17 minute read
A chat with Justing Kinsella Devonport Community House
The Devonport Community House (DCH) first opened its doors in 1979 and is a well-loved and -valued part of the Devonport community. Excitingly, a new team running DCH is injecting fresh ideas and energy into the place. Marketing and Activations Manager Justine Kinsella is one of those people. She’s very motivated and passionate about what the House can bring and the role it can play in our community. Channel Mag’s Aidan Bennett caught up with Justine in mid-November to find out what is happening at DCH and their plans for 2022 and beyond.
A chat with Justine (Kinsella)
AIDAN BENNETT: Justine, welcome to Channel Mag and congratulations on your new role. Can you tell us a bit about your background and who the other new members of the team are at the House?
JUSTINE KINSELLA: Thank you! I was born and raised in Devonport and absolutely love everything about being on the peninsula. I went to Hauraki School and then to Diocesan School for Girls for my high school years.
After studying at Victoria University and the Music & Audio Institute of New Zealand, I worked in the music industry as a booking agent managing shows and tours for some amazingly talented artists. After that, I moved into the marketing and events world both here and then later in London where I had six wonderful, exciting, full-on years!
My partner Mike and I had our daughter Daphne in London and shortly after decided it was time to move back home. Last year, my son Huxley arrived right in the middle of the pandemic, and here we are!
Working alongside me at the House is our new House Manager, Justin Mitchell, and Deb Farmer, managing our accounts.
AB: Devonport Community House is a community facility owned by Auckland Council. What are the services and facilities that are available to the public at Clarence Street?
JK: We have fantastic facilities available at the House. Alongside our five versatile rooms which are available to hire, we have a fully equipped kitchen, carparking on site, a ramp to our upstairs rooms and a fully fenced outdoor area.
We also have a van, and coordinate an elderly-shoppers' run each week, where we pick up members of our community, take them to New World and support them with their grocery shop. This is a very important service for many of our shoppers who take part, so we’re working on plans to develop this into a more regular service so we can open up to more members of our elderly community.
AB: What sort of groups and people use the House at the moment on a regular basis?
JK: We have such a variety of things happening at the House! These include the Devonport Toy Library, Devonport Repair Café, yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates, Mums' fitness classes, table tennis, art and knitting
groups, Salsa, Jiu-Jitsu, te reo classes, Sports 4 Tots, playgroup and more!
AB: You obviously see loads of potential for ‘new activity’ at the House. What are the sort of new things you would like to see happening?
JK: I am such a big supporter of trying new things, so the opportunities are endless! We have two wonderful art rooms at the House, so I would love to see more art-based groups using these. We don’t have any photography-based activity at the House at the moment, so that would be cool too. I’m also passionate about supporting our local parents and their children, so we have some exciting plans in the pipeline for Justine Kinsella outside the Devonport Community House. our pre-school playgroup and a parenting workshop series in 2022. Watch this space!
AB: We are excited that you are going to be providing a regular Devonport Community House column for Channel Mag readers in 2022. What are your plans for the House in 2022 and beyond?
JK: We’re working on a number of projects at the moment that range from updating some of the interiors of the House to make it feel a little more welcoming and vibrant, to reviewing our term timetable and activities and working to bring in anything we think would add value to our programme, whether that be through regular classes or one-off workshops and events. I’m particularly excited about giving our mezzanine area a revamp and turning this into a lovely community lounge! We see this as an integral part of our vision to evolve the House into a community hub for everyone to enjoy, escape the hustle and bustle of the village and to meet their friends and have a cuppa!
AB: You’ve got such an accessible place in Devonport, right in the village, it must be fun to be part of that vibe. Do you have any plans to have more activations or connections with businesses and other organisations in the village?
JK: I love the vibe and have really been missing it through the recent lockdowns. Yes, yes and yes! We would love to connect with more businesses in the local community and we’re already well on our way with this. We are also working with the IB students at TGS who we feel could be instrumental in helping us identify what the House could bring for the younger generations.
Events and activations are such a passion of mine, so I will definitely be looking to incorporate more of these into our calendar next year.
AB: You’ve been at Devonport Community House for a few months now. What are you enjoying about the role?
