May 2010 Update

Hi everyone,

We have made the most of warm autumn weather with outings to a pottery exhibition at Te Manawa, a concert in the square, morning tea at Wharerata and apple picking at Massey orchard and have also seen the kodama drummers in action at Massey.

 A highlight was the three day exchange with Hawkes Bay Stewart Centre visiting us. The whakatau welcome included a whaikorero from Lindsay Cox followed by morning tea and a bbq lunch. On Thursday we joined forces and a very large group of us visited the Coach House Museum in Feilding then went on to Kimbolton to see the work of Rob Green with his sustainable forestry and wood workshop as well as enjoy the woodland gardens and experience billy tea made over the fire in one of the historic cottagon his property. It was a fascinating day delving into local district history and finished off with a wonderful 1920s Casino night supported by the Rotary Club of Makino.

Friday was full on activity at Ashhurst Domain with sports activities (we won’t mention who won the cup) a bbq lunch and poroporoaki (farewell). Check out the photos and magic moments Terry has captured of these shared days on the following pages.

 Congratulations are in order for great achievements by staff. Mike graduated with his Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science from UCOL, Jonathan with his Bachelor of   Social Work from Massey University and Katie our OT has graduated to a married state now to be known as Katie Gillies! We wish them well on the new part of their journeys.

 Club Med is proving to be such a valuable asset with the space not only being used for fitness circuits, exercycling, pool, and Boccia under the guidance of Mike, Jonathan and Alvin but also for indoor bowls with volunteer Dennis, Tai Chi with  neighbour Terry and music with Claire. The pokerwork group with Bruce and the art group with Eliz and Richard find the light and flexible space great too.

 Mike and Terry have now introduced the clients and staff to Wii technology and you can “Wiihab your way back to health” here and have a lot of fun with motivating physical activity. Keep well over winter by taking personal responsibility about healthy eating and washing hands and  keeping our environments as infection free as possible.

 Commitment to goals and plans with regular punctual attendance are keys to success and with the economic downturn are critical to all parties involved in rehabilitation here. In behind the scenes there is much work being done by staff improving the quality of service delivery here at the Centre. Another highlight was our client and staff SWOT day with valuable input received from everyone with great ideas about moving forward together in our partnership.

 Ka kito ano

 Janet