Sue Willers has been behind the Te Puke Pharmacy counter for 31 years During this time she has worked in the photo lab, and more recently, has worked in the shop serving in the dispensary counter “I will miss the faces,” said Willers, who plans on
$13,995
wrapping up her time at the pharmacy on July 29. Willers initially started working at the pharmacy, then owned by Rob and Mary Alice Blackett, in the school holidays. “We had little kiddies so I would just go down and help out [during] school
hours and sometimes help with ironing or whatever needed doing.” That was shortlived. “It got to be a permanent position, and I went in and ran the photo lab back in the days when it took up half the front of the shop – they were big machines,”
Willers said With the decline in demand for photographic services came a change in Willers’ role “When Rob and Mary Alice sold the business, I started working for [new owner] Sam [Appleford].” Read more on page 4. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Te Puke NEWS
Community effort boosts wetland restoration
It was squelchy underfoot – but the sun was out and there was a sense of a good job being done at Saturday’s Lawrence Oliver Park community planting
More than 25 people – volunteers and staff – were there for the planting which was the latest step in the creation of a 2 7ha treatment wetland
The 2400 plants added to the 3000 already there
The wetland is being developed to improve water quality, support wildlife, reduce flooding and add to the park’s recreational and cultural value Bay of Plenty Regional Council principal adviser, land and water Jackson Efford has overseen the new wetland development.
Plants
A variety of sedges were planted on the wetland margins, including carex geminata, carex secta, carex virgata and cyperus ustulatus – all capable of withstanding flooding Their dense growth also filters out contaminants like silt
Also planted last Saturday were kahikatea, reflecting the historic character of the wider area as wetland and kahikatea forest, cabbage trees and flax
“The Kaituna plains were historically all in wetlands prior to land clearance and drainage, so it’s good to be part of a restoration process, ” said Efford
“During the project we excavated down into old kahikatea trees buried in the peaty wetland soil
“One buried tree was radiocarbon dated and found to be over 3900 years old ” Previously, the standing water areas were
planted with jointed twig rush and lake club rush which can both tolerate growing in standing water thanks to spongy or hollow stems allowing oxygen to move down to their roots
Treatment wetlands were excellent at filtering sediment and nutrients from water as it moves through the wetland
“Once the wetland has had some time to establish, we should start seeing improved water quality entering Managh’s Drain,” Efford said
Weed control
He said the next step was to keep on top of the weeds as the new plants were establishing themselves and at some point it may be necessary to desilt the ponds
He’s pleased with the work carried out by volunteers on Saturday and said it’s “cool to see a little bit of wetland being recreated and restored” in the Bay of Plenty region
where 97% of wetland has been lost
Owned by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, the area being developed sits between the dog exercise area at the southern end of the reserve and the BMX pump track in the northwest corner
The land was previously leased for livestock grazing
It has unique cultural values, as it is adjacent to the pā site Te Aore which was a camp for forces during a battle at Te Tumu
The project is a joint initiative between the district and regional council, which maintains Managh’s Drain bordering the reserve, and the Te Ara Kahikatea Pathway Society, who previously established a 4km public pathway in the area
Local tangata whenua have contributed to the establishment of the wetland and there had also been support from TECT and Fonterra.
Stuart Whitaker
Western Bay o Plenty District councillor Laura Rae with Peter Boomen at the wetlland d pllantiing d day Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Maketū Rotary Club’s long-lasting impact
For a club that lasted less than 20 years, there are reminders everywhere in Maketū of the hard work, dedication and community spirit of its Rotary club members.
The club folded this year, after being chartered in 2005 David and Sue Campbell were heavily involved in the formation of the club, after being involved in Rotary in the United States before moving to New Zealand
When they moved to Maketū, David became a member of Te Puke Rotary Club and Susan joined the Rotorua Lakes club
“We always had the laugh that it was good for our relationship not to be in the same Rotary club,” said Campbell
All but name
As they became more involved in the Maketū community, it became clear that in essence, a club existed there in all but name “There were people in the community that were really solid in being involved in service ”
He said the strength of the local volunteer fire brigade and Coastguard was testament to the spirit in the township
Around half a dozen people got together to see if a Rotary club could get off the ground “And boy, it was just like opening a door – you opened the door and there were people there ready to go, so a club was formed a few years after we arrived here.”
