Artwork - Kody Gorst
Arwork - Kimberley Fletcher
Mikeeley Jones in Greenpark School Uniform
Henry Vermaak on his unicycle. Environmentally friendly in terms of resources used but environmentally damaging when you fall into the garden.
Jack Rogers and Colin go triking together.
POOLS OPEN NEXT SATURDAY 26
The caretakers plan to open the pools next Saturday to coincide with the school holidays. The independent water and microbiological tests were all clear. Pool temperatures will be a bit down for a few weeks as they are dependent on solar heating conditions and night-time temperatures. Temperatures are higher in the afternoon of course. The approximate temperatures are displayed in the pavilion. The shade sail will be re-erected by the supplier Shade Protection Ltd for no charge. (They are a good outfit and have done several residential shade sails in here. www.shadepro.co.nz). If you take the folding chairs into the pool enclosure please put them away when you leave.
Parents please take extra time to familiarise yourself and your family with the Pool Regulations which are displayed in the pavilion and summarised beside the pool gate. Supervision, safety and respect for other users are paramount points. The hours of use are also displayed.
ONEHUNGA WEED SPRAYING
A contractor will be spraying all the parks for onehunga weed etc over the school holidays while he is in the area to spray school grounds. Signs will be displayed during the day of spraying. It is considered best to stay off the sprayed areas until the spray is dry – which takes a few hours.
SAFETY AND CHILDREN
There are about 60 children in Twelve Acre Wood and they are all precious! The annual meeting discussion was overwhelmingly supportive of our children playing together and recognised that some biking, skating and ‘snakeboarding’ will occur on roads. Children need to be very aware of their part in the safety equation and watch out for and give way to vehicles. Mostly they do this but Ipod use is not compatible with safety awareness. Residents, visitors and contractors need to respect the 25km speed limit to complete the safety partnership.
Honestly our Twelve Acre Wood children are our outstanding asset and we want it to stay that way. It is so pleasing to see how well they are growing up and communicating with other children and adults. Many children, like their parents, are active in the wider community. For example, Kaitlin Perry and Rose Feeney help at Riding for the Disabled on Saturday mornings. Many of our children excel academically and do very well at sport. At least three children were at Blake Park playing hockey the other evening. Andrew Ede is captain of the very successful Western Bay Under13 Rugby Rep. team. Jeremy Youngman captains a hockey rep. team. Many intermediate aged children enjoyed participation in the AIM games held in Tauranga a few days ago.
We are pleased to welcome four new families:
Stuart and Hollie Ross plus Katie, 7 Contour Avenue
Blair and Kirsty Cashmore plus Lucus (7) and Sienna (3), 44 Contour Avenue
Angela and Brent Rogers plus Jack (2) and baby Ella plus a Steamer’s player! 2b Contour Avenue
Christine and Sean Treanor plus Morgan (Aquinas) and Jessica (St Mary’s), 2a Contour Avenue
COMMITTEE MEMBER PROFILES
The new committee selected at the AGM was Carol Henwood, Claire Feeney, Mary-Louise Thompson, Geoff Purcell, Wayne Heyworth and Colin Henderson. The committee elected Geoff as the new chairman. We have included brief profiles so you can see what you have done!
Carol Henwood
(Carol has just returned from Uluru which we presume is in Afghanistan. If she hadn’t provided a profile we were going to say she is an ex Governor of the Reserve Bank)
Born and schooled in Matamata, I married Cam in 1973 and we had three children. We moved to Hamilton where the family lived for the next 18 years and I returned to teaching, initially at Hamilton East School then as A.P. at Horsham Downs School until we moved to Tauranga in 2003. I did extra studies at Waikato Universityand have lots of experience with children with special needs or abilities. We have two gorgeous grandchildren.
I have enjoyed many experiences over the years including being a netball representative for 10 years and being in the NZ training squad. I used to play the piano and the violin. I made many porcelain dolls.
Claire Feeney
Married to Paul, we have three children, David (16), Rose (13), and Charlotte (12). We also have a black lab Zac, and a ginger cat Flash. Both Paul and I grew up on the North Shoreand Paul attended Rosmini College and I went to Carmel College. We lived in France from1990 to 1994 and David was born there - we were there for rugby which is still Paul’s profession working for BOP. Paul was a Policeman for 9 years. I was in the RNZAF for a similar period. Initially in the catering, I became a commissioned officer and finished as a PA.
I love sport such as running, tennis, and netball. At present, I am on ‘light duties’ due to a back injury. It is torture not being able to play tennis especially, but I hope to get back to it eventually.
We have moved a lot over the last 7 years – Japan, Fiji, Gisborne, and now here. In Gisborne, I was actively involved with Poverty Bay junior tennis, served on the Gymnastics club committee and coached school netball.
