to school

ahead. “We got in five out of six of the events we had planned. But of course we know many people got hit pretty hard. This is a business of big financial risk and plenty of stress.”

For his operation, last year was a good one, with New Year festive parties the successes he’d anticipated – even if Hauraki School’s event in December was temporarily quashed by rain.

For Bennett, the successful business approach has been to have fewer dates on the calendar and make more of the events he is doing.

“Because there have been so many cancellations and postponements, there’s also been the issue of people trying to stage stuff that’s been held over for ages. Then you could be looking at far too many events trying to squeeze in for it all to be viable.

“You just have to be very realistic about the environment we’re working in: the pandemic, inflation, weather patterns, supply shocks and labour issues. Covid hasn’t gone away and whenever we’re doing something there’s always someone sick at the time. You can’t guess on that, you just have to roll with it.”

He also predicts a reduction in people’s spending. “Less people are going to be confident to be spending money on having a good time. But people love entertainment and they love to go out. More so maybe in these crazy times we are living in.

Having a night out to look forward to can be a big thing for a lot of people.

“I’ve been making my living by making things happen for big crowds of people for a long time. I know I’ve had good luck but I am known in this sector for bringing venues the sort of good people they want.”

Bennett is a father of two – Orlando-Cruise (8) and Zoe-Rose (3). Fatherhood, he says without hestitation, is the best thing that has happened to him and the hardest job he’s ] had.

Being able to bring his skills to his son’s school and hopefully establish a long-running, successful annual event, is an exciting prospect, says Bennett. He takes pride in being able to reel off a list of North Shore charities and causes that he has been able to support.

Joanna, who comes from an event and marketing background, works with him. It’s a busy household, these days, especially with one eye on the weather. But Bennett says it’s the dream job for him.

For Halloween, they managed to squeeze in a party at home and, like a lot of his gigs, he knows it’s one the guests will long remember.

“It was just fantastic. Dad was there cutting off people’s heads in the driveway.” Or at least that’s what it seemed on the night – thanks to a large dollop of the old family magic.

Nigel Bioletti General & Fundraising Manager

Phone 027 445 6211 nigelbioletti@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

WHAT IS THE DEVONPORT PENINSULA TRUST, AND WHAT DOES IT DO?

We are a Charitable Trust, established in 2011, independent of the local board/council, governed by a Trust Board. We are, however, funded by the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board, to deliver programmes across the peninsula (activities, networks, community meetings, forums – senior and youth) and to support the activity of other groups – such as the Mid-winter Swim community. We have relative independence in choosing these programmes.

Our mission: ‘Building Community’ – by enabling and empowering groups to provide community opportunities. We receive a small grant from Auckland Council for the delivery of specific events of our choosing – such as Bayswater Halloween Trail. We provide umbrella governance for ‘Restoring Takarunga Hauraki’ – policy, oversight. We provide umbrella governance support for the Devonport Arts Festival Trust, and helped revitalise the Devonport Art Trail in 2021/22.

We offer our support for initiatives that will benefit this community – eg. our involvement in the development of the ‘Devonport Emergency Resilience Guidelines’, now available on our website home page. We publicise events and activities for Peninsula organisations through our E-News and social media. We welcome the support of the community – financial and voluntary – email nigelbioletti@devonportpeninsulatrust.nz

ROTARY KIDS ATHLETICS – FREE

Our long -unning Kids Athletics programme – kindly sponsored for 2023 by Devonport Rotary.

When: 4pm to 6 pm, 14 February to 21 March at Vauxhall Sports Reserve/North Shore Rugby playing field – open to all children on the Peninsula. Register your children on 14 Feb Navy Park on Vauxhall Road.

COMMUNITY NETWORK MEETING

10:30 am, Wednesday 22 February at Devonport Yacht Club – sharing of local information, a chance to raise concerns, seek solutions.

With special thanks to the Devonport-Takapuna Local Board for funding the Devonport Peninsula Trust.

Shorejobs

Shorejobs

Café Chef

Compass Group Is looking to fill several hospitality related roles located at the cafes and stores located on the Devonport Naval Base.

Available positions include: Kitchen Hand / Food Preparation, Cafe / Kitchen assistant, Catering Assistant / Front of house staff.

All roles require some food preparation and general kitchen duties and some roles require some customer interaction.

The ideal candidate is likely to be a local resident who would benefit from working school hours 9.30-2.30 or 9-3pm etc. Part-time or full-time positions available.

Compass Group is New Zealand’s leading and largest provider of food and support services across multiple industry sectors including Business and Industry, Education, Defence, Offshore and Remote, Aged Care, Hospitals and Senior Living. These industry sectors are managed by our sub brands Eurest, Chartwells, Restaurant Associates, Medirest, and ESS. We specialise in turning ordinary acts of service into extraordinary experiential moments for our clients. With innovative and talented teams across New Zealand, we transform experiences from being GOOD to GREAT.

You must be able to satisfactorily pass a police clearance.

How To Apply

Send your CV and Cover Letter to Roger.Pearce@compass-group.co.nz or call 027-257-0163 for more information.

Weighbridge and Recycling shop staff & Yard Operations Staff

We are after strong, capable, hardworking individuals who are comfortable talking with customers and aren’t afraid of a bit of grime or a hard day’s work. We have two positions we need to fill as soon as possible, full or part-time, Weighbridge and Recycling shop staff & Yard Operations Staff

Enquiries for Volunteering in the shop are also welcomed.

The Devonport Community Recycling Centre, Reuse shop, and Landscaping yard is open six days a week, with staff working together to receive, price, sort, up-cycle, and sell goods and materials suitable for reuse. We divert waste from landfills, assist our community in becoming more sustainable, and run a thriving landscape supply company. We are looking for environmentally conscious individuals to join our team.

Please submit your resume to richard@devonportrecycle.co.nz or call 021 0831 0025.

Fitness Trainers Wanted North Shore-based Functional Fitness Studio is searching for passionate, Experienced and/or Qualified Specialist Instructors to join the team.

1. Personal Trainer, Functional Strength Coach to teach small-group classes and 1-to-1. Will take-over an existing client base, no PT rental agreements. Hours/week depend on applicant. Job-growth opportunities for the right person.

2. Instructors –Spin, Boxing, TRX, Kettlebell, Barre, HIIT Classes, and Kid’s/Teen Kick-Boxing Classes.

3. Assisted-Stretch Specialists for 1-to-1 sessions.

Pay up to $65/hr.

SoulSprite Fitness Studios has been in operation for 9 years and is in big growth-mode. We’re located in the heart of Devonport Village, have a strong committed community of members and (for now) have only 5-star ratings online. Please email your CV and cover letter to: info@soulsprite.co.nz or contact Ben on 0220599605.