Wharekaka Auxiliary – working for the community

Anne Parkinson and Lynne Abbott at the TK Market.

An outstanding feature of Wharekaka Aged Care Community, is how it is supported by the Wharekaka Auxiliary, a group of local women who raise funds and offer social support to residents. 

Money raised from the stall of beautifully presented goodies at Martinborough Community Market over Labour Weekend , (pictured) for instance, pays for extras that make residents lives more comfortable. More complex projects like The Wharekaka Cookbook and last year’s Martinborough House and Garden Tour have raised over $85,000 between them – all put to good use. 

But it’s not all about fundraising. Auxiliary Chair, Carolyn Thompson says sitting down to a cup of tea and a chat with Wharekaka residents is equally important. “The residents really appreciate seeing new faces, and you learn about their lives – some have had really big, interesting lives. I’ve found that I get as much out of that contact as they do.” … Continue Reading

Toy Libray

Martinborough Toy Library ran a very successful bake sale at the rose and flower show on November 14th. We raised a whopping $200! Thank you to all the volunteers who were able to bake and donate their time to run the stall. Looking forward to some new toys being released in the new year with these great fundraising efforts.

Speaking of new year, we will be open on Saturday December 19th 2020 then closed for 3 weeks, opening on January 16th 2021.

Last month we thanked local business sponsors Kitcheners and Neighbourhood Cafe for donating the coffee machine and icecream counter. We got some good snaps of some of our members putting these toys to good use!

If you want to share any pictures of your little ones playing with any of our toys, please email to martytoylibrary@gmail.com. We try to keep our Facebook page up to date with fundraising events and new toys so make sure you’re following Martinborough Toy Library.

Please also get in touch if you or someone you know is able to volunteer with us – we are always in need of volunteers.

We hope everyone has a safe and enjoyable break and we look forward to what 2021 brings. See you in the new year!

Thanks to our sponsors

The Martinborough Football Club held the P+K Marty Masters Se7ens on the 31 October, and it was a huge success. Thanks to all our amazingly generous sponsors; P+K Martinborough, Mitre10 Martinborough, Cool Change, The Claremont Hotel, Top10 Holiday Park Martinborough, Martinborough Vineyard,  Circus Cinema, Ata Rangi, HealthFit, Physio Spot, Dry River Winery, Olea Oil, Guscott Family, Neighbourhood Coffee, Tom Wilson Motors and the Martinborough Rugby Club. Also thanks to South Wairarapa District Council for their support.

Thank you also to the numerous volunteers that assisted on the day, and of course to the nine teams that entered.

The winning team was the Wharfies Dreamers (Capital Masters One), who after 3 years of trying, finally won the 2020 edition, going unbeaten on 22 points. Second place went to Wairarapa United (19), and third place to Waikanae (16). It was an extremely competitive tournament with the 8th placed team (Martinborough) drawing 1-1 with the 2nd placed team!

Please consider entering a team in 2021.  Contact at: martinboroughjuniorfc@gmail.com

Thanks again to all our generous supporters, it really is very much appreciated.

South Wairarapa Rotary News

Sorting the food doantions at the Martinborough Foodbank.

“The sound of Fire Engine sirens broke out across the Wairarapa on Wednesday evening 11 November, signalling the annual Foodbank collection. Time to restock the shelves of those frontline agencies delivering much valued support to those in need. And in these troubled times of the pandemic that need is ever growing.

As is customary, Rotary worked in partnership with the Fire Service to gather up the street-side food donations in the local townships. The community response is always heartening and this year was no exception. The donations went straight to Foodbank depots where the real job of dispensing aid is done all year round. 

These operations are rapidly evolving as each adapts to the particular demands in their area but they do strive to keep some consistency and common standards. The aid parcel offered is much the same- basic food essentials, but personal care items too, and increasingly, more fresh food items. Recipients are usually referred to Foodbank by Government or local Community agencies. The Foodbank operators exercise their own discretion over how long that support should last. Invariably they are staffed by volunteers. … Continue Reading