Mary-Louise Thompson
I live at 23 Contour Avenue and the family moved from Gisborne to Tauranga to be closer to our 14 year old son who boards at Sacred Heart in Auckland. Richard and I have two daughters and Portia is in Y7 at Aquinas College and Madeleine is in Y5 at St Mary’s School. Richard is a dentist, working at Elizabeth Street Dental. Whenever he gets a chance he is flying remote controlled planes. I am a physiotherapist with a special interest in acupuncture. My sewing machines have a habit of creeping from their designated table in the spare room to the dining table. They are in frequent use. I have had some prior committee experience while on the Life Education Trust in Gisborne.
Geoff Purcell
Geoff is nearly married to Yanina (January next year) who has two beautiful girls Kerry and Shannon. Yanina immigrated to NZ from South Africa in 2001. Yanina works in the health and well-being industry.
Geoff is from nearby - born and raised in Katikati for 20 years before going to Auckland in 1983 to be a Firefighter. Geoff’s parents and siblings still live in the Katikati area. Geoff and family returned to Tauranga in 1997 and children Abby and Patrick visit and stay over when it suits them, as only teenagers can. Geoff was Officer in Charge at the Tauranga Fire Station until 2005 and after 18 months as National Recruitment Manager, in 2007, he became National Training Centre Manager which is based in the purpose built centre in Rotorua opposite the airport. The drive to work is taking a bit longer of late because of the closure of the direct road. Resident Graham Hey built their contemporary home at 30 Contour Avenuewhere the family has now lived since 2007. They enjoy the TAW family friendly lifestyle and the excellent amenities provided. A favourite pastime is cruising around the countryside on their Suzuki 1800cc motorcycle. Fitness, a healthy lifestyle and four teenagers keeps them busy.
Wayne Heyworth
I was born in Manurewa, where I grew up, went to school and played rugby for the local club. I did my apprenticeship in the newspaper industry where I stayed for 17 years finishing as a Chief Engineer. Married and with a family of 4 boys, we moved to Tauranga in 1979 where we purchased and operated a motel in 15 Avenue. The boys completed their schooling at Tauranga Boys College
I spent a few years landscaping before purchasing an orchard at Te Puna Road. I married Wendy and together we established a hydroponic lettuce business, supplying local and Auckland markets. After this, we had the Sober Camel Café in Grey Street for 2 years. We bought a screen printing business at the Mount and seeing the future trend we invested heavily in the latest digital printers. The screen printing side of the business was sold off last year and we are now focussed on wide format digitally printed textiles. We are now wholesale suppliers of flags, banners, display systems and roll to roll fabric for garment manufacturers.
Colin Henderson
I am married to Pat who is of Australian/New Zealand parentage and grew up in the beautiful Blue Mountains in NSW and worked at Tauranga Hospital for 18+ years as Executive Secretary to a series of CEO’s. We lived in Lower Hutt, Brisbane and Honiara, Solomon Islands but have been at Jarrah Park since 1974.
At one time we had an Australian plant nursery and I have 2,000 botanical names of plants stored in my head! We also had a kiwifruit and avocado orchard as well as a horse paddock before Twelve Acre Wood was developed. As an accountant, I originally worked in the building construction and logging industries and for several years we ran a wholesale grouping of nurseries with the depot here. From 1989 to 2002, I was the specialist school accountant in Tauranga which built up to 24 schools in the cluster. A tree-felling accident in July 2002, when we were starting the Twelve Acre Wood development, altered the topography – for the tree and me.
I have past associations with Scouting, A&P Show, Values Party, Greenpark School PTA and Committee (and part time caretaker!) Hobbies, some perpetually latent include landscape oil painting, writing, genealogy, travelling and gardening.
CONTACTING THE COMMITTEE
You are of course welcome to discuss matters with any member of the committee but if you have a particular concern or suggestion it is recommended that you convey this to Julie Jones at secretary@twelveacrewood.co.nz. The committee has a policy of not responding to verbal or anonymous complaints. If you have something that needs addressing with a neighbour it is best practise to discuss this amicably with the neighbour first. We encourage all residents to be respectful of their neighbour’s reasonable concerns.
ALL TERRAIN PARK PROGRESS
The Tauranga Motorcycle Trials Club is just one group that is really excited about using the Terrain Park when available 25km up the road. They will host local and regional events and train new members. Horse riders from several equestrian disciplines are working with park staff to integrate ideas for equestrian facilities. These organisations met recently at the Riding for the Disabled Centre. The park has great potential for riding trails and open country riding. The park is planning for staged openings from late this year!
GREENPARK PRIMARY SCHOOL
(This article is written by Colin Henderson)
Greenpark is our nearest primary school. At the stage when our children were attending in the late 1970s and early 1980s this school had an average roll of about 60 children and there were either four or three teachers including the teaching Principal. Now the roll is over 750 students and the facilities are amazing. Two Twelve Wood parents are on the staff – Annette Pepperell is very experienced in the special needs area and Julie Jones assists in the office. A number of our children attend this school and parents are involved in a variety of ways.
