Billy’s Te Awamutu blessing
Day of Blessing with Billy Graham , focusing on his Christian faith
Te Awamutu Rugby, Sports and Recreation Club was the venue for the rescheduled Te Awamutu and Districts Day of Blessing. The 2021 guest speaker was former New Zealand and Australasian light welterweight boxing champion Billy Graham.
At 7am, there was a complimentary breakfast with Billy with around 25 attending.
This was followed by lunch , where about 130 people attended, before the town blessing.
Billy spoke on his journey, goals and how his Christian faith has been a great foundation for his life.
As a young lad he was struggling, but he found a solution.
In his story he explains: “I have had a full and exciting life and wouldn’t trade it for anything. My life now: The Naenae Boxing Academy is my replica of the facility the Dick Dunn made for me.
“I want to make that facility available for boys and girls throughout New Zealand and I believe there are people in New Zealand who want to make a difference as I do.”
The Naenae Boxing Academy opened its doors in 2006 and Team Billy (which includes wife Kerri, son David, daughter Susanna and valued staff and supporters) has helped hundreds of boys.
Billy proudly talks about boys who arrived angry, insecure or confused and have become head boys at local schools and won civic and boxing awards — giving them a purpose in life using the disciplines of boxing.
Te Awamutu’s Boxing academy, managed by Billy’s brother Chris, is one of five Billy Graham academies around the country.
The Day of Blessing was founded nine years ago when Rev Diane Yule from St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church of Te Awamutu called the community to gather with the purpose to acknowledge and thank the many sections of our community that make us who we are.
The 2022 meeting will be in March.