Te Whai’s first AGM

 

BY JULIA WADE

Mangawhai’s community social service organisation, Te Whai Community Trust, held their first AGM on June 19, providing an opportunity for dedicated board members to share the groups many activities and successes. 

Held in Mangawhai Museum with invited social service providers from around east Kaipara and accompanied by board members Sue Poynter, Isabel Hollis, Pauline Mann, Liz Holsted, Helen Price and Lyn Johnston, Te Whai’s president Donna Flavell said it was with ‘a great sense of satisfaction’ that she presented her presidents report and shared the achievements of the organisation. 

Flavell says the most significant achievement since the organisations inception three years ago has been securing the use of the old Tara School house in the Pioneer Village, allowing the group to open as a drop-in centre for the public two days a week. 

“During these hours… we also have appointments and meetings with other networks and agencies… however we are also available as required outside these times too,” she says. “We gratefully acknowledge the support received by the Mangawhai Pioneer Village Trust throughout the year… it’s great to finally have a home base.”

The group has also initiated and organised extensive educational, health and environmental awareness programmes as well as one-off services such as free mole checks, Power-of-Attorney advice for Age Concern, and Cybersafety. 

More workshops will be available over the coming months including grandparents parenting grandchildren, suicide awareness and confidence building for women. The groups Aroha baskets, emergency food parcels, are ongoing which Flavell says appears to be an increasing requirement. 

Te Whai also teamed up with Mangawhai Art Association in February for the successful fundraiser Art & Sculpture Weekend which will continue to be an annual event. 

“A big thanks to all the businesses that have supported us – Armstrong Smarter Security, Bammas, Smith Construction, Mangawhai Opportunity Factory, Mangawhai Movement Jam, Mangawhai Art Association, Dawn Sanson and Fit 365,” Flavell says. “It has been an honour to be the president of Te Whai… I would like to thank the board members for their continued efforts and valuable contribution, it makes the role of president a lot more pleasant when working with such a committed team. I look forward to seeing the Trust continue to grow.”

 To support the great work of Te Whai or to find out more, visit Te Whai Community Trust Mangawhai Facebook page or drop in to the centre at Pioneer Village, Molesworth Drive, open Monday 1–4pm and Thursday 9–12pm.

Pictured at last years October 28 premises opening is the dedicated Te Whai team, aiming to provide support, education and promote independence to Mangawhai and east Kaipara. President Donna Flavell, secretaries Sue Poynter and Helen Price, education officer Liz Holsted, advisor Cindy Hempsall, coordinator/contact person Isabel Hollis and project manager Pauline Mann. Absent is Lyn Johnston.