Flood victims' holiday

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 6, Issue 239, 12 April 1988, Page 2

Flood victims' holiday

A group of children from the flood-struck east coast had the opportunity to forget, during a few days fun in the Waimarino over Easter. Twenty-seven youngsters from four different schools around Gisborne, all of whom had suffered personal losses and had homes destroyed, recently spent a very enjoyable time in the Waimarino with their host families. The idea to host the children was raised by one of Raetihi School's teachers a short time before Easter. Principal Geoff Lovegrove said it was an "enormous task" organising a plan to bring a group across the island for the Easter break. "The response from local people was absolutely tremendous and we were able to proceed with our plan," he said. A bus was chartered from Gisborne to Taupo and paid for by the city's Lions Club. In turn Raetihi School raised enough money to charter a bus from Raetihi across to Taupo to meet them. The group spent the weekend seeing the sights of the Waimarino. Visits to Waiouru's Army Museum and Burns pool, the Chateau and Express Chair at Whakapapa and the hot pools at Tokaanu were highlights of the trip. A barbecue put on by local people rounded off a hectic visit to the area. Turnp. 7