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The Weekend Sun
History-full pharmacy celebrating 60 years In 1953, Bill Bongard opened Bongards Pharmacy – and at the time it was the only pharmacy in Greerton, Pyes Pa and Oropi areas.
After just 18 months, the business had more than 80 per cent of the local population in its books. Its popularity has lasted the years, and next week free product tastings, consultations and hand massages will be on offer to customers in celebration of
the pharmacy’s 60th birthday. From August 5-9 customers will be treated to the birthday specials, along with daily specials and giveaways, a chance to win a $200 voucher, and complimentary tea, coffee and cake. In 1953, when Greerton’s population was about 800 people, the pharmacy opened in the Haslett Hasting building – further south than the current site at 1303 Cameron Rd. Bill sold the pharmacy when he retired in 1990 – and today it is owned by Mike and Tracy Keys and the shop name has changed to Unichem Bongards Pharmacy. Customers can still find retail manager Amy St George,
dispensary technician Cathie Denton, pharmacist Peter Duffy and retail assistant Leah Proctor continuing their friendly service. “At Bongards Pharmacy we strive to give the best advice and support to our customers when it’s needed,” says Amy. “We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of our customers, both past and present, for their support during the last 60 years.” Staff would love to hear customers’ stories of the pharmacy’s history, and invite them to bring any photographs dating back to when the pharmacy first opened into the store during the birthday celebrations.
Leah Proctor, Amy St George, Peter Duffy and Cathie Denton.
Matthew’s appealing for support condition has led to him being called names, such as ‘skin head’, for years. “It’s really hard because people don’t know about it and you get labelled. You just need to explain it to them and a lot of people do understand.” The 22-year-old landscaper believes the answer lies in generating more knowledge of the condition and is inviting people to an alopecia awareness function, held in Hamilton in October. “It’s to socialise everyone really, to get to know people in the area with alopecia, and just help them out.” Matthew has grown up with alopecia and wants others with the condition to know they are not alone. “I’ve had it for so long I’ve gotten used to it, and everyone who I know has known me with no hair. For a young kid going through
Matthew Lock.
A lifetime of name calling and misunderstandings has a Tauranga man eager to raise awareness about his challenging condition. Matthew Lock was diagnosed with alopecia 11 years ago and says a general lack of awareness of the
high school nowadays, losing your hair is a big deal, especially for a girl.”He wants to make sure people are not being bullied and offer support. “We’re just as normal as everyone else. It’s not a disease it’s just something that we’ve got.” Alopecia is a condition resulting in hair loss. It occurs when a person’s immune system mistakenly attacks the hair follicles, and Matthew says experts have not yet found a cause. The fundraising function is at St Paul’s Collegiate School in Hamilton on Saturday, October 26 from 10am-4pm. Tickets cost $20 each or $70 for a family of five and lunch is provided. All funds raised go back into Alopecia Aotearoa. Visit www.alopeciaaotearoa.com
By Zoe Hunter
BONGARDS PHARMACY Local family owned and operated store
60 YEARS
A week of birthday celebrations instore...
It’s our 60th
ALL FREE!
birthday... ...
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5
but you’ll get all the gifts!
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In-store 5th-9th August
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9th
POLICE WINZ
N RD CAMERO
CHADWICK RD
POOLES RD
CAMERON RD
$200 Store Voucher to be won Birthday week specials and giveaways Easy off-street parking — and FREE Cake, Coffee & Tea daily Great Gift ideas and specials Call: 574 2664 Call:(07) (07) 574 2664 or 0279 or021 021266 266 0279
Unichem Bongards Pharmacy 1303 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga Phone: 07 578 2008 | Fax: 07 578 6517 Email: bongardspharmacy@xtra.co.nz Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:30pm. Closed Saturday & public holidays
e: sarah@coachmomentum.co.nz
e: sarah@coachmomentum.co.nz
www.facebook.com/UnichemBongards