Stock sale effort ‘fantastic’

The annual stock sale to raise funds for the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society was the brainchild of Andy Woolfield, and in the past 24 years has raised a staggering $1.1 million.

Each year Daffodil Day holds a strong and very colourful presence in Tairāwhiti, but there’s another big effort going on just outside the town boundaries that makes a massive contribution to the local coffers.

This year marks the 25th anniversary since the stock drive for the Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society began. It’s very much a collaborative effort that includes farmers donating stock, transport companies freely giving their time to move animals, stock agents liaising, and of course auctioneers doing their bit.

Over the past 24 years it is estimated around 8000 stock have been donated and a staggering $1.1 million raised.

Andy Woolfield is the man who started it all. He came to Gisborne in 1979 to work for The Rural Bank which was then sold to the National Bank, and eventually became part of the ANZ.

The National Bank were the original principal sponsor of the Cancer Society back in the 1990s and the ANZ has continued that relationship.

“I think this is the longest running continual corporate sponsorship of any organisation in New Zealand,” says Andy. “As staff of the National Bank we were encouraged to get involved with local fundraising initiatives.”

And so began the annual stock drive. During the winter of 1999 there was a Royal Commission of Inquiry into cervical cancer screening in Gisborne with a large number of misread samples detected. “Cancer became top of mind every day during the hearings,” says Andy. “In the 1980s I had two colleagues who were of similar age to me pass away due to cancer. My mother also died due to cancer in 1985. Unfortunately, people around you suffering from cancer has not changed since this time.”

In 1999 Andy floated the idea of a stock drive with a few farming mates. The response was positive and immediate, and the first sale was held in August 1999.

The sale was aligned with Daffodil Day, which is always held on the last Friday of August, timing it perfectly with the weekly Friday livestock sale at Matawhero. District coordinators were put in place and the rest is history.

“The enthusiasm 25 years on is as strong – if not stronger – than it has ever been.”

Generally around 350 stock are donated each year with 250 the lowest following a drought summer. The average prices today are “outstanding”. And despite climatic and other events – like Covid lockdowns – they have managed to hold a sale every year.

Andy retired from banking in 2020 after the first Covid lockdown, 21 years after organising the first stock sale for the Cancer Society. Stepping in to fill his rather big shoes to continue organising the fundraiser was ANZ’s Michelle Hawea. “I was very grateful that she took over with great enthusiasm and continues the momentum.”

But he still keeps his hand in, making phone calls and attending the sale. “I am proud of the collaborative community effort everyone involved with the Gisborne sheep drive provides,” says Andy. “Without this it would not have lasted 25 years and still be as strong as it is today. There are so many people involved, so a big thank you to everyone.”

Similar sheep sales modelled on the Gisborne effort are now held in Hawke’s Bay and Manawatu.

Gisborne East Coast Cancer Society fundraising and events coordinator Shay Podjursky says the long standing financial support means a lot, right across Tairāwhiti.

“We are so grateful for the ongoing support from all who are part of this big day,” she says. “Twenty-five years of (this fundraising) stock sale effort is a fantastic achievement and the difference this has made across our Gisborne and East Coast communities is huge.”

The money helps the society provide counselling, transport to treatment, massage therapy and more. All the money raised in Tairāwhiti, stays local.

“The atmosphere on the day is something so special to be a part of,” says Shay. “I wouldn’t miss it for anything.”