Recently, a new sign went up at the entrance and Lyn reminded her Dad that he designed, in haste, the tree featured on the sign! If I had realised its longevity I might have taken more time designing it. I went to have a look and now realise the tree features on several signs, the stationery and on uniforms.
The staff suggested I visit the hall where there was an annual art display. The art display was absolutely spectacular with nearly every student providing at least one work of creative and colourful art and all beautifully displayed. Most the art was done as part of class projects but art tutor Jo Gilpin extends many students talents by using the Art Studio which was built about three years ago. Without saying that I saw all Twelve Acre Wood student art I did appreciate works by Kody and Reagan Gorst, Kimberley Fletcher, William and Ela Grimwood, Cody and Kyra Tremayne, and Hannah and Mikeeley Jones.
I will write a brief history of the school from the perspective of Pat’s and my involvement. The land for the school was purchased for $10,600 in 1955. (well the equivalent in pounds) and the school opened with three teachers in 1957. Originally it was simply called Greerton No2 school until a poll picked the name Greenpark. At the time of the 25 Jubliee in 1982, which Pat helped organise, there were 65 students.
The school was part of the rural schools cluster for many years and had events like calf days.Pat and I were both active at various time on the PTA and the then school committee. Fundraising was also fun raising. The annual gala day was the big fundraising event. We had tractor rides, pony rides and stalls of all descriptions. I remember one gala where the lovely blonde lady parent who lived in our cottage (now the TAW library) was helping with the sales tables in room 2. I put a notice on the window which said ‘Kiss the blonde lady in here for one dollar!’ I was the treasurer and I know this activity only raised $2 and I know the contributors.
The PTA and the Greerton Lions Club funded Adventure Playground which was constructed out of old telephone poles with Community Work Scheme labour. I am sure it did not meet OSH standards. We also made a ‘flying fox’ from a platform up the large chestnut tree and this provided a popular, largely unsupervised, playtime activity! The tree, which no longer exists, was the inspiration for the logo.
I was part time caretaker for a couple of years and Lyn sometimes helped me after biking home from Intermediate. The average weekly hours was about 8 and by the time I paid full and compulsory union fees, and Lyn perhaps, I was definitely in the ‘not for profit’ sector. Rubbish was disposed of by incineration or throwing down an offal hole. Once, a nice Lumsden Street neighbour half filled one of our beloved offal holes with gibboard. A teacher happened to see him. Two members of the committee knocked on his door the next day. I was to do the talking and the other guy was to punch him if that was a better option. We made him climb down a ladder into the hole and take all his rubbish out and plaster was falling on his poor head. Humiliating!
Katrina Donnelly started teaching at Greenpark School in 1980 and is still on the staff. I was the school’s accountant from the start of ‘Tomorrow’s Schools’ in 1989 until 2002.
BEEHIVES
If anybody including children would like to see Gino and Lyn de Graaf’s beehives at 33 Jarrah Park Drive and learn how the bees operate, you are welcome to contact Gino or Lyn on Ph 543 2713 to arrange a time. They will provide you with a bee suit and helmet while you look.
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES
If we organise any optional activities soon we will distribute flyers to notify dates. We expect to have another travel evening and the genealogy evening when they can be scheduled. The committee is considering things like a tennis afternoon and Sunday breakfast BBQs.
NEIGHBOURHOOD SUPPORT
(Supplied by Lyn de Graaf)
We are fortunate to be living in a very safe area in regards to crime but it is important to continue to take basic precautions. I can provide you with a Crime Prevention Pack if you have not yet received one.
Crime in the general area has been tracking down over the last three weeks from nine burglaries a week down to five. There has been an increase in the theft of vehicle registration plates including from Freeburn Road a few days ago. The Night Owls can attach tamper resistant screws to your number plates for a gold coin donation. They will be at Fraser Cove between 10am and 3pm on the 31 October if you are interested.
If you are a new resident please let me know if you would like to join our Twelve Acre Wood Neighbourhood Support Group. I can provide the Crime Prevention Pack and add you to the database. The database is also used by Civil Defence in the event of an emergency/evacuation.
RIDE TO FLY
Remember that Frank Carter is still preparing to ride his 1955 DOT motorbike from Cape Reinga to Bluff in November to raise awareness and funds for MAF. A group of motorbike riders should be stopping in Tauranga on the 16 and 17 November on the way south. MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) is a respected and vital aviation service operating in many developing countries to help other aid organisation deliver their crucial work and to provide emergency relief services. If you are interested to support this project or would like to see the bike, please contact Frank at 26 Contour Avenue
Geoff Purcell
Chairperson
Julie Jones
Secretary
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