It was sponsored by the Te Puke Rotary Club whose members offered support
“But, in no time the club was on its own and from the very beginning it tackled big projects and made them happen.”
Projects
Among the club’s projects, Campbell said, for him, the first and the last stand out. “We started out by getting the surf club back into operation ”
The club was no longer functioning, so the Rotary club set to work getting the facility back into a useable condition. “And bingo – the club sprang back into action ”
The final major project was the refurbishment of the Maketū Community Centre, which began in September 2021 and took 700 volunteer hours to complete
“Now the community centre is just humming because people are using it ”
Other projects included training club members to become literacy tutors, running Maketū Market for 11 years, volunteering at Maketū Primary School, an annual distribution of dictionaries to local primary schools, sponsorship of the Maketū duathlon/triathlon for three years and the creation of a digital database of Maketū historical records available to the public
Overseas
But there have also been projects overseas, including two projects to renovate classrooms in villages on Taveuni Island, Fiji, and working with Maketū youth to visit and support a service project at a school in Vanuatu
While the visit by local youngsters
More than 100 pen warriors tutored, learned and observed at a recent writing workshop at Paengaroa School
The school holiday event was a great success, with overwhelmingly positive feedback received via email, social media and phone calls, said spokesperson Angie Belcher
“We are grateful for the support of Creative Western Bay of Plenty, Paengaroa School and Te Puke Library, whose combined contributions helped make the day memorable and enriching for our community”
had to be cancelled because of the pandemic, the Maketū club co-ordinated with the Rotary Club of Port Vila in Vanuatu and the Maketū Hauora to ensure the project was completed as planned.
Five festivals
Then there were the five Maketū Kaimoana Festivals that brought the club to the attention of the wider Bay of Plenty community
“That really was [club member] Julie Crossley’s vision and she did a huge amount over five years People were very sorry to see that go, but there was such a high risk in it,” Campbell said The festival and the market had benefits far beyond fundraising “It brought the community together and was a source of pride People could get involved in enjoying the event or going to the market so there were secondary benefits like that.”
While dwindling membership has led to the club folding, Campbell said he feels the club was a reflection of the community and
Tutors delivered high-quality, engaging workshops that catered well to the children attending Workshops catered for students and adults with pricing at a level to make the workshops accessible.
“Many parents stayed on-site throughout the event, which was positive for the younger children. It was an incredibly positive event, with everyone being totally engaged.
“Many caregivers were grandparents, and their involvement was warmly welcomed ” Paengaroa School provided the spaces –four classrooms, the multi-purpose room and the staffroom – and Te Puke Library offered exceptional support, contributing two staff members, help with photocopying
Maketū’s community spirit remains.
“People are still out there willing to do good in the community and I take consolation in that.”
He said it was quite remarkable for a settlement the size of Maketū to have its own Rotary club
“It’s quite a compliment to the community that they had so much enthusiasm Maketū has got a good reputation for its volunteer efforts and from the beginning there was a lot of really good energy in the community for service ”
Stuart Whitaker
and promotions and social media coverage
“The event has demonstrated strong community interest and support ”
There were 111 participants including parents, helpers tutors and participants
The tutors were Kiri-Michelle Mohi, Angie Belcher, Rachel Weston, Lee Murray, Debbie Tipuna, Sharon Mansson, Debbie McCauley and workshops included Fact Finding Fun, Playing with Words, Poetry Perfection, Te Tiriti and Make Your Story Zing
Some authors generously donated free books for their students to take home.
