My Account
Speed shearing, gumboot throwing and cow pat bingo were just a few of several new events at the Kaipara Flats School Country Show Day, which helped to raise $29,000 on Saturday, November 4.
Principal Gary O’Brien said the results were fantastic and well up on last year, when torrential rain hampered the event.
“The great thing is that we’ve got a brand new PTA executive committee who ran the whole thing, brought in new activities like shearing, and took it back to its rural roots,” he said. “For them to raise that sort of money at their first show is fabulous.”
PTA board chair Donna Wech got dunked for her troubles.
Eden Healy won the Champion Lamb trophy with Snowflake.
Jake Capitao with his lamb Tornado tried his hand at animal leading.
He said a real highlight was the animal leading, with 40 lambs and 10 calves and their student handlers taking part, which was well up on previous years. A speed shearing competition and two rounds of cow pat bingo also proved popular.
Year 6 students set up and ran their own stalls and managed to raise $45 each towards their school camp fees at Tangihua Lions Lodge, but the bulk of the money made at the event will go towards buying a new pool cover and improving play equipment.
“This will go a long way to redeveloping our playground,” Mr O’Brien said. “We’ll be upgrading and replacing bits of adventure playground and putting some new things in.”
The new speed shearing contest was a hit and was dominated by brothers Toa and Whetu Henderson, who picked up the lion’s share of the $500 prize pot provided by Rabobank.
Shearing results: 1, Toa Henderson 43.1 seconds, $250; 2, Dan Donaghue, 49.3s, $150; 3, Whetu Henderson, 49.5s, $100.
