SKILLS MAINTENANCE REVIEW DEFINES FOUR ... - PlaceMakers

NEWScommunity FocusClash of the CodesPlaceMakers Cook Street’s Blue September’s buildingchallenge hits Breakfast TVEveryone loves a little friendlycompetition – even the wet andcold morning couldn’t dampenthe heat between the Union and Leagueplayers who turned up bright and earlyfor PlaceMakers Cook Street’s Clashof the Codes building challenge!The Blue September event, where each‘code’ team was given three hours tobuild a playhouse, aired live on BreakfastTV. Prostate Cancer Foundation CEOGraeme Woodside joined presenter SamWallace and special co-host Sir PeterLeitch aka ‘the Mad Butcher’ to watchthe event unfold.“We had three union guys from theNorth Harbour Team – Zac Judge,Jordan Manihera and Irwin Finau – upagainst three Warriors’ players – CarlosTuimavae, Russell Packer, Steve Rapiraand Monty Beetham”, says J (Justin)Curry. “Each side was championed bya PlaceMakers manager – myself andRon Vanderplas – and, as a team,we needed to design, build and painta playhouse each.”The Union boys – who had a builderin their midst – took the lead earlyon but, as the hours passed, theMad Butcher teamed up with Ronand the Warriors to create a moreelaborate playhouse that the kids onsite much preferred.“In the end, we decided it was a drawas ours was a bit plain yet veryappealing as a man cave, but theWarriors’ one was much prettier – withtwo storeys and a veranda!” says J.“It was a great morning, good exposurefor Blue September and, to top it off,both playhouses sold on Trade Me for$910 – which went straight to theProstate Cancer Foundation!”Participants, guests and the kids enjoyed the Clash of theCodes building challenge at PlaceMakers Cook StreetKeen kids conquer Mud DashPlaceMakers Albany and Blue Streak team up with HarbourSport to host Blue September obstacle raceDetermined kids are not deterred by mud or mayhemThe local fire brigade was on hand to hose downthe kids after the raceBlue Streak was more brownthan blue after the first everPlaceMakers Albany Mud Rush,which saw almost 1,000 kids participatein a muddy obstacle race and raise justover $1,000 for the Prostate CancerFoundation.PlaceMakers Albany branch managerMark Moffitt says the branch andBlue Streak were keen to team up withHarbour Sport, which is committed toproviding sporting opportunity in thearea, for its inaugural Mud Dash.“The 2.5 km endurance event, whichfeatured plenty of hills and 18 obstacles,was a muddy sea of six to 13 year-olds,who were keen to test their limits,” saysMark. “Parents on the sidelines weretreated to a hilarious spectacle and sometime spent mingling with Blue Streak,whose presence alone was enough toprompt prostate cancer awareness.”PlaceMakers Blue Streak was acceptinggold coin donations and all the parkingfunds from the day were donated to theProstate Cancer Foundation.“Overall, it was a fantastic communityfamily event,” says Mark. “We were veryhappy to be involved in the event itself,as well as helping spread the underlyinghealth message, which is to promoteregular checks for prostate cancer.”5