Waiouru gala a boon all-round

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 528, 22 March 1994, Page 3

Waiouru gala a boon all-round

B)

r Michele

Monaghan

Waiouru Primary School's 'Desert Gala' tumed out to be quite profitable for the various community groups involved. Neil Bleasdale, chairman of the PTA, said attendance was slightly down on last year. 890 adults paid a dollar to go in to the gala grounds and for a draw for a set of outdoor furniture. The winners were KV & Toni Kavana. Mr Bleasdale estimated about 3000 people went to the gala. The money raised will be spent on outdoor education equipment for the school. Waiouru' s Te Kohanga Reo put on an excellent hangi according to the comments of customers. They raised about $500 for the tamariki, which will come in handy after recently being the victims of a burglary. Debbie Betts, treasurer for Kenningston Street Kindergarten, was full of praise for the efforts of parents. The kindergarten had virtually no outlays as the parents supplied cakes and goodies for their stall. Over $400 will go in to the kindergarten coffers. Weir Terrace Kindergarten did a little better with their stall. They made about $700 and still have IOU's to collect. Toy clowns and some fruit is still available from the kindergarten at very reasonable rates. Waiouru 's Girl Guides have $240 over and above their biscuit saies, and the brownies earned themselves about $140 also. The Plunket Society' s stall was very popular, said president Julie Batt. They had to call out the local butcher for more meat after running out. The face painting was very popular and Mrs Batt says they made about $300. The railway restoration fund is $500 better off, after their satay stall proved a big hit. Satays sold out in three hours said Maggie Vine, one of the cooks. A fine day helped ensure the community' s hard work paid off, but the cancellation of the Turoa Tumblers was a big disappointment.. The crowd enjoyed the police dog display put on by the Wanganui and Palmerston North dog teams, and Mr Bleasdale says the Ulysses Club' s motorcycles were a great sight. He has had a lot of positive feedback about the displays, and hopes to have more to entertain the crowds next year. Mr Bleasdale extends his thanks to all people involved in making the day a successful one.