Southern images: November 16-30, 2011

LOOK WHAT WAS IN SANTA'S SACK: Stadium Southland staff got an early Christmas surprise when they opened up a bag of Santa costumes and found four kittens snuggled inside. The SPCA is now looking after them.

PRECISION PLACEMENT: Stadium Southland's massive central roof truss was installed with the help of a giant crane.

ALMOST OVER: Whitebaiters Bill Craig, left, and Noel Hartstonge, both of Gore, put out a net on the Mataura River for the second to last day of the season.

ALL IN A ROW: Sacred Heart School pupils Tanesha Tagomoa, 9, left, Antony Hogue, 10, Bridie Kinney, 9, Corey Foleni, 9, Portia Brown, 9, and Charlotte Sherriff admire the results of their hard work, with Sunrise Rotary Club president Andrea Smith.

SAFETY FIRST: Oreti Surf Life Saving Club captain Robert Cole introduces Windsor North Primary School room nine students to one of the club's inflatable rescue boats. For the past few weeks the children have divided their time between the classroom and the pool for water safety. Club chairman Luke Davies said: ``It's about having fun in the water and coming up and talking to the lifeguards, we're not scary people.''

UNITED BY POLICY: Southland's Green Party 2011 election candidates: Dave Kennedy, who stood in Invercargill, Dora Langsbury, Te Tai Tonga, and Rachael Goldsmith, Clutha-Southland.

DRAWN TO AIR ADVENTURE: Invercargill 16-year-old Josh Frey-McLean and 86-year-old Andy Cook have the Air Training Corp in common. The teen and pensioner were among dozens of former ATC members from around the country who gathered in Invercargill to celebrate the organisation's 70th reunion. Mr Cook, of Southland, was a member of the Wellington No 1 Squadron of the Air Training Corp in 1942 and later joined the air force. Josh is a current member of the 12 Squadron in Invercargill.

STARTING YOUNG: Invercargill Environment Centre convener Jenny Campbell reads some information with nine-year-old Max Johnstone at the centre's new Glengarry premises.

IN FINE VOICE: Christmas carols rang out at the Olde Fashioned Christmas concert held at the Civic Theatre in Invercargill. Taking part in the performance are Rutene Spooner, left, Alexandra Ioan, Lynette Martin and John Cameron.

NO JACKET REQUIRED: Stand-up paddle boarder Paul van der Kaag on Lake Wakatipu. Stand-up paddlers have told a bylaw hearings panel a rule forcing them to wear lifejackets would impinge on their basic human rights. They will learn whether councillors and Queenstown's harbour master agree by Christmas. Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) classed a stand-up paddleboard as a vessel under six metres. Stand-up paddle boarding therefore came under a Queenstown Lakes District Council bylaw stipulating a lifejacket be worn at all times by anyone on such a vessel, or they would face a $300 fine.

GOOD REPORT: Longford Intermediate principal Shona Hewlett and board of trustees chairman David Barton have plenty of reason to be happy with the dramatic turnaround in the school's latest ERO review.

WILD ABOUT KITTY: Gore and District SPCA manager Tanya Rowling with one of four wild kittens it has been looking after. While still timid, this tiny kitten has not taken long to respond to human contact.

READETH THIS: Moira Brew, left, and Charlotte Bell at the Shakespeare in the Park auditions in Invercargill.

MOVING ON: Occupy Invercargill protesters Paul Olsen, left, and Damian Mair dismantle their campsite at the Gala St Reserve. Protesters occupied the site for just under six weeks as part of a worldwide campaign against corporate greed.

SHUTTING UP SHOP: Gore photographer Arthur Bremford with some of his well-known pictorial works. After more than 50 years Bremford is selling his studio and home.

BUILDING BRIDGES: Southland District Mayor Frana Cardno exchanges gifts with Shen Xiangguo, deputy director of the standing committee of Yuyao Municipal People's Congress, in Invercargill.

UNITED APPROACH: Newly appointed United Fire Brigades' Association president Chris Price, of Ashburton, with some of the 220 delegates from fire brigades throughout New Zealand. The association's 133rd annual conference was held in Invercargill.

