Mangawhai Probus

 

Museum donation
Probus members put in a lot of work preparing lunch, moving chairs, greeting visitors, and running a raffle at the recent Operatunity concert. One hundred and fifty two people attended the concert, and because of the raffle proceeds and the wonderful work of the many volunteers, Probus donated $500 to the new museum to be used for garden planting.

Staying in Mangawhai
Rosemary Browne gave us a won-derful speech on her ‘journey to Mangawhai’. Rosemary was born in Christchurch, moving to Auckland when she was 7. She married Alvin when she was 19 and the couple had two sons.

Mangawhai then became part of the holiday times, with metal roads and very small shops – nothing like it is today. Eventually her parents bought a house at Mangawhai and Rosemary and Alvin, with their two sons, just loved coming north for school holidays and Christmas.

Rosemary and Alvin now have three grandchildren aged 6, 9, and 11 who love Mangawhai.

Rosemary made a deal with Alvin, deciding to live in Mangawhai for five years and see how it goes. After three months, they cancelled the deal saying they would not be anywhere else but magical Mangawhai. climate suits olive growers Don Windley and Teresa Anderson run Echo Valley Olives locally on a 12 acre property.

The second people to plant olive trees in Mangawhai, their trees are now 15-16-years-old and their three main productions are Tuscany “Frantoio”, Greek “Koroneiki”, and J5 “Marino” known as the olive of the North.

They have been selling their products direct to the public through markets for over 15 years.

Around three months of the year are spent harvesting and the olives must be cold pressed in Wellsford no later than 12 hours after picking. Teresa gave a speech on the goodness of olive oil for overall health, and her range of Evoskin 100 percent natural skin care products – all made with Evo extra virgin olive oil.

We were able to sample three of their extra virgin olive oils, all 100 percent made in Mangawhai, Northland – Pendolino, Frantoio, and Marino.

You can get more information about these very special olive oils and skin care products at info@ evoskin.co.nz, phone 431 4118 or 021 716 030.

Next meeting - Mangawhai Probus meet every third Thursday in the month at the Senior Citizens Hall, Fagan Place, Managwhai. The December meeting will be Christmas lunch on December 18. If you require more info or transport please contact Petronella Brom (431 4700) or Beve Smith (431 5777). All visitors are welcome.

- Beve Smith