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The Heroesin our <strong>co</strong>mmunityby Franklin Mayor Mark BallMy awareness of what is donein our <strong>co</strong>mmunity by volunteersreally focused with the nationalcelebration of Volunteers Day.When we began looking locallyat all the volunteering sections,individually, each of those peopledid a little bit, but <strong>co</strong>llectively, theydid a huge amount. When we didour sums, based just on the basic wage, it ran into billions ofdollars worth of time and effort given freely to help others. The<strong>co</strong>ntribution of our volunteers is massive and we can never repaythat.Volunteers are our heroes and to me, the heroes of our<strong>co</strong>mmunity are the mums and dads. They are the ones helpingtheir schools and supporting kids’ sport. Decades later, whenthe kids have grown, many <strong>co</strong>ntinue to serve. I look back to mychildhood and my parents set a great example.Franklin is disproportionately represented on the positiveside with our volunteers. We can still field sports teams and stillfill our positions on boards of trustees, while in larger centreslike Auckland, they are really struggling. Parents who take aninterest in their kids, en<strong>co</strong>urage them in sport and have someonethere for them when they get home from school, support familyand <strong>co</strong>mmunity values. If you have a look at the professionalsports around the globe, many are struggling because they arerun just as businesses. Sure the business model is important,but we must never forget or let go of the social <strong>co</strong>mponent. Itis about finding that balance. In the main, amateur sport inNew Zealand <strong>co</strong>ntinues to thrive because their backbone is thevolunteer, the parent.I am in awe of those people. We have a huge number ofvolunteers in Franklin <strong>co</strong>mpared to other <strong>co</strong>mmunities – outthere day and night, making Franklin ‘tick.’ We have theminvolved in <strong>co</strong>mmunity activities like PTAs and Plunket, serviceclubs like Lions and Rotary, support groups like Hospice andCamp Quality and those making the place safer like FireFighters and Night Patrols. It is so obvious that they all play avital role in the overall health and wellbeing of our <strong>co</strong>mmunity.We all need a focus, a single day to reflect on what it means tobe a New Zealander. Previous governments <strong>co</strong>nsidered it may beWaitangi Day, so they changed the name to New Zealand Daybut it didn’t provide the impetus, the pride in our nationhoodthat New Zealand was looking for. It’s not about politics orthrowing mud at politicians. What has evolved over the pastfew years is A<strong>nz</strong>ac Day. We’ve seen unprecedented numbersturn out across New Zealand, and certainly in Franklin, withsome 2,000 at the Dawn Parade in Pukekohe this year. It hasreally given us that single day on our calendar where we canacknowledge our heroes of war, but we can also acknowledge theboy s<strong>co</strong>uts, the girl guides, the territorialists, the navy reservists,our volunteer fire fighters, police, and all the women who workbehind the scenes - those who represent us at our A<strong>nz</strong>ac paradeswho, on a daily basis put their lives at risk or quietly support our<strong>co</strong>mmunity. A<strong>nz</strong>ac Day is an opportunity for us to acknowledgethem, while we acknowledge our war heroes. It’s our real HeroesDay, to celebrate something very special – our caring <strong>co</strong>mmunity.Why Franklin Is Such AnIncredible Community!by Dr Paul Hutchison,MP for HunuaCommunity spirit in Franklin is thestrongest of anywhere I have <strong>co</strong>meacross in New Zealand, or, for thatmatter, anywhere in the world!The fact that over five hundredpeople packed the Pukekohe TownHall at short notice and with almostno advertising, to express theirstrong view that Franklin should remain separate from the so-called ‘SuperCity’ speaks volumes. By far the majority were there to demonstrate howmuch they cared about the values and <strong>co</strong>mmunity spirit of Franklin!They see it as unique, quite different from urban Auckland, andsomething to be very proud of. The hundreds of letters and emails I havereceived personally, and those published in our local papers overwhelminglyexpress that there is something very special about our <strong>co</strong>mmunity.Franklin is rich in both unsung as well as acknowledged heroes andheroines. From the ranks of the unsung are thousands of selfless peoplewho dedicate their time and energies to helping others in the <strong>co</strong>mmunity.They <strong>co</strong>me out of the woodwork to help in their thousands whenthe call is make. From the huge attendance supporting cancer researchthrough ‘Relay For Life’, to the incredible work done by Franklin Hospice,The Christian Community Centre, Riding for the Disabled, Habitatfor Humanity and <strong>co</strong>untless clubs and organizations like Lions, Rotary,Probus, RSA and church groups.Having spent much of my former life as a surgeon living close to big cityhospitals, I was bemused when first seeking selection to be<strong>co</strong>me Memberof Parliament for Port Waikato, to be told I must go to the calf club days.Calf club days epitomize the classic Kiwi school <strong>co</strong>mmunity celebratingthe land. Everyone goes; from the babe in arms to the oldest granny. Insome schools, there is fierce <strong>co</strong>mpetition for the ‘dad’ who can bake the bestcake. I <strong>co</strong>uld hardly believe the elaborate details of the cakes from PollockSchool where rival men, seven foot tall, would set aside their tractors andmilk sheds to spend days designing the winning masterpiece – only to haveit auctioned, and eaten, all for the <strong>co</strong>mmon good.Franklin has the whole spectrum of activities supported by a vast rangeof organizations – historical societies, Waiuku Woodturners, AwhituLandcare, the Kariaotahi Surf Life Saving Club, the Tahuna Marae gym,Plunket, Playcentre, the Matakawau Fair… and the list goes on.A year ago I brought the Hon Chris Finlayson into Franklin to talkto people involved with Arts and Culture. He was stunned and amazedby the vast number of people involved. He heard about the annual ArtsFestival, the Pukekohe Light Opera Company and was inspired by thededication of those involved with the new Onewhero Performing ArtsCentre. Underpinning each of these organizations are <strong>co</strong>mmitted peoplepassionate about our area. Every type of sports organization in the bookfrom horse and motor racing to hang gliding, from rugby to netball, soccer,cricket and clay pigeon shooting are represented. Counties ManukauSports does an amazing job!At every A & P Show the Lions are always there and Rotary gives hugeservice to our <strong>co</strong>mmunity.On ANZAC Day, at every little hamlet and town, people gather ingreater numbers, year by year, to remember the sacrifices of those who havegiven us the freedom we now enjoy.Franklin has extraordinary national beauty and diversity, but what makesit truly incredible is expressed by that well known Maori sayinghe aha te mea nui he tangata he tangataWhat is the most important thingIt is people, it is people.Advertising sales 09 239 1699, sales@elocal.<strong>co</strong>.<strong>nz</strong> www.elocal.<strong>co</strong>.<strong>nz</strong> 9

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