SCENE EXAMINATION: Invercargill police and Road Knights at the scene where a 32-year-old man was found unconscious near the Road Knights Balmoral Dr headquarters.

SKY'S THE LIMIT WITH PEDAL POWER: Bryce Weaver, 14, tries out the Penny Fake Thing bike at Invercargill Workingmen's Club Children's Christmas Party. 269 children attended the party. Activities included a magician's show, face painting, and a visit from Santa and Mrs Claus. Novelty bikes, including a half-penny farthing, were also popular.

HAULING IN CREDITS: Driving graduates Michael Tawa, Debbie Bennett, back, Andrew Lowen, Darren Cavanagh, April Cracknell, in Volvo FL10 driver's seat, Alyce Jenkins and Adam Thomson celebrate the completion of their Drivetech course.

MAKING A STAND: White Ribbon Day breakfast organiser Jenny Campbell, left, enjoys a cup of tea with speakers Wenerei Winiana and Amy Svedlund.

PROJECT SUCCESS: Southland Hospital staff join the Pre-operative Process Redesign Service project team, from front left, Shelley Berry, Jo Clark, team leader Judith Kissell, and Wendy Carey, who won the Clinical 1st Place trophy at the Southern Distirct Health Board Quality Improvement Awards.

HELPING HAND: Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt gives a present - a bronze sculpture of a Bluff oyster - to Philippines ambassador to New Zealand Virginia Benavidez during her visit to his mayoral office in Invercargill.

GALES BATTER SOUTH, STOP BEACH RACING: Stu and Sal McPherson, of Oamaru, battle strong wind gusts while visiting Invercargill for the Burt Munro beach racing, which had to be cancelled.

REUNITED: Sara Forde and Cosmo do some much-needed bonding.

IN MEMORY: Southland Motorcycle Club president Craig Hyde holds the Pike River trophy. The trophy is up for grabs with the most combined points from the Greymouth Street Race and the Wyndham Street Race, which will be held as part of the Burt Munro Challenge.

LONG SERVICE REWARDED: Southern district commander Superintendent Bob Burns, left, with Senior Constable Fenton Herrick, his wife, Debbie, and children Jackson, Charlotte and Kees.

DISTINCTION: Former Royal New Zealand Air Force Association Southland branch secretary Stan Smith accepts an award for long service from branch president Lloyd Stridiron at the Peacehaven Village in Invercargill.

IT BLUES: Harrex Group employees, from left, Marian Styles, Nicki Morsink, Tracy Henton and Tracey Wilson get their country groove on to re-create a song that earned their company a spot in the finals of a nationwide competition to win a $250,000 business software makeover.

STOP, THANK YOU: Dozens of schoolchildren who have helped keep their peers safe from speeding motorists during the year paraded through the city and received a big thank you and from Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt.Constable Marty Lohrie, an Invercargill police education officer, said a parade was held for the city's primary schoolchildren who ran the pedestrian crossing lollipops at their schools this year.

WELL PREPARED: Issuing officer Stephen Ginn receives returning officer Jane King's vote at the advance polling station.

PURE VOICE: Christchurch-born soprano Hayley Westenra performed at the Civic Theatre in Invercargill, one of 10 stops on her Paradiso homecoming tour of New Zealand.

LIFE'S A BREEZE: Aleida Brown enjoys an afternoon ride on her horse, Rua, at Oreti Beach. Wild weather during the week made outdoor pursuits tricky as wind and rain battered Southland.

WHEELIE FUN: Alis Goatley and Nigel Bayne, of MotoSouth, are ready for an influx of motorcycle enthusiasts in Invercargill for the Burt Munro Challenge.

TOUGH LOVE: Former All Black and Southland Stag Norm Hewitt, who has been travelling the country for the past six years encouraging children to treat their pet like a member of the family to help break the cycle of violence, performs a haka with Aurora College pupils after a session at the school.

