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Community News
Inside Out
The Grief Centre
Prisoners’ Art Benefits Community and Victim Support Mairangi Arts Centre recently hosted an exhibition of more than a hundred paintings and carvings created by inmates at Paremoremo and Ngawha Corrections facilities. Rich in Maori and Pacific cultural themes and mythology, the event marked the first time that a full exhibition of work from the prisons had been displayed. Carved works ranged from jewellery to walking sticks and patu. As well as a five foot long waka taua made from 30,000 year old swamp Kauri and Totara wood from Northland. Three large carved wall panels on display during the exhibition have been gifted to community spaces on the North Shore. Long Bay Marine Education Centre was the recipient of a panel featuring beautifully carved sea creatures, while Murrays Bay Intermediate School received a panel depicting Captain Cook’s first landing at Gisborne in 1769. The third panel is now on display at Massey University’s Albany campus. During 2009, inmates at Paremoremo carved a Waharoa or gateway for Albany Junior High School. In a message sent for the opening of the art
A new service launches in Auckland for those experiencing grief and loss.
exhibition, Prime Minister John Key described the archway as “truly inspiring and an example of brilliant craftsmanship”. The prison inmates had been working on artworks for the exhibition for almost a year. Ellie Drummond, Manager at the Mairangi Arts Centre, said the InsideOut exhibition was made possible by collaboration between North Shore City Council, the Department of Corrections, and Mairangi Arts Centre. “This cooperation was the result of a shared vision for the rehabilitation of inmates by encouraging creativity, cultural pride and by providing a means to make a positive contribution to the community.” “Producing quality art teaches things like time management, problem solving, setting and reaching goals. These are all life skills that prisoners need to help them reintegrate into the community once they are released.” Proceeds of artwork sold at the exhibition were donated to Victim Support.
(Top of article) Kaumatua Des Ripi, North Shore Mayor, Andrew Williams and Mrs Jane Williams photographed with Carved patu. (Above) Carved wall mural gifted to Sir Peter Blake Marine Education Centre at Long Bay Beach. (Above right) Model pacific Canoe (Right) Carved Turtle with shell inlay was much admired at the InsideOut Exhibition.
Grief and loss are issues that we all face at some point in our lives. Sometimes the emotions and feelings produced can be new to us, and at times are frightening and overwhelming, bringing us into unfamiliar territory. The Grief Support and Education Charitable Trust officially launched this month. The not for profit Trust was established in 2009 to assist and support those affected by grief and loss, and will be formally launched by local MP, Dr Jonathan Coleman. The Grief Centre provides a variety of services, including counselling; information and resources on grief and loss and already established services such as support groups; workshops and presentations; and bereavement support services. Support is provided to both the general public, as well as those working with people experiencing grief and loss. The Centre has a dedicated group of professionally qualified counsellors who currently offer their time on a voluntary basis. The seed for The Grief Centre was sown at North Shore Hospice. Founding Trust member, Maureen Frayling, while working at Hospice as the Family Support Coordinator, became increasingly aware of the lack of grief services in the community for those who did not receive direct care from the Hospice programme. In 2008, she conducted a feasibility study, surveying 36 diverse, mostly North Shore organisations, regarding the need for a Grief Centre. “The results suggested a gap in grief and loss services for adults, and particularly for children and young people on the North Shore and greater Auckland. Results also indicated a degree of frustration at the lack of services and confusion around where to refer those affected by loss and grief issues. The findings suggested the need for leadership and coordination in the area of grief and loss”, says Maureen. While the centre is located in Birkenhead, counselling clients and enquiries come from throughout the greater Auckland region. Carol Blair - Centre Manager Ph: (09) 4181457 www.griefcentre.org.nz
Wilson Home Provides Some Special School Holiday Fun The Wilson Home Trust Coordinators organised activities during the recent school holidays for children who have a disability and their families. Parents often tell Wilson Home Trust coordinators how difficult it is to find programmes that their children can participate in easily, be made to feel welcome and have fun with their brothers and sisters. This holiday period the Trust sponsored a range of activities that were both fun and social. There were classes facilitated by Occupational Therapists for children who have coordination, communication or processing difficulties. A bunch of kids aged from three to 23-years-old learned to beat out a rhythm in a series of drumming sessions run by Jacqui of rhythmdotcom.
ArtOut is a regular holiday activity that the Trust has been running for the past three years. There are huge benefits in providing an opportunity for families to come and be creative together. Each session the children get to take home some fabulous artwork they have made. There are many magic moments and when you see big kids and little ones working together you often hear parents say ‘this is the first time they have ever made anything together’.
Issue 2 - AUGUST 2010 www.channelmag.co.nz