JK: Pre-lockdown I loved meeting and getting to know all our hirers and community members who come in and use the House. Being at home over the last few months has given me time to take a step back and really look at our place within the community and how we can make it even better. It’s very exciting!
AB: What are your passions outside your work at Devonport Community House?
JK: Spending time with my family. My kids are at very busy ages so we’re on the go, a lot! We love discovering new parks, playgrounds, and walks around Auckland.
AB: Complete the following: At the end of 2021 I am looking forward to…
JK: … Getting on the plane to Arrowtown in December to spend Christmas there with my whole family. Can’t wait!
For more information, contact Justine via email at justine@devonportcomhouse.co.nz or phone Ph 445 3068. Visit: www.devonportcomhouse.co.nz
Meet the DEVONPORT COMMUNITY HOUSE team…
Justin Mitchell – House Manager: Justin is a local dad with 3 boys at Vauxhall School. He has lived in both Australia and Chile but has always returned to the peninsula and loves the sense of community everyone shares. He's excited with the potential to help grow the community house and create a real hub of activity for all locals to enjoy.
Justine Kinsella – Marketing & Activations Manager: Justine was born and bred in Devonport. She has worked in marketing and events management for over 10 years both here and in London. Justine has a partner Mike, and two young children, Daphne and Huxley who keep her busy outside of work. Justine is very much looking forward to continuing the work in making the Devonport Community House a valued and loved part of our community.
Deb Farmer – Accounts: Having grown up in Auckland, Deborah has lived in Devonport for a number of years. A mum of three teenagers, Deborah is very happy to be joining the Community House team and is a firm believer in sustaining community spirit. In her spare time she enjoys the gym and walking along nearby beaches with her dog Bindi.
Justin Mitchell. Justine Kinsella. Deb Farmer.
Local Life
In Channel Magazine we love highlighting people in our community who make a difference. Two local Devonport Peninsula people, Kate and Lauren, have created ‘Local Life NZ’ a social media entity doing similar online. We love what they do, so we’re now collaborating with them to include content in Channel Mag. This month they profile Lise, Ann, and Justin.
Lise, Cosi Fan Tutte
“There have been so many moments of connection – of tears, laughter, cake-eating, coffee-drinking – and even a little dancing. Our block of retailers get on so well and we all support each other and share a laugh. Karen Yarnton next door has the best cake and slice recipes and Sam from Vondel popped in the other day with some food as he knew I wouldn’t have been able to get out for lunch.
“I won’t deny this lockdown has been hard going for us as a bricks and mortar business at what is usually our busiest time of year. But the support from our customers has been amazing, and we’re so grateful for this.
“The biggest thing I take from this is that people matter above all else. Even the smallest things can make the biggest difference to your day.
“I grew up here in Devonport and I’m proud of our village and how we look out for each other. Cosi is my happy place – it’s so much more than just a store to me. I love the fact that we have staff that I remember as little kids, and that we get to hear about our customers’ new grandchildren. We’re all family here.” – Lise Jordain, manager, Cosi Fan Tutte, Devonport www.cosifantutte.co.nz
Ann O'Sullivan Pottery
“I do love making pots and making people happy. I do love business – I can’t help myself.”
Ann owned a number of successful cafés in Sydney, but she was a potter long before she got into hospitality. She started Corellis in Devonport on her return to New Zealand in 2010, after hankering for a place where she could have a coffee after 3pm. She grew it with the knowledge that she wanted to do something different. “The fun is getting something going and making a place where the community can gather,” she says.
She was always a little nervous about putting her pottery in the café, but people grew to love it. First it was the plates, and then people demanded to drink out of handmade cups. “There was no handmade experience in a cup from Briscoes,” she says.
She believes people are more mindful of what they spend their money on now, and they love to know the story behind what they’ve bought. Whether it’s anchors, crowns, Virgin Marys, yellow-eyed penguins or Miffy, Ann puts a bit of what she loves into everything she makes.
