Whangārei Film Society one to watch

Hatea U3A: Come along and join us – a friendly group of inquiring minds to hear stimulating speakers and smaller separate interest groups.

For further information, Sheila on 4597166. St John’s Golden Church, Kamo Rd, Kensington. 10am,

FRI, APR 15

Pahi Kaipara Cruises: Four-hour voyage discovering the mighty Kaipara. Cruising from Pahi to Arapaoa River then Otamatea River, passing places rich in history before returning to Pahi. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. Phone 09 420 8466. Pahi Wharf, Pahi, Kaipara. 9am.

SAT, APR 16

Easter Egg Hunt: Hop on by for an egg-splosion of fun on our eggstravaganza hunt! Call 09 5533407 to book please. $20 per person but LOADS of fun for the whole family. Heads Up Adventure Park, 189 Whangarei Heads Rd, Whangārei. 4pm.

When Geoff Bartlett moved across the ditch to Whangārei six years ago, he set about meeting some like-minded people.

“I’ve always been into film and worked in theatre back in Australia, so when I heard about the Whangārei Film Society, I immediately signed up,” Bartlett says.

“It was a really high-quality group that did some awesome work, but I realised pretty quickly that it didn’t have a great profile.

I’d chat with people who’d lived in Whangārei all their lives and they’d never heard of them.”

Bartlett’s marketing background was an instant benefit to the group.

“It’s common for community organisations to struggle with promotion,” he says. “I joined the committee and asked if I could help build the profile. I’d done publicity for national shows back in Australia so I was keen to drum

SUN, APR 17

Whangārei Model Engineering Club Open Day: The club hosts public open days on the third Sunday of every month at Heritage Park, Whangārei. Find out more information at wmec.org.nz or check out Neighbourly’s What’s On section.

Kids Easter Egg Hunt: Fun local up support for the Whangārei Film Society too.”

Bartlett set up a deal with a local radio station where they’d promote the Film Society’s weekly screenings in exchange for tickets to give away. Then, he started listing screenings onour What’s On page via Neighbourly.

“We can list our screenings on Neighbourly’s What’s On page online, and they’ll get replicated in [the local Stuff community paper, including] the Whangārei Leader, which helps get the word out more,” Bartlett says.

“It’s easy to set up and we’ve

countryside outing for the kids tracking down eggs left by our Easter Bunny. Awesome play area too; $35 per family (BOOKING ESSENTIAL – VIA KAIPARA COAST WEBSITE) finishes@3pm. Kaipara Coast Plant Centre & Sculpture Gardens, 1481 Kaipara Coast Highway (SH16), 4km north of Kaukapakapa, 9am. gotten really good support out of it.”

While the film society’s members love film, it isn’t all about what’s on the big screen.

“Members may never have heard of the film we’re screening but they trust that we’re choosing a good one,” he says. “But mostly they’re there for the socialising. We lay on platters of food and we famously pour the largest glass of wine in New Zealand.

“Watching a film is great, but the chance to connect with friends and make new ones is just lovely. It’s a wonderful crew of people.”

The Whangārei Film Society usually meets on Thursdays at Forum North, with screenings of different films at 6pm and 8pm. Screenings are currently on hold until Covid restrictions are eased.

For more information and news about the first screening of 2022, visit www. whangareifilmsociety.org.

TUES, APR 19

Scottish Country Dancing: All welcome to join us each week for a fun evening of traditional Scottish country dancing to lively music. We offer teaching for beginners. No partner required. Kamo War Memorial Hall, Boswell St, Kamo. 7.30pm.

To place a submission for the What’s On column, visit www.neighbourly. co.nz/whats-on, choose the newspaper you want to list in and enter the event details. Listings must be no more than 30 words. Note you will need to be a Neighbourly member to list. Please submit two weeks before your event. Low-cost/ free events only. Inclusion is at editor’s discretion. We receive many submissions and cannot guarantee every entry will be included.

Traffic lights: Make sure you are aware of the Covid traffic light setting in your area and any rules you may need to comply with.

TUES, APR 26

Come and Join Us: For friendly Aglow Holy Spirit fellowship. Our prophetically gifted speaker is pilot missionary, business and outdoors man Chris D’Ath. We celebrate Christ with joy and laughter. Offering taken for expenses. Tikipunga Baptist Church, cnr Kiripaka Rd and Heretaunga St, Tikipunga. 9.30am. Scottish Country Dancing: All welcome to join us each week for a fun evening of traditional Scottish Country Dancing to lively music. We offer teaching for beginners. No partner required. Kamo War Memorial Hall, Boswell St, Kamo. 7.30pm.

FRI, APR 22

Secret Bridesmaids’ Business: Elizabeth Coleman’s wonderful characters bring this seriously funny Australian play to life. Tickets on sale April 4 only from Craniums, Town Basin. Evening performances, 7pm April 22-24, $55, plus matinee Sunday, $45. Octagon Theatre, 13 Aubrey St, Regent, Whangārei.