Club News charity recipients

 

This was the opportunity to celebrate the Walsh Flying School, and Garden DesignFest. Boyne has been a strong promoter of  both these worthwhile projects for the Club over the years, and we owe a debt of gratitude both to him, and to Paul for the latter, in particular.  The $60.000 from the GDF day has been shared amongst the five charities involved [including RCON CT]. Bravo Boyne Drummond & Paul Monk Big Wig Ed

 

Jacob, 17, from Dilworth apologised for not being a proficient speaker, and then gave us the most articulate account of his Walsh experience, complete with video clip.  One of three students sponsored by Newmarket, Jacob flew solo after 7.1 hours of instruction – despite the rain forcing a rearrangement of the programme. He is a Bruce Donnelly Memorial Scholarship Awardee and is looking towards a career in commercial aviation. An outstanding recipient of support from the Club and the Trusts – we wish him well for the future. 

 

 

 

President Dave & Boyne welcomed representatives from the recipient Charities, and Kay Madigan from the Village Square Trust – Kay had coordinated 160 volunteers for the garden visits over the two days. Boyne introduced each of the speakers.  

 

 

 

 

Margaret Hudson outlined Lifeline’s free helpline & text services, available 24/7, providing confidential support from highly trained staff and volunteers.

In 2022 almost 100k calls and 255k texts were received.

 

Whatever the issue, Lifeline is there to listen, and is committed to providing a safe, effective and confidential service, supporting the emotional and mental well-being of callers and communities. Calls and text messages are answered by highly trained staff and volunteers. Volunteer counsellors undergo in-depth training and supervision, providing a caring and professional service to a wide range of people in need. 

 

 

 

 

 

Howard Gilbert, Coordinator of Volunteers, outlined how KidsCan had started supporting 40 schools in 2005, and now supported children from 877 schools and 200 Early Childhood Learning Centres. The aim is to lower nutrition and clothing barriers impeding the children’s access to education.    Financial support is provided from donations and Corporates.   Practical solutions are provided – eg food, jackets, shoes and health items.  

 

 

 

 

 

Paul Dickinson told us how Oke, launched in 2016, provides the opportunity to learn life and social skills by introducing productive gardening into schools.  By giving the kids the tools to learn, Oke empowers schools and communities – including teachers, parents, whanau and volunteers, as well as the kids. Almost 30 school gardens – with fruit trees, vegies, sheds and shade - have been constructed in South Auckland, with 10 schools on the waiting list. Visits are being arranged after the gardens have been installed to provide the school with appropriate feedback.  

 

 

 

Natasha Edwards from Garden to Table described how at participating schools, sessions usually last 60 - 90 minutes, with half the class working in the garden and half working in the kitchen for the first hour. The groups come together to share the kai for the last 30 minutes of the session. Throughout the year, tamariki observe the changing seasons and full food cycle and how planting, harvesting, and cooking change to reflect seasonality. 

Garden to Table is curriculum-linked, meaning kids are learning core subjects while getting their hands dirty in the garden and kitchen. Collaborative team work, with the parents, is encouraged, and Regional coordinators assist.

There are currently 255 schools in the scheme – plans are to double that number in the next five years.