CLEAN START: Eastside Baptist Church pastor Chris Lee, Caroline Holmes and Rebecca Amundsen in an unused part of the Glengarry laundry that will become the new community art space as part of their revitalisation project.

LIFE'S A CABARET: Berlin Burlesque performers, from left, Nele Siezen, Skye Broberg and Jola Siezen, with Sophie Ewert in front, call on Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt. Girls on stilts, flamingo dancing and pole acrobatics are among the entertainment on display in the Berlin Burlesque show in Invercargill.

GIFTED BUILDERS: James Hargest College Year 10 science GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) students Mikaela Sotutu, left, and Alice Pemberton with the robot they made in class. The year 10 students in the programme who took part in the Robotics Day used kits to build and programme robots.

GETTING THE JOB DONE: Don MacLeod compacts fill while digger operator Quinton Meyer, of Meyers Contracting, delivers more gravel as part of a stormwater and sewerage pipe upgrade along Queens Dr. As well as the drainage work, there was also a kerb and channel reposition and road reconstruction being carried out. Chorus was installing fibre-optic cabling, and PowerNet was planning to do some work in the area. The drainage work cost the council $575,000 and the roading component cost $1,091,000.

IT ROCKS: Central Stories Museum and Art Gallery administrator Shani Redmile sits on some of Central Otago's famous schist rock with a copy of the museum's DVD Central Otago Rocks, a journey into Central Otago's landscape, recently released.

RAISING THE BAR: Andrew Ward celebrates his admission to the bar with his father Chris at the Invercargill District Court.

PEACEFUL MESSAGE: Eru Whare, of Waikato, ties a white ribbon to his motorcycle before pulling into Invercargill spreading the message against family violence.

PROTECTIVE OWNER: Nigel Murch with his three chihuahuas, from left, Chester, Zara and Bella. Mr Murch has asked Mayor Tim Shadbolt to put policies in place so big dogs stop terrorising little dogs in the city's parks and reserves.

THE FIRST CUT: A-grade slaughterman Paul Brown, at work at the new $15 million extended slaughterhouse at the Alliance Group's Mataura plant, as Vaughan Kirk, left, Grant McFaul and Noel Walker watch.

HOLDING PATTERN: Fiordland Lobster Company factory manager Grant Walker shows of some fresh Fiordland lobster, with the colourful bins at the back holding lobster already weighed and measured for export.

ROLL CHECK: Elections NZ field worker Graeme Price checks the addresses of Maddy Grant, left, and Hannah Morton.

BRAVING THE RAIN: Sophie, 3, and Lauran Chambers, 5, at the Winton Open Day.

HAVING A GOOD TIME: From left, Jackie Thomson, Chelsea Brown, Keri Officer, Chey Cribb, Santana Collier-Kirk and Sarah Jackson enjoy the Winton Open Day.

CRACKER OF A SHOW: Elgregoe the magician and his feathered friends add some exotic colour to the West Otago A & P Show.

GOOD KEEN BLOKES: Ken and Ken, aka Jools, left, and Lynda Topp, judge the mother-and- daughter lookalike competition, which was won by Paulette Watson and her mother Margaret Chittock at the West Otago A & P Show.

UNHAPPY CUSTOMER: Winton woman Vicki Cameron with the plans for her Signature home that left her $150,000 out of pocket.

ADDRESSING ISSUES: Occupy Invercargill now has a letterbox, which has angered residents in Gala St, who say their protest is distressing the wrong people.

GO, SANTA, GO: Santa Claus swapped his sleigh for a pushbike, taking some tips from New Zealand cyclists Gemma Dudley, centre, and Kaytee Boyd before the Christmas parade.

KEEPING SPIRITS UP: Dean Jones with his family: wife Leah, Charlotte, 3, and Jackson, 7, at home before he left for Wellington.

ZIPPING THROUGH: Prime Minister John Key shares a joke with visitors to Queenstown eco-tourism ride Ziptrek on Skyline Gondola Hill.

PUB QUIZ: Clutha Southland MP Bill English and Prime Minister John Key take questions from the media in the back bar of the Middle Pub in Winton.