Ann originally hails from the West Coast of the South Island, but says that “Devonport’s the only place in New Zealand worth living in now.” – Ann has a pottery studio at 139 Vauxhall Road, Devonport. For opening hours and to contact Ann, you can message via Facebook or Instagram @AnnOsullivanPottery
Justin Burke, UGLYS Produce
Justin Burke’s 40-year career in the travel industry survived the Global Financial Crisis, 9/11, SARS – even the oil crisis of ’79 – but it was COVID-19 that finally put paid to his long-term vocation last year. “And then I asked myself what I’d really like to be doing,” he said.
“Things come together when you have time to get clear space,” he says. A fan of door-to-door sales in the 90’s – before internet shopping was a thing – Justin hit upon the idea of selling excess, straightfrom-the-tree, locally-sourced fruit when he realised that his food purchasing had become identifiable on price only. “Food has become anonymous,” he says, “I want to know where it’s come from, how it’s been grown, and how much the food producers care about their product.” UGLYS harvests fruit and herbs from around the neighbourhood – a bountiful supply of freshlypicked lemons, grapefruit, oranges, mandarins, kaffir limes, green bananas, avocados and rosemary – leaves some with the owners, gives a proportion to the community box and sells the rest locally, earmarking a percentage of funds for local schools, clubs and church groups. Suffice to say, nothing goes to waste -- it’s a win-win all around. OUR PLACE Stories of Local Life Justin’s wife Kathy also uses the excess to make lemon curd and grapefruit marmalade, while daughter Gen, a talented design graduate, has fashioned the UGLY brand into all number of promotional opportunities. Justin sells direct from his fruit stall every weekend morning and is the consummate salesman, enticing passers-by with a free grapefruit “so they can see what real fruit tastes like,” he says. “No matter how ugly it might look.” You can find UGLYS produce at 25 Clarence Street every Saturday morning from 9am-12pm across from the Devonport Community House and at the Fresh Market on Clarence Street, Devonport. There is also an UGLYS Koha box at 25 Clarence Street open 7 days a week. Justin also offers local deliveries.
If you have a story you would like to share or know of a local hero, contact Kate Dobbin & Lauren Lulu Taylor at hello@localifenz.com Follow Local Life NZ on Facebook and Instagram – @LocalLifeNZ
Late in 2020 we published a book “OUR PLACE” featuring 50 Local Life stories from our community. The interest saw us sell out of the first two print runs so we did a third run.
We still have a few copies left that can be purchased. If you missed out and are interested in a copy then email us at hello@locallifenz.com.
The book is available for purchase at Paradox Books, Devonport for $30.
“We’re all in this together. Laura Foote u are a bloody legend!! Oh Hannah you really are wee shining light in this dark time for many. Keep glowing n growing you special woman you. Thank you Sam for your welcoming smile, a joke or song. You cheer up my day. Sam is such a delightful and special human being who goes out of his way to be helpful to everyone. Poems, politics, saving the world are but a few of his attributes. Love the Patriot, guess that makes me a Patriot! We as a family have been going there for around 25 years. Amazing how little we need and how much we have. Ron- I know this man and what a privilege that is. I have many happy memories of this lovely Vic theatre, used to visit in the late 50’s - early 60’s. I’m a big fan of Devon on the Wharf. Nigar is very welcoming and warm hearted. Nilesh & Dosa- They are just lovely human beings, love them. LOVE Paradox books! A wonderful selection of books and great service always and ambience. It’s not what you do that’s important ...It’s the passion you do it with! Thanks so much for the yummy croissants Alan. Can’t wait to claim the table again on Wednesday mornings. Sam is wonderful and my dog Ivy is absolutely besotted with him. Sam, you are a legend ... such a star and we hope you keep on shining your bright light. Thank you for being you.We love Whites. Legends. Brilliant ♥ lovely! Amazingly inspirational. Laura- a very special uniquely gorgeous being ♥ One of Devonport’s unsung heroes! Laura’s positivity is inspiring. Just simply the best! Love this all the way! The Pub looks (and is ) Amazing. Well said Ken. You’re a good man ♥ Some of my favourite people right here! Kate Walden Ben Walden Bill and Gerri, two big hearts. Making a huge difference and changing lives. ♥ ♥ Thank you Kashish & Sam, you’re both so friendly and helpful, every time I walk in I feel so welcomed. Wonderful...there are some great people out there… It just goes to show how valued you are in the community Josie. You provide us a happy place to come to.” OUR PLACE Stories of Local Life
OUR PLACE – STORIES OF LOCAL LIFE DEVONPORT LOCAL LIFE NZ
Foodie Finds is a monthly column by Kate Dobbin and Lauren Lulu Taylor which profiles local food producers and their products in the Devonport area. If you have suggestions of products or producers for us to consider, please email Kate on kdobbin7@gmail.com or Lulu at Lulu@secretkiwikitchen.com
Picnics that pack a punch
Picnicking on the beach is perfect at this time of year, and al fresco dining with friends just got a whole lot more fun with some great picnic food supplies on offer from local Devonport businesses.