Rachel Weston’s book ‘Why do Bumble Bees Have Smelly Feet?’ was particularly popular with the students who attended her Fact Finding Fun Workshop
Former Maketū Rotary Club president David Campbell with a sign advertising the Maketū Kaimoana Festival in 2016. Photo / George Novak
Rotary Club members and other volunteers start work on renovating Maketū Community Centre in 2021. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Angie Belcher during one of the workshops. Photo / Supplied
Sue to sign off after 31 years at pharmacy
In her 31 years at a Te Puke Pharmacy, Sue Willers has definitely left her print on the town, and the negatives have been few and far between
Willers will leave Life Pharmacy at the end of this month She began working there when it was Blacketts Pharmacy, owned by Te Puke identities Rob and Mary Alice Blackett
Willers and her husband John Willers had – and still have – a shared interest in photography and it wasn ’ t long into her time working for the Blacketts that she took over the running of the pharmacy’s photo lab
“We started building a house next door to Rob and Mary Alice and she needed some help with the pharmacy,” she said
“We had little kiddies so I would just go down and help out [during] school hours and sometimes help with ironing or whatever she needed doing ”
Willers’ interest in photography set her in good stead for the work “My husband had a home darkroom before we met and for my School C [School Certificate], Mum and Dad bought me a 126 camera for passing So I’ve always had an interest and it was a common interest for John and I
Husband John
John Willers was a well-known photographer around Te Puke, photographing school balls, sports teams and weddings, as well as taking portraits, with his wife acting as his assistant.
The Blacketts invested heavily in the equipment, adding the capability to handle the medium format film that John Willers was using.
Sue Willers would load the films, then, when they were processed, hang them to dry before putting them through the printer
Colour-correcting prints was part of her role “In the old days, the colours could alter quite a bit so I’d try and make them look the best they could.”
As a Fujilab photo processing store, Fuji offered training in the use of its machines, to ensure the best results and for safe handling of the chemicals needed for the processes “You had to know the precautions and, the big printer, you had to drain the water baths and scrub out the tanks,” Willers said “In the end, that’s why they had to get rid of the neg machine because there wasn ’ t enough throughput to keep the chemicals at the right level – in the end it wasn ’ t viable ”
There are still people who remember taking films in, excited to get the prints back in an hour or the next day “Some people still say: ‘We wish it was like the old days when we’d bring it in, you’d do it all’ ”
Miss the faces
The pharmacy still offered self-service photographic printing, although there is now only one kiosk in the shop It was also possible to order prints to collect online.
“W d 8 12
want to have them” With the decline in demand
Willers has gradually reduced her hours and now only works
Sue Willers has spent 31 years working in one of Te Puke’s pharmacies. Photo / Stuart Whitaker
Te Puke expo showcases local safety and support services
This weekend’s Sirens and Services expo will be the first event for Colleen Pye in her role as Te Puke Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator
The expo is the latest in a series of events being run by Western Bay of Plenty Neighbourhood Support and will be held inside and outside Te Puke War Memorial Hall tomorrow, July 26
It will feature a range of local providers who all have some element of keeping people safe
Among them will be Emergency Management
BOP, Here 2 Help U, Aquatic Survival Skills Trust, People First Te Puke, Bay Financial Mentors, Total Safety and Triple P Parenting
“We just want to make sure people in Te Puke and the greater Te Puke area are aware of what’s available to them,” Pye said
Also in attendance will be the emergency services, including the Coastguard, with vehicles parked outside the hall
Neighbourhood Support’s purpose is to enable people to be and stay connected and support each other to help make neighbourhoods safe and welcoming for all
Connections
It facilitates opportunities to connect with others and that, said Pye, is the purpose of the Sirens and Services
“We want the public to know that NS doesn’t work alone, we connect other community connect all communities together so people feel safe
We are here to facilitate the community to be connected, however that may be
“There’s also the chance to let people know of other benefits of Neighbourhood Support such as receiving emails with information on what’s happening in the community, getting tips to improve the safety of your home and your community, learning how to get prepared for emergencies and being invited to attend community events organised by Neighbourhood Support
“Those attending the expo
will get a passport to fill in with rewards in the form of ice creams The best way to get people together is to have something that’s fun, and this is a fun event with free ice cream, ” Pye said
Treats
Rebecca Larsen has organised the series of events
“People have been really supportive of the events overall, bringing their kids and families along and finding out about things they didn’t know existed as support services in their community”
She said for families with two or three children, treats can be expensive, so the free ice cream is a big drawcard
There will be other features of the expo designed to attract families including the SPCA’s make-a-dog-toy activity and
opportunity for children to sit in one of the emergency service vehicles Sirens and Services is on from 10am-2pm on Saturday, July 26
Fundraising
Kiwicoast Lions will run a tea stall, Te Puke Scouts will hold a fundraising community barbecue –and while the event is free, anyone who is able is asked to take along a nonperishable food item to be donated to The Hub Te Puke Foodbank
Other organisations present will include WBOPDC Waste Management Team, Safe Surfer, Colab Te Puke, Sustainability Options, Poutiri Wellness, Volunteering Services/Social Link, The Hub Te Puke, Youth Encounter and Smart Guys
Stuart Whitaker
Busy fortnight forTe Puke’s firefighters
Te Puke Volunteer Fire Brigade
has had 197 calls for the calendar year to July 21.
