MEDIA RELEASE
20 January 2010
The Taupo District Council ‘Our Neighbourhood’ events held at Parkdale Reserve in Richmond Heights on Friday afternoon, and at Taupahi Reserve in Turangi on Saturday were a huge success according to organisers.
About 150-200 people turned out to the Richmond Heights event, enjoying live music, the bouncy castle, a free BBQ, and fun events like egg throwing and sack races organised by the Our Neighbourhood team.
“These events are a blast,” says Council’s Strategic Relationships Manager Dylan Tahau. “Everyone has loads of fun, and I think we’re really getting the point across about community togetherness.”
The overall winners of the organised events were Steve Short and his daughter Aisha , who were slightly shocked when their prize pack included a tandem skydive thanks to Taupo Tandem Skydive. Even more shocked was Bronwyn Bribban, who was selected from the crowd to also complete a tandem skydive with Steve . “These guys are complete strangers, but after this life-changing ride, I think they’ll be life-long friends,” says Mr Tahau.
The event in Turangi attracted a crowd of well over 500 people, thanks in part to the Turangi SPCA Dogs R Fun event held in conjunction. “It was great to get down to Turangi and give them an event like this, and the community really got behind it,” says Mr Tahau.
The final showdown for the races included 3 adults and a 10 year old girl, who had to complete sack races, egg throwing and a final sprint to the finish line. 10 year old Shanaya Dempsey took out the event, taking home a Ragamuffin gift pack including tickets for two to the event this weekend.
The community events are designed to bring neighbours together, and encourage a sense of community spirit and pride. The next scheduled event is Friday 12 Feb at Lakewood Park, Nukuhau.
Complete strangers Bronwyn Bibban and Steve Short, will soon be skydiving together as a result of last Friday’s ‘Our Neighbourhood’ event
Harold the Giraffe got in on the fun entering the sack race at last Friday’s ‘Our Neighbourhood’ event
Hundreds of Turangi residents turned out on Saturday with and without dogs to the Turangi SPCA/ ‘Our Neighbourhood’ event
Throwing eggs is one of the resident activities at the ‘Our Neighbourhood’ events held on local reserves throughout the district