Annual picnic for Tauranga members

17 February 2012

Over 80 members with their family and friends enjoyed the annual picnic at the Te Puna Quarry Garden Park on 11 Feburay, organised by the RNZFB's Tauranga Community Committee.

The park contains a sensory garden, which was purpose built in 2010 by members of the Otumoetai Rotary in commemoraton of the 200th aniversary celebrations for the birth of Louis Braille, the inventor of the braille alphabet.

A variety of colourful, aromatic and tactile leaf plants to touch, smell and see have been planted in waist-high raised beds on both sides of a wheelchair-friendly path.

The annual picnic is one of several successful regular social events organised by the Tauranga Branch Community Committee for local RNZFB members. The Community Committee is a group of volunteers who organise much needed social activities for RNZFB members.

Many members, especially the elderly, expereice social isolation and find it difficult to get out and about on their own, so the Committee really enjoys making a difference.

Popular events include bus trips to tourist attractions in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions, musical and films shows, Christmas luncheon, the Annual General Meeting and a well-attended fortnightly get-together is organised at the Senior Citizens Club in Tauranga to enable Members to catch up with the latest news, play card games, practice crafts while exchanging tips and techniques with others who face the same difficulties on a day to day basis.

Volunteers play a big role in these activities by raising funds, organising the events and providing essential transport and sighted guide.

Photo: Regular volunteer driver, Janet, with RNZFB Member Kirsty. The pair are standing next to the Sensory Garden dedication plaque.