Great celebration

A wonderful day was celebrated in true Katikati style, a small community together, with the opening of the Arts Junction on the eve of Suffrage 125 Katikati Re-enactment March set the standard, and was a fabulous event.

We did our Western Bay region proud and it took a community to make this event such a success.

Nicky Austin from Katch Katikati was the glue that pieced everything together, Western Bay Museum had the Suffrage 125 — Our Women — Their Stories exhibition with more than 20 volunteers involved, Katikati Floral Art and volunteers Pauline McCowan and Fern Neilson organised the fabulous tableau displays, Don Wallis and band, Val Baker and Legion of Frontiersmen, Town Crier, John Groves, Katikati Concert Band, Western Bay Museum Friends hosted author Jenny Coleman from Massey University, Di Logan and local talent performed an excellent play, Eric Green and his vintage cars, Katikati respected elders and our own VIPs attended in mass and had reserved seating; Taylor Bros Transport, Suffrage 125 NZ, Ministry of Women NZ, The Breeze, Katikati Advertiser and NZME, Nga kohine o Katikati kareti, the Tongan and Indian groups, the Red Hat ladies, Rural Women NZ, Larissa, our first aid nurse, and all those who made the effort to dress up and enjoy a fantastic free day that will be remembered for years to come.

Tee Carroll organised the dignitaries. And on the 11th hour, a young man, Joe Spiers, answered our call to video the entire event.

We had a tight budget and Nicky controlled the finances and attended to the security and health and safety requirements. It took all of these people’s efforts and time to make this event come together. It was a massive day enjoyed by hundreds and I would like to personally thank these special people for without them it would never have been.

PAULA GAELIC Katikati Suffrage 125

Committee