Bream Bay Bridge club members including club president Philippa Ross (centre front, in red) with Ruakaka Dog Rescue's Jackie Boyd (right, with therapy dog Lulu) and Linking Hands' Wayne Wrack (left). Photo/Supplied
Bream Bay Bridge club members including club president Philippa Ross (centre front, in red) with Ruakaka Dog Rescue's Jackie Boyd (right, with therapy dog Lulu) and Linking Hands' Wayne Wrack (left). Photo/Supplied
Helping hand from bridge players Two Bream Bay groups each have $400, thanks to local card players. Seventy players from Bream Bay Bridge Club and Royal Epsom Bridge Club raised $800 at their Tartan Tournament in Bream Bay in July.
Last week the Bream Bay Bridge Club presented cheques to Wayne Wrack from Linking Hands and Jackie Boyd from Ruakaka Dog Rescue. Linking Hands offers transport to health appointments in Bream Bay, Kaiwaka, Mangawhai and Maungaturoto.
Ruakaka Dog Rescue volunteer Paul Boyd introduces a puppy to its new kennel. Photo/Jackie Boyd
"They're a small but very much needed organisation," said bridge club president Philippa Ross.
Ruakaka Dog Rescue was the other recipient because, Ross said, nobody can resist helping animals.
"Plus, I love that Jax incorporates educating in her work."
Ruakaka Dog Rescue has operated for four years, neutering and caring for dogs in the Ruakaka community, sheltering and rehoming strays with help from a network of foster homes.
Boyd said the bridge club funds are much appreciated.
"Vet bills are our biggest expense, we spend $2000 to $3000 a month."
Other major costs include fuel and dog training. Always fundraising, the group will have a stall at this Saturday's car boot sale at Ruakaka Recreation Centre, 10am-2pm.
New kennels for dogs Last weekend Ruakaka Dog Rescue (RDR) distributed new kennels built and donated by businesses and community groups to dogs in the Ruakaka community.
Jackie Boyd of RDR said it is wonderful to see the dogs getting better shelters and is grateful to all the people who helped make it happen.
Matt Pederson and Dave Head deliver a kennel for Ruakaka dogs. Photo/Jackie Boyd
Michelle Payne, described by Boyd as a real advocate for dogs, started the campaign to build new kennels after reading a comment from Boyd in the newspaper about dogs in Ruakaka living in cold and wet conditions in leaky kennels.
She decided to do something about it.
"She took the idea on board and ran with it," said Boyd. "It was amazing, and we didn't have to do any of it – we get so busy, so to have someone else organising this was wonderful."
Pet Essentials donated dry beds to go with each kennel.
Calling reader writers Bream Bay College needs volunteers to read and write for students.
Special Education Needs co-ordinator Ella Buckle said the college's core group of reader/writers finds the work enjoyable and rewarding.
"But the number of students requiring assistance is steadily increasing. Therefore we are seeking to expand our list of available volunteers from the community."
Reader/writers are required for both the school examinations (unpaid) and external NCEA examinations (paid). If you can help, email ebuckle@breambaycollege.school.nz or call 432 8226 ext 710 for more information.
Seeking Highland Games volunteers Waipu's annual calendar highlight, the New Year's Day Highland Games, was in danger of folding because of a lack of volunteers.
The Caledonian society organises the games and with several members retiring, new volunteers were urgently needed.
Newly elected society chairman David Moon said the event is a vital part of Waipu's cultural landscape and economy but takes about 100 people to make work.
About 35 people turned out to a public meeting in response to an initial call for help, with around half keen to take on roles.
"It was a pretty good response," said Moon, who said the core group will meet again shortly to choose roles.
"It takes an awful lot of people to make it work."
The jobs which need immediate attention are administration, competition entries, finding sponsorship, publicity, ordering gear; with dozens more helpers required for setting up in the two days leading up to the Highland Games, on the day itself and then for dismantling afterwards.
If you would like to help keep this iconic event running, phone Moon on 027 505 1501 or Caledonian Society secretary Jill Mutch on 09 432 0090.
Youth Variety Show The 2018 Youth Variety Show at Waipu's Coronation Hall this Saturday promises to be a great showcase of talent, with budding comedian Logan Dobson acting as MC. Young Auckland orchestra Sinfonietta will play a medley of Kiwi favourites, rising star and dance choreographer Jayden Rudolph will explain the cultural symbolism of the Art 'n Tartan dances which he and his troop will perform.
Ex-Nerds frontman Elijah Backhouse will perform his latest solo material and youth theatre group Making A Scene will transport the audience to 1910 with their play Discovery.
The Scream, a winning costume from Waipu's Art n Tartan show, on display at this weekend's Youth Variety Show. Photo/Peter Grant
Waipu's Circool Circus will amaze with their tricks and Art 'n Tartan models will join in the grand finale, with a chance to see the winning wearable arts outfits on display in the hall entrance. Entry is by koha.
Race Day Daffodil Day fundraiser Wear yellow to the Harcourts Daffodil Race Day at Ruakaka on September 1 to show your support for the Cancer Society's Daffodil fundraising and enjoy a day of thoroughbred racing.
The day's feature fundraising event is the Harcourts Daffodil Raceday High Tea. Enjoy all-day high tea refreshments, a spring fashion preview styled by Polwarth Design and Whangarei Menswear and Suit Hire, spot prize giveaways and lots of activities.
Tickets are $60 per person with $10 from your ticket donated to Cancer Society Northland, along with all proceeds from raffles and auctions, plus you can donate on the day.
Phone 09 432 7249 or email info@ruakakaracing.co.nz .
Commonwealth gold and bronze medallist Black Stick Anita McLaren is the day's celebrity sporting ambassador. Visit the races' Facebook page to enter a competition for two people to win entry to the High Tea and join McLaren at her table for the afternoon. Buses will run from Whangarei.
Sponsored sailing trips Two sponsored sailings on the R Tucker Thompson are available for students aged 13-18 living in the Bream Bay area. Sponsors of the five-day youth voyages in the next holidays are Marsden Maritime Holdings and Waipu Lions.
Sharon Carroll of Waipu Lions says the group hopes the voyage will be a life changing and inspiring experience for someone. Applications are due next week. For more information contact Mark Bayer at Bream Bay College on 432 8226.
■ Email Julie Paton at moojoy@xtra.co.nz if you've got Bream Bay news to share with Northern Advocate readers.