It has been another busy fortnight with 12 calls
We have had one each of a vegetation fire, car fire, smoke investigation, rescue helicopter landing zone plus a cover move to Mount Maunganui station when Tauranga crews responded to a hazardous substance call on the Kaimai Range.
There have also been seven false alarms
Tomorrow, July 26, there is a community Sirens and Services Koha Ice Cream Day being held at Te Puke War Memorial Hall from 10am-2pm Come and meet the sirens and local services including police and St John Ambulance. Bring a non-perishable food item koha in support of the Te Puke Food Bank and get the kids a free ice cream.
This event will highlight local safety and support services, include entertainment, a fun passport challenge, and encourage strong community connections
Don’t forget to check out our Facebook page: https://www facebook com/Te Puke Fire Brigade
Dale Lindsay Chief Fire Officer
Aquatic Survival Skills will be among the exhibitors at tomorrow’s Sirens and Services event in Te Puke. Photo / Supplied
Get your kids involved in your reno
Home renovation projects inevitably involve and impact the whole family.
Sponsored by Resene
Home renovation projects inevitably involve and impact the whole family Whether you’re decorating or renovating your whole house - or simply giving the guest toilet a new look, everybody who lives in the house will be living with the change.
Getting your kids involved in your renovation can be a great way to spend time together as a family, rather than shutting yourself off with a paintbrush - but it can also be a great way to pique their interest in Resene colours, design and the mechanics of DIY If you’re redecorating a space in your home that your kids use a lot, having them contribute to the project, with ideas or hands-on painting is a great way to get them involved and engaged so you end up with a room you all love Projects to try
Resene Colour Consultant Jackie Nicholls says there are lots of fun projects kids can do with leftover paint or Resene testpots, but there are ways they can help with main renovation projects too
“It might be tempting to think the best way for the kids’ to help in a decorating project would be to send them to Nana and Pop! But with the right guidance, they might just surprise you in how they can help,” Jackie says
Starting with areas or features that kids are likely to use themselves is a sensible approach because they’ll naturally be more interested and invested in the outcome.
“With the aid of good drop sheets and old clothes, projects like painting a blackboard wall, or turning a wardrobe door into a blackboard would be a great place to start because your kids can have fun with the finished result.”
Jackie recommends Resene FX Blackboard paint which is water-based and dried to a durable finish Her top tip is to make sure the surface is smooth first by sanding thoroughly, which could be a job older kids can do themselves - while learning the importance of working with a mask on!
“If you’re painting blackboard - or just brightly coloured shapes - on the wall, simply mark them out with masking tape, which is a simple job, and makes the painting very easy,” Jackie says
If painting over bare wood, apply a coat of Resene Quick Dry Primer first using a small, easy-reach roller If the surface is already painted, Resene Blackboard paint can go straight on, and two coats (allowing each coat to dry)
“Patience is another good lesson,” Jackie says “If your little assistants can wait, it’s best to leave the paint a few days, or even a week to harden properly before writing or drawing on it in chalk.”
