WORK FOR COMMUNITY

Chronicle (Levin), 11 December 1948, Page 4

WORK FOR COMMUNITY

Training Centre Staff And Boys Thanked Throughout the year a nuihber' of organisations receive generous a'ssistance in their activities from t'he manager, Mr. E. J. Stanley, staif And boys of the Levin Training Centre. In recognition of their work and to show the community's •appreciation'of it, a social evening was held in St. Mary's Hall on Thursday night when members of the staff and the boys were guests' .bf honour. Arranged by organisations which benefit by their work, the function' was attended by upwards of 2.0 0 people, among them prominent citizens and representatives of local organisations. Mr. J. Miller, as master of ceremonies, soon had proceedings moving in. a happy and cordial atmosphere, and the evening proved an unqualiiied succeSs, A programme of items' was presented and competitive games organised, while ice creains ,and soft drinks were dispensed: The. supper was, as one of the guests described * it, "a great' spread." During a lull in the proceedings, the Mayor, Mr. H. B. Burdekm, called on the representatives of, the various organisations to speak briefly. Those present were taking part in something that was unique in that they were being giverf the opp'ortunity of paying a welldeserved triibute to the s.taff and boys of the centre, said Mr. Burdekin, speaking on behalf of. .the citizens. When it had been mentioned to the various organisations that the boys who had helped them at various. times were being given the evening, they had been only too pleased to assist. Everyone realised what was meant when it was said t'hat very . few people knew what the boys had done for the community. Time after time they had helped out with jobs t* be done in the borough — the aid given being purely voluntary. Hisonly regret was that the manager, Mr. E. J. Stanley, was unavoidably absent, but he welcomed the house master, Mr. L. Abbott, who was deputising for Mr. Stanley. Representatives of the various organisations spoke in eulogistiC terms. of the assistance they had: received from the staff and boys i and --paid tribute to the willingness j and community spirit shown by1 them. .The speakers were:— -• Mesdames H. B. Burdekin '(Levin Play Centre), F. C. Lemmon (St. Mary's Ladies' "Guild),- G. Gibsori (Levin ;LadleS' Bowling Cluh) and ! Messrs. N. Thomley (Levin Junior : Chamlber of Commerce) , J-. . Corbishley (Levin R.S.A.), W. R. Jack (Horowhenua Marching Association), G. Milroy (Levin Amateur Athletic and Cycling Club) and A. * O. * Powell (Levin Horticultural i Society) . Other guests were Mr. C. A. Guy and the matron and staff of the Levin Farm, Speaking of his. organisation's 'i aims (education, action. fellow- . ship and service), t'he president of i the Junior Chamber of Commerce, ii Mr. Thornley, said that it might i well take a very good lesson from"| the boys of the centre. Unfortu- |i nately, many did not realise^ the-jl assistance given to the community i bv the hovs from time to time.

Responding, one of the boys thanked all present for the evening. "It has been marvellous and eve-ycne had enjoyed themselves," he said. "We boys are only too willing to help any organisation which asks for it," he added. In conclusion^ he thanked all who had helped in any way in arrang•ipg the splendid function. "We at the centre are a community, and in a community, whfether large or small, there are jobs of work to do," said Mr. Albbottv,in -expressing .his appreciation of the tributes paid'. "If these iads were in their own homes, Mum and the neighbours would find them doing odd jobs of work. It comes naturally to them. If we are doing a service, tjien it seems to me that we are* merely following in the footsteps of your leading eitizen, Mr. Burdekin, who makes his life one long service," he concluded. Mr. Burdekin thanked all who' had helped to further the function, the artists,. the ladies' committee and many other individuals and business firms. The items presented were as follows- — Saxophone solo: Mr. R. Lester; sword dance and highland fling: Colleen Dobson, Audrey Cameron and Gwenn Davidson; vocal solos: Mrs. Harrington, •ceiitre boys and Mr. J. Edgar; ■cornet solos: Mr. G. Lester. A community sing was led by Messrs. •R. Lester and A. Bonner, while the •accompanists were Messrs. H. L. Jenkins, A. Bonner and A. Yors•ton. The ladies' committee responsible for the supper, decorations •and soft drinki stall comprised Mesdames Fletcher, de Mey, Les'ter, Gibson, Sharpe, Croot, Corry; Tilley, Neas, Jenkins, Walkley, Donelly and Gallagher and Miss M. Jenkins. The convener was Mrs. H. B. Burdekin. An. example of the boys' willingness tb serve was seen when the washing of the supper dishes had to be done, a number of the guests themselves voluntarily assisting in th'e kitchen.