In December, Birchall and Poyner will sit their Trinity Grade 8 singing exams. Adjudicator Geoffrey Coker awarded the Flowers' student Chiannae Smart the "Voice Studio" trophy for showing great potential.
In the junior (12 years and under) competition, Matai Hartles was 2nd equal in the overall championship for juniors 12 years and under.
Waipu singing teacher Emma Couper's students also found success: Haydon Fraser won the junior vocal champion title, Couper's Dream Girls group of students were second in the junior vocal group section, and Waipū Windchimes third.
Bream Bay football prizewinners Bream Bay United Football Club celebrated the end of their season with a prizegiving for all players.
Players of the year in each grade were: 6th grade – Jasper Hewlett-Coffey 7th grade – Elise Doherty 8th grade – Jed Green 9th grade Firehawks – Nathan Stewart 9th grade Comets – Hayoung Kang 10th grade – Lincoln Stewart-Richardson 11th grade – Rory Doherty 12th grade – Bobby Joseph Fyfe 13th grade – Harris Lymburn 15th grade – Tai McCullum/Tommy Ryan 17th grade – Zac Haywood.
Premier women – Priscilla Pyle (player of the year), Hannah Modrich (most improved), Abigail Taylor (sportsman), Stuart McDonald (best supporter).
Premier men – Chris Pyle (player of the year), Ryan Gibson (most improved), Mark Borich (sportsman), Jamaine Hall (most goals).
Div 2 men – Steve Pether (player of the year), Tim Haywood (most improved), Tim Gamage (sportsman).
Special awards went to: Kallan Brooks-Owen (Rivera Trophy for the best young senior player) Evan Bucherer (senior player of the year) Kaela Tomes and Thomas Jacobson (Motel Cups for contribution to the club) Mark Rowsell (Dresser Shield for contribution to the club).
Selina Gordon was made a life member of the club.
Search for Ruakākā's top citizen
Nominations are now open for the Ruakākā Citizen of the Year, an annual celebration of citizenship, run by the Ruakākā Community Library.
Nominate someone from a local business or community organisation, sports club or neighbourhood who goes out of their way to help others. Pick up nomination forms from the library, behind the Ruakaka town centre.
Forms are due back by November 23 and the top citizen will be announced at a ceremony, on December 7 at the Two Birds Café.
Take your furred, feathered or even scaled animal companions along to St Paul's Anglican Church Hall in Ruakākā (corner of Tamingi St and Kaimanawa St) at 9.30am this Sunday for the Blessing of Pets, a celebration of the life of great animal lover St Francis of Assisi. All are welcome, After the blessing there will be treats for pets, games for children and morning tea.
Waipū charity walk Get some exercise while helping a good cause this Saturday morning with the Waipū Lions Child Mobility Foundation Walk and Run, starting from Waipū Cove at 9am. Register from 8am for 5km or 10km options ($10 adults, $5 children). Spot prizes, sausage sizzle and beach dig afterwards. All money raised goes to help children with disabilities.
Masquerade party Also this Saturday, starting at 7pm, is Ruakākā Recreation Centre's Masquerade Party, a fundraiser for a new multi-activity centre.
All party-goers must be masked, so break out your creativity, or just buy one. Tickets include finger food. There will be a cash bar available, live entertainment and a courtesy van.
Ticket purchase details are on the Recreation Centre's facebook page or email ruakakarec@xtra.co.nz or phone 4327962. Gather a group and have some fun.
Book swap It's Swap-a-Book day in Waipū today, from 10am to 2pm at Waipū Hammer Hardware. Take your kids down with an old book to swap for a new one. Children who write a review will win a prize. Next Thursday it's Ruakākā's turn, same time, at Two Birds Café. Swap a Book is an initiative by literacy group Bream Bay: The Learning Community.
Cricket players wanted Cricket season is almost here, and Bream Bay Cricket Club needs senior and junior players. Senior practice is at the Bream Bay College nets each Thursday 6pm-7.30pm, juniors to be advised. Contact Bruce Paton 027 601 7525 (seniors), Stephen Cunis 021 211 5524 (juniors).
Waipu Ladies Teams Tournament More than 90 players from Northland and Auckland teed off at Waipū Golf Club for last Thursday's ladies teams tournament. Pharma Health sponsored the day and Whangārei Honda provided novelty prizes.
