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PAKU VIEWS
ISSUE 4 AUTUMN/WINTER 2012
4 Family units • 5 Studios • All with Kitchens
Breakfast Available • Sky TV • Internet Access Across
road from harbour and ferry • Close to town
Reservations 0800 426 276 or 07 864 8520
156
email
OPEN
7 DAYS
Coin Operated Washers and Dryers
Self Service - Change Machine
Folding Tables
Comfy Seating - Childrens Area
LAUNDROMAT
Contact Graeme
Tairua ElECTriCal limiTEd
Phone/Fax 07-864-9019 - mobile: 021-893-908
E-mail
√ air Conditioning/HeatPumps -
Sale and Installation
- Fujitsu and Mitsubishi Accredited Installer
√ Electrical Installations -
New and Alterations
√ Electrical Servicing and Repairs -
Fisher & Paykel
Authorized Service Centre
021-893-908
242 Main Road in Tair
ACCOMMODATION
BUILDING INSPECTIONS
ELECTRICIAN
REAL ESTATE
021 177 1685
REAL ESTATE
DECOR
About & Around Town
Helena Scott
Property Manager
Licensed Salesperson
Mob
0210 224 5229
Tel
(07) 864 8968
Fax
(07) 864 8903
Email
Address 230 Main Road, PO Box 87, Tairua
Web
Licensed under the Real Estate Act 2008
Understanding the Coromandel Since 1960
Sandie Faiers
Licensed Real Estate Salesperson (REAA 2008)
M:
0276 227 717
OFFICE
(07) 864 7325
FAX
(07) 864 7988
E
MAI
WE
AJB Ltd t/a Bruce Spurdle First National
REAL ESTATE TAIRUA
A Club Offering Friendship, Care & Transport
A JOLLY GOOD TIME! Pictured with Santa, representing the
Organisation Committee, are Marion Crawford, Joan Smith,
Laurie Franks, Annette Taylor and Judy Wilson.
WHO’S BEEN NICE? Santa (Joan Smith) hands out gifts at the
annual Christmas party. A feast for 50 included ham, chicken
and all the fixings, finished off by an awesome array of desserts
including pavlova and several styles of Christmas puddings!
Derek Cory-Wright, one of the Club’s eldest regular guests,
was chosen to cut the Christmas cake with Beth Jamieson, the
first president of Friendship Club and long time supporter. (See
Derek’s story on p14-15.)
The Friendship Club’s current vehicle is a Ford Transit 11-seater,
fully equipped with wheelchair facilities, special seating and air
conditioning. It is shown parked outside the Tairua Town Hall,
location of the Friendship Club’s weekly lunch.
A
dvancing years brings many concerns.
But transportation to and from important
appointments should not be one of them. To help
the many who can no longer drive for themselves,
Tairua’s civic minded citizens sprung into action.
The Tairua Care & Friendship Club consists of nearly sixty
volunteers. Caring individuals who have put in long hours
over the years at cake stalls and other fundraisers to
purchase a mobility van to serve those who are stranded,
wheelchair bound, and otherwise “wheel-less”, and of
equal importance, “friendship”.
In addition to transport, the volunteers put on a splendid
weekly lunch, with free transport and craft activities,
and in their years of volunteerism, they themselves have
forged strong and lasting bonds.
The seeds of friendship
Almost 30 years ago a small band of caring women got
together to make life more interesting for their indisposed
kinfolk. They met together providing company, activities,
a cuppa and “friendship”. The Hospital Board appointed
Maureen Griffin as first Co-Ordinator, and in 1991
(serving a dozen seniors at this point) they received their
first grant of $800 to kick off their vehicle fund.
First President Beth Jamieson (see photo) worked with
then District Nurse, Margaret Wightman, to get the group
established. Doreen Cory-Wright was President for six
years and made a valuable contribution by holding Garden
Parties on her property. By 1992 the group had raised
$2,000 through these parties, benefit concerts, cake
stalls, and craft sales.
With this show of determination, the van fund grew
until they had $12,000 and were rewarded with another
$25,000 from the Lotto Grants Board. The mobility van
was purchased, and another $1000 (courtesy of the
Waikato Trust Board) was invested to install a wheel
chair lift.
Service and Companionship
Laurie Franks, current president, has put his heart and
soul into the club for over ten years, and especially the van
project. “We have ten drivers who transport our seniors to
various medical or legal appointments, travelling as far as
Auckland, Hamilton and Tauranga hospitals”, he explains.
“Before the van, volunteers were kind enough to drive
these people in their own vehicles, most of which were not
equipped for those in wheelchairs”. The van also provides
a weekly shopping trip to Thames.
Other social activities include the weekly Tuesday
gathering at Tairua Town Hall for fun, fellowship, crafts,
and a hot lunch. This, along with other group outings,
helps provide the companionship missing from many
elderly lives.
“Truly, it’s the dedication of the community here in
Tairua that has made this club such a success”, says
Laurie. He notes that some of the original organisers
are still working for the good of the club. Laurie adds,
“Like most community groups, we could not operate
without the assistance of grants and are grateful for their
compassionate aid”. These include the Waikato District
Health Board, Trust Waikato, COGS, Lottery Grants Board,
McKenzie Trust, and the Thames Coromandel
District Council.
Need help? or want to help?
Want to come and enjoy lunch? Contact Marion, 864
8850 or Annette, 864 8886. For securing van transport
or further info contact Laurie on 864-9550.
To help prepare food for the weekly lunch, ring Jean
Payne, 864 7276.
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