Top tip: ‘Season’ the paint by rubbing a piece of chalk, flat against the blackboard, leaving a layer of chalk dust on the whole surface. Rub this in with a cloth, then dust off Now your kids are free to draw to their heart’s content and the drawings should clean off nicely
Crates and storage boxes would be another great project for kids to help with and can be taken outside to control the mess, Jackie says. “Try using contrast colours on the inside for fun, and your kids can add their personality with the option of easily changing the colours as they get older and tastes change
“Leftover paint could be dribbled and splattered over canvases for Jackson Pollock-style dribbled artworks!”
Colour control
One of the easiest – and mess-free –ways to get your kids involved in your home renovation is to get them involved in choosing paint colours, or wallpaper patterns OK, you might not want vivid Spongebob yellow in your elegant living room (Resene Quarter Turbo would be perfect if you do), but any kids-focused zone in your house, from bedrooms and playrooms, to toy cupboards, and family bathrooms can be great opportunities for kids to participate
Get them to choose their favourite colour and feature it somewhere in that space that is relevant to your kids Even if their favourite colour is purple, and you’re trying for a mostly monochrome or
minimalist look through the house, paint the inside of a couple bathroom drawers in Resene Pukeko just for the kids, or paint a laundry hamper in Resene Daisy Bush
Remember if your child’s favourite shade is “red” or “blue” there are many ways to play with those in different colour intensities and shades, like Resene Red Oxide or Resene Duck Egg Blue, that put a more refined, grown-up spin on the look, while the kids still feel like they’ve had a say
Letting your kids choose a wallpaper can be another fun way for them to express their personality and have some influence over the look of their spaces. The Resene Wallpaper Collection features a number of quirky, whimsical designs that might appeal to your kids like the safari animals of Resene Wallpaper Collection 363661, the bright coloured landscape mural of Resene Wallpaper Collection IF4-078 or the fun flying machines of Resene Wallpaper Collection 38126-1 A wallpaper design that reflects your kids’ interests can be a great starting point for adding in pops of other matching colours.
Bigger projects
Your children’s involvement in your renovation doesn’t need to be limited to small projects, Jackie says. Larger outdoor areas can also be ideal for letting them get involved
Garden sheds and playhouses can be good blank canvases for children to get used to painting different surfaces and trying different colour combinations.
Painting or using Resene Waterborne Woodsman stain on a wooden fence is a good, fairly straightforward job, where the odd paint drip or spill can be easily cleaned up Just keep the kids focused on lower parts of the project so they don’t need to be on ladders.
Top tip: Resene waterborne exterior paints such as Lustacryl, Enamacryl and Sonyx 101 are great for projects involving
kids as brushes, trays and rollers - as well as spills and hands - can be easily cleaned up with water
If you have a play house let the kids go crazy with colours inside, even if you want to keep the exterior more neutral in something like Resene Woodsman Crowshead. Inside is the kids’ domain so let them experiment with primary shades like Resene Bright Red, Resene Spotlight and Resene Resolution Blue, or maybe try a mural of bold flowers in pinks, purples and greens like Resene Dancing Girl, Resene Smitten, and Resene Dizzy Lizzy For a personal touch add your kids’ hand prints in their favourite colours - just have water standing by for cleaning up
A garden bench seat, storage box or planters are other great areas for kids to leave their creative mark on your outdoor spaces.
Teen rooms
Teenagers often have very strong ideas about what they want their bedrooms to look like, and can be a handy extra pair of hands when it comes to implementing them in their bedrooms.
If you still want their rooms to largely remain part of your overall colour scheme, think about giving them one wall as theirs to feature whatever colour, pattern or design they like - then make them project manager when it comes to executing it.
They’ll need guidance and direction when it comes to things like removing older paint or wallpaper, and how to prep surfaces, but let them take the reins on the research design and execution
For smaller projects let them paint bedheads (real or marked out in paint or wallpaper on the wall), let them upcycle a piece of furniture like a chair or dresser, give them canvases to paint their own designs, or let them experiment with colour on doors, shelves and inside cupboards.
Image / Supplied
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