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PROUDLY BY:SPONSORED TUI JOINT VENTURE PARTNERS

www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.nz

New Plymouth - Ph(Also operating in Waitara, Inglewood, Stratford & Hawera)

: 06 759 8854

“We gratefully acknowledge our Principal Sponsors, who have been instrumental in enabling us to positively impact on children’s lives and empowering them to achieve in the future. However, this does not include all of the many community partners and generous supporters of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Taranaki that we

have at a more local level, but we are no less grateful to them for their generosity and support”.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Taranaki Events:Mon 1 Apr 2013 Stratford Monthly Meet, 7.00pm, Stratford Community House, Juliet Street, Stratford. Tues 9 Apr 2013 New Plymouth Bi-Monthly Meet, 7.00pm at the Tasman Club, Octavius Place, New

Plymouth.

Taranaki Events: WelcomeWelcome March 2013

couple match profile. There are many and varied events on in the region this month, so Idon’t forget to check out the back page where they are listed. Our first ever Girls Camp was a great success and there are several photos from that also. This has been a wonderful Summer but it is now starting to take it’s toll on the land, so fingers crossed we get plenty of steady rain soon - but not until after WOMAD has been!

nside this issue you will see a page full of photos from the Beach Day and a great

Hollard Garden: Features intimate gardens, hidden paths, expansive lawns and swamp gardens, an events pavilion, children's play area, barbecues and a gazebo. It is open every day and is free to visit. 1686 Upper Manaia Rd, Kaponga,

06 765 7127, 0800 736 222,

WOMAD: Bowl of Brooklands, Friday 6pm - midnight, Saturday 12 noon - midnight, Sunday 12 noon - 11.30pm. Children 12 years and under are FREE with each paying adult, proof of age may be required. This is an amazing three-day festival featuring music, art, and dance from all around the world. You can also watch some of the performers cook their favourite dishes from their homelands, take in an outdoor film or music workshop, enjoy a warm welcome from the local iwi at Te Pae Pae, taste the world at the food vi l lage, or pamper yourself at the Vi l lage of Wel lness.The NZ Surf Festival: Fitzroy Beach 29 March - 7 April. The TSB Bank New Zealand Surf Festival includes six competition days of the finest women's surf talent from New Zealand and around the globe, preceded with Masters, MicroGrom and other events. The festival also includes great off the water community events such as a surf photo exhibition, surf film screenings, dune restoration planting and a free of charge Beach Bash with a sandcastle competition, big dig, bouncy castle, entertainment, food and craft stalls all combining to make a great family fun day. Check out the website

Taranaki Truck Show: 30 March, 9am - 4pm. Over 100 trucks will be in convoy starting from Centennial Drive, New Plymouth, departing at 9am sharp, travelling along New Plymouth's waterfront and through Bell Block to a public display at Hickford Park, Bell Block. There will be truck rides around the block to give the public a chance to see the road from the cab. Gold coin entry charge, with proceeds going to the Child Cancer Foundation.

A Family Fun Ride of approximately 40 km. Ride starts at the top of the Arawhata Road, Opunake and finishes at the Opunake Beach. Briefing at the top of the Arawhata Road at 9.30 am. Free shuttle to collect vehicles after ride. Good spot prizes. Early entry until March 1: Adults $15.00, Family $20.00, Under 13 years $5.00. After March 1: Adults $20.00, Family $25.00, Under 13 years $5.00 Contact is Ian Armstrong email:

Flickering Light: Taranaki Cinema History: Aotea Utanganui Museum of South Taranaki, open 10.00am - 4.00pm daily until 25 April 2013. It showcases the once thriving cinema culture in the Taranaki region and explores the regional cinemas’ influence within communities and how they shaped the viewing appetite of theatre-goers.

www.hollardgardens.info

www.nzsurffestival.com

Opunake Lions Mountain to Sea: Sunday 17th March, 9.30am - 5.00pm.

IJ.Armstrong@xtra.co.nz

Congratulations !! This is not only reflective of our growth, but also the commitment from our wonderful group of volunteer mentors who continue to give of their time. Congratulations to the following matches who will celebrate their anniversaries this month: 1 YEAR match anniversaries: Kevin and PaiganSheila and ShechinahStef and SamanthaPam and Payton3 YEAR match anniversariesAndrea and NatalieJon and Manz4 YEAR match anniversaryColin and DionDon and BriyarneThese milestones really are a wonderful achievement, and one that we know has taken much time and dedication from you and your families. A huge well done to everyone.

We have a big list of celebrations this month.

Proudly supported by:

Info Snippets...Payroll Giving: This is a scheme where you nominate a charitable organisation to receive regular donations direct from your wages, or as an employer you can set up your payroll system to do this. The tax rebate is automatically reimbursed to you at the time of donating, so no hassles with keeping receipts until the end of the financial year! If you, or someone you know, are interested in selecting Big Brothers Big Sisters, please get in touch with Paul, on 759 8854, or paul.lampe@bigbrothersbigsisters.org.nz for more information.Facebook: Don’t forget to share your stories, insights, ideas and photos on the Big Brothers Big Sisters facebook page! It’s a great resource for our Mentors and we love hearing what you’ve been up to.

"Man often becomes what he believes himself to be. If I keep on saying to myself

that I cannot do a certain thing, it is possible that I may end by really becoming incapable

of doing it. On the contrary, if I shall have the belief that I can do it, I shall surely

acquire the capacity to do it, even if I may not have it at the beginning."

Mahatma Gandhi1869-1948, Indian Nationalist Leader

Graham and Bailey have been taking advantage of the beautiful weather by going on many tramps up and around Mount Taranaki. Their goal – The Summit!

In the last couple of months some of our young people have been making their presence

known, so we thought we would brag a little!

BEACH DAY

GIRLS CAMPOn Saturday the 2nd of March we held our girls day camp out at TOPEC. We had fantastic weather and a great group of girls and mentors who got stuck in giving everything a go, and pushing themselves out of their comfort zones. We have had some great feedback about the day and needless to say everyone slept really well that night!A huge thank you to TOPEC and Lions for all your help in making the day such a success.

Nathan was matched with Faye and I in July 2008, when Nathan was 7 years old. He was a bright and

energetic young boy when we first met him, loved to climb

anything handy, and was an expert on every subject.

His comments during the many events that we have been to

together over the years, from Magic Shows - “I know how he did

that trick”; Port to Park Walks - “I'm too tired to walk, can you

carry me?”; and cooking classes - “I'm not hungry, can I take

mine home?” always provided a laugh. Most of these events we

would not have attended on our own, so the experiences were

mutually beneficial.

He loves the Aquatic Centre, so the free entry they provide us is

much appreciated. He also loves to play board games, pool and

table tennis, so these tend to be our favoured 'cold & wet

weather' activities, either down at the Tasman club rooms, or back at our place. He has now learnt to lose

gracefully (not that he always loses!). He is now 12 and playing his X-Box is his current favourite activity,

but he does still put it aside to come out with us.

Highlights have been seeing him learn how to swim and dive off the high board, but the biggest highlight

has been seeing him complete a full year of school last year, the first in the time we have known him.

MATCH PROFILE