Gala success, setting fundraising record

Fine weather brought crowds to the Mangawhai Beach School gala on Labour Weekend, netting the school a record fundraising tally of $17,000.

Fundraising committee member Juliet Vickers was thrilled that, despite tougher economic times, the popular annual agricultural day was such a success. Money raised will be spent on upgrading and maintaining information technology equipment in classrooms.

“We’re just so thankful to all who supported us and helped make what is our main fundraiser for the year such a success,” Juliet says.

Juliet praised the parents, pupils and community for their efforts, both on the day and in the months leading up to it.

Local businesses were thanked for their sponsorship and groups such as The Zone were thanked for their help on the day.

The Friends of the school committee set an annual fundraising target of $20,000 for IT support, and “are pretty much there already, thanks to the gala’s success”.

Results:

Lambs – Champion (rearing), Jasmine Whale; runner-up, Samuel Marwick. Champion (leading), Samuel Marwick; runner-up, Joshua Davies. Champion (wool), Houston Steiner; runner-up, Piero Grosman. Champion (meat), Joshua Davies; runner-up, Jasmine Whale. Novice, Alicia McDonald. Memo Cup, Paige Rynne. Champion (senior), Joshua Davies; Reserve (senior), Houston Steiner. Champion (junior), Jasmine Whale; reserve (junior), Emily Medcalfe.

Calves – Champion (rearing), Jake Grayson; runner-up, Abbie Tornquist. Champion (leading), Dylan Wharfe; runner-up, Ellen Nelder. Champion (light dairy), Amber Johnson; runner-up, Jake Grayson. Champion (heavy dairy), Cindy Smith; runner-up, Billie Frisken-Berry. Champion (dairy) overall, Cindy Smith. Champion (beef), Ben Smith. Novice, Abbie Tornquist. Most bonded pair, Amber Johnson. Champion (senior), Dylan Wharfe; reserve (senior), Ellen Nelder. Champion (junior), Micaela Tornquist; reserve (junior), Hayden Wharfe.

Top: Cindy Smith with her Champion dairy calf, Zoe, and friend Ellen Nelder, with Abby, reserve senior champion.

Middle: Samuel Marwick and ChopChop, won the leading section.

Bottom: Blaire Dunlop, 3, enjoys driving Ellie, owned by Stephanie Broome, leading.