TOURISM SEMINAR TO AID OPERATORS: Venture Southland tourism marking co-ordinator Simon Henshaw stands outside the Ascot Park Hotel, where Venture is hosting a tourism seminar aimed at helping operators attract more people.

A DELIGHTFUL READ: Southland Times creative designer Hayley Officer checks out Barry Harcourt's new book, which is hot off the press and on sale at Southland Times offices.

CONCERNED: Trawl fisherman John Young.

WEE ALIENS ON THE TOWN: The spaceship for the Invercargill Santa Parade has landed, complete with little aliens Ruby Munro, 3, Mason Munro, 5, and Billy Obers, 4.

EYE POPPING: Popular children's entertainer Craig Smith, also known as the Wonky Donkey man, performed in Invercargill.

SHARED EXPERIENCE: Melinda Meikle, left, speaks to new mum Donna Thurston, holding 10-day-old Olivia born at 33 weeks in the neonatal unit at Southland Hospital. Melinda Meikle said her own experiences of being a mum to two children born prematurely has led her to form a support group for parents going through the same experiences she had.

OBSESSION: Sculptor Roddy McMillan at the Queen's Park site of his statue of Burt Munro on his motorbike. It took McMillan two years to make and will be unveiling on Saturday, November 19.

TWINKLE, TWINKLE GIANT STAR: Power Services workers put up the Christmas decorations in Tay St, Invercargill.

CLOWNING AROUND: Claudia Russell, Grace Anderson and Liana Metz practise for the Southland Santa Parade. The parade starts at 2pm on Saturday, November 19 in Gala St and travels down Dee, Tay and Kelvin streets in the central business district.

PROTEST CAMP: The Occupy Invercargill group camps on the Gala St reserve.

ON THE LOOKOUT: Invercargill City Council senior traffic management officer Eddie Cook at the intersection of Kelvin and Gala streets.

BLOOM BALL: Starlight Ball organising committee members Angela Chamberlain, left, and Sue Bower at The Hideaway 201, near Winton, making preparations for this year's Child Cancer charity ball.

YOUNG AT HEART: Dorothy Wylie's son Ken and daughter-in-law Jenny helped mark her special 100th birthday.

WISHING FOR WINNING WINTON WEATHER: Country Jewel owner Kerry Phillips, who is involved in organising Winton's open day, is expecting the carnival-like atmosphere to return to the town.

EASY CHECK: Bill Neil, takes his blood sugar level at home in Invercargill. He was diagnosed with type-2 diabetes more than 20 years ago. He has been on sinsulin for the past four years, after suffering from kidney proglems. Though he said he tests his blood glucose levels several times a day having diabetes hasn't been `a death sentence' if you eat well and exercise regularly.

TOP FUN: St Teresa's School pupils Sebastian Johnson, 8, left, and Zarah-Grace Roderique, 8, go for a test run on the Bluff school's new playground. The playground cost a little more than $5000, which was mostly donated to the school by the Bluff Oyster and Food Festival committee.

DOOR OPEN: Southern Reap staff members Tracey McMaster (left) and Janine Anderson preparing for the building's official opening by the Deputy Prime Minister Bill English and Southern Reap life member Janice Templeton. The building is situated on Great North Rd,Winton.

CORPS MISSION: Unit commander and flying officer Lee Erskine, left, and cadet Reece Poole, from the Air Training Corps 12 Squadron in Invercargill, hold a print produced for the organisation's 50th anniversary in 1991. The organisation celebrates 70 years in 2011.

AWARDS FINAL A HIGH NOTE: Southland's Entertainer of the Year finalists had their last chance to test their vocal cords on stage at the Civic Theatre before the Southland Entertainment Awards. The five finalists, from left, Matt Hantler, Rob Carson, Cameron Leslie, Saelyn Guyton and Stephen Wilcox, will sing off during the show in front of the audience and celebrity judges Dave Kennedy, Jason Thornton and 1970s pop star Craig Scott, to vie for the prestigious title.