Each year the KWC women are involved in various activities and here are some of this year's iconic events
2008
Big Dig - January
Thank you to those who nominated us beneficiaries for this event. All a very Successful Day. We had our display at the event. Carine did a wonderful job and optimised the opportunity to raise our profile - Good Work Carrine! Carrine our very organised organiser. Chauffeur Joyce took to transporting goods, equipment and display instead of people and our ever obliging Faye who counted, counted and counted money for us in order that we are accurate on our books.
Kapiti Women's Triathlon - 2nd March
The iconic event encourages the women and girls to "give it a go". A dearest dream come true is a sentiment shared by the many women who took part in the Kapiti Womens Triathlon. The castles poem in our March newsletter may seem like a fairy tale wish, women have done just as it prescribes - dreamed a dream, worked to make it happen and reaped the rewards of their achievement. For some it was to better their last efforts, for others it was a fun and casual morning's exercise, but the day belonged to the first timers, whose nerves and anxiety turned to relief and jubilation as they cross the finish line. That was where the cameradie of women supporting women was felt the most - the looks on their faces as they realised that their dream is a reality. So although many may not realise it, taking part in a triathlon is not to get fit and go fast. The experience of empowerment of making your dream come true.
Mid-winter Swim
The women of the collective at KWC are always looking for opportunities to promote the Centre. Our intrepid Julie believes in the therapeutic value of cleansing oneself in the invigorating waters of the Tasman Sea. This year she was encouraged by a bunch of equally intrepid women who dressed as "KWC mermaids" and joined her in the mid-winter dash promoting the Centre at the Kapiti Coast mid-winter swim.
They all report they enjoyed the escapade, did in fact feel purified and are already looking forward to the next year's swim!
Hui - 30 March
Quiz Night - Women's Suffrage
We would like very much like to thank our sponsors for providing such wonderful prizes to enable our Quiz night to be so successful. Many whose contributions are also behind the scenes and though we would like to list each and every person here minding our "Ps" and "Qs" - the list will be so long you may fall asleep. So here are some of our more prominent sponsors for the night....
$2 Shop; 2 Stroke; Absolute Skin Care; Affordable Art, AHL Embroidery; Akasha Books; Ambrosia Patisserie; Assyrian Kebab; Bakehouse of Waikanae; Bargain Hunter; Beach Deli Cafe; BEAUT!; Block Buster Video; BOC Safety; Body Indulgence; Bon Appetit Cafe; Bright Photo Labs; Brumby's Bakery; Bunnings; Candyland; Capelli Experience; Carevets; Cobb & Co; Coffee by Barista Boys; Copseford Flowers; Creation Station; Curtains Direct; Devoir Waxing Clinic; Diana's Lotto; Driftwood Superette; Elestial; Fairy Magic; Fanfare Bakery; Farm World; Feelgood Consultancy; Fibre Flair; Focus Gifts; Ballentynes; Gifted; Glow Golf; Godfreys; Gorgeous Things; Gus Evans Nurseries; Guthrie Bowron; Hairworkz; Harvey Norman Paraparaumu; Impact Hair Design; Individual Ink Tattoo Studio; Jacksons Flooring; Jan's Cafe; Jomp Hair Design; Kapiti Coast Florist; Kapiti Coast Meats; Kena Kena Square; Kodak Express; Lembas Cafe; Liquor King; Livingstone Gardens; Long Beach; Maclean Fish Supply; Mahara Gallery; Matenga Auto Services; Matenga Garden Centre; Me Boutique; Mystical Creatures; Newbolds; Noel Leeming; Nyco Chocolates; Pak & Save; PaperPlus; Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club; Paraparaumu Beach Pharmacy; Patricia's Fashion; Placemakers Paraparaumu; Prenzel; Pritchards Greenworld; Pro-Shop Paraparaumu Beach; Radius Coastlands; Raumati Beauty Studio; Raumati Pharmacy; Professionals Real Estate; Relish Cafe; Renascence by the C; Repco; Saarsha House; Shona Moller Gallery; Sister Act; Slimtone Beauty Therapy; Snipz Hair & Tanning; Stirling Sports; Streewise Coffee; Style; Sunlong Takeaways; Super Liquor Waikanae; Takenote Waikanae; The Bike Shop; The Garden Deli; The Goodtime Food Company; The Gym Waikanae; The Office; Unichem Chemist; United Travel; Video Ezy; Visique Kapiti Eyecare; Waikanae Amcal Pharmacy; Waikanae Butchery; Waikanae Mitre 10; Waikanae Postshop; Waikanae Tyre & Lube; Warehouse Stationery; Westpac; Whitcoulls, Xpress Nut Ltd, Y -why so long (ha ha) - Zzzzz -may you be asleep by now ; )
Check out our pictures in the December 2008 newsletter!
