dance marathons of the Depression. She improvised with black trumpeter Roy Eldridge in ‘42, kicked a 16-year heroin habit and released her last album at age 84, three years before her death in 2006.
Wellington actress Liz Kirkman brings Anita to life, as her chequered past flashes before her. Supported musically by Anita Schwabe on piano, Janelle Salisbury on double bass and Lauren Ellis providing percussion. Written by Kelli Greene Caldwell and directed by Jacqueline Coats.
Photo by Isaac Cleland and Ryan Gray-McCoy, 25/26th February 2014, @ the BATS Theatre Wellington.
Kirkman is mesmerizing…’Sweet Georgia Brown’ accompanied by subtle percussion is especially hypnotic. Theatre Review
Bowater Toyota is proud to be able to bring you this brilliant show on Sunday 27th July at Old St John's in central Nelson.
Here is a short piece from the performance, starring Liz Kirkman as Anita O'Day.
If you like that, you will love the whole show - keep on reading to see about ticket prices and get to know a little more about jazz legend Anita O'Day.
Welcome to the 20th Nelson Winter Music Festival
Nelson Winter Music Festival
11-27 July 2014
Welcome to this our 20th Nelson Winter Music Festival
This, our 20th Winter Music Festival, is the one that almost wasn't! We're not in our lovely auditorium, closed for earthquake strengthening and a much needed upgrade, but we're on stage with a wonderful programme that reflects the depth of musical talent in Nelson, plus some winning highlights from out of town.
Nelson's known for its creativity, and this is not just confined to the arts. Last year Eelco and Ali Boswijk took a creative entrepreneurial leap by buying Old St John's, where we will be staging most of this year's shows. It has magnificient acoustics that will keep all you music lovers happy, and will provide a beautiful setting for classical shows like our chamber concert from La Belle Alliance as well as for more contemporary concerts...I know Dave Dobbyn and Don McGlashen just can't wait to perform there.
There are several concerts you won't want to miss: Graham Wardrop sings his own original music this time, the Nelson Symphony Orchestra pays tribute to the composers who died so tragically in WWI, Jezebel of Jazz takes us into the edgy world of Anita O'Day, and if if you've never come to our Silent Movie night accompanied by The Nelson Jazz Quartet, put that on your list.
Do take time for a wander to Albion Square where we present Jeu Play, a container of strange music-making instruments that will engage and delight...as will the wonderful Light Nelson, right next door in Queen's Gardens.
More Articles ...
- Team Seagate hits the wilds of Africa
- Heather Walker. A Giant of a community Good Sort.
- We announce our BMG Good Sorts winner for April - Heather Walker
- Phill Jones hits 350.
- Nelson Giants to come up to a busy weekend with a huge milestone
- We have been Good in the Hood. Thank you Motueka.
- Meet Robyn, our first BMG Good Sort
- Nuggets upset defending champs, and Fico Finance Nelson Giants are outscored
- Congratulations to Robyn Jackman, our first BMG Good Sort.
- Nathan Fa'avae and Godzone. An adventurer's race.