Mangawhai Rebus - Op shopping and shipping

Members were privileged to have two speakers address the November meeting: Roger Hill and Linda Wintle.

Roger represented the Mangawhai Community Opportunity Shop Trust which recently opened the Mangawhai Opportunity Factory situated at the corner of North and Fagan Streets. A van pick-up service is available, as well as a drop-off zone on-site.

Liaison within the community determined there was sufficient growth in the area bounded by Whangaripo Valley Road, SH1 (up to and including Kaiwaka) and through to Bream Tail, to warrant set-up of the Factory. Within a relatively short timeframe the Factory opened for business with considerable interest and support.

The Trust has a broad criteria regarding the distribution of funds across community projects. The Factory is open to receive products and goods for sale with financial returns ultimately going back to the community, who will be informed in early 2018 of the type of grants available.

Linda Wintle, a Rebus member, provided an informative, pictoral and anecdotal account of the many years she served with the P&O shipping line during the 1960-70’s. Three years of training, a medical test, familiarity with the layout of ships, ability to handle fire extinguishers and hoses, and rigorous lifeboat drill, were all prerequisites to being appointed to duty on a cruise ship.

A number of positions were available to women with Linda going to sea as an assistant purser. After four years she became an entertainment officer - never boring but often calling for long hours.

Linda answered questions from members and concluded by saying that after 11 years with P&O and having experienced a true shipboard romance when she met Jim Wintle, new horizons presented. She resigned from P&O, was gifted ship travel, stepped ashore in New Zealand and started life anew in Mangawhai.

* Note: No December meeting. Members will instead hold a Christmas luncheon.

n Want to know more about Mangawhai Combined Rebus Club? Meet every third Thursday of the month in the Senior Citizens’ Hall, Fagan Place, Mangawhai Heads at 2pm. Visitors welcome. Contact Gaylene Lawrence 431 5617 or Beve Smith 431 5777 for more details.