News
- Blind Week Results
- Erik's visit
- International success for lawn bowlers
- Vision impaired games
- RNZFB contacts:
- New Plymouth knitters stitch up $93,000
- Blind Indoor Bowls 50th jubilee
- Volunteer training
- Greymouth recruitment record
- Last chance to buy!
- Planning to study next year?
Page 4
Blind Week Results
This year's campaign has been the brightest, boldest and most fun we have ever had thanks to all our wonderful volunteers and supporters. To date we have received more than $890,000 with more expected to roll in!
Erik's visit
The three-week tour by blind mountaineer and motivational speaker Erik Weihenmayer, planned for December, has been postponed until 2003. More details will follow.
International success for lawn bowlers
In April this year Nola Burgess and David Monk, together with their individual directors Kathleen Monk and Helen Stallard, competed at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Lawn Bowling Championships in Adelaide.
Nola and David won a bronze medal in the totally blind mixed pairs and Nola also gained a bronze medal in the ladies singles. They hope to repeat their success at the next IPC championships in Malaysia in April 2004.
Vision impaired games
Planning for the 2003 games is well underway. Palmerston North will be hosting the event from 13-16 February, with accommodation at Massey University.
Competition sports include swimming and track and field, and the games are a unique opportunity for travel, friendship and further sports opportunities.
Entries have closed but those who would like to go and support the athletes can get in touch with their local contact person (listed below) for details.
RNZFB contacts:
Whangarei, Jo Kersey
Auckland, Glynis Smith (Homai School for the Blind/Vision-Impaired)
Hamilton, Elsa Pullenger
Wanganui, Sue McMenamin
Napier, Jillian Applegate
Wellington, Tim Prendergast
Christchurch, Michelle Wilson
Dunedin, Marina Hanger
New Plymouth knitters stitch up $93,000
The New Plymouth sewing and knitting group has raised $93,000 over 10 years to directly support the Foundation's guide dog services! This amazing group of, on average, eight women is a shining example of community spirit and commitment. Local stores and the public donate materials and others assist on sales stalls and with transport.
Page 5
Blind Indoor Bowls 50th jubilee
Over Labour weekend 2003, Blind Indoor Bowls NZ will be holding its 50th jubilee celebrations in Wellington, alongside the national bowls championships.
The first blind indoor bowls nationals were held in 1953 in the Druids Hall in Auckland.
Any long-standing members or friends who have old photographs or items of historical interest and could lend them for inclusion in a celebration booklet, please contact Phyllis Fox within the next few months:
3 Kelston Street,
New Lynn,
Auckland,
(09) 827 4250
phyllis.fox@xtra.co.nz
Volunteer training
It's been a busy time for volunteer training in the Wellington region. Three courses have been held for volunteers from the Kapiti, Mana, Wellington and Lower Hutt advisory committees in August, and one course for volunteers from Levin, Fielding, Tararua and Palmerston North committees in September. In October the most recent course for those in Napier and Hastings was held.
Participants have especially appreciated the sighted guide training and a number of volunteers also offered to help members in a range of additional roles. Thank you.
Greymouth recruitment record
Eleven new volunteers attended a training workshop in Greymouth organised by Sue Knight, volunteer services co-ordinator for the region. Free ads in a local newspaper resulted in the advisory committee more than doubling their number of volunteers. The newcomers are a much appreciated addition to the excellent long-term service the advisory committee has always provided in Greymouth.
Last chance to buy!
Don't miss out on the 2003 NZ Events calendars ($24.95) and guide dog Christmas cards ($7.95 a pack). Orders delivered by Christmas must be made by 12th December - so get in quick. Phone 0800787743, fax (09) 355 6880 or visit www.rnzfb.org.nz to place your order.
Planning to study next year?
If you are leaping into tertiary study, can you please contact the ENABLE team to discuss your special format needs - braille, large print, audio and electronic. Phone 0800 24 33 33 and choose the ENABLE option or email: enable.