80 years of fun and friendship

 

BY JULIA WADE

A long-established local women’s network focused on friendship, fun and supporting their community commemorated eight decades of togetherness recently.

Past and present members of Mangawhai Women's Institute (MWI) as well as honoured guests gathered at the Village’s Library Hall on July 17 to celebrate the organisation’s 80th birthday. 

To mark the auspicious occasion, 60 women including members from the Whangarei Women’s Institute Federation, enjoyed a high tea-style lunch by local catering company Word of Mouth, along with guitar songs by Mangawhai schoolgirl Sophie Lambert, comedy skits by Trish Black and Meredy Ballard, and Irish melodies by John O'Neill and Geoff Pickstone. 

On opening the celebration MWI president Marie Fitt said the institute has become a place where friendships are forged and support networks developed.

“Coming together in 1938 was the beginning, working together was progress, staying together for 80 years, is a definite success,” she says. 
Fitt also says the institute is fortunate to enjoy a close, mutually supportive relationship with the Mangawhai community. 

“We have two special guests – Ngaire Jonas from Mangawhai Memo and Ray White Realtor Kaye McElwain. For many years Ngaire has been a huge and willing supporter… and Kaye has more recently been a tremendous help, sponsoring our successful annual floral and craft show.” 

Previously known as Country Women’s Institute, the organisation was officially established just before WWII in 1938. Meeting once a month to share friendship and common interests, MWI follows other women’s institutes worldwide, having a social and political focus which includes submitting recommendations of social importance to central government as well as traditional and time-honoured home skill practises such as cooking and flower/produce growing, preserving and arrangement. 

Members also play a significant philanthropic role in many community events and activities, regularly fundraising for local groups including the community patrol, volunteer surf lifesavers, art society, and recently bought a ‘gold brick’ for Mangawhai firefighters’ new facility fundraiser. 
For many years members have also created and gifted calico dolls for child patients at Whangarei Hospital, which provide comfort as well as a useful toy for medical staff to help children understand procedures to their bodies. 

Mangawhai Memo volunteers and various other local organisations are also lucky enough to receive home baked morning teas, lunches and other meals donated by MWI, for functions, community gatherings and funerals.  

“We thank the Mangawhai women before us who give their time and energy freely. It is not to be underestimated how important our members’ contributions are,” Fitt says. “As we celebrate the past with good hearts, this will enable us to forge ahead for a better and brighter future.”

 Interested? Come along and meet ladies in your community. Mangawhai Women’s Institute have their monthly meetings on the first Thursday of every month, Mangawhai Library Hall. For more details contact Marie Fitt (09) 948 3408 or Jill Aitchison 022 414 0073.


1: 
Senior members (from left) Betty Aitken Cooke, 88, who joined the women’s institute when she was only 16-years-old, Trish Black and Betty Hawkes, have the honour of cutting the cake to mark 80 years of friendship, community spirit and ‘a whole lot of fun’. 

2: 
‘Queueing at the ATM’; a skit that ended hilariously with Meredy (the man) pulling Trish’s skirt over her head!

3: 
Two presidents enjoy the delicious tiered lunch and ongoing friendship, (from left) MWI’s Marie Fitt and Whangarei Federation’s Dawn Leader. 

4: 
A high tea-style lunch was an appropriate way to celebrate the 80th anniversary.