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Courses during Year
Each term during the year, the Kapiti Women's Centre (KWC) arranging various courses for participants. We have a range of courses from empowerment to arts to daily life skills such as budgetting, cooking, communication, Push / Play, gardening, life coaching etc. See What's Happening for the term listing on our webpage.
1000 Peace Exhibition - a contribution by Betty, our HUB member
On Friday 7th March at Waitangi Park Wellington, the traveling photography exhibition Winds of Change opened in Wellington. These 1,000 women were a joint nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2005.
The nomination was initiated by one woman MP in Switzerland and it was fitting that the exhibition opening in Wellington was hosted by the Swiss Ambassador HE Dr Beat Nobs. Annabel the Empress Stiltdancer assembled the crowd before the powhiri, despite battling the strong Wellington wind she managed to perform her task to the delight of those present.
The nominated women came from 150 different countries and from a wide range of backgrounds. The exhibition has messages of peace from each of the 150 women. Three of the nominated New Zealand women were present at the opening; Marion Hancock, Patsy Henderson-Watt and Pauline Tangiora. Eleitino Paddy Walker from the Cook Islands was also present. The other New Zealand nomination, Dr Marilyn Waring was unable to attend.
The many who attended braved a strong Wellington wind to take part in the official opening. Welllington Councillor Ray Ahipene-Mercer welcomed those present after the karanga and powhiri from the Tangata Whenua. A group of Pacific women read a poem reading separate parts. The poem depicted well the spirit of women working for peace. Teresia Teaiwa, Selina Marsh and Alice Te Punga Somerville were the poetry readers.
The Hon Marion Hobbs gave an opening address speaking about world peace and the small but effective steps made by women everyday within communities, nationally and at an international level. A reminder to those present that all the small initiatives combined together can make a difference. Dr Beat Nobs took up the same theme and praised the efforts of the four women present. Dr Nobs presented these women with flowers.
The official guests then moved to the Herd Street Brasserie for refreshments. Those who could brave the strong northerly wind moved on to view the exhibition. Sara and Joyce from the Kapiti Women’s Centre were present and Betty accompanied her friend from Rarotonga Paddy Walker. All of the Kapiti Women thoroughly enjoyed and were invigorated by the exhibition opening. Just to view the exhibits and speak to some of the women reminded us that we could all play a part in achieving peace everyday by the actions of us all.
Ballentyne's Fashion Parade - Autumn series
This is our 2nd time we have done the fashion parade, our autumn series Fashion parade was a BIG Hit on the night of 16 April. We even had a photographer on site, whom we didn't hire! Here are some of our lovely models who strutted their stuff for the night. A big thank you to our host Ballentyne for providing their venue and their time to organising this event, proving yet to be another successful event. Our sincere thanks to the students at Whiteria Polytechnic who also made us up for the evening to ensure that we all had our faces on. No fashion show is complete without photos so enjoy...
KWC Team Building Day
On a windy and rain looming day during the holidays, the collective gathered to participate in the Kapiti Women's Centre Amazing Race. This day was filled with challenges, fun, ingenuity, stealth, competition, thoughtfulness and yes some team building.
The need for a men's centre in Kapiti is often mentioned within our community, so our first task was to build "a blokes centre'. A very high standard was reached by most teams, though some took to underhand tactics to complete the task. Have a look at our December 2008 newsletter for a great picture.
The next pit stop proved to be a bigger challenge, with all teams getting seriously "misplaced", taking an age to find the next venue. Great learning, as we were reminded how easy it is to make assumptions, read what we want to see and take things for granted. It was with much relief that with good leadership, teamwork and a thorough review of our instructions we were able to find our way to the next challenge which involved jigsaws, word puzzles and the like.
Paekakariki beckoned the teams where they solved a pesky problem involving native flora and fauna, buckets, water, string and a big dose of ingenuity and problem solving - all created by our friend and mentor, Jan Nisbet. As the rain became a reality, resourcefulness lead to speedy completion of this task. Fortunately, the next activity was indoors. Gill put our creative skills to the test by requesting that we collage our wonderful women's centre. Being warm and snug helped immensely with this task resulting in some wonderful artwork for our reception area.
