Relief milking to fund playcentre

Sharemilker’s novel approach to helping Turua centre

Asharemilker from rural Hauraki has come up with a novel approach to fundraising for Turua Playcentre to help get new equipment.

Briana Joynt has been sharemilking for the past 17 years, since she was 21. She moved to Turua in 2018 where her husband is from, via Warkworth.

For the past two and a half years, Briana has combined share milking with calf-rearing.

She is offering her services as an experienced sharemilker to anyone who wins the ticket draw and she came up with the idea as a way to help stock owners over the new year period, and as a more effective way than traditional bake sales to raise money.

“I’m looking to sell a minimum of 50 tickets, but the aim is to sell at least 100,” says Briana.

She has “emailed school newsletters, and this week I am dropping off flyers in farm supply shops in the area”.

A winning ticket will get the recipient relief milking or assistance for up to 300 cows on December 31 and January 1, which Briana says usually takes a full day when travel is included.

“I’m used to dealing with 200-300 cows a day, depending on shed size.”

A mother of three children, who all attend the Turua Playcentre, Briana still had her nose to the grindstone during pregnancy: “I worked all through until July when my youngest child was born — I do it because I love it.”

When the centre needed money for equipment updates, Briana said she “put her hand up” and said jobs to do include fixing buildings, upgrading sand toys and family (Doll) play area, and new turf for the playground.

“All money going towards updating resources and equipment purchases.”

Tickets can be purchased by emailing the Playcentre at turua. playcentre@gmail.com.

The draw date is November 11.