Signal Hill boasts four different picnic hamper options that covers a range of different tastes, needs and cuisines. The William Oliver Hamper for two people ($45) is a delicious array of fresh, clean tastes, including house smoked king salmon with a refreshing quinoa salad; a burrata cheese, rocket pesto and tomato mix, set off with a bang-bang dressing; charred flatbread with hummus and dukkah; and rounded off with a dreamy baked cheesecake mousse with macadamia cookie crumble. Other options include a pork belly dinner for two ($55, complete with charcoal steamed bao buns); spatchcock dinner for two ($60); and the Signal Hill Classic ($110) which serves four people and takes picnics to another level with braised lamb shoulder, agria potato with truffle mascarpone and chargrilled asparagus.
If you’re looking for a vegan option, try the cold rolls and cauliflower salad served daily at the Living Room on Victoria Road, which also boasts mighty fine nachos and polenta fries; or the range of cabinet food from Lily Eatery around the corner on Wynyard Street which includes homemade quiche, brioche, sausage rolls and muffins.
Fishy Business on Lake Road does some of the best value and best quality sushi around, if you’re looking for a platter to share with friends on the beach. A family-sized sushi platter of 48 pieces is $35.00, while smaller portions are available for $6 and $7.50, depending on the size of sushi you want.
If you want to take the stress out of picnic planning, Devonport caterers Floss and Bec can do it all for you. They provide bespoke picnic-style grazing tables, which you can enjoy both indoors or outdoors.
Signal Hill Takeaway Menu:
Wed-Fri 4.30pm-7.30pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-7.30pm Tel 09 445 0193
Living Room
Open daily, 10am-4pm 09 4461010
Lily Eatery
Open daily, 8am-4pm 09 445 0243
Floss and Bec
Bespoke Grazing Tables and Event Styling Contact: felicity@flossandbec.co.nz
Fishy Business
Open daily, 10am-10pm Deliveries available 09 445 7333
By Sonia Thursby, CEO, Shore Junction
Welcome to SJ in the Park
Sonia Thursby.
Shore Junction has been a dynamic space for as long as we’ve been open, we’ve pivoted and moved with the times. When we moved levels earlier on in the year we developed activities and procedures to keep young people safe while inside Shore Junction.
When lockdown arrived in August, we created a discord server which engages and connects with over 200 young people from across the shore and Aotearoa. Now we have once again adapted to engage and support our young people in a way which is filled with fun, connection but also keeps the youth safe inside the traffic light system: Welcome to “SJ in the Park”.
SJ in the park (or Shore Junction in the park) is a collection of activities which will be hosted in different locations around the North Shore to provide real life meetings and hang outs during level 3 step 2 as well as the new red and amber light framework. Some of the activities we have ready to go include a safe queer hang out called “Rainbow Junction”, An outdoor study session with specialist tutors for NCEA exams as well as “Learn Coach” memberships to give away, we have “Paw Junction” which is a hang out with members and their furry family members, outdoor fitness classes and many more activities on the way. To keep everyone safe, there will be a maximum of 23 young people able to attend (as well as the 2 staff members), we will have distancing protocols in place, space face masks, and we will also have prepacked snacks and water bottles for each attending young person so there is no need to actually enter each other’s personal bubbles.
Lockdown has been a mentally draining time for the young people of the North Shore and to ensure we’re facilitating events and activities that they want to be a part of and that they want to attend, we have created a youth lead working group who develop the ideas and plans alongside staff.
