Good on ya, Dad

That special day for Dads is coming up on September 3 and Mahurangi Matters, with the support of some amazing local businesses, has a truckload of goodies to give away to help families celebrate.

Father’s Day provides an opportunity to honour fathers, grandfathers and father figures by acknowledging their invaluable contributions to families and the community at large.

Fathers are vital pillars of a family, with their significance reaching far beyond their mere biological roles. Involved fathers give their children emotional stability and their presence helps instil confidence and security, influencing positive relationships and communication skills. They offer guidance and support, helping to shape their children’s character and values.

Father’s Day is a time to recognise the efforts made by Dads, underscoring the essential role they play in shaping present and future generations.

So, tell us (in around 120 words or less) why your Dad, or a male father figure in your life, is special, and you could be in to win some great prizes, including:

A $350 chainsaw from Stihl Warkworth, a $250 voucher from Camerons Autos, a $160 voucher from Omaha Beach Golf Club, a wallet valued at $150 from Warkworth Menswear, one of two $150 vouchers from Matakana Village Butchery or Sculptureum. Plus, one of seven $100 vouchers, which can be spent at Smiths Sports Shoes, Hammer Hardware Wellsford, ITM Warkworth, Aqua Works, The Photo Store, Wyatts Landscaping or Herons Flight; or a family pass to the Warkworth Museum valued at $50. Entries close and winners drawn on Friday, September 1, at 10am.

How to enter

Post entries to 17 Neville Street, Warkworth, or email them to online@ localmatters.co.nz. Entries are also being accepted via the Mahurangi Matters Facebook page.

Winners will be published in the September 11 paper.

Barclay back in the saddle at MCG

Matakana Community Group (MCG) chair Rachel Demler is stepping down after four years, and former chair Simon Barclay has volunteered to replace her. Although Demler was officially re-elected at the group’s annual meeting on July 31, she said she would like to stand down due, at least in part, to suffering from long covid in recent months, and Barclay later put his hand up to take over the role. The meeting itself was shorter than planned, thanks to the region-wide power cut that plunged the hall into darkness just before it began. Fiona Strathern was re-elected treasurer and the secretary’s role remains vacant. It was agreed to schedule the next MCG meeting within two months. Info: www.matakanacommunitygroup.org or Matakana Community Group on Facebook

How