Consumer Events
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NZ View
NZ View's AGM earlier this year was a very successful and informative function. Gary Veenstra, Child and Family Social Worker/Counsellor was the keynote speaker and spoke about his role working with blind, deafblind and vision-impaired children and their parents.
A combined Executive and Delegates meeting followed the AGM with lots of discussion and ideas put on the table for the future. Members finished the day feeling empowered and positive about the way forward.
Next year's AGM and Biennial Conference will be held in Rotorua in September 2008. For more information, please contact Ailsa Morgan, national administrator, NZ View by ph: 07 348 2765 or email: aislabie@clear.net.nz.
RNZFB Indoor Bowls Club, Timaru
There is a lively bunch of members in Timaru who meet every Wednesday to chat and bowl. This club of around 18 members ranges in age from over 70 (the youngest) to five members in their nineties. The group use yellow bowls sets because they are much easier to see on the mat than the standard brown bowls.
One enterprising member, Ray, plays from his wheelchair after the Timaru Indoor Bowls Association produced a sloped wooden guide for him.
The result is not only does he enjoy his bowling much more but he is right up there with accuracy!
New members are welcome. Please contact Bill Whiting, Timaru McKenzie Community Committee for more information, email: billwhiting@xtra.co.nz
National Deafblind Residential Programme 2008
Deafblind Services is currently organising the 2008 National Deafblind Residential Programme. Subject to final approval, the programme will be held from 1 - 4 May at the Outdoor Pursuits Centre, Turangi. For more information or if you are interested in attending, please contact Eleanor O'Brien on 0800 24 33 33.
Realise your true abilities at Outward Bound 2008
Outward Bound seeks participants for the Insight course: 24-31 May 2008. Insight is designed for people 18 years and over who are blind, deafblind or vision-impaired. Discover your full potential through challenge and adventure in the outdoors. Fundraising support and scholarships are available. Contact Danielle Bowater on dbowater@outwardbound.co.nz or 0800 OUTWARD (688 927) or call Marina Hanger, RNZFB Recreation Advisor on 03 466 4237 or 0800 24 33 33 to find out more.
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Paulien Eitjes wins Blind Sailing Regatta
Congratulatons to Foundation member and sailor Paulien Eitjes, who won the Homerus Blind Match Racing Championships 2007 in Mondello, Italy on 6 November. It's an impressive win for Pauline who, while accomplished in fleet racing, is a newcomer to match racing. The Homerus system of beeping buoys gives sailors classified as B1 or B2 legally blind the ability to sail independently in an International Sailing Association Federation championships. Competitors' boats have a sound signal emitting from their bow, which allows their opponents to locate them.
Fiji workshop for PVI
Members from PVI recently attended a three-day parent workshop in Fiji, hosted by the Fiji Society for the Blind. The workshop successfully brought parents from New Zealand, Australia and Fiji together, enabling them to discuss their similar needs. Those attending the workshop also saw at first hand the Society's excellent work providing services to the Fijian blind community, in particular children who are blind or vision-impaired. The group was particularly impressed with the collaborative nature of the relationship between the Society, Community Based Rehabilitation workers and families. More collaboration between the participating organisations is planned over the next 12 months. For further information, please contact Paul Manning on 0800 312 019.
Central Otago Rail Trail Cycling/Walking Challenge 2008
Are you interested in a challenge? Then think about joining a group of like-minded members to cycle or walk the very popular, historic Central Otago Rail Trail in March 2008. You can find out more about this fully supported trip by contacting Marina Hanger on mhanger or 03 466 4237 or 0800 24 33 33.
RNZFB Complaints Policy
We welcome your feedback, which helps ensure we are providing quality services. We appreciate your compliments and we aim to resolve your concerns and/or complaints in a professional manner. If these cannot be sorted at the source, you may wish to take the matter further by contacting the manager concerned or the complaints co-ordinator, Adrienne Henderson (DM Quality Assurance) PO Box 2237, South Dunedin or ph: 03 466 4230.