On the journey home we were required to gather information, pick up Kapiti Women's Centre flags from Ballentynes, another great supporter of the centre.
As the teams returned to the centre they were presented with medals and acknowledged for their efforts. Then it was time to share food and time together. A great afternoon, shared by a bunch of caring, supportive women and a stronger, closer team.
KWC Recognition Day
We came, we saw... and whilst we didn't quite conquer... we did pick up Highly Commended in the Health and Wellbeing category at the 2008 Wellington Airport Regional Awards ceremony held on Wednesday 15th October at the Waikanae Memorial Hall.
Hosted by the Kapiti Coast District Council, this annual event is a wonderful opportunity to acknowledge the fine contributions made by the many volunteers in the region.
Eight members of the collective attended the occasion and were entered by Te Korowao Whakamana of Otaki kapa haka group and the Kotuku Choir. The meal was delicious, the drinks were cheap and we had our moment in the sun. A charming speech by living legend Sir Jon Trimmer ended a delightful evening and certainly set the standard for next year.
The Kapiti Women's Centre couldn't exist without the many women who give their free time and varying skills. This award is a wonderful recognition from the wider community of the work and commitment given not only by current members of collective but also those who have gone before.
White Ribbon Day 2008 - 25th November
On the 25th of November, our community gathered at the Boat Club to commemorate White Ribbon Day.
White Ribbon Day is an international awareness day focusing on ending violence within the family. In particular, we ask the men in our community to challenge controlling and abusive behaviour and to speak up about stopping family violence. It is also a time to celebrate our men's leadership and commitment to promoting safe and healthy relationships within their families and homes.
This year Kapiti lead the way with the innovative idea of using "White Ribbon" biscuits to promote awareness. These were deisgned with most being made by Windmill Bakery. There were also "baking bees" with various groups from our community led by Kimba, Coordinator of Voices against Violence. There was a positive response to the barbeques at various sites around Kapiti offering free sausages and information about the Day. 12 women from the Centre attended the ceremony. Out experience has taught us that it is by supporting each other to change we make a difference - it is what women do and KWC admires the men that are supporting each other to change.
Glen's experience: "It was amazing to see the number of people attending. I was really pleased to see so many youngsters there. The speeches were moving, encouring and thought provoking. The statistics mentioned were scary, I didn't realise violence in our families was so widespread and so prevalent. It was good to know that Pak & Save and Kapiti Coast District Council recognise the problem and want to help eliminate violence in our community. The song was truly inspirational - Turning the Tide in Kapiti. It helped me believe that if we all work together we CAN turn the tide of violence. A special moment was filling the white ribbon with all the shells. To me it seemed that the shells were symbolic of the people who have been the victims of violence."
Banquet 2008 - Goddesses Garden
This year we were invited to a Goddesses Garden (the Rotary Room at the Community Centre in disguise). Collective members came in all their glory dressed as goddesses, celestial gardeners, queens, butterflies and lots more, all set to enjoy a wonderful evening of celebration.
The evening began with an ice-breaker. Heather created a puzzling time for us to meet our "match". Once the match was done, it was our tasks to discover something unique about our partner and that we could share with the collective. This was easier said than done, as we are a close group, having known each other for some time. We love a challenge so we took to the task with glee.
The first presentations of the evening were to acknowledge the graduates: Adele, Fliss, Jennie and Michelle. A certificate was presented to each of them recognising their achievement in completing the requirements of being the Centre Worker team. We also took the opportunity to farewell those who have given their time and energy to the centre.
We farewelled our Treasurer, Tina who has been with the collective since 2005. When Tina joined the Collective, while completing her Business course, which allowed Tina to gain practical experience with us. She now has a full time accounting position. Although good for Tina, it has meant that her time was limited and something had to give, which sadly was us.
We also farewelled Sherrie who was only with us for a short time. Sherrie was part of the Centre Worker team and participated in all centre activities and did her very best to be a very good support person to the women who came to the centre. She was one of the leaders of the mischief & fun.
The final acknowledgement of the evening were presentations to Gennie, Jan, Jacinta, Julie and Marie. What these women have in common are busy lives, busy with families, studies, paid work, work for other community organisations and other cultural interests. Yet they give all they can to ensure the Centre is a vital flourishing organisation. We called these women the unsung heroines and promptly give them due recognition by "singing" their praises.
We wish to thank Ingrid, "From our Kitchen Catering" for the wonderful meal for the evening.
